A Guide for your Junior Year

John Handley High SchoolP. O. Box 910Winchester, VA 22604540-662-3471CEEB Code: 472-435

Working Together To Make It Happen

Candid discussions between student and parent regarding family parameters including but not limited to finances, expectations, goals and feelings.

Commitment from the student, parent and counselor to meet timelines and stay within the boundaries of designated roles.

Higher Education Options

Community Colleges

Certificate Programs ~ Provides students specialized training in a wide range of occupations

Associate of Applied Science Degrees AAS Provides students the opportunity to move into the job market with specialized skills

Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) Degrees prepare students to transfer to a four year college to complete the final two years of their Bachelors Degree

Military All branches provide training and further

educational opportunities

Employment Entry level positions with on the job

training Apprenticeship Programs that provide an

income and specialized training Management Training Programs that train

those employees who are ambitious, motivated and have a strong work ethic

Four Year Colleges any career fields require as a minimum a

degree from a four year college (BA, BFA, BS) . Many career fields require advanced degrees (MA, MS, M ED, JDD, PHD MSW, or MD) to remain competitive in their career field.

Gap Year Volunteer for a year with programs like

the Peace Corp, Americorps or City Year

Career and College Planning

Know yourself Know how to access the wide range of

resources available for career and college searches

Know how you measure up (do I meet the qualifications for a particular career, the military or college)

Know and meet the deadlines for your post high school plan

College Admission 101

Do your research (large vs. small, public vs. private, major area of study). What are your criteria?

College Visits (make a list of what you want in a school and evaluate each school using that tool when you visit)

Narrow your choices (ideally two safe schools, two “good fits” and one or two reach schools)

The Application Student Portion SAT or ACT Scores Recommendations Essay/Personal Statement Transcripts

– Courses to date– Grades to date– Grade Point Average

SAT and ACT Tests

Required by 4-year colleges/universities Objective measure used to compare students

from across the state and nation Used as a predictor of academic

readiness/success at collegiate level Both tests are widely accepted by most

colleges Tests can be taken multiple times (consider

testing at least once during junior year).

SAT and ACT Tests

SAT– Critical Reading– Math– Writing– 7 national test dates– Register online at

collegeboard.com

ACT– English – Math – Reading – Science – Writing – 6 national test dates– Register online at

actstudent.org

SAT and ACT (cont’d)

SAT– Scores range from

200-800 on each subtest

– National/state/JHHS averages around 500 on each subtest

ACT– Scores range from 1-

36 on each subtest– National/state

averages around 20-21 on each subtest

RESOURCES FOR YOUR COLLEGE

SEARCH

College Board collegebord.com

The Princeton Review princetonreview.com

Peterson’s petersons.com

National Center for Education nces.ed.gov

Virginia Career View vacareerview.org

Recent Admission Statistics

University of Virginia 18,363 applied; 6,735 admitted; 3,256

enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range (600-710) SAT Math score range (620-730) Mid Range for ACT Scores (27 – 32) GPA of 3.75 or higher = 88%

James Madison University 19, 245 Applied; 12,522 admitted; 3, 957

enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range (520-620) SAT Math score range (540-630) Mid Range for ACT Scores (22 – 26) GPA of 3.50 or higher = 71%

Radford University 7,819 applied; 5,768 accepted; 1,875

enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range (460-

550) SAT Math score range (460-550) Mid Range for ACT Scores (19 – 23) GPA of 3.5 or higher = 61%

Old Dominion University 9,484 applied; 6,800 accepted; 2,812

enrolled SAT Critical Reading score range (480-

570) SAT Math score range (490-590) Mid Range for ACT scores (18-23) GPA of 3.0 or higher = 75%

NCAA Clearinghouse

If you plan to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman, you must first register and be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. Refer to the NCAA Academic Eligibility section to determine the initial-eligibility standards that apply to you. If you don't register you will not be eligible to play or practice during your freshman year.

At the beginning of your senior year in high school, please visit www.ncaa.org for more details on how to begin the certification process. Once you register, be sure to print out the transcript release form from the Clearinghouse and bring it to the Counseling and Guidance Office for processing.

FEELING OVERWHELMED?

STEP BY STEPMONTH BY MONTH

YOU CAN DO IT!

DECEMBER ‘09 Review PSAT scores and results (access My

College Quick Start which includes enhanced online score report, SAT study plan, college matches and career/major matches

Sign up for the SAT and/or ACT Focus on grades Begin the college discussion with parents and

talk specifics Develop a system (that fits your personality)

to organize your college search

JANUARY ‘10

Prepare for 2nd Semester Review your GPA Begin considering course selections for next

year Set up an appointment with our Career Coach

to take a career and interest inventory Review for SAT and/or ACT Take SAT or ACT? Visit colleges

FEBRUARY ‘10

Work on your resume Meet with a military recruiter March SAT…have you registered? Should you consider SAT Subject Tests (do

some of your school’s of interest require them)?

How are your grades so far this semester? Set up an appointment with your counselor to

discuss your progress and share any concerns

MARCH ‘10 Have you met with our Career Coach? Begin thinking about which teachers you may

want to ask to write a recommendation Continue or begin college visits SAT or ACT Planning to take the Subject Tests in June? Don’t forget the SOL Writing Test if you are

enrolled in English this semester Breathe

APRIL ‘10 Narrow your search Continue your college visits Have you met with your counselor? Are you satisfied with your SAT or ACT scores ~ should

you test again? Don’t forget to update your parents on your progress Keep up those grades as all the spring activities begin Make sure your senior course selections are

challenging and are a reflection of your interests and abilities

MAY ‘10

AP Exams and SOL tests Ask teachers if they will do a letter of

recommendation Have you narrowed the college list? Don’t forget SAT and/or ACT if you have been

putting it off ~ don’t wait till the fall Prom Don’t forget to meet with your school

counselor

JUNE ‘10

SAT Subject Test (especially if you have finished courses like AP US History, AP English Language and Composition and AP Calculus)

Refine your college list Begin working on college essays and

personal statements Have fun!

JULY AND AUGUST ‘10

Enjoy your summer vacation Take some time to review online

applications and fall deadlines Organize your materials and continue

working on essays and your personal statement

Prepare for your Senior Year Continue College Visits

September ‘10 Senior Student and Parent Meeting (look for date in the

first newsletter ~ topics will include application process, JHHS counseling center deadlines, scholarships and a brief overview of financial aide)

Register with the NCCA Clearinghouse if you hope to participate in sports at a Division I or II college

Meet with your school counselor Get off to a good start in all your senior classes Continue working on your applications and make note

of deadlines for both admission and institution scholarships