College Information for Juniors

 

 
Junior Group Guidance
It is time to begin the college process!!!!
 
Standardized tests should be taken in the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year.   Unless your scores are very good, we recommend taking the SAT’s twice. Scores may or may not increase with retesting. Colleges will most likely look at your best verbal and your best math score.  They do NOT have to be on the same test, however there is now a choice option.  Make sure that you send the scores to Bishop Feehan by entering the school code 220077. Also send your scores to 4 colleges.  It is WISE to get as much done NOW as you will be completing college applications in the fall and it tends to be a busy time of year.
 
Some of you will need to take the SAT II’s (subject tests) in May or June.  Some colleges require them. You may take up to 3 subject tests at one sitting. When you see your guidance counselor on an individual basis, they will talk about them. 
 
SAT Dates – 2010   Register at www.collegeboard.com
March 13 (registration deadline February 4) SAT only 
May 1 (registration deadline February 25) SAT & Subject Tests
            Note:  This is the day after the prom; plan accordingly
June 5 (registration deadline April 29) SAT & Subject Tests
 
The ACT is another standardized test which you may take. Although there are several locations for the test, it will be administered on April 10, 2010 at Coyle-Cassidy in Taunton. Colleges like the ACT because it gives them sub-scores – reading, math, science, and social studies.
 
ACT Dates 2010: Register at www.act.org
April 10 (registration deadline March 5
June 2 (registration deadline May 7)
 
 
Pay careful attention to dates, deadlines, and college requirements.  This is an investment in your future and should be taken seriously.
 
Senior Calendar:  Sent out in the summer by Mr. Loew. READ it carefully!!!!!!
It has all the information that you need and a timeline to follow for college applications.
 
 
High School Code: 220077 (CEEB Code)
Guidance Phone 508-222-6073; Guidance Fax 508-226-0014
School Phone: 508-226-6223
 
 
Important Dates:
 
April 6, 2010
Junior/Sophomore Parent Information Night – 7:30pm in the cafeteria. You and your parent(s)/guardian should try to attend. The college procedure will be explained.
 
April 15, 2010
Regional College Fair, Norton High School; 6:30 – 8:30pm
 
 
Resume:
Develop your resume now and finalize it by September, 2010.  We will give you an example to follow.  You may also open Microsoft Word; File New; Templates On Line; Resumes; Situation Specific; High School Student Resume and then Download. On the MyRoad web site, there is also a template for a resume.
 
Recommendations:
You will receive 5 forms after April vacation that you give to your junior teachers. The teachers then return them to the Guidance Department. In September this data might be useful in selecting the two 2 teachers to write recommendations for you. We recommend a Math/Science teacher and an English/History/Language/Theology teacher. This gives you one from the Math side and one from the Verbal side—just like SAT’s.  In addition, some of you may want to ask your employer or a coach.  
 
Essay:
Think about a subject for your college essay. This should be a topic that you are passionate about which can convey your message in a clear, concise, and creative way. Admissions counselors have told us that they do not want to know about your grandmother, your dancing school, or your favorite pet.
 
Appointment:
Make an individual appointment with your guidance counselor to discuss your future plans.
You can plan on spending at least 15–30 minutes. This is YOUR responsibility.  Your counselor can’t chase you. The more time that you spend researching and visiting colleges now, the less stressful your senior year will be. 
 
NCAA Clearinghouse:
If you are interested in participating in Division I or Division II sports in college, you must register with the clearinghouse this year. www.ncaa.org Very Important: Check the specific college athletic page on their website for more detailed information.
 
Information:
There is excellent information on the Feehan Web Page – check it out!!!
 
