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Seniors 2011. The Path to Graduation. Welcome to MSHS. Sonya Allman, Counselor sallman@mscs.k12.al.us Honor Day – Friday, May 20 th Graduation – Friday, May 27 th. Conversations at Home. Talk about careers & majors Talk about money for college Talk about expectations and sacrifice
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Seniors 2011 The Path to Graduation
Welcome to MSHS • Sonya Allman, Counselor sallman@mscs.k12.al.us • Honor Day – Friday, May 20th • Graduation – Friday, May 27th
Conversations at Home Talk about careers & majors Talk about money for college Talk about expectations and sacrifice Talk about stress and confusion
Start Applying NOW!!! • How to apply? • Paper applications • On-line applications • Some colleges have a separate scholarship application • Send your transcript – fill out card in the guidance office • Know your deadline (if you are on time you are late) • Start paying attention to your mail
College Visits . . . . . . . . Special Visit Days Schedule a Visit with the Admissions Office *Housing/Dorms *Environment *Programs of Study *Honors College *Meet someone in the department of interest
Comparing Colleges • Public • Private • Out of State • Junior College • Plan a Safety School • Transferring • Size • Distance • Affordability • Dorms
What are colleges looking for? • Admissions vs Scholarships • ACT • Grades/GPA • Extracurricular Activities • Class Rank
ACT – www.actstudent.org • Next test date – October 23rd with a registration deadline of Sept. 17th • Other dates • ACT or ACT + Writing • Ideas of how to improve?
SAT –www.collegeboard.com/student/ • ACT vs SAT • November 6th next test date with a registration deadline of October 8th • What are SAT Subject Tests
GPA (Grade Point Average) • GPA: One way to know the average letter grade earned in a class • 4.0 = A • 3.0 = B • 2.0 = C • 1.0 = D • GPA has nothing to do with class rank
Class Rank • Rank is determined by using the numerical final average in each class dividing by the number of classes attempted and finding an over-all numerical average • The number is used to rank students which tells colleges how the student did in comparison with others in the class • We have 65/170 students with a 90 average or above starting out this year • Recognized top 10 must be on Honors Diploma
Types of Scholarships • Merit based by the University (This is where most scholarships come from) • Departmental/ depends on declared major • Need based – FAFSA Required • Leadership • Special Talents (athletics, band, music, art) • Employers • Senior “Stuff” Newsletter • Internet Searches
More about scholarships • Deadlines • Don’t count on a scholarship • Misconceptions • Myths • Scams • Recommendations • Not eligible unless you apply • Accept them all • Save those Offers
Financial Aid (FAFSA) • Free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov • Grants • Loans • Work Study • After completing this form contact the financial aid department of the school you are interested in. • Possible Free Summer Class at NWSCC
For MSHS the most commonly applied to schools are: • Northwest Shoals Community College www.nwscc.edu • University of North Alabama – www.una.edu • University of Alabama – www.ua.edu • Auburn University – www.auburn.edu • University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) www.uab.edu • Samford – www.samford.edu • University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) www.uah.edu
Other commonly applied to schools: • University of South Alabama (USA) www.southalabama.edu • Mississippi State – www.msstate.edu • University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) www.olemiss.edu • Birmingham Southern College – www.bsc.edu • Huntingdon College – www.huntingdon.edu • Search websites for information
January Meeting • University of North Alabama (UNA) • Northwest Shoals Community College • FAFSA (Plan to do those taxes early this year!)
Miscellaneous Items • Graduation Clothes Guys– Dark Dress pants, white shirts with a collar, dark tie, dark dress shoes Girls– Dress and dark dress shoes • Senior Pictures • Graduation Invitations and other supplies • Start now preparing your senior for life after high school