TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Academic ...... 2
ECAP
Four-Year Plan
Brag Sheet
Arizona Career Information System (interactive website)
Request for Official Transcript (Sample)
Testing ……………………………………………………………………………………. 7
PSAT
SAT or ACT: Which Test Should I Take?
College ……………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Junior Year Checklist
Senior Year Checklists
College Comparison Worksheet
NCAA
Personal Essay
Scholarships ……………………………………………………………….….………. 16
Financing Your College Education
Career Planning ………………………………………………………………………. 18
Post Secondary Options
Military Appointments and Enlistment
Resume
Employment
Interviewing
Appendix ………………………………………………………………………………. 26
Resource Websites
Glossary of Terms and Programs
Senior Autobiographical Sketch (Complete for a letter of recommendation.)
Students are encouraged to write in this guidebook and complete the items in bold print listed above.
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Tom Horne
Superintendent of Public Instruction
EDUCATION AND CAREER ACTION PLAN (ECAP)
R7-2-302.05 (Approved on February 25, 2008)
Arizona Education and Career Action Plan for Students in Grades 9-12
A. Effective for the graduation class of 2013, schools shall complete for every student in grades 9-12 an Arizona Education and Career Action Plan (“ECAP”) prior to graduation. Schools shall develop an Education and Career Action Plan in consultation with the student, the student’s parent or guardian and the appropriate school personnel as designated by the school principal or chief administrative officer. Schools shall monitor, review and update each Education and Career Action Plan at least annually. Completion of an Education and Career Action Plan shall be verified by appropriate school personnel.
B. An Arizona Education and Career Action Plan shall at a minimum allow students to enter, track and update the following information:
a. Academic Goals that include identifying and planning the coursework necessary to achieve the high school graduation requirements and pursue postsecondary education and career options; analyzing assessment results to determine progress and identify needs for intervention and advisement; and documenting academic achievement;
b. Career Goals that include identifying career plans, options, interests and skills; exploring entry level opportunities; and evaluating educational requirements;
c. Postsecondary Education Goals that include identifying progress toward meeting admission requirements, completing application forms and creating financial assistance plans; and
d. Extracurricular Activity Goals that include documenting participation in clubs, organizations, athletics, fine arts, community service, recreational activities, volunteer activities, work-related activities, leadership opportunities, and other activities.
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Ironwood Ridge High School Four-Year Plan (Class of 2014 and beyond)
Date: ______
Last Name: ______Career Goal: ______
First Name: ______Educational Goal: ______
9th Grade / 10th Grade / 11th Grade / 12th Grade1. English 9 / 1. English 10 / 1. English 11 / 1. English 12
2. Algebra / 2. Geometry / 2. Math - / 2. Government / Economics
3. Biology / 3. Physics / 3. Science - / 3. Math -
4. P.E. / 4. World History/Geography / 4. US/AZ History / 4.
5. / 5. P.E. / / 5. / 5.
6. / 6. / 6. / 6.
Summer prior to 9th grade / Summer prior to 10th grade / Summer prior to 11th grade / Summer prior to 12th grade
IRHS Graduation Requirements – 22 Credits
(**Identifies additional in-state college requirements)
Required Courses16.5 credits / Sem
1 / Sem
2 / Electives
5.5 credits / Sem
1 / Sem
2
English 9 / **Foreign Language I
English 10 / **Foreign Language II
English 11
English 12 /
Math
Math
Math
Math
Science
Science
Science
World History
US/AZ History
Government / Economics
Physical Education
Physical Education
**CTE or **Fine Arts
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BRAG SHEET
List Honors, Pre-AP and AP courses taken and grade earned:
Course Name Grade Earned
List extracurricular activities, clubs, organizations, awards, sports, band, etc:
Activity Grade Level
List community service/volunteer activities:
Activity Location Hours
Employment:
Company Name / Position/Title / Employment Dates / Job Duties1. / FROM:
Supervisor: / TO:
2. / FROM:
Supervisor: / TO:
3. / FROM:
Supervisor: / TO:
Test Results:
AZMerit / English / Math / Other / SAT / Date / Verbal / Math / WritingPSAT / Verbal / Math / Writing / ACT / Date / Math / Eng / Sci / Rdg / Comp
AZCIS
The Arizona Career Information System is a program offered for all students to create an electronic career portfolio to use in high school and beyond.
