11th grade parent meeting - montgomery blair high school grade... · 2015-03-20 · available until...

11th Grade Parent Meeting

Montgomery Blair High School Counseling Department

March 2015

Principal Renay Johnson

11th Grade Administrator

William Currence

Counseling Department Information Resource Counselor

Ms. Jane Godwin

A-‐Bi Roland Hollins Bj-‐Coq Kirk Simms Cor-‐Fo Susanne Bray Fp-‐He Emily Putney Hf-‐La Daryl Howard Lb-‐Me Evelyn MarEnez Mf-‐Oz Alphonso Burwell P-‐Rom LaSchell Wilson Ron-‐Te Charlain Bailey Tf-‐Ya Jennifer S. Taylor Yb-‐Z Jane Godwin METS/ESOL Vilma Nadal

Counseling Department Information

College/Career Information Coordinator Mrs. Phalia West

301-649-2819

Registrar Ms. Marguerite Berardi

301-649-2822

Counseling Office Secretaries Ms. Dee Shub

Ms. Fran Conway 301-649-2810

Graduation Requirements

•  Earn at least 22 credits (that must include the following): •  4 English •  3 Science (including Biology, Physical Science, and an elective science) •  3 Social Studies (US History A/B, NSL Government A/B, and Modern World Hist A/B) •  4 Mathematics (including Algebra, Geometry, any 2 elective math credits) •  1 Physical Education •  .5 Health •  1 Fine Arts •  1 Technology Education

•  Completer Program (must do one of the following)

•  2 credits Foreign Language •  2 credits Advanced Technology Education •  3-9 credits Career Development Program

•  Complete Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours

•  Pass three high school assessments

Preparing For Senior Year Sample Transcript

Preparing For Senior Year Course/Program Options In Senior Year

Ø Full Day Schedule at Blair Ø Internship or Site-Based Work Experience (Work Study) Ø Abbreviated Schedule Ø Visual Arts Program @ Einstein HS Ø Thomas Edison High School of Technology Ø Dual Enrollment Programs

Preparing For Senior Year Trailblazer College/Career Planning Packet Given to Juniors through English Classes April 2015 Ø Trailblazer Student Survey (must complete online) Ø Trailblazer Parent Questionnaire (must complete online) Ø Resume (complete online or provide counselor with hardcopy) Ø Four-Year Summary of Activities Form (must complete hard copy) Ø Authorization to Release Records Form (must complete hard copy) Ø (3) Blue Teacher Checklists (must provide teacher with hard copy) Ø Junior Year/Senior Year Checklist

Trailblazer documents SHOULD be completed before the first day of senior year! We recommend students complete the trailblazer before

leaving school for summer break. Students CAN NOT request a counselor letter of recommendations and official transcripts to be sent to colleges until

ALL documents have been submitted.

STANDARDIZED TESTS Ø Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) Ø Scholastic Aptitude Subject Test ( SAT II) Ø American College Test (ACT) Ø Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Ø Advanced Placement (AP) Ø Accuplacer . SAT Prep Opportunities Online Prep programs student can participate as a class or work on prep

skills individually For Profit SAT/ACT Prep Classes – run by various companies and

organizations outside the school day College Test Prep Class - offered during the school day for a semester.

Senior would take the fall session.

Standardized Test Ø PSAT taken in the fall of Junior year will determine National Merit

Semi Finalist ( student notified fall of Senior year) Ø SAT-tests reasoning/critical thinking skills ( new version will not be

available until March 2016) will not impact class of 2015-2016 Ø ACT-tests knowledge you have learned from subjects studied in high

school Ø SAT Subject Tests-hour long subject tests required by some

colleges in specific subjects. Ø TOEFL-evaluates ability of non-native speakers to use/understand

English in academic setting Ø Accuplacer–provides information on math, English and reading skills

for college course placement (Montgomery College)

Standardized Tests

Advanced Placement (AP)

Ø AP courses are college-level courses that students may take in high school. These courses prepare students for college level work and end of the year AP exams. Student COULD gain college credit for AP exam taken depending on the institutions policies regarding AP credit. Please check each institution’s policy for correct information. Ø If students have not taken an AP course prior to senior year they may want to discuss options with parents and counselor before leaving high school. College do recognize students participating in AP courses in senior year even without having a final grade in course as showing college readiness. Ø It is important that you work closely with your child’s counselor to determine which and how many AP courses are appropriate for your student.

