Hello Juniors!

Oak Mountain High School

Class of 2016

In today’s lesson we will gain a thorough understanding of what we need to do THIS YEAR to prepare for college and a career. We will • Review graduation requirements• Increase knowledge about the PSAT, ACT, and

SAT • Become aware of local college fairs• Become familiar with a plan for college visits• Realize the possible need for a resume• Review the OMHS College Handbook (BLOG)• Look at various internet resources to research

college choices, financial aid and scholarships

Graduation Requirements

• Standard Diploma: Earn 24 Credits

• Advanced Diploma: Earn 24 Credits

• Take the ACT

--------------------------------

=DIPLOMA

Credit Requirements

• 4 English• 4 History• 4 Math• 4 Science• 1 PE or Equivalent• Health• Fine Art• BTA/Career Prep• Electives

• Similar to Standard• Exceptions:

– Advanced Level Math

– Advance Level Science

• 2 Years Same Foreign Language

Alabama High School Diplomaw/ Advanced Academic Endorsement

You must earn 18 credits to be classified a SENIOR!

Must take a English, Math, Science and Social Studies course each year

Grade Point Average: GPA

Letter Grade Regular Honors AP

A 4 4.5 5

B 3 3.5 4

C 2 2.5 3

D 1 1.5 2

F 0 0 0

•The GPA you have at the end of your 11th grade year will be the GPA used for college entrance fall of your senior year!

•REMEMBER 1 Valedictorian and 1 Salutatorian…all others on ADV Diploma with 4.0 are Honor Graduates

Career Planning

o Testing: PSAT, ACT, SAT (BLOG)o NCAA Eligibility (BLOG)

o College Fairso College Visits (BLOG)

o Resume/Portfolio Building

Testing: PSATPreliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

• Scores used for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

• Administered October 15

• Sign-up Sept. 3rd - Oct. 3rd in OMHS Counseling Center

• Cost: $15

• Top 10% of class will be paid for by Gifted Education

PSATThe PSAT/NMSQT measures:

• critical reading skills

• math problem-solving skills • writing skills

PSATThe most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:

• to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice

• to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare

with that of others applying to college

• to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11)

• to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT

• to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service

Testing: ACT/SAT

• College admissions tests• Can take as many times as

offered to improve score• Begin taking no later than

February• Testing packets available in

Student Services• Which test:

– Depends on college– Most in AL accept ACT

• ACT Test Dates– Sept. 13, 2014– Oct. 25, 2014– Dec. 13, 2014– Apr. 18, 2015– Apr. 28, 2015 (given @

OMHS) – NO COST– June 13, 2015

• SAT Test Dates– Oct.11, 2014– Nov. 8, 2014– Dec. 6, 2014– Jan. 24, 2015– Mar. 14, 2015– May 2, 2015– June 6, 2015

Sign-up at www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.com

ACT (BLOG)American College Testing

• The ACT® test assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.

• The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.

• The Writing Test, which is optional, measures

skill in planning and writing a short essay…but some colleges do require one time

SAT (BLOG)Scholastic Aptitude Test

• The SAT Reasoning Test tests students' knowledge of subjects that are necessary for college success: reading, writing, and mathematics. The SAT assesses the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college—skills that students learned in high school.

• It tells students how well they use the skills and knowledge they have attained in and outside of the classroom—including how they think, solve problems, and communicate.

• Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice questions and the essay.

NCAA Eligibility (BLOG)

• Interested in playing college athletics

• Eligibility requirements:– See Coach– www.ncaa.org or– ncaaeligibilitycenter.net

• Juniors register with NCAA Eligibility Center when take ACT

• Have ACT scores sent to 9999

College Fairs College Visits• National College Fair

– Date: September 14th

– Time: 1-4 pm– Location: BJCC– Colleges from in/out of AL– www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/

FallNCF/Pages/Birmingham.aspx

• Shelby County College Fair– Date: February 13th– Time: To be determined– Location: University of Montevallo– Colleges from in/out of AL– Students will bring permission

slips

-Only Seniors can visit during regular school days…but talk to Mr. LeBlanc--may give you 1 or 2 College Visit/Principal’s permission

-Juniors encouraged to visit during long weekends, Spring Break, & summer.

-Call college admissions offices to make appointments.

-College Reps will be by in the Winter/Spring to talk to juniors

Resume/Portfolio• BEGIN NOW:

– Making a list of activities in & out of school

– Keeping important projects/samples of work/awards

– Volunteering regularly– Summer Opportunities

-Boys/Girls State

-Governors’ School, etc… (BLOG)

*Remember: it’s more about quality and depth than quantity

Paying for it! (BLOG)• Know your options.• Talk to your top college

choices to see what they offer.

• Possibly get a job to start saving.

• RESEARCH

RESEARCH

RESEARCH• Financial Aid Presentation in

Winter/Spring

So now what?

• Review the OMHS College Handbook• Take the PSAT, ACT, and/or SAT• Schedule an appointment w/ counselor, if

needed• Attend college fairs & visit colleges• Learn about your financial options• VISIT OMHS COUNSELORS’ BLOG

REGULARLY• Find out where your student stands w/

GPA, Credits, ACT/SAT scores • Prepare your resume (Spring)