Riverside High School Student Services

1. Riverside High School Student Services Class of 2020 Preparing for after GRADUATION!

2. Connecting With Your Counselor • Mary M. Williams-A-Cl Mary.williams@dpsnc.net • Portia Jacobs-Co-F Portia.jacobs@dpsnc.net • Daniel Kearns-G-J Daniel.kearns@dpsnc.net • Deondra Jenkins-K-Ni Deondra.jenkins@dpsnc.net • Christina Johnson-No-Sh Christina. johnson@dpsnc.net • Cathy Sebring-Si-Z Cathy.sebring@dpsnc.net

3. Are you on track to graduate?

4. Are you on track to graduate? For Senior Year, review your options based on the following: • Weighted GPA (2.5 or higher is needed for admission to a public college) • ACT Composite (20-average, 17- minimum for public colleges, 36=maximum) • SAT Math (200-800) & SAT Reading/Writing (200-800). 550 on each section is average. 880 minimum for NC public colleges. • Retake the SAT or ACT by October to improve your score.

5. Post Secondary Options • Public College-16 public colleges in the UNC system. www.northcarolina.edu • Private College/Independent Colleges-36 Independent colleges in NC. www.ncicu.org • Universities-most are larger and offer smaller colleges. such as the College of Engineering. • Community College-58 in NC. Offers lower tuition. Option to transfer. Every DPS Graduate will receive $500 for 4 semesters toward tuition if they attend Durham Tech. www.nccommunitycolleges.edu • Vocational/Technical College-offers specialized training in a particular industry or career. • Military Academy-highly competitive and the process should start junior year. Military service time required upon graduation. • Gap Year-typically students take a year off before attending college to explore interests, volunteer, work etc. • Military-Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard- Contact our Career Development Coordinator, Sheena.Brooks@dpsnc.net

6. Choosing a college-”the right fit” Things to consider- • Location- Do you prefer a rural or urban setting? Do you want to stay close to home? • Campus Setting-Do you prefer a small or large student body? How important are athletics? • Cost (tuition, room/board)- Will you qualify for financial aid? Are you eligible for scholarships? • Major- Does the school offer your major? What do you want to do after college and which major(s) will help you get there? • Learning Environment-How much interaction will you have with your professors? Do you prefer small groups or lectures?

7. BIG FUTURE- guiding you through the college planning process • Deciding what career you want to pursue is exciting; however, because there are so many career paths it can be hard to choose. *A major is a specific subject area a student in which a student may specialize. • When to choose a major • How to choose a major/career • Think about what interests you. • What are the educational requirements? • Volunteer/Internships To continue your extensive college search, visit: • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

8. Admissions Options • Early Decision A plan by which a student may apply to his or her first-choice school early in the fall of senior year (usually by Nov.1st) and receive a reply before the winter holidays. If accepted, the student is obligated to enroll in that college . • Early Action: Early deadline (mid-Oct/Nov 1) but allows the admitted student until May 1st to accept or decline. Does not involve a firm, binding commitment. • Rolling Admission: Used by many private colleges and universities & community colleges. Candidates are notified shortly after their application folder is complete (usually within four to six weeks). • Regular Admission: College specific. Notification from the college often comes between Feb.1st and April 1st. • Wait List: If a wait list decision, then a school has neither accepted nor denied your application. A wait list offer holds out the possibility for admission should space in entering class becomes available.

9. NCAA ELIGIBILITY • NCAA Eligibility • You should have registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center online during your junior year if you plan to play a sport or receive an athletic scholarship at a Division I or Division II college/university. • College bound students must meet certain academic requirements to practice, play and/or receive an athletic scholarship. You must be enrolled for at least 3 classes per semester to be eligible • More information can be found on the NCAA website, www.ncaa.org, and at the clearinghouse website, www.eligibilitycenter.org

10. SAT TEST DATES Register for the SAT online at www.collegeboard.org • Fee of $64.50 (with ESSAY) • Evidenced Based Reading/Writing, Math, Optional Essay. • Students will receive 3 scores plus a total score between 400 –1600.

