2. Once a Falcon Always a falcon!! Welcome to…. Your Junior Year!

3. Credits Required for Graduation: Are you on track? SubjectRegentsRegents with A.D. English44 Social Studies44 Math33 Science33 Art/Music11 Health.5 PE22 LOTE**c an do 5 credits in Business, Tech, Art, Music or BOCES 13 Electives3.51.5 Total22 Credits22 credits

4. Regents Exams Required for Graduation SubjectRegentsRegents w/ A.D. English1- ELA 11 Social Studies2- Global & US2- Global and US Math1-Math3- Algebra, Geometry and Trig Science1-any science2- Living Env. & Chemistry or Earth Science, or Physics LOTE01 Total5 exams9 Exams

5. Advanced Regents Diploma with HONOR An overall average of 90% or higher on the following exams ELA Global History US History Algebra Geometry Alg II/Trig Top 2 Science Exams LOTE (if you took LOTE exam)

6. College credit in High school! Niagara Wheatfield offers many classes that you can take to earn college credit Advanced PlacementNCCC World History (10 th )Topics in Leadership (10 th, 11 th, 12 th ) 3 credits U.S. History (11 th )Precalculus (11 th, 12 th ) 4 credits Statistics (11 th, 12 th )French 4 (11 th, 12 th ) 3 credits Studio in Art (11 th, 12 th )French 5 (12 th ) 3 credits Physics (11 th, 12 th )Spanish 4 (11 th, 12 th ) 3 credits Biology (11 th, 12 th )Spanish 5 (11 th, 12 th ) 3 credits Chemistry (11 th, 12 th )Intro/ Adv. Marketing (12 th ) 3 credits English: Literature and Composition (12 th ) College Composition I (12 th ) 3 credits Macroeconomics (12 th )College Composition II (12 th ) 3 credits Government and Politics (12 th )Calculus (12 th ) 4 credits Calculus (12 th )Business Law 3 Credits AP Stats 3 Credits

7. College Entrance Exams IMPORTANT JUNIOR YEAR TESTS A Quick Review: PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP

9. Timeline October 6th –ASVAB 3 rd - SAT 14th -PSAT 24th –ACT November 7th-SAT (registration deadline October 9 th ) December 5th-SAT (registration deadline November 5th) February College Night @ NW- TBD March National College Fair @ Buffalo Convention Center – March 13th March 5 – SAT @ NW (reg deadline Feb 5) April Finalize course selections for senior year 9th- ACT at NW (registration deadline March 4 th) May 7th - SAT @ NW (registration deadline April 8 th ) June 4th- SAT @ NW (registration Deadline May 5 th )

10. Standardized College Admission Exams SAT – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a 3 hour plus a 50 minute Optional essay, primarily multiple-choice test that measures Reading, Writing, Math. Subject Tests – Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges you are considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement. ACT – A group of tests administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges. The tests measure educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning with an Optional essay. Most colleges require SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission. NIAGARA WHEATFIELD CEEB CODE: 335-028 SAT Test Center Code: 33-834 ACT Test Center Code – 193630

11. PSAT Exam Wednesday- October 14 th 7:45-2:00 Cost: $20 Cash or Checks made payable to NWCSD REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 2 nd Sign up in the Counseling Center! Students will be transported to the American Legion in Sanborn for the exam. Students will have pizza lunch after exam

12. PSAT Exam Content Reading: 60 Minutes 47 Multiple Choice Questions Mathematics- 70 Minutes 1- 25 minute section with NO Calculator 1- 45 minute section WITH calculator 40 multiple choice questions 8- student produced responses Writing: 35 Minutes 44 passage-based revising and editing questions with multiple choice responses NO POINTS DEDUCTED FOR WRONG ANSWERS!!

13. Calculator Use for PSAT/SAT Scientific Calculator Most Graphing Calculators Four Function Calculator(not recommended)

14. Photo Identification You MUST bring Photo ID with you when you show up for the PSAT. If you DO NOT bring photo ID, you will NOT be admitted!!

15. GENERAL TESTING INFORMATION Why should I take the SAT or ACT Exams? Most two and four year colleges require students to take at least one college entrance exam as a requirement to be considered for admission. When do I take the exams? The “rule of thumb” is to take the SAT exam once in the spring of your junior year and once in the fall of your senior year. Most colleges will take your highest combined score so it is to your benefit to take them at least one time. The ACT exam should be taken, once, either in the junior or senior year. What is the benefit of taking both the SAT and ACT exams? Colleges will take either your highest ACT or SAT score. Most kids tend to do better on one than the other. Where do I take the exams? Niagara Wheatfield offers the SAT exam 4 times during the school year and the ACT exam 3 times during the school year. If you are not available on those test dates, you may take them at a local area school that offers them on different dates.

16. GENERAL TESTING INFORMATION, cont. How do I register for the exams? You may pick up a registration packet either in the Counseling or Career Centers or you may register online. You can register for the SAT at www.sat.org and the ACT at www.actstudent.org It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you register for the exam before the registration deadline.www.sat.orgwww.actstudent.org You MUST bring Photo ID AND your registration form to the exam or you will not be admitted!!!!!! Is the writing section on the ACT and SAT exam optional? The writing exam IS optional for the ACT exam. For the SAT exam it is not optional if you take it before March 2016, March 2016 and after it IS optional. What are the SAT Subject Tests? These are specific subject area tests that some of the more competitive colleges may require you to take. You must check with the colleges you are applying to see if they are required. How do I receive the test accommodations stated on my IEP or 504 Plan? You must fill out an additional application and have your accommodations approved in advance of taking the exams. See your counselor to pick up the accommodation form.

17. Top Factors in College Admissions Decisions (National Association of College Admissions Counseling, 2008) Factors Percentage FactorsPercentage Grades in College Prep Courses80% Strength of Curriculum64% Standardized Tests58% Grades in All Courses52% Essay/Writing Sample26% Demonstrated Interest22% Counselor Recommendation21% Teacher Recommendation20% Interview11% Student Activities7% Subject Tests (AP, etc)7%

18. Values- Identify College Characteristics Distance from home Size: small, medium, large Location: suburban, urban, small town, rural Majors and educational programs Scholarship Opportunities Academic reputation

19. What should I be Doing Now? Visit Career Center College representatives- in Career Center Parents, students, and alumni Volunteer – Get Involved! Take PSAT, SAT,ACT Exams Counseling website Professionals in the field of interest- Do Internships or shadowing!!

20. College Visits in Career Center September 29Keuka College9:00 September 30WNY Consortium11:00 October 6SUNY Brockport 9:00 October 6SUNY Canton11:30 October 7Clarkson University1:30 October 8D’Youville College11:15 October 9St. John Fisher10:00 October 13Mercyhurst College11:00 October 14Hartwick College12:30

21. College Visits Cont’d October 16Medaille College10:30 October 16Daemen College11:00 October 21Canisius College10:30 October 26SUNY Fredonia 1:00 November 2St. Bonaventure11:45 November 12Hilbert College8:30

23. There are things you should know… Useful Websites ACT Registration - www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org Interest Inventory,College, Career Search – www.bridges.comwww.bridges.com SAT Registration/College searches - www.sat.orgwww. Financial Aid and Scholarships - www.finaid.org, or www.fafsa.govwww.finaid.orgwww.fafsa.gov NW Counseling and Career Center - www.nwcsd.k12.ny.uswww.nwcsd.k12.ny.us College Searches - www.petersons.comwww.petersons.com SUNY Schools - www.suny.eduwww.suny.edu Common Application www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org

24. College Information Night Date TBD The Niagara Wheatfield High School Counseling and Career Centers will host a College Information Night for parents of Juniors and Sophomores. Admissions Counselors from 5 local colleges and universities will be on hand for a panel discussion on the college admission's process. These counselors will also be available later in the evening for individual questions. There will also be a session on Standardized Tests (SATs/ACTs) and Financial Aid. Parents and students are encouraged to attend!

25. 9 th Annual Buffalo National College Fair When: March 13, 2016, 6-8:30PM Where: Buffalo Convention Center Cost: FREE! Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet face to face with over 200 college admission representatives from local schools and schools throughout the country who will be able to answer questions and provide informational handouts Multiple information sessions will be taking place throughout the evening for information on financial aid, essay writing, NCAA requirements, and many more aspects of the college preparation process This is a great opportunity to get even more questions answered and learn about all of your options!

26. NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Division 1 & 2 must meet eligibility NCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.orgwww.eligibilitycenter.org Fee Request your transcript When do I register? You can register anytime after you compete 6 semesters of high school. Most students will register at the beginning of their senior year How do I qualify to participate in sports at a D I or II school? Complete minimum of 16 core courses Must complete 10 core courses by end of Junior Year Take your SAT or ACT Eligibility is determined by sliding scale You MUST have your SAT or ACT scores sent to NCAA directly from collegeboard or ACT. Scores on a high school transcript will NOT be accepted NCAA code is 9999

28. Options for the Military ROTC Reserve Officers Training Corps Program offered at many colleges and universities Visit http://www.goarmy.com/rotc.html for informationhttp://www.goarmy.com/rotc.html Military Academies Prepare for a career in the armed forces Army, Navy Air Force, Marines Entering the Military after graduation Discuss options with your family Contact a recruiter for more information

29. Trade Schools Trade Schools differ from other schools by typically only taking classes directly related to your field BOCES programs Cosmetology, Plumbing, Auto, Heating and Cooling, Conservation, Food Service, Welding, etc. Can attend BOCES after graduation, but must pay tuition See Mrs. Reed for more information!

30. Employment after Graduation Read the Want Ads regularly Attend Job Fairs Civil Service Positions Employment through the federal, state, or city government Must take Civil Service Exams Contact the Employment Training Office through Niagara County Get assistance with resumes and finding employment

31. WHERE DO I TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS? COUNSELOR CAREER CENTER COLLEGE WEBSITES