Information Night for Juniors Mr. Javier Polavieja Guidance Counselor (A-K) Mr. Tom Daugherty Guidance Counselor (L-Z) Ms. Darcy Hutzler Director of Guidance
Part I: Standardized Testing Overview Part II: Choosing a College: Finding the Right Fit
Why? What? When? Where? How?
Why? Allows a point of comparison from student-to-student and high school-to-high school nation wide Standardized test scores, in most cases, play an important role in admissions decisions High schools monitor student progress using standardized tests
What? EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT series PSAE PSAT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests AP Testing
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Only qualifying exam for National Merit, National Achievement and National Hispanic Recognition Programs National Merit Status: typically 99 th percentile nationally Preparation for the SAT Critical Reading, Math Reasoning and Writing (not optional)
How? Recommended for students in the top tier of the junior class academically with a strong standardized testing history Test on October 17 th in school Cost: $20.00.
EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT Series EXPLORE Baseline of measurement of progress in EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT series EXPLORE = 8 th Grade, score range 1-25 PLAN Midpoint measure on progress toward ACT PLAN = Fall of 10 th Grade, score range 1-32 Good practice for the ACT Good predictor of future ACT score Personalized career information Not used by colleges for admission
Used for College Admission Curriculum-based test Sub-tests English Reading Math Science Reasoning Writing (optional check with your college) Score Range: 1-36
Recommended: April or June of Junior Year September or October of Senior Year, if needed National Test Dates: test site can vary Register in advance for each national test date directly with ACT. Register on-line at www.actstudent.org.
Each score report (by test date) is a separate testing record. No penalty for frequency of testing Colleges use the best score for admission Scores are not on MVHS transcripts Scores must be requested from the testing company by the student
Prairie State Achievement Exam Mandatory state testing for all juniors in Illinois Required for graduation April 23 & 24, 2013 @ MVHS
Day 1: ACT English, Math, Reading, Science Score can be used for college admission and for NCAA Clearinghouse Day 2: Work Keys Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics
No cost to student. Administered during school day. Registration completed by the school.
Used for College Admission Measures critical thinking skills. 3 parts Critical Reading Math Reasoning Writing (not optional)
Recommended: Spring Junior Year or Early Fall Senior Year. National Test Dates: test site can vary Register in advance for each national test date directly with College Board. Register on-line at www.collegeboard.org
New Students score can reporting choose to feature send one being or launched multiple test in scores March 2009 This Score Choice feature is optional if students do not use it, all scores will be sent automatically No penalty for frequency of testing
Measure knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as ability to apply that knowledge...like SAT, you must register online Formerly SAT II: Subject Tests Required by some colleges for admission or placement check first before testing. Take as soon as possible after completing the coursework in that subject
Consider retesting if You have completed additional coursework or an intensive review You were not feeling well when you tested You misunderstood the directions Are not satisfied that your scores accurately reflect your abilities
October 17, 2012 @ MVHS Options: Practice ACT (most students..no need to pre-register) PSAT (Deadline: Tuesday, September 25th)
Exams are optional at the end of AP courses. AP courses are a college-level learning experience. Potential to earn college-level credit based on exam score. Credit determined by college.
Students must register at MVHS and pay $89 per test ( 12-13). Registration begins in February. Exams are administered every year at the beginning of May.
Planning for LIFE After Metea Emphasis on lifelong learning Many options including 4-year university, 2-year college, military, career/technical program, or on-the-job training.
This refers to the match between the student and the college In a good match--both flourish Two main components: - Characteristics of Student - Characteristics of the College
Person Program Place People Price
What are my career goals/educational goals? What is my academic profile-act/gpa? What are my interests and activities? What kind of student/learner am I? What are my goals and values?
Area of Study Specialized Major Academic Rigor Type of Curriculum College s Mission & Philosophy Career Development Assistance
Location Setting- rural, urban suburban Environment/Atmosphere Activities
With whom will you learn? Number of faculty & students? Professors? Mentors? Networking opportunities?
