WEST MORRIS MENDHAM HIGH SCHOOL

PRESENTS

Freshman/Sophomore College Planning Night

January 12th, 2017

Tonight’s Objectives:● Introduction – Why are we here?● College Admission Trends● Sample Transcript● Graduation requirements● Scheduling Procedures and Timelines● Testing Schedule● School Involvement / Resume● Naviance Features● IB Diploma & Career Programs● Wellness● Q & A

Why are we here?

Analysis Paralysis!

College Admission Trends

Percentage of Colleges Attributing Different Levelsof Importance to Factors in the Admissions Decision

Factor Considerable Importance2015 2014 2010

Grades in college prep courses

79.2% 82.30% 74.9%

Strength of curriculum 60.2 65 61.5Admission test scores (SAT, ACT

55.7 56.1 54.3

Grades in all courses 60.3 49.8 52.1Essay or writing sample 22.1 19.7 26.6Student's demonstrated interest

16.9 17.8 20.9

Counselor recommendation 17.3 15.6 20.4Teacher recommendation 15.2 15.4 21.1Class Rank 14.0 13.3 19.2Extracurricular activities 5.6 6.8 7.4Interview 3.5 6.5 11Portfolio 6.6 5.2 6.7Subject scores (AP, IB) 7.0 4.8 7.8SAT II scores 5.3 3.8 6.7State exam scores 3.5 2.1 3.9Work 0.9 1 1.8

Source: NACAC Admissions Trend Surveys 2010-15

Visit our website for more information:

Information & links regarding SAT, ACT, AP, etc.

A handbook covering all topics related to the college admissions process.

Your link to the Naviance database.

Copies of presentations from other Guidance events

1. Keep it simple: Grades and test scores are still the primary factors in college admissions.

2. Finding your strengths and interests are more important than building a resume.

3. Strive for balance

4. We will help!

REMINDERS

Transcript

Sample Transcript

Graduation Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ● 120 Credits over 4 years● Minimum of 7 classes (35 credits) per year● English - 20 credits (4 years)● Social Studies – 15 credits (3 years)● Mathematics – 15 credits (3 years)● Science – 15 credits (3 years of a lab science)● World Language – 10 credits (2 years)● P. E. & Health/Dr. Ed. - all years in school● Fine Art - 5 credits● Practical Art – 5 credits● 2.5 credits of Financial Literacy

Scheduling Process

What do I need to know to schedule?

● Required Courses● Course Levels● Electives

*Please consult the onlineProgram of Studies

for course descriptions

Typical 10th Grade Schedule (8 Period Day)

● English 2● U.S. History 2● Mathematics:(Geometry /Algebra / Pre-Calculus)

● Science: (Chemistry) ● World Language: (French/Spanish/Chinese) or elective● Physical Education 10 / Drivers Education● Elective● Elective as eighth class or Academic Study

Typical 11th Grade Schedule (8 Period Day)

● English 3● World History● Mathematics:(Algebra 2/ Pre-Calculus/Calculus)

● Science ● World Language: (Recommended 3 years) or elective● Physical Education 11 / Health 11● Elective● Elective as eighth class or Academic Study● Options for IB DP or CP

Scheduling Timelines● Recommendations by 1/20 - student can

pick up in guidance office● Receive course scheduling sheets by 2/1● Check out online Program of Studies to

review course offerings● Return course scheduling sheet (draft) to

guidance by 2/10● Counselor/student meetings will begin 2/13

Testing

• ACT - Register for ACT at www.actstudent.org

• SAT - Register for SAT at www.collegeboard.org

2017-2018 Test Dates (Anticipated)PSAT

PSAT will be held at WMMHS during the month of October (anticipated)

Practice ACTPractice ACT will be held at WMMHS in August and September (anticipated)

SATSAT Date SAT Subject

Tests Available?