Naviance/Family Connections Naviance/Family Connections is a valuable website that can help students: Ø Search for colleges, research careers Ø Locate scholarships Ø Use scattergrams to see how other Blair students fared at specific colleges

Ø See the list of upcoming college visits in the Career Ctr Ø Career Center Notes Ø Complete a personality inventory

Naviance/Family Connections In spring of junior and senior year, your student will use Naviance/Family Connections to…. Ø Complete the Trailblazer Survey Ø Log in the colleges/universities they plan to apply to Ø Request transcripts for college applications Ø Request counselor and teacher recommendation letters Ø Sign up for information sessions with college representatives that visit Blair Ø Search for scholarships Ø Get emails about important information from the Career Center In senior year, you will use Naviance/Family Connections to…. Ø Check to see if a transcript and recommendation letter has been sent Ø See the list of college representatives visiting Blair Ø Assist your student with searching for scholarships Ø Get emails about important information from the Career Center

Preparing For Senior Year College/Career Conference With Counselor Ø Parents will receive a letter regarding setting up an individual college/career conference with the counselor in May. Ø Counselors will provide parents and students specific dates they are available for these conferences during the months of May, June, & July in the letter. Ø During this conference, counselors will review students transcript, senior schedule, post high school plans and answer questions regarding the college application process for that particular student Ø Parents must make contact with their child’s counselor to schedule an appointment. Ø Parents can also contact the College & Career Center Coordinator, Mrs. West, to get addition information about the college/career planning process, career searches, scholarship searches, and other pertinent information.

College/Career Center Information

How To Get A Family Connections Account Ø Parents can email Ms. West at [email protected] OR call her at 301-649-2819, to get signed up for family connections. Ø Students can stop by the Career Center to get their Family Connections account activated.

Try Out Family Connections With A Guest Account Ø Go to the www.mbhs.edu Ø Click on Counseling Ø Click on Naviance/Family Connections Ø Click on “I’m a guest” and then type in the password 210965 Ø Click on COLLEGES and you can view some of the information you will have

access to when you get your own Family Connections account. You will only see a limited amount of information with this guest password. It is easy to sign up and get your own Family Connections account.

Responsibilities of Students Ø Begin taking required College Entrance Exams (SAT and or ACT) Ø Log in to your Family Connections Account Ø Discuss post high school plans with parents Ø Begin conversations with your counselor about your plans (if absent on the day trailblazer is

present to juniors, make an appointment with your counselor to obtain the trailblazer packet and information presented)

Ø Visit Career Center, Visit the Career Center, Visit the Center before leaving for the summer!!!!!!

Ø Maintain good grades & review your transcript and alert counselor if there a problems with your transcript.

Ø Begin to research college career options, family connections has online resources available to student to gain information

Ø Make plans to visit colleges, post high school programs during the spring and summer junior year

Preparing For Senior Year

College Application Process

Begin To Think About Your Options Ø 4-Year College/University Ø 2-Year College Ø Trade/Technical School Ø Apprenticeship Ø Military Ø Employment


Choosing A College/University Ø Location Ø Size Ø Urban/Rural Ø Co-ed/Single Sex Ø Facilities Ø Cost Ø Public/Private Ø Religious Affiliation Ø 2-year Community College Ø 4-year College/University


Types of Colleges Private Liberal Arts Colleges Ø Broad cultural foundation in the arts and sciences; offers 4-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Ø Much of the first two years is spent in required “core curriculum” courses and the last two years are in a declared academic major


Types of Colleges Private College/University Ø Difference between a college and university is the university is an institution which normally includes 3 types of schools (undergraduate college, professional schools, and graduate programs) Ø Typically smaller enrollment than state university


Types of Colleges State University or College Ø Supported financially by state Ø Flagship institutions are typically very large Ø Since it is publically funded, tuition is lower than that of most private colleges and universities

