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JUNIOR
NEWSLETTER #2
January 15, 2008
Potential
college bound juniors should consider taking the ACT or SAT
during the winter/spring testing dates of their junior year.
ACT TESTING
DATES
ACT REGISTRATION DEADLINES
April 12, 2008
March 7,
2008
June 14, 2008 May
9, 2008
SAT TESTING
DATES
SAT
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
March 1, 2008 January
29, 2008
May 3, 2008
April 1,
2008
June 7, 2008
May 6,
2008
WHY?
1. Waiting until the second half of
your junior year in high school gives you 2 ½ - 3 years of
academic classes and experience to apply to your
testing.
2. Taking the ACT/SAT during
your junior year is your first step in starting your college
application
process.
3. You should take the ACT or the
SAT at least two or three times and by taking the ACT/SAT in
your junior year this gives you more opportunities for
your second/third testing in your senior
year. This is especially important if you are pursuing
a college where you must have a specific
score for acceptance and/or a certain amount of
financial aid.
4. Traditionally there is a
slight improvement in scores for the second testing in
comparison to the
first testing.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING
SAT or ACT: TEST YOUR BEST You might
wonder why you have to choose between the SAT and the ACT. Ten
or twenty years ago, choosing which test to take was not even an
issue. Until recently, the ACT was traditionally required by
colleges in the Midwest, and the SAT was the test of choice in
the northeast and on the east and west coasts. But now an
increasing number of students are taking the ACT, and the
majority of schools in the United States now accept both SAT and
ACT test results. Most schools in Ohio seem to prefer the ACT.
HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU This increased
acceptance of the ACT gives today’s savvy students a strategic
advantage. The SAT and ACT are significantly different tests,
and in many ways, they measure different skills. So depending on
your particular strengths and weaknesses, you may perform much
better on one test than the other. As a result, many students
embarking on the admissions process are now considering both the
SAT and ACT – to figure out which test provides a better
showcase for their abilities.
Comparison of the ACT and the SAT
SAT
ACT
Key ACT Differences
Writing English
Similar to the multiple choice portion of the SAT Writing except
that it
Writing has additional
emphasis on punctuation. The “optional” ACT Writing
(optional) essay will be
required by many schools. The ACT essay is always the
last section;
the SAT essay is always the first section of the exam.
Math Math
Covers math through trigonometry, whereas the SAT does not. The
ACT forbids
calculators with computer algebra systems like the TI-89.
Critical
Reading
Tests similar reading skills. No vocabulary oriented Sentence
Reading
Competitions.
N/A Science
No analogue on the SAT. Measures interpretation, analysis
evaluation,
reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Deduction
for No
Raw
Scores
incorrect deduction
multiple for incorrect
choice answers
problems
200-800
scale 1-36 scale
Scaled Score
600-2400
sum 1-36 scale
Composite or Combined Score
Remember, both the SAT and ACT are
important parts of your application, but they are only one of
several factors – from your courses and grades to
recommendations and your personal statement – that colleges
consider.
Students may pick up a registration
packet from the guidance office. All materials and information
about the test and the test centers are in this packet. Also be
sure to pick up a copy of “Preparing for the ACT” or “Taking the
SAT” which describes the content of each test and summarizes
general test taking strategies. You may register on for the ACT
at
http://www.actstudent.org and at
http://www.collegeboard.com for the SAT.
While there are many test centers
throughout Ohio most of our students will sign up for Lancaster
High School. It is a test center for each test date.
The basic fee to take the ACT is
$30.00 for each test date and $43.00 for each SAT test
date.
Should I take the SAT or ACT?
Almost all colleges accept either the ACT or SAT for
admissions. Some schools will have a preference and you should
always check with the admissions office for specific
requirements. In the past, the SAT was considered more of an
aptitude test and the ACT was considered more of an achievement
test. Changes to the SAT in recent years have narrowed this gap
considerably. Both tests cover math, grammar and reading
comprehension, although with a different emphasis in each case.
