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Guidance Dept. Page For Juniors

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Topic: Surviving the College Search Process
Guidance Calendar of Events

Standardized Testing

SAT/ACT: You are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT, which is offered in October. Most Juniors sign up for the April, May, and/or June examinations. Registration and payment information can be found at:
SAT- http://collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees.html
ACT- http://www.actstudent.org/regist/currentdates.html  

MCAS US History II: You will find out more details about the MCAS test during the school year.

Surviving the College Search Process and “Getting Ahead” for Senior Year
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As a junior, you have probably started to think about your future and may have no idea how to begin researching schools to which you may want to apply and other items of importance such as major of choice, financial aid, scholarships, standardized tests, etc.  Your junior year is the BEST YEAR to investigate these details.  Listed below are some recommendations on what you should be doing NOW so you are on track for next year.

■Attend a college fair in order to obtain information on various colleges of interest and meet with college representatives.  In the Spring, the guidance department takes juniors to the Boston National College Fair, but there are other opportunities in the local area.  To attend the Boston fair, you have to sign up in advance...listen to announcements for details.

■Don’t forget to register to take a standardized test.  Most juniors will take these exams in April, May, or June, and colleges usually accept either the SAT or ACT.  Not sure about which test to take…ask your counselor.

■In the fall of senior year, you should plan to visit each school to which you may apply so that you can see whether it is a good fit for you--academically, socially, and is meeting your specific interests (in sports, clubs, etc.).  If you cannot get to see the colleges, go to www.ecampustours.com for virtual tours.

■Begin to look into scholarships by going to another website, www.fastweb.com and completing their profile.  Also, check out scholarships and other useful information at www.mefacounselor.org.

■The summer is a great time to start working on your college essays.  Colleges may or may not require you to write about a designated topic.  Look up the essay for each school, found in the application itself or online, before you decide what you will write.  If it is an open essay, see handout for some topic ideas.

■One final suggestion is for you to see your counselor in the Fall for your "senior interview" when you will receive even more information. Your counselor is available to help you through the college search/application process, and when you have questions, please come to see your counselor for the answers.

Students: Are you the first one in your family to go to college (the first “generation” to go to college)???  Do you qualify for free or reduced lunch???  Are you planning to attend college in the future???  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Upward Bound or Talent Search programs may be for you.  Both programs are offered at Bristol Community College (in walking distance right down Elsbree street).  For more information, call 508-678-2811 extension 2324. You can meet with representatives from the program in the cafeteria during lunch periods, or go to the Guidance/Registrar’s Office (across from the cafeteria). They are in the building every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..  Here is a breakdown of what each program has to offer you:

    

Guidance Calendar of Events     Back to top

Keep up strong study habits, obtaining good grades, continuation of participating in extra-curricular activities including school based groups and/or sports, and take courses that are challenging for you in order to prepare for college or training program. Continue to identify areas that are interesting to you, and also continue to explore potential career fields. In addition, start to identify colleges, military careers, and other post secondary institutions you may be interested in attending. Remember that all your grades are a part of your permanent record!

September

• Check your schedule. Make sure you have all your academic classes scheduled, including electives.
• If you have a problem with your schedule, make an appointment to see your Guidance Counselor.
• Stay in the most difficult classes you can handle.
• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Register for the PSAT.
• Consider taking a Tech Prep course at Bristol Community College.

October

• Guidance Counselor will visit classes for Junior Seminar.
• Junior Seminar includes the following information:

                  ■ Explain the role of the Guidance Counselor
■ Review Attendance Policy
■ Review Graduation Requirements
■ Review a sample transcript
■ Explain effects of class cuts on credits and courses
■ Encourage school and community involvement
■Tell students to schedule individual Junior appointments with their Guidance Counselor.

• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Guidance Counselors will distribute PSAT information and registration materials.  Students should take the practice test at home.
• MCAS scores should be available for students.

November

• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Meet with students who did not pass MCAS.
• Take MCAS retest if did not pass a section.
• Guidance Counselors will continue with individual Junior appointments.

December

• Discuss results of PSAT test.
• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Continue to meet with students who did not pass MCAS.
• Consider taking a Tech Prep course at the local community college (Bristol Community College).
• Guidance Counselors will continue with individual Junior appointments.

January

• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Adjust any mid-year schedule conflicts.
• Students should be receiving their course selection sheets for next year.
• Students need to review course selections with current teachers.
• Students review course selection sheets with parents.
• Parents sign the course selection sheets and return it to the Guidance Counselor.
• Consider taking a Tech Prep course at a local community college.
• MCAS retest results should be available.
• Guidance Counselors will continue with individual Junior appointments.

 

February

• Students continue to focus on classes and activities.
• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Adjust any mid-year schedule conflicts.
• Students should be receiving their course selection sheets for next year.
• Students need to review course selection sheets with current teachers.
• Students review course selection sheets with parents.
• Parents sign the course selection sheets and return it to the Guidance Counselor.
• Register for the March SAT I
• Register for the ACT
• Begin college search
• Guidance Counselors will continue with individual Junior appointments.

March

• Students continue to focus on classes and activities.
• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Take SAT I.
• Take MCAS retest if did not pass a section.
• Guidance Counselors will continue with individual Junior appointments.

April

• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• Develop a list of colleges
• Begin college visits
• Request college view books and applications
• Explore Early Decision/Early Action options
• Attend local college fairs (if available)
• Register for the SAT I or SAT II
• Take ACT (if registered)
• Guidance counselors will continue with individual Junior appointments (if needed)

May

• Students receive next year’s schedule.
• Review schedule and make sure everything is correct.
• Continue with your good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities; consider leadership roles.
• Strive to pass all classes with good grades.
• MCAS retest results should be available
• Register for SAT and/or SAT II
• Take SAT I and/or SAT II (if registered)
• Identify teachers you may ask for letters of recommendation
• Take AP exam(s) if applicable
• Guidance Counselors will continue with individual Junior appointments (if needed).

June

• Students will receive summer reading list in English class
• Students who need to attend summer school will see their Guidance Counselor to get the Summer School Verification Form.
• Sign up to participate in Tech Prep
• Take SAT I or SAT II (if registered)
• Arrange for college visits
• Continue college search
• Look into volunteer work and/or community service (go to the official website for the City of Fall River, http://www.fallriverma.org/ )
• Get involved in something during the summer to keep you active.
• Students have a safe, healthy, happy summer!!

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Please send correspondence to: 360 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA 02720