Transcript Welcome to…. Your Junior Year

Welcome to….
Your Junior Year
Credits Required for Graduation:
Are you on track?
Regents Exams Required for
Graduation
Courses where you can Earn College
Credit
Listed below are classes offered here at N-W where students can earn college credit from NCCC. Credits are transferrable to most 2 and 4 year colleges.
Course
Credits
Grade
Calculus
4 Credits – NCCC
12
Precalculus
4 Credits – NCCC
11,12
College Composition I
3Credits – NCCC
12
College Composition II
3 Credits – NCCC
12
Intro/Adv. Marketing
3 Credits – NCCC (for Business Majors only)
French 4
3 Credits –NCCC
11,12
French 5
3 Credits – NCCC
12
Spanish 4
3 Credits – NCCC
11,12
Spanish 5
3 Credits –NCCC
12
Topics in Leadership
3 Credits – NCCC
10,11,12
NCCC Approx. $55/Credit Hour
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
College Level Classes at NW
Students may earn college credits in AP courses based on their scores on the AP exam. Scores range from 1-5. Credits earned vary by individual colleges.
AP English (12th)
AP World History 10th)
AP US History (11th)
AP Macroeconomics (12th)
AP Government and Politics (12th)
AP Stats (11th,12th)
AP Calculus (12th)
AP Studio Art (11th,12th)
AP Physics (11th,12th)
AP Biology (11th,12th)
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AP Chemistry (11 ,12th)
NCCC/Niagara University
Seniors who are approved for Early Dismissals, may take courses at Niagara University or NCCC. Students will take regular college courses with college students. The cost
to take courses at NU is $60 per credit hour which is significantly reduced from the regular tuition rate. The cost for NCCC courses is at the regular NCCC tuition
rate which is approximately $130/credit hour. Students should talk with their school counselor if they are interested in taking a course at a college campus.
IMPORTANT JUNIOR YEAR
TESTS
A Quick Review:
PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB
Standardized College Admission Exams
• SAT – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a three-hour,
primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical
reasoning abilities that develop over time. Many colleges require SAT
scores for admission.
• Subject Tests – Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiplechoice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your
ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges
you are considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend
one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement.
• ACT – Assessment Test – A group of tests
administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges.
The tests measure educational development in English, mathematics,
reading, and science reasoning and are given at specified test centers
throughout the year.
GENERAL TESTING INFORMATION
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Why should I take the SAT or ACT Exams? Most two and four year colleges require students to take at least one college
entrance exam as a requirement to be considered for admission.
When do I take the exams? The “rule of thumb” is to take the SAT exam once in the spring of your junior year and once in
the fall of your senior year. Most colleges will take your highest combined score so it is to your benefit to take them at least
one time. The ACT exam should be taken, once, either in the junior or senior year.
What is the benefit of taking both the SAT and ACT exams? Colleges will take either your highest ACT or SAT score. Most
kids tend to do better on one than the other.
Where do I take the exams? Niagara Wheatfield offers the SAT exam three times during the school year and the ACT exam
two times during the school year. If you are not available on those test dates, you may take them at a local area school that
offers them on different dates.
How do I register for the exams? You may pick up a registration packet either in the Counseling or Career Centers or you
may register online. You can register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com and the ACT exam at www.actstudent.org It is
YOUR responsibility to make sure you register for the exam before the registration deadline.
Is the writing section on the ACT and SAT exam optional? The writing exam IS optional for the ACT exam, however it is NOT
optional for the SAT. Many colleges are now requiring a writing score for any kids planning on entering college in the fall of
2006 and after.
What are the SAT II Subject Tests? These are specific subject area tests that some of the more competitive colleges may
require you to take. You must check with the colleges you are applying to see if they are required.
How do I receive the test accommodations stated on my IEP or 504 Plan? You must fill out an additional application and
have your accommodations approved in advance of taking the exams. See your counselor to pick up the accommodation
form.
NIAGARA WHEATFIELD CEEB CODE: 335-028 Test Center Code: 33-834
Timeline
October
November
• 5th -ASVAB
• 12th -PSAT
• 22nd -ACT
December
• 5th -SAT (registration deadline
October 7th)
February
• 3rd -SAT (registration deadline
November 8th)
• 8th -Financial Aid Night @
NWHS-6:00 PM
March
• 2nd – Junior College Night @
NW (5:45 PM HS Aud.)
April
• CCI Day @ NCCC
• National College Fair @
Buffalo Convention Center
May
• 5th- SAT @ NWHS (registration
deadline April 6th)
• Finalize course selections for
senior year
• 14th - ACT at NW (registration
deadline March 9th)
June
• 2nd - SAT @ NWHS (registration
Deadline (May 8th)
PSAT Exam
• Wednesday- October 12th Periods 1-4
• Content
– Critical Reading: 2-25 Minute Critical Reading Sections
• 13 sentence completion
• 35 passage based reading
– Mathematics: 2-25 Minute
• 28 multiple choice
• 10 student produced responses
– Writing: 1-30 Minute Writing Skills Section
• 20 improving sentences
• 14 identifying sentence errors
• 5-imporivnig paragraphs
– Scoring: 20-80 point scare for each section (80 highest possible score)
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Correct answer-earn 1 point
Incorrect anwer-1/4 point reduced from score
Omitted questions-no points added, no points reduced
Incorrect answer on math student produced response- nothing deduced
PSAT Exam- Test Day
• Bring 2- # 2 Pencils
• Bring Calculator
• Know what room you are assigned to before
test day.
