Junior College Night

Presented by

Ellen M Masten, NCC

Semester 1: Pathways for Juniors Requirement 1:

10 College Information Sessions calendar on Haiku and Naviance sign-up on Naviance

Requirement 2: HW is 10 to 15 minutes daily College Board Quickstart (PSAT target skills) SAT Test Preparation with Khan Academy/College Board

College Counseling and Resources Haiku Website:

Link to Naviance - Student College Planning Site York’s Online College Handbook

College Planning Handbook (9-12) (downloadable version)

SAT/ACT Dates and Preparation PowerPoint Presentations

Grade-level Presentations College Nights

Summer & Enrichment Opportunities Scholarship Information Pages

Naviance: Calendar and Sign-up

My College QuickStartMy College QuickStart

Preparation Starts in School

Read » Continuous reading improves vocabulary and develops essential skills.

Take Challenging Courses » This will help you to develop and strengthen your critical thinking skills.

Test Preparation – Tutoring & Boot Camps

Test Preparation Links on Haiku

For general information aboutthe new PSAT/NMSQT, please visit:

collegeboard.org/psat

For personalized resources aligned to the SAT® Suite of Assessments (including the PSAT/NMSQT® ), please visit:

khanacademy.org/sat

Khan Academy/College Board SAT Preparation https://www.khanacademy.org/sat

Take the practice test in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT ®, available through your counselor or at:

collegeboard.org/psatpractice

To find out more about National Merit Scholarship Corporation and its scholarships, visit:

nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php

Sequence and Preparation PSAT October

Learn what you need to study from your PSAT/PLAN score Use Quickstart & Khan Academy Test Preparation Sign up for a SAT/ACT Boot Camp (www.crosswalk.com)

Create Accounts and Sign up on-line ACT and/or SAT Exams - Opt for test with score reports and answer booklets (Student should create account with his information not a parent’s)

Recommended schedule of testing

March or May (Redesigned SAT) April or June (ACT) May (AP tests and SAT Subject Exams) June (SAT Subjects Exams) Study over the summer and retake either ACT or SAT (Oct, Nov.)

Complete all testing by Dec. of Senior Year

Standardized TestingPSAT Oct. 14 (Wednesday we return from Fall Break)

7:30 to noon in York’s Gym - must have Picture ID National Merit Scholarship Competition (CA Index 224) Commended Scholars (202-223) Hispanic & African American Recognition Programs

SAT Reasoning – Old version Oct/Nov/Dec 2015 (2400)SAT (Redesigned Spring 2016) (1600 + optional writing)

ACT (+ writing section) (36 composite)

SAT Subject Exams (800) Some Colleges require or highly recommend as an added value

AP Exams (1-5) College Credit Academic Achievement Recognition

What’s Changing on the New PSAT/NMSQT®?

2 hours 45 minutes

No penalty for guessing or blank responsesalso known as “rights-only scoring”

Personalized SAT® practice through Khan Academy®

with your own PSAT/NMQST scores

Scale ranges for the scores are 320 – 1520 for the total score

Know How the New PSAT/NMSQT® Is ScoredRights-Only Scoring:» 1 point for each correct answer

» 0 points deducted for each incorrect or blank question

Math Grid-ins» You can enter answers as (reduced) fractions or

decimals

» If rounding a decimal, make sure to use every box

Scale» 160 – 760 for each test section

» 320 – 1520 for the total score

Benefits of the New PSAT/NMSQT®:

Personalized SAT® practice on Khan Academy based on your PSAT/NMSQT answers

Aligned to the new SAT coming out in March 2016

Increased access to new scholarship providers

Online college and career planning tools

Admission and financial aid information from colleges

Reading Test

» 5 Passages

» 47 Passage-Based Questions; 60 minutes

quick facts

› All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.

› Some passages are paired with other passages or informational graphics such as charts, graphs, and tables.

› No mathematical computation is required.

› Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.

