Juniors: Ready, Set, Go!

Last Wednesday marked the first ever Junior College Kickoff - a new approach to the college process that meant jumping right in! (In the past, students got a slow introduction to the process over a series of weeks). THANK YOU to the Class of 2014 for truly making this afternoon presentation a major success. Over the course of two hours, students heard a presentation about the ins and outs of the college process, got a crash course in the Naviance website, got registered on their Naviance accounts, filled out paperwork for me, and took home important forms that will be used to schedule their Junior College Meeting.

I have posted the powerpoints that were presented on the ElRo College Office Website under the 'Juniors' tab. Students were also given their hard copy of the College Office Handbook. This Handbook should be the first place you go to look when you (or your parent/guardian) have a question about the college process.  The next year might be stressful, it might be overwhelming, but very few parts of it will involve a question that doesn't have an answer that can be found in that handbook. Read it cover to cover. Take notes in it. Share it with your family.

Over the next semester, I will meet with each student individually for a one on one meeting. This first of two meetings will mostly focus on getting to know you and brainstorming the qualities you are looking for in a college. Other tasks for juniors this semester include taking standardized testing and starting to visit colleges over weekends and breaks. Remember, students shouldn't turn in their junior meeting request form until AFTER they have completed their Junior Survey in Naviance.

And we're off!

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Demystifying Standardized Testing

Source: socyberty.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Thanks to everyone who attended last night's Demystifying Standardized Testing event here at ElRo. I think those who came would agree that you came away with lots of great information about college admission testing. Thank you to Kaplan for generously offering to present and share so many good tips.

Couldn't make it last night? Here are the general take aways:

-- Students should explore both the ACT and SAT to determine which exam they are naturally better on. Then take that exam two times using whatever preparation method works best for them. For some people, that will just mean taking a few free practice tests, others will take a group prep class, others still will opt for one on one tutoring.

-- All colleges take both the SAT and ACT - there is no advantage to using one test or the other. Pick the test that is best for you.

-- The ACT has a science section, but it is really more of a reading and graph comprehension section. Don't let it scare you if you think you aren't a science whiz.

-- The SAT has many short sections and is a longer test. The ACT has fewer sections, but each section is longer.

-- The SAT is out of 2400 points and the ACT is out of 36 points. Compare your performance on the two exams by clicking here. 

-- Some colleges (usually the most selective schools in the country) require Subject Tests in addition to the regular SAT or ACT. Most students at ElRo are better served raising their main SAT/ACT score than worrying about these extra tests - BUT for students that notice they are consistently earning top grades and breezing through their ElRo classes, taking a subject test might be something to explore. Extra bonus -- many colleges that ask for Subject Tests will also accept the ACT with writing in place of the SAT and subject tests - so one ACT can be submitted instead of three (the SAT and two subject tests).

-- If you do decide to take a subject test, it is best to take it at the end of the school year when you finish that subject (so for world history, for example, that might be the end of sophomore year when you finish global).

-- The ACT or SAT should be taken at least once in the spring of Junior year (usually between the months of March and June). They can be retaken for a second time as late as November of Senior year.