Thompson High School Senior Parent Night

1. Thompson High SchoolSenior Parent Night October 28, 2013

2. Counselors’ Contact Information • Mrs. Pam Vickers College & Career Counselor pam.vickers@alabastercityschools.org 205.685.6734 Counselors by Last Name • Ms. Kadrian Delaine (A-D) • Mrs. Kristen Blanton (E-K) • Mrs. Traci McGee (L-Ri) • Mrs. Heather Myles (Ro-Z)

3. Connecting to Counselors • Students • Before/after school • Lunch • Make an appointment • Utilize email • Parents • Email (preferred method) • Phone • Counseling newsletters and school website

4. Graduation Requirements • 24 credits required for graduation • Must pass all core subjects (4x4) and required electives • Must pass all five parts of AHSGE • Students completing all course requirements for the standard diploma and passing only 3 of 5 parts of the AHSGE (including Reading and Math) may receive an Alabama Credit-Based Diploma.

5. Important Senior Dates and Upcoming Events

6. Important Senior Dates • November 1 – Baby picture due for yearbook • November 1 – Deadline for yearbook ads • November 4 – Senior meeting to receive cap/gown information • November 13 – Cap & Gown/Announcement orders due • Fee ($100) includes cap, gown, tassel, stole, diploma • May not borrow regalia from a former graduate • April 4 – Prom (Hyatt Regency) • May 15 – Senior Awards Night (6:30pm) • May 19– Senior Day/Senior Breakfast/Graduation Rehearsal • May 20 – Graduation, 6:00pm (Bartow Arena) • All guests must have a ticket (Seniors will be issued 10 tickets) • Additional tickets available for purchase at rehearsal For more information, contact Mrs. Sanford, Senior Sponsor (ronna.sanford@alabastercityschools.org)

7. Additional Costs (optional) • Graduation t-shirt ($10) • Senior video ($15, pre-order in May) • Graduation video ($15, pre-order in May) • Honor Society stole/cords • National Honor Society ($35) • Quill & Scroll Cord ($15) • French/Spanish Honor Society Cords ($15 each) • Thespian Cord ($15) • Mu Alpha Theta Cord ($18)

8. Important Forms Available in Student Services • Official transcript request form • Must submit to counselors’ office at least one day in advance • College visit form • Must follow proper procedures • Senior Questionnaire • Received through English classes in September

9. Colleges and Universities Where to go from here

10. Qualities to Consider • Size • Location • Academic Environment • Degree programs offered • Extracurricular Offerings • Cost (have a frank discussion about this!) • Best fit for student

11. Developing the College List • Consider these options • Public universities (The University of Alabama; The University of Montevallo; Auburn University) • Private colleges/universities (Samford University, Birmingham-Southern) • Community colleges (Jefferson State Community College) • Vocational/Technical (ITT, Herzing, Virginia College) • Apply broadly • 2-3 “Reach” schools • 4-6 “Target” schools • 2-3 “Safety” schools

12. College Applications • Create and regularly check a professional email address • i.e., johnstudent@gmail.com • Send applications NOW to colleges and universities • Many application deadlines are December 1 or earlier! • Know the deadlines for the schools you are most likely to attend • Most application deadlines are “received by”; not “postmarked by” • Online applications will expedite the admissions process and will sometimes save money

13. Common Application • Common Application enables students to apply to multiple schools using one application form. • A listing of the schools that will accept the Common Application may be found at www.commonapp.org. • Deadline for applications is November 1. • Requires essays and multiple recommendation letters.

