JUNIOR COUNSELING NOTES -- FALL 2014
I. JUNIOR 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 needed for career
3. Type of training they'd like to pursue
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. Strong Interest Inventory -- $9.00 to take c. ASVAB -- will be given to interested juniors on
Nov.22/Results returned Dec.12- explain why we're doing this and why it benefits them d. Job Shadow – all juniors will have the opportunity to do a job shadow with a member of the community sometime during the year. Explain how it will work and how they go about signing up for it. Go to CMR website  Students  Job Shadow Program  Job
Shadow Request. Deadline for requesting:Oct.25th
2. Conference with Counselor a. Individual Planning Conference. All juniors will meet with their counselor during 3 rd or 4th quarter. You can make your own appointment or wait for counselor to call you down. Make appointments with the
Counseling Secretary. b. Counselor assignments
A-C -- Mrs. Ostberg
D-H -- Mrs. Graham
I-Mc – Mrs. Schoenen
Me-Sc
–
Mrs. Lowry
Sd-Z -- Ms.
Deffinbaugh
3. Catalogs
4. Handbooks
5. Discover, MCIS(Montana Career Information System- username: cmrussellhs password: plan7ing), Internet and other computer software (remind them that they are all trained in the use of MCIS and should get busy exploring) smartaboutcollege.org is another good site
6. Log on to college/post secondary websites-explore programs, admission requirements and other specifics.

Remember, every school is different and they are the boss.
You need to be an informed consumer!
6. Rep visits. See announcements for times and places or look in and signup in notebook on the desk outside Mrs. Lowry’s office.
7. College in a Day – January 6th – Great Falls College-MSU
Students will need a permission slip. See Mrs. Ostberg or your counselor to sign up.
III. PSAT -- Wednesday, October 16
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 12. This deadline is absolute as we need to finalize plans for test administration!
--
--
--
Juniors with a 3.0 and above will be invited and encouraged to take (Sophs, 3.7)
Others may take for practice on a "first come first serve" basis
Review "Going to College"
IV. OTHER STUFF
A. College entrance tests
1. ACT/SAT/Compass-difference between tests
2. Advantages of taking one your junior year-All juniors will take the ACT free of charge at CMR on April. Discuss
3. options/reason for retesting in June or early in senior year
Important for kids who are thinking about: a. ROTC/Academies b. Going out-of-state to prestigious schools c. In-state kids who are worried about meeting the requirements
4. Advantages of test prep-Study guides are available in counseling center; Test prep websites: www.march2success.com
, www.smartaboutcollege.org
, and
ACT/SAT has practice tests on their websites. Also, there’s and app for that! QuotEd can also help you prepare.
5. Juniors good to wait until late in junior year as you will be further along in your math class
B. College Bound Workshop – Nov. 20th – Great Falls College-MSU

C. ROTC/Academy
1. Important of starting in junior Year
2. See Mrs. Ostberg for help and information
D. Dual Credit
– some courses available for credit at CMR and
Great Falls College-MSU, UGF and Montana Tech.
Mrs. Perkins is a great resource. We also have a UGF rep. here to answer questions. Pay attention to opportunities during scheduling time. Remember, AP courses can earn you college credit and we also have some early college opportunities.
E. University System Requirements and Graduation Requirements
1. Importance of College Prep-Think rigor! Prepare yourself for the next step in your life!
2. Alternatives if you don't meet requirements including Core at
MSUCOT
3. Don't forget to plan for vocational and fine art credits
4. In state — Admissions requirements for Montana University
System schools-Students must have:
1. College prep diploma and
2. 2.5 cum GPA or
Rank in top half of class or
Score 22 on ACT or 1540 on SAT(lower for MSU
Northern-20 and 1440) Must also have at least an 18 on the math portion and 6 on the writing portion or a
17 on combined English/Writing.
F. Coaching workshops???
1. Discuss pros and cons
2. See test prep info above

3. Don't forget grades!!!
JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
Fall of Junior Year
1. Take PSAT, if applicable.
2. Begin making "Schools List" -- use MCIS!!!!
4. Attend the Arena Conference Night Counselor/College information fair Nov. 8
5. Take the ASVAB to explore career choices.
6. Schedule your Job Shadow with Mrs. Lowry
Winter of Junior Year
1. Continue to look at schools and write for information.
2. Attend your Individual Planning Conference with your counselor.
3. Learn as much as you can about your career fields that interest you.
4. Attend appropriate representative visits.
Spring of Junior Year
1. Take a college entrance test for practice.
2. As you receive information from schools, start to narrow down your list.
3. Begin application process if you are interested in
Academies or ROTC.
4. Keep working on grades!
5. Attend the College Bound Workshop. Date to be announced.
Summer before Senior Year
1. Visit colleges if you can.
2. Continue to narrow your "schools list."

TESTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS
2012 - 2013
ACT
The ACT is a college entrance test which is the preferred test of the universities in the Montana
University System. The ACT is a widely accepted test by almost all other colleges and universities throughout the nation. The ACT tests students in four areas: English, Math, Science, and
Reading. Check the College Handbook to see if the ACT is accepted by the college to which you wish to apply.
Applications for the ACT are available in the CMR Counseling office and the test is administered on the following dates at CMR and GFH. Students are responsible for filling out the application and mailing the application with the test fee. Students can register on-line at www.actstudent.org
.
Basic test fee is $35.00 and the writing test is an additional $15.50. Students should plan to take the writing portion of the test. A writing score is required for admission to Montana colleges.
Testing Dates Registration Deadline
September 21
October 26
December 14
February 8
April 12
June 14
August 23
September 27
November 8
January10
March 7
May 9
SAT I: REASONING
The SAT I is a college entrance test that is the preferred test of many of the more selective colleges and universities. It is important to note that there are some colleges that will not accept the ACT. Please refer to the College Handbook to determine which test a specific college prefers or requires.
The SAT I reports three scores: a verbal, writing and math score. SAT I applications are available in the Counseling Office and the test is administered on the following dates at Great
Falls High School only. Students are responsible for filling out and mailing the application with fees. Students can register on-line at www.collegeboard.org
. Basic test fee is $50.00.
Test Date
October 5
November 2
December 7
January 25
March 8
May 3
June 7
Registration Deadline
September 6
October 3
November 8
December 27
February 7
April 4
May 9
SAT II: SUBJECT AREA TESTS
The SAT II: Subject Area Tests are often required or recommended by some of the more selective or competitive colleges and universities. Used primarily for placement purposes, the
SAT II tests your knowledge in specific subject areas.

Generally colleges that require SAT II Tests are fairly rare and they usually require a couple of tests specifically and allow you to choose a third in an area that you may see as a strength.
Again, check the College Handbook to see which tests may be required by colleges you are considering. (Cont.)
SAT II Tests are offered at most of the same times and places as SAT I tests. Check the SAT
Registration Bulletin for specific dates. Students may not take the SAT I and SAT II tests on the same day. Applications are available in the Counseling Office and, again, students are responsible for mailing in the registration and fees.
PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is the two-hour version of the SAT and also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This test will be given on October 17 th both GFHS and CMR. Students who take this test are practicing for the SAT as well as at competing for scholarships through the National Merit Corporation. Students receive a verbal and math score as well as a Selection Index score that measures their qualification for the scholarship competition.
Generally juniors with a 3.2 GPA and sophomores with a 3.6 GPA are invited and encouraged to take the PSAT. Other juniors and sophomores may take the test as space is available.
THE ASVAB
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is an aptitude test which measures a student's talent for and knowledge of academic and vocational skills. This is a great test for helping students learn more about which careers match their aptitudes, interests and work values.
The ASVAB will be given to interested juniors on November 1 at CMR as a career counseling tool.
Counselors will be available to help with the interpretation of the scores... This is an excellent opportunity for juniors to "kick-start" their career and educational decision-making process for their junior year!
STRONG INTEREST INVENTORY
This "fun" test measures your interests against people who are actually working in 211 different occupational fields. Students receive information about which jobs fit best with their interests.
The Strong is a very interesting, easy test to complete and is available in the counseling office.
This test is particularly good for the senior or late junior who is still much undecided about possible career goals. Because this test must be computer scored, the cost of this test is $9.00.
CAREER DECISION MAKING INVENTORY
The Harrington-O'Shea Career Decision Making System is administered to all freshmen as a career exploration tool. This interest inventory surveys abilities, job values, subject preference and interests to help students identify career clusters to explore. Juniors who are undecided about a career can pick up the CDM from their counselor and discuss the results with them.

WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP????
1. Explore with MCIS. The Montana Career Information System is available on any computer that has Internet access—at home or school!
MCIS has many features and can help you find out more information about:
Careers
Career Description
Skills needed
Training required
Salary
Job Outlook
Schools
General information
Cost
Phone numbers
Addresses
Searches
Search for Careers that fit your interests and abilities
Search for Schools that offer the education/training you seek
ACCESS MCIS AT: www.mtcis.intocareers.org
Username: cmrussellhs
Password: plan7ing
2. Attend your Individual Planning Conference with your counselor.
Counselors will be calling down all juniors throughout fourth semester to help you with your planning. Beat the rush! Come and make an appointment before your counselor calls you down.
3. 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/
Many, many more websites are available in the Counseling Office
4. 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)
5. 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
Please Understand Me Personality Test (Kiersey-Bates)
Career Decision Making Inventory
ASVAB