SOPHOMORE YEAR Sophomore students and their parents n

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Sophomore students and their parents n To receive messages via text n Text @8018 to 979 -227 -4863 n You can unsubscribe anytime by replying ‘unsubscibe @8018’ n n To receive messages via email Send email to 8018@mail. remind 101. com n To unsubscribe, reply with ‘unsubscibe’ in the subject line n

You are just starting your second year in high school. n Your life is full right now of homecoming, football/volleyball games, and plans for the fair next week. n However, it is NOT too early to begin planning for your future. . . And your future eduction. n

WHY SHOULD YOU EXTEND YOUR EDUCATION? n At college. . . You try new things n You meet new people n You expand your understanding of the world and what it has to offer n You can improve your chances of having the life and job you want n In most cases, the more education you have, the more careers and jobs you can choose from, and. . . n

. . . the more money you can earn.

SOPHOMORE ACTION PLAN n September / October / November n December / January / February n March / April / May n June / July / August

n n Try your hand at standardized testing by signing up for the PSAT. Keep your grades up. Attend tutoring for extra help if you need it. Dedicate time to outside activities. Your commitment will help you stand out on your college applications. Explore your interests. What type of activities do you like that could lead to a future career?

PSAT “Practice” SAT n Given Wednesday, October 16 n n n Cost - $15 n n Begins at 8: 00 in the morning Report directly to auditorium Cash only Sign up in counseling office n Deadline – October 9 (Wed before fair)

PSAT n Measures 3 subject areas n Critical Reading n n Mathematics n n ! tor a l u lc a c Two 25 -minute sections / 38 questions Bring Writing n n Two 25 -minute sections / 48 questions One 30 -minute section / 39 questions Scoring n n Ranges from 20 to 80 in each subject area Correct answer = 1 point Omitted answer = 0 point Wrong multiple-choice answer = Minus ¼ point

WHY TAKE PSAT? n Provides preparation for college admissions testing n n Identify specific skills for improvement n n SAT Gives personalized, comprehensive feedback on test performance Plan for college and careers n n Free access to My College Quick Start www. collegeboard. org/quickstart

EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS n Knowing what you like to do is the first step in looking at career possibilities. n n Take a look at your favorite hobbies Determine what high school classes you enjoy the most – and the least What do you consider your strengths? Your weaknesses? Volunteer or help out at places that seem interesting to you

CAREER WEBSITES n Career Assessment n n www. mynextmove. org www. mymajors. com www. careerpath. com Career Exploration n www. careeronestop. org www. texascaresonline. com www. texashotjobs. org n Jobs in the healthcare industry

• Discover unique tips on how to organize a filing system to keep records of your high school career. • Begin researching college options. • Plan for your junior year. Enroll in challenging courses. • Consider Dual Credit courses. Must have “A” average. Must take and pass testing to prove you are ready for college-level work.

TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE • • • Designed to determine if student ready for college-level course work Must be successful on test in order to enroll in Dual Credit at high school. No more ACCUPLACER or THEA New Test beginning in September 2013 – TSI Assessment – Three core areas: Reading, Math, Writing Mandatory Pre-Assessment Activity

TSI REGISTRATION • Complete online pre-assessment activity – www. blinn. edu/counseling/tsia/html • Contact Blinn/Brenham to register for a test day selection – 979 -830 -4196 • Pay for TSI Assessment – Go to Enrollment Services – $45 – Photo ID required to purchase • Bring to test – – Purchased Admission Ticket Receipt Photo ID No food, drink, cell phones, calculators, backpacks, large purses, hats, caps

TSI EXEMPTIONS • SAT – Math = 500, Critical Reading = 500, Combined Score = 1070 • ACT – Math = 19, English = 19, Composite = 23 HELPFUL WEBSITE www. thecb. state. tx. us

CLASSES COLLEGES LOOK FOR • Solid foundation of academic subjects • Always check with each school to learn their specific requirements • Subjects: – English • Four years – Math • Three years (Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry) • Competitive schools – Four Years + – Natural Sciences • Biology, Chemistry, Physics – Social Studies • US History, Government, World History/Geography – Additional Courses • Foreign Language – 2 years of same language • The Arts

COLLEGE EXPLORATION WEBSITES • Virtual Tours – www. collegeweeklive. com – www. youvisit. com • College Matchmaker – www. collegesearch. collegeboard. org • College Information – www. texasmonthly. com/collegeguide – www. collegeforalltexans. com

Check for special events held on college campus for prospective students. Ø Begin financial discussions with family members on how to plan for college expenses. Ø Register and participate in college admissions testing. Ø Finish the year strong. Stay involved in activities. Run for leadership positions in organizations. Keep grades up. Ø

Ø Campus Preview Days l l l November 16, 2013 March 29, 2014 Visit sam@shsu. edu to schedule

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WEBSITES Ø www. everychanceeverytexan. org Ø www. aie. org Ø www. studentaid. ed. gov Ø www. finaid. org Ø www. gentx. org/financialaid Ø www. smartaboutmoney. org

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING Ø Two tests to choose from l l SAT ACT Standardized, Timed Ø Determine readiness for college-level work Ø Online registration Ø l Photo required • Included on admission ticket, testing roster, score reports l High School Code required • Bellville HS 440575

SAT Ø www. sat. collegeboard. org Ø Cost - $50 Ø Three subjects l l l Critical Reading • Two 25 -minute sections, One 20 -minute section Math • Two 25 -minute sections, One 20 -minute section Writing • One 25 -minute section, One 10 -minute section • Essay – 25 minute section REQUIRED

SAT Ø Scoring l Individual subjects • Each subject score ranges from 200 -800 • Essay has separate score 2 -12 l Total • • • Composite of all three individual subjects added together Critical Reading + Math + Writing Highest Score possible = 2400 Ø Penalties l l l Typically ¼ point deducted for wrong answers If you can narrow down choices to 2, make a guess Otherwise, leave blank

SAT TESTING DATES Ø November 2, 2013 l Ø December 7, 2013 l Ø Registration deadline - February 7 May 3, 2014 l Ø Registration deadline - December 27 March 8, 2014 l Ø Registration deadline - November 8 January 25, 2014 l Ø Registration deadline - October 3 Registration deadline - April 4 June 7, 2014 l Registration deadline - May 9

ACT Ø www. actstudent. org Ø Cost - $35 l With Writing added - $50. 50 Ø Four subjects l English • 45 minutes l Math • 60 minutes l Reading • 35 minutes l Science • 35 minutes l Writing (OPTIONAL) • 30 minutes

ACT Ø Scoring l l l Each subject score ranges 1 -36 Composite or Total score – Average of the four sections together Optional Essay – scores from 1 -12 Ø Penalties l l l No penalties for wrong answers Since incorrect answers do not count against student, always attempt to make an educated guess Always select an answer

ACT TESTING DATES Ø October 26, 2013 l Registration deadline - September 27 Ø December 14, 2013 l Registration deadline - November 8 Ø February 8, 2014 l Registration deadline - January 10 Ø April 12, 2014 l Registration deadline - March 7 Ø June 14, 2014 l Registration deadline - May 9

TEST PREP WEBSITES Ø www. collegeboard. org Ø www. actstudent. org Ø www. march 2 success. com Ø www. majortests. com Ø www. sparknote. com/testprep/newsat

• Update your files for the year. • Collect report cards and test scores. • Make a note of awards or honors earned. • Record school and community activities. • Secure a job. Or volunteer your services. Build credentials while having fun. • Attend summer enrichment programs in an area of interest. • Visit college campuses. • Read, read, and read some more!