Junior Parent Presentation February 4, 2020 Welcome Presenters: Yvonne Sternemann 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) – confirm on track for graduation every year • GPA/Rank/Extracurricular activities – well rounded • Keep doing your best: every grade counts • GPA is finalized at the end of 11 th grade (avg. of 9-11) • Complete career assessment in Naviance • Accommodations are not automatic – must request (sign 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) • College application Fee waivers (free or reduced lunch) • Student athletes: register at NCAA website • SAT/ACT code for NCAA is 9999 (to send scores) • Always use personal email – not school email
SAT/ACT College Entrance Exams SAT: www.collegeboard.org www.khanacademy.org ACT: www.act.org • Full length practice tests on websites • PSAT results – create College Board and Khan Academy accounts and link accounts to create customized SAT Prep • Phone apps: prep4sat; prep4act • Buy books; Private SAT/ACT prep courses • Send 4 free score reports • Superscoring (check with college)
How to begin the college search • Search for colleges on Naviance Supermatch college search or College Board using filters (major, location, athletics); click college link for detailed, up to date 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) • 4/1/20 College fair at Meadowlands, NJ (9-12 p.m.; sign up in the Guidance office, permission slip) • 4/30/20 College fair at SUNY Orange (evening)
Common App vs. Naviance www.commonapp.org Naviance: click on icon on high school website Common App : This is the website you will use to apply to colleges Naviance : This is the website you will use to request teacher recommendation letters; can do college searches, career assessments, create resumes; add colleges not applying to in Common App
Naviance • Do SuperMatch college search (filters include: major, location, activities) • Make list of “colleges I’m thinking about” • If not applying through Common App: add college to Naviance “colleges I’m applying to”, choose college, click edit and choose “ direct to institution ”
Common App (can complete after 8/1/20 ) • Fill out Common App sections (you will need your high school transcript) • Add colleges you plan to apply to • Draft college essay over the summer • Upload your essay (when applying) • Complete FERPA (recommend waive right to see letters of recommendation) • Submit college applications and pay fee • See Naviance instructions • Do not request teacher letters in Common App
Common App Essay Prompts 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, 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 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 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.
Naviance • After you complete the Common App: • Match Common App/Naviance accounts ( make sure FERPA has been completed in Common App first ) • Request teacher recommendation letters only in Naviance but ask teacher in person first (ask no later than the beginning of September)
College Admissions Options • Early Action vs. Early Decision • Both: typically early November deadlines; decisions usually received end of December • Early Action – can apply to several colleges, non-binding • Early Decision – one college, binding , rescind • Regular Decision – various firm deadlines • Rolling Admissions – accept applications continuously but programs fill up • Universal deadline: May 1 st (notify college or can lose spot)
Community College vs. 4 year colleges • Community colleges give placement tests • Recommendation letters usually not required • Typically no college essay • However! Completing the above allows you to apply to 4 year colleges if you change your mind later
Financial Aid, Scholarships • Seniors/parents – attend Financial Aid Night in Fall, 2020 (tentatively mid-October) • FAFSA (must apply for federal student loans) • Can apply for financial aid after 10/1/20 • Research scholarships: www.fastweb.com; www.fatomei.com; Guidance website; parent/student employers
Important Information Complete the detailed 3 part senior packet and return to Guidance by the end of June/or first week of September at the latest: senior profile questions • parent brag sheet detailed student activity sheet (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 or with Recruiter for ASVAB test • Workforce - Job applications/create resumes (use info from senior packet) • Attendance counts – school may be the only reference you have
Internship Program (see Mrs. Gail Blaine) Internships Senior year • Placed in County businesses/gov’t agencies • Student provides own transportation
Benefits of Internships • Provides opportunities to apply classroom learning to workplace experiences • Develop interpersonal skills • Establishes clear connections between education and the business world • Creates opportunities for career exploration • Promotes practice of positive work habits • Establishes professional networking contacts
Questions
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