Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor

1. Welcome to Colonial Beach’s Junior information Night! 9/30 Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor

2. Agenda • Graduation Requirements • Weighted Courses and Dual Enrollment • Northern Neck Regional Technical Center • SAT and ACT • SAT and ACT: QOTD • College Selection Process • Early Action and Early Decision • Virginia Wizard • Mrs. Wells’s Webpage • Junior Year Tasks

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 • TOTAL = 6

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 TOTAL = 9

5. 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.

6. Dual Enrollment Opportunities STEPS FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT 1. Fill out RCC application 2. Schedule placement exam with Mrs. Wells/Mrs. Dunderdale 3. Take placement exam 4. Meet with Mrs. Wells to review results of placement exam and register for classes if applicable Available Classes Business classes at CBHS (Intro to Computer Information Systems, Business Management) Onsite classes at RCC (College Composition 1, College Composition 2, Psychology, Sociology, US Government, Internet Systems, etc.)

7. Northern Neck Technical Center RCC Dual Enrolled Programs Non-RCC DE Programs Culinary Arts (12) Emergency Medical Technician 1&2 (11) Upon completion and exam, students are Certified VA EMTs Introduction to Engineering (3) Nurse’s Assistant Upon completion and exam, students are put on the state registry for Certified Nurse’s Aides Auto Body Automotive Servicing Carpentry/Residential Construction Cosmetology Computer Technology Electricity/Residential Wiring www.northernnecktech.org

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 10th 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-60=120 • In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating? • What is the value of x when 2x-60=120? a. x = 20 b. x = 80 c. x = 90 d. x = 0

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. SAT and ACT Question of the Day SAT QOTD • Twitter: @SATQuestion • Smartphones: SAT Question of the Day App • Website: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day • Facebook: Many SAT practice question pages plus the official collegeboardfacebook page ACT QOTD • Twitter: @ACTStudent • Website: http://www.act.org/qotd/ • Facebook: Many ACT practice question pages plus the official ACT facebook page • Guide to the ACT: http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf

13. The College Selection 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.ecampustours.com (college search website)

14. 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.

15. $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

16. Career and skill assessments Results are matched with career pathways and individual career options Explore career pathways and Virginia colleges Education required, average salaries, occupation outlook, etc. Resume help Interview tips College search and planning tools Cost calculator and financial aid help Parent Section https://www.vawizard.org/vccs/Main.action Virginia Wizard

17. Class level updates Test prep links Link to this presentation Transcript request Graduation requirements Contact Me http://cbschoolshs.sharpschool.net/staff_directory/mrs__wells/juniors/ www.cbschools.net Mrs. Wells’s Webpage

18. 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

19. Thanks for coming! If you have additional questions, please call 224-0040 or email mwells@cbschools.net