ACT Poster Contest
Students are encouraged to enter this contest by designing a poster that encourages other students to attend college and to take the ACT® as their college entrance exam. ACT will use the winning design concept to produce the 2010-2011 ACT test date information poster we distribute to high schools nationwide.
The Contest is open to high school students who are residents of any one of the 50 United States and who are eligible and applying for 2010 or 2011 admission to a two-year or four-year college in the United States.
The first place winner will receive a $5,000 nonrenewable scholarship to his or her college of choice. Second and third place winners will receive $2,500 and $1,000 scholarships respectively.
The Official Entry Form and poster must be postmarked on or between October 19, 2009, and January 30, 2010. The Poster Concept Contest winners will be announced in March 2010 on the ACT website.
Visit www.actstudent.org/postercontest for the Official Entry Form, Information Sheet, and Complete Official Rules.

Your High School Transcript
The grades you make in a class each six weeks and the grade you make on your semester final average together form your semester grade. Each semester grade is posted on your high school transcript. Each semester grade becomes a part of your GPA – your grade point average. Your GPA will determine your rank in your class.
Pay close attention to your grades and be sure to do your best each and every six weeks. These are becoming part of your permanent record that you will use to help get into the college of your choice. Each year seniors want to know why they are not ranked as high as they think they should be. They have forgotten that the grades they made as freshmen are just as important as the grade they have recently made. Do your best each six weeks!
Three B’s Every Student Should Know
1. Balance
• Academic life
• Social life
2. Belonging
• Get to know teachers and other students well

3. Behavior
• Visualize your goals
• How can you hit a target when you don’t have one?
Testing Opportunities at SHS
During your four years at SHS, you will have several opportunities to take different tests to help you prepare for college admissions tests, help with career choices, and help you make good post-secondary educational choices. Below are some of the tests we now offer and what they can tell you about yourself:
PLAN Test – Sophomore Year
PLAN, which is taken by most students in preparation for the ACT Assessment, includes academic tests and a survey of career interests. PLAN also provides an estimated ACT Assessment score so you can see if you’re on track for the college or career of your choice. If you are undecided, PLAN can put some focus into your future. Participating in PLAN gives you a head start on career and educational planning.
PSAT Test – Junior Year
The PSAT/NMSQT may be a student’s first official step on the road to college. It can prompt some to consider college as an option and others (who already know they’re going) to jump-start their search. On average, those who take the PSAT/NMSQT earn higher scores on the SAT than those who don’t. One reason for this is that the tests have the same formats, directions, sample questions, and question types.

By taking the test, juniors may be eligible to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s scholarship competitions, as well as programs that give special recognition to high-achieving Hispanic and African-American students. The Student Search Service gives PSAT/NMSQT test takers the option to voluntarily place their names in a pool of college-bound students interested in receiving admission and financial aid information from certified colleges, universities, and scholarship agencies.
PSAT/NMSQT test results will give most students their first chance to see how their skills compare with those of others planning to go to college. Test results in the PSAT/NMSQT Score Report give students feedback on their important college-related verbal, math, and writing skills. Students can use this information to fine-tune learning plans, including appropriate course selections, that will get them ready for college-level work
ASVAB Test – Junior Year
The ASVAB is a vocational aptitude battery consisting of ten short tests which cover the areas of General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Numerical Operations, Coding Speed, Auto and Shop Information, Mathematics Knowledge, Mechanical Comprehension, and Electronic Information. The results of the ten individual tests are combined to provide three “academic” scores and ten individual scores. The academic composites are Verbal, Math and Academic Ability; the occupational scores are Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reason, Mathematics Knowledge, General Science, Auto & Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Information, Numerical Operations, and Coding Speed.

The test results will be interpreted to the students when the school receives the results. Students will be given a “passcode” enabling them to work on the Occu-Find, for one year, on line at the website: www.asvabprograml.com. The Occu-Find is an excellent tool for helping students choose a career they would be suited for and enjoy.

