Junior Year Guidance Orientation
What Should You Be Doing This Year?
WORK!
• Work as hard as you can!
• Junior Year is a busy, hectic year with lots of tasks
that need to be considered.
• If you are having difficulty in a class, see your
teacher!
• Library tutoring is available Tuesday and Thursday
afternoons.
• Counselors have lists of tutors available.
• Get to know your counselor!
• DO NOT WAIT to seek help!
Graduation Requirements
• You MUST earn 28 credits
– 4 English (I, II, III, IV)
– 4 Social Studies (Civics, US I and II,
Government/Economics
– 4 Science
– 4 Mathematics
– 2 Physical Education (1 with Health)
– 10 additional credits (Foreign Language, electives,
etc.)
Graduation Requirements, continued
• A completed and presented graduation
project
• Satisfactory scores on the PSSA tests in
reading and mathematics
• A nice-looking smile of achievement and a
classy red or white cap and gown combo
(seriously!)
??Transcripts??
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Name, address, DOB, etc., etc., etc.
Class Rank Junior and Senior Years (23/841)
GPA – Grade Point Average (98.750)
Test Scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL)
Courses and Grades from High School Years
Middle School Algebra Courses
Graduation Date, Signature, and Seal
THE SAT and THE ACT
• Nationally standardized tests used for college
admission and placement purposes
• Tests critical reading, mathematics, and
writing skills
• Scores range from 200 – 800 points per
section
• Average score for the nation = 500 points per
section
• Test is offered seven times every year
SAT and ACT, continued
• Registration is best done online 4 - 5 weeks
prior to the test date
• Current Basic Registration Fee = $49.00
• Scores are available online 19 days after the
test date
• You may send scores to colleges or scholarship
committees (Penn State requires this report!)
• Most students take these tests three or four
times during high school years
Critical Reading Sections
• Vocabulary with sentence completion – one or
two words
• Shorter critical reading passages (<100 words)
– read and answer questions
• Longer critical reading passages (>500 words)
-- read and answer questions
Mathematics Sections
• 1/3 covers Algebra I (Concepts), Algebra II (IK),
some College Algebra (IIK).
• 1/3 covers Plane and Solid Geometry.
• 1/3 covers Miscellaneous Math – Arithmetic,
Patterns, Sets, Probability, Telling Time, etc.
Writing Sections
• Section 1 is always the 25-minute essay
• Usually a quotation or statement that evokes a
position or opinion
• Time enough to DRAFT ideas on the topic
• Good, legible handwriting
• Length is important
• References or allusions to history, politics,
culture, international events, etc. will boost score
if they support your position
Practice Makes Perfect!
• Materials are available from a variety of
sources:
– Guidance Office
– www.collegeboard.com
– www.actstudent.org
– Books, cassettes, DVDs, CDs, flash cards, etc. are
available from major retailers and TCB
– Free, downloadable “Mini SAT” and “SAT Question
of the Day” are available at collegeboard.com
Practice, Practice, Practice
• Free and fee-based classes are available in our
area (Penn State Hazleton, Wilkes, CEO, etc.)
SAT Subject Tests / ACT
• Some colleges and universities require these for
admission purposes
• Usually you need two – a math test and one
other (foreign language, other subject)
• The ACT – the American College Test – with
writing -- may be substituted for the SAT and/or
SAT Subject Tests
• ACT – 4 or 5 Sections (English, Mathematics,
Reading, Science, Writing) – offered twice per
year at HAHS – October and April
PSSA Tests
• You will be taking PSSA tests in reading,
mathematics, science, and writing.
• The success of our school is measured by the
outcomes of these tests.
• Do your best on all of the tests
• You need to achieve a score of PROFICIENT or
ADVANCED on the reading and mathematics
portions of the test in order to earn your
diploma.
Graduation (Senior) Project
• Required to earn your high school diploma
• You will be assigned an advisor – this year only
• Meetings throughout the school year to check
progress and provide support
• Present your project to a panel of teachers –
audio/visual aids
• Complete this project this year!
National Honor Society
• Four qualities required for induction:
– Scholarship (93.0 GPA)
– Leadership (Offices held, projects initiated)
– Service (School and community work, help)
– Character (Are you a good kid?)
• An honor to list on college and job
applications
• Scholarship money may be available from
colleges
College Night
• Wednesday, October 28, 2011 HAHS
Gymnasium 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• 70-80 colleges and universities are
represented
• Available: Viewbooks, applications, live
representatives, Open House information
• Great opportunity to make a first impression
• Bring your parents and friends!
Keep Your Stuff!
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Award certificates
Pay Stubs
Activities Records
Newspaper clippings
Senior/Graduation Project
Keep all your documents in a file folder, shoe
box, etc.
College Exploration – NOW!!!
• It is NOT too early to begin exploring college
and university options for after high school
• DO NOT wait ONLY until the summer before
senior year
• Open Houses and guided tours are held for
seniors – AND JUNIORS, TOO – not just for
seniors!
What Do Colleges Look For?
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Grades
SAT or ACT scores
Co curricular and extracurricular activities
Essays or personal statements
Interviews
Highly Competitive / Ivy League
– Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania,
Brown, Cornell, etc.
– SAT scores average 1500+ (CR and Math only)
– Top 5% class rank
– National or State Recognition – Research, service,
honor, etc.
– 7% - 15% acceptance rate
– Cost - $55,000.00+
Competitive / Exclusive Colleges
• Villanova, Bucknell, Lehigh, Penn State
University Park Campus, University of
Pittsburgh, etc.
– SAT scores average 1200+ (CR and Math only)
– Top 10% class rank
– Notable achievements in high school
– 25% acceptance rate
– Cost - $22,000.00 - $50,000.00+
Competitive Colleges
• Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Wilkes, King’s, etc.
– SAT scores average 1000+ (CR and Math only)
– Top 25% – 35% class rank
– Variable acceptance rate
– Cost - $15,000.00+
Noncompetitive / Open Admission
Colleges
• Luzerne County Community College,
Lackawanna College, McCann School of
Business, etc.
– SAT or ACT generally not required for admission
– Class rank generally not considered
– High School Diploma required
– Open acceptance rate
– Excellent transfer opportunities
– Cost - $2,500.00+
How Do I Select MY College?
• There are several factors to consider to
achieve the best “FIT” for you.
– Location – How far away from home??
– Major – Undecided?? Specific??
– Size – Small or Large (and class sizes, also…)??
– Cost – Have you discussed this with your
supporters??
How Do I Select MY College?
• Select colleges in three categories.
– Dream or reach schools
– Competitive schools
– Safety Net / Sure schools
Some Good College Search Websites
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www.pennsylvaniamentor.org
www.educationplanner.org
www.collegeboard.org
www.myroad.com
www.petersons.com
Unsure What to do After High
School?
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Career Development Resource
www.bridges.com
Includes an interest survey.
Hundreds of careers.
Hundreds of colleges, universities, trade
schools, and technical schools.
??Questions??
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Discuss this information with your parents.
Get the best grades you can earn this year.
Continue or start involvement with activities.
Learn about careers.
Ask questions of your teachers and
counselors.
• Begin researching and visiting colleges.
• Have FUN!