Junior Conferences2011-2012

SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR

THE O’CONNOR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE

COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS Head Counselor Ivette Bruno

A – Cla Janelle Appleby

Cle- Gi Debbie Harding

Gla – Le Cindy Stanford

Li – O Kimberly Schmidt

P – Se Debra Roland

Sh – Z Kristina Holder

Counselor Intern Elizabeth Jablonski

Career Center Technician Elsa Cruz

Academic Dean Connie Bridges

SPECIAL GUESTS

Col. Payne (USAF Ret.)/Capt. Stacy Lange – Military Academy

Larry Ynman – Café College

Sarah Cardenas – OC Graduate

Brittany Haby – OC Graduate

College & University Representatives

Military Representatives

Kaplan College

DUAL CREDIT –VS- AP

Dual Credit Student must qualify

Application is now open

Go to www.applytexas.org

Deadline to complete application- Feb. 10, 2012

Test scores must be sent directly to NVC from Agency

Additional paperwork may be required

Courses taken at HS or NVC

Advanced Placement Students placed by teacher

recommendation

College level course work

Student encouraged to take AP exam in May

3, 4, 5 score- most colleges/universities will award credit for the course. Check with the college for details.

Course taken at HS

PANTHER TRACKS NEWSLETTER

JUNIOR /SENIOR GUIDEBOOK

2 year booklet

Admissions

Financial Aid

Scholarships

NCAA

SAT, ACT, and test prep information

Popular Websites

JUNIOR PLANNING CALENDAR

PG. 7

JUNIOR PLANNING CALENDAR

COMPUTING AGRADE POINT

AVERAGEPG. 23

Freshman Year Sophomore Year

1st Sem. 2nd Sem. Honors Pts. 1st Sem. 2nd Sem. Honors Pts.

91 85 92 90

90 92 81 79 5 + 5 = 10

84 80 5 + 5 = 10 93 91

81 75 5 + 5 = 10 96 94

88 86 87 85 5 + 5 = 10

97 95 84 80

531 513 20 533 519 20

Total Freshman Yr.+ Honors Pts.

Total Sophomore Yr+ Honors Pts.

Total Pts. For Both Years

Total # of Courses to Taken

GPA as of Current Date

531 + 513+10 + 10

1064

533 + 519+ 10 + 10

1072

1064 + 1072 2136

÷24 89

GRADE AVERAGING FACTS

If you fail a course, your semester averages are computed in your grade point average (GPA).

If you pass a course and repeat it for strength, the highest averages will be used in the GPA.

Averages in courses you do not get credit for are not computed in the GPA. (For example, athletics, after the two credit maximum has been reached.)

• Four-year College

or University

• Technical or Vocational School

Junior/Community College

• Military Service

• Work

WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE?

PG. 24

COLLEGE VISITATIONS

Visit several college and universities that you are interested in during second semester and summer.

Check with Mrs. Cruz in the Career Center for college campus visit dates and college representatives visiting OHS

Why visit a college or university?

THE COUNSELOR’S LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Help the counselor write a powerful letter of recommendation for you by supplying the completed:

Student Brag Sheet Parent Brag Sheet Teacher Evaluation Sheets Updated Resume

“The Packet” is available online on the

OHS Counselor Webpage

http://oconnorcounseling.weebly.com/

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Deadlines for colleges and universities are changing. Ex: UT-Austin and TX A&M. Students will have to use 6th semester GPA for admissions.

Due to new TREx (Texas Records Exchange) system…Make sure to send your SAT and ACT scores directly to the university you are applying to.

New Top 10% Rule (Senate Bill 175)- UT only

Class of 2013 = Top 8%

SAT/ACT TESTS

SAT/ACT are college entrance exams that students are required to take to be admitted into a 4-year university

Sign up for tests during spring 2012

Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for financial need

Visit with Mrs. Cruz in the career center for registration information

Prepare for exam by using free SAT/ACT prep websites or fee-based prep classes

SAT/ACT TEST DATES

HOW TO PREPARE FOR

THE TEST Read the preparation booklets Study and understand the test

directions Take the sample tests included in

the preparation booklets Review PSAT Test See Panther Tracks for free websites

THE SERVICE ACADEMIES

PG. 62

West Point Academy

Naval Academy

Air Force Academy

Coast Guard Academy

Merchant Marine Academy

Be on the lookout for “Academy Day”

@ USAA in March 2012

WANT TO PLAY COLLEGE SPORTS?

PG. 46

RESOURCES BEYOND OC

Financial Aid

College Applications

One on One Advising

Workshops to fit your needs

SCHOLARSHIP SCAMSHOW TO TELL THE GOOD

FROM THE BAD!

Scammer: You’ve won an award for

which you didn’t apply.

Does not supply valid contact information.

Guarantees you will win an award.

Requires personal financial information (credit card numbers, bank account number) to “hold” a scholarship.

Legitimate Service:

Sends information about awards when you request it.

Makes contact information available upon request.

DOES NOT guarantee you will win an award.

Should not direct you to a fee-based provider because they know info is available for free.Scam Site - www.fafsa.com

Legitimate site – www.fafsa.gov

JUNIOR TIPS

Get started NOW!

Sign up and take SAT/ACT in Spring 2012

Write essays now. Go to www.applytexas.org, view and complete the essay topics. Practice and fine tune them. Essays are IMPORTANT!

Write or update your resume. Update current activities, awards, leadership positions, etc.

Q & A