SOPHOMORE COUNSELING NOTES -- FALL 2014
I. SOPHOMORE YEAR --Year of Exploration
A. Goal for the Year -- By the end of the year students should have some ideas about...
1. Areas of career interest
2. Training/Education needed for career
3. Type of training/education they'd like to pursue
4. Know how to find information about careers and schools
II. What can we do to help you in your exploration?
A. Services available
1. Testing -- see Testing Opportunities Handout
a. Career Decision Making Inventory
b. MCIS computer program (Introduced to you as 9th graders-will learn more in
April)
c. Strong Interest Inventory -- $11.00 to take
2. Conference with Counselor
a.
b.
Anytime you want to visit with your counselor about post-secondary options, please
make an appointment with the secretary in the Counseling Center.
We welcome your interest and visits.
Counselor Assignments:
A-C – Mrs. Ostberg
D-H – Mrs. Graham
I-Mc – Mrs. Schoenen
Me-Sc
I-Mc– Mrs.
– Mrs.Lowry
Schoenen
Sd-Z -- Ms. Deffinbaugh
3. Catalogs
4. Handbooks
III. PSAT - Wednesday, October 15
A. Test Specifics
1. Discuss what it is ... 2 hour version of the SAT
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
2. Advantages of taking
3. Importance for college bound minority students
4. Nitty Gritty
--Cost $14.00
--Payable in the Advisement Center until Noon, October 10th. This deadline is absolute as we
need to finalize plans for test administration!
--Sophomores with a 3.2 and above will be invited and encouraged to take
--Others may take for practice on a "first come first serve" basis
IV. OTHER STUFF
A. ROTC/Academy
1. Important of starting in junior Year
2. See Mrs. Ostberg for help and information
B. Dual Credit/AP Courses/Early College-- can receive college credit for some classes taken at
CMR or get a jump start on college. Pay attention during scheduling. Talk to your counselor or
Mrs. Perkins.
C. University System Requirements and Graduation Requirements
1. Importance of College Prep-Take as rigorous a course load as
you can.
2. In-state admissions requirements:
a. Students must have:
1. College Prep Diploma
2. 2.5 GPA or
Rank in top half of class or
Score 22 on ACT or 1540 on SAT
(Lower for MSU-Northern-20/1440)
Must also have at least an 22 on math and
an 18 combined English/Writing
3. Alternatives if you don't meet requirements including Core at MSUCOT-Stress the
importance of preparing now with course selection, maintaining grades, work ethic
4. Stay on track with your credits. Remember: 10 credits=Junior, 15=Senior—You don’t
walk with your class unless you have completed the 23 credits. Don't forget to plan for
vocational and fine art credits
D. ACT/SAT/Compass-Explain difference between the tests, used for admissions and
placement. Students will take spring of junior year. Give some suggestions for prep:
1. www.march2success.com
2, www.smartaboutcollege.org
are just a few!
**Prepare by working hard in your classes.
Where Do I Go For Help???
Search the World Wide Web! Find out more information about careers and schooling by visiting some of these
websites, either at home or at school.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: //sats.bls.gov/ocohome.html
Career Mosaic: careermosaic.com
Career Path: careerpath.com
Dictionary of Occupational Titles: stepfour.com/genie/
Career Guidance Foundation: collegesource.org
The College Board: collegeboard.org
The Electronic University: petersons.com
The Princeton Review: review.com
US News College and Career Center: usnews.com
Campus Program Search: http://campusprogram.com/
Scholarship searches: www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
Use Counseling Office Resource Materials. We have great books and other resource materials to help you in your
search. Here are our favorites!
The College Handbook
The Index of College Majors
The Gourman Report (rates college programs)
The Princeton Review (what the kids are saying!)
The College Blue Book series (great for obscure occupations and technical schools search)
Testing!!! Who likes tests?? Career interests tests are fun and can give you suggestions about careers that fit
with your interests and personality, talk to your counselor about taking the:
Strong Interest Inventory
Career Decision Making Inventory
ASVAB
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOPHOMORES
1. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership – The seminar focuses on strengthening the leadership
skills of Montana’s outstanding youth. Applications are available in October from Mrs.
Ashmore in the counseling Center. Listen to the announcements for more information.
2. Leadership High School – is a community-wide leadership program for incoming high
school juniors designed to expose young leaders to the various elements that interact to
form a strong and dynamic local community. The nine sessions of the program will allow
the participants to explore varying aspects of the Great Falls community. Applications
are available in March with interviews in April. See Mrs. Schoenen for more details.
3. National Honor Society – Students named to the membership must have a 3.3 GPA at
the end of their junior year and meet high standards of leadership, character and service.
Induction is in May of the Junior year.
4. Academic Letter – A student must accumulate 200 points on the application. You
may only accumulate points if you have at least a 3.25 for the semester.
5. Resume’ – You will be working on a resume’ in Connections. If you have further
questions please see your counselor or your English teacher.
6. Volunteerism – Start giving back to your community; most scholarships ask what
type of volunteerism you have done. (Key Club, church, B/G club, Salvation Army, etc.)
7. Investigate your post-secondary education plan
1. Meet with college representatives. Sign up in the Counseling Center outside
Mrs. Lowry’s door. Listen to announcements for scheduled visits.
2. Visit as many campuses as possible
3. Request information from schools
4. Check out guidebooks to college/universities
5. Access bridges.com and MCIS (will learn those programs in late April)
8. NCAA Clearinghouse – Division 1A and 1AA athletes must be certified by NCAA and
meet a minimum of 16 core classes. Pay attention and visit with your counselor early if
there is a chance you will play college athletics.
9. Junior status requires 10.0 credits toward your 23 credit graduation requirements.