Preparing for Senior Year

1. Preparing for Senior Year What your Senior needs to know!

2. Peekskill High School College and Career Readiness

3. Check your graduation requirements • 4 English • 4 Social Studies (Global History I & II + US History + US Gov/Econ) • 3 Math (Alg. + 2 additional) • 3 Sciences (Lab Science & 2 additional science) • 1 Art/Music • .5 Health • 2 Physical Education • 1 Foreign Language • Total of at least 22 credits • Passed required Regent exams • ELA • Global History • US History • Integrated Algebra • Science

4. Advanced Regents Diploma Endorsement • Complete at least 3 years of the same foreign language or 5 units of credit in Art, Music, Business, Technology or Vocational Education • Pass all required regents exams: • Global History • Algebra • US History • ELA • Living Environment • Pass additional regents exams: • Additional Science • Algebra II • Geometry • Foreign Language

5. After High School Options • 4 year college • 2 year college • Vocational/Technical Programs • Military • Work

6. College Admission Testing SAT • Scoring: • 200-800 on each section • Sections (3) • Verbal, Math, Writing • Math – through Algebra II • Total score = 3 sections combined • Minus ¼ point for wrong answers • Average score = 500 per section ACT • Scoring: • 1-36 on each section • Sections (4/5) • English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, Writing (optional) • Math includes some pre-calc • Total score = average of each section score • No penalty for guessing • Average score = 20-21

7. How to apply for testing & when? • All Juniors should take either the SAT or ACT for the first time before the end of their Junior Year. • Retake in Fall of Senior Year if needed. • Some schools don’t require SATs or ACTs…. www.fairtest.org Where to apply? • SAT-www.collegeboard.com • ACT- • www.act.org Next test dates: • ACT December 14th register by Nov 8th • SAT December 7th, register by Nov 8th

8. Preparing for College Admission Tests • Free SAT & ACT Test Prep Field Library of Peekskill • October 12 10:30-2:30pm • October 26 10:30-2:30pm * Must sign up! • Free Online Courses: College Board’s SAT Online Course and at ACT.org • Review your PSAT score report • ACT/SAT workbooks in the College/Career Center or for purchase from bookstores and online • Question of the Day • At collegeboard.com and ACT.org

9. Two Year vs. Four Year Colleges Two Year • Transfer Agreements • Lower Cost • Career/Vocational Prep • Community Colleges have open enrollment • Placement Test Required Four Year • Higher Degree Awarded • More majors/areas of study available • Needed for Advanced Graduate Work • Campus Housing Availability • Collegiate experience

10. Your College Options What is the best fit for you? • Dream and Target • GPA, Your Courses, Test Scores • Cost • Location • Distance from home • Urban, Suburban, Rural • Majors • Athletics, Greek Life, Religion, Cultural

11. Family ConnectionsPlease log on to:http://connection.naviance.com/arundelhs Family Connection features: • Periodic emails & notifications regarding scholarships, special opportunities, & more. • Complete a career interest profiler and explore various careers. • Generate lists of colleges that may be a good match based on your GPA & test scores. • See when College Reps will visit Arundel and sign up to attend. • Request transcripts and track your transcript and recommendation requests.

12. What do colleges consider when they evaluate applicants? • Academic Record – transcript, which includes current classes, course history, rigor, GPA, and class rank • Test Scores- ACT or SAT; in some cases SAT II, TOEFL, Accuplacer • Letters of Recommendation (vary by school) • Essay • Extra Curricular Activities • Leadership • Community Service

13. Tips for the Application Process • SUNY Soar www.suny.edu/applysuny • General application to apply for all SUNY schools at one time • CUNY Portal http://www.cuny.edu/admissions/apply.html • Most colleges have on-line applications or will accept the Common Application; it is accepted at over 400 schools www.commonapp.org • Early Decision (binding) vs. Early Action (non-binding)

14. Resources at Peekskill • Your School Counselor! • College Resource Center • Ms. Gordineer is available every day to help with scholarships and college searches! • Naviance • College search • Scholarships • Announcements • College visits • Transcript requests • Manage application documents • Evening information sessions during the school year

15. Financial Aid • All students and parents should fill out a FAFSA. The FAFSA application is available for a pin on December 1st on line at www.fafsa.gov but will submit January 1st • All forms should be submitted by February 15th to receive the most aid you are eligible for. • Financial Aid night will be January 29th • Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) • Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) • New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) • Many scholarships can only be submitted if a FAFSA has been completed

16. Technical/Vocational Programs • Certificate programs available at the community college and technical college/school • Career Specialized programs leading to employment in a specific field • Programs available in many areas of study • Adult education programs offered through PNW BOCES

17. Military • All military branches require a high school diploma • ASVAB is a required entrance exam • Opportunities for on-the-job training & educational scholarships • Peekskill Recruitment Center • 1045 Park Street, Peekskill NY

18. Employment • Opportunity to go straight into the work force • Peekskill Career Center • 201 James St. Peekskill, NY • New York State Department of Labor website: • Apprenticeship opportunities • Job search assistance • Recruitment events

19. Coming Events • Peekskill College Fair • October 24th 8-10am at Peekskill High • Hispanic College Fair • November 23rd at 11:30am Fordham University, Rosehill Campus • HBCU College Fair • November 16th at 10:30am Riverbank State Park • College Admission Representatives visit Peekskill High in the Fall. Keep track and sign up on Naviance. • Career Hiring Fair • @ Peekskill High coming soon!

20. Counselor Contacts • Mr. Lenroy Stevens lstevens@peekskillcsd.org • All grades A-H • Mrs. Jane Thorpe jthorpe@peekskillcsd.org • All grades I-L, R-Z • Ms. Erin Arnold earnold@peekskillcsd.org • All grades M-Z, Pace Program

21. Questions?