Please Read the Counseling News in the Monthly Newsletter

JUNIOR NEWSLETTER Please read the “counseling news” in the monthly newsletter.

Juniors who are serious about attending college should take the PSAT. This test will be given at Stivers on Wednesday, October 13th. The tests costs $13. Mr. Asadorian is collecting the money. Checks should be made out to Dave Asadorian. If a junior does exceptionally well on this test, he or she can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. Also, it prepares students for the SAT. Waivers are available to the first thirty juniors who qualify for a free or reduced lunch. A lunch waiver form has to be returned to me. This has been given to juniors.

The SAT and ACT are tests that are important for several reasons: 1. Gaining admittance to college or university 2. Gaining admittance to a select division of a college or university (a school of business, a school of engineering, etc.) 3. Be considered for academic scholarships 4. Be considered for athletic scholarships.  When registering for the SAT and ACT, an athlete should put 9999 down as one of their four college choices. Their score will be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse. This is the only way the NCAA will take their score.

Juniors should start taking SAT’s and ACT’s in November, December, or January. If they are not happy with their results, they have time to sign up for another test. Juniors who are serious about attending a four-year school after graduating from Stivers should take at least two of these tests during their junior year. A good student should take between three and five tests. The tests are given six or seven times a year. Several of the SAT’s are given at Stivers. The SAT costs $47 and the ACT (with writing section) costs $48. The ACT costs $33 without writing. We give the September ACT and the June ACT at Stivers. If a student qualifies for a free or reduced lunch, he or she can take two SAT’s for free and two ACT’s for free (plus two SAT subject area tests). If a student uses an SAT waiver to take an SAT, he or she can get four college application fee waivers as a senior. Since several colleges charge $45 or $50 for an application fee, a lot of money can be saved. Number2.com is a great website to use to prepare for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Our high school code number (CEEB number) is 361866.

Junior should also start to look at which college they want to attend. They can do this several ways: 1. College representatives that are now visiting our school 2. College information that Mr. Asadorian has 3. The Internet has good websites: a. www.eCampusTours.com b. www.collegeboard.com (the SAT website) c. www.act.org (the ACT website) d. www.connectedu.net (Juniors will be told about this in the future) e. http://oh.kuder.com (Juniors will be told about this in the future) 4. College fairs a. Greater Dayton College Fair at the U.D. Arena on November 3rd from 6:30-8:30pm. b. Centerville High School College and Career Fair around the beginning of March 2011. 5. College visits either on your own or with college tours.

Several of the websites above can be used for information on majors. Mr. Asadorian also has information on majors.

PACE (228-7223) is a program set up to help parents and students pick a college, pay for college, prepare for the SAT and ACT, etc. It is also possible for seniors who qualify to be eligible to apply for a scholarship to a college in Ohio.

Graduation Requirements It takes 10 credits to be a junior, and 14 credits to be a senior. It takes 20 credits to graduate. The following are required to graduate:  English – 4 credits  Math – 3 credits: o Algebra I o Geometry o Algebra II or Transitions to College Math  Science – 3 credits: o Biology o A Physical Science (physical science, geology, chemistry, or physics) o A third science  Social Studies – 3 credits o American History o World History o American Government  Two (2) high school Gym classes  One (1) high school Health class  One (1) credit in a foreign language OR an Art class (all magnets are considered Art), OR business/technology. A student does not need a foreign language to graduate. However, most four-year colleges require two or three years of the same language.  A student must pass all five parts of the Ohio Graduation Test

If a student has failed a class required for graduation, it may be possible to take it in credit recovery at Stivers. Credit recovery costs $50 unless a student receives a free (not reduced) lunch. It is held Monday through Thursday from 2:50pm to 4:50pm in Mr. Shindell’s room. Mr. Shindell’s phone is 542-7437. Or, the student can go to summer school at Ponitz Career Center.

Dave Asadorian Counselor - 542-7390