1. COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR JUNIORS

2. Junior Year Overall high school performance is the key to college admission, but the colleges look specifically at the junior year because it is the best predictor of how you will perform in college. After looking at your cumulative GPA, many colleges will immediately focus on two thing on your transcript: *junior and senior year grades *the degree of difficulty of your courses College and career exploration is in full swing. College visits should be planned. Students should take college admissions tests (SAT, ACT) by May or June. Also take the PSAT in October. Stay involved in school activities.

3. Senior Year  The senior year is extremely busy with the college admissions process, financial aid, and scholarship applications.  Deadlines are crucial. Make a list of deadlines for college applications, test registrations, and scholarships.  The senior year courses should be challenging, and it is critical to maintain good grades.  Stay involved with school activities.  Attend Open Houses.

4. Understand the different types of admissions and the timelines Regular Decision Regular Decision Submit application anytime (usually by Feb. 1 st ) Early Decision Early Decision Deadline is usually in Oct. or Nov. Cannot apply anywhere else (unless rejected) and you are committed to that school Early Action Early Action Deadline is usually in Oct., Nov., or Dec. No commitment to the school Can still apply to other schools

5. MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS *COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS VARY 22 Units of Credit and 5 Regents Exams

6. 4 UNITS OF ENGLISH 1) ENGLISH 9 2) ENGLISH 10 3) ENGLISH 11 Regents 4) ENGLISH 12 or COLLEGE ENGLISH or VOTECH ENGLISH

7. 4 UNITS OF SOCIAL STUDIES 1) SOCIAL STUDIES 9 2) SOCIAL STUDIES 10 GLOBAL REGENTS 3) SOCIAL STUDIES 11 US HISTORY REGENTS 4) ECONOMICS / GOVERNMENT

8. 3 UNITS OF SCIENCE 1) EARTH SCIENCE Regents 2) LIVING ENVIRONMENT Regents* *Needed for Advanced Regents Diploma 3) MUST TAKE ONE OR MORE FROM BELOW CHEMISTRY (Regents Class) PHYSICS (Regents Class) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, FISH & WILDLIFE VOTECH SCIENCE, ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

9. 3 UNITS OF MATH 1) ALGEBRA Regents 2) GEOMETRY Regents* 3) MUST TAKE ONE OR MORE FROM BELOW INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA ALGEBRA 2Regents* ALGEBRA 2Regents* APPLIED MATH APPLIED MATH VOTECH MATH VOTECH MATH PRE-CALCULUS/CALCULUS PRE-CALCULUS/CALCULUS PERSONAL FINANCE & ACCOUNTING PERSONAL FINANCE & ACCOUNTING *Needed for Advanced Regents Diploma

10. FOREIGN LANGUGE FOREIGN LANGUAGE* Proficiency *Minimum requirement for graduation FOREIGN LANGUAGE II FOREIGN LANGUAGE III Regents** **needed for Advanced Regents Diploma

11. 2 UNITS PHYSICAL EDUCATION 1/2 UNIT HEALTH 1 UNIT ART or MUSIC or DDP

12. REGENTS REQUIREMENTS Students must pass all 5 regents exams to graduate Students must pass all 5 regents exams to graduate 1) English 2) Global Studies 3) U.S. History 4) Math 5) Science

13. ADVANCED REGENTS DIPLOMA English Global Studies US History Algebra & Geometry & Algebra 2 Any two science exams Foreign Language *must pass all tests with at least a 65 *must pass all tests with at least a 65

14. COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS TYPICALLY: 4 UNITS ENGLISH 4 UNITS SOCIAL STUDIES 3 UNITS MATH 3 UNITS SCIENCE 2-3 UNITS FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACT or SAT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITES COMMUNITY SERVICE

