JUNIOR YEAR 2016 -17 AMCHS COUNSELING OFFICE

JUNIOR YEAR 2016 -17

AMCHS COUNSELING OFFICE Mindy Casper (A - E) mcasper@csisd. org Suzanne Porter (Registrar) sporter@csisd. org Kelli Mac. Afee (F – K) kmacafee@csisd. org Diane Walter (Scholarships) dwalter@csisd. org Paul Hord (L - Rh) phord@csisd. org Amy Mc. Guffey (Special Services) amcguffey@csisd. org Jamie Boyd (Ri - Z) jboyd@csisd. org Kara Beathard (Receptionist) kbeathard@csisd. org Christi Cheshire (Dean of Students) Coordinator) ccheshire@csisd. org Amiee Parsons (Testing aparsons@csisd. org

USE OUR WEBPAGE! amchscounseling. weebly. com

Counselors can help with… Academic Concerns -Problem Solving -Decision Making Career/College Planning -Application Process -Resources -Scholarship Information Personal Concerns -Problems at School/Home -Crisis Intervention

JUNIOR YEAR 1. Earn credits towards high school graduation 2. Improve/maintain GPA and class rank 3. Prepare for and take college entrance exams 4. Explore college/career options 5. Familiarize yourself with financial aid and scholarship opportunities 6. Build your résumé 7. Get involved 8. Have fun!

H h ig c S o h l o ra G u d t a n io

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOUNDATION PLAN WITH ENDORSEMENT 4 credits of English (I-IV) 4 credits of math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and an additional math credit) 4 credits of science (Biology and 3 other science credits) 3 credits of social studies (World Geo. or World History, U. S. History, Gov. /Eco) 1 Physical Education 1 Fine Arts 2 Foreign Language (must be same language) 7 Electives (some of these must be connected to your endorsement) 26 Credits

WHAT IS YOUR ENDORSEMENT? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Advanced Math Public Service – Health Science, Human Services, Law & Public Safety Business & Industry – Ag. , Architecture, AV Arts, Business, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Tech. , Marketing/Finance Arts & Humanities – Languages, AP Social Studies, Fine Arts Multidisciplinary Studies – Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English 4 and Chemistry and/or Physics

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOUNDATION PLAN 4 credits of English (I-IV) 3 credits of math (Algebra I, Geometry, and additional math) 3 credits of science (Biology and 3 other science credits) 3 credits of social studies (World Geo. or World History, U. S. History, Gov. /Eco) 1 Physical Education 1 Fine Arts 2 Foreign Language (must be same language) 5 Electives 22 Credits

WHAT IS PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT? Students can earn a “Performance Acknowledgement” on their transcript through many different ways, some of which include: - Earning a score of 4 or 5 on an AP test - Recognition of “Commended” or higher on PSAT - Receiving a combined score of 1250 on SAT or 28 on ACT - Successfully completing at least 12 hours of college credit (including dual credit courses) - Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license. -Earning three credits in a foreign language (must have average of 80 or better in the foreign language and in ELA classes).

SO…. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL A SEMESTER? Year Long Courses: Failed 1 st semester, passed second semester If you make at least a 60 the first semester, you have an opportunity to pass for the year. Example: 60 (fall grade) + 80 (spring grade) = 140; divided by 2 = 70 = 1. 0 credit Passed 1 st semester, failed second semester You only earn ½ credit Example: 80+60=1/2 or. 5 credit You must attend summer school, night school, take credit by exam, or retake course to recover spring semester grade.

OPTIONS FOR GAINING / MAKING UP CREDITS Summer School *Cost - $100 - $150 *Available during June Night School *Cost - $50 *For remediation and initial credit *Available by Counselor Recommendation Correspondence: Texas Tech ISD UT On-Line *$$$ You pay for tuition/books *Exams are proctored only during scheduled times Credit By Exam (CBE) *Must score 80 and above for acceleration; 70 and above for remediation *District CBE’s for acceleration available in May, June, and July and you must register in spring (free) through district website

TRANSCRIPTS Permanent academic record seen by colleges, employers, etc. What’s on the transcript? Semester grades GPA & credits awarded Class Rank / Size Standardized test scores – STAAR, SAT, ACT Official transcripts cost $2 and may be mailed directly from the school or picked up. Transcript requests forms are available in the counseling office. Allow five days for processing.

