College, Career, Military Readiness
Friendswood ISD
January 2022 Update
Preparing for Course Selection and Academic Planning
Additionally, FHS hosted Endorsement Celebration Days from January 13th through the 19th to allow all students further opportunities to explore elective options prior to course selection. Students, teachers, and representatives in the various elective pathways including CTE programs, fine arts programs, and dual credit workforce programs hosted information stations for students to visit and gather more information about course selection choices.
During the 2nd week of January, the FJH counselors and I spent time working with 8th graders to have them complete interest assessments in Xello and choose careers of interest. You could feel the energy in the room as 8th graders got excited to analyze their assessment results and explore careers. On January 25th, 8th grade Impact teachers will conduct a follow-up lesson to help students connect their career interests to different career pathways and their high school elective courses. They will complete a Career Pathway Reflection Card in Impact that they can use to help narrow down potential career pathways of interest to them. This will culminate in an opportunity for 8th graders to attend an Endorsement Showcase at FHS on February 17th at 6pm (NOTE: this is a new date from the previously scheduled date) where students and parents will have the option to visit elective programs and departments of their choosing in an open house format. Students can take their Career Pathway Reflection Card with them on their high school visit to help guide them on which sessions to visit. From the session offerings across CTE, Fine Arts, and Athletics, students can choose 5 different sessions to visit during the evening.
9th/10th Grade Stations
FHS Endorsement Fair
8th Grade Xello Assessments
Whether To Submit Test Scores or Not To Submit scores...that is the question!
Consider the College's Mid - 50% Score Range
One factor to consider is the mid- 50% score range of accepted students. This range of scores corresponds to 25% to 75% of the college's accepted students. For instance, Texas A&M published their "Freshmen By the Numbers" graphic for the Class of 2025. The Mid-50% SAT scores were 1170 - 1380, corresponding to the 25% to 75% range of accepted students. Student's should search this data for their colleges of choice and determine how their scores compare to this range. If their scores are on the higher end or above, there is little to lose in sending scores, however if the scores fall towards the lower 25% or below and the rest of the applicant's qualifications such as GPA, grades, and essays are strong, he/she may want to reconsider whether the scores will enhance the applicant's chances of acceptance.
Consider How Competitive the School Is
Acceptance rates vary widely from college to college. Some Ivy League schools and highly competitive schools such as MIT may only have an acceptance rate of 5% or less. Other schools that also tend to fall on the more competitive end of the spectrum may fall in the 15 to 20% acceptance rate range. The University of Texas has close to a 30% acceptance rate, and still other less competitive schools may have as high as 60 to 70% acceptance rate. If a student is applying to a highly competitive school, the applicant pool of these schools tends to be flooded with extremely high performing students, and every bit of information to set oneself apart can be helpful. In this case, if a student with a high SAT score is being compared to a student with no SAT score, the student with the score may have an edge over the other student without a submitted score.
Determine Whether your Score Complements your GPA
When evaluating a college's acceptance data, consider the average GPA of accepted students. If a student's SAT score can help enhance their GPA, then consider submitting it. If a student's GPA is high compared to the average, and he/she has excellent extracurriculars and strong essay responses, but the SAT score falls on the lower side of the average range, it may not enhance the applicants chances of acceptance. In this case, the student may choose to let their other qualifications stand on their own without the test scores. Conversely, if the GPA falls on the lower range or below the lower range of average accepted students, but the SAT scores are at the higher end of the range of accepted students or even within the range, this may enhance the applicants chances of acceptance.
Other Things to Consider
A college may be "test-optional", but some scholarships, especially merit based scholarships, offered by that college may still require or strongly consider test scores in that award process. Additionally, some of a college's more specialized programs or competitive programs may also strongly consider or even require test scores for admittance. For instance, if a college has a highly competitive business program, engineering program, architecture program, or other such special program, those may have additional requirements including test scores, portfolio submission, or other special requirements.
A Bit of Advice When Testing
Upon registration, the ACT/SAT will allow students to send four "free" score reports to colleges of their choice. These colleges must be selected before the student actually takes the test and sees their scores. I highly recommend that students wait until they see and analyze their scores to determine if and which colleges to send the scores. Sending scores after the scores are released will cost an additional fee, but the ability to analyze scores and determine whether they would help or hurt the student's chances of admission can be a small price to pay with test-optional schools!
In the end, students must do their research with the school's acceptance data, test-optional policies, specialized program requirements, and score submittal requirements. They should then use thier findings to determine whether their SAT/ACT scores will enhance or hinder their acceptance chances to decide their best course of action for each school.
How to subscribe to this Newsletter!
Upcoming Tests at FHS
- Spring ASVAB will be administered on Tuesday, March 1st and is open to all 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Students should see their counselor if interested in registering for this test. Sign-up dates: Feb 16, 8am until Feb 28th, 4pm.
- A free School Day SAT will be given to all 11th graders on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Students will be automatically registered for this test.
- Click here for information about How to Send SAT Scores.
- Visit the Advanced Academics Website for the latest information and guidance on ACT, AP, PSAT, and SAT testing
Testing Accommodations- Information for 504 and Special Education Students
- Accommodations Information for College Board Exams (SAT/PSAT/AP)
- Accommodations Information for the ACT exam
- Who to Contact for Testing Accommodations Information
- 504 students need to email Lead Counselor, Krystal Fletcher
- Special Education students need to email ARD Facilitator, Samantha Eubanks
- Questions regarding test day information or special testing procedures can be directed to the Testing Coordinator and Assistant Principal, Delaney Lyon
FAFSA Application/Opt Out Form Due
Friday, Jan 21, 2022, 04:00 PM
Friendswood High School, Greenbriar Drive, Friendswood, TX, USA
FHS Endorsement Showcase for 8th graders
This event will be held for 8th grade students and parents and will begin in the FHS cafeteria with an opening welcome. From there, students and parents will have the option to visit elective programs and departments of their choosing in an open house format. There will be 5 sessions, with program choices from CTE, Fine Arts, and Athletics. Prior to the Showcase event, students will conduct interest assessments and lessons during their Mustang Impact period at school to highlight the elective options, help them understand career pathways, and prepare them for choosing sessions of interest.
Thursday, Feb 17, 2022, 06:00 PM
Friendswood High School, Greenbriar Drive, Friendswood, TX, USA
Contact info
Nishi St. John
FISD College and Career SpecialistEmail: nstjohn@fisdk12.net
Website: https://fhs.myfisd.com/explore-fhs/ccr
Location: 702 Greenbriar Drive, Friendswood, TX, USA
Phone: (281)482-3413
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FHSmustangs
Twitter: @fhsmustangs