TOWNSEND HARRIS HIGH SCHOOL AT QUEENS COLLEGE THE COUNSELING CENTER VERONICA YORK – ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS/COLLEGE ADVISORS MS. KRAMER MS. MEYER MS. SKODA MR. WANG Sophomore Group Guidance

Agenda – Sophomore Year Course Selection Standardized Testing Explore Interests/College Majors Extracurricular Activities Adjusting to Sophomore Year

Course Selection Elective brochure Colleges want to see a rigorous program and that you have challenged yourself Once you commit to challenging courses you should try to stay on that track Take challenging courses in subjects in which you feel confident...know your limits Speak about your choices with your parents and School Counselor

Course Selection Course Selection is done online o You will request courses in the Spring o Be sure to check your regularly for course selection updates o Remember that even if you request a class, there is no guarantee that you will be placed in that particular class o Make sure you have selected alternate classes

PSAT PSAT/NMSQT is an early indicator of college readiness and an opportunity to check in on your progress and pinpoint areas for development.  Measures reading, math and writing & language skills  Scores are reported on a scale of for each section, and total scores ranging from National percentiles allow you to compare scores with other students  Connection to scholarship programs such as National Merit, Hispanic Scholarship, Jack Cooke Kent,. Asian and Pacific Islander, and United Negro College Fund based on the performance on the PSAT.  Only juniors are eligible for scholarship programs. The selection index, which determines eligibility, is calculated by doubling the sum of your reading, math, and writing & language test scores.  You can access free practice tests through College Board (SAT.org/practice) Additional free study tools are available through Khan Academy  click here click here

SAT Three sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, Math, and an optional essay o Both the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, and Math section are each scored on a scale from A total SAT score can range from 400 to 1600 We recommend taking your first SAT in March of Junior Year o The test should not be taken more than 3 times. Some colleges will let you use the “Score Choice Option” and most colleges superscore Free personalized SAT practice (using PSAT and SAT scores) is available from the Khan Academy on College Board website. Fee waivers/discounts o If you receive free or reduced lunch, then you qualify for fee waivers o You can use fee waivers as early as Freshmen year for SAT Subject Tests and Junior year for SAT o Only allowed two for SAT Subject Tests and 2 for SAT o If eligible, please see Ms. Acquista in the Guidance Office

ACT The ACT is another college entrance test option. It is a diagnostic test that tests you on high school content (material you are learning in your classes) The ACT is gaining popularity among students Many colleges now use the ACT as a replacement for the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests There are 5 sections to the exam: English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing. Competitive colleges want to see that students have taken the writing section The score ranges from Competitive colleges look for a 28 or above Score Option: It is your choice whether or not to send the colleges your ACT score

SAT Subject Tests We recommend that our students take three SAT Subject Tests. Many of the competitive colleges require these tests for admission. We recommend you register for the May or June tests as early as possible There are subject tests in English, History, Mathematics, Science and Foreign Language The score ranges from per subject test It is suggested to take them in June after an AP or Honors course, or if you earned a 90 or above in the course You should get tutoring and study on your own before you take the exam There are SAT Subject Test sample questions available through the College Board Website and through the information booklet in guidance

Exploring Interests Sophomore year is a time to discover your passions, interests and to get involved in extra curricular activities. o Interest and personality based assessment to find out what college majors/careers are most suited for you; in depth info about colleges, website o Interest and achievements based assessment tool o Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook which describes hundreds of careers, education needed and salary

Naviance Naviance is a Web-Based Research and Planning Tool for College Go to the Townsend Harris homepage, click on Naviance/Students “Strengths Explorer” is an assessment of careers and college majors that fit your personality Career and College Search Resume – Start drafting your resume now in Naviance so it is complete by senior year. Resumes are helpful for job and internship applications, allows counselors to learn more about you beyond the academics, and can provide insight into your level of involvement Make sure to add your parents to your Naviance account Naviance is the main source of communication between counselors and students. Make sure to check your linked account on a regular basis

Extracurricular Activities Quality is more important than Quantity! Community service/ volunteer work should be done with non-profit organizations and are unpaid experiences o libraries, hospitals, schools, etc. Internships should be done with legitimate companies o Books which list internship opportunities: Peterson’s Internships; The Princeton Review’s Internship Bible; The Princeton Review’s Best 109 Internships Join a Townsend Harris Club or Team ARISTA and Archon Credits can be found on the THHS website It is very important to be involved in meaningful extracurricular activities Be aware of opportunities for leadership forums that charge large fees and are sent through the mail. These could be potential scams. If you have any questions, please consult your guidance counselor.

How to Spend Your Summer Make your summer productive! Volunteer, obtain an internship or a job Colleges are interested in learning about activities you do outside of school that support your interests. For example, if you are interested in becoming a doctor, consider interning or volunteering at a local hospital. Or, if you are interested in Architecture, enroll at a college which offers Architecture classes. o An excellent book: Peterson's Make Summer Count: Programs & Camps for Teens & Kids The summer is also a good time to visit colleges which is a great way to see what type of schools you like...location, size, etc. Call admissions ahead of time to schedule a tour of the campus College Now through CUNY offers free college credit courses in the summer and throughout the year for high school students

Opportunities Outside of School Database of various summer opportunities: o bus/Omnibus.html bus/Omnibus.html o Extensive listing of summer learning experiences: o Websites with various volunteer opportunities: o o (click on volunteer) o o o o

Adjusting to Sophomore Year Course load PSAT/Subject Tests Friends Peer Pressure Expectations Clubs/Sports Teams/Other Extracurricular Activities

Stress What does stress look like for you? What are some of your stressors? How do you cope with your stress?

What are some ways to cope with stress? Decrease negative self talk: challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts. “My life will never get better” can be transformed into “I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help” Learn to feel good about doing a competent or “good enough” job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way Your guidance counselor is also available to support you