Be Prepared For College

High School can prepare you for post secondary opportunities if you plan properly and work hard.  Most students will have to beyond the minimum high school graduation requirements to be really prepared for college work.

College Prep 4 Year Plan The ZHS Faculty recommends all students complete the following minimum coursework:

·        English -8 semesters,

·        Mathematics-8 semesters (consult with Math Teachers for appropriate placement)

·        Social Studies-8 semesters

·        Science -8 semesters (HECB recognizes 2 sem of Agriculture Sciences = 1 sem of General Science)

·        Career-Technical Education-4 semesters

·        Foreign Language-4 semesters

·        Health-Fitness-4 semesters

·        Fine Arts-2 semesters

During your four years at ZHS we have referenced this chart many times.  The chart gives students and parents an outline for course completion during their 4 years at Zillah High School. The following recommendations will allow students the greatest flexibility in post secondary education and career choices.

NOTE: 2 semesters are required in Fine Arts for graduation requirements and for college entrance.  All students are encouraged to develop microcomputer and technology skills prior to graduation. These may be taken at any time that the student chooses replacing elective choices. The Senior Culminating Project (ZHS PEARLS) earns 1.0 credit upon completion.

Core College Entrance Requirements: State law requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish minimum requirements for freshman admission to Washington’s public four-year universities and college. To be admitted as freshmen, high school students must complete the following minimum core course requirements are now called CADR- College Academic Distribution Requirements and can be found at www.hecb.wa.gov/research/issues/documents/MCAS-CADROverview-Revised2009.pdf

 Download the current Washington Admission Index   An Admission Index (AI) has been devised to predict a student’s success in completing their freshman year in college. This index is based on GPA (75%) and College Entrance Testing (25%).  The higher the index number the greater likelihood a first year college student at a 4 year university will earn at lest a "C" grade or higher in all classes.

For those colleges still using the AI chart the minimum index  number for admission to a Washington state college is 13; however most will not admit below AI 28.   The average AI at four year colleges is 58.  Students below AI 58 are strongly urged to consider a community college as their first post secondary step. 

Several Washington colleges are moving away from the AI system.  Some colleges are even moving away even from test scores or flexing on GPA's in favor of a more holistic application and admissions process.  In those cases more weight is given to personal statements and interviews, grade trends and rigor of classes taken, particularly the during the junior and senior year. Whether your college uses the AI or not a family can use this as a indicator of preparedness.

The best advice we can offer is:

• Take the most challenging courses at ZHS. 
• Follow and exceed when possible the 4 year plan given. 
• Prepare for testing
• Look at your AI to see if you will be competitive in your chosen college
• Do a top notch job on your personal statements (which are required for PEARLS anyway). 
• Apply before the deadline.
• Schedule an interview to explain extraordinary circumstances that the application form can not reveal. 

This will give you the best opportunity for admission.

Testing for College Admissions and Placement

Four Year College Admissions: Four year colleges require the ACT or SAT test for admission.  Nearly all colleges in the USA accept either ACT or SAT and do not require a specific test.

Students must register with the testing companies several weeks in advance in order to reserve a testing seat.  ZHS students are to use the school code 481635 when registering for the test.  This will allow a master copy to be sent to ZHS for their guidance folder for use in scholarship applications.

We recommend students take either the ACT or the SAT  in the spring (May-June) of their junior year and that student practice for the test 1 to 2 months prior to testing.  Taking the most courses challenging college prep curriculum and practice testing are the best ways to increase your scores. Practice tests are available

• in guide books from ACT and SAT in the Guidance Center
• on the ACT or SAT websites
• on the Free Test-Prep website
• in guidebooks/CD prep materials you can purchase such as Kaplans

Students accepted to a 4 year college will also have to take the Washington State Math placement test.  The college will inform you of this testing as part of the admissions process.  You can go to the WSMPT site to learn more about this requirement, review FAQ's or contact staff for further information.

Testing for College-Washington Community & Technical Colleges: Washington Community Colleges and some Technical Colleges require the COMPASS test.  The COMPASS test is a placement tests, not admissions test.  Students are encouraged to take the COMPASS test by the end of Spring Vacation of their Senior year.  This will qualify them for early registration in college.  If students passed the COMPASS test for Running Start, they will not have to re-take the test even if you transfer to a different Washington Community College.  You will however have to ask the community college where you took the COMPASS test to send a copy to the admissions office.

Testing for College-Private Technical Colleges, Specialty Schools, Apprenticeship: Private Technical Colleges, Specialty Schools and Apprenticeship Programs often require special testing.  This could include:

• specialty skill testing
• academic skill testing
• communications skill testing
• aptitude testing.

Since each school and program sets up its own admissions standards, processes and testing requirements, students should contact the specific school/program as soon as possible to find out requirements, testing dates, fees, etc.

Testing for Military Careers

All students interested in military placement after graduation must take the ASVAB-Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.  The ASVAB is test that will access a students skill and ability to perform certain occupations, both military and civilian.  It is also a career aptitude predictor.

All students interested in military placement after graduation must take the ASVAB-Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.  The ASVAB is test that will access a students skill and ability to perform certain occupations, both military and civilian.  It is also a career aptitude predictor.

Regardless of grades or other academic tests, certain scores must be earned on the ASVAB to qualify for enlistment, job training/assignments and benefits.  It is offered free of charge and no military obligation is incurred by taking the exam.

Because it is an excellent Career Aptitude test and is administered at no cost to the student, it is a recommended test for all students regardless of their military interest. 

A workbook of career and interest activities is included with the test results. A student/parent guide book including more information and sample questions are available free of charge in the Guidance Center.  Normally each October, juniors and seniors may sign up and take the ASVAB at ZHS.  Check the ZHS Monthly calendars (October) on line to find out the dates for ASVAB Testing at ZHS for this school year.

If you miss your opportunity to take the ASVAB at ZHS, you can still take the ASVAB in Yakima with a recruiter for enlistment purposes, but you will not get the other related career guidance material that comes with the ZHS testing.

Students may also take a "pre-ASVAB" by contacting any military recruiter assigned to ZHS.  This is a lap-top sample test which will give the student an idea of where their skill level currently is.  It would also give an example based on the projected score of whether the student would qualify for enlistment and what possible careers that score would validate.

ASVAB Career Preparation website http://www.asvabprogram.com/ This program is designed to help students learn more about themselves and the world of work, identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations, and develop an effective strategy to realize their goals.

Military.com Go to http://www.military.com/ASVAB to learn about the ASVAB and to take free ASVAB practice tests.

The ZHS Website www.zillahschools.org/military  will give you further information on Military Career Planning and ASVAB.

Minimum Required ASVAB Scores   Each of the services have their own minimum standards when it comes to Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score requirements, and education levels needed to qualify for enlistment.  Go to ZHS Military Career Awareness page at www.zillahschools.org/military to see the most current requirements.

It is important to be prepared, qualified, and ready to attend a post-secondary institution, but is it a good fit for the student? Our next chapter deals with checking out colleges to see if they fit your needs, goals, interests, personalities and perhaps budgets.

College Visitations