Hosted by: Michelle Wells – School Counselor

11/27

Agenda1. Graduation Requirements2. College Decision Process (condensed)3. Junior Year Tasks4. Dual Enrollment Opportunities5. SAT and ACT: 10 Important Differences6. Early Action and Early Decision7. Regular and Rolling Admissions8. Scholarship Information9. The Best Summer Activities10.Presentation Evaluation

Standard Diploma

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

English – 2Mathematics – 1Science – 1 Social Studies – 1 Student Choice – 1

Credits SOL Verified Credits

Advanced Studies DiplomaCredits

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

SOL Verified CreditsEnglish – 2Mathematics – 2Science – 2 Social Studies – 2 Student Choice – 1

The College Decision Process

1. Explore options

2. Gather information (consider academics, interests, clubs, sports, etc. of each school)

3. Select prospective schools (long list), visit if possible, make pro/con list to decide.

4. Decide which schools to apply to (short list).

5. Send COMPLETE applications by due date. Wait for responses…

6. 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)

Junior Year TasksMake 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 activitiesVolunteer

Weighted Courses

Honors 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

Dual Enrollment (RCC)Advanced Placement

College level coursesCourse 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.

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

SAT vs. ACT: 10 differencesSAT

1. Ambiguous questions2. Multiple choice & fill in

blank3. Guessing penalty4. Vocabulary heavy5. No science6. Algebra & Geometry7. 25 minute essay8. 10 separate sections9. Section scores more

important than overall score

10. Experimental section*

ACT1. Straightforward questions2. Multiple choice3. Less vocabulary, more

grammar4. No guessing penalty5. Science section6. Algebra to Trigonometry7. Essay is optional8. Each subject is one

section9. Overall score more

important than sections10. No experimental section

Examples:

1. What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?

2. Solve: 2x-60y=120

1. In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating?

2. What is the value of x when 2x-60y=120?

a. b.c.d.

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.

Early Action vs. Early Decision

Early ActionApplication 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.

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.

$cholarshipsScholarship 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!!!!

Spend Your Summer Break WiselyTHIS 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

Thanks for coming!

If you have additional questions, please call 224-0040 to schedule a meeting.

I will be reviewing all junior graduation requirements and progress during January.