There is no obligation on the part of the student in regards to the military services. The ASVAB is an excellent career test and provides information on the student’s strengths and weaknesses as compared to his/her career choices.

Rules for Success in High School:
#1 - Show Up.
#2 - Pay attention.
#3 - Ask questions.
#4 - Repeat the above.

Welcome to Shallowater High School!

Just Keep Swimming. Just Keep Swimming.

Meet with a counselor and your parents to develop your Four-Year Plan.

Plan to earn the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program diploma by taking the rigorous classes.

Get off to a good start with your grades. The grades you earn in the ninth grade will be included in your high school GPA and class rank—which will in turn affect college admission and scholarships.

Begin to research careers that you’re truly interested in, and job shadow people in those careers. Visit the guidance office for hints about career research, or do your own research using any search engine on a computer.

Get involved in extra-curricular activities, including volunteer work. These develop skills that will help you throughout life: time management, goal-setting, working cooperatively with others.

Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses. Continue or begin a savings plan for college. Go to www.finaid.org/finaid/calculators/estimate.html/ to get an estimate of how much financial aid you may receive from the federal government. As you complete the questionnaire, you will need to refer to data from your most recent tax returns (yours and the adults with whom you live).

Check out college websites.

Investigate summer enrichment programs. Visit www.petersons.com and/or listen carefully to daily announcements during the spring semester for summer camps, or check in with the counselors on a regular basis.

Select courses and plan for your sophomore year during the spring semester. Be sure to consult your Four-Year Plan to identify meaningful electives.

Read, read, read. Read as many books as you can from the College-Bound Reading List (Find it at als.lib.wi.us/Collegebound.html.) Read the newspaper every day to learn about current events. Work on your writing skills. You’ll need them no matter what you do. Begin preparing for the SAT/ACT college admission tests. Go to www.actstudent.org and collegeboard.com for helpful information.

See your counselor any time you have a question or concern.

For Freshmen January 2008


In This Issue:
Get the Most Out of Your PSAT/NMSQT® with My College QuickStart™
Tip of the Month: Take Great Class Notes
New Year's Resolutions
MyRoad™ Can Help You Plan Ahead for Graduate Study


Welcome to 2008. As you start the second half of the school year, it's the perfect time to make meaningful New Year's resolutions. Choose resolutions that can help you now, while you're in high school, and later in college or a job.

Get the Most Out of Your PSAT/NMSQT with My College QuickStart

If you took the PSAT/NMSQT in October, your scores indicate how ready you are for college-level work. If they seem low, don't get discouraged. You've got plenty of time to focus on the skills you need to do well. Use My College QuickStart, a free online tool, to zoom in on your wrong answers, view answer explanations, and learn from your mistakes. We've provided you with a starter search to give you a jump on finding colleges to attend, based on your location and preferred major. You'll also find personalized lists of suggested majors and careers that link to complete descriptions in MyRoad, the College Board's online career, major, and college planning site.

Visit My College QuickStart

Tip of the Month: Take Great Class Notes

Resolve to sharpen your note-taking skills now and you'll reap the benefits as you continue through high school and college. Here are a few pointers: Understand your teacher's main points. Don't try to write down every word you hear.
Ask questions. If you're confused, it's better to ask when the information is fresh in your mind.
Review your notes the day you take them, and all your notes once a week. That way, you'll hardly need to study when your test day arrives.


More tips on how to take great class notes

New Year's Resolutions

Start the year off right by resolving to take control of your homework. Some tips to get you on the right track:
Find a quiet place to work, with no distractions.
Study at the same time every day.
Take advantage of any free time to review your notes or get started on assignments.
If you're having trouble with schoolwork or in class, talk to your teacher or ask if tutoring is available.

Take control of homework

MyRoad Can Help You Plan Ahead for Graduate Study

Did you know that it's harder to get into vet school than med school? That you don't have to be a doctor to have a rewarding career in health care? And that a wide range of majors are great preparation for law school? Learn how to prepare for med school, law school, as well as physical therapy and other grad programs in MyRoad's Health and Medicine and Justice and Law majors.

