Sophomore Evening Program: Preparing for Junior Year and Beyond Princeton High School Counseling Department Patti Lieberman College Advisor Enjoy this road to college! Where your future is in your hands www.mcts.edu Why Attend MCTS? Early exposure to careers Earn high school credit, industry certifications or college credit Participate in student competitions Internship /employment under guidance of Structured Learning Experience Coordinator How it Works School day is “shared” between your home district and Mercer County Technical Schools Bus takes students to and from the home school 1st Year students attend from 8:00am -10:30 am 2nd Year students attend from 11:45am-2:30pm Participate in home school clubs and activities MCTS College Acceptances O Arcadia University O Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and O Stockton University O Boston University Health Sciences O Syracuse University O Bradley University O Massachusetts Institute of Technology O Temple University O Capital Technology University O Mercer County Community College O The College of New Jersey O Carnegie Mellon University O Monmouth University O The George Washington University O Case Western University O Montclair State University O University of Bridgeport O Centenary College O New England College O University of Delaware O Cheney University of Pennsylvania O New Jersey Institute of Technology O University of Illinois O Coastal Carolina University O New York Institute of Technology O University of Maryland College Park O Coppin State University O New York University O University of Massachusetts Amherst O Cornell University O Northeastern University O University of Pittsburgh O Dixie State College O Pace University O University of Rochester O Drew University O Pennsylvania State University O University of the Sciences O Drexel University O Philadelphia University O University of Virginia O Duke University O Princeton University O University of Washington O Duquesne University O Purdue University O Ursinus College O Emory University O Quinnipiac University O Villanova University O Fairleigh Dickinson University O Ramapo College O West Chester University O Florida Southern College O Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute O Western Washington University O Georgian Court University O Richard Stockton College of New Jersey O William Paterson University O Hollins University O Rider University O Virginia Commonwealth University O Howard University O Roanoke College O Washington College O Johns Hopkins University O Rowan University O West Virginia State University O Juniata College O Rutgers University, New Brunswick O Westminster College O Kean University O Saint Bonaventure University O Widener University O Keiser University O Saint Peter’s University O William Patterson University O Lehigh University O Seton Hall University O York College of Pennsylvania O Lemoyne College O Smith College O Louisiana State University O Stevens Institute of Technology Arthur R. SypekShared-Center time AssunpinkPrograms Center • Architectural/Engineering Design • Aviation (1-Year) • Automotive Collision Technology • Business Technology • Automotive Technology • Carpentry • Automotive Technology Fundamentals • Cosmetology • Baking and Dining Services • Diesel Technology • Building Maintenance Trades • Electrical Construction • Cosmetology • Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning • Criminalistics and Criminal Science and Refrigeration Technology • • Culinary Arts Health Occupations (1-Year) • Graphic Arts Technology • Horticulture and Turf Care Health Careers Center Management • Medical Assistant (1-Year) • Pre-Nursing Career Prep Programs Seniors earn up to 13 college credits at MCCC. O Advertising and Design Fashion Merchandising O Business Studies Fire Science Technology O Communication Gaming O Criminal Justice Hospitality Management O Culinary and Pastry Arts Information Technology O Dance New Media and Journalism O Entertainment Technology: Music Photography Technology Pre-engineering O Entertainment Technology: Radio and Television Production Technical Theater Theatre O Exercise Science Visual Arts O Fashion/Apparel Design Next Steps Students should meet with your Guidance Counselor Visit the program when class is in session. APPLY ONLINE TODAY! @ www.mcts.edu Any Questions? Why college? Starts with self-reflection O What are my goals? O What are my values? O What are the things I do well? O What challenges me? O What do I like to do for fun? O What type of academic environment do I function best in? O What accomplishments make me most proud? O What are my favorite classes? O What do I want to learn? Character Strengths Be Mindful of Daily Choices O Make mindful, deliberate choices. O Even though you are a tenth grader, the choices you make now can impact college admissions O Make choices that give college admissions evidence you are suited for their campus life. Remember, they are building a community and want students that will contribute in a positive and active way. O On the other hand, do not let one bad moment define you. Be