15. Transcripts

16. Class Rank and GPA Student with the highest overall average is ranked “one” in that class. Student with the second highest overall average is ranked “two”, etc. Student with the highest overall average is ranked “one” in that class. Student with the second highest overall average is ranked “two”, etc. Final class rank will be determined following 3 rd quarter report card of senior year. Final class rank will be determined following 3 rd quarter report card of senior year. When determining class rank, courses that are of Regents or college level are given a weighted value. When determining class rank, courses that are of Regents or college level are given a weighted value. Regents course – 1.03 Regents course – 1.03 College/AP course – 1.06 College/AP course – 1.06 Ex. 92 (Biology) = 95 Ex. 92 (Biology) = 95 92 (JCC English) = 98 92 (JCC English) = 98

17. Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Junior Year October 15th $14.00 *Fee waivers available for Juniors who receive free or reduced lunches The PSAT/NMSQT

18. Why take the PSAT? Practice for the SAT Student will receive scores in verbal reasoning, math reasoning, and writing Student will receive a question by question review of answers Students receive a personalized statement of specific academic skills that need attention and how to improve those skills Students who take the test will receive free access to My College QuickStart, a Web-based career, major and college exploration tool Qualify for national scholarship

19. My College QuickStart Free, personalized college and career planning kit My Online Score Report Free explanations for the answers to every test question, including why the correct answer is the best choice. Free explanations for the answers to every test question, including why the correct answer is the best choice. My SAT Study Plan Practice SAT questions, practice SAT essay, student-written sample SAT essays, official SAT practice test Practice SAT questions, practice SAT essay, student-written sample SAT essays, official SAT practice test My College Matches A list of colleges in your state that offer the major you’re interested in. A list of colleges in your state that offer the major you’re interested in. My Major & Career Matches Comes complete with major and career profiles Comes complete with major and career profiles

20. SAT/ACT SAT/ACT When should you take the SAT or ACT? Spring of your Junior Year

21. Fees SAT - $52.50 SAT - $52.50 ACT without writing - $38.00 ACT without writing - $38.00 ACT with writing - $54.50 ACT with writing - $54.50 **fee waivers available if you receive free or reduced lunches

22. ACT VS. SAT ACT VS. SAT Science reasoning section Science reasoning section Math includes trigonometry Math includes trigonometry Vocabulary less important Vocabulary less important Entirely multiple-choice Entirely multiple-choice No guessing penalty No guessing penalty Math accounts for 25% of your score Math accounts for 25% of your score Easy and hard questions mixed within sections Easy and hard questions mixed within sections Essay optional Essay optional No Science Section No Trigonometry Questions Vocabulary Emphasized Non multiple-choice questions included Guessing penalty Math accounts for 50% of your score Questions go from easy to hard in most sections Essay

23. Test Scores The ACT The ACT Top score of 36 Average score is 21 EnglishMathReadingScience Final score is the average score of all four sections The SAT The SAT Critical Reading 200-800 Math 200-800 Writing 200-800 (Essay score of 2 – 12, 1/3 of writing score) (Multiple-choice 20 – 80, 2/3 of writing score) (Multiple-choice 20 – 80, 2/3 of writing score) Average score of 1400-1500 For a top score of 2400

24. Preparing for the SAT Take practice tests Take practice tests Guidance office books Guidance office books Online tests and daily questions- www.collegeboard.org Online tests and daily questions- www.collegeboard.org My College QuickStart My College QuickStart The Official SAT Online Course The Official SAT Online Course www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org 10 online tests and 18 interactive lessons 10 online tests and 18 interactive lessons hundreds of questions hundreds of questions $70 $70

25. New Requirements for Registering for the SAT Students must now upload a photo to their admission ticket when registering for the SAT. Students must now upload a photo to their admission ticket when registering for the SAT. Examples of acceptable photos Examples of acceptable photos Examples of non-acceptable photos Examples of non-acceptable photos

26. 3-1-3 The 3-1-3 Program at Fredonia State The 3-1-3 Program at Fredonia State is a time-shortened degree program is a time-shortened degree program during which students spend their senior year in both high school and college.

