Guidance:
Mrs. Fleck (A-K) - 946-8279
Mrs. Anderson (L-Z) - 946-8282
JUNIOR CLASS BULLETIN – CLASS OF 2014
We look forward to helping you make this school year a successful and rewarding experience. Please continue to use the sign-up sheet in the Guidance Office to arrange an appointment with your counselor. Remember that we offer a variety of counseling services in the areas of educational planning, career decision-making and personal-social adjustment. Below we have listed some important information for you as a junior. Please read carefully, and see us individually to discuss your own specific needs.
- All students must pass twenty-four (24) credits for graduation. Of these twenty-four credits, a specific number is required in each of the subject areas as follows: English – 4 credits; Social Studies – 3 credits; Mathematics – 3 credits; Science – 3 credits; Health - .5 credit; P.E. – 1.0 credit; Humanities – 2 credits; and Electives 7.5 credits.
- Do the very best work you can this year. The class rank, which is calculated at the end of your junior year, is critical for use in college admissions and scholarship applications. Both class rank and SAT scores are important criteria in college admissions.
- All juniors who are considering the possibility of going to a two or four-year college should take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) to be given here on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. Register for the PSAT/NMSQT in the Main Office. The fee is approximately $15.00. Fee waivers are available for those students who receive free or reduced lunches.
- The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is required for admission to most colleges. The College Board recommends that the SAT be taken in the spring of the junior year. Registration materials are available in the Guidance Office or on line at www.collegeboard.org.
- The SAT II or subject tests from the College Board are only required by some of the more selective colleges. Check with your college of choice to determine admissions criteria.
- Any athlete planning to attend a Division I or II College on an athletic scholarship should include the NCAA Eligibility Center (9999) as one of the selections for your SAT scores. Check out www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org for more information.
- Colleges also use the American College Test (ACT). Check The College Handbook in the Career Center to be certain which test specific colleges prefer.
- The Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) is being administered at the A.A.H.S. on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. If you plan to enlist in a branch of the armed services, this test is required your junior or senior year. Sign up in the Counseling Office.
- Those interested in Military academies should begin the application process in the spring of the junior year. Except for military service academies, all other applications for post-high school institutions are filed beginning in September of the senior year.
- The Career Center is the place to register for an on line program which will help you in your search for careers. The Choices program allows you to search not only for careers, colleges, technical, business and certificate training information. This program will also enable you to save your data, collect your personal information, and access your searches from home. Access your profile at www.bridges.com. This is the year you will want to identify your strengths and interests and begin examining career choices. The career center located near the guidance office is helpful whether you plan to further your education or find a job.
- A special programs and scholarship folder is maintained in the guidance office for you to review for special opportunities. Often various organizations provide us with information we include in the daily announcements, as well as on our high school website aahs.aasdcat.com
- The Altoona Area School District Opportunity Fair will be held again this year in the field house on Tuesday evening, October 2 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 3 from 9:00a.m.-12:05 p.m. Representatives from numerous post-secondary institutions and the military will be here to tell you about their programs. Parents are invited to attend the evening session on Tuesday. Junior students will visit on Wednesday during the day.
TUTORING
Are you experiencing problems with English, Math, Science, Social Studies or Language courses? A.A.H.S. National Honor Society students offer tutoring help to fellow students who are putting forth the effort but who need extra help in understanding their subjects. Counselors have forms to request tutoring from the National Honor Society. This will start approximately mid-October.
Please share this bulletin with your parents. If they have questions or desire a conference, they may contact us by calling the Counseling Office at 946-8277.
CAREER PREPARATION GUIDE
JUNIOR YEAR
- Revisit your Choices Profile
- Inform yourself about careers of interest.
- Form tentative career goals.
- Meet with your counselor to continue career exploration.
- Take the P.S.A.T. (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test)
- Attend the Post-High School Opportunity Fair.
- Research colleges that interest you. Check their admissions requirements.
- Take the S.A.T. during the spring of your junior year (May or June).
- Take the A.S.V.A.B. (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) if planning to enlist in the military.
- Participate in the Rotary Career Fair.
- Visit college during the summer of your junior year.
- Students planning to apply to a military academy should apply in the spring of their junior year.
2012-2013 SAT Dates
Test Date Deadline
October 6, 2012 September 7, 2012
November 3, 2012 October 4, 2012
December 1, 2012 November 1, 2012
January 26, 2013 December 28, 2012
March 9, 2013 February 8, 2013
May 4, 2013 April 5, 2013
June 1, 2013 May 2, 2013 |
