Are you smarter than

a 10th/11th

grader?See if you can answer these

True/False Questions

PAC is used for college admission.

Graduating with an Endorsement is optional.

College is the only option after high school.

Your student needs 24 credits to graduate.

Only the top 10% of students can get in to college.

Students need to pass 6 EOC tests for graduation.

We will administer PSAT in October to 11th graders only.

College visits are a method of showing demonstrated interest.

A reach school is a college that students are sure they will be accepted.

The Middle Years of High SchoolWhat to do now to make senior year a success

Focus on Sophomore

Year

•Self Advocacy

•Positive Attitude

•Time Management

•Organization

•Goal Setting

Focus on Junior Year

This is a tough year!

Tough classes

More responsibilities

Need to be planning for senior year

All in order to have a successful transition after high school graduation!!

Junior Conference

GPA/Rank/Quartile

Senior Year courses needed for graduation

Colleges considering applying to –Likely, Target, Reach

When/how to sign up for SAT/ACT

First Generation

Future career plans

Junior Counselor

Conference

Graduation Requirements

Endorsements:

MultidisciplinarySTEM

Public ServiceArts and Humanities

Business and Industry

Additional HB Changes:

Distinguished Level of AchievementPerformance Acknowledgements

HB 5 Graduation Plan

EOC Tests

English 1, English 2, Algebra 1, Biology and US History

All tests must be passed in order to graduate.

Students needing to retake the test will have an opportunity in December and May.

PSAT

Practice for SAT

Given to all 10th and 11th grade students

Qualifying test for Juniors for the National Merit Scholarship Competition

Wednesday, October 16th

Cost for 10th and 11th grade students is paid for by Conroe ISD

PSAT

Qualifying test for Juniors for the National Merit Scholarship Competition

Will receive an email in December telling you PSAT scores are available and to log onto your College Board account.

Will receive personalized study plan for the redesigned SAT based on your PSAT test through KHAN ACADEMY

The Junior Year

Tests, Tests, and more

Tests

• EOC (US History)• PSAT• ACT, SAT Reasoning

Students should plan to take exams in the spring of their junior year and continue to try to

improve scores until December of senior year.

Take both if you can!

SAT Reading, Math,

Writing sections

Essay optional but still recommend you take until definitive information from colleges is received.

Fee Waivers Available for free/reduced lunch

ACT Reading, Math,

Writing, Science sections

Essay optional but still recommend you take until definitive information from colleges is received.

Fee Waivers Available for free/reduced lunch

PSAT, SAT and ACT

Prep Classes

CISD Prep Classes• All registration is done at the District

level

• Go to www.conroeisd.net

Departments, College Readiness

• Offered on different campuses

• Directly prior to administration of the test

College Board account

• Personalized study plan based on results of PSAT through Khan Academy

Evaluate the timing/readiness for their student

If your student is a… He/she should take…..

FreshmanNot Yet! Concentrate on Study Skills and STAAR Testing

Sophomore PSAT in October

Junior in Algebra II SAT and ACT in SpringJunior in Precal or Advanced Math

SAT and ACT, starting in late Fall

Junior in Geometry or Math Models

SAT and ACT in senior year

Senior SAT and ACT, no later than 8 weeks prior to college deadlines

Learn how to register for

each type of test

SAT Sign-up - www.collegeboard.org

ACT Sign-up - www.actstudent.org

Find Free Access and Preparation

Online Questions and Tips

Free Streaming Events with ACT Kaplan

Free Practice Test

Nominal Fees

ACT apps for smartphones

ACT Online Prep

Official Practice Guides

Khan Academy + College Board

Sample Practice Questions

Daily Practice App

SAT Study Groups

Free Practice Tests

Nominal Fees

SAT apps for smartphones

Official Practice Guides

Tutoring versus Test

Prep

Does your student need to learn math concepts?

Does your student have difficulty with grammar rules?

Is your student struggling with reading speed/summarizing?

Does your student run out of time on tests?

Can your student eliminate wrong answer choices?

Is your student marking in the test book to actively solve questions?

Testing – Only One Piece of

College Admissions

When asked what was most important in admissions, here are the top-ranked

responses from U.S. universities.

1. Rigor of High School Curriculum

2. Grades for High School Coursework

3. Test Scores

The Big Questions How do you select a college?

What should you consider when selecting a college?

How can my student search

for colleges?

Naviance

Naviance is a web-based resource for both students andparents that encourages and supports high schoolcareer and college planning

Naviance supports our guidance curriculum

Naviance is the student/parent component

This is the guidance department’s communication tool

How can Naviancebe used?