Don't Have an Account Yet?
If you took the 2006 or 2007 PSAT/NMSQT, you have free access to MyRoad through My College QuickStart. To see the results of this year's test, you'll need the access code printed on your 2007 paper score report. Ask your counselor when score reports will be handed out at your school. Sign up for My College QuickStart.



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© 2008 The College Board. All rights reserved. The College Board, 45 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY, 10023-6992. College Board, AP, SAT, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. My College QuickStart, MyRoad, The Official SAT Question of the Day, SAT Reasoning Test, and SAT Subject Tests are trademarks owned by the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. All other products and services may be trademarks of their respective owners.


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SAT® Dates & Deadlines
March 1 SAT*
Register by: January 29
May 3 SAT
Register by: April 1
June 7 SAT
Register by: May 6

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* On March 1, only the SAT Reasoning Test™ is offered, and only in the U.S., U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico. On all other dates, SAT Subject Tests™ are also offered and all tests are available internationally.

January Tools
College Search
Financial Aid EasyPlanner
Freshman Action Plan


Get a Jump on College with AP® Courses
When you're planning your schedule for next year, consider AP courses. You can get credit for qualifying grades on AP Exams at most colleges.

Participate in the AP Program

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Practice with real SAT questions daily to get ready for the SAT or just to challenge yourself.
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For Parents of Freshmen and Sophomores January/February 2008

In This Issue:
The EFC: It Figures
Good News for PSAT/NMSQT® Test-Takers
Next Year's Classes
The Benefits of AP® Courses and Exams


Dear Parent,

The new year is a great time to look ahead—and you don't need a crystal ball. The EFC Calculator helps you discover how much your family can expect to pay for college. And PSAT/NMSQT test-takers can get a jump on college planning with My College QuickStart™. To prepare for the near future, work with your child on setting up a balanced class schedule for next year, one that's attractive to colleges.

The EFC: It Figures



Whether grant, scholarship, loan, or work-study, financial aid is designed to ease your family's burden while your child is in college. However, you are expected to help cover tuition and other expenses. How much? That depends on your individual financial situation. Use the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator to estimate your family's share. Your child may receive financial aid to make up the difference between your EFC and the total cost of college.


Financial aid packages aren't always enough to bridge the gap, but there are many loan options, both federal and private. Some are available only to your child, while you can apply for others. IRA withdrawals and tuition tax credits can also help.

Answers to EFC FAQs
Financing your child's education


Good News for PSAT/NMSQT Test-Takers



Planning for college can feel overwhelming, but your child has a head start with My College QuickStart. This free personalized online tool is available to students who took the PSAT/NMSQT.


QuickStart's detailed online score report makes it easy for students to learn from their mistakes. They can zoom in on the questions they missed and view answer explanations. QuickStart also includes an SAT® study plan, powered by your child's test results. The plan targets areas where more practice is needed and even suggests ideas for long-term academic improvement.


With QuickStart, your child has a jump on the search for colleges as well. We've already run a starter search, based on your child's location and preferred major. Of course, your child can modify the search, using a wide range of criteria.

Tour My College QuickStart
How to sign in to QuickStart


Next Year's Classes



Think of it as a four-year report card: your child's high school transcript is that important. But it's not only grades that matter. Most colleges look for students with a curriculum built around the basics—English, math, science, history or social studies, and a language. Help set the stage for success by encouraging your child to sign up for classes that prepare students for college-level work. Of course, it's also important that your child maintain an interest in school and avoid burnout.


Remember that colleges don't just look for challenging courses on a transcript; they look for balance. Course work in the arts, for instance, shows that your child is well rounded, with interests beyond textbook learning. Certain college majors, such as engineering, have special requirements. Find out more on MyRoad™, our interactive college and career planning website. Choose a major, and then click on High School Courses. It's free for students who took the PSAT/NMSQT, through their My College QuickStart account.

