ACADEMIC PREPARATION
Student Services maintains an extensive library on arts schools, colleges and universities and two-year options, regularly updated scholarship information, financial aid resources, information about the military, post-high school occupational data, college reference handbooks (i.e., Peterson’s, College Board and Kaplan), career files (data on career descriptions, opportunities and related fields), and ACT/SAT packets and study guides.
BEGIN PLANNING NOW
Long-range educational planning is essential to ensure that you are prepared and have the necessary background for the many options available after high school. Students should always refer to college catalogs for specific admissions requirements.
Juniors
In your junior year, academic preparation includes:
- Signing up for courses required for graduation and that are needed for acceptance in colleges you are interested in
- Taking the PSAT in the fall and ACT and/or SAT subject tests in the spring
- Using Naviance to explore career options and colleges
- Attending the National College Fair in October
- Sharing your current work with recruiters at the Portfolio/Performance Day at Perpich in October
- In the spring, asking one or more of your instructors to consider writing letters of recommendation for you
Seniors
In your senior year, academic preparation includes:
- Continuing to complete all courses required for graduation
- Taking the ACT and/or SAT subject tests if you haven’t yet done so
- Narrowing your lists of potential colleges to which you will apply and entering the list in the “Colleges I am applying for” in Naviance
- Arranging to shadow or intern in a field of employment you’re interested in
- Making a list of deadlines for college applications
- Beginning to fill out applications
- Beginning research on and applying for scholarships
- Beginning a serious draft of your application essay
- In January, filling out the FAFSA with your family
- Saving money for travel and researching destinations
THE TESTS
The ACT tests English, reading, writing, math and science reasoning skills. The SAT tests critical reading, writing and math reasoning abilities.
ACT and SAT preparation courses
This link has a list of preparation options for the ACT and SAT tests. There are a variety of options, including free online courses from Kaplan and Number2.com, local prep courses from teachers and national prep courses and tutors.
ACT vs. SAT
Students often wonder about the differences between the test and which test is better to take. Colleges will accept either the ACT or the SAT. They are different tests and some students will do better on one or the other. This SAT vs. ACT document describes the differences between the two.
Test Prep Links
Kaplan Testing Center
Princeton Review
Options for Furthering Your Education
We also have regularly scheduled visits from colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and we sponsor a Portfolio/Performance Day for conservatories, art schools and colleges and universities especially interested in Perpich Arts High School graduates.
In addition, our student records manager in Student Services can help you gather the important records and transcripts needed for applications to postsecondary institutions.
Technical colleges are two-year colleges that teach knowledge and skills leading to specific careers.
Admissions: Students must have a high school diploma or GED. All programs require placement testing.
Students can earn an associate degree and transfer after the first two years to a four-year institution. Or, students may choose a career program designed to prepare them for a job when they graduate.
Admissions: Open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED. Some programs require prerequisites because of advanced coursework. Placement tests in reading, English, and math are required of most students.
The following are high school courses generally recommended prior to admission:
- Four years of English
- Three years of math (algebra 2, geometry and one additional high school math class)
- Three years of science
- Three years of social studies
- Three years of specified electives chosen for at least two of the following: world language, world cultures, the arts
It is the student’s responsibility to check on specific requirements for individual colleges.