Class of 2015 Junior Seminar

1. Class of 2015 Junior Seminar Thursday, January 23, 2014 US History Classes

2. Who is my ORHS Counselor?- Ms. Paige Green (A-C) - Mr. Matt Koehler (D-H)- Ms. Brianna Ottinger (I-M) - Ms. Kelly Parker (N-R)- Ms. Dianna Sorensen (S-Z) - Ms. Ada Hall (Gifted)

3. Our Seminar Agenda… • Your HS Transcript – Is it correct? How is your GPA? • Graduation Requirements (Area of Focus? Summer Recovery?) • Registration and Teacher Recommendations • Testing – ACT + SAT + EOC + AP • Scholarship Information • What are you going to do after you graduate? - 4 year College/University - 2 year Community College - Technical School - Military (Talk to your recruiters) - Work - Apprenticeships ... and how to prepare for it!

4. Graduation Requirements… You all have until May 2015 to earn 22 Credits: • 4 English Credits (one class each year) • 4 Math Credits (including Alg2 and one class beyond) • 3 Science Credits (include Biology and Physics or Chem.) • 2 World Language Credits (of the same language) • 1 Fine Arts Credit • 3.5 Social Studies Credits (1=US History, 1=World Soc. Std., .5=Economics, .5=US Government, .5=Personal Finance) • 1.5 Wellness Credits (.5=Well A, .5=Well B, .5=additional PE) • 3 Focused Elective Credits

5. Area of Focus Information… ORHS offers the following 9 Areas of Focus: • Math/Science • Humanities • Fine Arts • Business & Information Technology Academy • Arts & Communications Academy • Early Childhood Academy • Engineering and Welding Academy • Health Science Academy • Advanced Placement

6. More Transcript Info… Notify the Registrar in the School Counseling Office if you find mistakes on your school transcript. Pay particularly close attention if you transferred to ORHS after the start of 9th grade GPA and Class Rank will be announced in the beginning of your senior year. It is unofficial or unavailable before this time. Talk to your school counselor with any credit/requirement/graduation questions that you may have – feel free to invite your parents

7. What’s all the fuss about a GPA? • What is it and how is it calculated? • Weighted vs. Un-weighted courses? • TN Lottery HOPE Scholarship – GPA/ACT Requirement • What GPA’s mean to colleges… UT-Knoxville: 3.9 Core Weighted GPA average UT-Chattanooga: 2.85 GPA+18ACT or 2.3GPA+21ACT required MTSU: 2.7GPA+19ACT or 3.0GPA or 22ACT required ETSU: 2.3GPA or 19ACT required

8. Summer Credit Recovery There is a cost Not all courses are offered You can only take 2 You might not finish the class Mandatory daily attendance AVOID THIS by getting HELP NOW! Talk to your Teachers and go in for Tutoring or meet with your school counselor – we can help with study tips/test strategies

9. 12th Grade Course Registration • Take notes now on the 4-Year Plan form • What are your graduation requirements • You will need some Teacher Recommendations - Talk to your Teacher! • English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language and AP • Some higher level elective courses • List Alternatives for Elective Courses • Applications are Required for: Business Co-op - Ms. Ousley – CS342 Virtual Enterprise - Ms. Ousley – CS342 Math Student Service - Your Math Teacher YLDCIP - Ms. Shipley – LC321 Administrative Office Aide - Counselor Clinical Internship - Ms. Farr – CS200 Early Childhood Education – Ms. Burkhalter – CS 250 • 11th graders will all register online in the Library Computer Lab during your US History Class February 3 - 7, your teacher will provide you with the specific date.

10. ORHS Testing Calendar ACT – March 4this the TN State ACT test day at ORHS for all Juniors that did NOTtake a voucher. It is recommended that each 11th grader use his or her test voucher to take the ACT this Spring (March, April, or June 2014) to see what he or she needs to work on prior to a retake Pay attention to what test(s) you need for college admission (ACT? SAT? Subject Test?) and which AP courses the school accepts/score needed See handout for ACT/SAT Test Prep Suggestions

11. State of TN - END of COURSE Exams Are given in May 5th– 9th 2014 Possible EOC’s for 11th graders: Algebra 2, US History, English 3, and Chemistry These cumulative EXAMS count 25% of your total second semester grade so PLEASE take these very seriously All specific aspects/requirements regarding final exams for other courses will be determined by the classroom teacher.

12. What are you going to do after you graduate? • 4 year College/University (Public vs. Private) • 2 year Community College (ex. PSCC and RSCC) • Technical School (ex. TN College for Applied Technologies) • Military (Talk to your recruiters, ROTC) • Work/Apprenticeships

13. How to pay for more school? Scholarship Information – See the GREEN Handouts Your Financial Aid Package – what the school puts together based on your FAFSA Expected Family Contribution(EFC) - Scholarships, Grants, Work-Study, Loans FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – What you and your parents will fill out in January of your Senior Year

14. How to pay for more school? TN Lottery HOPE Scholarship (Private/Public/4yr/2yr) TN Achieves Program (2 yr. Community Colleges) – More info will be provided next fall during Sr. Seminar Can start looking at Scholarship Websites, ORHS Counseling Website and Facebook page, college scholarship websites.

15. What else is important… College Visits - Spring Break & Summer 2014 is a good time to start Start looking now as searching/applications take lots of time Look at application/scholarship essays now and practice Begin putting your academic resume together now College Preparation Apps - Some of are free, some aren’t ACT/SAT Prep, Financial Aid, College Search Tools, Etc… Military Academies - Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard Start the process now – contact recruiters and research the requirements/timeline Your Counselor is here to Help – make an appointment to see us & invite a parent/guardian!