Welcome to. Your Junior Year

Once a Falcon Always a falcon!!Welcome to.Your Junior Year!

Credits Required for Graduation:Are you on track?SubjectRegentsRegents with A.D.English44Social Studies44Math33Science33Art/Music11Health.5.5PE22LOTE**can do 5 credits in Business, Tech, Art, Music or BOCES13Electives3.51.5Total22 Credits22 credits

Regents Exams Required for GraduationSubjectRegentsRegents w/ A.D.English1- ELA 111- ELA 11Social Studies2- Global & US2- Global and USMath1-Math3- Algebra, Geometry and TrigScience1-any science2- Living Env. & Chemistry or Earth Science, or PhysicsLOTE01Total5 exams9 ExamsAdvanced Regents Diploma with HONORAn overall average of 90% or higher on the following examsELAGlobal HistoryUS HistoryAlgebraGeometryAlg II/TrigTop 2 Science ExamsLOTE (if you took LOTE exam)College credit in High school!Niagara Wheatfield offers many classes that you can take to earn college creditAdvanced PlacementNCCCWorld History (10th)Topics in Leadership (10th, 11th, 12th) 3 creditsU.S. History (11th)Precalculus (11th, 12th) 4 creditsStatistics (11th, 12th)French 4 (11th, 12th) 3 creditsStudio in Art (11th, 12th)French 5 (12th) 3 creditsPhysics (11th, 12th)Spanish 4 (11th, 12th) 3 creditsBiology (11th, 12th)Spanish 5 (11th, 12th) 3 creditsChemistry (11th, 12th)Intro/ Adv. Marketing (12th) 3 creditsEnglish: Literature and Composition (12th)College Composition I (12th) 3 creditsMacroeconomics (12th)College Composition II (12th) 3 creditsGovernment and Politics (12th)Calculus (12th) 4 creditsCalculus (12th)Business Law 3 CreditsCollege Entrance ExamsIMPORTANT JUNIOR YEAR TESTS

A Quick Review:PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP

TimelineStandardized College Admission ExamsSAT Reasoning Test This SAT is a 3 hour and 45 minute, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Many colleges require SAT scores for admission.Subject Tests Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges you are considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement.ACT Assessment Test A group of tests administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges. The tests measure educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning and are given at specified test centers throughout the year.

NIAGARA WHEATFIELD CEEB CODE: 335-028 SAT Test Center Code: 33-834ACT Test Center Code 193630

PSAT ExamSaturday- October 18th 7:30am-11:30amCost: $25- Cash Only!!!REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 10th Sign up in the Counseling Center!

PSAT Exam ContentCritical Reading: 2-25 Minute Critical Reading Sections13 sentence completion35 passage based readingMathematics: 2-25 Minute28 multiple choice10 student produced responsesWriting: 1-30 Minute Writing Skills Section20 improving sentences14 identifying sentence errors5 improving paragraphsScoring: 20-80 point scale for each section (80 highest possible score)Correct answer-earn 1 pointIncorrect anwer-1/4 point reduced from scoreOmitted questions-no points added, no points reducedIncorrect answer on math student produced response- nothing deductedCalculator Use for PSAT/SATScientific CalculatorGraphing CalculatorFour Function Calculator

Photo IdentificationYou MUST bring Photo ID with you when you show up for the PSAT.If you DO NOT bring photo ID, you will NOT be admitted!!GENERAL TESTING INFORMATION

Why should I take the SAT or ACT Exams? Most two and four year colleges require students to take at least one college entrance exam as a requirement to be considered for admission.

When do I take the exams? The rule of thumb is to take the SAT exam once in the spring of your junior year and once in the fall of your senior year. Most colleges will take your highest combined score so it is to your benefit to take them at least one time. The ACT exam should be taken, once, either in the junior or senior year.

What is the benefit of taking both the SAT and ACT exams? Colleges will take either your highest ACT or SAT score. Most kids tend to do better on one than the other.

Where do I take the exams? Niagara Wheatfield offers the SAT exam 4 times during the school year and the ACT exam 3 times during the school year. If you are not available on those test dates, you may take them at a local area school that offers them on different dates.

GENERAL TESTING INFORMATION, cont.

How do I register for the exams? You may pick up a registration packet either in the Counseling or Career Centers or you may register online. You can register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.org and the ACT at www.actstudent.org It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you register for the exam before the registration deadline.You MUST bring Photo ID AND your registration form to the exam or you will not be admitted!!!!!!Is the writing section on the ACT and SAT exam optional? The writing exam IS optional for the ACT exam, however it is NOT optional for the SAT. Many colleges are now requiring a writing score for any kids planning on entering college in the fall of 2006 and after.What are the SAT Subject Tests? These are specific subject area tests that some of the more competitive colleges may require you to take. You must check with the colleges you are applying to see if they are required.How do I receive the test accommodations stated on my IEP or 504 Plan? You must fill out an additional application and have your accommodations approved in advance of taking the exams. See your counselor to pick up the accommodation form.

