Class of 2009 Newsletter

JUNIOR OPPORTUNITIES                        August, 2007

Farragut High School Guidance

• Differences between the SAT and ACT
Both tests are accepted at most colleges but the SAT and ACT are significantly different tests and measure different skills. Depending on
your strengths and weaknesses, you may perform better on one test than the other. Although, you can take both the SAT and the ACT,
you should consider these differences to figure out which test provides a better showcase of your abilities…

ACT   SAT
Administered 6 times per year Administered 7 times per year
Content based Tests critical thinking and problem solving
Includes science reasoning Includes more vocabulary & comprehension
Stresses grammar SAT has a guessing penalty
Math includes trigonometry Not entirely multiple choice
Essay is optional Essay is required and factors into score

• When should you take the SAT or ACT?
Although you can take the SAT and/or ACT at any time and as many times as you want, it is recommended that you take either one for the
first time in the spring semester of your junior year. It is also recommended that you don’t take the test(s) more than 3 times (you generally
will score in the same range after the 3rd time). For test dates click ACT.org

• Take the ACT for FREE!
ACT vouchers are available for students for one time only. This allows each student the opportunity to take the ACT one time for free.
The ACT vouchers are available in the Guidance Office.

• PSAT (Practice SAT- optional for juniors)
Juniors at FHS can take the PSAT’s on Saturday, October 20, 2007. The test will be administered at FHS. Students can begin signing up
after Labor Day in the Guidance Office. The cost will be announced on the FHS website and on the morning announcements. Remember,
only juniors can be considered for National Merit Scholarships based on their PSAT scores. The 2007 graduating class at FHS had 9
National Merit Scholarship winners!

• FREE on-line ACT Prep
There are still ACT access codes available for juniors to take the ACT on-line prep for free. Come by Guidance to get your codes. They
will expire on October 31, 2007.

• Counselor Visits
I will be visiting your English 11 and US History classes in September to distribute Junior Planning Guides and discuss college/career planning.
I will have the junior link updated on the FHS website within the next week. Please refer to this site for important junior information throughout
the school year.

• College Information
Mrs. Peters, our College/Career Counselor will be visiting you in the spring to discuss the college application process and AP testing.

• Other important announcements:
• There will be a College Fair at FHS on Tuesday, October 9th @ 6 PM in the commons. Over 100 colleges will be represented. All juniors
are encouraged to attend!
• Governor School Applications will be available in October. More information will be on the junior link of the FHS website and on the
morning announcements.
• Don’t forget, PRIDE applications are due September 14th. Many of you qualify. I want the junior class to have the most participation this year!
• Juniors, don’t forget about Homecoming! Help your class KEEP the homecoming trophy that you worked so hard to win last year. Help in
needed in the commons on Labor Day from 9-12 noon.
I’ll see you in a few weeks!
Mrs. Albanese