REGISTER:
Step 1: www.azcis.intocareers.com
Step 2: If you are logging in for the first time use the following user name and password:
User Name: ironwoodrhs
Password: 4azcis02
Then you will create a profile. We suggest you use the following to create your user name and password. Our biggest concern is that you remember it. Please write it down somewhere.
User Name: ______(student I.D.)
Password: ______(first name)
If you forget your username or password, go to: http://www.azcis.intocareers.com/login_getpassword.aspx
Be sure to develop your resume after signing in. This will be used your junior and senior year in high school for scholarships and letters of recommendation.
OPTIONS IN YOUR EDUCATION CAREER PLAN
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· Plan High School Courses
· Take Assessments: Answer questions about yourself and connect to occupations that may interest you.
· Explore Occupations
· Plan for Education: Identify programs of study that interest you and schools that offer them
· Create Resume
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REQUEST FOR AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
Student Name:______Date:______
Student ID # ______Grade: ______
College or other institution: (Write the complete name and address of out-of-state college! Okay to abbreviate UA, ASU or NAU only. No need to include address for the 3 in-state universities.)
Name:______
Address: ______
City:______State: ______Zip: ______
Official transcript cost is $1.00 paid at the time of the request. Transcript requests will not be processed until paid.
Please allow 3-5 working days to complete this request.
Date needed: (A.S.A.P. is not acceptable.) ______
Please check one: IRHS will Mail ______Student Pick-up ______To Alpha Counselor ______
Office use only:
Date Received: ______Date completed: ______
------
(Tear here, fill out the top portion for your records and turn in bottom portion.)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Students will fill out the above half sheet COMPLETELY and give to the Registrar
along with payment. Do not drop off slip at front office.
2. Plan accordingly. Most universities take several weeks to put the application packet together.
3. Please allow 3-5 working days to complete this request.
4. If the student would like the official transcript sent to a specific person, please identify that
clearly on the form above.
5. In most cases the transcripts will be mailed by IRHS. To pick up the transcript, the student
must show proper ID.
6. All official transcripts leave the registrar’s office in a sealed envelope. Institutions will not accept transcripts that have been opened as an official document.
Fill out for your records:
College/Scholarship Name: ______
Date turned in: ______Date picked up: ______
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TESTING
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PSAT Study Website:
www.collegeboard.com/psatreports
My College Quick Start on-line access code (find on the PSAT report)
User: ______
Password: ______
Taking College Entrance Exams:
Most colleges and universities will accept either the ACT or the SAT scores for college entrance. Some out-of-state colleges also require SAT Subject Tests as well as SAT or ACT scores. Students should consult college websites carefully for specific test requirements or contact the university directly. The College Handbook is also a quick reference source.
Registration for each test can be done on-line through www.collegeboard.com (SAT and SAT Subject Tests) or www.act.org (ACT). Payment is required at the time of registration. Be sure to register on time to avoid a late registration fee. When registering, be sure to have the Ironwood Ridge High School code available: 030517. Athletes must remember to send scores to the NCAA. The NCAA Eligibility Center code is 9999. Please do not forget a picture ID. The test center will not admit anyone without proper identification.
When studying for the SAT exams, use the data received from the PSAT results. Public library workshops and SAT/ACT software are other resources available to assist in preparation for any of the tests.
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ACT and SAT Convergence Chart
ACT SAT ACT SAT ACT SAT ACT SATScore Score Score Score Score Score Score Score
36...... 1600 29...... 1300 23...... 1070 16...... 790
35...... 1550 28...... 1260 22...... 1030 15...... 740
34...... 1520 27...... 1220 21...... …990 14...... 690
33...... 1470 26...... 1180 20...... …950 13...... 640
32...... 1420 25...... 1140 19...... 910 12...... 590
31...... 1380 24...... 1110 18...... 870 11...... 550
30...... 1340 17...... 830
This chart compares the SAT scores only - without the writing portion of the test.
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WHICH TEST SHOULD I TAKE?
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SAT / ACTWhen is it administered? / Seven times per year / Six times per year
Where do I register? / www.collegeboard.com / www.act.org
What is the test content? / Math: up to 9th grade basic
Geometry and Algebra II.
