11th Grade How to Guide and Advise your Junior

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11th Grade How to Guide and Advise your Junior

• Demystifying the College Selection Process
• SDA LCC
• College Night
• October 19, 2006

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Begin to examine your post secondary options

• Students must
• Take college entrance exams
• Make college visits
• Research scholarships
• Maintain good grades
• Get involved
• The list is endless!
• No wonder the college admission process can
  produce a sense of anxiety for both students and
  parents!

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How can you plan a successful college search?

• Keep a calendar to help you stay on track and
  organized.
• Ask questions.
• Think about what you want it is your education.
• Keep an open mind and explore all options.
• Communicate honestly as a family.

• Be responsible and follow deadlines.
• Meet with your counselor on a regular basis
• A-C E Dr. Fosnot
• G - LE Mrs. Hart
• LI -O F Mrs. Martinez
• P-SP, AVID ESL I, II Ms. Levario
• ST-Z D Mrs. Musel

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SDA Counselors

• Ann Nebolon - A G x 5017
• Candice Rolfsmeyer H O x 5016
• Lori Esparza P Z X 5156
• Website www.sduhsd.net/sd

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Helpful hints to keep on track and on task . . .

• Monitor academic progress
• Since college applications are completed in the
  fall of the senior year, the last and most recent
  grades on the transcript are the junior year
  grades.
• Meet with your counselor early in the year to
  review your educational plan (courses, grades,
  credits)

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Get involved

• Quality vs. quantity
• Is more better?
• Discover your passion and go for it!

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Standardized Tests

• Test scores are an important part of the
  application package and play a critical role in
  the college admission process.
• Plan to take the SAT, ACT and, if necessary, the
  Subject Tests in the Spring of this year.
• Only one test can be taken at a single sitting.
• It is YOUR responsibility to have the official
  scores sent to the colleges

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Junior year testing timeline

• Fall
• PSAT October 18 at LCC SDA
• PLAN November 4 at LCC SDA
• Spring
• SAT - March 10, 2007 at SDA
• ACT with optional writing April 14, 2007
• SAT Subject tests May 5, 2007
• at LCC SDA
• SAT Subject tests June 2, 2007
• ACT with optional writing June 9, 2007
• at SDA
• REGISTER NOW FOR THESE TESTS!

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Remember . . .

• You will have time to retest in the fall of your
  senior year.
• Summer is a good time to review, recharge and
  take a prep class if necessary.

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What is the PSAT??

• PSAT
• Measures critical reading, math problem solving,
  and writing skills.
• Students receive a score for each area ranging
  from 20 to 80
• The three scores are added together to determine
  the Selection Index
• Students with a Selection Index in the top 5
  will be recognized by National Merit.
• Students with scores in the upper one-half of one
  percent will become semi-finalists.

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Why take the PSAT?

• It is good practice for the SAT.
• It is normed to juniors so students see how their
  skills compare with other juniors across the
  nation.
• Students who score exceptionally well are
  recognized by the National Merit Foundation
  scholarships

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What is the PLAN?

• Colleges require entrance exams SAT or ACT.
  The PLAN
• Is a practice ACT Test
• Has a strong career component
• Is recommended for sophomores but if you have not
  taken it, please do so!

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STAR Tests What do they have to do
with college???

• The voluntary Early Assessment Program (EAP) will
  help you determine if your English math skills
  are on target to succeed at a CSU.
• If students complete the optional EAP items on
  the English and math CST, you might be able to do
  the following
• Skip the required CSU English/math placement
  tests
• Identify the need for additional preparation to
  be prepared for college courses
• Stop wasting your time and on college
  remediation courses!!
• Plan to take the additional test questions!!

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After the test, then what?

• In January all scores will be returned to the
  students.
• Meet with your counselor to discuss your scores,
  your strengths and weaknesses.
• Research tutoring options to improve the weak
  areas.
• Begin to create a list of colleges to research.

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How to begin researching . .

• Use the College Center, the internet, and
  guidebooks.
• Attend evening college programs and
  presentations.
• Visit with the college reps that come to LCC and
  SDA
• Attend the San Diego College Fair
• April, 2007 at the SD Convention Center
• Talk with parents, other adults and past LCC
  students about their college experiences.
• Visit the Counseling Office Website
• www.lcchs.com and www.sduhsd.net/sd

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Need more help????

• Plan to attend the College Admissions Programs.
• Attend College Fairs
• Watch the Counseling Office Bulletin for colleges
  hosting programs and local College Fairs.

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In other words . . .

• Be open minded
• Ask tons of questions
• Utilize all resources
• Be honest about your likes and dislikes
• Need help??? Contact your
• LCC or SDA counselor!

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Family discussions

• What college criteria are important?
• Location
• West coast, East coast,
• South, Midwest, Northeast
• Size
• Big fish in a little pond?
• Little fish in a big pond?
• Cost
• What can you afford to pay for the college
  education?
• Facilities
• Large labs, athletics, clubs and activities

• Available majors
• Does the school have what you want to study?
• Reputation
• Is ranking important to you?
• Competitiveness
• Are you an active learner and want to be
  involved?
• Are you a passive learner?
• Do you want have a challenging curriculum?

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A successful college visit . .

• When traveling, stop by college campuses. Call
  for an appointment and a tour.
• How to make the most of a college visit?
• Learn as much as possible prior to going to the
  campus.
• Take a tour ask the tour guide frank questions.
  
• Talk with someone in the department you are
  considering as a major.
• Visit a dorm, see a room, eat in the cafeteria.

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College visits

• Inquire about special programs, activities, and
  sports.
• Concerned about finances? Meet with a counselor
  in the Financial Aid Office.
• Pick up a campus newspaper. See what the hot
  topics are, who is visiting the campus, what is
  going on.
• Buy a postcard and make notes about the campus as
  you leave.

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Set up a filing system

• Keep notes on campuses visited
• See attached College Comparison sheet
• Update file with activities, awards and honors
  received.
• File your PSAT, PLAN, SAT and ACT scores.
• Update your volunteer form
• See attached form

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Playing sports in college?

• File with the NCAA Clearinghouse this spring.
• www.ncaa.org

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Must do list

• Meet with your counselor to plan your senior year
  courses.
• Clear up deficiencies in summer school.
• Read the Counseling Office Bulletin every week
• Visit the counseling office website weekly
• www.lcchs.com www.sduhsd.net/sd

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Summer activities

• Take classes at the community college.
• Research summer enrichment programs at four-year
  institutions.
• Volunteer or work in a field related to your
  intended major or career field.
• Do an internship. (see the Work Experience
  Coordinator on your campus)

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and finally

• Put money aside for college expenses.
• Narrow your list of college choices
• 8 to 10 schools should be sufficient.

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Finding balance

• With the everyday stresses of just being a
  teenager and preparing for the senior year, it is
  important to find the PROPER BALANCE.
• Please do not over extend
• yourself but aim to reach
• your potential!

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• The End