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Port Jervis High School Junior Planning Guide

School Counselors Mrs. Laurie Kahmar (Mrs. Tracy Berry) (A-D): tberry@pjschools.org

Mrs. Julie Balogh (E-K): jbalogh@pjschools.org Ms. Cathy Lane (L-Rit): clane@pjschools.org

Mr. Chris Stellato (Riv-Z): cstellato@pjschools.org Mrs. Kate Oldham (Guidance coordinator): koldham@pjschools.org

Guidance Phone: 858-3102 option 5 www.pjschools.org->high school ->guidance

Updated 3/13/19

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Mark your calendar w/ important dates and deadlines (specifically financial aid deadlines for

schools)

It is your job to know what the deadlines and requirements are for each school you are applying to

Use Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/pjervishs) for making your resume and inputting important due dates

o Username: @s.pjschools.org Password: pj(Lunch Pin)

**With so many people applying to college these days, timing is everything

Planning Calendar for Juniors

Fall of your Junior Year

Register for your PSATs in September/October in the guidance office

Get involved in the school! Clubs, athletics, community

Research colleges on www.collegeboard.org ; Research careers on www.bls.gov/ooh/

Know if you qualify for Free/Reduced lunch! If you do, it could waive several fees for tests, college

courses, and college applications.

Create/update Raise.Me account: https://www.raise.me/join/port-jervis-senior-high-school

Athletes: be sure you are familiar with NCAA requirements (speak to your coach about the reality of

playing for a Division I or II college) Register at NCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.org

Visit Colleges! Make appointments, get business cards, and send follow up thank you notes! (See

page 5)

February of your Junior Year Register to take the SATs/ACTs in April, May, and/or June of this school year: www.collegeboard.org

www.actstudent.org

See your counselor if you are in need of a fee-waiver for the SAT, ACT or college applications

Purchase/borrow an SAT review book

Practice for the SAT/ACT

Look into the SAT subject tests…do the schools that you are interested in require them?

Research colleges using www.collegeboard.org

Use the library to research careers and career ideas – Mrs. Perkowski (the librarian) would love to help

you too!

Register to take your AP exams

Make sure that you and your counselor are aware of your free/reduced lunch status (fee waivers).

March and April of your Junior Year Register for your SAT and or ACT – watch deadlines! If you qualify for free or reduced lunch: be sure that you are familiar with college EOP, HEOP

programs Look for great summer opportunities- internships, volunteering, or a summer job Consider taking summer courses at a college (see page 5) Build your resume, portfolio or prepare your audition if you plan to apply to specialty schools Request letters of recommendation from your teachers/advisors (see page 5) Become familiar with college websites and use of net price calculator (true price of college)

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Visit Colleges– many colleges keep track of your “interest” as part of their file ; you should also follow specific colleges “social media” arenas as well

Pick 4 Schools to send your SAT scores to for FREE (with a fee waiver, you get 8 free) Sending SAT scores:

• Many colleges require that your SAT scores be sent directly from collegeboard.org for a fee

• You can choose up to 4 colleges to receive your scores for FREE if you pick those colleges before the test date or within 9 days after your test date.

May and June of your Junior Year Take the SAT and/or ACT – You get 4 free score reports for the SAT within 9 days of the test! Use Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/pjervishs) to make an activity sheet (resume) of your

accomplishments, activities, and work experiences (see page 10) Keep in touch with college admissions counselors Continue to visit college campuses Sign up for Raise.me to receive micro scholarships for specific colleges

July and August before your Senior Year Try to narrow your list of colleges 5 - 8 schools now. Your counselor will be asking for your list in

September! On Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/pjervishs) favorite the colleges you are planning to apply

to Use the EFC calculator on each college’s website to find out true cost of attendance Register with NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse if you plan to compete in Division I or Division II

college sports Be aware of college entrance exam test dates and deadlines! Application options: Early Action (non-binding), Early Decision (binding decision)

Consider applying to 5 – 8 colleges:

Target schools: Your GPA & SAT/ACT scores match the school’s criteria for admission (we

suggest at least 4).