Life After High School

CAREER CRUISING www. careercruising. com An interactive web based program that allows students to search occupations, colleges, prepare for employment, and research individual learning styles, etc. Login information: user name: “cs” and student ID (cs 1000*****) password: eight digit birthdate (MMDDYYYY)

POST HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS -WORKFORCE -MILITARY -CAREER/TRAINING PROGRAM (trade school) -2 YEAR COLLEGE (community college) -4 YEAR COLLEGE

PSAT Great opportunity to prepare for SAT! The PSAT now reflects the new SAT. Provides personalized feedback on your academic strengths and the areas that need improvement (SAT prep through Khan Academy). Juniors have the opportunity to qualify for National Merit recognition.

COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTS SAT (800 possible points on each) v Reading/Writing v Math Perfect Score = 1600 ACT (36 possible points on each) v 50% Reading/English v 25% Math v 25% Science v Essay Perfect Score = 36 Register for SAT online at: collegeboard. org Register for ACT online at: actstudent. org.

SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT COLLEGE -Virtual College Tours -Attending College Night Brazos Center, October 11 -Visiting with admissions representatives at AMCHS -Attending Open House at Colleges -Make college visits -Want to know if you can get into a certain college? www. cappex. com

COLLEGE VISITATION DAYS Juniors are allowed 2 Free College Visits. Students must obtain a visitation form prior to the visit from the Attendance office and return the form as instructed in order to have the excused college day granted and not count towards final exam exemptions. Requests must be made at least three days prior to the visit.

REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS Apply Texas Complete this application to apply for admission to any public (and some private) university in Texas www. applytexas. org The Common Application A general application form used by over 450 independent colleges www. commonapp. org Individual College Applications - see college website MIT, Baylor

COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS • • • If an essay prompt says “optional”, go ahead and complete it. Brag, brag about yourself! Be mindful of word restrictions. Include any personal obstacles/challenges that you have faced. Have someone review your essays before submission. Keep in mind that college admissions officials spend an average of 2 minutes reviewing your essays. Make every word count!

COLLEGE ATHLETICS If you are an athlete and plan to participate in college athletics, visit the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) website at www. eligibilitycenter. org Students who are planning on playing college sports in a Division I or II college or university should start NCAA Clearinghouse registration in their junior year. Register online at www. eligibilitycenter. org. See Mrs. Boyd or Coach Cope if you have questions.

COMMUNITY SERVICE -The Red Cross -Salvation Army -Habitat for Humanity -Hospitals -Nursing Homes/Retirement Centers -Youth Sports (City of College Station Recreation) -George Bush Presidential Library -Special Olympics -Many organizations offer scholarships based on community service

USEFUL WEBSITES www. actstudent. org - ACT Testing Information www. collegeboard. org – PSAT/AP Information www. 50 states. com - College Search by State www. fastweb. com - Scholarship Search www. scholarships 4 students. com - Scholarship Information www. finaid. org - Financial Aid Information www. connectedu. net - College and Career Planning

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS Students who are enrolled in AP courses - optional exam to place out of college courses (see colleges for more information) AP fees: $93 per exam Registration and Payment Deadline: March 23, 2017 Late Registration: April 7, 2017 ($20 late fee) Final Registration: April 14, 2017 ($75 late fee)

IMPORTANT DATES Monday, September 19 – Open House, 6: 00 pm – 8: 00 pm Tuesday, October 11 – College Night @ the Brazos Center, 6: 00 pm – 8: 00 pm Wednesday, October 19 - PSAT