Theoretically the essay portion of the ACT is optional, but many
colleges that are taking the SAT are requiring the ACT essay, so
plan accordingly.
What is tested on the ACT and how
does it compare to the SAT?
The ACT actually consists of four tests with an optional
essay test. The English test is similar to the SAT Writing
section except that it has additional emphasis on punctuation
and uses a different question format. The Math test covers math
through trigonometry and is more similar to the Math Level 1
Subject Test than it is to the more reasoning oriented SAT. The
Reading test covers similar skills to the SAT’s Critical Reading
section, but there are no vocabulary oriented sentence
completions. The Science test has no analogue on the SAT. The
ACT does not measure scientific facts and knowledge like the
Subject Tests, but instead measures interpretations, analysis,
evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills in the context
of scientific passages and experiments. The optional Writing
section is similar to the essay on the SAT except that it will
come at the end of the exam rather than at the beginning and it
is 30 minutes instead of 25 minutes.
How is the ACT scored? How do
these scores compare to the SAT scores?
You will receive a scaled score of 1-36 on each of the 4 ACT
tests (you will receive a raw score of 2-12 on your essay that
represents the sum of the 1-6 scores from two graders). Your
composite score on the ACT is the average of your 4 scores
rounded to the nearest integer so it is also a 1-36 score.
Because the SAT and the ACT are completely different tests
developed by different companies, their scores cannot be
compared directly. Instead, the scores can be compared by
analyzing the performance of students who have taken both exams
at around the same time. The percentile rankings of these
students are then used to create what is called a concordance
table.
When should I guess on the ACT?
Before ever leaving a question blank on the ACT, you should
always fill in a guess. If time is about to run out, you should
quickly fill in an answer for any remaining questions. The ACT
is scored on how many correct answers you achieve. Leaving a
question blank on the ACT is throwing away points needlessly.
(However, there is a penalty for wrong answers on the SAT.) You
should not randomly guess answers on this test.
JUNIOR
NEWSLETTER #1
September 21, 2007
PSAT EXAM
THE PSAT IS A TEST GIVEN TO JUNIORS TO QUALIFY FOR THE NATIONAL
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS AND AS A PRACTICE TEST FOR THE SAT. THIS TEST
WILL BE GIVEN ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007 AND THE
COST IS $13.00, PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 17. YOU MUST
PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. PLEASE
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO LIBERTY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT. WE ONLY
HAVE 35 PSAT TEST BOOKLETS FOR LIBERTY UNION.
Did you
know that you are extremely lucky? If you are a student who
wants to complete post secondary schooling, you live in the
right place. Ohio has an abundance of opportunities, including
colleges, universities, junior and community colleges and
vocational and technical schools. The guidance office can help
you find information on any of the choices whether in the state
or out of state.
As a junior you need to start planning what direction
you should go RIGHT NOW! Investigating and visiting campuses
will help you figure out what kind of environment you prefer
(big or small, city or rural, etc.) Try stopping at campuses
that are on your way when taking vacations or visiting friends
and family who may live near campuses.
Do you know the difference
between the types of schools or the way they are funded?
Universities, Colleges, Schools - -
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Colleges differ in the way they are
funded: A public or state college/university is supported in
part by the taxpayers of the state. As a result, the tuition
(the cost of taking classes) is typically lower than at a
private college or university which receives no money from the
government. A private school is also usually smaller than most
state-supported schools.
COLLEGE: Offers courses leading to a bachelor’s degree.
UNIVERSITY: Is usually made up of several colleges (one
university might have a college of business, a college of
agriculture, a college of medicine, etc.)
JUNIOR OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Offers two-year degrees
which can prepare you for a career or transfer to a four-year
college or university
VOCATIONAL OR TECHNICAL SCHOOL: Offers job-oriented
programs lasting anywhere from a couple of months to two years.
FOR COLLEGE PREPARATION IN OHIO . . .