Schedule for success
Select a balanced course load


The Benefits of AP Courses and Exams



One way your child can create a challenging curriculum is to sign up for Advanced Placement Program® (AP) courses, offered in 22 subject areas. Students in each of the 37 courses embark on an in-depth exploration of the subject and experience the rigor of college-level study. By broadening your child's intellectual horizons, these enriching courses can reveal a passion that influences your child's choice of college major and career.


At the end of the course, your child can choose to take an AP Exam. A qualifying score may result in college credit or even advanced standing at the college level. Having earned this credit, your child might be able to skip some introductory college courses and choose more advanced and specific courses instead.

The AP challenge
AP course descriptions




Important Links
Academic Tracker
My College QuickStart™
Financial Aid EasyPlanner



Your Child's January
Action Plan
Talk to your child about taking SAT Subject Tests™ this spring, in subjects such as biology and chemistry.
Freshman Action Plan
Sophomore Action Plan

Learn About the
CC a Parent Email Service
Stay in the loop by getting copied on important emails sent to your child.
Learn more

The Official SAT Online Course™


Your child can practice for the SAT with interactive lessons, auto essay scoring, and much more. Personalized and comprehensive, this tool is easy to use.


Available for $69.95
More College Board
resources





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©2008 The College Board. All rights reserved. The College Board, 45 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY, 10023-6992. College Board, AP, Advanced Placement Program, SAT, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. My College QuickStart, MyRoad, The Official SAT Online Course, and SAT Subject Tests are trademarks owned by The College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. All other products and services may be trademarks of their respective owners.


CONTACT | CAREERS | ABOUT US | PRIVACY | TERMS OF USE | PRESS

For Freshmen April 2008




In This Issue:

Make Your Summer Count


Tip of the Month: Take Better Notes


SAT Subject Tests™


MyRoad™ Majors with a Twist

Summer is still months away. However, the earlier you start lining up opportunities, the more likely you are to find a job, internship, or volunteer opportunity where you can explore your interests.

Make Your Summer Count


Colleges see meaningful summer activities as a demonstration of commitment and responsibility. Think about how you can make your summer count. Schedule an appointment with your counselor to discuss all your options. Consider attending a summer school program to help you improve your skills and knowledge. You'll also have the chance to:

Pursue your interests.

Gain experience outside the classroom.

Try college-level work.

Find summer school programs

Tip of the Month: Take Better Notes


Use your notes from class to prepare for final exams—but don't just reread them. Try to anticipate exam questions, summarize your notes on each page, and make lists of key words, important dates, and critical facts.

Learn advanced note-taking strategies

SAT Subject Tests


Many colleges use one or more Subject Tests for admissions or placement. Talk with your counselor and teachers about taking Subject Tests this spring, after you've completed the relevant course work, and while the material is still fresh in your mind. You can take up to three one-hour Subject Tests on a given test date. Tests are offered in the following general subject areas:

English

Mathematics

History

Science

Languages
Register online for SAT Subject Tests

MyRoad Majors with a Twist


If you've got a mind that longs to roam free, look into interdisciplinary majors—majors that cross the boundaries between traditional areas of college study. Students in these majors focus on a theme, taking a wide range of classes.

To explore the phenomenon of the city from every angle, try urban studies. Fascinated by the way people make themselves understood? The communication major helps you decode the messages we exchange every day. You'll find these and nine other interdisciplinary majors described in Explore Majors.

Don't Have an Account Yet?
If you took the 2006 or 2007 PSAT/NMSQT®, you have free access to MyRoad through My College QuickStart™. Sign up for My College QuickStart.





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SAT® Dates & Deadlines

June 7 SAT
Register by: May 6

Register for the SAT



April Tools
SAT Preparation Center™

SAT Subject Tests™
Preparation Center

Academic Tracker

My College QuickStart™

Freshmen Action Plan




The Official SAT Question of the Day™

Practice with real SAT® questions daily to get ready for the SAT or just to challenge yourself.
Try today's question
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AP® Credit Policy Information

Colleges and universities throughout the world offer credit or placement for qualifying AP Exam grades. Get information about the AP policies at many of these schools with AP Credit Policy Info.





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