Student and Parent College Information Night

1. Student and Parent College Information Night

2. Important People, Places and Numbers • Counselor Email Address • Mrs. Lee (A-D) dana.lee@wilsonschoolsnc.net • Mrs. Skinner (E-K) ashley.skinner@wilsonschoolsnc.net • Mrs. Rogers (L-R) debra.rogers@wilsonschoolsnc.net • Mrs. Cox-Smith (S-Z) nukenya.coxsmith@wilsonschoolsnc.net • Ms. Taylor Price, College Counselor: taylor.price@wilsonschoolsnc.net • Jean Hall, Career Development: jean.hall@wilsonschoolsnc.net • Mailing Address • 500 Harrison Drive, Wilson, NC 27893 • Phone Number • (252) 399-7905 • Fax Number • (252) 399-1185

3. Average score for the SAT: Math: 500 Critical Reading: 500 Writing: 488 Essay is scored on a scale between 2-12 You should check if an SAT II test is required. Average ACT Score: Composite: 22 English: 21 Math: 22 Reading: 22 Science: 21 SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Oct. 11* Sept. 12 Nov. 8 Oct. 9 Dec. 6 Nov. 6 Jan. 24* Dec. 29 March 13 Feb. 13 May 2* April 6 June 76 May 8 * Given at Fike ACT Test Date Registration Deadline Oct. 25 Sept. 19 Dec. 13 Nov. 7 Feb. 7 Jan. 9 April 18 March 13 June 13 May 8 SAT VS. ACT

4. Important Test Dates at Fike • ACT Plan: 10th grade – October 8 • PSAT: 9 -11th grades in Math 3 or higher – October 15 • ACT WorkKeys (12th grade) – February, 2015 • ACT (11th grade) – March, 2015

5. Why Is the ACT So Important • 8th grade students took the benchmark ACT Explore • 10th grade ACT PLAN – is a good predictor of your student’s ACT testing strengths. Gives feedback for test prep and studying for the ACT. • 11th grade ACT- given during the school day, National Testing Score, used for college admission.

6. NC Public College/University Options

7. NC Private College/University Options

8. Explain My ACT Score

9. How Do I Send My Scores? • SAT Scores • Are NO longer on your transcript • Scores must be reported to your College/University from College Board • ACT Scores • Are NO longer on yout transcript • ACT tests taken through the high school during your junior year also count as admission test data. Our School Code is: 344368 Enter this number at registration to submit scores to Fike.

10. I Forgot to Release My Scores!! • ACT/SAT scores may be sent directly to the college of your choice by logging into your testing account. • SAT: www.collegeboard.com • $11.25 per score sent, can include multiple test dates • ACT: www.act.org • $12 per score sent, separate score reports sent to each school • Remember! You can send your scores to 4 colleges for free when you are completing your registration. You have a few days after you take the test to make changes.

11. What Scores Do I Need? Yes, even at UNC Chapel Hill and all NC Public Colleges. Students attending competitive colleges do typically have a higher overall GPA and Test score.

12. Superscore, Get it! • When you apply to Colleges or for Scholarships, include all test scores; unless you scored lower in all sections of 1 exam session • Scores are not averaged • Your best score is calculated by adding the highest score from each section from any testing session. • This is your Superscore! Superscore =1770

13. Student Athletes • Juniors should register with the NCAA Clearinghouse before the end of the Junior year. • www.eligibiltycenter.org • $65 fee (waivers are available)

14. School Information • Student Fees – Yearly $10, paid in homeroom; pays for diplomas, senior activities, etc. • Pictures and Yearbook • Advisor: Katrice Brown: katrice.brown@wilsonschoolsnc.net • Ad Prices: • 1/8 – Full Page ads Black & White $100-$325 • 1/8 – Full Page ads Color $125 - $375 • Due Date for Ads and Senior Quote: October 31 • Cost of Yearbook: $55

15. Senior Information • Senior Picnic – Thursday, May 28; after Awards Day Practice • Awards Day – Friday, May 30 @ 8:00am in the auditorium • Graduation Practice – Wednesday, June 10 and Friday, June 12 • Graduation – Saturday, June 13 @ 4:00pm • Questions? Call or email the Senior Class Advisor Julia Bass; julia.bass@wilsonschoolsnc.net

16. Senior Exit Interview • Senior Exit Interviews have already begun and will continue until approximately the middle of October. • Topics Covered • Current GPA, Class Rank, College Application Process, students plans for after graduation; college, work, military, SAT/ACT scores, additional sign up information, scholarships, FAFSA, College Fair, and all other questions. • Recommended to follow up with either/both Ms. Price and Mrs. Hall for additional questions.

