Guidance

To see what the graduation requirements are for every student in New York State, you may visithttp://www.nysed.gov. A copy of the requirements can be found in the Attachment(s) section.

Students should get a preview of what will be expected of them during their sophmore and junior years by looking ahead at the "Sophmore" and "Junior" information links.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE A "FRESHMEN CHECKLIST."

http://www.gocollegeny.org/freshman-checklist

Freshman year is a very important transition for students.  Be sure to keep these things in mind as you begin your high school career:

• START PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE NOW.......TIME WILL GO FAST!
• RESEARCH CAREERS AND COLLEGES YOU MIGHT LIKE TO GET A FEEL FOR THEM AND CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING OR INTERVIEWING SOMEONE IN THIS FIELD.
• THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WHERE YOUR GRADES WILL FOLLOW YOU...BE SURE TO DO YOUR BEST!
• TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CLASSES AND CLASSWORK.
• KNOW WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU IN YOUR CLASSES AND FOR GRADUATION.
• KNOW WHAT CLASSES AND THE MINIMUM GRADES THAT WILL BE REQUIRED FOR YOU TO GET INTO THE COLLEGE OR TO GET INTO THE CAREER OF YOUR CHOICE.

During the 10th grade school year, sophomores begin to work on and explore personality assessments and career assessments. Students also continue to work on their 4 year high school plan.  Students explore a personality assessment by using New York Career Zone.  You may check out the link by clicking on the following link: www.nycareerzone.org

By visiting the link above, you will have an opportunity to understand and explore a personality assessment for yourself.  In addition, you will have a chance to explore which careers best apply to you based on the answers from your personality inventory.  HAVE FUN!

Also, you should look ahead to get a preview of what is expected of juniors in the upcoming school year!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE A "SOPHOMORE CHECKLIST."

http://www.gocollegeny.org/sophomore-checklist

Junior year  is the time to be thinking about what avenures you might want to pursue and consider after graduation.  Junior year is typically the time when students take the PSAT- in October (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the SAT - in the Spring (Scholastic Aptitude Test) in preparation for college applications in their senior year. Juniors also have the opporutnity to attend college fairs.  In the Fall, the Broome-Tioga Counselors Association hosts a college fair at the Binghamton Arena in October and there is also a college fair held at the YMCA in Norwich in April hosted by the Chenango County Counselors Association.  Students also have the opporutnity to visit colleges of interest at their own time and leisure as well.  Students should stop into the guidance office if they have questions about setting up college visits. It is important to start thinking about your future NOW!!!!

Juniors will meet with the counselor in the Spring to begin discussing classes for Senior year as well as post-graduate plans.  Students who wish to take College Level Courses their Senior year will have to meet the requirements of the course "prior to their Senior year" or will have to granted authority to do so at the teacher's discretion.

Visit the following site to sign up for the ACT/SAT exams:

http://www.collegeboard.com

http://www.actstudent.org

 The CEEB code for Otselic Valley is # 335285

Visit the following sites to get started on your future:

http://mappingyourfuture.org

http://www.collegeboard.com

http://www.college.gov

http://www.going-to-college.org

http://going2college.org

• Take SAT's if not done already.  Our CEEB # is 335285.
• Review college/major information/meet with the counselor.
• Meet with college respresentatives who come to Otselic Valley.  Visits are posted on the bulletin boards outside the guidance office. 
• Make arrangements to visit colleges that you are interested in if you have not already done so.
• Ask teachers, counselor, employers, club advisors and coaches to write your recommendation letter(s).
• Apply to colleges using the SUNY application or the Common Application.  Both applications are available online and by mail.  Most colleges prefer that you apply online.  The SUNY application can be found athttp://www.suny.eduand the Common Application can be found athttp://www.commonapp.org.  Many colleges will send another supplemental application for you to complete.
• Attend Financial Aid Night in the Fall.  File the FAFSA after January 1 of your Senior year.  The FAFSA can be found athttp://www.FAFSA.gov. File the Profile if necessary for your college.  The college(s) Financial Aid office will be able to assist you with this process and let you know if it is needed.
• Make sure you have asked your counselor to send mid-year reports to your college.
• If you require that a transcript be sent, please contact the counselor and give at least one week's notice. 
• Make sure you know when deadlines are for college applications.  Each college is different.  It is your responsbility to make sure all materials are sent to the college(s) you are applying to on time.  Deadlines for applications are strict and enforced by the colleges.
• Inform your counselor about any information from colleges regarding missing information.
• Inform your counselor about where you are going to college or your plans after graduation.
• See attachment below to compare the advantages/disadvantages of a small or large college
• See attachment below to view a "SENIOR TIME TABLE OF EVENTS FOR COLLEGE PLANNING"

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE A "SENIOR CHECKLIST."

 http://www.gocollegeny.org/senior-checklist

To recieve some practical information to help you through out high school, the college application process and even daily life click below:

http://www.gocollegeny.org/high-school-success-tools