Warner Robins High School

Class of 2015 Advisement

September 24, 2014

First Goal: To Graduate

WRHS Graduation

Saturday, May 23, 2015 6:00 pm Miller Murphy Howard Bldg. National Fair Grounds Perry, Georgia

Review Graduation Requirements • 24 Units Required

• 4 English Units (must include 9th Lit and Am Lit) • 4 Math Units (must include Coor Alg and Analytic

Geom) • 4 Science Units(must include Biology, Physical Science

or Physics and Chemistry or Environmental Science) • 3 Social Studies Units (must include Civics, World His,

US His and Econ) • 3 units of foreign language and/or fine arts and/or

CTAE courses • Personal Fitness/Health or 3 years of ROTC • 5 Elective Units

- Students who have met all credit requirements and passed the GHSGT before graduation.

- Students who have met all credit requirements but have not passed the GHSGT before graduation do march but will not receive a diploma. They will receive a certificate of attendance.

Who Marches?

Who doesn’t march?

• Any student who has not passed and received credit for all of the courses needed for graduation before the May graduation date.

Example- Students who are on track to graduate in the summer are not eligible to participate in May graduation.

After High School-What?

Entering the Workforce?

Military Career?

Things to do when considering a Military Career?

Take the ASVAB-Check with recruiters

Talk to recruiters of various branches

Weigh the benefits and limitations of options

Consider timing, maturity, reaction to authority, potential jobs, potential bases

Consider ROTC scholarships- Requirements and colleges associated with each branch-apply quickly

Talk to military personnel about their

careers

Expect to be asked to defend our

country in times of war

Look at the Reserves and National

Guard options

Going to College?

Types of Colleges to Consider

Technical colleges

Two year or junior colleges

Four year state colleges and

universities

-Regional universities

-Research universities

Private colleges and universities

Considering a Technical Education?

Viable Options

Many jobs require technical training

Programs-Diploma, Certificate, and Degree

Most Paid by HOPE

Less preparation time than traditional college

Technical Education- Important Planning Tips Prepare for and take ASSET/Compass

-Both administered at CGTC

-Study guide available

-Cannot use calculator

Both scores are reported in three areas

- Reading, Writing, and Math

Must be Program Ready in all three areas

If scores are close, opportunities for remediation are available at CGTC

Decide on Program of Study

Check local technical schools for desired program

Program Considerations:

- Some very competitive

- Type of program

>Degree, diploma, certificate

Are you looking for a traditional college education?

SAT I-Reasoning Test

• Critical Reading -800 maximum score

• Math-800 maximum score

• Writing-800 maximum score

• Most schools do not require SAT II Subject Tests

• Last test to be eligible for STAR Student: November 8

Check college admission requirements!

ACT

• English • Math • Reading • Science Reasoning • Optional Essay—required by most Georgia

colleges Each section has a score of 1-36. All scores

averaged together to give the composite score.

ASSET Test

• Required for admission to certain programs at technical colleges

• Measures basic skills in writing, math and reading. Some programs require additional skills tests in Algebra and/or Geometry

• More information: www.act.org/asset/tests

SAT, ACT, or ASSET? Which for me?

• Four year colleges and universities will require SAT or ACT.

• Many two year schools will require SAT or ACT-check with the school.

• Review the test requirements to determine which is best for you.

• You may want to take both tests at least once. Repeat the one you scored higher on.

• Technical Colleges: You likely do not need SAT or ACT. Plan to take the (FREE!) ASSET test at the technical college.

Registering for Test/Preparing for Test

• ACT: Register at www.actstudent.org

• SAT: Register at www.collegeboard.com

– Sample questions, tutorials available on the test service website.

• Our school code is 113160

• ASSET: Register at technical college

• FREE test preparation is available at www.gacollege411.org!

What should I be doing?

September

• Research schools

• Start and maintain a calendar of application and scholarship deadlines

• Make a “short list” of schools that you want to apply to for admission. Plan visits!

• Start strong to finish strong! Senior year grades count!

October

• Take the SAT/ACT if required

• Complete list of college choices

• Compile resume

– Resume builder at gacollege411!

• Collect applications

– Most colleges prefer online applications! Applications are available at www.gacollege411.org or the school’s website

– Check admission deadlines – early decision deadlines

November

• Send in college applications-Early is better! • Remember to have your SAT/ACT scores sent directly

to the colleges from the testing service. • Contact the college Financial Aid office to ask about

scholarship opportunities. Notice the deadline!! • Apply for all/any scholarship that matches your

qualifications or interest. Local scholarships are listed on our school’s website.

• Use scholarship finder on www.gacollege411.org • Stay organized!! • Attend College Visitation Days! • Don’t forget to study and maintain your grades.

December

• Continue working on applications—pay attention to deadlines.

• Decide on Early Decision.

• Continue to look and apply for scholarships.

• Remember deadlines. Many are during the holidays!

• Study hard for exams and finish with a successful semester.

January

• Collect Tax Information and begin to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is available at www.gacollege411.org

• Apply for HOPE scholarship at www.gacollege411.org or www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Finish applications

• Continue to search for scholarships

• Update your resume

• Don’t forget your mid-year reports if required

February

• Complete your FAFSA and any financial aid applications required by your college

• Once received, double check your Student Aid Report) SAR

• Begin to make final decisions as acceptance letters are received

March • Complete Financial Aid forms-SAR.