Reach schools: Your GPA & SAT/ACT scores are a little lower than the school’s criteria for

admission.

Safety schools: Your GPA & SAT/ACT scores are higher than the school’s criteria for

admission (back-up plan).

Terminology:

College Associate’s Degree - 2 years

College Bachelor’s Degree – 4 years

Master’s Degree – usually 6 years

Major – your concentration (ie: Business)

Minor – a second concentration

Undergraduate – a college student who has not yet earned their

bachelor’s degree

Prospective student – someone looking to go to a college (you)

Early Decision: Early decision plans are binding — a student

who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college.

Early Action: Early action plans are non-binding — students

receive an early response to their application but do not have to

commit to the college until the normal reply date.

Deadline – the last possible date that something is due

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College Admissions and Preparation for 11th -12th Grade

The majority of this information has been compiled from

the official SAT website, www.collegeboard.org. Here you

will find a wealth of information that will help guide you

and your parents through your college planning,

preparing, and applying. Please make good use of it!

PSATs, SATs, ACTs, AP Exams

Register for the PSATs in September/October in the guidance office

The PSAT is a practice SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test); a standardized test that colleges use as part of their application review.

Register to take the SAT or ACT in April, May and/or June of this school year. Register on-line at www.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org .

Port Jervis H.S. will be hosting the SAT in May- Registration deadline is in MARCH. Port Jervis hosts the ACT in April, deadline is the beginning of MARCH.

Please see your Guidance Counselor if you are in need of a fee-waiver for the SAT, ACT or college applications (you are eligible if

you are on free/reduced lunch)

Purchase or borrow (a recent) SAT review book. The review book can be purchased at a local book store like Borders or Barnes and Noble; or even used on-line at e-bay or Amazon.

Practice for the SAT/ACT. You can also review for both the SAT and ACT on-line at www.collegeboard.org or at www.actstudent.org

If you are planning to apply to certain colleges, they may require

you to take the SAT subject tests… look into that now… you can

find most college websites and contact information on

www.collegeboard.org

Register to take your AP Exams February of your Junior Year. Don’t forget to bring your payment

This packet of materials has been

prepared by the Port Jervis

Guidance Department. It is to

provide you with a wealth of

information to aid in your research

and preparation for college and

future planning.

It is necessary for you to meet

with your Guidance Counselor so

that she/he may better assist you

plan for and reach your goals. We

welcome the opportunity to work

with you and your

parent(s)/guardian(s) and help

you to become successful while on

your journey…

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Visiting Colleges

Make appointments, get business cards, and send follow up thank you notes. If you visit a private college, ask them if they will waive your application fee since you are there on a visit. (most college applications have a processing fee associated with them; anywhere between $25-$75 per college application!)

Plan to visit colleges this spring of your junior year while they are in session. You can continue to visit colleges up until Be sure to schedule an appointment before you go. Many colleges keep track of how many times you visit or contact the college (it shows a measure of your interest).

Research Colleges

Use www.collegeboard.org to research colleges. Use “college search” to help narrow your search. Note: you are considered a “prospective” or “future” college student—these links of the college websites are for you!

GET INVOLVED!

Clubs, athletics, community! Take advantage of summer break- look for internships, volunteer experiences, or a summer job. Consider taking a college summer course. You can go locally to SUNY Orange, or venture out to another college campus where you might live in the dorms for a few weeks while taking a few interesting college courses designed for high school students. Talk to your guidance counselor about this great opportunity to jump-start your college career.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION / COUNSELOR STATEMENTS

Request letters of recommendation from your teachers/advisors beginning as

early as March or April of your Junior year. We suggest that students get at least

two letters from teachers that they have had recently who know them well and

one letter from an activity advisor or employer. Follow up these requests with a

nice thank you note (this note can serve as a “Reminder note” also).

Give the note to the teacher shortly after you verbally ask them if they would

write a letter:

“Dear ___, Thank you very much for agreeing to write a letter of

recommendation on my behalf…etc. Attached, please find a copy of my Activity

Sheet (resume) and transcript for your reference. My intended major is … Please

turn in your letter to my Guidance Counselor, ___ by October 24th. Would you

also please provide me with a letter that I could use for scholarships?

