Junior Guidance News

ACT/SAT TESTING FOR COLLEGE ENTRY
We encourage ALL college-bound juniors to take the ACT and/or SAT during 2nd semester of their junior year. The reason for waiting until second semester is that many of the questions used in the ACT and SAT relate to courses that juniors are currently taking. Testing in the second semester of the junior year permits an early introduction to the tests with ample opportunities to re-test later. Taking the test earlier in the year might mean that the student has not had enough of the proper course work to tackle these tests well. Students who take the test prior to second semester might not score as well as they had hoped, and may also reach an erroneous conclusion that they cannot score well. Many times we see 5 point increases on the ACT composite between Dec. of the junior year and June following the junior year.

Over 60% of the Millard students who re-tested improved their scores. Colleges and scholarship organizations use the best score. Therefore, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain if you test during second semester, then retake it at least once, and perhaps more. Becoming familiar with the content and format of the test questions is one of the best preparations for the test. The registration packet contains some sample test questions. You may consider attending one of the "Test Help" sessions offered in the area. See your counselor for more information about help sessions. Remember to register early enough to TAKE THE

ACT AT YOUR HOME SCHOOL. The ACT and SAT registration packets are located in the Counseling Center.

(**These tests are not given at Millard North)

ACT/SAT TEST PREP HELP
Check out Getting Into the ACT. This book has four retired ACT tests you can practice taking. See Ms. Hatton in the Counseling Center.
Sign up for College Prep. Grammar at MNHS for your senior year.
Take ACT or SAT prep classes. Pick up a brochure in the Counseling Center.

FREE PRACTICE SAT/ACT UNO and Kaplan Test Prep are offering a free practice test to students on Saturday, Feb. 4th from 8:30 – 1:00 at UNO. To register call 1-800-KAP-TEST or visit www.kaptest.com.

PETER KIEWIT FOUNDATION DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARDS If you are a junior in the top 15% of your class and are contemplating applying for the Distinguished Scholar Award as a senior, you MUST take the ACT by June 10, 2006. The October 2006 ACT test date will be too late to be considered for this scholarship. See your counselor for more information about this scholarship.

JUNIORS, NOW IS THE TIME TO "GO FOR IT!" Many colleges will be accepting or rejecting students based upon their
class rank and performance as it stands at the END OF THE JUNIOR YEAR. Similar decisions for scholarships and other awards will be based on performance results at the END OF THE JUNIOR YEAR. The best ingredients for scholarship success are high class rank and test scores. In most cases they go hand in hand and are determined by the efforts put forth in regular class activities. Juniors planning to apply to selective colleges and for competitive scholarships may be required to have letters of recommendation written for them usually by teachers or a counselor. Start working on a RESUME of yourself to aid the recommendation writer.

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES The simplest method of gathering information on colleges is to visit with college representatives who come to Millard North during the school day. The Weekly Guidance News, given out to Seniors in Mustang Time on Mondays, lists the colleges coming for that week. If Juniors want to sit in on a session with a representative, they should clear it with their classroom teacher first.

COLLEGE VISITS!!! It is not too soon to be making visits to college campuses. Here is a list of things to do when making a campus visit.
1. Take a campus tour. The following are must-sees: a dorm room, library, computer center, dining hall, student union, academic facilities, athletic facilities, performing arts facilities. Tours are usually arranged by calling the admissions office of the school you want to visit. If you need assistance – see your counselor.
2. Make appointments to visit with an admissions counselor, someone in your major area of interest, and someone in scholarships and financial aid.
3. Sit in on classes in your prospective major.
4. Meet with coaches from your sport if you are a prospective student-athlete.
5. Attend a concert, theater, or sporting event to get a feel for campus life.
6. Sample dining hall fare.
7. Talk to students. They will be eager to chat and will be able to give you some insight into what, by now, you are probably calling “the college dilemma”.
8. Pick up a copy of the campus newspaper or any other publications that will give you additional information about the college.
If you can make your visits between now and September, you can begin your senior year by getting your applications sent in to the colleges you have selected.

