Junior Parent Night Information - Metea Valley High School

Information Night
for Juniors
Mr. Javier Polavieja
Guidance Counselor (A-K)
Mr. Tom Daugherty
Guidance Counselor (L-Z)
Ms. Darcy Hutzler
Director of Guidance

Part I:
Standardized Testing Overview
Part II:
Choosing a College: Finding the Right Fit

Why
What
When
Where
How

Why
• Allows a point of comparison from student-to-student
and high school-to-high school nation wide
• Standardized test scores, in most cases, play an
important role in admissions decisions
• High schools monitor student progress using
standardized tests

What
• EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT series
• PSAE
• PSAT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests
• AP Testing

Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
• Only qualifying exam for National Merit,
National Achievement and National
Hispanic Recognition Programs
• National Merit Status: typically 99 th
percentile nationally
• Preparation for the SAT
• Critical Reading, Math Reasoning and
Writing (not optional)

How
• Recommended for students in
the top tier of the junior class
academically with a strong
standardized testing history
• Test on October 17 th in school
• Cost: $20.00.

EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT Series
EXPLORE
• Baseline of measurement of progress in EXPLORE,
PLAN, ACT series
• EXPLORE = 8 th Grade, score range 1-25
PLAN
• Midpoint measure on progress toward ACT
• PLAN = Fall of 10 th Grade, score range 1-32
• Good practice for the ACT
• Good predictor of future ACT score
• Personalized career information
• Not used by colleges for admission

• Used for College Admission
• Curriculum-based test
• Sub-tests
• English
• Reading
• Math
• Science Reasoning
• Writing (optional—check with your college)
Score Range: 1-36

• Recommended:
• April or June of Junior Year
• September or October of Senior Year, if needed
• National Test Dates: test site can vary
• Register in advance for each national test
date directly with ACT.
• Register on-line at www.actstudent.org.

• Each score report (by test date) is a
separate testing record.
• No penalty for frequency of testing
• Colleges use the best score for
admission
• Scores are not on MVHS transcripts
• Scores must be requested from the
testing company by the student

Prairie State Achievement Exam
• Mandatory state testing for all
juniors in Illinois
• Required for graduation
• April 23 & 24, 2013 @ MVHS

Day 1: ACT
– English, Math, Reading, Science
– Score can be used for college admission
and for NCAA Clearinghouse
Day 2: Work Keys
– Reading for Information and Applied
Mathematics

• No cost to student.
• Administered during school day.
• Registration completed by the
school.

• Used for College Admission
• Measures critical thinking skills.
• 3 parts
• Critical Reading
• Math Reasoning
• Writing (not optional)

• Recommended: Spring Junior Year or
Early Fall Senior Year.
• National Test Dates: test site can vary
• Register in advance for each national test
date directly with College Board.
• Register on-line at www.collegeboard.org

• New Students score can reporting choose to feature send one being or
launched multiple test in scores March 2009
• This “Score Choice” feature is optional—if
students do not use it, all scores will be
sent automatically
• No penalty for frequency of testing

• Measure knowledge and skills in particular
subject areas, as well as ability to apply that
knowledge…...like SAT, you must register online
• Formerly SAT II: Subject Tests
• Required by some colleges for admission
or placement—check first before testing.
• Take as soon as possible after completing
the coursework in that subject

Consider retesting if…
• You have completed additional
coursework or an intensive review
• You were not feeling well when you
tested
• You misunderstood the directions
• Are not satisfied that your scores
accurately reflect your abilities

October 17, 2012 @ MVHS
Options:
• Practice ACT (most students..no need to
pre-register)
• PSAT (Deadline: Tuesday, September 25th)

• Exams are optional at the end of AP
courses.
• AP courses are a college-level learning
experience.
• Potential to earn college-level credit based
on exam score.
• Credit determined by college.

• Students must register at MVHS and pay
$89 per test (’12-’13).
• Registration begins in February.
• Exams are administered every year at the
beginning of May.

Planning for LIFE
After Metea
• Emphasis on lifelong learning
• Many options including 4-year
university, 2-year college, military,
career/technical program, or on-the-job
training.

