So You’re Almost A Senior!

English Department:Humanities (Honors and College Prep)

Literature and Social Activism (H)Medicine and Literature (H)Analytical Writing Through Film Analysis (H)

American Satire (H)

Syracuse University Project Advance English (SUPA); Wrt105-Practices of Academic Writing-This part of the course introduces students to the academic thinking, writing, and reading practices of the contemporary university and focuses on the skills of analysis argument.

Ets 142-Narratives of Culture: Introduction to Critical Reading-Students will examine what reading is and how meaning is created through texts and language. The course uses a variety of works that help students analyze texts.

Literature and Composition: This course follows the AP description found at: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com and works at helping students become more proficient reading of a variety of texts, as well as better writers. The reading is complex, and students are expected to complete a summer assignment prior to September.

AP is by recommendation only Average must be 90+ in previous class

Enrollment limited to two AP concurrent courses

Required summer assignment, part of which is due before school ends

AP exam required

Science: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science

Social Studies: European History, Government and Politics

World Language: Spanish and French Art: Studio Art (including photography) Math: AB Calculus, Statistics English: Literature/Composition

Courses replicate those taught on campus Students earn credits Students pay for credits/financial aide and

payment plans are available Students receive a Syracuse University college

transcript Credits are transferable to over 700 colleges

and universities in the country Our instructors are adjunct professors

English-6 college credits (full year) Forensic Science-4 college credits (full year) Sociology-3 college credits (half year) Psychology-3 college credits (half year) Public Affairs-3 college credits (half year) Economics-3 college credits (half year) College Learning Strategies-3 credits (half yr.)

www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/hs/faq.pdf

https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/hs/d1_standards.pdf

Locating the document:1. Go to www.riverdell.org2. Click on high school3. Click on the guidance tab4. Click on the program of studies

tab5. Read course descriptions

No course changes after July 2, 2010 Choose both semesters carefully Select the courses that you want Do not select a course based on the instructor

Dropping a course is never a good idea!

1. College admissions officers need to “feel the love.” Don’t just tell them by applying early action, show them by multiple contacts.

2. Don’t follow the “you never know” philosophy of the college admissions process. Translated that means, “Don’t apply to a lot of colleges you know are beyond your reach.”

3. College is not a bumper sticker or a sweatshirt game, but the next journey in life to prepare for the global workplace.

4. Do not place emphasis on a college’s name; instead, evaluate the academic offerings of the school and remember what is most important is what you do with the four years you spend in college.

5. Parents and students who do speak and get everything out on the table have the best perspective on things and fare the best in the process, without question; their stress levels are exponentially lower and they end up making the best decisions.

6. Making the location of a school of primary importance may make someone miss some wonderful place that would be perfect for him/her.

7. Keep the college list to yourself! Personal success is completely appropriate to share after an acceptance has been offered. You don’t want to explain why you didn’t get in!

8. Clean up e-mails and social networking profiles.

9. College admission officers are usually very skilled at “reading” students, so do not think of the admission process as a game and try to fake your interest in the school.

10. Something to remember is that getting in is a relative grain of sand; how students perform once in college is far more important.

Your ENTIRE LIFE STORY

…in 500 words.

The task is difficult

You need MULTIPLE essays

It can be a “tip factor”

Don’t wait until senior year to start!

Be original Remember the goal of the essay (Who are you?)

Journal over the summer

Talk to parents Visit colleges and TAKE NOTES

Evaluate your best stories and write some drafts

Add details Add style Strive for the “Wow” essay, not the “Passable Essay”

For Students:

• Show your essay to a trusted adult, but don’t shop the essay around too much

• Go to teachers EARLY in the year for help

For Parents:

• Offer kind, constructive criticism

• Keep the student in front of the keyboard

• Do not impose your voice on the essay

2010-2011

Senior optionS program

School To Work Senior Internship Senior Service Dual Enrollment SUPA Classes AP Classes

All programs require the following Application Interview

Attendance Record Review Meeting the Deadline Dates

Resume Letter of Intent

Final Contract Review Random Drug Test Forms Completed

Paid Professional Positions Challenging Job Placements Available Career Readiness Educational Support Networking Development of Workplace Readiness Skills Creation of a Professional Portfolio Provides Students With Clear Career Goals Before

They Begin College

Exposure to Possible Career Choices Develop Workplace Readiness Skills,

Professionalism, & Independence. Prepares Students for Post-

Secondary Education. Non-Paid Positions Flexible Scheduling Networking for Future Career

Endeavors Helps Students Set Goals Looks Great on Resumes and College

Application

•Volunteer Work Creates Bonds in the Community•Fosters a Sense of Accomplishment•Self Awareness•Sensitivity•Professionalism•Independence•Provides Real World Exposure •Looks Great on Resumes and College Application.

