Counselor's Scoop

HOW TO MAKE THE GRADE ON THESE IMPORTANT TESTS

ACT

• The ACT is America’s most widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.
• The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.
• The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.
• For more information visit www.actstudent.org
• Test Dates listed on the website are in the U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada.

SAT

• The SAT Reasoning Test™ is a three-hour-and-45-minute test that measures critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills that students have developed over time and that they need to be successful in college. The new SAT is better aligned with current curriculum and institutional practices in high school and college. By including a third measure of skills, writing, the SAT reinforces the importance of writing throughout a student’s education and will help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions. 
• The SAT Subject Tests™ (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are a battery of one-hour, mostly multiple-choice tests that measure how much students know about a particular academic subject and how well they can apply that knowledge.
• For more information visit www.collegeboard.com

PSAT~The Preliminary SAT

• The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
• PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It’s a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
• The PSAT/NMSQT measures:
• critical reading skills
• math problem-solving skills
• writing skills
• You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn’t require you to recall specific facts from your classes.
• The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:
• to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
• to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
• to receive information from colleges when you check “yes” to Student Search Service.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Below you will find links to helpful sites to guide you to the career that best suits you and your goals.  As always, please come see us in the Guidance Department for further assistance.

• The Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/
• Career Direction Program www.careertrain.com (school password-CD3540503)
• Job Corps www.jobcorp.dol.gov/
• Alabama Army National Guard www.1800goguard.com
• www.mapping-your-future.org
• www.todaysmilitary.com
• www.myfuture.com
• www.truecareers.com
• Alabama Tech Prep www.altechprep.org

Additional career information may also be found in the school library.

WHERE TO GO TO COLLEGE AND HOW TO PAY FOR IT

Below you will find a plethora of information to help you in finding your next step after high school.   However, please see your guidance counselor for more information and assistance.

Programs at the University of Alabama for High School Students:

• UA Early College is for current juniors and seniors.  For more information about UA Early College Enrollment, please visitwww.uaearlycollege.ua.edu.
• The University of Alabama also offers the Student Introduction to Engineering Program(SITE) http://site.eng.ua.edu.
• Rural Health Scholar Summer Program is a free program for rising seniors.  For those selected, the program includes free tuition, room, and board for 5 weeks. A one-time $35 application processing fee for those selected participants. www.cchs.ua.edu/rhs or contact Cynthia Moore at (205) 348-3116.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Information:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Alabama Student Loan Program www.alstudentaid.com
• AmeriCorps www.americorps.org
• Selective Service - If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25 you must register with selective service in order to be considered for federal financial aid. www.sss.gov/regist.htm
• University of Alabama Scholarship Program http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/first_scholars.html
• AXA Achievement Community Scholarship www.axa-achievement.com  
• The Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship www.jimmyranefoundation.org
• Allstate Foundation Scholarships http://www.allstate.com/foundation/keep-the-drive/HSJ.aspx 
• DCH Health System Scholarship Applications are available at www.supportdch.org or www.dchsystem.com
• Mercedes –Benz U.S. International Scholarship Program www.mbusi.com (located under corporate/media)
• Alabama Association of School Office Personnel Scholarship - Four $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing degrees in business or K-12 Education. Applications are available in the guidance department.
• ANS Incoming Freshman Scholarship http://www.ans.org/honors/scholarships/
• Student-View Scholarship Program www.student-view.com
• Knight Essay Scholarship http://www.sar.org/Youth/Knight_Essay_Rules
• Alabama Bankers Association Scholarship http://www.alabamabankers.org/ald/moak.html
• BBG Communications Scholarships http://www.breylancommunications.com
• KFC Colonel’s Scholars www.kfcschcolars.org
• Best Buy Scholarship Program www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com or www.at15.com  
• Buick Achievers Scholarship Program - Scholarships up to $25,000/Year. For Students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing or Design. www.buickachievers.com
• The University of Montevallo-Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship Program If you have questions please call (205) 665-6030
• Shelton State Foundation Scholarships  Log on to www.sheltonstate.edu to apply online.

Links to College and University Websites:

• Alabama A&M University
• Auburn University
• Belmont University
• Bevill State Community College
• Birmingham Southern College
• Brown University
• Clemson University
• College of Charleston
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Duke University
• Elon University
• Emory University
• Florida State University
• Furman University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Huntingdon College
• Huntington University
• Jackson State University
• Jacksonville State University
• Miles College
• Mississippi State University
• Mississippi University for Women
• New York University
• Princeton University
• Rhodes College
• Rice University
• Rollins College
• Samford University
• Savannah College of Art and Design
• Sewanee—University of the South
• Shelton State Community College
• Southern Methodist University
• Spelman College
• Spring Hill College
• Stanford University
• Stillman College
• Swarthmore College
• Tuskegee University
• University of Alabama
• University of Alabama—Birmingham
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Kentucky
• University of Mississippi
• University of Mobile
• University of Montevallo
• University of North Alabama
• University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill
• University of Notre Dame
• University of South Alabama
• University of South Carolina
• University of Southern Mississippi
• University of Tennessee
• University of Virginia
• University of West Alabama
• Vanderbilt University
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wofford College
• Xcell Academy—Paul Mitchell Partner School
• Yale University