Reading Test

What to expect?

In the Reading Test, you will encounter questions like those asked in a lively, thoughtful, evidence-based discussion.

quick facts

› All questions are multiple choice and based on passages.

› Some passages are paired with informational graphics such as charts, graphs, and tables.

› Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.

› No mathematical computation is required.

Writing and Language Test

» 4 Passages

» 44 Passage-Based Questions; 35 minutes

Writing and Language Test

What to expect?

The Writing and Language Test puts you in the active role of an editor who is improving a written passage. Mostquestions ask you to decide which, if any, of the three alternatives to an underlined part of a passage most improves it.

Math Test

» 2 Test Sections

» 48 Questions (40 multiple choice, 8 grid-ins, 2 sections, 70 minutes)»

quick facts

› Most math questions will be multiple choice, but some will be student-produced responses (grid-ins).

› The MathTest is divided into two portions:Math Test – Calculator and MathTest – No Calculator.

› Some parts of the test will present you with a scenario and then ask several questions about it.

Math Test

What to expect?

The Math Test focuses on the math that matters most to college and career readiness. To succeed on the Math Test, you will need todemonstrate mathematical practices, such as problem solving and using appropriate tools strategically.

How Does the New PSAT/NMSQT® Compare to the New SAT®?

PSAT/NMSQT

2 hours 45 minutes

3 hours 50 minutes

160 – 760

200 – 800

Optional

SAT

Time

Essay

Section Score Range

Which to take – ACT or SAT? Take both (or all three), submit best score… Old SAT: an aptitude test based on puzzling things out you may never have seen

before. This SAT was designed to evaluate general thinking and problem-solving abilities and focused heavily on vocabulary.

ACT: an achievement test based on material studied in high school courses.

Redesigned SAT is more like the ACT. Both are achievement tests based on material studied in high school courses.

Both Tests include Math and Critical Reading, but the ACT also includes an analytical Science section. Both now have optional Writing Section but we recommend you sign up to take this section on both exams.

Colleges accept both tests, but some majors, STEM programs, and colleges do prefer ACT over the other -- so ask your local rep. or look on the college’s website.

The redesigned SAT is centered on eight key changes.  Relevant words in context – Students will need to interpret meaning based on context.  Master relevant vocabulary, and

engage in close reading.  Problems grounded in real-world contexts – Students will engage with questions that directly relate to the work performed

in college and career.  They will include charts, graphs, and passages likely to be encountered in science, social studies, and other majors and careers.  Feature multistep applications to solve problems in real-life contexts.

Command of evidence – Students will be asked to interpret, synthesize, and use evidence found in a wide range of sources.  Support the answers they choose.  Integrate information conveyed through both reading passages and informational graphics.

Analysis in science and in history/social studies - Students will need to solve problems in science and history/social studies.  Revise texts to be consistent with data presented in graphics.

Essay analyzing a source – The redesigned essay will more closely mirror college writing assignments.  Cultivate close reading, careful analysis, and clear writing.  Promote the practice of reading a wide variety of arguments and analyzing an author’s work.

Founding documents and great global conversation – The redesigned SAT will include one of the following:  An excerpt from one of the U.S. founding documents.  A text from the ongoing global conversation about freedom, justice, and human dignity.

Focus on math that matters most - The redesigned SAT will focus in depth on three essential areas of math:  Problem solving and data analysis (quantitative literacy). Heart of Algebra (mastery of linear equations). Passport to Advance Math (familiarity with more complex equations).

No penalty for wrong answers – Students will earn one point for each correct answer.  Zero points for unanswered items.  Zero points for wrong answers. 

Test and College Application Fee Waivers Please ask Ms. Masten to give you a fee waiver if your family

income meets the criteria - $60,000 or less for a family of 4, etc…

Beginning in the 2014-15 academic year, every income-eligible senior who takes the SAT® or SAT Subject Tests™ using a fee waiver will receive four college application fee waivers from the College Board. These waivers will be delivered to students online starting in late August.