• This refers to the match between
the student and the college
• In a good match--both flourish
• Two main components:
- Characteristics of Student
- Characteristics of the College

• Person
• Program
• Place
• People
• Price

• What are my career goals/educational
goals
• What is my academic profile-ACT/GPA
• What are my interests and activities
• What kind of student/learner am I
• What are my goals and values

• Area of Study
• Specialized Major
• Academic Rigor
• Type of Curriculum
• College’s Mission & Philosophy
• Career Development Assistance

• Location
• Setting- rural, urban suburban
• Environment/Atmosphere
• Activities

• With whom will you learn
• Number of faculty &
students
• Professors
• Mentors
• Networking opportunities

• Costs range from approximately $4,000 for a community
college to over $50,000 for an Ivy League per year
• Net cost
• Remember that many colleges have outstanding
scholarships & financial aid
• Choose several colleges including one that your family can
afford
• Community colleges tend to be the “best buy” in schools; a
good idea is to apply to at least one state school or
community college

• Identify the most important
factors in your decision
• Rank these factors
• Begin your search
• Remember to consider:
Person,Program, Place, People
and Price

• Research a variety of schools
• Utilize Naviance
• Attend College Visits at MVHS
• Attend College Fairs
• Visit College Campuses while they
are in session and arrange visit
through Admissions Office.

• Generally colleges require:
– 4 years of English
– 3-4 years of Math
– 3-4 years of Lab Science
– Some recommend 3 years of Social Studies
– Some require 2 years of a foreign language
– Look at the average ACT/SAT scores
accepted
Be sure to check each college’s website!

• Importance of Junior year-work on
academics
• Take a challenging Senior year
• Continue to be involved and build your
resume
• Attend Financial Aid Night at MVHS on
November 27, 2012 at 7:00 pm
(tentative date)
• Junior College Night at MVHS on March
19, 2013

National College Fair
September 29 th , 11 a.m – 3:00 p.m., Navy Pier
Waubonsee Community College
Oct. 1 st , 6 p.m.-8 pm
Elgin Community College
October 2 nd , 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Performing Arts College Fair
Oct. 14 th , 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m., Chicago High School of the
Arts
College of DuPage
Oct. 16 th from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lewis University (Romeoville)
March 5 th , 2013, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
North Central College (Naperville)
March 18 th , 2013, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
DePaul University (Chicago)
March 26 th , 2013, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Naviance
• Log on by going to:
http://connection.naviance.com/meteavhs
or link through the MVHS home page.
• User name: Student ID Number (will be
either 5 digits or 7 digits)
• Password: computer network password,
for now…..the same password used last
year. By late September, you will be able
to use your new password.

Information Night for Juniors
Standardized Testing Overview: See back of page.
Choosing a College: Finding the Right Fit
Class of 2014 Counselors
Mr. Javier Polavieja
Mr. Tom Daugherty
Guidance Counselor (A-K)
Guidance Counselor (L-Z)
Javier_polavieja@ipsd.org
tom_daugherty@ipsd.org
630.375.3386 630.375.3984
Choosing a college is a process and it is unique to each student’s goals, experiences, level of interest, and
involvement. A key word in admissions today is “fit”. This refers to the fit between the student and college. If the
fit is a good match, then the student and the college both flourish and are satisfied. Therefore, the college search
involves two main components: the characteristics of the student and the characteristics of the college. The “best
college” is the one that is the best fit for the individual student!
• There are five factors (the 5 P’s) involved in making a good match between a student and potential
colleges: Person, Program, Place, People, & Price. 1
Step One: Know Yourself (Person!) Different colleges complement different learning styles.
o Reflect upon the following: What are my educational goals What courses have I taken in high school
Which ones have been my favorites What am I involved in (extra-curricular activities, work, hobbies,
other interests) What are my test scores What is my GPA /class rank
o Who are you as a learner Active or passive Auditory, visual, tactile Do you like discussing,
experimenting, theorizing How do you earn good grades…homework, projects, cumulative exams
o What are you like in class Do you like lab days Class discussions Class lectures Reading texts
o Are you good at multi-tasking or concentrating on one thing at a time
Step Two: Know the Colleges (Program, Place, People, & Price!) Identify your priorities. What are the most
important factors in your college decision Carefully research the characteristics of a variety of schools. 2 Use
available resources to begin or continue your college search. Use online resources such as Naviance.
Attend college visits at MVHS and college fairs. Visit college campuses.
o Program: What college has the best program for me as an individual What do I want to study
o Place: Where do I want to study Do you want to visit home frequently Experience a new part of the
country Urban, suburban, small town
o People: With whom do I want to learn Professors Mentors Networking
o Price: What is the total cost What financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available
**Naviance – http://connection.naviance.com/meteavhs or link through the MVHS home page.
User name: Student ID Number (will be either 5 digits or 7 digits)
Password: computer network password, the same password used for Pinnacle access
**Metea’s primary tool for career assessments, college profiles, college visit schedules, a scholarship database, college application tracking,
course planning, and more.
Online Resources for Testing Information and College/Career Planning:
www.actstudent.org -- ACT registration, sample tests, additional test score report requests.
www.collegeboard.com -- SAT registration, sample tests, additional test score report requests.
Upcoming Events:
Financial Aid Night: November 27, 2012, 7pm. (tentative)
Junior College Information Night, March 19, 2013: An admissions panel—including a variety of institutions such
as a large public, small private, community college and highly selective college—will go into greater detail on
the college search process and finding the right fit in a post-secondary institution.
1 The Right Fit” Dr. John Kaltsas, Schuler Family Foundation 2 College Counseling Sourcebook published by the College Board, 2007

