1. Welcome to Junior Parent Night Presented by: Christa Schulz – Guidance Specialist Jenelle Huffman – Guidance Specialist

2. How is the PSAT Scored? SectionMathCritical Reading WritingTotal Score Range20 – 80 60 - 240 Avg Jr Score47.648.345.6141.5 Avg Jr Score (CA)48.447.346.1141.8 Avg Jr Score (NY)46.445.242.9134.5 Avg Soph Score43.1 40.9127.1 1,557,056 Juniors & 1,570,141 Sophomores took the PSAT/NMSQT. Roughly 16,000 semi-finalists for NMSQT 2011 NYS National Merit Qualifying Score: 217

3. PSAT → SAT You can use your PSAT score to help you predict how you might score on the SAT if you took it right now without any preparation. Simply add a zero to each of your PSAT scores. EXAMPLE: PSAT SAT Critical Reading52—>520 Math51—>510 Writing53—>530 Total156—>1560

4. Your Scores Percentile If you are a junior, your scores are compared to those of other juniors. If you are a sophomore or younger student, your scores are compared to those of sophomores. Score Range

5. National Merit Scholarship Corporation Information The Entry Requirements section displays information you provided on your answer sheet. The Percentile compares your performance to that of other college-bound juniors. The Selection Index is the sum of your critical reading, mathematics and writing skills scores. If it has an asterisk, you do not meet all of the eligibility requirements for the competition.

6. National Merit Scholarship Awarded to the top 1% of the country Automatically entered if you meet criteria Other criteria considered such as grades and official SAT scores Commended, Semi-finalist and Finalist California magic number: 221

7. See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT. Your Skills

8. Your Answers You will get your test book back with your PSAT/NMSQT results, so that you can review the questions.

9. Your Answers: Student-Produced Responses Some of the math problems required you to grid in answers instead of selecting an option. For these questions, you will see the correct answer(s) written out.

10. Visit PrincetonReview.com. There you can (FREE):PrincetonReview.com Search for colleges – filter by test score, GPA… Get a personalized SAT study plan Create a get-into-college timeline Take a practice SAT or ACT Read a great advice article Visit www.collegeboard.com/quickstart - Use the access code on your report to log in to My College QuickStart. There you can:www.collegeboard.com/quickstart Search for colleges Take a personality test to find majors & careers that fit you Next Steps

11. Don’t take your scores personally Scores DO NOT measure your intelligence Proper coaching can increase your scores GPA is most important in admissions Test scores are still heavily relied on Testing Truths

12. Why do we take the SAT/ACT? SAT It’s part of the College Admissions Package It’s a way for colleges to compare all students on the same scale.

13. SAT – Quick Facts Frequency: 7 times/year Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes Sections: 10  3 Math  3 Critical Reading  3 Writing 3 + 3 + 3 = 10 ???  1 Experimental

14. ACT – Quick Facts Frequency: 6 times/year Duration: 3 hours, 3 ½ with essay Sections: 4 + essay  English (45 min, 75Q)  Reading (35 min, 40Q)  Math (60 min, 60Q)  Science (35 min, 40Q)  Essay optional (30 min)

15. SAT – Critical Reading 67 multiple-choice questions 70 minutes total Tests critical reading, diction, and vocabulary Passage Reading Sentence completion

16. SAT – Math 54 questions (44 multiple-choice and 10 grid-in) 70 minutes (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section) Tests basic arithmetic, algebra I & II, and geometry

17. SAT – Writing 49 multiple-choice questions, 1 essay question 60 minutes (one 25-minute section, one 10- minute section, and one 25-minute essay) Tests your ability to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, improve paragraphs The Grammar portion of the Writing section makes up about 70% of your Writing Score

18. What about the ACT?

19. SAT tests vocabulary ACT has a Science section SAT essay is required. ACT essay is optional  SAT essay is philosophical  ACT essay is high school friendly SAT is trickier but tests easier concepts ACT is harder, but straightforward SAT is more technique-based (easier to learn) ACT is more content-based (harder to learn) Easier to improve SAT score b/c it’s a sum of 3 sections Harder to improve ACT score b/c average of 4 sections *If you have a PSAT and PLAN score, we can determine the better test for you. SAT vs ACT - More Differences 19

20. ALL colleges accept either test Some students are naturally better at one test over the other You may take both tests or just one of them Test-optional colleges The BEST way to determine which test is better is to use practice tests SAT vs ACT 20

21. Signs you might prefer the SAT You’re a quick thinker who loves the challenge of puzzles and logic games You can rapidly define a plethora of onerous vocabulary words You prefer to write about WWII and The Great Gatsby than about school uniforms You have a shorter attention span and prefer to complete the exam in small, more ‘bite-sized’ pieces. You rocked the PSAT. Stick with what’s working SAT and/or ACT? 21

22. Signs you might prefer the ACT You pay close attention in math class You love the challenge of beating the clock You’re good at reading graphs and tables You’re a strong reader You have a strong GPA, but did not do all that well on the PSAT SAT and/or ACT? 22

23. Changing Gears Let’s Talk Post High School

24. Options 2 and 4 year colleges Technical Colleges Corporate training programs Apprenticeship training Adult education CTE/ROP There are many options after high school: On-the-job training Workplace experience Intern/Apprenticeship Military Volunteer/Community Work Entrepreneurship Self-employment

25. Parent Account Home Page

26. Step 4 Get detailed information about some occupations.  Review saved occupations together.  Watch an occupational video.