Dual Enrollment•Experience College Level Courses•Prepares Students for

Post Secondary Education

•Complete College Credits•Compete General Courses•Exposure to Subjects of

interest•Transferable Credits

Participating Colleges Include:

William Paterson UniversityMontclairRamapo

Bergen Community College

The application process mirrors college level career placement, internship & the volunteer application process.

Students MUST be able to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours a week in order to receive credit for internship. 20 hours a week for school to work and a frontloaded schedule. 25 hours a week for senior service.

Each Program has its own methods of assessment and required course work.

Placements are not guaranteed.

Presented ByThe Counseling Department

Employment Career / Technical School Military College◦ 4 year college◦ 2 year college

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Keep the process in perspective Work together as a family Students must take ownership Discuss finances openly Start early and meet all deadlines

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Evaluate:◦ 4 year vs. 2 year college◦ Size◦ Location◦ Campus Culture◦ Majors◦ Academic Credentials◦ Dormitories◦ Cost◦ Extracurricular Activities◦ Special Programs

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Visit school’s websites:◦ General Information◦ Requirements◦ Deadlines

Attend open houses and tours Speak to current students Schedule interview (if offered)

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Early Decision (Binding) Early Action (Non-Binding) Rolling Admission Regular Admission

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Transcript◦ GPA, Courses & Grades

SAT I, SAT II or ACT Scores Essay(s) Resume (extracurricular activities) Letters of Recommendation It is recommended you apply electronically!

Instant submission & confirmation

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Can be completed online and sent electronically to approximately 400 schools

Can be used to save time from having to complete each college’s individual application

Allows counselor and teacher to submit recommendations electronically to all common application schools

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If the college does not accept the counselor’s portion of the application electronically then do the following:

Provide a large manila envelope, stamped & addressed to each college◦ 4 stamps on each envelope

Completed (By June 2010):◦ Parent Brag Sheet◦ Senior Questionnaire◦ Activity Sheet◦ Transcript Release Form◦ River Dell – School Counselor Form

Provide at least two weeks notice

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Transcript Secondary School Report Form Letter of Recommendation River Dell School Profile

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Two Teacher Recommendations Speak with your teachers about

recommendations by June Be sure to follow up with your

teachers at least three weeks prior to deadline(s)

◦ This September, please login to Naviance and request a letter of recommendation from each teacher

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If the recommendation cannot be sent electronically then:

Provide Your Teachers With:◦ A Teacher Recommendation Form◦ A white business size envelope, addressed to each college

admissions office and stamped (one stamp – SEE NEXT SLIDE)◦ A list of colleges & dates where you would like recommendations

sent

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River Dell Regional High School55 Pyle StreetOradell, NJ 07649

ABC University Office of Admissions100 Main Ave.Anywhere, USA 00000

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Students must register to take the SAT I and/or ACT.◦ SAT I fee includes sending scores to 4 colleges free

SAT II’s are required for some colleges, usually more competitive schools (check with each school)

River Dell Regional High School CEEB Code: 311054

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2010-2011 Test Dates

Tests Regular Late (a fee applies)

March 13, 2010 (Not offered at

RDHS)

SAT & Subject Tests

Feb. 4, 2010 Feb. 18, 2010

May 1, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests

March 25, 2010 April 8, 2010

June 5, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests

April 29, 2010 May 13, 2010

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2010 - 2011 ACT Test Dates

Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Deadline, fee required)

April 10, 2010 March 5, 2010 March 19, 2010

June 12, 2010 May 7, 2010 May 21, 2010

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FAFSA◦ Submit ASAP after January 1st

◦ www.fafsa.ed.gov CSS Profile (if required)◦ File in early fall of senior year!◦ www.collegeboard.com

Scholarships◦ Local◦ Regional / National

Financial Aid Workshop Fall 2010

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Student athletes intending to play NCAA Division I or II sports must register with the NCAA◦ www.ncaa.org

Students in the Class of 2011 must meet NCAA requirements◦ 16 core courses

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connection.naviance.com/riverdell

Naviance’s Family Connection is a comprehensive tool created to assist students and parents with the following:◦ College Application Process◦ College Planning◦ Career Planning◦ Resume Building

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Important Note! Family Connection is required for River Dell students applying to college. Students must:◦ Update Prospective & Active Applications◦ Complete the FERPA form◦ Request teacher letters of recommendation◦ Complete the resume in Naviance◦ Request Transcripts in Naviance◦ Update College Responses◦ Respond to Milestones & Surveys

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Individual meetings for juniors and their parents will be scheduled by each counselor.

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