STANDARDIZED TESTING--Class of 2014
Name of Test When Where Why How Other Information
PLAN Taken last fall @ MVHS
PSAT/NMSQT
Preliminary SAT/National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test
Practice ACT
(also known as “mock” or
“retired” ACT)
October 17, 2012
October 17, 2012
@ MVHS
@MVHS
Good practice for the ACT
Good predictor of future ACT scores.
Personalized career information.
Only qualifying exam for National Merit
Scholarship Program.
Preparation for the SAT.
Recommended for students in the top
academic tier of their class
Preparation for the ACT
Helps familiarize students with the types
of questions on the ACT as well as the
timing of each section
Students complete demographics,
interest inventory, math, reading,
English, and science sections.
Score range: 1-32
Students register for the
PSAT/NMSQT by Sept 25 , 2012
in the Junior House.
Cost is $20.00
Students not registered for the
PSAT on 10/17/12 will take the
practice ACT that day.
Curriculum-based test similar to
the ACT.
Not used for college admission.
Not required for college admission.
This is NOT an official score and
cannot be sent to colleges.
PSAE
Prairie State Achievement Exam
ACT
April 23 & 24,
2013
Recommended:
February 2013
through Oct. 2013
(MVHS is not a test site
on all national dates)
@ MVHS
Location
varies
@ MVHS
on Oct.
27,April
13 and
June 8
2013
Mandatory state testing for all juniors in
Illinois=required for graduation.
Students must complete Day 1 & Day 2
of PSAE Testing.
Math, Reading, English, Science, and
possibly Writing (determined by state)
ACT score range:1-36
Used for College Admission Students must register in advance for
each national test date directly with ACT
Mail-in registration packet or on-line at
www.actstudent.org.
Score Range:1-36
Day 1 is ACT, which can be used for
college admission and NCAA
Clearinghouse.
Day 2 is WorkKeys
Curriculum-based test consisting of
English, Reading, Math, Science
Reasoning and Writing (optional)
sections.
No penalty for frequency of testing
Each score report is a separate
testing record.
SAT
SAT Reasoning Test
Recommended:
February 2013
through Oct. 2013
(MVHS is not a test site
on all national dates)
Location
varies
@ MVHS
every
October
Used for College Admission Students must register in advance for
each national test date directly with
College Board
Mail-in registration packet or on-line at
www.collegeboard.org.
Score maximum on each subtest is 800
Measures critical thinking skills.
Three parts: Critical Reading, Math
Reasoning, & Writing
SAT scores from multiple dates are
sent automatically unless “Score
Choice” is selected.
SAT Subject Tests
AP
Advanced Placement Tests
As soon as possible
after completing the
coursework in that
subject
(MVHS is not a test site
on all national dates)
Every year
in May
Location
varies
@MVHS
Required by some colleges for admission
or placement
Designed to measure knowledge and
skills in particular subject areas, as well
as ability to apply that knowledge.
Potential to earn college-level credit
based on exam score
Students must register in advance for
each national test date
Mail-in registration packet or on-line at
www.collegeboard.org.
Students must register at MVHS and pay
$89 per test in 2012
Registration begins in February
Check with specific colleges of
interest before registering for SAT
Subject Tests.
Formerly SAT II: Subject Tests.
May be required at many “Highly
Selective” colleges
Exams are optional at the end of
AP courses.
AP courses are a college-level
learning experience.