JUNIOR MEETING CLASS OF 2018

To-Do List for Juniors What is your Post-secondary Plan and how can we help you get where you want to be? Follow P3: The Post-Secondary Planning Program Counseling Assistance March 1: Junior Workshop Presentation (6:30 PM) Classroom Visits Individual Planning Meetings

Options Other Than College What is the World-of-Work looking for? Community College Trade or Technical School The Military Apprenticeship Programs Job Corps Work

P3: Post-secondary Planning Program Four Parts to the Process: 1. Preparation 2. Information 3. Visitation 4. Application

The Transcript, Test Scores, Resume Preparation The Transcript, Test Scores, Resume

Transcripts Review your transcript & Graduation Requirement credit count with your counselor Continue to build on solid academics: a good GPA based on rigorous course selection The Junior Year is the MOST IMPORTANT YEAR! If your grades aren’t where you’d like, seek interventions! Course Selection for Senior Year begins in March– Select rigorous courses to show you are ready for the next step!

PSAT Exams All College-bound Juniors should have taken the PSAT in October Receive information about post-secondary options NMSQT: The top 2% of scorers may qualify for scholarships Scores were released in December. If you did not receive your scores, create an account on collegeboard.org Score reports are comprehensive and provide specific detail about your performance, predicted performance on SATs, and aptitude for AP courses Link score report with Khan Academy for individualized SAT preparation at no cost

SAT I, ACT, SAT Subject, ASVAB Tests ASVAB: Administered in December. Score reports are available in Counseling. ASVAB will be offered again in December 2017 Register for and take the SAT March 11 SAT is at BVA HS – Deadline is February 10! May 6 SAT is at BVA HS – Deadline is April 7! June 3 SAT is at BVA HS – Deadline is May 9! Register for and take the ACT April 8 ACT is at BVA HS – Deadline is March 3! June 10 ACT is at BVA HS – Deadline is May 5! Always use BVA HS CEEB CODE: 390-230

THE sat The SAT is designed to be highly relevant to your future success Two compulsory sections Evidence Based Reading and Writing/Language - Score range (200 – 800) Math – Score range (200 – 800) Essay section is optional Scored on three dimensions: Reading, Analysis, Writing Scores range from 2 – 8 on each dimension

the sat Reading and Writing/Langauge Test All questions multiple choice and based on passages – may include graphics such as tables, graphs, & charts Passages include: Classic or contemporary work of U.S. or World Literature U.S. founding document or text inspired by those documents Selection about Economics, Psych., Soc., etc. Two science passages Measures: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Analysis, Expression of Ideas, Standard English Conventions

the sat Math Test Two sections – one with, one without calculator Focus Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Data Analysis Passport to Advanced Math Measures Fluency, Conceptual Understanding, Applications

The ACT Some schools actually prefer the ACT to the SAT, especially with the recent changes to the SAT The ACT is an achievement test, while the SAT is an aptitude test (you have lots of experience with achievement tests!) Great for concrete thinkers! The ACT actually has a SCIENCE SECTION; if you are a strong science student, you can highlight this strength Most schools super-score (taking the highest possible test scores); taking the SAT and ACT provides multiple opportunity for best scoring. Multiple testing is advised: schools want your BEST score, not your ONLY score!

OTHER IMPORTANT TESTS Keystone Exams AP Exams SAT Subject Tests Algebra I, Biology, Literature Proficient or Advanced score is needed for graduation per BVASD policy Testing will be in May again If proficiency isn’t achieved: Local Assessment in Gr. 12 AP Exams You have the potential to earn college credit with a 3-4-5 score (a 5 is a perfect) AND the cost will be reimbursed! SAT Subject Tests Your college or university requires them? You have an area of strength to highlight? May or June testing is recommended

Resume Resume – a good way to highlight activities and provide explanations about your involvement Include only Grades 9-10-11-12 (your high school years) A template is available in Career Cruising Your Career Cruising log-in will be provided in your classroom meeting A Resume and Cover Letter are now required as part of the Senior Project Portfolios – for art – start working on this now Music CDs – start working on this now

The best ways to gather information about schools

College fairs PITTSBURGH NATIONAL POST-SECONDARY FAIR National Association of College Admissions Counselors February 9 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center The largest national college fair in the country! BVAHS will take buses and ALL JUNIORS!

College tour One day… two schools this year! 2013-2014: W&J, Pitt, CalU 2014-2015: Pitt-Greensburg, Seton Hill, St. Vincent 2015-2016: Duquesne, Point Park, Chatham 2016-2017: WVU and W&J 2017-2018: Destinations to be determined You and your parents MUST attend the Junior Workshop at 6:30 PM on March 1 (at Open House/Curriculum Night) to be eligible to attend the College Tour! The College Tour will be on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

Post-secondary reps The Military Trade & Technical Schools Colleges Universities All are invited during the lunch periods and Interventions to visit with Juniors! Never underestimate the importance of this personal contact with those who make decisions!

Consider the SEVEN FACTORS plus the X FACTOR! visitation Consider the SEVEN FACTORS plus the X FACTOR!

The Seven factors +X Size Location Reputation Major(s) Cost/Financial Aid (Can I afford it?) Admissions Criteria (Can I get in?) Can I be happy there? And… THE X FACTOR!

application Forms, Fees, Deadlines, Supporting Documents, and the final touches – we will talk about this more in the senior year!

applications It’s not a bad idea to begin looking at applications now, as you will be meeting with different representatives. Take advantage of the personal visits to get FACE TIME with representatives Making that personal contact could mean the difference in an admission decision Get all of your questions answered Having a good understanding of the process will help you be more calm and confident in the fall of your Senior Year!

Recommendations/references Begin to think about those professionals in your life who would say nice things about you. Teachers Coaches Clergy Activities sponsors Community service supervisors Your counselor Remember, this year is the MOST IMPORTANT YEAR with regard to grades… it’s also very important in cementing your reputation at BVA HS! Make it a great Spring!

NCAA, Financial Aid, Scholarships Other applications NCAA, Financial Aid, Scholarships

NCAA Athletes should apply online at the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the Junior year (in June 2017) Send SAT/ACT scores directly to NCAA Bring in the NCAA transcript form with your NCAA ID number on it along with… A Transcript Release Form is needed with the NCAA forms to complete your registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center A word about recruitment: Have your coach contact the coach(es) at your desired schools. Coach-to-coach communication is most effective in recruitment.

Scholarships & Financial Aid Look for scholarship announcements for local $$$ and get a head start for next year. Register for scholarship databases Google “Scholarship Search Engine” and enter your information; the engine will do a web search for you! Look at the powerful search engine in Career Cruising for access to a database of national scholarships! Look for scholarships offered by colleges & post-secondary schools as you gather information This process really begins in January of the Senior year, but there’s much you can do now to prepare!

REMEMBER TO…

…BE A JUNIOR! Take responsibility for your future! Next Step: Classroom Presentations and Individual Planning Meetings Check Graduation Requirements & Transcript Formalize your Post-secondary Plan Check on testing questions See your counselor to review and finalize your plans! Be courteous and respectful to everyone you deal with! This is an important year!

And remember we are here to help!!! Mrs. Switala Dr. McHugh

THANK YOU! See you soon!