+ PSAT/College Planning Night January 21, 2016

+ PSAT Score Review If you haven’t received PSAT scores yet… First, create a College Board account at Click on Sign Up to begin. Make sure to keep your user name and password somewhere accessible (like in the Notes section of your phone). You will need to access your account for future SAT and AP scores. Counselors now have access to a score portal which will allow us to see your scores and find your access code to add your scores to your account. See your counselor if you are still having issues with getting your scores!

The New SAT ® THE NEW SAT ® More focused, clear, and useful. Better reflects the work students are doing in school. Better measures the skills and knowledge needed to be ready for college and career. Connects students with opportunities, including free practice tools on Khan Academy ® and college application fee waivers for income- eligible students.

Key calendar dates MARCH 2016 WILL MARK THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION OF THE NEW SAT ®.

What’s different about the new SAT ® ? WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE NEW SAT ® ? TO SHOW YOU, WE’VE COMPARED THE CURRENT SAT TO THE NEW SAT.

The current SAT ® compared to the new SAT ® THE CURRENT SAT ® COMPARED TO THE NEW SAT Current SAT Total testing time: 3 hours, 45 min. 4 sections: Critical Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Essay Essay: Required Penalized for wrong answers Score scale: 600 to 2400 New SAT Total testing time: 3 hours (+50 minutes if taking the SAT with Essay) 2 sections (3 with SAT Essay): Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, Math Essay: Optional No penalty for guessing Score scale: 400 to 1600; Essay scored separately SAT FEE WAIVERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TO USE WITH EITHER VERSION OF THE SAT.

Five things students need to know FIVE THINGS STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW SAT ®.

Rights-only scoring ABOUT THE NEW SAT ® 1. Rights-only scoring. Students earn points for each correct answer. There’s no penalty for guessing. Students are encouraged to read each question and select the answer they think is best.

No obscure vocabulary ABOUT THE NEW SAT ® 2. No obscure vocabulary. The new SAT focuses on words students are most likely to use again throughout college and career. Students won’t see words like “prevaricate” or “sagacious.” They will need to understand how words like “synthesis” or “alleviate” are used in context.

More focused math ABOUT THE NEW SAT ® 3. More focused math. Focuses on the math skills most widely used in college and career. Most questions are multiple choice. Calculators are allowed on only one section. Some questions are easier to solve without a calculator.

Analysis, not opinion ABOUT THE NEW SAT ® 4. Analysis, not opinion. The SAT Essay will ask students to read a passage and: Provide a written analysis of the text. Use critical reasoning skills to show how the author builds an argument. Use evidence from the text to support their analysis. Students should check individual college websites to see if schools they’re interested in require the SAT Essay.

Free, world-class test practice for all ABOUT THE NEW SAT ® 5. Free, world-class test practice for all. Free Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy ® created in partnership with the College Board. Personalized practice pathways provided to each student. Full-length practice tests and thousands of sample questions. Accessible through any computer with Internet access. Materials also available to print.

+ SAT Reasoning Test Juniors should take in March and again in June if needed Sophomores can take this year if PSAT was strong Given at LD on March 5 and June 4 Other locations on May 7 Must register online:

+ SAT Subject Tests Offered in history, math, science, languages Remaining test dates in January, May, June Take only if college requires scores Usually taken in fall of senior year The SAT Subject Tests offer you an additional opportunity to show colleges what you know and what you know you can do. Many colleges use the SAT Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges specify the SAT Subject Tests that they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take. **Check the College Board website for a list of subjects and colleges that require these tests

+ ACT American College Test Given at LD in September and December (at HACC and Cumberland Valley HS in February, April, June) Test areas: English, Math, Science Reasoning, Reading with optional Writing test Register online at

+ Importance of Junior Year Academic Record Activity Resume Testing Program Post-Graduation Planning Suggested Time Line

+ Academic Record o Biggest factors in college admissions: o Grades/GPA o Rigor of courses o College entrance exams o Character o Activities resume Four-year academic performance shows consistency over time (or improvement over time) Take challenging courses Choose academic electives (languages and/or those related to potential majors) Work hard to maintain best possible grades

+ Activity Resume Colleges want students who are well rounded and will be involved on campus Get involved in and out of school Be committed Aim for variety of interests Find unique experiences

+ Testing Program First step – tonight Take at least one SAT by end of junior year Consider test prep Another SAT/ACT in fall of senior year if needed SAT Subject Tests if needed Keep reading and taking challenging courses!

+ Post-Graduation Planning Consider career interests/abilities Look at education and/or training required Relate to college or tech school major Think about college qualities (size, location, setting, majors, cost, etc) Research potential colleges online/get information Look at admissions requirements Narrow down your choices Visit, visit, visit! Apply in fall of senior year

+ Junior Year Timeline Research potential careers and majors Make a list of college qualities Take SAT at least once, possibly twice College research: Online research/get materials from colleges Begin to narrow list of schools between 5 and 7 Be sure to visit ALL schools before applying

+ Planning Resources College Board: Naviance: College Visits College Information Packet LDHS Counseling Department Website: Military Recruiters

+ Naviance Career Planning Look at results from interest inventory from Careers class Complete the Personality Assessment as well Students should know their user name and password for Naviance – if not, please see your counselor College Planning Start to organize college interests Start Student Bio Sheet Naviance will be used in senior year to manage applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation so it’s a good idea to become familiar with this program!

+ Senior Year Timeline Finish any campus visits Take SAT/Subject Tests/ACT if needed Fill out applications in early fall Research scholarship/financial aid opportunities Fill out FAFSA starting October 1 Make final decision based on admission and financial aid offers

+ NCAA Clearinghouse Academic requirements: core courses, GPA, SAT scores for Div I and II See counselor for review Complete application at end of junior year Apply online:

+ Course Selection Mrs. Beaver in classes next week to present options Course selection cards due on Feb 5 Please work together as a family to plan your course of study for next year Individual meeting with Mrs. Beaver in spring Challenge yourself!

+ Counseling Office Nate Espenshade (12 th ) Lori Beaver (11 th ) Farren Schmidt (10 th ) Tanya Dreon (9 th )