WELCOME !

1. WELCOME !

2. First, some comments from: • Friend of Central High School, Mr. Steven Mizell, from the Admissions Department at the University of Memphis!

3. Central High SchoolSeptember 6, 2012 Annual Senior Parent Night (2012-13)

4. Central High School Web Site: • www.memphiscentral.org • Please visit the Counseling Department link for more detailed information about information presented in this meeting

5. Get to know the Counselors: • 1. Mrs. Tanya Ayers • 12-01 – 12-05 (A thru Hester) • 11-01 – 11-05 (A thru Griffin) • 10-01 – 10-05 (A thru Halmon) • 2. Mr. Lance Allred • 12-06 - 12-10 (Hill thru Rogers) • 11-06 – 11-10 (Gris thru Pryor) • 10-06 – 10-10 (Ham thru Norman) 1. Mr. Andy Prewitt • 12-11 - 12-14 (Rubin thru end of alphabet) • 11-11 – 11- 14 (Re thru end) • 10-11 – 10 -15 (Ose – end)

6. Parental Responsibilities: Know THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS DISCUSS FINANCES WITH YOUR CHILD • See the Central High School website for all these requirements (core courses, elective focus, Capstone, online class requirement, NCAA requirements for athletes); Google the Tennessee Diploma Project, too • Discuss your ability to pay for college with your child; have taxes done as soon as possible so the FAFSA can be completed AFTER January 1, 2013 (MOST students DO NOT get “full rides” to college!)

7. Parental Responsibilities (continued): ACT (or SAT): College Choices: (Parents and students should • Register online for the ACT; • Offered in September, October, December, February, April, June • Students should take more than once • Be aware of the HOPEScholarship requirements and TSAC information • …not base college choices solely on money; • …visit colleges when possible to see the campus • …decide on an acceptable college setting (urban, rural, large or small school, public or private, etc.) • …”virtually visit” a college if a real visit is not possible

8. Student Responsibilities: First, and foremost, KNOW all your graduation requirements!

9. Student Responsibilities (continued): • Acquire from your Counselor, complete, and, turn back in, a Senior Data Sheet; • Prepare a resume (if the college to which you are applying requires a recommendation); • Counselors and Teachers require several weeks’ notice to write recommendations • NEITHER parents NOR students may review these recommendations • Make certain to inform your Counselor about where you are applying (and have applied) to college • Consult frequently with your Counselor about realistic college choices *! • Request a transcript form from your Counselor – complete it – turn it in to Mrs. D. Boyd, the records person in Pupil Services, for processing • In most cases, transcripts MUST be sent by Central High School

10. Other things to remember: • Deadlines: Never expect a college to extend a deadline for you • (Example: UT Knoxville has a solid December 1 deadline that must be met) • Most students should apply to all their colleges by February • Students should apply ONLINE to almost all colleges • Print a copy of the application for your records • Just because a college sends you a solicitation to apply to their school does not mean you need to do so –apply there because you want to!

11. Some additional things to remember: • If a college charges an application fee, don’t forget to pay it • The Common Application (some colleges accept or encourage this process) – discuss this with your Counselor BEFORE beginning this process – it may not be necessary • Double check basic admission requirements for each college to which you may apply • There are other options for students not choosing to attend a four year college: other options may be: two year schools, community colleges, technical schools, the military – please consult with your Counselor

12. Students Need to Plan to do SOMETHING after High School • College graduates can make as much as $1,000,000 more during their working careers than someone without a four year college degree; a two year degree can result in a lot of extra salary, too. • Technical schools can provide students with training and and sometimes licenses to begin work before their classmates even graduate from college

13. Be wary of For Profit Colleges Students (and parents) can get into a lot of debt very quickly if they choose to attend these schools

14. Don’t be scammed! There are many organizations that will try to charge YOU and your family for services that are free (financial aid, scholarships, college searches) – Example FAFSA.com

15. Web Sites to check out: Students: Parents: • Tennessee Diploma Project • Memphis City Schools • Memphis Central High School • TSAC (for the HOPE Scholarship, grants, programs for financial aid) • College Board (college search) • Fast Web (scholarship search) • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • All of the ones to the left will be handy • FinAid – a great site shedding light on famous scams • Peterson’s college search • Any college web site

16. IMPORTANT Dates: September 27 – College Fair at the Agricenter (6-8 pm) December – Financial Aid Workshop January 1, 2013 – FAFSA forms may be submitted online

17. Thanks for coming tonight!! • The Central High School Counseling Staff