Junior Counseling Presentation
December 2014
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RHS Counselors
• Ms. Cochran
A-D Counselor
• Ms. Boldus
E-Jn Counselor
• Ms. Martinson
Jo-M Counselor
• Ms. Hansen
N-Sc Counselor
• Mr. Terry
Sd-Z Counselor
Graduation Requirements
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English- 12 credits (All 4 years!)
Social Studies- 12 credits (All 4 years!)
Math- 9 credits (3 years)
Science- 9 credits (3 years)
PE/Health/Safety Education- 7 credits
Arts- 1 credit (Art, Music, Dance, Photo etc.)
Electives- 16 credits minimum
= 66 credits minimum
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Grade 12 Requirements &
Recommendations
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3 English courses
3 Social Studies courses
Math Course (if needed; strongly recommended)
Science Course (if needed; strongly recommended)
PE (if needed)
Arts class (if needed)
Electives
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Grade 12 English options
• REQUIRED: English 12 -1 trimester or CIS (top 20% of class) or
AP English (all year, 3 trimesters)
• Communication Studies: Advanced Communications or Intro
to Public Speaking (CIS- top 50% of class; 1 trimester)
• Literature: Contemporary Prose, Comparative Mythology
• Writing: Advanced Composition, Creative Writing, Journalism
• By recommendation only: Critical Reading and Writing,
Reading Lab I, Reading Lab II, ELL, English Essentials
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Grade 12 social studies options
• Required: Economics (must take 1 trimester) or
AP Economics (all year, 3 trimesters)
• AP Psychology (all year, 3 trimesters)
• CIS American Democracy (2 trimesters)
• Developmental Psychology (all year, 6 trimesters)
• Humanities A, B and/or C
• Political Science
• Psychology A, B and/or C
• Religion in Human Culture
• Sociology
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Registration Considerations
• Think about the amount of time you will have
for homework, extra-curriculars, jobs, etc.
• Talk with teachers about expected workloads
in classes
• Know yourself- schedule the most rigorous
classes you can successfully manage
• Staying balanced is important- don’t overload
your schedule
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Most 4 Year College/University
Minimum Requirements
§ 3 years of math (including 2 years of algebra and one
year of Geometry)
§ Beginning with the class of 2015, U of M-Twin Cities will
REQUIRE 4 years of math
§ 3 years of science (including 1 year of a biological
and 1 year of physical science)
§ 3 years of social studies
§ 4 years of English
§ 2 years of a single world language
§ 1 year of visual/performing arts or World Culture
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Other factors for admission….
§ Rigor of coursework & grades
§ Activities inside or outside of school
§ Volunteering
§ Part-time work experiences
§ Leadership roles
§ Other unique qualities
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Athletes - NCAA
§ Division I and II colleges require you to go
through the NCAA Clearinghouse
§ Forms should be filled out online at
http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
§ Make an appointment now with your
counselor and coach to discuss the NCAA
Clearinghouse process if you think you might
play Division I or II athletics
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Standardized Testing
§ PLAN (ALL took this last year)
§ PSAT (SOME took this in October)
§ ACT (April 28, 2015)
§ SAT Reasoning Test
§ SAT Subject Tests
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ACT
§ On April 28, 2015 ALL juniors in the state of
MN will take the ACT at their high school
§ The ACT is the test taken most often by RHS
students for 4 year college admissions (The
RHS curriculum is most aligned with ACT
standards)
§ Almost all colleges will accept ACT for
admission
§ Used to determine NCAA eligibility (code is
9999)
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ACT Description
§ Math (60 minutes- 60 questions)
§ Reading (35 minutes- 40 questions)
§ English (45 minutes -75 questions)
§ Science Reasoning (35 minutes- 40
questions)
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ACT Writing Test
§ The ACT Writing Test is optional (it will be required
for the April 28 testing at RHS)
§ As of Fall 2014, the following colleges require the
ACT Writing test: Carleton College, Martin Luther
College, U of M-Twin Cities, Morris & Rochester and
UW-Madison
§ Most of the Big Ten colleges require the writing test
§ Check with each college for testing requirements
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ACT Test Dates/Deadlines
2014-2015
Test Date
Registration Deadline
February 7
January 9
April 18 (NOT recommended for 2015)
April 28
ALL juniors testing at RHS
June 13
May 8
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SAT
§ SAT Reasoning Test: Critical Reading, Math
& Writing
§ Usually taken in spring of junior year (March,
May, June)
§ May be the preferred test for SOME highly
selective universities but virtually all schools
now accept ACT
§ Can be used to determine NCAA eligibility
(Code 9999)
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SAT Subject Tests
• Used by highly selective colleges.
