The Bronx High School of ScienceClass of 2017

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• Course Selection • Redesigned PSAT & Subject Tests• Explore Interests/College Majors• Naviance Personality Test• Ways to cope with stress• Extracurricular Activities• Building a Good Rapport with Your

Guidance Counselor/Teachers

• Course Catalog• Competitive colleges want competitive transcripts

and a rigorous program/challenge yourself and stay on that track

• Take challenging courses in subjects in which you feel confident...know your limits

• Carefully review your selected courses before submitting in Naviance. Speak about your choices with your parents and Guidance Counselor

• Must attend course elective day (TBA) in the Spring

• Honors & AP (Special Permission Classes). o Visit Department website for guidelines for specific AP and Honors

courses. Every student must take and pass at least one AP course o Acceptance Criterion can include:

Previous year’s performance overall and in the subject of interest Placement test in certain subjects Teacher recommendation Attendance/cut record

• Course Selection in Navianceo Your approved courses will appear in Naviance in the Springo Check your email regularly for course selection updateso There is no guarantee that you will be placed in that particular class

even if approved o You MUST select alternate classes  but also be mindful of what you

choose as you could be placed into your alternate classo There will be NO changes to your program in September

       PSAT’s are very important!• The Redesigned PSAT is aligned with the new SAT and will launch in October

2015. Like the new SAT, the redesigned PSAT/NMSQT will measure the skills and knowledge that are essential for college readiness and success. Sample questions will be available on collegboard.org in December 2014/January 2015

The redesigned PSAT/NMSQT will mirror the new SAT. Here are some of the key changes :Relevant Words in Context / Command of EvidenceMath Problems Grounded in Real-World ContextsAnalysis in Science and in History/Social StudiesFounding Documents and Great Global ConversationNo Penalty for Wrong Answers

• The New SAT will launch in March 2016• The PSAT is written for high school Juniors• National Merit, National Achievement or National Hispanic Scholarship based

on your performance on the PSATo You are compared among students in your state (NY)o Awards up to $2,500. This is for Juniors only.

REDESIGNED PSAT

       NMSC status makes your college application stand outo Your PSAT scores can qualify you for the following programs:

National Merit, National Achievement, National Hispanic Recognition Program

o For further information, please visit: http://www.nationalmerit.org/index.php

o Many colleges give merit scholarships based upon student's finalist status

o Prepare over the summer; free tutorials on college board and the Bronx Science website

National Merit/National Achievement/National Hispanic

• We recommend you take at least 3 SAT Subject Tests (1 Math, 1 Science and 1 subject you are strong in). Most competitive colleges require them for admission. Register for the May or June tests as early as possible as seats fill up quickly

• There are subject tests in English, History, Mathematics, Science and Foreign Language. (Refer to Testing Booklet)

• The score ranges from 200-800 per subject test• We recommend you take Subject Tests in June after an AP or

Honors course, or if you have earned a 90 or above in the course• You should get tutoring and study on your own before you take the

exam• There are SAT Subject Test sample questions available on the

College Board Website and in your Testing Booklet• Look for SAT Subject Test tutoring in school• Please see Ms. Heyward in room 036 for Fee Waivers (free or

reduced lunch students only) during designated times, which are posted on her door

Sophomore year is a time to discover your passions, interests and to get involved in extra curricular activities

(clubs, sports teams, volunteering).

• https://careerzone.ny.gov o Interest and personality based assessment to find out what college

majors/careers are most suited for you; in depth info about colleges, website

• www.mymajors.como Interest and achievements based assessment tool

• https://myroad.collegeboard.com/myroad/navigator.jsp• From College Board -personality assessment, suggests careers, majors

o You use your PSAT account code• http://www.bls.gov/ooh/• Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook which describes hundreds of

careers, education needed and salary

Naviance is a Web-Based Research and Planning Tool for College Searches and Course Selection• Go to the Bronx Science homepage or:

https://connection.naviance.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=bxscience• My Personality – “Do What You Are”

o Assessment of careers and college majors that fit your personality• Career and College Search• Document library includes: Scholarship Bulletins, Weekly Parent

Newsletter, College Opportunities, Student Opportunities and Summer Opportunities

• Resume – Start drafting your resume now in Naviance so it is complete by senior year   

• Make sure to add your parents to your Naviance account• Naviance is used for Course Selection• Naviance is the main source of communication between Guidance

Counselors and students.  Make sure to check your linked email account on a regular basis and check NAVIANCE frequently for updates.

What are some stressors for sophomore year?

Course loadPSAT/Subject TestsFriendsPeer PressureExpectationsClubs/Sports Teams/Other Extracurriculars

• Exercise and eat regularly • Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation

• Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques)

• Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite firm and not overly aggressive or passive ways: (“I feel angry when you yell at me” “Please stop yelling.”)

• Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks  

What are some ways you cope with stress?

• Decrease negative self talk: challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts. “My life will never get better” can be transformed into “I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help” 

• Learn to feel good about doing a competent or “good enough” job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others 

• Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress 

• Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way

• Your Guidance Counselor is also available to support you

• Community service/ volunteer work should be done with non-profit organizations and are unpaid experienceso Libraries, Hospitals, Schools, etc.

• Internships should be done with legitimate companieso Books which list internship opportunities: Peterson’s Internships; The Princeton

Review’s Internship Bible; The Princeton Review’s Best 109 Internships • Log into Naviance, go to Document Library and view Student Opportunities & College

Opportunities Newsletters• Check the Bulletin Board in the Guidance office for postings of jobs, internships and

volunteer opportunities• Get involved! Join a Bronx Science Club or Team • National Honor Society Credits/Requirements

http://www.bxscience.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=56466&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=454937

• It is very important to be involved in meaningful extracurricular activities• Be aware of opportunities for leadership forums that charge large fees and are sent

through the mail. These could be potential scams. If you have any questions, please consult with your Guidance Counselor.

• Bring us copies of letters or certificates verifying outside service (volunteer) work

• Database of various summer opportunities:o http://www.internationalcounselor.org/summer2/Summer_Omnibus/O

mnibus.htmlo http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/syep.shtml

• Extensive listing of summer learning experiences:o http://www.enrichmentalley.com/

• Websites with various volunteer opportunities:o http://www.studentsforservice.org/o http://www.volunteer.gov/o http://www.studentsforservice.orgo http://www.goddard.org

• Make your summer productive!• Volunteer, obtain an internship or get a job. If you are interested in the

Health Sciences, consider interning or volunteering at a local hospital. In the spring the College Office posts Summer Opportunities and Summer Programs in Naviance. o An excellent resource book: Peterson's Make Summer Count:

Programs & Camps for Teens & Kids • The summer is also a good time to visit colleges which is a great way

to see what type of schools you like...location, size, etc. • College Now through CUNY offers free college credit courses in the

summer and throughout the year for high school students• Please see the Bronx Science school’s website for information about

working papers

• It is important to start building a relationship with your Guidance Counseloro Share good newso Tell us about any honors or rewards you receiveo Keep your Naviance resume up-to-dateo Talk to us about your summer plans or summer experienceso Start thinking about who you would want to ask to write your teacher

raves which are used by your Guidance Counselor in their college recommendation letters.

• In the spring of Junior year, your Guidance Counselor will meet with you one on one to help you with your college search and the college application process. If we have had the chance to get to know you, we:o Can be better able to advise you for specific colleges o Will be better equipped to write you a dynamic letter of

recommendation