 
 
 
JUNIOR GUIDANCE INFORMATION
 
I.                    Options
A.           College or University – 4-year degree granting institutions
B.           Community College—2-year associates program or certificate programs
C.           Trade/Technical Schools www.mapcs.org
D.           Military
E.            Employment
F.            Alternative Programs
 
II.                  Self-Assessment—Know your personal Hard and Soft Data
A.     Hard Data: GPA, Decile placement in class, PSAT & SAT Testing
 
B.     Soft Data: Interests, Values, Dreams, and Motivation
 
III.               Research—How to find an appropriate college
A.                 www.myroad.com
B.                 www.petersons.com
 
IV.              College Variables
A.           Location: Where ? New England, Mid-Atlantic (PA, Del, New York, etc.), Southern States; Canada
B.           Setting: Urban, Suburban, Rural
C.           Size: Small (less than-1,000); Medium (1,000 – 5,000); Large (5,000 – 15,000);  Very Large (15,000+)
D.           Cost: Public Colleges vs. Private Colleges ($20K vs. $50K)
 
V.                 College Visits
A.           Take good, written notes. See Tips for Successful Campus Visit
 
 
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAMPUS VISIT  (MEFA)
 
Many juniors and their parents start visiting prospective colleges in the spring. MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) would like to offer the following advice for families to help make the campus visit successful and informative.
 
  1. Contact the college's admissions office well in advance of your intended visit. This will help to ensure that appointments are still available on the date you prefer.
  2. April vacation is a prime time for juniors to visit a college. Many colleges host open houses, special information sessions and extra campus tours during this very busy week. Call early!
  3. College students are very open to offering their opinions and assistance to visiting high school families. Take advantage of their availability, especially tour guides, to ask any questions you have.
  4. Be attentive to the condition of campus buildings, the upkeep of the campus grounds and how well equipped you find academic and technology buildings and labs.
  5. Pay close attention to what students talk about. Get a sense of what their priorities are at each college. It's always impressive to see students who are genuinely excited about certain classes or professors or an upcoming internship or semester abroad. Yes, college students all want to have fun but you'll be especially impressed by a college whose students clearly know the main reason they are there-getting an education.
  6. Ask students about availability of faculty and academic advisors. All colleges like to boast about close faculty/student interaction and support but it's more a fact at some than at others.
  7. Always ask to see a typical freshmen housing. Most colleges offer quite a range of housing options. Make sure the tour displays both the nicest housing options as well as some of the less desirable options-often reserved for first year students.
  8. A choice of college is a major decision. Tours often highlight a college's strength. Make sure you probe students to also determine some of the college's weaknesses. Every college has some and you want to make sure they're acceptable weaknesses for you.
  9. Make some brief notes about each visit, including things you liked and things you didn't particularly like. These notes will be helpful a year from now as decision time approaches.
  10. Enjoy this phase of your life. College visits can be fun and memorable.
 
THIS SUMMER
 
Have a FRANK talk with your parents about financing your education!
Do Your Research—Explore your options; Visit colleges
Prepare a Resume – See Attached Sample
 

(Sample resume)

 
Barbara Bachelors Degree
117 Coed Lane, Apartment #22
High Town, RI 12345-0987
Cell Phone 805 430-8754
Email: bbdegree@hotmail.com
 
 
Objective:        To attend a four-year college and earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Communication Disorders; specializing in Speech Therapy
 
Education:       Bishop Feehan High School, Class of 2007
                         70 Holcott Drive, Attleboro, MA 02703
                          Enrolled primarily in honors and college prep classes
 
School              Spring and Winter Track, grades 9 – 12;
Activities:          Captain, grade 12
                           Peer Ministry, grades 9 – 12; Peer Ministry Board, grades 11 – 12
                          Thanksgiving Baskets, Santa Shop, and Million Can Drive
                          Dance Club, Art Club, French Club and Photography Club, grades 9 -12
 
Outside          Youth Group, Junior Choir and, Food Pantry
Activities:       St. Joseph’s Church, Springfield, NM 12345
 
                      Volunteer in Soup Kitchen once a month
                      Ballet and Tap Classes for 10 years
 
                      Volunteer at local hospital, summer of grade 10
 
                      Tennis, swimming, and skiing
 
Work              Sales Associate, September 2006 – present
Experience:    10 hours per week and full time summers
                         Liz Clairborne Outlet
                         Cheyenne, MA 12345
 
                         Babysitting—two children, twice a week, Grades 9 – 11
 
Awards:         National Honor Society, Grades 11 – 12
                        Spanish Honor Society, Grades 11 – 12
                        Honor Roll – grades 9 -12
                        Most Improved Runner, Spring Track, grade 9

 

Last modified: 01/27/2010 - 09:36
70 Holcott Drive, Attleboro, MA 02703, (508) 226-6223, FAX (508) 226-7696