Costs range from approximately $4,000 for a community college to over $50,000 for an Ivy League per year Net cost Remember that many colleges have outstanding scholarships & financial aid Choose several colleges including one that your family can afford Community colleges tend to be the best buy in schools; a good idea is to apply to at least one state school or community college
Identify the most important factors in your decision Rank these factors Begin your search Remember to consider: Person,Program, Place, People and Price
Research a variety of schools Utilize Naviance Attend College Visits at MVHS Attend College Fairs Visit College Campuses while they are in session and arrange visit through Admissions Office.
Generally colleges require: 4 years of English 3-4 years of Math 3-4 years of Lab Science Some recommend 3 years of Social Studies Some require 2 years of a foreign language Look at the average ACT/SAT scores accepted Be sure to check each college s website!
Importance of Junior year-work on academics Take a challenging Senior year Continue to be involved and build your resume Attend Financial Aid Night at MVHS on November 27, 2012 at 7:00 pm (tentative date) Junior College Night at MVHS on March 19, 2013
National College Fair September 29 th, 11 a.m 3:00 p.m., Navy Pier Waubonsee Community College Oct. 1 st, 6 p.m.-8 pm Elgin Community College October 2 nd, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Performing Arts College Fair Oct. 14 th, 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m., Chicago High School of the Arts College of DuPage Oct. 16 th from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lewis University (Romeoville) March 5 th, 2013, 6:30 8 p.m. North Central College (Naperville) March 18 th, 2013, 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. DePaul University (Chicago) March 26 th, 2013, 5 p.m. 7 p.m.
Naviance Log on by going to: http://connection.naviance.com/meteavhs or link through the MVHS home page. User name: Student ID Number (will be either 5 digits or 7 digits) Password: computer network password, for now..the same password used last year. By late September, you will be able to use your new password.
Information Night for Juniors Standardized Testing Overview: See back of page. Choosing a College: Finding the Right Fit Class of 2014 Counselors Mr. Javier Polavieja Mr. Tom Daugherty Guidance Counselor (A-K) Guidance Counselor (L-Z) Javier_polavieja@ipsd.org tom_daugherty@ipsd.org 630.375.3386 630.375.3984 Choosing a college is a process and it is unique to each student s goals, experiences, level of interest, and involvement. A key word in admissions today is fit. This refers to the fit between the student and college. If the fit is a good match, then the student and the college both flourish and are satisfied. Therefore, the college search involves two main components: the characteristics of the student and the characteristics of the college. The best college is the one that is the best fit for the individual student! There are five factors (the 5 P s) involved in making a good match between a student and potential colleges: Person, Program, Place, People, & Price. 1 Step One: Know Yourself (Person!) Different colleges complement different learning styles. o Reflect upon the following: What are my educational goals? What courses have I taken in high school? Which ones have been my favorites? What am I involved in (extra-curricular activities, work, hobbies, other interests)? What are my test scores? What is my GPA /class rank? o Who are you as a learner? Active or passive? Auditory, visual, tactile? Do you like discussing, experimenting, theorizing? How do you earn good grades homework, projects, cumulative exams? o What are you like in class? Do you like lab days? Class discussions? Class lectures? Reading texts? o Are you good at multi-tasking or concentrating on one thing at a time? Step Two: Know the Colleges (Program, Place, People, & Price!) Identify your priorities. What are the most important factors in your college decision? Carefully research the characteristics of a variety of schools. 