Grade 11 Scheduling

Newsletters and Forms

Grade 11 Fall Newsletter 2014
Grade 11 Spring Newsletter 2015
College Application Packet 2014-15

Alphabet Soup of College Admissions

ACT	American College Test. College entrance examination. Tests Math, Social Studies, English, and Science.
ASVAB	Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. This exam is required in order to enlist in the military. Also a good tool for helping students decide what kind of career they would be good at based on their interests, skills and values.
CEEB CODE	School code number.Â South Williamsport’s isÂ 395325.
Early Action	Similar to Early Decision but is not a binding contract and a student does not need to withdraw other applications if accepted.
Early Admissions	A student is accepted and attends college instead of attending their senior year of high school.
Early Decision	A college will decide to accept a student early (usually in December). The student must withdraw any other applications. This is a binding contract.
FAFSA	Free Application Federal Student Aid. This is the required application for most financial aid.
Profile	Financial Aid form required by some private colleges. A list of these colleges is available in the guidance office.
GPA	Grade Point Average. A numeric average of all of a studentsâ€™ high school grades.
PSAT/NMSQT	Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. A practice SAT exam taken in October of a students Junior year. High scores may qualify students for National Merit Scholarships.
SAT I	Scholastic Aptitude Test. College entrance examination, math and verbal questions only.
SAT II	College entrance examination. Subject specific. Student needs to research which colleges require these exams.
TAP	Tuition Assistance Program forÂ college.

Grade 11Â Timeline

August

Review your high school course work and activity plans.
Register at www.collegeboard.com and follow “SAT question-of-the-day” on Twitter.
Keep in mind that colleges look for the following:
Challenging course work
GPA (Grade Point Average)
How you spend your free time:
- sports and other extracurricular activities
- volunteer work
- church and/or community involvement
- employment

September

Identify the sources of college and career information in school. Start looking through guidance publications, college catalogs and guidebooks.
Put together a list of 10-15 colleges that you would like to attend. Plan to apply to 3-5 schools.
Talk to your parents, along with your high school counselor, and other adults, about where you want to go to school.
Study for and register to take, the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT).
Start a savings plan (every little bit helps).
Attend the College Fair at Lycoming College

October

Read, practice and take the PSAT/NMSQT. (Remember to take your calculator.)

November

Think about college majors and career areas that correspond with your abilities/interests.
Continue to research colleges/careers using guidance resources.
Talk to your parents and teachers about college interests.

December

PSAT results arrive. Look at the SAT requirements of different schools and compare them to your PSAT results. Work to overcome your areas of weakness.
Read SAT I bulletin.
Talk with graduates who are home from college.

January

Attend Financial Aid Night.
Register for spring SAT I and/or ACT.
Search online for colleges.
Take Keystones if necessary.

February

Research interesting and challenging summer courses, jobs, or activities.
Meet with counselor to discuss 12th grade schedule and future plans.

March

Practice and prepare for College Entrance Examinations (SAT or ACT).
Identify colleges you are considering that require the SAT IIâ€™ s. Consider registering for the May or June test
Know what financial aid is available from private programs.
Meet with your counselor to schedule challenging senior year courses.

April

Begin visiting the colleges on your list and do an overnight visit if available.
Begin to narrow your college list.
Develop a resume.
Explore early decision/early action options.

May

Take the SAT or ACT exam.
Be aware of SAT I/SAT II and ACT test deadlines and the dates colleges want these tests completed.
Identify teachers whom you may ask for recommendations
Athletes, register with NCAA Clearinghouse.
Take Keystones if necessary

June

If possible obtain a summer job. Save the money for college costs.
ScheduleÂ visits toÂ colleges over the summer for interviews and information sessions.
Job shadow in a career field that interests you.
Involve yourself in some “meaningful” activities.
Finalize resume.
If portfolios will be required for college applications, begin collecting samples.

Free Online SAT Preparation Resources

Khan Academy

Online guided SAT practice, full practice exams, targeted math, reading, and writing practice with videos that show step-by-step solutions for each question.Â (Khan Academy also has its own YouTube channel)

CB Practice Test

SAT practice exam directly from the College Board

CB Practice Questions

SAT practice questions directly from the College Board

ePrep

Diagnostic SAT Exam (timed with ability to pause, graded upon conclusion instantly, solutions provided with video and/or written explanation)

INeedAPencil

Free Comprehensive SAT Prep Website

ePrep Wordsmith

Wordsmith Challenge (SAT prep game designed to help prepare you for SAT verbal sections)

PWN the SAT

Tons of SAT practice and study guides from an SAT expert