Junior Parent Presentation February 1, 2018 Welcome Presenters: - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Junior Parent Presentation February 1, 2018

Welcome

Presenters:

• Mrs. Yvonne Sternemann
• Ms. Jenny McKenzie

Graduation Requirements

• 4 years of English, Social Studies and PE
• 3 years of Math, Science
• 1 year of Art/Music, Health, Foreign Language
• Electives
• Minimum 22 credits
• Regents (5 exams) vs. Advanced Regents (8

exams, 3 years foreign language, checkpoint B exam)

First steps

• Review transcript and graduation requirements (junior

meeting) and schedule senior classes

• GPA/Rank/Extracurricular activities – well rounded
• Keep doing your best: every grade counts
• GPA is finalized at the end of 11th grade (avg. of 9-11)
• Complete career assessment: Naviance
• SAT/ACT Accommodations are not automatic – must

request (consent form – takes 7-8 weeks for decision)

• Prep and Register for SAT/ACT college entrance exams

and subject tests (if required – see college websites)

• Fee waivers (if free or reduced lunch)
• NCAA info (https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3; click register)
• SAT/ACT code for NCAA is 9999 (to send scores)

SAT/ACT College Entrance Exams

SAT: www.collegeboard.org www.khanacademy.org ACT: www.act.org PSAT results – create College Board and Khan Academy accounts. Link PSAT scores to Khan Academy to create customized SAT Prep Phone apps: prep4sat; prep4act Buy books; Private SAT/ACT prep courses Superscoring if take exam two times 4 free score reports with exam registration

Naviance: College and Career Readiness Tool

• Family Connection, explore
• Website:

http://connection.naviance.com/chestermshs

• Username: student email
• Password: ch and 6 digit student ID number
• Career Interest Profiler – career assessment
• Supermatch College Search, click on college links
• Resume, Road Trip Nation (video archive)

How to begin the college search

• Search for colleges on Naviance Family Connection or

College Board using filters (major, location, etc.) for basic info, click college link for more detailed info

• Review admissions requirements on college website

(undergraduate, FAQ pages) re: GPA, SAT/ACT, etc.

• Create a short list of safety, match, reach colleges
• Visit college campuses (virtual tours are a last resort)
• Attend college fairs:

April 25, 2018 at SUNY Orange

• RCC/OCC Instant Decision Days December 2018 at

Chester Academy – waive application fees

College Admissions Options

• Early Action vs. Early Decision
• Both: typically early November deadlines;

decisions usually received end of Dec/Jan

• Early Action – can apply to several colleges,

non-binding

• Early Decision – one college, binding, rescind
• Regular Decision – various firm deadlines
• Rolling Decision – accept applications

continuously but programs fill up

• Universal deadline: May 1st (notify college or

can lose spot)

2018-2019 Common Application Essay Prompts (Draft your essay over the summer)

• 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their

application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time

when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

• 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking?

What was the outcome?

• 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a

research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

• 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new

understanding of yourself or others.

• 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why

does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

• 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a

different prompt, or one of your own design.

Community College vs. 4 year colleges

• Community colleges give placement tests (Accuplacer)
• Recommendation letters usually not required
• Typically no college essay
• However! Taking SAT or ACT exam and writing essay

allows you to apply to 4 year colleges if you change your mind later

• RCC/OCC Instant

Decision Days December 2018 Appl fees waived

Financial Aid, Scholarships

• Seniors/parents – attend Financial Aid Night in

Fall, 2018 (tentatively mid-October)

• FAFSA (must apply for federal student loans)
• Can apply for financial aid after 10/1/18 (using

2017 tax returns)

• Research scholarships: www.fastweb.com;

www.fatomei.com; Guidance website (local scholarships); parent/student employers

Important Information

Juniors - Before you leave for the summer: Complete the detailed 3 part senior packet and return to Guidance by the end of June/1st week of September at the latest:

• senior profile questions

parent brag sheet student activity sheet – detailed (grades 9-12) Ask 2 teachers for letters of recommendation Choose an essay topic on the Common App and write a draft over the summer – personalize

College isn’t the only option

• ASVAB (Armed services aptitude test) – need

high school diploma for the military – Sign up in Guidance for the ASVAB test held on 2/26

• Workforce - Job applications/create resumes

(use info from senior packet)

• Attendance counts – school may be the only

reference you have

DEADLINES/ACCURACY

• College application deadlines are FIRM
• Make sure students submit correct Teacher

and School Counselor emails on Common App/Send Edu/SUNY – otherwise we do not receive email with access to upload letters

• SAT/ACT Score Reports – receive 4 free, then

have to pay to send to additional colleges

Work Based Learning Program (see Mrs. Gail Blaine)

Internships Senior year

• Placed in County businesses/gov’t agencies
• Student provides own transportation
• Credit is awarded: 75 hours = 1/2 credit;

150 hours = 1 credit

Benefits of Work Based Learning

• Provides opportunities to apply classroom

learning to workplace experiences

• Establishes clear connections between

education and the business world

• Creates opportunities for career exploration
• Promotes practice of positive work habits
• Establishes professional networking contacts

Young Physicians Program through Crystal Run Healthcare

• high school juniors and seniors
• attend lectures and interactive

demonstrations in a variety of medical specialties and settings with Crystal Run providers and staff

• See Mrs. Blaine

ACE Mentor Program Open to seniors (See Mrs. Gail Blaine)

Nationwide program. Students are mentored by and shadow professionals in Architecture, Construction and Engineering fields. Hands on career experience.

Questions