2 Use available resources to begin or continue your college search. Use online resources such as Naviance. Attend college visits at MVHS and college fairs. Visit college campuses. o Program: What college has the best program for me as an individual? What do I want to study? o Place: Where do I want to study? Do you want to visit home frequently? Experience a new part of the country? Urban, suburban, small town? o People: With whom do I want to learn? Professors? Mentors? Networking? o Price: What is the total cost? What financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available? **Naviance http://connection.naviance.com/meteavhs or link through the MVHS home page. User name: Student ID Number (will be either 5 digits or 7 digits) Password: computer network password, the same password used for Pinnacle access **Metea s primary tool for career assessments, college profiles, college visit schedules, a scholarship database, college application tracking, course planning, and more. Online Resources for Testing Information and College/Career Planning: www.actstudent.org -- ACT registration, sample tests, additional test score report requests. www.collegeboard.com -- SAT registration, sample tests, additional test score report requests. Upcoming Events: Financial Aid Night: November 27, 2012, 7pm. (tentative) Junior College Information Night, March 19, 2013: An admissions panel including a variety of institutions such as a large public, small private, community college and highly selective college will go into greater detail on the college search process and finding the right fit in a post-secondary institution. 1 The Right Fit Dr. John Kaltsas, Schuler Family Foundation 2 College Counseling Sourcebook published by the College Board, 2007
STANDARDIZED TESTING--Class of 2014 Name of Test When? Where? Why? How? Other Information PLAN Taken last fall @ MVHS PSAT/NMSQT Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Practice ACT (also known as mock or retired ACT) October 17, 2012 October 17, 2012 @ MVHS @MVHS Good practice for the ACT Good predictor of future ACT scores. Personalized career information. Only qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarship Program. Preparation for the SAT. Recommended for students in the top academic tier of their class Preparation for the ACT Helps familiarize students with the types of questions on the ACT as well as the timing of each section Students complete demographics, interest inventory, math, reading, English, and science sections. Score range: 1-32 Students register for the PSAT/NMSQT by Sept 25, 2012 in the Junior House. Cost is $20.00 Students not registered for the PSAT on 10/17/12 will take the practice ACT that day. Curriculum-based test similar to the ACT. Not used for college admission. Not required for college admission. This is NOT an official score and cannot be sent to colleges. PSAE Prairie State Achievement Exam ACT April 23 & 24, 2013 Recommended: February 2013 through Oct. 2013 (MVHS is not a test site on all national dates) @ MVHS Location varies @ MVHS on Oct. 27,April 13 and June 8 2013 Mandatory state testing for all juniors in Illinois=required for graduation. Students must complete Day 1 & Day 2 of PSAE Testing. Math, Reading, English, Science, and possibly Writing (determined by state) ACT score range:1-36 Used for College Admission Students must register in advance for each national test date directly with ACT Mail-in registration packet or on-line at www.actstudent.org. Score Range:1-36 Day 1 is ACT, which can be used for college admission and NCAA Clearinghouse. Day 2 is WorkKeys Curriculum-based test consisting of English, Reading, Math, Science Reasoning and Writing (optional) sections. No penalty for frequency of testing Each score report is a separate testing record. SAT SAT Reasoning Test Recommended: February 2013 through Oct. 2013 (MVHS is not a test site on all national dates) Location varies @ MVHS every October Used for College Admission Students must register in advance for each national test date directly with College Board Mail-in registration packet or on-line at www.collegeboard.org. Score maximum on each subtest is 800 Measures critical thinking skills. Three parts: Critical Reading, Math Reasoning, & Writing SAT scores from multiple dates are sent automatically unless Score Choice is selected. SAT Subject Tests AP Advanced Placement Tests As soon as possible after completing the coursework in that subject (MVHS is not a test site on all national dates) Every year in May Location varies @MVHS Required by some colleges for admission or placement Designed to measure knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as ability to apply that knowledge. Potential to earn college-level credit based on exam score Students must register in advance for each national test date Mail-in registration packet or on-line at www.collegeboard.org. Students must register at MVHS and pay $89 per test in 2012 Registration begins in February Check with specific colleges of interest before registering for SAT Subject Tests. Formerly SAT II: Subject Tests. May be required at many Highly Selective colleges Exams are optional at the end of AP courses. AP courses are a college-level learning experience.