27. Career Searching My College QuickStart My College QuickStart Access with any computer with internet access Access with any computer with internet access ASVAB/Career Interest Inventory (November 17 th ) ASVAB/Career Interest Inventory (November 17 th )

28. College Search Check List Required Tests and Courses Required Tests and Courses Essays Essays Resumes Resumes Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation Deadlines Deadlines College credit for exams College credit for exams

29. Academic Checklist Degrees/programs offered Degrees/programs offered Majors Majors Clubs/associations Clubs/associations Career placement services Career placement services Internship opportunities Internship opportunities

30. Financial Check List Cost of attending college Cost of attending college Grants Grants Loans Loans Employment Employment Academic and need-based scholarships Academic and need-based scholarships Deadlines Deadlines FAFSA (fill out after Jan. 1 st of your senior year) FAFSA (fill out after Jan. 1 st of your senior year)

31. Financial Aid Facts of Life for Families Don’t rule out a school just because of its cost! Don’t rule out a school just because of its cost! Apply to one or two financially “safe” schools. Apply to one or two financially “safe” schools. Meet deadlines! Meet deadlines! Keep copies of all forms filed. Keep copies of all forms filed. Student loans are a way of life. Student loans are a way of life. Families should save as much as they can. No amount is too small! Families should save as much as they can. No amount is too small! Plan ahead! Think about how you will pay for each year of the student’s program. Plan ahead! Think about how you will pay for each year of the student’s program. Appeal if circumstances change. Appeal if circumstances change. Look at all financing options—start with those offered by the college at which the student enrolls! Look at all financing options—start with those offered by the college at which the student enrolls! Don’t assume—ask! Don’t assume—ask! Early application is critical Early application is critical

32. Applying for Financial Aid Request a federal PIN at www.pin.ed.gov Request a federal PIN at www.pin.ed.govwww.pin.ed.gov Complete FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov in January of your senior year Complete FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov in January of your senior yearwww.fafsa.ed.gov Print the confirmation page Print the confirmation page Use the link to apply for TAP Use the link to apply for TAP Keep records Keep records

33. FAFSA4caster Lets students and parents receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid. It will increase knowledge of the financial aid process and provide an opportunity to investigate other sources of aid (e.g.; grants, scholarships). http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

34. Scholarship Checklist High School Guidance Office High School Guidance Office Organizations your parents belong to Organizations your parents belong to Places of employment Places of employment Search the web Search the web Announcements at school Announcements at school Colleges you are applying to Colleges you are applying to

35. Campus Life Check list Who attends the college Who attends the college Sports Sports Music Music Theater Theater Art Art Library Library Extracurricular Extracurricular Housing Housing Health services Health services Counseling services Counseling services Safety information Safety information Community information Community information Publications Publications

36. What activities and services are available to help students get settled (academically and socially during their first year? How big are the classes? How easy is it to meet with faculty? Are you able to register for the classes you want? What is the total coast of attending the college? Are all freshmen assigned an academic counselor? QUESTIONS TO ASK A COLLEGE:

37. College Visits Go now!! *Look on college websites for Open House dates*

38. 11 th Grade Checklist Understand the college admissions process Understand the college admissions process Find a range of schools that interest you Find a range of schools that interest you Know the admissions statistics for the schools to which you intend to apply (GPA, average SAT score or ACT score) Know the admissions statistics for the schools to which you intend to apply (GPA, average SAT score or ACT score) Take the PSAT test in October Take the PSAT test in October Take the ASVAB test in November Take the ASVAB test in November Take the SAT or ACT test in May Take the SAT or ACT test in May Think about who might write you letters of recommendation Think about who might write you letters of recommendation Visit colleges Visit colleges Research scholarships Research scholarships

39. QUESTIONS? Check email daily! Your address is (4 digit ID)@forestville.com Example: 9999@forestville.com