Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor

1. Welcome to Colonial Beach’s Junior information Night! 11/27 Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor

2. Agenda • Graduation Requirements • College Decision Process (condensed) • Junior Year Tasks • Dual Enrollment Opportunities • SAT and ACT: 10 Important Differences • Early Action and Early Decision • Regular and Rolling Admissions • Scholarship Information • The Best Summer Activities • Presentation Evaluation

3. Credits SOLVerifiedCredits Standard Diploma English – 4 Mathematics – 3 Science – 3 Social Studies – 3 PE/Health – 2 Foreign Language/Fine Art/Career or Technical Credit – 2 Economics – 1 Electives – 4 TOTAL = 22 Credits English – 2 Mathematics – 1 Science – 1 Social Studies – 1 Student Choice –1

4. English – 4 Mathematics – 4 Science – 4 Social Studies – 4 PE/Health – 2 Foreign Lang.–3 Economics – 1 Electives – 3 TOTAL = 26 Credits Advanced Studies Diploma Credits SOLVerifiedCredits English – 2 Mathematics – 2 Science – 2 Social Studies – 2 Student Choice – 1

5. The College Decision Process • Explore options • Gather information (consider academics, interests, clubs, sports, etc. of each school) • Select prospective schools (long list), visit if possible, make pro/con list to decide. • Decide which schools to apply to (short list). • Send COMPLETE applications by due date. Wait for responses… • Make the Final Decision and respond to schools. Helpful Websites • www.youniversitytv.com (virtual tours of campuses, given by students) • www.Cappex.com (college search website) • www.princetonreview.com (college search website) • www.collegeview.com (college search website)

6. Junior Year Tasks • Make your classes your priority; it’s never too late to improve! • Start to compare your options; 2-year college, 4-year college, military, work force, trade school. • Make your college long list (a list of prospective schools based on majors offered, size, location, cost, programs, etc.) • Gather information: visit schools, talk with recruiters who visit our school, talk with current students/cadets, go to college fairs, and visit school websites. • Register for, study for, and take standardized exams (SAT, ACT, ASVAB) • Stay involved with extra-curricular activities • Volunteer

7. Course requires more work; assignments, homework, papers, projects Course is worth more to your GPA (4.5 points) A = 4.5 B = 3.5 C = 2.5 D = 1.5 Weighted Courses Honors Dual Enrollment (RCC) Advanced Placement College level courses Course requires much more work; assignments, homework, papers, projects Course is worth more to your GPA (5 points) Course may be counted as high school AND college credit.

8. SAT, ACT, & ASVAB Testing Information Test dates and registration forms can be found online: www.collegeboard.com (SAT) www.act.org (ACT) www.asvabprogram.com (ASVAB)– December 6th Colonial Beach School Code: 470577

9. SATvs. ACT: 10 differences SAT • Ambiguous questions • Multiple choice & fill in blank • Guessing penalty • Vocabulary heavy • No science • Algebra & Geometry • 25 minute essay • 10 separate sections • Section scores more important than overall score • Experimental section* ACT • Straightforward questions • Multiple choice • Less vocabulary, more grammar • No guessing penalty • Science section • Algebra to Trigonometry • Essay is optional • Each subject is one section • Overall score more important than sections • No experimental section

10. Examples: • What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value? • Solve: 2x-60y=120 • In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating? • What is the value of x when 2x-60y=120? a. b. c. d.

11. What’s a “good” score? • Three parts: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. • The scores from each section can range from 200 to 800; the best possible total score is 2400. • The average score for each section is roughly 500; average total score is about 1500. • For the 1.65 million test-takers in the class of 2011, the mean scores were 497 critical reading, 514 math, and 489 writing. • Four parts: English Language, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. Each category receives a score between 1 and 36. Those four scores are then averaged to generate the composite score used by most colleges. • The writing section is scored on a 12-point scale. The average score is between 7 and 8. • The average composite score is roughly a 21. That is, about 50% of test-takers score below a 21.

12. Early Action vs. Early Decision Early Action • Application is usually due in November, student hears back about acceptance before January. (only one EA school per student) • The decision is not binding. Early Decision • Student still applies early and college replies before the end of the year but the agreement is binding. (only one ED school per student) • Applicants who are accepted from an Early Decision pool have signed an agreement in their applications promising to enroll at that school if accepted.

13. Regular vs. Rolling Admissions Regular Admission • Usually due between January 1st and February 15th. • Acceptances selected from total applicant pool, AFTER early decision and early action students have been selected. Rolling Admission • Usually no deadline; the EARLIER THE BETTER! • Students accepted, wait listed, or rejected on first-come, first-served basis.

14. $cholarships Scholarship Websites • www.scholarships.com • www.fastweb.com • www.scholarshipexperts.com • www.finaid.org/scholarships • Merit Based: based on achievements • Need Based: based on financial need • Contests: submissions • Awards: usually nominated • Grants: government awarded based on specific criteria APPLY FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN!!!!

15. Spend Your Summer Break Wisely THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO GET AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION! • Count the number of books you read; set a goal • Take a community college class • Coach or assistant coach for local sports • Volunteer regularly (shelters, retirement homes, local events, etc.) • Get a part-time job or work at a summer camp (or both!) • Learn a new skill; instrument, sport, computer, foreign language • Join an organization (Colonial Beach Foundation) • Cook a full meal for your family once a week (GREAT practice) • Study for the SAT/ACT: take timed practice tests, try to raise your score • Volunteer at the school • Visit colleges in groups, write your own reviews

16. Thanks for coming! I will be reviewing all junior graduation requirements and progress during January. If you have additional questions, please call 224-0040 to schedule a meeting.