Top Factors in College Admissions Decisions (National Association of College Admissions Counseling, 2008)FactorsPercentage

FactorsPercentageGrades in College Prep Courses80%Strength of Curriculum64%Standardized Tests58%Grades in All Courses52%Essay/Writing Sample26%Demonstrated Interest22%Counselor Recommendation21%Teacher Recommendation20%Interview11%Student Activities7%Subject Tests (AP, etc)7%Values- Identify College CharacteristicsDistance from homeSize: small, medium, largeLocation: suburban, urban, small town, ruralMajors and educational programsScholarship OpportunitiesAcademic reputation

What should I be Doing Now?Visit Career CenterCollege representatives- in Career CenterCollege fairs- September 25th- at NCCC (6:30-8)Parents, students, and alumniVolunteer Get Involved!Take PSAT, SAT,ACT ExamsCounseling websiteProfessionals in the field of interest- Do Internships or shadowing!!

College Visits in Career CenterSeptember 25Cazenovia10:30September 25Houghton College12:30September 30Alfred University1:00October 1WNY Consortium11:00October 8Gannon University11:00October 8Keuka College11:30October 10Clarkson University9:30October 23DYouville8:30October 23St. John Fisher9:30

College Visits ContdOctober 23rdMedaille College10:30October 27SUNY Geneseo10:30October 30Mercyhurst11:00November 5St. Bonaventure12:30November 12U of Pitt-Bradford9:00There are things you should knowUseful Websites

ACT Registration - www.actstudent.org Interest Inventory,College, Career Search www.bridges.com SAT Registration/College searches - www.collegeboard.com Financial Aid and Scholarships - www.finaid.org , or www.fafsa.gov NW Counseling and Career Center - www.nwcsd.k12.ny.us College Searches - www.petersons.com SUNY Schools - www.suny.eduCommon Application www.commonapp.org

College Information NightFebruary 3rd , 2015The Niagara Wheatfield High School Counseling and Career Centers will host a College Information Night for parents of Juniors and Sophomores on February 3rd, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the ALC. Admissions Counselors from 5 local colleges and universities will be on hand for a panel discussion on the college admission's process. These counselors will also be available later in the evening for individual questions. There will also be a session on Standardized Tests (SATs/ACTs) and Financial Aid.

Parents and students are encouraged to attend!

9th Annual Buffalo National College FairWhen: March 18th,2015 6pm-8:30pmWhere: Buffalo Convention CenterCost: FREE!Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet face to face with over 200 college admission representatives from local schools and schools throughout the country who will be able to answer questions and provide informational handouts Multiple information sessions will be taking place throughout the evening for information on financial aid, essay writing, NCAA requirements, and many more aspects of the college preparation processThis is a great opportunity to get even more questions answered and learn about all of your options!

NCAA Initial Eligibility ClearinghouseDivision 1 & 2 must meet eligibilityNCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.orgFeeRequest your transcriptWhen do I register? You can register anytime after you compete 6 semesters of high school. Most students will register at the beginning of their senior yearHow do I qualify to participate in sports at a D I or II school?Complete minimum of 16 core coursesTake your SAT or ACTEligibility is determined by sliding scaleYou MUST have your SAT or ACT scores sent to NCAA directly from collegeboard or ACT. Scores on a high school transcript will NOT be acceptedNCAA code is 9999

Other Post High SchoolOptions!

Options for the MilitaryROTCReserve Officers Training CorpsProgram offered at many colleges and universitiesVisit http://www.goarmy.com/rotc.html for informationMilitary AcademiesPrepare for a career in the armed forcesArmy, Navy Air Force, MarinesEntering the Military after graduationDiscuss options with your familyContact a recruiter for more information

Trade SchoolsTrade Schools differ from other schools by typically only taking classes directly related to your fieldBOCES programsCosmetology, Plumbing, Auto, Heating and Cooling, Conservation, Food Service, Welding, etc.Can attend BOCES after graduation, but must pay tuitionSee Mrs. Reed for more information!

Employment after GraduationRead the Want Ads regularlyAttend Job FairsCivil Service PositionsEmployment through the federal, state, or city governmentMust take Civil Service ExamsContact the Employment Training Office through Niagara CountyGet assistance with resumes and finding employment

WHERE DO I TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS?

COUNSELOR CAREER CENTER COLLEGE WEBSITES

Have a GREAT year!Make the most of itYoure almost there!