Preparing your Junior for the College Admissions Process Class of 2017

As the Seasons Change  Spring 1.Review of Requirements 2.Sign up for testing 3.Career Research if needed 4.Sign up for special programs (Academies, Summer Programs, NCAA Elligibility) 5.College Research Visits 6.Update the resume  Summer 1.Continue College Research and Visits 2.Narrow List of Colleges and gather information about applications 3.Draft a few essays 4.Common Application 5.Senior Conference with your counselor

Seasons Continue Fall  Extra Curricular- Lead and Innovate  Request: Recommendations, Transcripts, and Essays*  Complete ACT and/or SAT retake  Start looking at Scholarships  Complete the FAFSA  Continue Campus Visits Winter  Receive Offer Letters  Identify Scholarships and Apply  Do “Decision Day” Visits  Request Mid Term Transcripts if required. * Allow ample time for letters, transcripts and essays.

 Total of twenty-five (25) credits  Including passing 4 credits senior year  Four years of attendance after grade 8  Must take a math class during senior year  Seventy five (75) service learning hours  55 hours by the end of this year  Pass the HSAs (Gov’t, Bio)/ Take PARCC tests  Check the letter you will receive in June with your specific requirements! Double Check Your Graduation Requirements!

 Students are retested with Algebra 2(Accuplacor) and English (Parcc) to show they are college ready.  Other ways to demonstrate readiness are through AP tests (3 or better) and SAT tests (500 or better) or ACT tests (21 or higher).  We will be offering curricular supports to those who do not demonstrate readiness.  Our goals is to minimize the need for remedial work at college. College and Career Ready

Specific Graduation Requirements Academic AreaCredits  English 4  Social Studies 3 Govt., U.S. Hist., World Hist.  Science 3 Physics, Chemistry, Biology  Mathematics 4 Algebra, Intermediate Alg, Geometry, Algebra II (unless you did a completer program- then you need 2 credits of Algebra and 1 credit of Geometry. Must enroll in a math class during senior year) Academic AreaCredits  Fine Arts 1  Technology Education 1  Physical Education 1  Health ½  World Language 2 (AND Algebra II) OR Advanced Technology 2 (AND Algebra II) OR Completer Program 4 – 9  Financial Literacy ½

 Internships – Begin with your counselor and see Ms. Trump. You must have course work to support a specific internship. (See completers and college majors)  Dual Enrollment – see your counselor the semester before you’d like to enroll  FAQ on the LHS School Counseling Website  Parent meeting required  March 24 PAWS session- sign up in counseling office Planning For Your Senior Year- special programs

 Review your senior year course selections to ensure rigor.  Keep your grades up. This semester is the last to factor into your cumulative GPA.  Use websites to explore colleges, majors, and careers.  Register with NCAA Clearinghouse and Service Academies (if applicable).  Think about application essays and who to ask for letters of recommendation.  Take the tests! Plan ahead as tests are only offered on certain dates.  SAT, SAT II (Subject Tests), ACT, ASVAB, AP College Planning: To Do During Your Junior Year

Looking for a career direction? Try an interest /personality survey. Holland Holland Code Quiz Myers Briggs Type Indicator

Research Resources

ACTSAT An achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. Was an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. Now achievement test. 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and an optional Writing Test. Tests more advanced math concepts- basic arithmetic, algebra I, II, geometry & trig. Math through Early Trig. Stronger emphasis on vocabulary in context. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing. The SAT removed its correction for guessing. That is, they stopped taking off for wrong answers. Each section and composite score max is 36.Each section max score is 800, 1600 total. National average is 20-21, a “good” score depends on the college. National average is 1000, a “good” score depends on the college. Testing: SAT vs. ACT

SAT for June 4 – sign up by 5/05 (Available at Liberty) ACT June 11 – sign up by 5/06 Deadlines to Test June ACT available in Columbia (Wild Lake and Long Reach) or Germantown (Seneca Valley)

Researching colleges

College Tours

Things to Consider When Looking at Colleges  Size  Small: under 2,000  Medium: 2, ,000  Large: over 15,000  Location (city, state, distance from home)  Public or Private  Cost  Majors offered  Academic and Social Atmosphere  Teacher to Student ratio  Campus Setting  Urban, Suburb, Rural

CollegeAverage GPA SAT range (math and reading only) ACT rangeApplied/ Accepted Frostburg / 2340 James Madison ,648/ 14,392 McDaniel / 2283 Salisbury / 5069 St. Mary’s of MD /1320 Stevenson / 3169 Towson ,947/ 8033 UMBC ,217/6090 UMD- College Park ,000/4,075 West Virginia ,353/13,174 Starting Your College Search- Know your GPA and SAT scores

 Academic Record: GPA, class rank, consistency, improvement, difficulty of classes  Testing: SAT, SAT II, ACT, AP  Extracurricular Activities: Sports, clubs, leadership roles  Letters of Recommendation: At least one person who has background knowledge of your academic ability  Honors and Awards: Special recognition for skill or talent  Essay/Personal Statement: How are you unique?  Interview: Personal presentation, questions to demonstrate knowledge of the college What colleges are looking for in your application:

Plan to apply to a variety of colleges including:  Safe Schools - you are more qualified than the average freshman.  Target Schools - you are very similar to the average freshman.  Reach Schools - you are not quite as qualified as their average.

Use the links to navigate this site there are many resources and connections to more information. Start with the “How to Use” tab in the lower center of the page. Go to “View All Majors” to review career categories and specifics within a career option. Check out the further links to the Professional Associations and Occupational Outlook Handbook. Link career options to favorite classes.

 Provides time to explore options and improve your GPA  Offers significant cost savings  Simple application process  Begin a bachelor’s degree and prepare to transfer credits  If your GPA is competitive and you plan to take the SATs, consider the Hill Scholar’s program at Carroll.  Visit for more information.  Open House on Thursday, April 16 from 6-8. Please register to attend this event online or by calling Is Community College Right for Me?

 Planning information Sessions on many aspects of college preparation.  Juniors can complete a survey and let us know their interest.  Sessions with be held during PAWS  Please also consider College 101 at Century High School March 16 th beginning at 6:00.  The County College Fair will be October 10 th at Carroll Community College. INFORMATION SESSIONS

Junior Questionnaire

Expect a friendly post-card reminder to schedule a summer senior meeting. Summer Post-Cards

Check out our “College Boot Camp” Please call over the summer to sign up. Coming Soon

Questions?  Work with your Getin2college resource and sign up for paws sessions.  Rising seniors please schedule a summer senior meeting.  Visit the LHS School Counseling Website (links for College and Career Resources, Career Connections, Scholarships, Service Learning, etc.)