PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

1. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Sprayberry High School SENIOR PARENT NIGHT September 30, 2014 ASCA Standards: A:B1, A:B2, C:B1, PS:B1

2. 2014- 2015 Shs administration • John Kelly – Principal • Kerri McDougal, Assistant Principal, Alpha A-C • Leigh Graham, Assistant Principal, Alpha D-H • Richmond Parker, Assistant Principal, Alpha I-M • Joe Sharp, Assistant Principal, Alpha N-S • Mark Giles, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, Alpha T-Z

3. 2014-2015 Shs Counseling department • Tina Harwood, Alpha A-D tina.harwood@cobbk12.org • Paula Ferguson, Alpha E-Kg paula.ferguson@cobbk12.org • Brandy Brady, Alpha Ki-Ribrandy.brady@cobbk12.org • Rebecca Irwin, Alpha Rj-Z rebecca.irwin@cobbk12.org • Jonathan Tabb, School Social Worker • Rachelle Denison, Registrar • The Mission of the Sprayberry High School Counseling program is to assist students in overcoming barriers that impede learning through a focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they are successful in school and are prepared to become responsible members of society.

4. Greetings class of 2015: welcome to your senior year!! • Graduation Requirements • The College Application Process • Requesting Transcripts • Standardized Testing • Counselor Recommendations • Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities • Email Addresses • Upcoming Events

5. Graduation Requirements 4 Credits of English 4 Credits of Math 4 Credits of Science 3 Credits of Social Studies 3 Credits from CTAE/Foreign Language/or Fine Arts 1 Credit of Health and Personal Fitness (.5 credit in each) 4 Elective Credits 23 Credits for Graduation The EOCT counts 20% of the course grade. Students must also pass the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT) which is typically taken during the student’s Junior year.

6. Graduation Requirements ARE FOR GEORGIA SCHOOLS • Graduation requirements are set forth by Georgia’s Board of Regents which establishes the admissions requirements for Georgia’s colleges and universities. • Students should check the admissions requirements of the particular college they wish to attend For example, the University of South Carolina requires a Fine Art credit.

7. PARENTVUE AND STUDENTVUE

8. HOW TO CHOOSE COLLEGES • Select 5 • (2) REACH: • (2) RANGE: 50/50 • (1) SAFETY • Points to Consider • Admission Requirements • Student Life • Instruction • Financial Aid • College Atmosphere

9. Transcript & Status Report • Insert transcript and status report

10. 4 Steps to a “Complete File” To a 2-year or 4-year college admissions office 1. Admissions Application Online Common App 2. Application Fee Fee Waiver: The student must be eligible for free or reduced lunch AND have used an SAT/ACT waiver. See the counseling clerk for details. 3. Official High School Transcript Official Transcripts cost $2.00 cash. See Counseling clerk for details. 4. Send Appropriate Test Scores (student is responsible for sending this information) 5. Recommendations, Resume, Essay May Be Required

11. OVER 30 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE A PART OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP MONEY

12. TECHNICAL COLLEGES • Many throughout the State • ALL students are eligible for the HOPE Grant • The HOPE Grant has NOGPA requirement for high school graduation • Will have regular interval check points, just like the HOPE Scholarship, to maintain HOPE Grant students will need a 2.0 GPA • For further details please visit the Georgia Student Finance Commission at www.gsfc.org/

13. College & Career Internet Resources

14. GOT H.O.P.E.? • Eligibility is reported by the student’s social security number. • Students must apply for HOPE. It is not automatically given to him/her. www.GAcollege411.org

15. College Admission Tests - ACT - SAT - COMPASS ...WHICH ONE?!?!?

16. ACT American College Assessment (ACT) • Measures classroom achievement (knowledge) in four broad content areas as well as the ability to reason and to apply problem-solving skills • Four content areas: English, Math, Science, and Reading • Mathematics section contains pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry • No guessing penalty and all multiple choice • Four sub scores with a composite score ranging up to 36 points • The writing test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. • Visit www.act.orgfor more information COST IS $36.50 ($52.50 with the Writing)