deliberate in creating what you want. Transcript/Academic Load O A transcript tells a story O 5 core academic courses O Develop your interests through course selection O Stay in core academic subjects as long as possible O Challenge yourself appropriately O Junior and Senior Year – continue APPROPRIATE strength O The upward vs. downward trend O GPA: Weighted/Unweighted Course Selection considerations for certain majors O If interested in engineering: strength in physics and math courses O If interested in nursing: strength in math and science courses O Some colleges recommend a 4th year of a world language and social science Extra-curricular Activities O Anything done outside the classroom – this includes clubs, work, internships, volunteering, Scouts, sports, caring for siblings, developing your special interests… O What are you passionate about? Figure out your interests/abilities O Avoid the laundry list O Depth vs. Breadth O Are your activities enjoyable, can you keep balance? What about summer? O Do what is enjoyable to you O Important to have downtime, rest, exercise O It’s a time to explore interests and passions O Try or learn something new O Enjoy a summer job & make time to read your favorite books O Consider volunteering & giving back to your community O For medical – research and medical work O Summer can be a time to expand your leadership experience College Planning Timeline O Create your Naviance account (community service is required here as well) O Visit Colleges (when you have the opportunity) O Take required Standardized Testing: SAT and/or ACT, SAT II (if required). O Complete the Junior Information Sheet and set up appointments in junior and senior years with PHS College Counselor. Create list of colleges. O Junior year, ask two academic teachers for recommendations O Before senior year develop list of colleges that match you interests, needs, and credentials. O Start your applications the summer of senior year. O Apply to schools in the fall of senior year Test Calendar O Start planning out your testing calendar now O Try not to take more than one exam per month…. O October: PSATs O SAT and/or ACT recommended to take January – June of junior year O May: APs O June: SAT IIs O Retake if needed SAT/ACT in senior year - available in August, October, and/or November SAT or ACT? O Test Optional Schools O Fee Waivers for testing SAT versus ACT SAT ACT English Reading Math Writing and Language Reading Math Science Reasoning Essay (Optional) Essay (optional) No guessing penalty No guessing penalty 3 hours without essay 2 hours 55 minutes (w/o essay) 3 hours 50 minutes with essay 3 hours 40 minutes (with essay 4 reading passages and 1 science section 5 reading passages (testing critical thinking skills) Math: Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Math: Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry Trigonometry and Data Analysis and Trigonometry One math section not allowed to use Calculator allowed on all math questions calculator Scored on 400-1600 scale Scored on a 1 - 36 scale SAT II and AP exams O SAT IIs are subject based tests. One hour content based exams. O Requirements vary by school and program. Generally more selective schools and programs. O SAT IIs typically taken when the course is completed, and fresh in your mind O We suggest June! O For Sophomores: Perhaps history and chemistry or math depending on current placement. O For example: AP United States History or Chemistry Accelerated O AP examinations may receive college credits for scores of 3 or better. Score Choice and Test Optional O Many schools allow you to only send your best scores. O Some colleges will want you to send all of testing O Score choice gives you the option to choose which scores to send to colleges. O For SAT I and/or ACT – You send by test date O For SAT II – You send by individual test O Test Optional Schools: Fairtest.org Where does test prep fit in? O PSAT resources - access code gives you test prep questions and strategies. O Read books and articles (improves test performance) O If decide on test prep, consider options that suit your schedule and learning style O Summer can be a time for test preparation O Some colleges put more emphasis on testing and some colleges are test optional Self- Awareness and Self-Care Skills Areas Activities to Foster Resiliency O Exercise regularly O Practice self-compassion O Pause O Journaling/ Self-reflection O Gratitude Journal/ Gratitude Letter O Yoga/ Tai chi/ Qi Gong/Tai Kwon do O Sitting Meditation/Walking Meditation O Play/ Have fun O Say positive affirmations out loud O Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep each night O Eat well O Attend to physical and mental health in a preventive way Cornell University, Gannett Health Services, Resilience Consortium Naviance O Naviance: O Naviance’s college and career readiness software allows students to search for colleges, careers, and even look at their own personal scores versus acceptances. O Start by completing the “about me” section, and take personality and career profile assessment to help you narrow down “fit”.