14. Admission Factors • Grades/GPA/Class rank • Standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) • Extracurricular activities and leadership positions • College essays • Recommendation letters

15. College Entrance Examinations • ACT – Administered at Thompson High School • Math, critical reading, writing, science reasoning • ACT plus writing (includes essay) • Highest score is 36 • No penalty for guessing • Register online at www.actstudent.org • Cost is $50.50 for ACT Plus Writing (includes four score reports) • Next opportunity to test is December 14 • December test may be too late for some scholarships! • ACT fee waivers available for students receiving free/reduced lunch • Inquire in Student Services

16. College Entrance Examinations • SAT • Includes math, critical reading, writing (includes essay) • Highest possible score is 2400 • Penalty for guessing • Subject area tests (two in different subjects required by many private schools) • Options include English, History, Math, Science and World Languages) • Register online at http://sat.collegeboard.org • Cost is $50.00 for SAT and $23.00 for subject tests • Next opportunity to test is December 7 • December test may be too late for some scholarships! • Fee waivers available for students receiving free/reduced lunch • Inquire in Student Services

17. College Essays & Teacher Recommendations • Essay topics vary by college or university • Do not procrastinate on this portion of the application • Ask teachers or administrators about recommendation letters now! • Check the requirements at the schools of your choice • Sophomore, junior and senior year teachers are preferred • Be sensitive to the time provided for this part of the application

18. Meeting College Reps and College Visits

19. College Recruiters Fall Visits to Thompson High School

20. Procedures for Recruiter Visits • Announcements are made prior to each visit • Students are to sign up in advance in Student Services • Be open-minded • Students will be provided a pass for 25 minutes of time in which to meet with the recruiter • Come to the meeting with questions in mind • Get a business card from the recruiter • Recruiters will remember those students who made an effort!

21. College Visits • Students are allowed two excused absences per year • Students must complete the college visit form in its entirety and in proper sequence BEFORE the visit • Form is available in Student Services or in the Guidance section of the THS website • Bring back something from the college/university to show you attended the visit (letter, business card, etc.) • Mrs. Vickers can help schedule college visits • Ask to sit in on a class and take a campus tour • Speak with current students and faculty members

22. November 14, 2013 • 8am until 3:30pm • Chartered bus service to and from Tuscaloosa • Opportunity to tour campus, hear from admissions representatives, learn more about Honors College, and enjoy lunch • Must have “C” average to attend, good attendance and clean discipline record • Register in Student Services no later than November 7 • Excused field trip (not a college visit) Visit to University of Alabama Campus

23. Transcript Requests • Must submit to Student Services at least one day in advance. • Cost is $3.00 per transcript; $10.00 for unlimited. • Must include parent’s signature if the student is under 18. • Transcripts include grades for all courses since 9th grade; class rank, and GPA (weighted and unweighted). • Colleges will require transcripts for admissions purposes as well as scholarship applications.

24. Resume Information • Name • Diploma Type/GPA • Work Experience • Volunteer Experience • Awards/Certificates • Extracurricular Activities • Hobbies/Skills/Abilities

25. A Word About Social Media • Utilize websites, Facebook and Twitter to research potential colleges • “Like” or “Follow” those schools that interest you • Many college recruiters will ask you to “Follow” them for more information about events and the admissions process • Research suggests that 80% of potential colleges and employers check your Facebook or Twitter accounts before offering admission or employment • Keep your accounts clean, refrain from posting inappropriate content or photographs

26. NCAA Eligibility/Clearinghouse • If your child plans to play a sport in college, make sure he/she is registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse. • Web application at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • $60 fee, payable online • Submit two high school transcripts • One transcript as soon as web form is complete • Second transcript at final graduation • See Mrs. Vickers or your child’s coach for details

27. Military • We will have recruiters from all branches of the Armed Forces on campus this fall. • Interested students must take the ASVAB (November 6). • ROTC programs and National Guard offer scholarships for college. • After graduation, 4-6 years of military service may be required. • Contact Mrs. Vickers if you wish to speak with a recruiter. • Involve family in this process.

28. Financial Aid and Scholarships

29. Scholarships • Scholarship information is posted on the Guidance portion of the THS website (under “News”). • Announcements are made about scholarship applications on morning announcements and THS-TV. • Many local scholarships are awarded in the spring. • Pay attention to deadlines. • Contact Mrs. Vickers for specific information.

30. Financial Aid PresentationCourtney Garza, The University of Alabama

31. College Recruiters University of Alabama (Christy Hudgens) Jefferson State Community College (Rodney Thompson)

32. Next steps:Financial Aid Seminar planned for early springThis presentation will be uploaded to the THS website under “Guidance”