Sincerely, _____”

ACTIVITY SHEET/RESUME

Use Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/pjervishs) to make an

activity sheet (resume) of your accomplishments, activities, and work

experiences (see attached sample). Activity sheets are used as part of

your application packet that will be sent to your colleges, they are also

used to help evaluate you for scholarship opportunities, and teachers

need them to write your letters of recommendation.

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ALL COLLEGE APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED BY NOVEMBER 8

September/October of Senior Year

Make an appropriate email address for yourself and share it with the guidance secretary Visit Colleges Prepare portfolios/auditions for any specialty schools Update Activity Sheet/Resume on Naviance (https://student.naviance.com/pjervishs) Keep in touch with college admissions counselors Keep your grades up! Find out what majors are offered at specific schools Narrow your college list to 5-8 schools and favorite them on Naviance Do your financial aid forms: www.FAFSA.ed.gov Register with NCAA if you intend to play Division I or Division II sports. Register prior to your senior year. Stay aware of college entrance exam test dates and deadlines:

o ACT- www.actstudent.org for dates and locations o SAT exams- www.collegeboard.org for dates and locations

Start filling out your college applications, especially if you plan to apply through an early decision or early action program

If you have not picked out 5-8 colleges to consider, do a college search with your guidance counselor or on www.collegeboard.org.

Pay attention for contact from your guidance counselor. She/he will be making an appointment to go over important information.

Finalize your high school activity sheet Request letters of recommendation from at least 2 teachers Follow up those requests with thank you (and reminder) notes Activity sheet due October 25 to your guidance counselor Pick up UNOFFICIAL copy of your transcript from the guidance secretaries Letters of recommendation are due by October 30 (make sure your teachers know this!) If you are applying with paper applications, hand in entire application with college address and deadline to your

guidance counselor If you are applying online, tell your counselor once your application is submitted Listen to morning announcements for visits from college representatives Get started on your college application essay Register for SAT Subject Tests if your college requires them Know your NET PRICE of your college choices (Net Price Calculator on each college’s website) If you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch – consider EOP and HEOP programs at colleges

November of Senior Year

Important scholarship information will be given directly to you from our guidance office- please read carefully

and watch deadlines!

Attend the PJHS college fair – be prepared (know what colleges you want to spend time with) Stay aware of college entrance exam (SAT, ACT) test dates and deadlines Maintain strong grades Be sure to send your SAT and ACT scores directly through these testing agencies to the schools you are

applying to (not sure if this is required? Call each school and find out!) Have an honest discussion with your parents about the cost of college... Make plans to attend the Port Jervis High School Financial Aid Night- held in December during evening hours. Do you need to attend a college interview? Find out! See your counselor for more information Let your guidance counselor know if you are in need of an application fee-waiver Attend Port Jervis High School Financial Aid Night

December of Senior Year

Stay organized during this hectic month! Speak with your parents or counselor to clear up any questions or concerns that might come up

Be sure you have submitted all of your college applications that are due while we are on Winter Recess (many applications are due by January 1, so they must be turned in two weeks before we go on break!)

Stay aware of college entrance test dates and deadlines

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January of Senior Year

Parents- complete you and your child’s taxes as early as possible to help complete the FAFSA Financial Aid forms: in order for your child to be eligible for most college scholarships and any other financial

aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted Submit FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st Pay attention to financial aid deadlines set forth by the schools to which you are applying Do your colleges require the CSS Profile? If so, complete this online at www.collegeboard.org

February/March of Senior Year

If you still haven’t applied to college, it may not be too late!

Make appointment with your guidance counselor ASAP

Research colleges on your own at www.collegeboard.org using the “college search” feature Four weeks after mailing FAFSA, look for your Student Aid Report (SAR). Review and submit all additions

and/or corrections Keep asking about scholarships! Visit guidance often! After receiving your acceptance letters, re-visit the colleges. Check with the school admissions office if you can

arrange for an overnight visit in one of the dorms. As you receive acceptance letters, inquire with each schools financial aid office if there are any scholarships

offered from the school. Parents- use offered scholarships as a bargaining tool with other schools!

