Junior Year Guidance Orientation

1. Junior Year Guidance Orientation What Should You Be Doing This Year?

2. WORK! • Work as hard as you can! • Junior Year is a busy, hectic year with lots of tasks that need to be considered. • If you are having difficulty in a class, see your teacher! • Library tutoring is available Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. • Counselors have lists of tutors available. • Get to know your counselor! • DO NOT WAIT to seek help!

3. Graduation Requirements • You MUST earn 28 credits • 4 English (I, II, III, IV) • 4 Social Studies (Civics, US I and II, Government/Economics • 4 Science • 4 Mathematics • 2 Physical Education (1 with Health) • 10 additional credits (Foreign Language, electives, etc.)

4. Graduation Requirements, continued • A completed and presented graduation project • Satisfactory scores on the PSSA tests in reading and mathematics • A nice-looking smile of achievement and a classy red or white cap and gown combo (seriously!)

5. ??Transcripts?? • Name, address, DOB, etc., etc., etc. • Class Rank Junior and Senior Years (23/841) • GPA – Grade Point Average (98.750) • Test Scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL) • Courses and Grades from High School Years • Middle School Algebra Courses • Graduation Date, Signature, and Seal

6. THE SAT and THE ACT • Nationally standardized tests used for college admission and placement purposes • Tests critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills • Scores range from 200 – 800 points per section • Average score for the nation = 500 points per section • Test is offered seven times every year

7. SAT and ACT, continued • Registration is best done online 4 - 5 weeks prior to the test date • Current Basic Registration Fee = $49.00 • Scores are available online 19 days after the test date • You may send scores to colleges or scholarship committees (Penn State requires this report!) • Most students take these tests three or four times during high school years

8. Critical Reading Sections • Vocabulary with sentence completion – one or two words • Shorter critical reading passages (<100 words) – read and answer questions • Longer critical reading passages (>500 words) -- read and answer questions

9. Mathematics Sections • 1/3 covers Algebra I (Concepts), Algebra II (IK), some College Algebra (IIK). • 1/3 covers Plane and Solid Geometry. • 1/3 covers Miscellaneous Math – Arithmetic, Patterns, Sets, Probability, Telling Time, etc.

10. Writing Sections • Section 1 is always the 25-minute essay • Usually a quotation or statement that evokes a position or opinion • Time enough to DRAFT ideas on the topic • Good, legible handwriting • Length is important • References or allusions to history, politics, culture, international events, etc. will boost score if they support your position

11. Practice Makes Perfect! • Materials are available from a variety of sources: • Guidance Office • www.collegeboard.com • www.actstudent.org • Books, cassettes, DVDs, CDs, flash cards, etc. are available from major retailers and TCB • Free, downloadable “Mini SAT” and “SAT Question of the Day” are available at collegeboard.com

12. Practice, Practice, Practice • Free and fee-based classes are available in our area (Penn State Hazleton, Wilkes, CEO, etc.)

13. SAT Subject Tests / ACT • Some colleges and universities require these for admission purposes • Usually you need two – a math test and one other (foreign language, other subject) • The ACT – the American College Test – with writing -- may be substituted for the SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests • ACT – 4 or 5 Sections (English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, Writing) – offered twice per year at HAHS – October and April

14. PSSA Tests • You will be taking PSSA tests in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. • The success of our school is measured by the outcomes of these tests. • Do your best on all of the tests • You need to achieve a score of PROFICIENT or ADVANCED on the reading and mathematics portions of the test in order to earn your diploma.

15. Graduation (Senior) Project • Required to earn your high school diploma • You will be assigned an advisor – this year only • Meetings throughout the school year to check progress and provide support • Present your project to a panel of teachers – audio/visual aids • Complete this project this year!

16. National Honor Society • Four qualities required for induction: • Scholarship (93.0 GPA) • Leadership (Offices held, projects initiated) • Service (School and community work, help) • Character (Are you a good kid?) • An honor to list on college and job applications • Scholarship money may be available from colleges

17. College Night • Wednesday, October 28, 2011 HAHS Gymnasium 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM • 70-80 colleges and universities are represented • Available: Viewbooks, applications, live representatives, Open House information • Great opportunity to make a first impression • Bring your parents and friends!

18. Keep Your Stuff! • Award certificates • Pay Stubs • Activities Records • Newspaper clippings • Senior/Graduation Project • Keep all your documents in a file folder, shoe box, etc.

19. College Exploration – NOW!!! • It is NOT too early to begin exploring college and university options for after high school • DO NOT wait ONLY until the summer before senior year • Open Houses and guided tours are held for seniors – AND JUNIORS, TOO – not just for seniors!

20. What Do Colleges Look For? • Grades • SAT or ACT scores • Co curricular and extracurricular activities • Essays or personal statements • Interviews

21. Highly Competitive / Ivy League • Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Cornell, etc. • SAT scores average 1500+ (CR and Math only) • Top 5% class rank • National or State Recognition – Research, service, honor, etc. • 7% - 15% acceptance rate • Cost - $55,000.00+

22. Competitive / Exclusive Colleges • Villanova, Bucknell, Lehigh, Penn State University Park Campus, University of Pittsburgh, etc. • SAT scores average 1200+ (CR and Math only) • Top 10% class rank • Notable achievements in high school • 25% acceptance rate • Cost - $22,000.00 - $50,000.00+

23. Competitive Colleges • Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Wilkes, King’s, etc. • SAT scores average 1000+ (CR and Math only) • Top 25% – 35% class rank • Variable acceptance rate • Cost - $15,000.00+

24. Noncompetitive / Open Admission Colleges • Luzerne County Community College, Lackawanna College, McCann School of Business, etc. • SAT or ACT generally not required for admission • Class rank generally not considered • High School Diploma required • Open acceptance rate • Excellent transfer opportunities • Cost - $2,500.00+

25. How Do I Select MY College? • There are several factors to consider to achieve the best “FIT” for you. • Location – How far away from home?? • Major – Undecided?? Specific?? • Size – Small or Large (and class sizes, also…)?? • Cost – Have you discussed this with your supporters??

26. How Do I Select MY College? • Select colleges in three categories. • Dream or reach schools • Competitive schools • Safety Net / Sure schools

27. Some Good College Search Websites • www.pennsylvaniamentor.org • www.educationplanner.org • www.collegeboard.org • www.myroad.com • www.petersons.com

28. Unsure What to do After High School? • Career Development Resource • www.bridges.com • Includes an interest survey. • Hundreds of careers. • Hundreds of colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical schools.

29. ??Questions?? • Discuss this information with your parents. • Get the best grades you can earn this year. • Continue or start involvement with activities. • Learn about careers. • Ask questions of your teachers and counselors. • Begin researching and visiting colleges. • Have FUN!