College Planning for
Junior Year and Beyond
October 10, 2013
The School Counseling Dept.
CN
Evening’s Objectives

Understand the importance of junior year

Gain knowledge of a college preparatory vocabulary

Learn the tasks and tools necessary to navigate the
college search process

Become aware of the steps needed to create a
“Going to College” Action Plan
CN
Junior Year
Your Year to SHINE!
But why so important?
DG
Junior Year
If you plan to go to college, the most important grades on
your transcript will be the ones from your junior year.
WHY?
1. Your junior-year grades will be the last complete set
of grades you send to colleges when you apply.
2. Junior year grades will correspond to classes that are
much closer in difficulty to college-level work than
freshman- and sophomore-year classes are.
For these reasons, you should make sure your academic
performance reaches—and stays at—a high level
throughout your junior year. DG
http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2012/10
/junior-year-the-most-important-year-ofhigh-school.html
Junior Year
Teacher Recommendations
Your best-possible recommendations will come
from your junior-year teachers.
Why?
1. They teach more difficult classes.
2. They remember you as a student.
DG
http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2012/09
/junior-year-the-best-year-for-securingrecommendations.html
Lets break it down.
11th Grade
“Going to College” Action Plan
DG
11th Grade Action Plan
Fall 2013
 Set goals for the school year
 Organization! Make weekly/monthly “getting
ready for college” to-do lists
 PSAT/NMSQT- 10/19/2013
 College Search
 College visits, possibly
DG
11th Grade Action Plan
Winter 2013
 Review PSAT/NMSQT results together.
 Prepare and register for college admission tests,
SAT and/or the ACT.
 Begin thinking about senior year
courses…consider RIGOR
 Begin thinking about SAT subject tests and
possibly AP exams, if applicable.
DG
Standardized Testing
SAT Reasoning Test (collegeboard.org)
SAT measures academic aptitude
Areas tested: Math, Verbal & Writing Skills
ACT (actstudent.org)
Measures academic achievement
Areas tested: Math, Reading, Writing & Science
You must take ACT Plus Writing
We recommend students take their first standardized
test in the spring.
KC
Standardized Testing
SAT Subject Test
 Single, one hour, subject tests to demonstrate specific
knowledge
 You can take 3 in one sitting (not all SAT test dates
administer subject tests)
 It’s best to take a subject test right after taking the
relevant course.
 Research! Does my college(s) of interest require or
recommend the subject test?
KC
Standardized Testing
TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl
 Test Of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL has become an admission requirement for nonnative English speakers at many English-speaking colleges
and universities.
KC
Preparing for Standardized Testing
 PSAT
 SAT study plan as a result of the PSAT
 Budget your time
 Test it
 Score it
 Ask why
 Prep Classes (Most helpful right before
the test/between tests)
 Practice tests!
KC
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs
/college-admissionsplaybook/2013/08/19/prepare-for-thesat-on-a-budget
Standardized Tests
 Accommodations
If your student possesses an IEP or a 504 plan he or she
may qualify for accommodations through college board or
act. Pls speak to your counselor.
 Fee Waiver
Please speak to your counselor if you are in need of
assistance.
KC
NCAA
AJ
NCAA Eligibility Division I & II
Students must register on NCAA Eligibility Center
www.eligibilitycenter.org/
-Academic Standards (Division I & II)
-Graduate from high school
-Complete a minimum of 16 core courses for Division I or II
-Earn a minimum required grade-point average in core
courses
-Earn a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT.
-Request final amateurism certification from the NCAA
Eligibility Center.
Students are responsible to review NCAA approved
courses at WHS
AJ
NCAA Eligibility Division III
• Division III colleges and universities set
their own admission standards. The NCAA
does not set initial eligibility requirements
in Division III
AJ
11th Grade Action Plan
Spring 2014
• College Search
• Visit colleges together
• Attend college fairs and financial aid
events.
• Begin thinking about summer plans…
meaningful summer activity
AJ
College Terminology
– Types of Applications:





Early Decision (ED)
Early Action (EA)
Restrictive (E A)
Regular Deadline
Rolling
– Reach, Target, Safety
– Public vs. Private
AJ
Researching Colleges
 College Characteristics (Nov. 4-8, Nov. 12-15)
 Location
 Major
 Size
 Academics/support services
 Naviance is a Great Resource!




College match
College compare
Scattergrams
Create “colleges I’m thinking about” list
TV
College Visits

Informal visits
 Size
 Setting

Formal visits (open house, schedule a tour)

Academics
 Activities
 Campus Culture
 Housing

Students can have three excused days to visit
colleges (Bring in signed note from college and parent)
TV
Activity Resume Template
Community Service
Activities
Grades
Participated
9 10 11 12
Grades
Participated
9 10 11 12
Position Held
Personal Contribution Made
Position Held
Personal Contribution Made
TV
School Counseling Resources
Your school counselor
-Junior & counselor postsecondary conference
Naviance
Junior folder
TV
Future Junior School Counseling
Contacts

Naviance/College Characteristics Part 1
(Nov. 4-8)

Naviance/College Characteristics Part 2
(Nov. 12-15)

Senior Speak (Feb. 6-7)

Junior Postsecondary Appointment (spring)

College Admission Panel (spring)

Boston National College Fair (late spring)
TV
Thank you for
coming!
TV