• Finalize decisions.

• Complete room applications/decide on housing options.

April

• Finalize Plans • Apply for last minute scholarships • Don’t forget school work!

May

• Send in letter of intent and any deposits needed to the college.

• Don’t forget your housing deposits!

• Complete your final transcript request.

• Study for finals!!

GRADUATION!!

College Applications, Transcripts and Resumes

College Applications

• Most colleges prefer online applications

• Narrow your choice of colleges prior to beginning application process

• Visit the school on preview days—usually on Saturdays; check the school’s website

• Check for deadlines!

Components of Applications

The components of a college application varies by school. Some common components include:

• Actual application (usually online)

• Counselor/School Evaluation or Evaluation Form

– Sometimes these are completed online; other times they must be printed and given to your counselor

• Recommendation (teacher, counselor, community member etc)

Components of Applications (con)

• Transcripts (more on these later) • Test Scores

– SAT and ACT scores should be sent directly from the testing service—log in to your College Board and/or ACT account to send these

– Test scores will be sent free of charge if you request them to be sent to your schools prior to the test date; after the test, you have to pay additional fee

• Essays • Application Fee • Other documentation the school may require

– Portfolio (particularly art/design schools) – Audition (for music and drama majors) – Resume/List of clubs, activities/Leadership positions – Other supporting documents—check the school’s application process

to make sure you are submitting everything you need to submit

Applying to Georgia Schools—the easy way!

• Visit www.gacollege411.org

– Log in or create your account

– Click on “college planning” from the menu at the top of the page

– Click on “applications and transcripts”

– Click on “apply to college and track your applications”

• You may want to complete the “practice a college application” first

Requesting Your Transcripts

• In state schools are sent electronically – Log in to your www.gacollege411.org account – Click on “college planning” – Click on “applications and transcripts” – Click on “request and track your transcript”

OR – Request transcript to be sent by Mrs. Bailey

• For out of state schools, we usually need to send a paper transcript. Complete a request in the counselor’s office, then pick up and mail your certified transcript

Building Your Resume

• Why?

– Colleges may request one

– It helps you organize information that may be required on college applications

– When requesting a recommendation, you need to give the person completing your recommendation a copy of your resume

Building Your Resume (con)

• What should I include on my resume? – Academic awards and accomplishments

– Extra-curricular and Co-curricular activities

– Athletics

– Jobs

– Leadership positions (class offices, club offices, team captain etc)

– Community activities

– Community Service

Building Your Resume (con)

• There is a resume builder at www.gacollege411.org

– From the homepage, click on “career planning”

– Click on “get a job”

– Complete the “resume builder”

– You can print this out and use this as your resume!

Scholarships Very competitive

Time consuming to apply

Research is involved

Must stay organized

Turn in applications similar to college applications

Follow deadlines and in-house deadlines.

Don’t expect deadline extensions.

Sources of Scholarship Information

Colleges

Organizations

Civic Clubs

Businesses

Internet

Library

WRHS Web site

WRHS Scholarship notebook

Scholarship Information at WRHS Advertised via:

-Senior English Teachers

-WRHS website

-Scholarship notebook

Suggestions about scholarships

Set aside time each week for scholarship research.

Look at scholarship applications and determine what is needed as supporting documents.

Ask teachers and counselors for any needed supportive recommendations ahead of time.

Complete scholarship applications and follow same process for college applications requesting transcripts.

Develop a system and set time each week for this.

HOPE Scholarship Requirements Required Grade Point Average

Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a true 4.0 scale in all core classes.

HOPE will pay approximately 80% of Tuition only.

Zell Miller Scholarship – Cumulative GPA of 3.7 on a true 4.0 scale

in all core classes and 1200 on Critical Reading and Math at one

testing on the SAT or 26 ACT composite score. If you are the

Valedictorian or Salutatorian, you will also receive the Zell Miller

HOPE scholarship. HOPE will pay 100% of tuition.

All courses attempted in the core area of English, Math, Science,

Social Studies, and Foreign Language will be averaged together.

Local weighting of honors and AP courses will be stripped for HOPE

average. AP courses will be given 0.5 weight added to 4.0 scale for

HOPE average. Honors will not have any weighted score. This will

make weighting uniform across the state.

Courses from the 8th grade will not be considered.

Beginning with students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2015, in order to be eligible to receive the HOPE scholarship, a student must receive at least two credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school: 1. Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, or an equivalent or higher course taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution; 2. Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, or an equivalent or higher course taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution; 3. Advanced foreign language courses taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution; 4. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit enrollment courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language)

How do you apply for Hope?

www.gacollege411.org

www.fafsa.ed.gov

When do you apply for HOPE? January-March 2015

Watch for specific college deadlines

Things to remember about HOPE Just because a student applies, that does not mean he/she gets HOPE.

Student must qualify at the end of the school year after graduation.

HOPE averages are calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

HOPE does not pay for all of tuition unless you earn Zell Miller.

Student must be a Georgia Resident.

Males must register for the Selective Service.

Other Financial Aid Information

Apply early. Beware! Don’t pay any service to find scholarship money. Some colleges offer loan programs. Remember that loans must be paid off. Remember the Georgia Student Finance

Commission for answers to questions- 1-800-546-HOPE

Importance of FAFSA for Stafford Loans, Pell Grant, etc.

Remember your Alma Mater!