Ø Special consideration given to in-state students Ø Admission requirements are usually highly selective for out-of-state students


Types of Colleges Community College Ø 2 year colleges Ø Offer a wide variety of academic programs leading to an

associates degree Ø Less costly Ø Have honors programs that are more selective

College Application Process Factors In College Admission Decisions Ø Academic Performance Ø Strength of Curriculum Ø Character Ø Leadership Experience/Community Involvement Ø Interests/Goals/Aspirations Ø Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)


Types of Admission Options Non-Restrictive Application Plans

•  Regular Decision •  Rolling Admission •  Early Action •  Priority Deadline (UMCP-Nov 1)

Restrictive Application Process •  Early Decision •  Restrictive Early Action Plan


What Juniors can do the last month of school and over the summer to begin the process….

Ø Take at least one standardize test prior to the summer of junior year Ø Complete trailblazer documents Ø Enter colleges in Family Connections Ø Begin the Common Application Process (application goes live August 1st

for class of 2015-2016) Ø Confirm that teachers have turned in blue forms to college before leaving

for summer break Ø Begin and or complete college essays (if required or recommended by

colleges) Ø Prepare of interviews (help is available in the career-center)


Parents and Students should begin to Create a College List based on two major factors Academics and Finance

Ø Reach Schools (Academic and Financial) schools possess many of the features the student desires but admissions is very, very competitive, Cost to attend must require family to obtain scholarships to attend

Ø Target Schools (Academic and Financial) – Schools that possess the significant features a student desires and at which the probability of admission is slightly better than reach ( student w/ median acceptance rate of college, parents can assist in supporting the student with financially to attend)

Ø Safety Schools (Academic and Financial) – Schools that possess the majority of the features a student desires and at which the probability of admission is highly likely ( student is above the median acceptance rate of college and is likely to be awarded a merit base scholarship or parents can comfortable afford to assist student in attending or student can finance their own education through scholarship, grants and loan programs.

Ø  A Must - Students should be comfortable with want to attending any and all schools on their lists.


Campus Visits Ø Tour the campus Ø Attend an Admissions information session Ø Request an Interview if available and lends to students strength Ø Attend a college class (arrange two weeks ahead) Ø Talk with current college staff and students to gain insight while visiting

the campus Ø Ask Questions about student life on the on and off campus Ø Pick up hard copies of school publications and view online public

official websites

Students are permitted 3 excused absences for college visits in junior year and senior year. Student must notify the attendance office with documentation of

scheduled visit prior to the visit for the absence to be excused.

College Application Process Counselor & Registrar Responsibilities ( fall of Senior Year)

Ø Counselor completes Secondary School Report & Recommendation Letter

Ø Registrar sends official transcript, secondary school report, recommendation letter, and school profile to college via Naivance Family Connections or by Mail

Ø Registrar sends midyear reports and final transcript to students college/ post high school program of choice.


College/Career Information Coordinator, Counselors and Career Center volunteers assist with….

Ø Exploring post high school options. Ø Career and college searches. Ø Precollege programs, admission programs, college representative

schedules Ø Assistance in completing college applications, essay writing and

scholarship applications, Ø Discovering enrichment opportunities through community service, summer

programs, and employment. Ø Registering for standardized tests Ø Beginning scholarship search Ø Completing Federal and State Financial Aid applications


Financial Aid & Scholarships Ø FAFSA (completed in senior year) Ø FAFSA4Caster.com Ø CSS Profile Ø College & University Scholarships Ø State of MD Financial Aid: March 1 deadline Ø Other sources for scholarships: religious groups, private organizations, work related

Ø Financial Aid Information Meeting @ Blair in Fall of senior year


Some Useful Websites Ø www.collegeboard.com Ø http://sat.collegeboard.org Ø www.act.org Ø www.fafsa.ed.gov Ø www.mhec.state.md.us Ø www.fastweb.com Ø www.collegeanswer.com Ø www.collegeview.com Ø www.collegesavings.org

11th grade parent meeting - montgomery blair high school grade... · 2015-03-20 · available until...

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