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

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 Electives Total22 Credits22 credits

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

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)

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

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

Timeline October 1st -ASVAB 18th -PSAT 27th –ACT (registration deadline September 21 st) November 8th-SAT (registration deadline October 9 th ) December 6th-SAT (registration deadline November 6th) February 3rd – College NW (6:00 PM-8:00 PM - ALC) March 18 th – National College Buffalo Convention Center – 6-8:30pm April Finalize course selections for senior year 18 th - ACT at NW (registration deadline March 13 th) May 2 nd - NW (registration deadline April 6 th ) June 6th- NW (registration Deadline May 8 th )

Standardized College Admission Exams SAT – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a 3 hour and 45 minute, 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. NIAGARA WHEATFIELD CEEB CODE: SAT Test Center Code: ACT Test Center Code –

PSAT Exam Saturday- October 18 th 7:30am-11:30am Cost: $25- Cash Only!!! REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 10 th Sign up in the Counseling Center!

PSAT Exam 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 improving paragraphs Scoring: point scale 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 deducted

Calculator Use for PSAT/SAT Scientific Calculator Graphing Calculator Four Function Calculator

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!!

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.

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 and the ACT at It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you register for the exam before the registration deadline. 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, 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 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.

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%

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

What should I be Doing Now? Visit Career Center College representatives- in Career Center College fairs- September 25 th - at NCCC (6:30-8) Parents, students, and alumni Volunteer – Get Involved! Take PSAT, SAT,ACT Exams Counseling website Professionals in the field of interest- Do Internships or shadowing!!

College Visits in Career Center September 25Cazenovia10:30 September 25Houghton College12:30 September 30Alfred University1:00 October 1WNY Consortium11:00 October 8Gannon University11:00 October 8Keuka College11:30 October 10Clarkson University9:30 October 23D’Youville8:30 October 23St. John Fisher9:30

College Visits Cont’d October 23 rd Medaille College10:30 October 27SUNY Geneseo10:30 October 30Mercyhurst11:00 November 5St. Bonaventure12:30 November 12U of Pitt-Bradford9:00

There are things you should know… Useful Websites ACT Registration - Interest Inventory,College, Career Search – SAT Registration/College searches - Financial Aid and Scholarships - or NW Counseling and Career Center - College Searches - SUNY Schools - Common Application

College Information Night February 3rd, 2015 The Niagara Wheatfield High School Counseling and Career Centers will host a College Information Night for parents of Juniors and Sophomores on February 3rd, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the ALC. 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!

9 th Annual Buffalo National College Fair When: March 18 th,2015 6pm-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!

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

Options for the Military ROTC Reserve Officers Training Corps Program offered at many colleges and universities Visit for informationhttp:// 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

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!

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

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