Mrs. Reites – IB Guidance Counselor

 Challenging Course Work  Time Management Skills  Organization  Study Habits  Learn your way of work now!

 You have already started preparing your college application packet!  Everything you do in high school matters for college admission.  Colleges will make a preliminary admission decision based upon 9 th, 10 th and 11 th grade only.  You have to be more than “IB” to make an impact on colleges!

 Colleges want to see you be involved!  Take on leadership roles  Join clubs, sports teams, organizations, anything that interests you!  You must get involved early! The more time you have to show colleges of your involvement and dedication, the more competitive you will become!

 Unweighted Grade Points: ◦ A = 4Let’s Practice! ◦ B = 3English 1 – B Spanish 2 – A ◦ C = 2American History – A Biology 1 – B ◦ D = 1 Algebra 2 – C Inquiry Skills – A ◦ F = 0 Drama – A Critical Thinking Skills – A Formula = = 28 28/8 (number of classes taken) = 3.5 G.P.A.

 Weighted Grade Points: ◦ A = 5Let’s Practice! ◦ B = 4English 1 – B Spanish 2 – A ◦ C = 3American History – A Biology 1 – B ◦ D = 1 Algebra 2 – C Inquiry Skills – A ◦ F = 0 Drama – A Critical Thinking Skills – A Formula = =33 33/8 (number of classes taken) = G.P.A.

 As a guidance counselor, I do not coach students on how to become valedictorian  Concentrate on excelling in all of your classes and doing the best you can. If you happen to become valedictorian or salutatorian, it is an added bonus.  Some students believe that taking more classes means you have a better chance of being valedictorian. This is not the answer.

 10 th grade is your last year in “pre-diploma” classes.  Math: Geometry/Trigonometry or Pre-Calculus  Physics 1 Honors – You must take this class in order to qualify for Higher Level Science in Junior in Senior Year.  Take an academically challenging elective!  Start to think about what your HL and SL classes will be in Junior and Senior year.

 Being a contributing member to your community is an important lesson to learn early on in your educational career.  Colleges want to see that you are volunteering throughout high school!  It is important that you find an organization that you want to contribute to and make a difference at!

 Courses are available through  You may take a course online in addition to your full class load here at PHUHS.  I do not recommend taking more than you can handle! Don’t push yourself if you aren’t excelling in your classes here first.  The more classes does not equal a better chance at college admission!

 You will naturally be more competitive than your peers during the application process, as long as you are keeping your grades up!  You are learning extremely important skills throughout this program that will more than prepare you for post- secondary education (College).  Most universities will recognize and give college credit for the IB diploma.  Remember, IB may not be a program for everyone, and that’s okay! If you don’t feel like this is a good fit for you, you may be more successful in a different program.