SIMPSON COLLEGE-JR. VISIT DAY April 7, 2006. Tour the campus, meet professors, learn about activities and student life. To register, call 1-800-362-2454 or visit www.simpson.edu.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY-JUNIOR DAY
Saturday, February 4, 2006. 1:30-2:00 registration. 2:30-4:00 general session, college mini-sessions, financial aid, campus and residence hall tours. 7:00 Women’s basketball game. Register by calling 1-800-952-3541 or visit www.sdstate.edu (keyword: Junior Day).

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
There are many vocational/technical schools where trades and skills such as auto mechanics, carpentry, computers, secretarial skills, cosmetology, drafting, travel industry, etc. are taught. These programs typically take two years to complete and many provide a relatively good salary. For example, Southeast Community College at Milford reports that the average salary for their graduates in Machine, Tool and Design Technology is over $28,000 after five years in the field. See your counselor for more information.

APPRENTICESHIPS
There are also many apprenticeship programs offered in the Omaha area in fields including Insulator, Boilermaker, Bricklayer, Carpenter, Painter, Plumber, etc. Most programs are 4-5 years in length. These programs are "work while you learn and earn." You would work a regular 40 hour a week job, get paid, and also attend classes at night. Applicants must be a high school graduate or hold a GED to apply and be 18 years or older. If this sounds interesting to you, see your counselor.

CAREER VISIT DAY
Plans are being made for our annual Career Visit Day to be held in March. This is an opportunity for juniors to visit an employer of his/her particular interest area. Juniors will receive notification of available visitation sites by early February. Many juniors participated in this program last year and found it to be a valuable experience in career exploration.

ROTC OR MILITARY ACADEMIES! The military continues to provide some of the most lucrative scholarships. An appointment to one of the military academies may have an excess of $100,000.00. The Army, Air Force, and Navy also offer ROTC scholarships, which may have a value exceeding $40,000 over four years. Competition for these military options should begin at the end of the junior year, or in any case within the first month of the senior year. Obtain guideline procedures for the academies or the ROTC from the scholarship rack. Call or visit with your counselor about these options.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENT ATHLETES If you are an athlete and hope to participate in athletics at a Division I or Division II school, then you need to read on. In August or early in your senior year, you will need to complete a form that you must send to the NCAA Clearinghouse to determine your academic eligibility. Before that happens you should send your ACT scores to the Clearinghouse. The best way to do that is by placing the code 9999 on your ACT application form when you register for the April or June ACT tests. The code 9999 is placed in the college and scholarship section of the ACT Registration Folder. If you have questions, see your counselor.
There are also two booklets that you should get and read. One is called “The NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete" and the other is called “Making Sure You Are Eligible to Participate in College Sports.” Both are available on line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Registration for the clearinghouse is also done at this address. Remember to print off the two transcript request forms after you submit your application and bring that form into your counselor so MNHS can send your transcript to the clearinghouse.

LOOKING FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS??? There happens to be a multitude of summer opportunities for high school students. If you are interested in any summer opportunities see Mr. Schettler in Counseling.

NEBRASKA CAREER INFORMATION SYSTEM Plan your career with the CIS program via the internet. Check out more thatn 450 occupations. Match occupations to your interests. Learn about colleges and universities. Discover where to get an apprenticeship or degree. Find scholarships and financial aid. Go to the CIS web site address necis.intocareers.org. Your user name is mllrdnrth05. Your password is co8r2n.

2006 DISCOVER CARD TRIBUTE AWARD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM $25,000 scholarships. Open to current high school juniors with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 who excels in Leadership, Obstacles Overcome and Community Service. Visit www.discovercard.com/tribute.htm
Application deadline: January 31, 2006.

UNL, UNO, UNK ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Will you be prepared for UNL, UNO or UNK by the time you graduate from Millard North? This is a reminder that the University system requires more for admission than Millard requires for graduation.
To be assured of admission, the University requirements are as follows:

plus
be in the top ½ of your class
OR
score a minimum of 20 on your ACT or 950 on your SAT

WEBSITES TO VISIT:

Scholarship Search

Financial Aid Information

College Search

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

NCAA

College and Career Information
(User name: mllrdnrth05, Password: co8r2n)