1. College and Career Planning

2. Who is your guidance counselor? Do you know?
Quiz
Who is your guidance counselor? Do you know?

3. Penncrest Counselors Mrs. Sarah Graham—9th grade
Mr. David Harple: Letters A-B
Mrs. Lori Rice-Spring: Letters D-K
Ms. Karen Kerr: Letters Ca-Ck AND L-Q
Mrs. Helen Douglass-Garrett: Letters Cl-Cz AND R-Z

4. Get to know your counselor!
Make an appointment to speak to your counselor so he/she gets to know a little about you.
You should double check to make sure you are on track to earn the credits you need for graduation.
Begin to talk about your post-high school plans.

5. Guidance Resources Counselors Career Center Coordinator: Mrs. Naismith
Secretary: Ms. Stokes
College Representatives

6. Additional Resources POWR Day
Meet with Mrs. Naismith to discuss career interests and to schedule a Job Shadowing experience.
Naviance
This is the most important tool the guidance department has to assist you and your family throughout the remainder of your high school career, in career exploration, and in your transition to college, trade school, work, or the military.
Guidance Webpage
Updated regularly with information, links, and forms.
College Representative Visits to Penncrest
Many colleges visit Penncrest each year and it’s a great time for students to ask questions and learn about numerous colleges. Sign up to attend a meeting this fall.

7. Academics
Rigor of junior and senior-year classes—it’s important to enroll in the most rigorous courses that you can be successful in. No, it’s not better to get a C in an AP course versus an A in a level 1 course.
At the end of your junior year, your official GPA is set. This is the number that you’ll use when you apply to colleges. You can’t “raise” your GPA in your senior year before you send your applications to colleges so this is it! Make it count!

8. Post-Secondary Planning:

9. College Admission Testing: PLAN AHEAD
All juniors will take the October PSAT in school at no charge. Registration is not necessary.
THEN WHAT? Should I begin to prep for the SAT or the ACT?
Review your PSAT scores; take practice tests.
Khan Academy
College Board
Kaplan Test Prep
Private Tutors

10. Test Prep
Try taking practice tests in both the SAT and ACT early in your junior year to figure out which test is a better fit for you.
Create your personal testing schedule—work with your parents/guardians and make these test dates a family priority.

11. Test Prep
PREP!!!!!!! No one should sit for either test without preparing. There are many ways to do this including:
Khan Academy
Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Free On Demand
Private Tutors
SAT Subject Tests: Do you need to take these? Check college admissions requirements to confirm.
You can take the ACT (September) and/or SAT (October) in your senior year and still have scores in time for Early Action/Early Decision.

12. College Research
Naviance
College Look Up:
Review Profile of college
How You Compare
Understand the GPA and SAT/ACT statistics of the school, admission deadlines, application type, and graphs to gauge possible admission outcomes

13. College Research
Link to college admission page and research entire Admissions Page including admission requirements and instructions for scheduling an information session and college tour.
Research departments and majors
Complete a College Search on your Naviance account and save for future research

14. College Representatives Visit Penncrest
Check the list of colleges who will visit Penncrest and sign up for an information session.
Go to Naviance; Go to Colleges Tab
In the “My Colleges” section, you’ll see a comprehensive list of Upcoming College Visits.
Sign up and PLAN TO ATTEND!

15. Teacher Letters of Recommendation
Many colleges and universities require one or two letters of recommendation. Some schools do not require them. Students are responsible for confirming with each school (via the admissions requirement page) if letters are required.
Colleges prefer Junior-year teachers to write letters. However, if you had a teacher in 9th or 10th grade and have him/her again as a senior, that would also be an appropriate person to ask.
It is a good idea to ask your teacher for a letter before the end of your junior year, prior to the summer break.
Always speak to your teacher directly, face to face, and follow it up with an thanking them.
Follow all instructions for requesting the letters on Naviance and per the teacher’s instructions.

16. Resume or Student Activity List
Student should use their Naviance Resume builder to create a document that highlights their activities throughout high school. (Do not include activities from middle school)
This information is not included in documents that your counselor will send to colleges. You must include it within the application. The resume is an organizational tool that will help you when you complete your applications.
Extracurricular activities are an important component in your entire college application. If you haven’t participated in many activities outside of class, now is the time to sign up. Consider clubs at school, team sports, leadership roles, or involvement in a religious or civic community group.

17. What is the NCAA?

18. National Collegiate Athletic Association
Students must register on the NCAA Eligibility Center website as early as the junior year in order to be reviewed for eligibility in order to compete in Division I or Division II college athletics.
Division III Colleges and Universities do not require NCAA clearance.

19. Student Athletes
If you plan to continue your athletic career in college at the Division I or II level, you are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
This should be completed during your junior year. See your counselor if you have any questions.
Division III athletes are not required to register with NCAA.

20. Before you return to Penncrest as a junior you should…
Update your resume
Naviance Resume
Start preparing for the October PSAT as well as the SAT/ACT
Khan Academy
College Board
Kaplan Test Prep
Private Tutors

21. Before you return to Penncrest as a junior you should…
Complete Naviance Assessments
Do What You Are
Career Interest Profiler
Learning Style Inventory
MI Advantage
Begin College Search
Naviance tools
College Board search
Plan to attend a college fair

22. Conclusion Strive for Balance: Junior year is incredibly busy.
Challenging classes
Learning to drive
Increased social involvement
SAT/ACT Prep
College Research
Extracurricular Activities

23. Take care of yourself and each other
Sleep!!!
Reach out for support if you need it. Your mental and physical health is important.
Guidance/School Counselors
STAR Coordinator
Teachers
Administrators

24. Social Media
Colleges and Universities AND coaches are researching you on your social media pages.
addresses should be professional and appropriate.