Study for the May AP exams

April/May of Senior Year

Most admissions decisions and financial aid award letters arrive this month

If you haven’t heard, call and inquire about the status of your application

If you were waitlisted, contact the director of admissions to reiterate your interest in the school. Talk with your School Counselor as well.

If you were not admitted to any schools, talk to your counselor immediately. Together, you will find a college with a deadline that has not passed.

Pay attention to reply deadlines and respond in a timely fashion Review your financial aid packages Send enrollment form and a deposit check to the college of your choice Submit Post-Grad Plans paperwork to Guidance Do not slack off on your schoolwork! Take AP exams in early May. Be sure your scores are sent to the college of your choice.

June/July/August after Senior Year

Finalize your summer plans- internships, jobs, or volunteer opportunities Send thank you notes to any scholarship program as well as teachers you still need to thank for the letters of

recommendation Ask the guidance secretaries to send your final transcript to the college that you will be attending Thank your parents for all their love, help, guidance, and support! ENJOY GRADUATION, YOU DESERVE IT!

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Applying to a Specialty School or Military Academy

If you are planning to apply to a school that requires a

specific process, a portfolio or audition, begin preparing

in the spring of your junior year. Assemble all of your

work so that you are organized and prepared in the fall of

your senior year when we begin sending out your college

applications. Ask your teachers for help if you need it.

If you plan to compete in Division I or Division II college

sports, you must register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility

Clearinghouse prior to your senior year. Register online

at https://web3.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp .

There are core course requirements that you must meet for

NCAA eligibility.

Finish out the Year Strong!

Most importantly, maintain your performance in your classes!

Colleges look at your Regents exams as well as any improvements you have made along the way.

Keep in touch with college admissions counselors—they are there to help you!

Continue visiting college campuses. You should be able to identify 5-12 colleges to which you are considering applying by the end of your junior year. See your counselor to find out what you should be looking for in a college and what types of questions would be worth asking a college admissions representative.

Use College Majors Search at www.collegeboard.org to find out

which majors are offered at which colleges. Look for a college

that offers a few of the things in which you are interested. You

may change your mind along the way; it is easier to transfer to

another major that is offered at the college that you attend,

rather than having to transfer to an entirely different school.

Stay aware of college entrance test dates and deadlines:

o ACT exams- see www.actstudent.org for test dates and

test center locations.

o SAT exams- see www.collegeboard.org for test dates

and test center locations.

THINK: careers- sportscaster,

teacher, architect,

dermatologist, auto mechanic

THINK: Internship

Make an appointment at any time

with your guidance counselor so that

she may best assist you

It is necessary for you to meet with

your Guidance Counselor so that

she/he may better assist you plan for

and reach your goals. We welcome

the opportunity to work with you

and your parent(s)/guardian(s) and

help you to become successful while

on your journey…..

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Jonathan W. Doe

123 Port Jervis Road

Port Jervis, New York 12771

(845) 555-5555

johnwdoe@yahoo.com

Community Service

03/2017 - present: Health care aid office worker; Bon Secours Hospital – 2 hours/week

02/2016 - present: Altar server; St. Mary’s Church – 1 hour/week

05/2015- 09/2017: Animal care taker; Port Jervis Humane Society – 3 hours/week

09/2015 - 06/2016: Elementary student tutor; ASK Elementary School – 2 hours/week

05/2015: Walk for Multiple Sclerosis – 4 hours total

06/2015: Port Jervis City Litter Clean Up – 5 hours total

05/2015: Blood Drive Assistant Coordinator – 14 hours total

Memberships

09/2016 - present: National Honor Society

04/2012 – present: Boy Scouts of America

09/2016– 06/2017: Student Government, Senior Class President

09/2015 – 06/2016: Student Government, Junior Class Vice President

Athletics

2015, 2016, 2017: Varsity Basketball

2015, 2016, 2017: Varsity Baseball

Extracurricular Activities

2016 – present: French Club – 1 hour/week

2016 – 2017: Students Against Drunk Driving – 2 hours/month

2015 -2016: Art club – 2 hours/week

Employment

07/2015 – present: table server; 20 Front Restaurant – 10 hrs/week

06/2015 – present: child care provider – approx. 5 hrs/week

Please note the

use of an

“appropriate”

e-mail address

– set up a new

one if you need

to.