17. SAT Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) • Measures academic aptitude (critical thinking) in terms of verbal and mathematical reasoning and the ability to recognize standard written English • VERBAL SECTION contains antonyms, analogies, sentence completion and reading comprehension in various subject areas • MATHEMATICS SECTION contains arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and logic and operations • Guessing penalty • 800 possible points for the verbal section • 800 possible points for the math section • 800 possible points for the writing section • Visit www.collegeboard.com for more information. The Star Student of each high school is the senior who has the highest SAT taken in one sitting by November of the year preceding their graduation. COST IS $51.00

18. COMPASS test • Computerized exam offered at the college’s computer lab • 3 Sections: Reading, Writing, Mathematics Taken for admission to 2-year and technical colleges as well as course placement

19. Test Preparation Resources • We recommend students take both the SAT and ACT in the Spring of their Junior year, decide which test is the best fit and take the test again in the summer and/or fall of Senior year. • www.Gacollege411 offers free practice assessments for ACT, SAT, and Compass Tests • www.collegeboard.com to practice online for the SAT • www.act.org to practice online for the ACT

20. ncaa Academic Credentials + Amateurism Status = College Eligible • What are the Academic Initial-Eligibility Requirements? • 1. Graduate from high school; • 2. Complete a minimum of 16 core courses; • 3. Present the required grade-point average (GPA) (see the sliding scale in the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete for each Division); • 4. Present a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT (see the sliding scale in the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete); and • 5. Complete the amateurism questionnaire and request final amateurism certification. • Please visit the NCAA Eligibility Center website --- www.eligibilitycenter.org • SHS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, MARK GILES

21. Financial Aid 1. Federal & State A. HOPE Scholarship B. PELL Grant C. HOPE Grant D. Zell Miller Grant ** E. Federal Work Study F. Student Loans ****FAFSA (FREE Application for Federal Student Aid) **** www.fafsa.ed.gov Application is completed online after January 1st. You & your parents must have a PIN (Personal Identification Number) before you apply. NOTE: You & your parents must complete your 2014 taxes before you can complete the FAFSA application.

22. ZELL MILLER GRANT New program effective Fall 2014: pursuing a certificate or diploma at TCSG and USG schools GPA requirement is a minimum 3.5 cumulative post-secondary first term of enrollment will be paid RETROACTIVELYifstudent has the required 3.5 GPA GPA checked at the end of each term.

23. MORE ON Financial Aid 2. Private Scholarships • Business/Corporations • Private Organizations • Colleges – Athletic, Academic, etc. • Civic Organizations • PTSA • Loans- MUST be repaid • Work Study- student works on college campus in exchange for financial aid award • Scholarships & Grants- do not need to be repaid

24. HELPFUL STUDENT REMINDERS Email Address • Appropriate vs. Inappropriate • Check at least twice/week Social Networking • Pros and Cons • Cannot rescind once you hit send • Colleges may check your page

25. SHS FINANCIAL AID NIGHT DATE: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014 TIME: 6:00PM PLACE: LGI WHO: SENIORS & THEIR PARENTS SPEAKER: GSFC REPRESENTATIVE, NATASHA POWELL

26. Upcoming college fairs DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH TIME: 12:00PM – 3:00PM PLACE: TURNER CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH (Education Ministry) PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

27. UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS at shs OCTOBER 2nd – REINHARDT UNIVERSITY and ARMSTRONG STATE UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 7TH- GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 14TH – DEPAUW UNIVERSITYand AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE OCTOBER 16TH – UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA and GEORGIA COLLEGE OCTOBER 23RD – GREENSBORO COLLEGE NOVEMBER 6TH – SHORTER UNIVERSITY

28. Final thoughts • This PowerPoint will be available on the SprayberryCounseling website. • Please check the SHS Counseling Blog for current information throughout the school year. • For one-on-one appointments with your student’s counselor, please contact our Counseling clerk.