SophomoresSophomoresHow to prepare for your

future!

Presented byCHS Guidance Department

2012

Grades/GPA

• Colleges generally select students based on their GPA and Class

Rank. • The higher your GPA/Class Rank,

the better your chances are of

getting accepted into college. • Your GPA is based on your final

grades each year. • Refer to page 24 in the Student

Agenda for exact calculation of the GPA.

For Example:

Rutgers University Acceptance Rates . . .

• 81% of the students accepted were ranked in the top 25% of his/her class

• 73% were ranked in the top 10%

HSPA• All juniors in the state of New Jersey are

required to take and pass the HSPA before they will be given a state endorsed high school diploma

• The test covers material in Math and Language Arts over a 3-day period

• English and math classes will spend a portion of class time going over information that may be on the test

• More importantly, your teachers will focus on understanding the rubric for scoring your open-ended questions, problem solving, types of questions, etc.

• Please take this test and the consequences for not passing it very seriously.

PSAT

• Plan to take the PSAT in the fall (October 20, 2012)

• ALL Juniors should take the PSAT; only Juniors are considered for merit scholarships

• The PSAT is an excellent way to prepare for the SAT!

• Check out www.collegeboard.com/quickstart

SAT

• 3 hours, 45 minutes• Critical Reading, Math,

Writing• Essay is required• Penalties for guessing wrong • Offered at CHS in October,

November, May and June• Accepted by all universities

ACT

• 3 hours, 25 minutes• English, Math, Reading,

Science • Essay is optional • No penalties for guessing

wrong• Offered at CHS in October,

December, February, and April

• Accepted by all universities

Which test should you take?

• Students can take either the ACT, SAT, or both.

• ACT & SAT are accepted at all four year colleges.

• Tests can be taken an unlimited amount of times.

• We recommend taking the SAT and ACT at least once.

• Register at…www.collegeboard.comwww.actstudent.org

Advanced Placement (AP)

• A program of college-level courses and exams.

• Generally taken during junior/senior year (There may be prerequisite courses required).

• Must pay a fee to sit for the AP exam in May.

• Most colleges in the United States will award credit for a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam (Some colleges will accept a score of 3).

• Contact colleges to find out if they accept AP credits and which courses the credits will be applied to . . .

College Acceleration Program

(CAP)• Students can earn college-level credit

from Burlington County College (BCC) for select courses taken at CHS.

• These are courses that are taken at the high school and taught by our teachers.

• All NJ public colleges/universities will accept the credits.

• Students pay a fee to BCC ($125) and must earn a grade above 70 in the course to receive BCC credit.

• Please be advised that although a college may accept CAP credits, they may not necessarily accept it as equivalent credits for the course taken at the high school.

ASVAB• Military Entrance Exam

Each branch of the military has a qualifying score for entrance.

Military jobs/training opportunities are determined by your ASVAB score.

• Career Exploration Program As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measures your

strengths, weaknesses, and potential for

future success. It also shows career-related interests/skills

based on your answers. Access to www.asvabprogram.com, where you

can learn how your skills relate to occupations

that interest you.

Career Center

• In 9th grade you should have completed a Career Interest Inventory and an Academic Skills Assessment.

• In 11th grade, you will be given an appointment to visit the Career Resource Center to create your Activities Resume.

• www.careercruising.com Using your CHS log-in and password (available

from Mrs. Iannuzzi).

• www.collegeboard.com/quickstart Log onto your “My College Quickstart”

account to access Personality Tests, Interest Inventories, and Career Information.

Extracurricular Activities

• Colleges are interested in your personality & ability outside of the traditional classroom.

• Participating in an after-school activity, community, or volunteer program shows how well-rounded you are . . .

• Make sure you are actively involved and take on leadership roles. Just joining a club/activity doesn’t help!

Volunteer!

• Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community.

• Many colleges will seek out students who have experience volunteering.

• Need help? Check out the following places:Church/Synagogue Local animal shelters Bulletin board in the hallway

near the Guidance Department www.voluneteermatch.org

Review…

• Sophomore and Junior year is the ideal time to plan for college/post secondary options.

• The summer is an excellent time to visit colleges, practice for the SAT/ACT, and review college requirements.

• Always challenge yourself in your classes, and remember that your GPA and Class Rank will be the major determination when applying to colleges!

• If you have any questions, make an appointment with your school counselor!

Questions?

Ask your counselor! • Mrs. Mancinelli

(A-Ha)• Ms. Widmann

(He-P)• Ms. Lobascio

(Q-Z)