A Guide for your Junior Year John Handley High School P. O. Box 910 Winchester, VA CEEB Code:

Working Together To Make It Happen Candid discussions between student and parent regarding family parameters including but not limited to finances, expectations, goals and feelings. Commitment from the student, parent and counselor to meet timelines and stay within the boundaries of designated roles.

Higher Education Options Community Colleges Certificate Programs ~ Provides students specialized training in a wide range of occupations Associate of Applied Science Degrees AAS Provides students the opportunity to move into the job market with specialized skills Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) Degrees prepare students to transfer to a four year college to complete the final two years of their Bachelors Degree Military All branches provide training and further educational opportunities Employment Entry level positions with on the job training Apprenticeship Programs that provide an income and specialized training Management Training Programs that train those employees who are ambitious, motivated and have a strong work ethic Four Year Colleges any career fields require as a minimum a degree from a four year college (BA, BFA, BS). Many career fields require advanced degrees (MA, MS, M ED, JDD, PHD MSW, or MD) to remain competitive in their career field. Gap Year Volunteer for a year with programs like the Peace Corp, Americorps or City Year

Career and College Planning Know yourself Know how to access the wide range of resources available for career and college searches Know how you measure up (do I meet the qualifications for a particular career, the military or college) Know and meet the deadlines for your post high school plan

College Admission 101 Do your research (large vs. small, public vs. private, major area of study). What are your criteria? College Visits (make a list of what you want in a school and evaluate each school using that tool when you visit) Narrow your choices (ideally two safe schools, two “good fits” and one or two reach schools) The Application Student Portion SAT or ACT Scores Recommendations Essay/Personal Statement Transcripts – Courses to date – Grades to date – Grade Point Average

SAT and ACT Tests Required by 4-year colleges/universities Objective measure used to compare students from across the state and nation Used as a predictor of academic readiness/success at collegiate level Both tests are widely accepted by most colleges Tests can be taken multiple times (consider testing at least once during junior year).

SAT and ACT Tests SAT – Critical Reading – Math – Writing – 7 national test dates – Register online at collegeboard.com ACT – English – Math – Reading – Science – Writing – 6 national test dates – Register online at actstudent.org

SAT and ACT (cont’d) SAT – Scores range from on each subtest – National/state/JHHS averages around 500 on each subtest ACT – Scores range from 1-36 on each subtest – National/state averages around on each subtest

RESOURCES FOR YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH College Board collegebord.com The Princeton Review princetonreview.com Peterson’s petersons.com National Center for Education nces.ed.gov Virginia Career View vacareerview.org

Recent Admission Statistics University of Virginia 18,363 applied; 6,735 admitted; 3,256 enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range ( ) SAT Math score range ( ) Mid Range for ACT Scores (27 – 32) GPA of 3.75 or higher = 88% James Madison University 19, 245 Applied; 12,522 admitted; 3, 957 enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range ( ) SAT Math score range ( ) Mid Range for ACT Scores (22 – 26) GPA of 3.50 or higher = 71% Radford University 7,819 applied; 5,768 accepted; 1,875 enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range ( ) SAT Math score range ( ) Mid Range for ACT Scores (19 – 23) GPA of 3.5 or higher = 61% Old Dominion University 9,484 applied; 6,800 accepted; 2,812 enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range ( ) SAT Math score range ( ) Mid Range for ACT scores (18-23) GPA of 3.0 or higher = 75%

NCAA Clearinghouse If you plan to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman, you must first register and be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. Refer to the NCAA Academic Eligibility section to determine the initial-eligibility standards that apply to you. If you don't register you will not be eligible to play or practice during your freshman year.Academic At the beginning of your senior year in high school, please visit for more details on how to begin the certification process. Once you register, be sure to print out the transcript release form from the Clearinghouse and bring it to the Counseling and Guidance Office for processing.

FEELING OVERWHELMED? STEP BY STEP MONTH BY MONTH YOU CAN DO IT!

DECEMBER ‘09 Review PSAT scores and results (access My College Quick Start which includes enhanced online score report, SAT study plan, college matches and career/major matches Sign up for the SAT and/or ACT Focus on grades Begin the college discussion with parents and talk specifics Develop a system (that fits your personality) to organize your college search

JANUARY ‘10 Prepare for 2 nd Semester Review your GPA Begin considering course selections for next year Set up an appointment with our Career Coach to take a career and interest inventory Review for SAT and/or ACT Take SAT or ACT? Visit colleges

FEBRUARY ‘10 Work on your resume Meet with a military recruiter March SAT…have you registered? Should you consider SAT Subject Tests (do some of your school’s of interest require them)? How are your grades so far this semester? Set up an appointment with your counselor to discuss your progress and share any concerns

MARCH ‘10 Have you met with our Career Coach? Begin thinking about which teachers you may want to ask to write a recommendation Continue or begin college visits SAT or ACT Planning to take the Subject Tests in June? Don’t forget the SOL Writing Test if you are enrolled in English this semester Breathe

APRIL ‘10 Narrow your search Continue your college visits Have you met with your counselor? Are you satisfied with your SAT or ACT scores ~ should you test again? Don’t forget to update your parents on your progress Keep up those grades as all the spring activities begin Make sure your senior course selections are challenging and are a reflection of your interests and abilities

MAY ‘10 AP Exams and SOL tests Ask teachers if they will do a letter of recommendation Have you narrowed the college list? Don’t forget SAT and/or ACT if you have been putting it off ~ don’t wait till the fall Prom Don’t forget to meet with your school counselor

JUNE ‘10 SAT Subject Test (especially if you have finished courses like AP US History, AP English Language and Composition and AP Calculus) Refine your college list Begin working on college essays and personal statements Have fun!

JULY AND AUGUST ‘10 Enjoy your summer vacation Take some time to review online applications and fall deadlines Organize your materials and continue working on essays and your personal statement Prepare for your Senior Year Continue College Visits

September ‘10 Senior Student and Parent Meeting (look for date in the first newsletter ~ topics will include application process, JHHS counseling center deadlines, scholarships and a brief overview of financial aide) Register with the NCCA Clearinghouse if you hope to participate in sports at a Division I or II college Meet with your school counselor Get off to a good start in all your senior classes Continue working on your applications and make note of deadlines for both admission and institution scholarships