San Mateo High School Sophomore Information Night Class of 2011 Welcome
Introduction Don Scatena Assistant Principal (Instructional services) Counselors April Torres A-G Georgiana Watson H-N Andrea M. Booth 9 th & 10 th O-Z All ELD 1-2s Alexandra Loera 11 th & 12 O-Z College Pathways Counselor Terri Fenech College/Career Advisor
Agenda Barbara Snider College Pathways/Naviance 2009-2010 Class Schedule Graduation Requirements CAHSEE College Entrance Requirements College Entrance Tests- SAT and ACT PSAT CSF College Scholarship Federation Closing Statements
Barbara Snider College Pathways Alexandra Loera BSCP Advisor
BSCP Overview Program Goals Expanded college planning services leading to improved college acceptances and placements for all SMHS students
Resources & Services Counselors Academic Advising Course Selection College Application Planning School Recommendations/MYR Application Assistance Naviance Registration And More College & Career Advisor Test Planning & Sign-up Financial Aid/Scholarships College Planning & Visits College Application Assistance Career Planning Services Work Permits Naviance Registration And More BSCP Services BSCP Advisor, College Planning Consultant, and BSCP Admin College Planning & Selection Essay & Personal Statements College Outreach & Visits Key Events & Workshops Naviance Training Application Submittal Key Events Senior Night Junior /Sophomore Night Senior Panel Essay Workshop(s) Application Workshop(s) Naviance/FC Training Financial Aid Workshop College Visits at SMHS CollegeTalk Sessions
Preparing for College The Good News Rigorous academic program at SMHS Rising achievements and test score More than 50% of SMHS students are UC eligible The Challenge Rising number of students and applications Complex and competitive college application process Cost of attending college on the rise There is a College for every student..
Go to: http://connection.naviance.com/smhsca
Attending College Visits at SMHS Great way to Learn about Colleges and also Make an Impression Review & Sign-up for College Visits in NFC Can only attend session for colleges on your Prospective List Limited to 7 visits per semester Get a Class Pass at the Career Center Review College Profile and come Prepared to ask Questions during the Session Check NFC Regularly for Schedule Updates and Past Session Notes
College Admissions Requirements California State University (CSU) (a) Social Science (b) English 2 years Modern World History 1-2 and U.S. History 1-2 4 years (may include 1 year of ELD 3-4) (c) Math 3 years Algebra 1-2, Geometry 1-2, Algebra 3-4
College Admissions Requirements California State University (CSU) (d) Science 2 years 1 year of a physical science and 1 year of a biological science (e) World Language 2 years (through level 3-4)
College Admissions Requirements California State University (CSU) (f) Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) 1 year (g) Electives Tests 1 year College prep electives SAT Reasoning or ACT
College Admissions Requirements University of California (UC) a) Social Science same as the CSUs b) English same as the CSUs c) Math same as the CSUs, 4 years recommended d) Science two years of a lab science are required, three years recommended
College Admissions Requirements University of California (UC) (e) World Language (f) Visual & Performing Arts Two years are required, Three years recommended (through level 5-6) same as the CSUs (g) Electives same as the CSUs Tests SAT Reasoning or ACT Two SAT Subject Tests
Testing: PSAT/NMSQT What: Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test When: The 3rd week in October, Wednesday and/or Saturday Why: Highlights skills & prepares students for college admissions tests (SAT): Assess a student s critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills Get specific suggestions on how to improve your academic skills Prepare for the SAT with a free personalized study plan Request free information from colleges and universities
Testing: PSAT/NMSQT BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS: Can be the first step to college search process Score report My College QuickStart: www.collegeboard.com/quickstart Earn higher scores on the SAT exams Scholarships and Recognition (for high achieving 11th grade students) National Merit Semi-Finalist/Finalist (open to all students who meet entry requirements) National Achievement Scholarship Program (only African American students may qualify) National Hispanic Recognition Remember..PRELIMINARY means PRACTICE!
College Testing PSAT Given in October; can be taken in 10 th grade as practice; given to all 11 th grade students as a qualifying test for the NMSQT and as practice for the SAT SAT Reasoning Usually taken in the spring semester of 11 th grade ACT Usually taken in the spring semester of 11 th grade SAT Subject Tests Usually required by the private colleges; two required for the UC system
College Entrance Exams SATS (Scholastic Aptitude Test) Scores: 200-800 per section Total: 600-2400 SAT Reasoning Test (critical reading, math and writing) 2 SAT Subject Tests - must be in 2 different subject areas: history/social science, English literature, math, lab science, or language other than English SATs Can be taken in January (3xs left this year) or (Oct. Nov. Dec. of senior year) Fee Waivers available
College Entrance Exams ACT American College Test Assessment plus ACT writing test. 5 Section exam: English, Math, Reading, Science, Reasoning and Writing (optional) Colleges accept either the SAT or ACT with writing Fee waivers are available
SAT vs. ACT SAT ACT No. of times offered: Seven times per school year Six times per school year Test structure: Critical Reading, Math, Writing Reading, English, Math, Science Writing (Optional) Test content: Math: up to geometry and Math: up to trigonometry Advanced Algebra (3/4) Reading: sentence completions, Short and long critical reading Passages, reading comprehension Writing: grammar, usage, word choice, and a mandatory essay Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science Humanities, and Natural Science English: stresses grammar Science: charts, graphs, and data interpretations Writing: optional essay Penalty/wrong answers answers Yes, ¼ of a point for wrong answer on multiple choice questions No Test scores: 200-800 per section, added 1-36 for each subject, together for a score of 600-2400 2-12 for the essay (subscore) 1-36 for English & Writing 2-12 for the essay (subscore) average of 4 test scores for composite score Sending scores: (Four free score If a student requests a score There is a Score Choice reports can be sent Report be sent to specific colleges, option. Students can choose at each test sitting) the report includes the scores the which schools receive their student received on every SAT taken (inclusive up to test date) scores AND which scores the schools see
CAHSEE EXAM California High School Exit Exam- In order to receive a CA high school diploma, every student must successfully pass both sections ( Math & ELA) of the exam. Sophomores already took the test. Results sent home in the summer (July) Need a 350 to pass the exam. Highest score is a 450 Make Up dates- March 17 & 18 th (only if absent)
California Scholarship Federation What- Established in 1920 s as a statewide honor organization based on good merit Who- Students who take academic classes from the CSF List. Each class is given a point value Why- Students who maintain membership for 4 of their last 6 semesters in HS are honored in the Senior Awards Ceremony and can get possible scholarship opportunities and put on college applications CSF Advisor- Ms. Torres