EAG Class of 2022 Junior Newsletter

Okay so it’s now your junior year, it can be classified as one of the toughest years but it is also one of those middle years lost between the fear and excitement of starting high school and the anticipation of that glamorous senior year of high school. When it comes to the hierarchy of importance, the junior is pretty much up there. I’ve put together some key points for you to focus on throughout this year:

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1. Classes and Grades: The courses and grades you make in them are very important because it’s the last full year of grades that college admissions will look at. It really comes down to numbers- the grades you receive this year are super important. If you had a rough start your first two years, it’s not too late to kick your tail into gear and start studying and improving those grade -- colleges would rather see you improve and finish strong.

Some of the teachers you’ve had or do have will be super important next year when it comes to letters of recommendations for college- so plan on spending some of the time you have getting to know at least a few of your favorite teachers.

2. Standardized Tests: The junior year, from start to end, is filled with standardized tests. Early in the year, you'll need to take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). This test, which measures critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills, is important for three reasons. First, it's a good indicator and excellent preparation for the SAT test. Second, your score may qualify you for a select group of merit scholarships and finally it's one of the first chances you have to begin requesting information from colleges.

In March, you’ll take the ACT for many of you for the first time. This is one the basic standardized tests that many colleges use as part of their admission criteria. Some of the more highly competitive colleges also require some of the five subject-specific SAT Subject exams -- so you may need to schedule the SAT Subject Tests in the late spring, although you could wait until the very beginning of your senior year.

In May, you’ll also have several EOC tests to take that count as 25% of your final grade. Also if you have been taking advanced placement classes, you'll have the AP Placement Tests. These tests are designed to test your knowledge of the subject at college level, with the results recommending that you receive advanced placement or college credit for the subject. Most colleges and universities across the U.S. recognize these exam grades.

3. College Planning: The junior year is THE time to get organized for handling the onslaught of college material that will be coming your way -- in the mail, in your email, and from college fairs and visits to your high school. The whole college search can be a little unnerving, a bit daunting, so just relax and take your time during this year and the summer that follows to really focus on finding the right mix of colleges for you. Ideally, by the end of your junior year you'll have a list of no more than 10 to 15 colleges.

Numerous print and online resources (including each college's Website) can help you learn more about colleges, including important stuff like majors and minors, academic quality and ranking, accreditation, job and graduate-school placement rates, costs, and financial aid. You'll also want to attend a few college fairs and meet with college representatives when they visit your high school.

4. Career Research: Your career choice(s) may have a big impact on the list of potential colleges you consider, so it's important to at least try narrowing down career possibilities. How do you discover possible career paths? Conduct research, take some career assessment tests, talk with your family and evaluate your likes and dislikes.

If at the end of this self-reflection and research you are still unsure, that's okay too. In that case, you may be looking at more comprehensive universities that offer a wide range of majors and minors. And if you conclude this step with a concrete career concept, then you can start narrowing down college possibilities.

Finally, remember that this research is just a start and you don’t have to have it all figured out. As you move to your senior year and then into college, many more career options will arise that you'll probably at least consider.

5. Start a brag sheet: It is never too soon to begin documenting your education, experience, and accomplishments. Start by listing all your high-school accomplishments, including your coursework, academic or athletic accomplishments, awards and honors, and any other achievements. Next, review any and all of your work experiences, including part-time jobs and volunteering or community service, and describe those experiences using action verbs. Showcase any leadership positions you have held. If you have room, include hobbies and interests. Developing a resume is a pretty easy task once you have brainstormed most of the key content. Finally, remember that the more you accomplish in your junior year, the more you can relax and truly enjoy your senior year in high school.

Governors School:

• FREE!! Summer Program offered for current 11th & 10th graders
• 12 different programs offered
• Earn college credits
• Gain experience in an area of interest
• Graduate with Distinction
• Stay on a college campus across the state of TN (4 weeks in June)
• Work with college professors, scientist, and other leaders in the field of interest
• Create contacts for scholarships, college acceptance, and so much more!!

Applications can be found at:

https://www.tn.gov/education/instruction/tdoe-governors-schools.html

Applications for the Arts can be found at: https://gsfta.com

Application Window Open for 2020-21 United States Senate Youth Program

Audience: Directors of Schools, Principals, Assistant Principals, High School Counselors, High School Teachers
Contact: Charlotte.Woehler@tn.gov

Ms. Charlotte Woehler
Office of Standards and Materials: Coordinator of Student Opportunities
Tennessee Department of Education
Floor 11 Andrew Johnson Towers
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, 37243
(615) 253-4344
Charlotte.Woehler@tn.gov
https://www.tn.gov/education/instruction/opportunities-for-students.html

Applications are now being accepted from 11th and 12th grade students to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program.

During the Senate Youth Program, two Tennessee delegates will participate in the annual Washington Week event, which features a variety of unique sessions that promote a deep understanding of the structure of our national government. This year’s event will take place virtually over the course of 2–4 days, the week of March 15, 2021. The Hearst Foundation also offers selected state finalists a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship. The deadline to apply is December 4, 2020.