Please note that

“hours per week” is

necessary and helpful

in reviewing a

resume.

Use Naviance

(https://student.navia

nce.com/pjervishs)

which will provide a

legible, yet eye-

catching font.

Bullet items in order

from most recent

down to most dated.

Space the categories so

that you fill up the page. If

you don’t have enough

content to fill the page,

increase your margins,

play with the layout, or

adjust your font size

(within reason).

SAMPLE ACTIVITY SHEET

(college/scholarship application “resume”)

Grades 9-12 only

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The Differences between the SAT and the ACT

Senior Check List

Register for SAT / ACT

Activity Sheet (Resume) and revisions

Request letters of recommendation from

your counselor and teachers (at least 2)

Thank you notes / reminders

Narrow your college search to 7 or 8 schools (target, reach, safety)

Make appointments and VISIT colleges – get them to know you

Essay – have your guidance counselor review it before you send it

Free/Reduced lunch form – let your counselor know if you qualify

Students of the Arts – portfolios/auditions

Athletes – https://web3.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp

November – scholarships

KNOW YOUR DEADLINES FOR EVERYTHING and share them with your

Guidance Counselor

SAT (SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST)

WWW.COLLEGEBOARD.ORG

$47.50 without essay

$46.50 with essay

Scores: Points are not deducted for wrong answers. Score based on the amount of right answers.

ACT (AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST)

WWW.ACASTUDENT.ORG

$46.00 without essay

$62.50 with essay suggested

Scores: Points are not deducted for wrong answers. Score based on the amount of right answers.

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Top Questions to Ask a College Representative:

1. What grade point Average (GPA) do I need to be considered a good candidate for acceptance to your school?

2. What SAT scores do I need to be considered a good candidate for acceptance to your school?

3. Do you hold interviews as part of the admissions process?

4. Do I need to take the SAT Subject area test/ which ones do I need?

5. What are your most popular majors?

6. What is the percentage of need met for financial aid?

7. How many students receive financial aid through the school and what is the average award?

8. Are applicants automatically matched to scholarships based on their application file?

9. What kind of services does your school provide? (tutoring, mentoring, etc.)

10. Are there any programs for minority students?

11. How large is your freshman class?

12. How many applications did you receive last year?

13. What is the job placement rate in the graduate’s field of study?

Remember that the college representatives that you will meet at colleges, college fairs, or high school events are usually

the ones who make the decision on your application file whether you are accepted or declined to their school.

A firm handshake and eye contact shows respect and interest. Dress appropriately for meeting with representatives.

Speak clearly and confidently. Ask them for their business card and/or contact information and follow up with a thank

you note –thanking them for taking the time to speak with you.

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The Do’s and Don’ts of writing a college essay:

What you should do… What not to do in your college essay…

You should use an essay format that

works best for your story.

Write about something that is

important to you instead of writing

why it’s important to all people.

Your essay should portray your own

voice and personality

Get some advice

o Don’t forget that the advice

given still has to portray your

own voice

Reflect on your experience

o What did you learn from it and

how did it change you?

Start your paper early!

o Writing several drafts is

expected.

o If you get frustrated, take a few

days then go back to it.

Do not write a generic essay, you

want to stand out to the admission

counselor.

Do not be a cliché

Do not overuse the thesaurus and

diminish your own voice while

writing the essay.

Don’t overthink the topic, colleges

are not looking to read an over-the-

top impressive essay.

o Googling essay prompts will

not clarify what to write. The

colleges want you to be

authentic. This is your chance

to tell them who you are.

Don’t let other people’s essays make

you second guess your topic.