Science: none
Critical Reading: sentence
completions, short and long
critical reading passages,
reading comprehension
Writing: an essay and
questions testing grammar,
usage and word choice / Math: up to trigonometry
Science: charts, experiments
Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities and Natural Science
English: stresses grammar
Writing: optional test
(Test closely resembles work done in high school classes.)
Is there a penalty for wrong
answers? / No / No
How long is the test? / 3 hours and 45 minutes / 3 hours and 35 minutes (writing test 40 minutes)
How is the test scored? / 200 – 800 per section, added together for a combined score.
2400 is the highest possible combined score. / 1 – 36 for each subject,
averaged for a composite
score.
36 is the highest
possible composite score.
Are all scores sent to schools? / Yes. If a student requests a
score report be sent to specific colleges, the report will include the scores the student received on every SAT taken. / No. There is a “Score Choice” option. Students may choose which schools will receive their scores AND which test date the schools will see.
Best time to register? / At least six weeks before the test date / At least four weeks before the test date
May calculators be used? / Yes. A graphing/scientific calculator is recommended. Be sure to be familiar with the calculator. Check website for prohibited calculators! / Yes. To be used only on the mathematics section. Check website for prohibited calculators!
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COLLEGE PLANNING CHECKLIST
Junior Pre-College Checklist
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August
q Review your high school coursework/four-year plan
q Keep in mind that colleges look for the following:
ü Challenging coursework.
ü A strong GPA.
ü Involvement in extracurricular activities.
ü Documentation of community service. (dates and hours)
q Apply for scholarships.
September
q Look through college catalogs and guidebooks found in the IRHS Career Center or on-line.
q Research 5-10 colleges you would like to attend
q Set up fall or winter break visits. *Make sure to meet with an admissions representative and a financial aid officer.
q Study and register for the PSAT/NMSQT which can qualify you to receive a National Merit Scholarship if taken during junior year.
q Obtain dates and locations of college fairs and parent nights in your area.
October
q Take the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
q Attend college fairs and parent nights in the area.
November
q Research eligibility requirements for federal and private student loans, grants and scholarships.
q Apply for scholarships.
q Begin developing a resume using the Brag Sheet information.
December
q Plan to obtain and review your PSAT/NMSQT score report using personal Access Code.
q Plan to take the SAT Reasoning, SAT II, or ACT tests.
q Continue to build your resume.
January
q Register and study for the SAT Reasoning test and/or ACT tests.
q Continue to apply for scholarships and student aid programs.
February
q Preview web sites of schools that interest you the most. *Pay close attention to requirements & important deadlines.
March
q Register and study for the SAT Reasoning test and/or ACT exams if you have not already done so.
April
q Continue applying for scholarships.
q Finalize your resume.
q Athletes: Register for NCAA Eligibility Center.
May
q Continue compiling information about colleges, scholarships, etc.
q Sign up for June SAT and ACT by May if not already signed up. Do not wait until senior year!
June
q Obtain a summer internship or college summer program that might be related to your career interests.
q Volunteer!
q Take June SAT or ACT.
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COLLEGE PLANNING CHECKLIST
Senior Pre-College Checklist
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August
q Review your career plans and decide which type of school is right for you.
q Narrow your college list.
q Review catalogs and admissions information on-line.
q See your school counselor for deadline information if you have not taken the SAT and / or ACT. You must take these tests at least six weeks before college application deadlines.
q Apply for scholarships.
q Stay involved in volunteer and extra-curricular activities!
September
q Begin asking for letters of recommendation to include with your admissions and / or scholarship applications. Plan accordingly; turn around time is ten working days.
q Apply to in-state schools.
q Request official transcripts to be sent from the IRHS registrar to the college of your choice.
q Send ACT/SAT scores to colleges that were not included on your original list.
q Work on admissions application essays if necessary.
October
q Attend special programs such as college fairs and financial aid nights.
q Determine which financial aid applications your college choices require and when the forms are due.
q Keep applying for scholarships.
q Apply to schools with early admission application deadlines.
November
q Become familiar with the financial aid process.
q Log on to www.fafsa.ed.gov to get a PIN for yourself and your parents. ** DO NOT SUBMIT FAFSA BEFORE JANUARY 1.