JUNIOR CLASS MEETING PRESENTATION FALL 2010

WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS PRESENTATION ? I am here to talk to you about activities in your Junior year that relate to the college process.

Objectives: As a result of this presentation you will: Be able to identify significant college-related events in the Junior Year Be able to identify important standardized tests

Objectives (continued) Be able to access Standardized Test information on the RM Counseling Website Be able to utilize Family Connection to access college information and learn about college representative visits to RM

TIME LINE

I will present a timeline for your Junior year. This timeline as well as this entire power point presentation may be accessed by doing the following: Go to the RM Website Click on the Counseling Tab Click on Related Links Click on Junior Presentation Power Point

TIMELINE CONT. In your Junior year, you will take the PSAT. In the winter or Spring, you should take the SAT and/or the ACT. You can register online through and Keep your grades up as well as extra-curricular activities.

TIMELINE CONT. Attend college programs at RMHS, such as the College Fair in the Spring. Start collecting information about colleges that interest you. Visit colleges in the Spring – Spring Break is a good time. Attend the Junior meeting your counselor will hold with you and your parents in the Spring.

TIMELINE CONT. Start developing a resume listing your academic honors and awards, extra-curricular activities and employment experiences. You can do this on Family Connection. See your counselor for your access code and directions.

STANDARDIZED TESTS Most colleges require either the SAT or ACT (standardized test) for admission. They do not have a preference. You can take one or both. Colleges will use your highest score. Test dates can be found on your Family Connection home page under, SAT & ACT.

PSAT

TAKE THE PSAT WHY? Important to take as a Junior because the test results contain a predictor of your SAT scores. Also used to identify National Merit Scholars, as well as African American and Hispanic scholars, which can potentially translate into scholarship money for you!

Held at RMHS this year, on October 14 th. You need to register for it, and pay a fee of $13. (For a fee waiver, please see Ms. Hull in the Career Center.) If your cumulative GPA for the past five semesters (including this semester) is 3.7 or above, consider taking the SAT this academic year, prior to March Your scores can be used for consideration of the Maryland Distinguished Scholars program. TAKE THE PSAT CONT.

JUNIOR YEAR GRADES

JUNIOR YEAR GRADES ARE IMPORTANT! Colleges pay close attention to them – youve had a chance to develop study, organization and time management skills, and colleges are expecting to see the results in your Junior year grades.

JUNIOR YEAR GRADES ARE IMPORTANT! CONT. Colleges look for trends and take this into consideration when reviewing your college application. Upward trends are positively received. Downward trends create a negative impression of your abilities and desire to pursue a college education.

THE FAMILY CONNECTION

In this part of the presentation you will learn to: Identify a college and get information from it Utilize the Scattergram See what colleges will visit RM this year and when they will visit

Visiting the Family Connection Log into Family Connection Go to the RM Website Click on the Counseling Tab Click on College and Career Center Click on Family Connection User Name is your address Follow the instructions on your activity sheet