17. Apply to College • Apply to a minimum of 5 colleges • Know the admitted student profiles for your colleges • Do not procrastinate! Meet the Early Decision deadline • Your application is the most important part • SAT scores, teacher recommendations, and transcripts are supplemental documents

18. Deciding Where to Apply • Go on a College Visit! • Tour during Open House’s scheduled by the College, or call Admission and schedule a private tour. • The school allows 2 College Days • You must bring a note/letter signed by a College official

19. CFNC www.cfnc.org All NC schools are represented Entering your school number will send your transcript electronically Scholarship search tool Common App www.commonapp.org Private or out of state colleges 11 NC schools represented: UNC-A, UNC-CH, UNC-W are the only state supported schools. Completing a College ApplicationCFNC vs. Common App Both websites and applications are equally accepted.

20. CFNC College Application Week • November 10 – November 14 • Wednesday, November 12, Admissions Counselors, CFNC and your Counselors will be in the Media Center to assist you with completing online applications. • Many Private Colleges will waive their application fee during this week. Take advantage of this opportunity.

21. Scholarship Searches www.cfnc.org www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com Local scholarship applications are available in the Counseling Center Churches, Civic groups, organizations in the community, activities in which you participate, or illnesses you have suffered may all offer an opportunity for scholarship. Financial Aid FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov Scholarships Grants Work Study Loans Information is gathered from your parent’s taxes. Myth busted!: Students receive much more than loans from FAFSA. Contact the colleges you are interested in to find out about Financial Aid that is offered at that institution. Scholarships and Financial Aid

22. FAFSA Day • February 21, 2014 – 12pm • This is a FREE service to help students and their families complete Financial Aid Application • Locations are available in every NC County • To participate, register at www.cfnc.org/fafsaday • You must register to reserve a spot • Before you attend, get a FAFSA PIN at www.pin.ed.gov

23. Letters of Recommendation • Should be from someone who can speak about your specific skills and attributes. • Find an alumni from the school to which you are applying • Provide the person with a resume highlighting your accolades for which you are most proud. • Give the person at LEAST one week to write the letter.

24. Early Decision Is Binding and you must attest to an understanding of this. Earlier notification of college’s decision If you are accepted, you agree to withdraw pending applications. Early Action The school will act early on your application and you will receive earlier notification from the school. Is not Binding May increase the likelihood of being offered Honors programs Early Decision VS. Early Action YES! Apply Early!!!! Student’s who submit their applications by the first deadline are more often admitted than those students who wait until a final deadline. You will also know sooner if you need to take action on a plan B.

25. You Have Choices!No two students are the same, pick a path that is best for you, not your friends. • 4 year College or University (Public or Private) • 2 year Junior College • 2 year college transfer program through a Community College • 2 year degree program at a Community College • Military

26. Private College Cost $32,000 per year x 4 = $128,000 Public College Cost $15,000 per year x 4 = $60,000 Community College Cost $2,000 per year x 2 = $4,000 64 years of Tuition at a Community College is equal to the cost of 1 Degree at a Private College 30 years of Tuition at a Community College is equal to the cost of 1 Degree from a Public College Cost of an Education

27. Protect Your Digital Profile • Your email address • Is it professional? • Schools research your status on social media • What pictures have you posted or been tagged in on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other Social Media platforms? • Be careful what you share, this information can be used by colleges against you when it comes to a decision about your college application.

28. Congratulations! You’ve been Accepted, now what? • Send an enrollment deposit by May 1st • Choose a Major • Do you know what interests you most? • Can you make a career out of that? • Self Directed Search/Interest Inventory • CFNC – Career Center • The Career Center is linked to our local colleges, majors and programs and linked to the Occupational Outlook Handbook giving information on job outlook, salary, and education required.

29. If you receive a decision from a college that you do not understand or disagree with, call them. The college may be able to offer advice or give you specific guidance on your next steps. Do you have special circumstances that you did not make anyone aware of at the time of application? Send a letter to the director of admissions (you personally) Have a great plan B that you are willing to live with. No one school is the end all be all. You have options. Look into transfer programs or other colleges that offer the major you are most interested. Deferred/DeniedWhat do I do? With the emphasis on higher education, it is no longer unusual for a good candidate to receive a decision from a college that is not positive. Do not give up!

30. Questions