August 26, 2017 Yes

October 7, 2017 Yes

*November 4, 2017 Yes

December 2, 2017 Yes

March 10, 2018 No

*May 5, 2018 Yes

June 2, 2018 Yes

ACTSeptember 9, 2017

October 28, 2017

December 9, 2017

*February 10, 2018

April 14, 2018

*June 9, 2018

*Offered at Mendham High School

Score Reports● Shows:

● Performance on each content area● Percentiles will show how you did compared to your peers● Breakdown for college readiness - Reaching your grade-level Benchmark means that you are

likely on track to be ready to succeed in select first-year, credit-bearing college courses

Understanding Scores: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores/understanding-scores

SAT Subject Tests/ AP / IB● Subject Tests

● Biology: Students who have completed Bio at the advanced level● Math Level 1: Students who have completed Algebra 1, Geometry,

Algebra 2 at advanced level● Math Level 2: Students who have completed all Math Level 1

requirements + Pre-calculus at advanced level● US History: Students who have completed US History 1 and US

History 2 at advanced level**See www.collegeboard.org for content information on each test**

● AP / IB Tests ● Sophomore Year (AP Chemistry & AP US History – AP only)● All other AP/IB tests in junior/senior year

Suggested Testing TimelineFreshman ● Focus on coursework!● Subject Test: Biology & Math Level 1 (if applicable)

Sophomore● PSAT in October recommended● AP Exam: US History (if applicable)● AP Exam: Chemistry (if applicable● Subject Test: Math Level 1 or Math Level 2 (if applicable)

Junior ● PSAT in October ● Begin test prep for SAT/ACT● ACT or SAT● AP Exams (if applicable)● IB Exams (if applicable)● Subject Tests (if applicable)

Senior● ACT or SAT● AP Exams (if applicable)● IB Exams (if applicable)● Subject Tests (if applicable)

Activity Resume

School Involvement● Document and build a resume.● Document achievements / accomplishments.● Remember it is quality not quantity.● This is a great time to get involved.● Service club, Peer Tutoring, FBLA, Relay

for Life.● Outside school activities, volunteer work.● Athletics.

Resume Dos and Do Nots

● Do keep track of your honors, awards, clubs, jobs and volunteer experiences.

● Do participate in clubs and activities that interest you.

● Do take on one or two leadership roles.

● Don't wait until junior year to recall what you've done or won

● Don't join clubs or activities just because you think colleges want to see them.

● Don't become a passive member of multiple groups.

Sample Resume

Naviance Features

Log onto the West Morris Mendham Website and select Naviance Family Connection

Freshman have completed Learning Styles Inventory

Sophomores have completed Strengths Explorer

Exploring Careers

Meaningful Learning which will foster a

better sense of self and direction while developing

skills for an ever-changing workplace.

4 Pathways

Business

Life and Health Science

S.T.E.A.M.

Fine Arts

IB CP Program FrameworkCoursework● 1 Junior Year Pathway Course● 1 Senior Year Pathway Course● 1 IB Pathway Course, Junior or Senior Year● 2 IB Courses

○ One may be from pathway○ One must be a 2 year sequence

IB Core● Personal and Professional Skills Course● World Language Portfolio● Service Learning Project● Reflective Project

IB Career-Related Program

Sample Student Schedule: Business Pathway

Junior Year Senior Year

Phys Ed 11/ Personal and Professional Skills

Phys Ed 12/ Personal and Professional Skills

English 3 (IB-HL/AP) English 4 (IB-HL/AP)

Economics (AV) Marketing & Advertising (AV)

Spanish 4 (AV) Spanish 5 (IB-SL)

World History (AV) Business and Management (IB-SL)

Physics (AV) Environ. Sci (AP)

Pre-Calculus (AV) Calculus (AV)

Study P.A.L.S. Study

IB Career-Related Programme

● The IBCP is NOT “IB Diploma Lite.”

● It is a completely different approach to junior and senior year.

● Similar to the IB Diploma Program, the IBCP is NOT for every student.

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The IB DP Curriculum

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● Six IB areas of study (hexagon)● 3 (or no more than 4) Higher Level (HL) courses● 3 (or 2) Standard Level (SL) courses● 6 total exams (up to 2 SL in May of 11th grade)

● Core Elements● Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course● Extended Essay (EE)● Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) plan

Wellness

Student Assistance ProgramTamara D’Alessio

tdalessio@wmrhsd.org• Confidential one-on-one support• Group support• Health Class Presentations• Assemblies• Parent Presentations• Substance Abuse Prevention/Intervention• Resource Referral• Anti-bullying Specialist

Upcoming Presentations for Mendham Parents:

● Social Media: 1/25/17Detective Anthony DaCunza, Chester Twp PDWednesday 1/25/17 at 12pm

● Teen Relationships/Dating: 2/15/17Emily Baldi, No2DatingAbuseWednesday 2/25/17 at 7pm

Q & A