College Planning for Junior Year and Beyond

1. College Planning for Junior Year and Beyond October 10, 2013 The School Counseling Dept. CN

2. Understand the importance of junior year Gain knowledge of a college preparatory vocabulary Learn the tasks and tools necessary to navigate the college search process Become aware of the steps needed to create a “Going to College” Action Plan Evening’s Objectives CN

3. Junior Year Your Year to SHINE! But why so important? DG

4. Junior Year If you plan to go to college, the most important grades on your transcript will be the ones from your junior year. WHY? • Your junior-year grades will be the last complete set of grades you send to colleges when you apply. • Junior year grades will correspond to classes that are much closer in difficulty to college-level work than freshman- and sophomore-year classes are. For these reasons, you should make sure your academic performance reaches—and stays at—a high level throughout your junior year. DG http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2012/10/junior-year-the-most-important-year-of-high-school.html

5. Junior Year Teacher Recommendations Your best-possible recommendations will come from your junior-year teachers. Why? • They teach more difficult classes. • They remember you as a student. DG http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2012/09/junior-year-the-best-year-for-securing-recommendations.html

6. Lets break it down. 11th Grade “Going to College” Action Plan DG

7. 11th Grade Action Plan Fall 2013 • Set goals for the school year • Organization! Make weekly/monthly “getting ready for college” to-do lists • PSAT/NMSQT- 10/19/2013 • College Search • College visits, possibly DG

8. 11th Grade Action Plan Winter 2013 • Review PSAT/NMSQT results together. • Prepare and register for college admission tests, SAT and/or the ACT. • Begin thinking about senior year courses…consider RIGOR • Begin thinking about SAT subject tests and possibly AP exams, if applicable. DG

9. Standardized Testing SAT Reasoning Test (collegeboard.org) SAT measures academic aptitude Areas tested: Math, Verbal & Writing Skills ACT (actstudent.org) Measures academic achievement Areas tested: Math, Reading, Writing & Science You must take ACT Plus Writing We recommend students take their first standardized test in the spring. KC

10. Standardized Testing SAT Subject Test • Single, one hour, subject tests to demonstrate specific knowledge • You can take 3 in one sitting (not all SAT test dates administer subject tests) • It’s best to take a subject test right after taking the relevant course. • Research! Does my college(s) of interest require or recommend the subject test? KC

11. Standardized Testing TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl • Test Of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL has become an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. KC

12. Preparing for Standardized Testing • PSAT • SAT study plan as a result of the PSAT • Budget your time • Test it • Score it • Ask why • Prep Classes (Most helpful right before the test/between tests) • Practice tests! KC http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/2013/08/19/prepare-for-the-sat-on-a-budget

13. Standardized Tests • Accommodations If your student possesses an IEP or a 504 plan he or she may qualify for accommodations through college board or act. Pls speak to your counselor. • Fee Waiver Please speak to your counselor if you are in need of assistance. KC

14. NCAA Thinking about playing sports while in college? Are you being recruited by a college coach? What You Need to Know… AJ

15. NCAA Eligibility Division I & II Students must register on NCAA Eligibility Center www.eligibilitycenter.org/ -Academic Standards (Division I & II) -Graduate from high school -Complete a minimum of 16 core courses for Division I or II -Earn a minimum required grade-point average in core courses -Earn a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT. -Request final amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center. Students are responsible to review NCAA approved courses at WHS AJ

16. NCAA Eligibility Division III • Division III colleges and universities set their own admission standards. The NCAA does not set initial eligibility requirements in Division III AJ

18. 11th Grade Action Plan Spring 2014 • College Search • Visit colleges together • Attend college fairs and financial aid events. • Begin thinking about summer plans… meaningful summer activity AJ

19. College Terminology • Types of Applications: • Early Decision (ED) • Early Action (EA) • Restrictive (E A) • Regular Deadline • Rolling • Reach, Target, Safety • Public vs. Private AJ

20. Researching Colleges • College Characteristics (Nov. 4-8, Nov. 12-15) • Location • Major • Size • Academics/support services • Navianceis a Great Resource! • College match • College compare • Scattergrams • Create “colleges I’m thinking about” list TV

21. College Visits • Informal visits • Size • Setting • Formal visits (open house, schedule a tour) • Academics • Activities • Campus Culture • Housing • Students can have three excused days to visit colleges (Bring in signed note from college and parent) TV

22. Activity Resume Template TV

23. School Counseling Resources Your school counselor -Junior & counselor postsecondary conference Naviance Junior folder TV

24. Future Junior School Counseling Contacts • Naviance/College Characteristics Part 1(Nov. 4-8) • Naviance/College Characteristics Part 2 (Nov. 12-15) • Senior Speak (Feb. 6-7) • Junior Postsecondary Appointment (spring) • College Admission Panel (spring) • Boston National College Fair (late spring) TV

25. Thank you for coming! TV