Welcome to…. Your Junior Year

Credits Required for Graduation: Are you on track?

Regents Exams Required for Graduation

Courses where you can Earn College Credit Listed below are classes offered here at N-W where students can earn college credit from NCCC. Credits are transferrable to most 2 and 4 year colleges. CourseCreditsGrade Calculus4 Credits – NCCC12 Precalculus4 Credits – NCCC11,12 College Composition I 3Credits – NCCC12 College Composition II3 Credits – NCCC12 Intro/Adv. Marketing3 Credits – NCCC (for Business Majors only) French 43 Credits –NCCC11,12 French 53 Credits – NCCC12 Spanish 43 Credits – NCCC11,12 Spanish 53 Credits –NCCC12 Topics in Leadership3 Credits – NCCC10,11,12 NCCC Approx. $55/Credit Hour Advanced Placement (AP) Courses College Level Classes at NW Students may earn college credits in AP courses based on their scores on the AP exam. Scores range from 1-5. Credits earned vary by individual colleges. AP English (12 th )AP Studio Art (11 th,12 th ) AP World History 10 th )AP Physics (11 th,12 th ) AP US History (11 th )AP Biology (11 th,12 th ) AP Macroeconomics (12 th )AP Chemistry (11 th,12 th ) AP Government and Politics (12 th ) AP Stats (11 th,12 th ) AP Calculus (12 th ) NCCC/Niagara University Seniors who are approved for Early Dismissals, may take courses at Niagara University or NCCC. Students will take regular college courses with college students. The cost to take courses at NU is $60 per credit hour which is significantly reduced from the regular tuition rate. The cost for NCCC courses is at the regular NCCC tuition rate which is approximately $130/credit hour. Students should talk with their school counselor if they are interested in taking a course at a college campus.

IMPORTANT JUNIOR YEAR TESTS A Quick Review: PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB

Standardized College Admission Exams SAT – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a three-hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Many colleges require SAT scores for admission. 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 – Assessment Test – 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 and are given at specified test centers throughout the year.

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 three times during the school year and the ACT exam two 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. 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 and the ACT exam at It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you register for the exam before the registration deadline. Is the writing section on the ACT and SAT exam optional? The writing exam IS optional for the ACT exam, however it is NOT optional for the SAT. Many colleges are now requiring a writing score for any kids planning on entering college in the fall of 2006 and after. What are the SAT II 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. NIAGARA WHEATFIELD CEEB CODE: Test Center Code:

Timeline October 5 th -ASVAB 12 th -PSAT 22 nd -ACT November 5 th -SAT (registration deadline October 7 th ) December 3 rd -SAT (registration deadline November 8 th ) 8 th -Financial Aid NWHS-6:00 PM February 2 nd – Junior College NW (5:45 PM HS Aud.) March CCI NCCC National College Buffalo Convention Center April Finalize course selections for senior year 14 th - ACT at NW (registration deadline March 9 th) May 5 th - NWHS (registration deadline April 6 th ) June 2 nd - NWHS (registration Deadline (May 8 th )

PSAT Exam Wednesday- October 12 th Periods 1-4 Content – Critical Reading: 2-25 Minute Critical Reading Sections 13 sentence completion 35 passage based reading – Mathematics: 2-25 Minute 28 multiple choice 10 student produced responses – Writing: 1-30 Minute Writing Skills Section 20 improving sentences 14 identifying sentence errors 5-imporivnig paragraphs – Scoring: point scare for each section (80 highest possible score) Correct answer-earn 1 point Incorrect anwer-1/4 point reduced from score Omitted questions-no points added, no points reduced Incorrect answer on math student produced response- nothing deduced

PSAT Exam- Test Day Bring 2- # 2 Pencils Bring Calculator Know what room you are assigned to before test day. Report to homeroom first DON’T Be Late For School!

NW SAT/ACT Dates in SAT Nov 5 –reg by Oct 7 Dec 3 -reg by Nov 8 May 5 -reg by Apr 6 June 2 –reg by May 8 ACT Dec 10 -reg by Nov 4 April 14 –reg by Mar 9

Comparison Chart

ASVAB Test (Oct. 5 th ) Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Identifies your abilities in 16 vocational subject areas Helps you identify strengths and areas of concern to assist in exploring career interest areas The military does not have access to your test results unless you provide results to them

Post Secondary Planning What opportunities will be available to you after you graduate from NW? In what ways can you continue your education?

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%

Finding the Match: ValuesResearchList SchoolsVisitationGroup Schools

Values-identify college characteristics Distance from home (sleep in your bed?) Size: small, medium, large Location: suburban, urban, small town, rural Majors and educational programs Public vs. Private Academic reputation Athletic programs

Values- Create Initial List of Schools Use values to create initial list of schools Use information of your knowing: – Rigor of transcript- most important – Significance of ACT and SAT – Essays – Recommendations – Resume/activities If list is LARGE- further RESEARCH to refine list

Research- Refine List of Colleges College catalogs and Mrs. Reed College representatives College fairs Parents, students, and alumni School counselor (duh) and teachers Counseling website Professionals in the field of interest

Visitation- Check for campus visit Take a tour Talk with students, faculty Investigate your academic program Meet with an admissions counselor Verify admissions requirements Inquire about a class visit Discuss your chances of success: admission, graduation, placement, etc Ask thoughtful, mindful, active questions!

Group Schools Safe Realistic Reach Group by decision policy – Early action – Early decision – Rolling – Regular admissions – Open admissions

Details- application process and procedures Letters of recommendation – Ask your teachers – Coaches – Etc. Having ACT and SAT reported Follow Close Deadlines Follow up with Teacher Recommendations Transcript release form

There are things you should know… High School Transcripts Students who are making college visits during the fall should bring an “unofficial” copy of their high school transcript. Students can obtain these by calling the Counseling Center at Please keep in mind we will need a THREE DAY advance notice to process the transcripts. Financial Aid Night The Counseling and Career Center will host a Financial Aid Night in the High School Adult Learning Center on December 8 th at 6 PM. The purpose of this program is to inform parents and students of the financial aid process. Information on student loans, grants, and scholarships will be discussed. There will also be a discussion on how to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). There will be information mailed to parents about this evening. Parents are encouraged to fill out their Financial Aid Forms between January 1 st and February 1 st. The form should be filled out online at Useful Websites ACT Registration - SAT Registration/ College searches - Financial Aid and Scholarships - or NW Counseling and Career Center - College Searches - SUNY Schools - Common Application NACAC College Fair 11 th grade NW students will have the opportunity to attend the National College Fair at the Buffalo Convention Center this March. The National College Fair will have over 200 colleges nationwide available to speak with students about opportunities at their schools.

College Information Night February 2 nd, 2012 The Niagara Wheatfield High School Counseling and Career Centers will host a College Information Night for parents of juniors and sophomores on February 2 nd, 2012 at 5:45 p.m. in the auditorium. 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 their students are encouraged to attend.

Buffalo National College Fair When: High Schools take students to meet with College Representatives Sign up IF – You’re interested in the colleges attending – Fill out permission form and turn into Counseling Office before – Ability to behave and conduct oneself as an excellent representative of Niagara Wheatfield High School!

NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Division 1 & 2 must meet eligibility NCAA: – 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 – 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

5 Reasons to visit Mrs. Reed in the Career Center

WHERE DO I TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS? COUNSELOR CAREER CENTER COLLEGE WEBSITES Like us on Facebook – we’ll send updates and reminders on deadlines