Junior Academic Conference Junior Academic Conference Preparing for the Future 09/8/2011

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER CONCERNING GRADUATION: It is YOUR graduation and and YOUR responsibility… Take ownership!

Graduation Responsibility The Student has the ultimate responsibility: responsibility: 1. Check high school credits 1. Check high school credits 2. Check college requirements 2. Check college requirements 3. Know NCAA requirements 3. Know NCAA requirements 4. Avoid last minute problems – grades, attendance, behavior 4. Avoid last minute problems – grades, attendance, behavior

Graduation Plans Arlington Minimum Recommended Distinguished

Graduation Plans (continued) Arlington Minimum: - 24 total credits - fulfills requirements for entrance into junior colleges entrance into junior colleges

Graduation Plans (continued) 2) Recommended – fulfills COURSE requirements for 4-year colleges and universities - 26 total credits - 4 X 4 (4 credits of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) - specific math sequence - specific science sequence - 2 credits of same foreign language - 1 fine art credit

Graduation Plans (continued) Distinguished Achievement Plan Distinguished Achievement Plan Recommended Plan with additional Recommended Plan with additional requirements of: - 3 rd year foreign language - Any combination of the following 4 components: 1) Selection as National Merit Finalist, Semi- 1) Selection as National Merit Finalist, Semi- Finalist, Commended Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, or Achievement Scholar 2) Special research project 2) Special research project 3) Score of 3 or higher on any AP exam 3) Score of 3 or higher on any AP exam 4) 3.0 average on any college course taken 4) 3.0 average on any college course taken while in high school (includes dual credit courses)

Transript Information Transcript provides the following information: GPA, Rank, # of Credits, Courses, Grades, Graduation Plan Ordering transcript: 1) Order from Mrs. Broker in Counseling Office 2) $3.00 per transcript 3) Provide addressed stamped envelope if mailing for scholarship or college application

Must pass all sections of TAKS for graduation. Must pass all sections of TAKS for graduation. SPRING… EXIT LEVEL TAKS ELA / Writing – March 7th Math – April 25th Science – April 26th Social Studies – April 27th

TAKS TAKS Attention… EARN AN EXEMPTION! Scoring well on the TAKS may earn you an exemption on the THEA, the state college placement exam.

IMPORTANT… IMPORTANT… If currently classified as junior and will be reclassified to senior status or plan to graduate at the end of this year (June / August), see your counselor. You need to be scheduled for the OCTOBER TAKS. OCTOBER TAKS. TAKS

COLLEGE INFORMATION CONTINUED Listen to announcements : 1) Scholarship opportunities 2) Colleges visiting MHS during lunch 3) Tuesday evenings – Visiting colleges and special programs. See website for information.

PSAT Information PSAT – Preliminary SAT Given once a year Given once a year Serves as the National Merit Scholarship Program’s qualifying test Serves as the National Merit Scholarship Program’s qualifying test Opens door for scholarship and college opportunities Opens door for scholarship and college opportunities

PSAT Information When: Wednesday, October 12th Time: 7:35 to approximately 10:30 Where: Martin High School Cost: No cost

PSAT Information Registration: Now through Monday, September 20th Through Junior English Classes Must bring: Student ID on test day!

2 Week PSAT/SAT Prep Course >>> Practice the skills you’ll need to succeed on the PSAT/SAT! Why: Higher scores = more scholarship $ for college + college of your choice! Why: Higher scores = more scholarship $ for college + college of your choice! Cost: a one-time payment of $20 (covers course and materials) Cost: a one-time payment of $20 (covers course and materials) Dates : Math Classes Dates : Math Classes September 14 th, 21 st, Oct. 5 th Reading and Writing September 20 th,22 nd,27 th, 29 th October 4 th and 6th **You need to attend as many sessions as possible, as each session will cover different material. **You need to attend as many sessions as possible, as each session will cover different material.

CollegeBoard: My College QuickStart Online personalized college and career planning kit Online personalized college and career planning kit Free… online for all high school students taking the PSAT Free… online for all high school students taking the PSAT Post PSAT Opportunity:

My College QuickStart Features: Features:  Online Score Report: test questions, answer explanations, projected SAT scores and state percentiles  SAT Study Plan  Personalized list of colleges, majors, and careers  MyRoad – online college, major, and career exploration tool

TESTING  SAT - measures general verbal, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills - offered at UTA in October, November, January, March & June - offered at UTA in October, November, January, March & June  ACT  ACT - measures more closely high school curricula - offered at UTA or Mansfield Summit in October, February, April (UTA only) and June (UTA only) Enrollment in junior college does not require ACT or SAT.

SAT Writing – position essay with supporting examples Math – includes Algebra II topics Critical Reading – short and long passages, no analogies

TESTING CONTINUED SAT AND ACT PREFER ON-LINE REGISTRATION: SAT – www. sat.collegeboard.com ACT – If needed, registration forms and practice tests located in counseling office (School Code: )

TESTING INFORMATION CONTINUED Test scores must be sent directly to the college or university

TESTING CONTINUED * WATCH REGISTRATION DEADLINES!

TESTING CONTINUED You must be accepted for free or reduced lunches to request fee waivers for SAT, ACT, or college applications.

College and Career Information Resource Center Room 185C Tuesdays 4:00 – 7:00 Wednesdays 12:00 - 3:00 Thursdays 10:00 - 1:00

GPA and Rank Valedictorian Valedictorian Salutatorian Salutatorian Summa (top 2%) Summa (top 2%) Magna (top 10%) Magna (top 10%) Cum (top 20%) Cum (top 20%) Honor Graduates (10.0 GPA) Honor Graduates (10.0 GPA)

MISCELLANEOUS Exemption Policy  80 average  no more than 3 excused absences  no more than 2 tardies in a class per semester  no unexcused absences  no OCS

MISCELLANEOUS CONTINUED Start application process now for: Merchant Marine Academy Coast Guard Academy Air Force Academy Naval Academy West Point

MISCELLANEOUS CONTINUED MISCELLANEOUS CONTINUED  Top 10 % if Top 10%.  Top 10 % - Automatic admissions to Texas college/university if Top 10%. (UT - Top 8%) Must apply!!!  NCAA Clearinghouse – information available from Mrs. Broker… or online:

Spring scholarships announcements: Richard Green / Texas Rangers Scholarship Hank Blaylock / Texas Rangers Scholarship Both are $2500 scholarships, Both are $2500 scholarships, renewable for 4 years ($10,000) renewable for 4 years ($10,000) FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION $ Scholarship Websites:

College and Career Night When: September 22nd Time: 7:00 PM Where: UTA Activity Center What: Representatives from over 150 Colleges / Universities Financial Aid Presentations Financial Aid Presentations Parent participation encouraged!

GUIDANCE PACKETS TAKE HOME AND SHARE INFORMATION WITH PARENTS!