Sophomore Parent College Night

Herron High School

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

6:00 – 7:30 PM

AGENDASophomore Parent College

Night 1) Junior Year 2) College Admissions Tests: PSAT, SAT and ACT

3) Preparing for College Applications 6) Q & A

1) Junior Year 2) College Admissions Tests: PSAT, SAT and ACT

3) Preparing for College Applications4) Q & A

Junior Year: Core 40 Diploma vs. Core 40 with Academic Honors

DiplomaCore 40 Core 40 with AD

- 8 credits of English- 6 credits of Math- 6 credits of Science- 6 credits of Social Studies- 5 credits of Directed

Electives (Languages, Fine Arts)

- 2 credits of PE- 1 credit of Health- 6 credits of other Elective

credits

- Meet all Core 40 requirements

- 6 World Language credits (6 in 1 language or 4 credits each in 2 languages)

- 2 additional Math Credits (Pre-Cal)

- 2 Fine Arts Credits - 1 of the following: • 4 AP credits• 2 Dual credits• 2 AP / 1 Dual credits• High test scores

- GPA of 2.7 or higher at graduation

Academic Honors Diploma

- An Academic Honors Diploma is a sign that a student has successfully completed a rigorous high school curriculum. It is the preferred diploma for schools like IU and Purdue.

- Some schools award automatic scholarships

for AHD recipients; others rank these students higher for scholarship consideration.

- In Indiana, only students with an AHD will receive 100% of the financial aid grants (Frank O’Bannon Award) for which they qualify; students who earn a Core 40 Diploma will receive 80% of the grant funding.

Typical Junior Year Schedule

- English 11 or AP Language and Composition

- Next math class (Alg II, Pre Cal, PreAP Pre Cal, AP Calc, etc.)

- Biology (unless transfer student) - Next Latin class- Government / AP Gov’t and Econ

*If taking AP Gov, take Econ this summer!

- 2 Electives - Seminar

**All HHS students take 5 core classes every year

Summer Academe this Summer if…

- NG in English or Math in 10th grade (mandatory)

- Not yet completed PE / Health credits (mandatory)

- Taking AP Gov in 11th grade and want to get Econ out of the way

- Want to get ahead in Government- Student Help Desk

Grades, Grades, Grades!- When students apply to college in the fall of their senior year, the last grades that will be present on their transcript are from junior year.

Junior Year

- The main focus of a Junior student should be to earn as high of grades as possible!

- Colleges look at grade trends – hopefully upward trends! How a student does in 11th grade is more important than how a student did in 9th.

Scheduling for Junior Year

- Students will begin the scheduling process in their Advisories the week of April 22nd. All students will meet with an Academic Advisor or Administrator to finalize schedule the week of April 28th.

1) Junior Year 2) College Admissions Tests: PSAT, SAT and ACT

3) Preparing for College Applications4) Q & A

Next PSAT/NMSQT: October 15, 2014

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #1: Write the results of your student’s test below and add a zero to each category. Add them together for the total.Critical Reading Math Writing Combined Critical Reading and Math Combined Critical Reading, Math, Writing

The PSAT scores are not sent to colleges, but the test is important as practice SAT and to qualify juniors for the National Merit Scholarship competition.

PSAT – take in 10th and 11th Grade

Using PSAT Scores to Prepare- Go to www.collegeboard.org/quickstart

- Use the ‘access code’ listed on the bottom of your student’s PSAT score report.

- https://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sample-psat-nmsqt-student-score-report.pdf

- Review scores, go over answers, identify areas of strength and weakness, etc.

*Students will receive their test booklets back in Seminar

•Nearly all colleges require the SAT or ACT•Most colleges accept either test•Register at least one month in advance •Tests administered on Saturday mornings•Fee – approx. $51 SAT; $52.50 ACT; or waiver• Late registration available for an increased fee•Score reporting - 4 free – approx. $12.00 additional •Resource students – Accommodations available

College Admissions Tests: SAT and ACT

The SAT consists of three parts: 1. Critical Reading

2. Mathematics 3. Writing

Each section is scored from 200-800. Perfect score = 2400

SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test www.collegeboard.org

College Admissions Tests: SAT and ACT

SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test www.collegeboard.com

The ACT consists of five parts:1. English2. Mathematics 3. Reading4. Science5. Writing

The entire ACT test is scored from 16 to 30.

Perfect score = 30

ACT – American College Test

www.act.org

College Admissions Tests: SAT and ACT

ACT American College Test www.act.org

The SAT/ACT Testing Plan for StudentsPlan A: Take both Junior year; compare; study; retake strongest testPlan B: Take SAT Junior year; review scores; study; retake

**All students MUST take the SAT or ACT in their 11th grade year! **Students sign up with their parents / guardians online for a date and location most convenient

College Admissions Tests: SAT and ACT

Why take the test again?

*Broaden the scope of college acceptances

*It will put you in a higher scholarship category

*Most colleges will superscore the SAT Apr CR 430 Math 580 Writing 370 [1380] Oct CR 440 Math 560 Writing 390 [1390] Superscore will be 1410

College Admissions Tests: SAT and ACT

•Online prep; number2.com or CollegeBoard•Questions of the day•Paper practice tests-available at Advising Office•Classes for a fee – Princeton Review; Kaplan•Review book with CDs•Naviance – new website rolling out this spring with customized study plan

 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #2: Sign up for the following Sign up for the Question of the Day at www.collegeboard.org Sign up for the Question of the Day at www.act.org Register at www.number2.com and take a practice SAT or ACT

How to Prepare for the SAT or ACTCollege Admissions Tests: SAT and ACT

1) Junior Year 2) College Admissions Tests: PSAT, SAT and ACT

3) Preparing for College Application Process

4) Q & A

College Application Components• Transcript• GPA• Test Scores• Honors / Awards• Extra-curricular activities• Leadership roles• Community involvement• Summer experiences • Jobs / Internships • Disciplinary / Attendance Concerns• Letters of Recommendation• Essay

Begin the College Search now! • Herron sponsored College Visits this spring• Begin discussion about desired college

characteristics Size Location Area / Major of focus Campus environment Distance from home (in-state vs. out-of-state) Private / Public

• Plan campus visits as a family • Use websites with search functions:

Petersons College Search – www. Petersons.comCollege Prowler – www.collegeprowler.comCappex – www.cappex.com CollegeBoard Big Future– https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

Begin a list of Desired CollegesSAFETY/FALLBACK - Schools to which you will get accepted. Hanover College 1620- 1780 You 2260 & 4.37

TARGET - Schools to which you should get accepted but there are no guarantees.REACH – Schools to which you might get accepted but it is going to be difficult. Indiana University 1640-1890 & 3.67 You 1490 & 3.12 GPA University of Notre Dame 1950-2250 You 1240 & 2.3 GPA

The College Search and Narrowing Down Your Choices

www.cappex.com/colleges

Financial Aid BasicsMerit-Based Scholarship and Grants

Direct from college / university Needs-Based Grants and Loans - FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid EFC – Estimated Family Contribution

Grants, i.e. PellFederally subsidized student loansUnsubsidized student loansWork-study Parent loans

Outside Scholarships – fastweb.com

In Summary…

Talk with your students about:

- Junior Year- SAT / ACT

- Preparing for College 

. 

Thank you for your participation this evening.

Sophomore Parent College Night

Herron High School