11. ACT TEST DATES • Register for the ACT at https://www.actstudent.org • Fee of $46.00 English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science , • Optional Writing. • Students receive 4 scores plus a Composite score averaging four tests: Scale is 1-36.

12. Admissions Process • Be familiar with the application process, admissions application utilized at each college, academic requirements, DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES. • Are supplementary items (essays, recommendations etc.) required? • What financial aid documentation is required (CSS Profile, FAFSA etc.)? • Register for SAT or ACT if you plan to take them. • Submit an official transcript through Common App or CFNC.org.

13. Common Application • Complete one formal college application to multiple colleges • Colleges must be current members of the common app group • Be sure to check the supplementary items required. • Teacher/Counselor Recommendations will be sent via Common App • Transcripts will be sent via Common App.

14. College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC.org) • Student may apply to over 110 colleges/community colleges. • To qualify/receive the benefits of instate tuition, an Residency Determination (RDS) is required. • All RIVERSIDE High School students applying to in-state (NC) colleges should send their transcripts electronically through CFNC. • However, if you are applying to colleges via Common App, official transcripts will be sent via the Common App application portal

15. Transcripts- WHO SENDS THEM? • Counselors do not send transcripts. Transcripts must be requested online if needed for a scholarship or for an out of state college if they do not use common app. • To request an official transcriptthrough DPS/RHS visit: https://durhamnc.scriborder.com • Mid-Year transcripts MAY be available by February 1, 2020

16. NC Countdown to College • North Carolina’s annual campaign to support college access takes place the month of October this year and is now named NC Countdown to College. • Activities during the month support high school seniors in completing three important college enrollment steps: Residency or RDS, FAFSA, and applications. College Application Week will take place October 21-25 • During this week, volunteers at hundreds of NC high schools help students submit online applications for admission while SOMEcolleges offer application fee waiver opportunities.

17. Financial Aid • Types of aid include: grants, loans, scholarships. • Grants- typically awarded based on financial need/work study. • Loans-financial assistance must be repaid. • Types of loans include: federal loans (subsidized/unsubsidized) parent loans, private loans (banks/corporations). • Scholarship- a financial award supporting a student based on merit/academic achievement.

18. Scholarships Criteria include: • Need-based scholarships: determined by financial circumstances • Merit-based scholarships: determined by academics, achievement, school/community involvement or other qualifying factors. • Special-circumstance scholarships: determined by military service, athletics, unique interest, etc.

19. FAFSA • Preparing for your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • Each student and one parent should apply for a FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov. • Make sure to keep a record of the parent's and student's email addresses, the answers to the security questions, and both FSA IDs in a secure place. • Complete the FAFSA available at fafsa.gov as soon after October 1 as possible as state grant funds do deplete. • Check the FAFSA submission deadlines for each school to which you apply. • You will need information from your tax filing. • After Submitting the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report which is necessary to check the status of your FAFSA.

20. Scholarship Opportunities www.CollegeGreenlight.com www.BigFuture.CollegeBoard.org www.CFNC.orgwww.fastweb.com

21. Scholarships • For a comprehensive scholarship listing, visit the Durham Public School’s Master Scholarship List: https://www.dpsnc.net/Page/3243 • Be sure to listen to the announcements, and visit the website (Student Services tab) for updates! • Subscribe to the E-Newsletter for updates about local scholarships: from RHS site left column- QUICK LINKS

22. Student & Parent Brag Sheet Recommendations are often required for colleges, internships, scholarships or employment. For counselors to write a favorable recommendation, seniors are required to submit a brag sheet to their counselor and/or teacher(s), AND make a request to their counselor in person via an appointment.

23. Activities & Experiences- Senior Résumé • List all activities you have participated in during high school. • Leadership Positions • Community Service • Work Experience • Interests/Talents • Academic Awards, Honors & Accomplishments

24. Important Dates

25. Questions and Answers ?