Planning Ahead

Junior Year – Class of 2009

• Juniors plan campus visits and college summer programs
• Juniors research financial aid and scholarship opportunities
• Juniors (and Honor Sophomores) get ready for October PSAT.  The PSAT will be given at the high school on Oct. 17, 2007.  Juniors should register in the guidance office.  Check the guidance office for the test cost.  Beginning with the October 2005 administration of the PSAT, the College Board will provide MYRoad to all PSAT test takers free of charge for the duration of their high school careers.  MyRoad makes the college application process easier by helping students organize their resumes and pare down the thousands of colleges and universities into a manageable list.
• Juniors interested in the military must take the ASVAB, the military entrance exam.  Students seeking career guidance may also take this examination as a career exploration tool.  The date for the ASVAB is November 2, 2007.  The date will be announced during morning announcements.  Interested juniors should sign up in the guidance office.

• Juniors should sign up for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests.  The registration deadline for the May 3 SAT and SAT Subject Tests is April 1.  The registration deadline for the June 7 SAT and SAT Subject Tests is May 6.  For more information please see your counselor.  
• Mini College Fair 9:00 am – 9:45 am on Friday September 14,2007
• MEFA College Admissions in Auditorium 7pm – 9pm on September 27, 2007.

You may need more than a SAT to demonstrate your academic strength.  Students take SAT Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year.  It’s a good idea to take the SAT Subject Tests after finishing a course while the material is still fresh in your mind.   Fee waivers are available to juniors and seniors who cannot afford the test fee; apply through your counselor.  Students can take any SAT Subject Test as often as they want.   

Sophomore Year - Class of 2010

• MCAS is given in the spring
• The PLAN test (pre-ACT) is a test for sophomores.  The date for the PLAN is not yet scheduled.  The date and cost will be announced. 
• Sophomores plan to attend local college fairs and make exploratory college visits.

• Sophomores plan a rigorous academic schedule for 11^th grade.  In March 2005 SAT included the addition of a writing test which carries as much weight as the math and verbal tests.  Also, students will now be tested on topics taught in Algebra II.  The SAT is three-and-a-half hours.

• Sophomore parents should start an extensive scholarship search 24 months in advance of graduation.  Scholarships.com is a free college scholarship search service and financial aid resource.  Students create a personal profile that’s compared to databases from about 8,000 sources.  The guidance office has information on other college planning websites.

Freshman Year – Class of 2011

• Freshmen beginning with the 9^th grade schedule should select courses that are introductory classes with more advanced ones in the same subjects.  You’ll demonstrate your ability to take on more complex work.  Completing an AP course aids in forming strong study habits and helps to ease the transition to college.  The “AP” on a transcript can give students an edge when applying to college. Also while in high school learn to use a computer to help you write papers and conduct research.  Take a class or even a short seminar from the librarian on how to conduct research.

Freshmen should remember that colleges look for students who bring a unique perspective or skill to their schools.  At the end of high school you want an admissions committee to look at you and say “Yes” to the following:

1)       Active pursuit of an interest

2)       Good team player.  Able to get along with others.

3)       Interest in helping others.

4)       Demonstrated commitment to community.

5)       Excelled in academics, the arts, or on the athletic field.

6)       Exhibited leadership skills – one’s ability to understand, teach and relate to other people.

7)       Possess unique skills and interests.  (If you plan to play a collegiate team sport, you should attend at least one sports camp each year of high school.)

8)       In a part-time job, internship or while volunteering learn skills like showing up on time, getting along with co-workers, managing money.

Class of 2011

August

Jump Start Program - Date TBA