Evaluations and Test Options

Super Scoring SAT Reasoning and ACT Tests Some colleges will take the best score from any sitting and add them up for a

super score. Other colleges will only take the best score from one single sitting.

Standardized Test Options Some schools like NYU will allow students to send a combination of SAT

Subject Exams and AP Exam Scores in lieu of their SAT or ACT scores.

Test Optional (portfolio of sample work) Save your best work from Junior year with teacher comments for test

optional schools and schools that require a sample of your HS work.

Why Take SAT Subject or AP Exams?

AP Exams used in course placement (May) Verifies class grade Earn college credit Enter higher level courses in college Avoid Math/English placement tests at college

SAT Subject Exams used in admissions (June)

( Take 2 to 3 in June just after your AP exams) Many selective colleges still require 2 to 3 University of California - Although no longer required for admission they still

give an added value to your admission evaluation if you take recommended tests. Check College and specific major and program recommendations

(STEM – SAT Math 2, AP Science + SAT Subject )

Semester 2: Pathways for Juniors Personality and Interest Inventories Resume Building Senior Class Selection College Essay Writing College Searches & Criteria Building

College Admissions General Criteria

•grade point average (GPA),•strength of course selection and curricula, •standardized test scores such as SAT, ACT, AP, SAT Subject tests, •class rank or percentile such as top 10%, 25%, etc. •extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, community service, etc.), •special talents and awards, •personal qualities, demographics, special circumstances, •teacher and counselor recommendations, •personal statement/essays, •and if required interview, portfolios, and/or auditions.

Transcripts and Senior Classes

Junior & Senior Classes – Meet York’s graduation requirements and all recommended requirements for college admissions to your prospective colleges.

Use Summer to explore a passion Internships – Navel Postgraduate School Work experience – family business or community employers Service Learning Projects Research - any discipline (personal, company, UC, CSU, etc…) Art or Music – YAC, Honor Bands, Bach Festival Motion Picture Conservatory

College Classes (Min. 3-unit UC transferable) MPC, CSUMB, … Enrichment Programs – JSA, Cosmos, Innerspark, etc… Intensive Language Institutes – CIEE – York Scholarships available to all….

Activities & Resources - for developing self-understanding, selection criteria, and a prospective college list

Understanding ourselves: Do What You Are” – Myers-Briggs Interest Inventory - Holland’s (RIASEC)

(Both link students with careers, college majors, and colleges)

College Searches & Building College Lists on Naviance/CollegeBoard

(Student also works one-on-one with counselor to build best fit list) The College Finder both by Steven R. Antonoff Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges Book of Majors Fiske Guide to Colleges Insider’s Guide to the Colleges Creative Careers, Cool Colleges, etc….

Start building your Resume on Naviance – (Include a narrative that addresses growth, commitment, acquired skills and leadership.)

Initial College Searches on Naviance

Super College Match

“Colleges I am thinking about”

Overall Admission Data

Compare Me – admitted York graduates

Scattergrams

Scholarship Search on Haiku

National Search on Naviance

College Visits … Start early and stay organized by:

Identifying which schools you want to visit

Scheduling college visits during your junior and senior year

Visiting while colleges are in session

Make an appointment to attend the information session and then take a tour

Stay overnight in the dorms with a York alum (York’s Alumni Office)

Visit a class and/or talk to a teacher

Eat in the dinning hall

talk to current students

.

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Help your student make the most out of their junior year and summer!

Get involved in the community: sports, clubs, etc.!

Explore Enrichment & Summer Opportunities – Start now!

Use the Compare Me and Scatter grams – “College”

Apply for scholarships and enter contests this year.

Volunteer time doing something they are passionate about.

Organize, research and plan college visits.

Create a college preparation timeline and initial college list.

Include college visits, test preparation and exams, scholarship searches, summer enrichment, and college essays prompts.

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Questions?