A REMINDER TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO ATTEND A
FOUR YEAR COLLEGE IN OHIO YOU NEED THE FOLLOWING CLASSES TO BE ACCEPTED
UNCONDITIONALLY AT ALL STATE UNIVERSITIES AND SOME PRIVATE COLLEGES:
4 UNITS ENGLISH, 3 UNITS MATH (INCLUDES ALGEBRA 1
AND 2 AND GEOMETRY), 3 UNITS SOCIAL STUDIES, 3 UNITS SCIENCE (INCLUDES 1
BIOLOGY AND 1 CHEMISTRY), 2 UNITS OF A SINGLE FOREIGN LANGUAGE, AND 1 UNIT IN
THE ARTS.
THE ABOVE HAS BEEN AGREED UPON BY THE STATE
ASSISTED UNIVERSITIES IN OHIO AS THE BEST PREPARATION STUDENTS CAN HAVE TO
SUCCEED IN COLLEGE. EACH UNIT GENERALLY REPRESENTS ONE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL
STUDY.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE PREPARED
WITH THE MINIMUM CORE AND WHO CAREFULLY CHOOSE A COLLEGE TO MEET NEEDS AND
EXPECTATIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO STAY IN COLLEGE AND GRADUATE!
IF YOU OR YOUR PARENTS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT
COURSES AND REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE CALL THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR TO DISCUSS
CONCERNS.
IT ISN'T TOO EARLY TO START INVESTIGATING
DIFFERENT COLLEGES SINCE MOST SENIORS SHOULD SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO COLLEGES
IN THE FALL OF THE SENIOR YEAR. THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO LEARN ABOUT A
COLLEGE. ONE IS TO VIEW CATALOGS, VIDEOS AND ON-LINE INFORMATION. ANOTHER IS
TO TALK WITH THE COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES. SOME ARE SCHEDULED TO COME DIRECTLY
TO LIBERTY UNION AND ARE AVAILABLE TO TALK WITH INTERESTED STUDENTS DURING THE
SCHOOL DAY. IF YOU WISH TO TALK WITH A REP. YOU NEED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS IN
ADVANCE WITH THE PARTICULAR TEACHER. COLLEGE VISITS ARE VERY BENEFICIAL TO
STUDENTS. JUNIORS ARE PROVIDED TWO DAYS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS TO ASK COLLEGE REPS
1. What are your college's academic specialties? Which programs are
particularly strong or competitive?
2. What makes your college distinctive?
3. What is the environment of the campus? Describe the surrounding community.
4. What are the academic credentials of the typically admitted student? ACT or
SAT scores? Range? Minimum? Class rank? Grade point average?
5. Are extracurricular activities considered when making admissions decisions?
6. Do you have an advising system? Do you offer career planning and placement
at graduation?
7. What percentage of students live on campus? Is residence housing
guaranteed? Is living in the residence halls required?
8. What percentage of students are from in-state?
9. What do students do when they are not in class or studying? Are athletics
available? What are the clubs, special interest groups, fraternities and
sororities?
10.What is the cost of your school? What expenses does this figure represent?
What is the total cost (including tuition, fees, room and board, books and
supplies, and personal expenses)?
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT HOW TO FINANCE YOUR COLLEGE
EDUCATION? STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS ASKING ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS AND HOW CAN I GET
ONE. THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO NOW IS CONCENTRATE ON GETTING GOOD GRADES,
KEEPING A GOOD GPA AND CLASS RANK AND TAKING COLLEGE PREP COURSES. SCHOLARSHIP
COMMITTEES ARE LOOKING FOR THE BEST STUDENT ACADEMICALLY AND SINCE THE
APPLICANT POOL IS LARGE, THEY CAN AFFORD TO BE SELECTIVE!! IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT
TO BE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL, CHURCH AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. LEADERSHIP
POSITIONS, SUCH AS AN OFFICER IN A CLUB OR CLASS, ARE ESPECIALLY NOTEWORTHY.
REMEMBER
- Your time line for your Junior year should include the following:
- Check course selections and credits with the guidance office
- Take PSAT this fall
- Investigate college/school opportunities
- Start campus visits
- Take the ACT in the spring
GOOD
LUCK CLASS OF 2009!!
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