Junior Parent/Guardian Presentation { BRRHS Guidance Department
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Student Meetings In December, counselors will be sharing a similar presentation to students. We will reintroduce the Career Cruising Program where they are able to research colleges and careers. Login information: Username: Bridgewater Password: Raynham Students will be called down individually by their counselor beginning early December to discuss their plans after high school and at that time they will be given a Junior Folder. The folder includes a wealth of information including: Junior Year Checklist Sample Activities Resume SAT Prep Classes/Practice SAT SAT/ACT Signup Information SAT/ACT Sliding Scale for MA State Universities & UMASS
It s Almost Senior Year! What To Do Now To Prepare It s not the plan that s important, it s the planning. Dr. Gramme Edwards
nd In No Particular Order 14 Helpful Tips!!!!!!!!
Tip #1 Research Colleges, Career, Technical Institutions, Their Requirements, And Their Costs Are SATs/ACTs required? What are the average scores? Are SAT Subject Tests required? What additional requirements does this institution require for admission? (interview, additional essays, etc.) What is the sticker price of this institution? Is this realistic??
Tip #2 Visit Colleges, Career, and Technical Institutions Visit and ask meaningful questions! (February and April vacations are fantastic times!) Attend open houses Schedule campus tours through the admissions offices. Attend Fairs BRRHS Spring College and Career Fair 4/8/15 National College Fair (www.gotomyncf.com) Springfield 4/12/15 and 4/13/15 Providence 4/14/15 Boston 4/9/15 and 4/10/15 New England Association of College Admissions Counselors College Fair (www.neacac.org)
Tip #3 Sign Up To Take SATs/SAT Subject Tests And/Or ACTs (if applicable) Most 4 year colleges require the SATs or ACTs. (Colleges will accept either one). Test Optional www.fairtest.org Some highly selective colleges require the SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT (make sure to look at the requirements). If taking the ACTs, make sure to sign up with the Writing Component. (If a college your student is interested in requires the SAT Subject Tests, taking the ACTs with Writing is a substitute).
Tip # 3 - Continued... Upcoming SAT/SAT Subject Test dates: Dec. 6 November 24 th deadline Jan. 24 December 29 th deadline March 14 th Feb. 13 th deadline If your college requires SAT Subject Tests and your student is not taking the ACT with Writing, it is recommended that he/she sign up for the June test for the Subject Tests. Please note that your student cannot take the SATs and the SAT Subject tests in the same sitting. Your student can sign up for up for three Subject Tests in one sitting (most colleges that require Subject Tests will require at least two). To register, sat.collegeboard.org/register Upcoming ACT (with Writing) Test dates: Feb 7 th Jan. 9 th deadline April 18 th March 13 th deadline To register, www.actstudent.org
Did You Know? The minimum GPA for induction into B-R s National Honor Society (junior and/or senior year) is a 4.0. The Massachusetts State Universities and the UMASS system are looking for a 3.0 or higher for college acceptance. If a student has between a 2.0-2.99, the MA State Universities and the UMASS system use a sliding scale with SATs/ACTs. They will NOT accept students with a GPA under 2.0. Take a peek at the scale..if a student has a B- overall average in Academic classes, that equates to a 2.7 GPA! Minimum requirements for specialized programs (ie Nursing, Engineering, etc.) may require higher GPAs. For example, students applying to Nursing programs may be required to have a 3.5 GPA for acceptance, while the average GPA needed to get into that college s other programs is a 2.8. GPA is not looked at for acceptance into community colleges. (Bristol Community College, Massasoit Community College, Cape Cod Community College, etc).
What Does This Mean? GPA is very important and students need to do their very best from the start of high school; the classes students take and the grades they get are what colleges look at above everything else. Students should take the most challenging classes that they can handle. College options may be limited for students who did not put their best foot forward in high school. Massachusetts State Universities and the UMASS system are no longer considered safety schools for the majority of students.
Tip #4 Begin Developing An Activity Resume It is highly encouraged for your student to develop a resume of activities to hand to his/her teachers and counselor for recommendations. Your student should list all work, sports, clubs, community service, awards received, etc. both in and out of school. Need a sample? Visit the Guidance part of B-R s website and click Activities Resume: http://www.bridgerayn.org/files/filesystem/sample%20acti VITY%20SHEET.pdf Your students should be working on this now!!!!
Tip #5 Work On The Portfolio (if applicable) If your student is looking to go to college for Art, a portfolio may be required for admission. Check with each college.
Tip #6 Look At Possible Audition Requirements (if applicable) If your student is considering a major in Music, some colleges require auditions. Make sure to check the requirements and ask!
Tip #7 NCAA Register Now If you are an athlete planning to continue playing a sport in college at the Div. I or II Level, you must register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center) (www.eligibilitycenter.org).
Tip #8 Research Career and Technical Schools to Make Sure of Licensure and Accreditation (if applicable) Important Questions to Ask: http://www2.ed.gov/stude nts/prep/college/consume rinfo/index.html
Tip #9 Speak to Recruiters if Interested in the Military If your student is thinking of possibly joining one of the armed forces, it is important for your student to speak with a recruiter to get more information. Possibly interested in a Military Service Academy? Your student has been told to see their counselor immediately! There is a process! ASVAB WILL BE GIVEN IN JANUARY 27, 2015 @ 5:00 p.m.
Tip 10 Begin To Think of Teachers To Write Letters Of Recommendation Going into a particular major? Have a certain talent? Your student should think of teachers that can highlight their skills and accomplishments so they can put your student in the best light! Before students leave for the summer, they should give their teachers (and counselor) their activity sheet so they can write the letter! The same teachers get asked year after year, so the students have been told to get to them early! One less piece to worry about during senior year! When the recommendation is completed, sending a thank you note is encouraged.
Tip #11 Consider Taking Dual Enrollment Classes Offered through Bridgewater State, Massasoit, and Bristol Community College. Opportunity to get high school and college credits. This could make your student stand out among others when applying.
Tip #12 Begin Looking for Scholarships Scholarship applications can be tedious, but free money is free money!! There are many national scholarship databases available to research. For more information, visit the Guidance webpage: http://www.bridge-rayn.org/bridgewater- Raynham.cfm?subpage=929341
Tip #11 (Continued) Citizens Scholarship Foundation Foundation that raises money to give scholarships to our seniors In order to qualify for a Citizens Scholarship, students must complete a minimum of two events during their time in high school: Door to Door Drive (Annually) April 12, 2015 Selling Raffle Tickets (Senior Year) If a student does a minimum of two events and fills out the application in their senior year, they are GUARANTEED a scholarship that is recognized at our Scholarship Night in May.
Tip #13 Look At Applications Over The Summer Towards the end of the summer, applications for Fall 2016 will be available. Students should get a head start and look over the applications, especially the essay questions!!
Questions, Comments, Concerns??
Just Remember..