• Students must check with college or university
to find out if these are required.
• The SAT Subject Tests offer you an additional
opportunity to show colleges what you know.
• Many colleges use the SAT Subject Tests for
admission, for course placement, and to
advise students about course selection.
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Registering and Preparing for the ACT
or SAT
§ Registration & Practice booklet– in Career Center
§ Online Registration
§ ACT at www.actstudent.org
§ SAT at www.collegeboard.com
§ When registering you can send up to 4 free official
scores to schools of your choice
§ Fee waiver for those who qualify-see your counselor
§ Preparation and Practice
§ ACT Prep class at RHS
§ PrepMe – through Family Connection
§ ACT online Prep-$19.95 for 1 year subscription
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For all standardized testing
§ Bring photo ID and admission ticket-must
have uploaded photo on ticket
§ Sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers
§ Wristwatch (no alarms are allowed)
§ Permitted calculator (with backup batteries)
§ Cell phones must be turned off (no alarms).
Best to leave cell phone in your car!!
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Planning, Planning, Planning
§ Visit 4-year colleges, community colleges, technical colleges or
other colleges on days off
§ No School – January 16 & 19
§ Spring Break – March 23-27
§ After school visits to nearby schools, including DCTC and
Inver Hills
§ Call admissions office to make appointment
§ Utilize Family Connection to research colleges
§ Ask friends, teachers and neighbors where they attended and
how they liked their college
§ Summer College Boot Camp-watch for more information in the
Spring
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DISTRICT 196 COLLEGE FAIR
§ Tuesday, March 16 from 4-6pm
§ at Eagan High School
§ Watch for announcements!
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In Summary……….
• Visit your counselor if you have questions about
RHS graduation requirements.
• Register early for the ACT or SAT. Spring dates are
recommended for juniors. Remember all juniors
will take the ACT at RHS on April 28, 2014
• Sign up for the RHS ACT Prep Course -- Register
early ... space is limited.
• Focus on your junior year academics & involvement
• Consider using an address book or notebook to
record usernames and passwords
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2014 PSAT results
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Score range: 20-80 (SAT uses 200-800)
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing Skills
Shows score range if you were to take the PSAT again
Selection Index-sum of scaled scores (range of 60-240)
• % ile listed indicates test takers who scored below you for each test
• Suggestions for improvement available online (Your Skills, Access Code)
• Factors that might influence improvement include academic coursework
and outside reading.
• Pick up before you leave today
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Time for Family Connection
} Open up Internet (Firefox)
} Click on Family Connection (Top Right)
} User Name:
Student ID #
} Password:
Student ID #
Example: 77980
77980
*Raise your hand if you are having any difficulty logging in.
Family Connection: Next steps
Open “About Me” (right side)
• Scroll to bottom to “Profile”
• Check email address for accuracy or click on pencil to add one
Open “About Me” again
Review Personality Type under Assessments
• Scroll down for career possibilities based on your personality type
Check out PrepMe to review ACT study information
Open “About Me” again
– Complete NEEDS ASSESSMENT (left side under surveys) and SAVE
If time permits (or over holiday break):
– Finish “Do What You Are” personality test
– Explore all that Family Connection has to offer, including College Search