Senior Night – Class of 2013

1. College, Military, World of Work Senior Night – Class of 2013

2. World of Work • Use career planning tools on www.gacollege411.org to learn what careers might be a good fit. • Sign-up in the Counseling Center to take the ASVAB on October 17. It’s a free career planning test that will give you more info about your abilities and career interests. • Create a descriptive and professional resume to give to potential employers

3. Military • Talk to recruiters early so you have plenty of time to make the decision that is best for you. Do not sign anything without talking it through with parent/guardian. • Contact the local recruitment offices to set-up a meeting where you can learn more about the military. Take parent/guardian with you to the meeting so you can talk through it later. • Sign up in the Counseling Center to take the ASVAB on October 17. • Make sure you understand all stipulations for pay, college grants, etc. before signing.

4. College • Research colleges online – use College Matching Assistant or School Finder on www.gacollege411.org or the College Match Maker on www.collegeboard.com to discover schools that match your college preferences • Visit specific school websites to learn more about a particular college

5. What to look for online? • Academic Programs – do they have a major I am interested in? • Admissions Requirements – what do they require? (GPA, SAT/ACT, HS course work, etc) • Financial Aid – do they offer any financial assistance for students? • Sports – do they offer my sport and do I need to register with NCAA?

6. Things to consider when looking for a college • Majors/programs • Admission Requirements – GPA, SAT/ACT score • Location • Size • Proximity to home • Public vs. Private • In-state vs. Out-of-state • How to pay for college • Extracurricular activities offered

7. Narrowing Down Your College List • Watch the virtual tours available online • Take a campus tour – Seniors are allowed to miss four days of school for college visits and these will be marked field trip w/ the proper documentation (note on college letterhead stating student name, date toured, and a signature) • Contact Office of Admissions to schedule campus visits and to ask about specific Visitation Days

8. College Entrance Exams • SAT: register at www.collegeboard.com • ACT: register at www.actstudent.org • Enter the FCHS school code (110920) when you register • When you register, you’ll be asked to list colleges where you want your scores to be sent. They will send them free to the colleges you list at registration. If you need to request your scores be sent to additional schools, there is a fee. Remember to send your test scores to NCAA.

9. Making a Short List of Colleges • From your research, you should be able to come-up with a few college options. • Make sure you have: • A few “good fit” schools • A “reach” school • A “back-up plan” school

10. Finalizing your College Plan • For your short list of colleges, gather the following information on each • Admission Requirements • GPA • SAT/ACT score • Application Deadline • Supporting Documents (school specific)

11. GPA • HOPE GPA vs. Cumulative GPA • cum GPA includes all courses taken • HOPE GPA is based on ALL English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language courses • In HOPE calculation, students receive a 0.5 quality point for AP courses up to a max of 4 pts instead of the full quality point they receive in the cum GPA • You will receive a copy of your preliminary HOPE transcript, as well as, an unofficial copy of your FCHS transcript from your counselor tonight

12. How do I Apply? • For Georgia Colleges, you can do all applications on www.gacollege411.org • For out-of-state colleges, you can apply through that schools website • Common App – go to www.commonapp.org to see if one of your colleges or universities is one of the more than 450 that use the Common Application website

13. When do I Apply? • Early Application – be CONFIDENT that your GPA and SAT/ACT scores are solidly in the college’s range • Early App colleges either: • Accept • Defer – finish the remainder of application by regular deadline • Deny – cannot reapply for 1 year

14. When do I Apply? • Regular Application • One set deadline – some colleges have one deadline per year for fall applications, as well as, a set date for releasing acceptances • Rolling admissions – some colleges evaluate applications as they come in and make admission decisions and offer acceptances as processed

15. When do I Apply? • Early Decision – colleges that offer early decision require a student commitment by a certain deadline • Students who want to commit to that college/university must withdraw all other college applications