2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Now in its 26th year, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), provides a wide range of opportunities to amplify the stories of today’s young changemakers - and the schools that have supported them along the way. Open to students in grades 5-12 who have participated in a volunteer activity within the past year, top honorees from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to receive a scholarship, medallion and invitation to the program’s national recognition events.

To apply, students should do the following by November 10, 2020:

•Apply at https://spirit.prudential.com

You guys should really check on Raise Me! It's a scholarship search engine that is open for students 9-12 and it matches you with mirco-scholarships based on your achievements!

What is a micro-scholarship you ask? A micro-scholarship is an amount of money that students are eligible to earn based on individual achievements throughout 9th-12th grade. They are awarded by colleges and universities who partner with RaiseMe, and each college or university creates their own program of micro-scholarship. The amount earned via RaiseMe represents the minimum amount of institutional aid that the college will award you if you are accepted and enroll in their school.

Colleges decide what achievements they want to award and how much they will award to students who meet their eligibility requirements (which can be found on their College page). For example, one college might offer $50 for an A in Algebra, another might offer $300, and so on.

Be sure to go and check it out!

English- 4 credits (English I, II, III, IV)

Math - 4 credits

Science - 3 credits (Biology, Chemistry or Physics, 3rd science)

Social Studies - 3 credits (World History & Geog, US History, Econ/Gov)

Foreign Language - 2 credits

Fine Art - 1 credit

PE - 1.5 credits

Personal Finance - .5 credit

Pathway Elective - 3 credits

Elective - 1

Total 23 credits

*Students must also take the ACT and the US Civics Test.

Test Dates:

• December 12th must register by Nov. 6th
• February 6th must register by Jan. 8th
• April 17th must register by March 12th
• June 12th must register by May 7th

Register online at actstudent.org. The Eagleville School code is 430615

ACT Academy - https://academy.act.org/

• Free online tool with personalized learning resources
• Self-guided plan based on their test results from the PreACT, ACT, or official ACT practice tests available directly on ACT Academy
• Allows students to drill down to concepts in particular reporting categories based on their scores
• Student Dashboard -- shows the student's overall performance within each subject area and even into subcategories to articulate areas of strength and weakness

Be sure to check out other ACT Prep resources under the Counseling Page on EAG website.

On Tuesday, March 16th, the Class of 2022 will take the ACT during the day at Eagleville. There is no cost for this test date.

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)—which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.6 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements. The PSAT/NMSQT has three tests: the Reading Test, the Writing and Language Test, and the Math Test.

The test is open to all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders.

The PSAT will be given on January 26th.

More information about sign-ups and cost will be given out shortly.

FREE PSAT review sites:

• Shmoop- https://www.shmoop.com/psat/
• Khan Academy – PSAT official test prep site -https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
• College Board-

• https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/practice/full-length-practice-tests

• https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions

• SAT Question of the Day (free app)
• Free Rice – PSAT Tab

• Need help searching for colleges, majors, and jobs while evaluating salaries and what matches your goals?
• Launch My Career makes it possible to help you cut through what can be confusing and overwhelming information.
• Click here to check out the Launch My Career TN website and use their tools to help you learn more about your future career!

Your GPA is very important in getting into college and being competitive for scholarships. You want to keep it as high as possible. GPA is based on a 4.0 scale, and it is figured at the end of each semester. GPA is figured using quality points, which are given based on the grades you make. For every ‘A’ you make, you receive 4 quality points, for every ‘B’ you make, you receive 3 quality points, etc. See below.

Total quality points / Total # of semester grades = GPA

A = 4 quality points

B = 3 quality points

C = 2 quality points

D = 1 quality point

F = 0 quality points

Important: Zeros do affect your grade!! It takes three ‘100s’ to bring one zero up to a passing grade.

Letter Grade/ Numeric Value

A 93 - 100

B 85 - 92

C 75 - 84

D 70 - 74

Points are added to each quarter for Advanced Placement (5), Honors (3), Advanced Honors (3). Points are added per semester for dual enrollment (4). AP points are only earned if the student sits for the AP exam in May. Credits are given each semester for semester grades greater than 70. The RCS averaging policy allows students to gain a full credit even though they failed a semester. The first and second semester grade must average a grade of 70 or higher, which a full credit will then be given.

Mark your calendars!! On Tuesday, March 9th, we will host our 2021 College Planning Night!! We will have sessions on college admissions, FAFSA, HOPE, TN Promise, ACT, NCAA, scholarships, and more. College representatives will also be on campus to speak with students as well!

Hope to see you there!

If you are planning to play sports in college you must register for either the NCAA or NAIA.

If you are planning to play at a Division I or Division II school, you will need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center in order to compete. You must create a certification account in order to make official visits to Division I and II schools or to sign a National letter of Intent. You will then receive an NCAA Id and important reminders as you complete high school.

See Coach McClaran for details.