Success Planning Personalized goals, tasks, journal entries,

student planner

Career Planning Interest inventory, personality inventory,

resume building

College Planning College search, application process, college

major exploration, scholarship & financial aid resources

Sign up to meet with

college reps from all over the country!! Quite often this will be the person who reads

your application

FIRST!

Meet the College Reps

Family Connection Career Planning

The different paths after high school

Military

Technical Schools

Two year schools – certification programs

Two year schools – Associate’s Degrees

4 year college or university

Not all children need college, but all children need education!

Military

Military recruiters will visit campus throughout the year.

Students can visit with them during their lunch period.

•Credits to Transfer

•A.A. or A.S. Degree

•A.A.S. Degree

•Workforce Certificate

Options at a

Junior College

Four-Year University

Offers bachelor’s degree programs (4-5 years)

May also offer master’s and/or doctoral degree programs

Options Close to Home University of Houston

University of Houston Downtown

Sam Houston State University

Lone Star College University Center

Texas Southern

Houston Baptist University

University of St. Thomas

Rice

Prairie View A & M

FIT

• More than 2000 schools in the U.S.

• “Big name” schools are not the right fit for everyone.

• Need to “know the school” and “know yourself”

• Small vs. large, Liberal Arts vs. Research, Private vs. Public

• Financial Fit

Where should I apply?

How do I get in?

When should I begin planning?

College Search Criteria

• Reach – above and beyond• Target – 50/50 or better• Likely – not a fall back; confident you will be

admitted based on the school’s admission standards

3-6 schools is ideal

Universities/CollegesTypes of Admissions

• Automatic Admits (10%)

• Automatic Academic Admits (Rank+Admission exam)

• Selective Admits/Review Admits

The University of Texas has announced that the Class of 2020 will receive

automatic admission if the student is in the top 6% of their class.

Automatic Academic Admits

Academic AdmitsMeet a preset rank and test score.

Examples: Texas A&M University

Texas State University

See college websites for more information.

University Admission does not guarantee

Major Acceptance

Academic Admissions

Selective/Review Admissions

The following factors are considered in the admissions process:

• Curriculum studied

• Admissions tests

• Class rank

• Activities

• Demonstrated interest

• Essays

• Recommendation letters

Make A Connection

Go to Prospective Student Days

Visit colleges while on vacation

Visit with college reps Local/Regional offices

College reps visit the College & Career Center.

Updated list in Family Connection

CISD College Night, Monday 10/7 @ Lone Star Convention Center, 6:30-8:30

Financial Aid

• State and Federal Grants and Scholarships

• Private and Corporate Grants and Scholarships

• Institutional Grants and Scholarships

• Loans

• FAFSA 4Caster

• FAFSA or TASFA – apply senior year

Financial Aid

NCAA Clearinghouse

This certification process begins at the beginning of the JUNIOR year.

Website—www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Organization through which initial student eligibility for all Division I and II university athletic programs is determined.

Eligibility is determined by SAT/ACT Scores and GPA in certain core courses

All questions should be directed to coaches(Junior high courses for high school credit

and Credits by Exam do not count.)

Build a Resume

School activities

Awards

Summer activities

Community and church involvement

Employment history

High School Years Only

Putting All the Pieces

Together

Graduation!

12th grade – Begin Applying to Colleges

11th Grade – Learn about Colleges

10th Grade – Learn about Careers

9th Grade – Learn about Personality

How can you help your

10thGrader?

•Keep up with grades in PAC

•Check Canvas regularly

•Communicate with teachers

•Motivate them to continue working hard

•October 16th is PSAT

•Ranks will be released in October

•Begin looking at colleges and start drafting their list of potential schools

•Encourage them to stay involved and increase their leadership

How can you help your

11thGrader?

• Keep up with grades in PAC

• Check Canvas regularly

• Communicate with teachers, but encourage student to self advocate

• Motivate them to continue working hard

• October 16th is PSAT

• Ranks will be released in October

• Begin looking at colleges and start drafting their list of potential schools

• Encourage them to stay involved and increase their leadership

• Visit colleges when on vacation or out of town

Junior Year vs. Senior Year

Junior Year Testing

Thinking

Researching Fit

Think outside the box

Keeping Grades Up

Narrowing Down or Beefing Up Lists of Schools

Self Advocacy

Senior Year

Applying to College

Retesting only if necessary

Applying for Scholarships

Keeping Grades Up

Intense Time Management

Self Advocacy