Palo Verde College Planning for Freshmen December 3 – 4, 2015

What can you do now to increase your chances of college admissions and athletic eligibility later?

Course Selection Resume/Activity Sheet Research Testing Summer Plans

Prepare Now to Succeed in College A U.S. Department of Education study found that the strongest predictor of college graduation is something students do before they ever go to college: Participate in rigorous, college-level courses in high school—and AP or IB courses in particular. Clifford Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment (1999), U.S. Department of Education.

Course Selection Grades in college prep courses, strength of curriculum, and overall grades are among the top factors that colleges consider for admissions decisions. Strength of curriculum (rigor) is best indicator of student success in college. Participation in college prep (honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate) can indicate motivation and ability to succeed in postsecondary education.

Course Selection What about my GPA? weighted vs. unweighted getting in vs. staying in Enroll in most rigorous courses possible to earn As and Bs

Course Selection Types of College Prep Courses at PVHS Honors English, math, history, science, foreign language Advanced Placement English, math, history, science, Spanish, psychology, economics International Baccalaureate integrated coursework in English, foreign language, math, science, history

AP Courses Offered at Palo Verde English Language, English Literature Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics Biology, Chemistry, Physics World History, U.S. History, U.S. Government and Politics, Economics, Psychology, Human Geography Spanish

Course Selection 21 st Century Course of Study – Standard Diploma - 4 yrs. of English - 4 yrs. of math - 3 yrs. of science - 3 yrs. of social studies - PE, health, computers, electives total credits

Course Selection Advanced Diploma - 4 yrs. of English - 4 yrs. of Math - 3 yrs. of Science - 3 yrs. of social studies - 1 yr. of arts/humanities/additional social studies/occupational ed - 24 total credits unweighted GPA

Course Selection Advanced Honors Diploma Must meet all requirements for Advanced Diploma AND –3 yrs. honors/AP English –2 yrs. honors/AP Math –2 yrs. honors/AP Science –2 yrs. honors/AP Social Studies –1 yr. honors/AP Foreign Language –2 yrs. additional honors/AP courses –3.25 unweighted AND 3.85 weighted GPA

Course Selection UNLV/UNR Admissions - 4 yrs. English - 3 yrs. math (Alg I and above) - 3 yrs. social studies - 3 yrs. science (2 yrs. lab) gpa in above courses

Course Selection College Admissions - most out-of-state colleges require at least two years of a foreign language - many out-of-state colleges require one year of a visual or performing art (choir, orchestra, band, dance, art, ceramics, theater, music appreciation)

Course Selection NCAA Initial Eligibility - 16 core courses (14 for Div. II) - 4 yrs. English 3 yrs. math 2 yrs. science 1 yr. additional English, math or science 2 yrs. social studies 4 yrs. additional courses from above and/or foreign language, academic electives: - psychology, sociology, criminal justice, journalism, creative writing, forensics, economics - Courses CANNOT be at basic level (intuitive, applied, foundations) - GPA (based on core courses only) and test score requirements 10 of 16 courses must be complete BEFORE senior year

Resume/Activity Sheet Create a resume or activity sheet of activities, awards, leadership positions Add everything now and edit in senior year Include hours spent each week Include brief descriptions of accomplishments See Moving On guide for examples (page )

Research Use available computer search engines to start a list of schools th grade students should use Quickstart from College Board (PSAT results) Google search! Create a spreadsheet of schools and their admissions requirements, testing requirements, admissions deadlines, financial aid policies

Testing PSAT October 2016 Class of 2019 will take without registration Class of 2018 must register and pay $20 for study 10 th grade students should use Quickstart from College Board (PSAT results)

Testing ACT All students will take in April of junior year. More information and study guides at actstudent.org SAT Test is changing in Spring of 2016 sat.collegeboard.org

Questions? Kathleen Dambro College Counselor 799 – 1450 x4304 Todd Steffenhagen NCAA Expert 799 – 1450 x4308