TESTING, TREASURES, AND TIMELINES An informational night for junior and senior parents!

TESTING, TREASURES, AND TIMELINES An informational night for junior and senior parents!

BVHS COUNSELORS Kara Likness Student last names that start with A-G CTE Financial Aid contact Carroll Institute Contact Person Michelle Stemwedel Student last names that start with H-N Rising Scholars and Dual Credit Scholarships Katie Hartz Student last names that start with O-Z Testing NCAA and NAIA

AGENDA Testing options for juniors and seniors Post-secondary planning timelines Dual Credit Opportunities Financial Aid Opportunities Questions/Answer Time We want to help make things a little easier!

TESTING OPTIONS Aspire (formally PLAN) PSAT/NMSQT ASVAB

ACT What: College entrance exam accepted nationwide. Test measures English, mathematics, reading, and science. There is an optional writing test. When: Sept. 12, Oct. 24, Dec. 12, Feb. 6, April 9, June 11 Who: sophomores, juniors and seniors Why: Required entrance exam for most Midwest 4-year colleges, and used for placement. How: Register online at www.actstudent.org Cost: $39.50 no writing or $56.50 with writing

QUICK ACT TIPS October 24 BVHS students only and the ACT no writing test is $20 (50% off). All 125 vouchers are being used. Must complete online registration with your voucher by September 18! April date fills up fast! Register early to test at BVHS! Send scores to 4 colleges/universities/ncaa for FREE After that it costs $10 to each location you send your student s score to What to bring on test day Calculator #2 pencils BVHS School Code NCAA: 9999 NAIA: 9876 Admission Ticket*** BVHS Test Center Code Photo ID*** (drivers license, passport, school issued ID, etc.) *** Will not be permitted without it

FREE ACT PREP RESOURCES ACT Study Guides From your counselor SDMyLife Method Test Prep Full sample tests, quizzes, and lessons on how to prepare Multiple explanations of correct answers Ex-Videos on how to work problems Follow ACT on twitter for daily ACT test questions and tips

ACT TEST PREP Mr. Justin Lovrien teaches an ACT Prep Course through Community Education. Prior to October 24 Test Date Wednesday nights from 6 pm to 8 pm Starts September 16 and ends October 21 Prior to April 9 Test Date To register: Bring a check for $115 to Jessica Henson in the HS office. Call to make sure there are spots available.

ASPIRE BY ACT What: Pre-ACT When: Spring 2016 Who: Offered to all sophomores Why: Helps prepare them for the ACT, feedback on how to improve in subject areas, and estimates an ACT score range. How: A letter will go home. If you do not want your student to take the test, contact your student's school counselor. Cost: FREE BVHS pays for the test

SAT What: College entrance exam used by costal schools and IVY league schools for entrance. Test measures critical reading, math, and writing. When: Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5, Jan 23, March 5, May 7, and June 4 Why: Considering attending a prestigious or coastal university. How: Register online at www.collegeboard.org/sat Cost: $54.50

PSAT What: Pre-SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Test measuring critical reading, math reasoning, and writing skills. When: Wednesday, October 14 (periods 1-4) Who: Juniors and sophomores for practice (juniors have priority) Why: Practice for SAT and National Merit Scholarship qualifier How: Sign up with Ms. Hartz by October 2 Cost: $16 (cost of test +shipping) please write checks to BVHS Includes a study guide.

ASVAB What: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery 8 subtests: 1. general science, 2. antithetic reasoning, 3. word knowledge, 4. paragraph comprehension, 5. mathematical knowledge, 6. electronic information, 7. auto and shop info, and 8. mechanical comprehension When: Tuesday, October 27 (periods 1-4) Who: Juniors and seniors Why: Required for military enlistment or uncertain of future plans and want to gain career information How: Sign up in the office by October 16 Cost: FREE!

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING/TIMELINES Junior Year Register with NCAA or NAIA in the fall ***Recommended to be done as sophomores Take ACT by April Research colleges and have 5-6 possibilities Register for the RIGHT classes senior year Visit with College Representatives at BVHS Check into junior/senior college visit days Start visiting schools (2 visit days total) Consider retaking ACT in June or early fall of senior year Right classes don t always mean easy classes.

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING/TIMELINES CONT. Senior Year In the fall apply to 2-3 colleges Retake ACT in the fall The latest seniors should take the ACT is in December! Request letters of recommendation ASAP Complete transcript release form Search for scholarships Fill out applications Complete FAFSA in the spring (attend FAFSA night with parent)

DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES Rising Scholars Classes offered at BVHS through NSU Taught by BVHS teachers We supply textbooks $40.00 per college credit Register during high school registration Dual Enrollment through SD Board of Regents Classes offered online or at any BOR school $40.00 per college credit plus textbooks ($100 worth for textbooks for one class is common) Register through your school counselor Limited to 9 credits per semester Should have spring 2016 class offerings around Thanksgiving.

FINANCIAL AID OPPORTUNITIES Scholarships Counselor s Website College/University/Tech. School Admission Office Online NEVER PAY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! BE CAREFUL OF SCAMS! Financial Aid Apply for Financial Aid by completing FAFSA the spring prior to attending college (student starting fall 2016 complete FAFSA after 2015 taxes) Based on the previous year s taxes Loans and grants awarded (earlier you complete FAFSA the better)

ONLINE RESOURCES: SDMYLIFE www.sdmylife.com Every student in the high school has an SDMyLife username and password! It is located in their planner. Parents can also set up a login. Search for schools, explore careers, search for scholarships, and much more! - Search careers - Read job descriptions, working conditions, earnings, learn the education needed, etc. - Search for schools by state - Search for schools by major

ONLINE RESOURCES: BVHS WEBSITE www.brandonvalley.k12.sd.us Counselor s Page Under student resource tab or Parent resource tab

QUESTIONS? Encourage your student to listen to daily announcements for upcoming information on college rep. visits, dual enrollment updates, and testing information. You can find the announcements on our website under Daily Lynx. Thank you for attending tonight! We know your time is precious. Feel free to contact us with any other questions or feedback about tonight s presentation.