16. Supporting Documents • Official Transcript – if your college requires an official transcript, stop in the counseling center to complete request and pay the $3.00 fee – 24 hours processing • Immunization form – available in the counseling center (24 hr processing) or from your doctor’s office • SAT/ACT scores – you must request these from the test agencies • Counselor/Teacher Recommendation – complete SR Profile and take to counselor/teacher to ask for a recommendation; allow two weeks to complete recommendation • Essays – take your time writing and have it proof-read

17. How do I Pay for College? • Scholarships • FCHS Counseling Website under Scholarship tab • FCHS Common Scholarship Application (available on FCHS Scholarship tab) • On the college websites • National databases like www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com • Financial Aid • FCHS Financial Aid Night – 12/6/12 @ 6:30pm • Complete the FAFSA after January 1 on www.gacollege411.org

18. Could I have HOPE?To receive HOPE scholarship funding, students must: • Meet academic requirements • Students applying for Zell Miller HOPE must request their SAT/ACT scores be sent to GSFC • Meet US Citizenship requirements • Meet Georgia residency requirements • Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible public or private GA institution • Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by college • Not be in default or owe a refund on a financial aid program • Be in compliance with Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990. Student may be ineligible for HOPE payment if he/she has been convicted for committing certain felony offenses involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs • Student’s Social Security card MUST BE ON FILE with Forsyth Central High School in order for us to upload your transcript for HOPE. • Details and additional information on www.gacollege411.org website

19. How do I apply for HOPE? • Students have three options for applying for HOPE scholarships • Complete the FAFSA application on gacollege411.org • Complete the GSFAPPS application on gacollege411.org • Complete the GSFAPPS paper application and submit to Georgia Student Finance Commission by mail • Details on www.gacollege411.org

20. NCAA Eligibility • Student Athletes interested in NCAA sports at the collegiate level must: • Create an account on the NCAA website • Register on the NCAA website • Request an official transcript be sent to NCAA – one after you register, as well as, a final transcript at end of senior year • Read the “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete” on the NCAA website under resources, as well as, the “Quick Reference Guide” and the “Registration Checklist.” • Details available at www.ncaa.org

21. Apply to College Week • October 31 – November 1, FCHS has been selected to participate in the Georgia Apply to College Week • All seniors will have the opportunity to apply to college on-line during the school day • College representatives will be available to assist students with the application process

22. Pathway Completers • Pathway Scholar Medallion • Pathway Seal of Distinction • Pathway Seal of Completion • Look for form in the spring

23. October 17, 2012 • Seniors will choose between taking the ASVAB or taking a college visit day (submit proper documentation following day in order for it to be marked field trip) • All seniors will be asked to sign-up in their instructional focus class

24. Upcoming Parent Nights • Noche Hispania: September 27, 2012; 6:30pm east cafeteria • Financial Aid Night: December 6, 2012; 6:30pm east cafeteria • PSAT Score Interpretation Night: January 17, 2013; 6:30pm east cafeteria • College Knowledge Night: February 28, 2013; 6:30pm east cafeteria

25. Opportunities • Rewarding Minds – opportunity for students to receive technology to help further their education • Criteria • Junior or Senior • B Average • Show financial need • Plan to attend college, university or technical school • Completed or will complete 10 hours of community service • Central STARS – Students Taking Academic Responsibility Seriously – recognition for students that have excelled in the SAT and ACT

26. SR Year Nuts & Bolts • Paying SR Fees • The $75 graduation fee covers senior cap & gown purchase, diploma printing, Senior Breakfast, partial fees and costs of graduation site, and a special senior event at the end of the year. Go to gabalfour.com to order. • SR Yearbook Ads – due Sept. 30 • SR Pictures – if you haven’t had them made, contact Cady Studios @ 770-406-6046 – deadline to have SR pictures made is Oct. 30

27. Questions? • On the index card you received as you came in the door, please put the following information: • Student Name • Questions • Email address where we can respond • Give index card to your counselor tonight

28. What’s Next? • Ms. Petersen’s students/parents – report to room 180 • Mrs. Chilson’s students/parents – report to room 186 • Mrs. Miller’s students/parents – stay in cafeteria • Ms. Savage’s students/parents – report to room187