What you should be doing your junior year

This year juniors should be selecting and researching the colleges they intend to apply to in the fall. They should continue to make their highest grades possible in their classes and plan for the SAT/ACT.

For students who plan on applying to Horry Georgetown Technical College, taking the SAT or ACT is not necessary. HGTC has their own entrance exam called COMPASS, which is administered on their campus. There is no charge to take the test.

Students planning to apply to a four year school must take the SAT and/or ACT at least once in the spring of 2009. These students should have successfully completed (or be currently enrolled in) Algebra 2 and English 3. Students are strongly advised to take the test here at Socastee High School on May 2. Studies show that students tend to feel more comfortable taking the test in their home school and this could lead to better test results.

The cost of the SAT is $45.00 and the cost of the ACT is $46.00. Other remaining SAT and ACT test dates can be found at these links:

SAT: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees.html

ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/regist/currentdates.html

Registering for the SAT/ACT

Students may register for the SAT directly at the Collegeboard website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/reg.html

Registration for the ACT can be found here: http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html

It is important to use the Socastee High school code when registering so that test scores will be sent to the school. The code can be found on the websites or students may see Mrs. Keller.

Sending SAT/ACT score reports

To avoid additional fees, it is important for students to identify up to four colleges or universities they want their scores sent to at the time they register for the test. These would be the schools they intend to apply to in the fall. Schools require that SAT/ACT test scores be sent directly to them from the testing company. The cost for sending these score reports after the test is $10.00 per report.

Preparing for the SAT/ACT

Students who took the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) in the fall have received their test scores and their testing booklet. All students took the PLAN (Preliminary ACT) last year and received their test scores and booklets as well.

On each score report they are given the correct answers to the questions they missed. They have been advised to review their incorrect answers in the booklet to understand what they missed.

Larry Mills SAT workshop

All SHS students who plan to take the SAT May 2 are encouraged to attend the Larry Mills SAT workshop to be held here at SHS on April 16.

The workshop will last all day. The cost is $30.00, which includes the Official SAT Study Guide. If students already have a copy of the study guide, the cost is $15.00.

Scheduling for Senior Year

Classroom guidance will begin on March 2 through March 20 for course selection for next year. Students are encouraged to continue to take challenging courses. Colleges will be requesting transcripts and they will look to see what type of courses students are registered for in the senior year.

Scholarships

Beginning in September of 2009 students will receive a monthly newsletter updating them on all current scholarship opportunities received by the guidance office. Students are also encouraged to do their own research online and at websites such as www.fastweb.com.

Financial Aid

We will host a Financial Aid workshop in late early February 2010. All students applying for financial aid for the 2010-2011 school year will need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students complete FAFSA early in the year they will be entering college (January 2010 for the junior class)