Fall 2004

 

Dear Juniors and their Parents:

 

This is an important time for you and your student! Your high school career is half over!  As busy as these students are, there are still activities they need to pursue in planning for post high school.  The folder your child will receive within the first two weeks of school contains information you will need all year.   This is an individualized packet with your transcript and current credit accumulation.  I encourage you and your student to keep this and use it as a reference. 

 

Post high school education and training is critical in achieving a positive future.  The process of choosing a college or trade school should be narrowing down for these juniors.  I explained to them that high school is like a funnel and they are approaching the end.  It is recommended that students send off college applications in September and October of their senior year.  This means that grades, club involvement and test scores from this school year are what schools will review for college acceptance.

 

Today the huge volume of information regarding colleges and their programs can be overwhelming.  It is better to take the time and investigate each web site keeping a notebook with the pertinent information logged in it for future use.  This is well worth the investment of time and effort for the student’s future.  Statistics show the following earning potential based on education:

 

 

Dropouts

Assoc. Degree

(2 yr)

Bachelor’s Degree

(4yr)

Master’s

Degree

 

Doctorate or other Adv. Degree

Weekly

$311

$554

$778

$984

$1,660

Annual

$16,173

$29,872

$40,478

$51,183

$86,297

Lifetime

$646,920

$1,194,880

$1,619,120

$2,047,320

$3,451,880

 

 

School web sites are the ultimate information choice and I encourage their use.  Students should spend about an hour a week visiting schools via the internet.  If internet access is not available at home please know the counseling center has computers for students to use.  Great web sites to start with are collegeboard.com and fastweb.com.  We also have books with information on all two and four year universities in the United States.

 

College testing can be frustrating and confusing if you wait until the last minute.  Encourage your junior to test at least once, preferably twice this school year.  Most all schools accept either the SAT or ACT, but you must check with the college of your choice to make sure nothing else is required for admittance.   The minimum test score required for each university is based on the student’s class rank.  This information can be accessed on school web sites and in college information kept in the counseling center. 

 

As far as preparation for testing is concerned, paying attention in high school course work is crucial.  Additional test preparation material is available in a variety of formats.  Below I have listed a few of the most utilized:

 

 

  • Test Masters                            1-281-564-7700          www.TMprep.com

 

  • Sylvan Leaning Center has a study program you must attend at one of their centers.

 

  • Kaplan and other companies offer interactive CD programs to use in your own time.  You can purchase these at most book or computer stores.

 

 

 

Know you have support to navigate through this exciting, hectic and important time!  Feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns you may have.  I enjoy working with you to help your child succeed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jane Brugh

Guidance Counselor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior Fall Checklist

·  Check to see that you have all required courses covered for graduation. Don't wait until your senior year!

 

·  Take the challenging courses. Some colleges offer extra points in the admissions process if you take advanced math, science, or language courses.

·  Remember that your grades for your junior year are very critical. This year you are working for that important 6th semester class rank. Colleges expect to see your best grades in the junior year!

·  Your junior year teachers will be the ones that you will ask to write letters of recommendation for employers, colleges, and scholarships next year. The teachers are frequently asked to rate you on topics such as academic motivation, potential for growth, initiative, concern for others, etc. Be sure you leave a positive impression!

·  Attend the college representative visits held at your high school. Colleges look for students who have shown an interest in their schools. Be there!

·  Many colleges also hold evening information presentations at area hotels. This is a great time for you and your parents to attend.

·  Sign up for the PSAT. Review your practice test questions before the test!

·  Visit sites on the Internet that allow you to practice for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Check out www.collegeboard.com, www.review.com, www.4tests.com, and www.gocollege.com.

·  Remember that you can use a calculator on the math sections of the tests. If you don’t have a calculator, ask your math teacher if you can borrow one. It would also be a good idea to use the calculator on the practice test questions so that you can get used to the functions.

·  Keep a list of your extracurricular activities and work experience for a future resume.