• Report to homeroom first
• DON’T Be Late For School!
NW SAT/ACT Dates in 2011-2012
SAT
ACT
• Nov 5 –reg by Oct 7 • Dec 10 -reg by Nov 4
• Dec 3 -reg by Nov 8 • April 14 –reg by Mar 9
• May 5 -reg by Apr 6
• June 2 –reg by May 8
Comparison Chart
ASVAB Test (Oct. 5th)
• Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
• Identifies your abilities in 16 vocational
subject areas
• Helps you identify strengths and areas of concern
to assist in exploring career interest areas
• The military does not have access to your test
results unless you provide results to them
Post Secondary Planning
• What opportunities will be available to you
after you graduate from NW?
• In what ways can you continue your
education?
Top Factors in College Admissions
Decisions
(National Association of College Admissions Counseling, 2008)
•Factors
Factors
in College Prep Courses
•Grades
Percentage
Percentage
80%
Strength of Curriculum
64%
Standardized Tests
58%
Grades in All Courses
52%
Essay/Writing Sample
26%
Demonstrated Interest
22%
Counselor Recommendation
21%
Teacher Recommendation
20%
Interview
11%
Student Activities
7%
Subject Tests (AP, etc)
7%
Finding the Match:
Values
Research
List Schools
Visitation
Group Schools
Values-identify college characteristics
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Distance from home (sleep in your bed?)
Size: small, medium, large
Location: suburban, urban, small town, rural
Majors and educational programs
Public vs. Private
Academic reputation
Athletic programs
Values- Create Initial List of Schools
• Use values to create initial list of schools
• Use information of your knowing:
– Rigor of transcript- most important
– Significance of ACT and SAT
– Essays
– Recommendations
– Resume/activities
• If list is LARGE- further RESEARCH to refine
list
Research- Refine List of Colleges
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College catalogs and Mrs. Reed
College representatives
College fairs
Parents, students, and alumni
School counselor (duh)  and teachers
Counseling website
Professionals in the field of interest
Visitation- Check for campus visit
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Take a tour
Talk with students, faculty
Investigate your academic program
Meet with an admissions counselor
Verify admissions requirements
Inquire about a class visit
Discuss your chances of success: admission,
graduation, placement, etc
• Ask thoughtful, mindful, active questions!
Group Schools
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Safe
Realistic
Reach
Group by decision policy
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Early action
Early decision
Rolling
Regular admissions
Open admissions
Details- application process and
procedures
• Letters of recommendation
– Ask your teachers
– Coaches
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Having ACT and SAT reported
Follow Close Deadlines
Follow up with Teacher Recommendations
Transcript release form
There are things you should know…
High School Transcripts
Students who are making college visits during the fall should bring an “unofficial” copy of their high school
transcript. Students can obtain these by calling the Counseling Center at 215-3101. Please keep in mind
we will need a THREE DAY advance notice to process the transcripts.
Financial Aid Night
The Counseling and Career Center will host a Financial Aid Night in the High School Adult Learning Center on
December 8th at 6 PM. The purpose of this program is to inform parents and students of the financial aid
process. Information on student loans, grants, and scholarships will be discussed. There will also be a
discussion on how to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). There will be
information mailed to parents about this evening. Parents are encouraged to fill out their Financial Aid
Forms between January 1st and February 1st. The form should be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Useful Websites
ACT Registration - www.actstudent.org
SAT Registration/ College searches - www.collegeboard.org
Financial Aid and Scholarships - www.finaid.org, or www.fafsa.ed.gov
NW Counseling and Career Center - www.nwcsd.k12.ny.us
College Searches - www.petersons.com
SUNY Schools - www.suny.edu
Common Application www.commonapp.org
NACAC College Fair
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11 grade NW students will have the opportunity to attend the National College Fair at the Buffalo Convention
Center this March. The National College Fair will have over 200 colleges nationwide available to speak
with students about opportunities at their schools.
College Information Night
• February 2nd, 2012
• The Niagara Wheatfield High School Counseling and Career Centers
will host a College Information Night for parents of juniors and
sophomores on February 2nd, 2012 at 5:45 p.m. in the auditorium.
Admissions Counselors from 5 local colleges and universities will be
on hand for a panel discussion on the college admission's process.
These counselors will also be available later in the evening for
individual questions. There will also be a session on Standardized
Tests (SATs/ACTs) and Financial Aid.
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Parents and their students are
encouraged to attend.
Buffalo National College Fair
• When:
• High Schools take students to meet with College
Representatives
• Sign up IF
– You’re interested in the colleges attending
– Fill out permission form and turn into Counseling
Office before
– Ability to behave and conduct oneself as an excellent
representative of Niagara Wheatfield High School!
NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse
• Division 1 & 2 must meet eligibility
• NCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.org
– Fee
– Request your transcript
• When do I register?
– You can register anytime after you compete 6 semesters of high school. Most
students will register at the beginning of their senior year
• How do I qualify to participate in sports at a D I or II school?
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Complete minimum of 16 core courses
Take your SAT or ACT
Eligibility is determined by sliding scale
You MUST have your SAT or ACT scores sent to NCAA directly from
collegeboard or ACT. Scores on a high school transcript will NOT be accepted
– NCAA code is 9999
5 Reasons to visit Mrs. Reed in the
Career Center
WHERE DO I TURN TO ASK
QUESTIONS?
•COUNSELOR
•CAREER CENTER
•COLLEGE WEBSITES
•Like us on Facebook –
we’ll send updates and
reminders on deadlines