27. Community College OPTION 1: CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS A specific occupational program is selected and courses are completed from the list in the college catalog for that skill area. Examples include automotive mechanics at Saddleback College, Administration of Justice at Irvine Valley College, Culinary Arts at Orange Coast College, etc. General education courses are not required; the focus is earning a certificate to prove proficiency in your occupational area. The certificate programs range from 18-30 units. If you have a career field in mind, it is necessary to research which college offers your program.

28. OPTION 2: ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS A community college "degree" program is also available. the Associate Degree is granted upon completion of 60 college units, general education course, a major and a 2.0 grade point average. Each community college has their list of required general education courses.Degrees are completed from lists provided in the catalog. Students should select a campus offering the degree of their choice, so researching community colleges will be necessary.

29. OPTION 3: TRANSFER PROGRAM Lower division university course requirements can be completed at a community college. Students may then enter a four-year college as a junior to complete their bachelor's degrees. There are two general education transfer patterns at each community college, CSU and IGETC. Students must have 60 transferable units, complete the general education courses, maintain the grade point average required fro the campus they select, as well as meet prerequisite coursework for their major.

30. California State University CSU First-time Freshman Admission Requirements Be a high school graduate Complete the 15 unit a-g course pattern with grades of "C" or better Minimum subject requirements ("a-g" subjects): History/Social Science: 2 years required English: 4 years required Mathematics: 3 years required (algebra I, geometry, algebra II) Laboratory Science: 2 years with laboratory required (one biological, one physical, both with lab) Language Other Than English (LOTE): 2 years required Visual/Performing Arts: 1 year required College Preparatory Electives: 1 year required

31. Earn a qualifying eligibility index The eligibility index is a weighted combination of high school grade point average during the final three years of high school and a score on either the SAT I or the ACT. All grades in the "a-g" courses take in 10th through 12th grades are used to calculate the grade point average (GPA). Test Score Requirement CSU requires the SAT I or the ACT test scores for students with a GPA below 3.0. However, test scores for students above 3.0 may be used for advising and placement in appropriate courses.

32. University of California Most major departments require additional preparation in math and laboratory science beyond the "a-f pattern" of minimum subject requirements. Preferred minimum preparation for most major fields of study: 4 years of advanced math 3-4 years lab science 3-4 years foreign language All grades must be a "C" or higher in the required courses.

33. UC requires the SAT or the ACT (with writing). Subject tests are no longer required for the UCs – but some private schools may require them. Initial filing period for admission: November 1 for following fall semester. For most campuses, applications will not be considered after November 30.

34. Financial Aid What is financial aid? There are three types of financial aid: scholarships and grants which do not have to be repaid; loans which do have to be repaid, but usually not while you are still attending college; work study, often available on campus, which pays a direct salary.

35. Where does financial aid come from? There are four main sources of financial aid: federal government state government colleges and universities private agencies, scholarship donors

36. How do I apply for state aid (Cal Grants) and financial aid? You may apply for a federal Pell Grant and for a state Cal Grant by completing the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Some colleges or programs have unique forms. Contact the financial aid officer at the school to which you are applying for details. You may not file the FAFSA before January 1 of the year in which you are applying. The deadline for Cal Grant applications is March 2. File as early as possible after January 1. Some colleges and private scholarships also require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile form to be submitted to College Scholarships Services. FAFSA's and Profile forms are available from your Guidance Specialist and in your Career Center.

37. Parents should attend Financial Aid Night on January 23, 2013, at Trabuco Hills High School

38. NCAA If you are planning to enroll in college as a freshman and you wish to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse will analyze your academic information and determine if you meet the NCAA's initial eligibility requirements. If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you should start the certification process early, usually by the end of your junior year.

39. To be certified by the Clearinghouse, you must: Graduate from high school. Take at least 14 core courses earning at least a "C" or better. Earn a minimum combined score on the SAT I or the ACT with a minimum GPA in the 14 core courses. Minimum 2.00 in the 14 core courses. Minimum of 68 (sum of scores on the 4 individual ACT subtests) or an 820 combined math and Critical Reading on the SAT. REGISTER ONLINE! www.ncaa.org