Williston High School

PO Box 1407

502 West Highland Drive

Williston, ND 58801

701-572-0967

 

2005 - 2006

 

 

 

 


Educational/Career Planning Guide For juniors

Williston High School Guidance Department

Mrs. Wick Counselor

Ms. Koperski Counselor

2005 - 2006

 

September – January

ü       Review and refine your career choices.  Determine your post-secondary training needs such as college, apprenticeship, military, etc

ü       Plan and participate in school and community activities (examples are extra curricular, work, volunteer)

ü       Attend a college/career day.  The date is Wednesday, September 14, 2005. Sign up in the Counselors’ office by September 9th

ü       Visit with college representatives to learn more about post-secondary opportunities

ü       Use the counseling office to find more information about post-secondary schools and career opportunities

ü       Visit with military representatives to understand the career opportunities in the military

ü       Take the PSAT/NMSQT if this testing experience is desired. This will be given on October 12, 2005

ü       Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) if interested in a vocational aptitude test or the military – To be given on October 3, 2005

ü       Develop a resume and update it regularly for future scholarships, jobs, and school applications

ü       If you are interested in taking postseconary classes this year as Dual Credit, sign up now

January – April

ü       Register for you senior year in high school by selecting courses, which continue to lead to your career goal

ü       Will you be taking dual credit next year at WSC?  If so, you need to enroll now

ü       Begin the process of applying for a military academy if you are interested

ü       Draw up a schedule for taking college admissions and AP tests.  Note registration deadlines

March – June

ü       Write for catalogs for the specific schools you are considering.  Know admission requirements and application deadlines

ü       Write for applications for scholarships

ü       Assess the means by which financial responsibilities will be met for post-secondary education

ü       Take the ACT

ü       Investigate opportunities in summer school, summer workshops, or employment

 

Summer

ü       Visit campuses of schools you might attend.  Write for college applications


Services offered by the Counseling Office

 

ü       Educational and Career Planning

ü       Personal/Social Counseling

 

Opportunities for Juniors

 

Post-Secondary Planning Activities

Choices Planner and Career Explorer program – available at your home computers or at the school. Ask the counselors for the password and user number

ü       Interest Inventory

ü       Occupational Information

ü       Undergraduate school information

ü       Financial Aid information

ü       Graduate school information

 

College and Military Representatives Visits

ü       Recruiters visit WHS on a regular basis.  Check with the counselors to see when their next visit will be.  You are able to visit with recruiters during your study hall or before or after your school day has begun or is complete

 

United States Military Academy or ROTC

ü       Begin the application process by the second semester of your junior year.  Taking your ACT test early in your junior year is important

 

North Dakota Job Service    774-7900

            Job Service Web Page – www.state.nd.ud/jsnd

            America’s Job Bank address – www.ajb.dni.us

 

ü       Current list of full-time and part-time jobs

ü       Assistance with employment applications

ü       Internet access and assistance with job searching and career information on the internet

ü       One-on-one career counseling

ü       Resume writing assistance

ü       Interviewing techniques and practice

ü       Job search strategies

ü       Information on career resources

ü       Labor Market Information (LMI)

ü       Information on Job Corps

 


ASSESSMENTS

 

North Dakota State Assessment

The NDSA will be give to juniors sometime during the window of October 24 through November 11th. This is not an optional assessment, it is required - all juniors will be included in the testing.  The assessment will measure skills in reading and language arts and mathematics. Watch for the dates in the fall of 2005.

 

PSAT/NMSQT

Williston High School makes available the PSAT/NMSQT to juniors on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 beginning at 8:00 A.M. in the Library Media Center.  The fee for the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship qualifying Test) has a cost to the student of $12.00.   The PSAT/NMSQT is a national standardized test offered once a year to juniors.  This test score is used to determine National Merit Scholarship recipients and is a practice test for the SAT.  The PSAT measures critical reading, mathematical and writing sills.  It provides information on your academic skills as compared to other college-bound students.   The deadline to register is October 5, 2005.

 

College Entranced Exams

The two major college entrance exams are the ACT (American College Test) and the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test).  All North Dakota public two and four year post-secondary schools require the ACT.   Generally, high school juniors should plan to take the ACT in the spring of their junior year.  Nationally, most schools will accept scores from either ACT or SAT.  Check The College Handbook or the CHOICES program for the preferred test, both available in the Counselors’ office. Check on the ACT site whether or not you will need to write the optional writing test – an additional cost of $14.00. The code for WHS is 352 880. The test center code for WSC is 032190.

 

ACT registration packets are available in the counselors’ office.  Tests are given at Williston State College.  Check registration deadlines to allow plenty of time to fill out the registration packet.  You can register by paper or by www.act.org which will be much faster.

 

2005 -2004 ACT Test Dates:

 

Test Date                                            Registration Date

October 22, 2005                                 September 16, 2005

December 10, 2005                               November 4, 2005

February 11, 2006                                January 6, 2006

April 8, 2006                                        March 3, 2006

June 10, 2006                                      May 5, 2006

 


SAT I Reasoning tests are given at Williston High School in November.  The tests are given at the other sites on the other dates.  Registration packets are available in the counselors’ office.  Or register on line.

 

SAT II tests are one-hour tests in specific subject areas.  Some colleges require or recommend one or more of these tests for admission or placement purposes.  Check the requirements of colleges under consideration before deciding which test to take.  It is best to take the subject tests upon completion of the related course.  You may register for the SATs on line at www.collegeboard.org. 

 

NOTE:  you cannot take SAT I or SAT II tests on the same day.

 

 

2005-2006 SAT I and SAT II test dates

Test                             Test Date                    Registration Deadline

 

SAT I/SAT II              November 5, 2005        September 30, 2005

SAT I/SAT II              December 3, 2005        October 28, 2005

SAT I/SAT II              January 28, 2006         December 22, 2005

SAT I                           April 1, 2006                February 24, 2006

SAT I/SAT II              May 6, 2006                 March 31, 2006

SAT I/SAT II              June 3, 2006                April 28, 2006

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTING

 

Advanced Placement testing is an option for students who are enrolled in an Advanced Placement class.  The exam dates will be in May.  There is a cost for the testing. This is one way to earn college credit prior to enrolling in a post-secondary school.  AP classes include English 12, Psychology, United States history, Government, Biology and Chemistry.

 

                                               

REQUESTING RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

When requesting a letter of recommendation from a teacher, friend or employer, be sure to:

ü       Fill out the student information worksheet at completely as possible.  Add a separate sheet if needed.  A copy is attached, be sure to make a second copy in case you need to give out another copy to someone else.

ü       Think of an individual who knows you well.

ü       Make an appointment to ask the individual to write a letter of recommendation for you.  Plan ahead to meet your timeline and allow 10 to 15 days for the completion of the letter.  DO NOT assume the letter will be completed if you leave the request in his/her mailbox or drop if off at their desk.  Make sure you make a personal contact with the individual.

ü       At the time of the appointment, give the individual specific dates and directions for disbursement of the completed recommendation.  If appropriate, provide stamped envelopes.

ü       Write a thank you note to the person who wrote you a letter of recommendation.

 

 

 

Student Information Sheet

 

Student’s name: ______________________________Date: __________

 

Date letter is needed: ___________Cumulative GPA/Rank ____________

 

Future goals:

 

 

 

 

Special interests, hobbies, talents and how you have pursued them:

 

 

 

 

Most important activities at school:

 

 

 

Describe yourself and provide relevant information that will be of benefit to the writer:

 

 

 

 

List any special awards or recognitions you have received:

 

 

 

What community service project(s) have you been involved with? Describe your experience: