1 Class of 2014 NMHS Junior Parent Night

2 Counselors A-FKaren Harkleroad G-O Marelle Bowers P-ZJulie Gallman

3 Post High School Options Types –Four-year colleges and universities –Community or junior colleges –Vocational, technical, and career schools –Military/Armed Forces

Why Go To College? 4

5 SENIOR Year Responsibilities Keep your grades up Make up any failed courses Take advantage of help from teachers & tutors Pass all 5 sections of the GHSGT or Corresponding EOCT (GHSGT-re-test dates to be announced when school starts in Fall 2013)

More Responsibilities Apply to college (see important reminders) Sign up for the SAT/ACT if not taken Request transcripts from our office Plan on at least 3 college visits Search for scholarships Refer to Senior Timeline (Handout) 6

Colleges consider the following for admission: 7 Grade Point Average (GPA) Rigor of Curriculum (High School course selections) SAT/ACT scores (You are responsible for having the Official test scores sent. NMHS cannot send scores) Leadership/Extracurricular Activities/Community Service Essays Letters of Recommendation

8 Things to consider Location Admission difficulty Cost Majors Offered Program Prestige Availability of financial aid Activities available Religious affiliation

GPA (GRADE POINT AVERAGE) GPA is no longer weighted for colleges or for HOPE scholarship AP/Honors classes are weighted for the purpose of determining Honor graduates, Valedictorian, & Salutatorian. (These weighted GPA’s are not part of the transcript for colleges or HOPE) 9

Honor Graduates Scholar Graduates – GPA greater than 4.0 Honor Graduates – GPA of 3.5 to

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Valedictorian – Student with highest GPA at the end of 1 st term Salutatorian – Student with 2 nd highest GPA at end of 1 st term Completed entire senior year at NMHS Dual Enrollment is considered AP 11

Quality Points for Honors/AP ABCD Regular Honors AP/Dual Enrollment

13 Narrowing Down College Selection Preliminary College Search ( After preliminary research, choose schools that fall into 3 different categories –“Reach Schools” –“Target Schools” –“Back up Schools” There is no limit to how many schools to which you may apply, but people typically choose 3-6

Research Prospective Colleges Visit your prospective college –Pre-approved absence for college visitation should be requested three days prior to absence –Request must be made in writing from parent/guardian for approval by the student’s administrator –Can request three college visits per year –If college visits are pre-approved and letterhead excuse is returned to NMHS, the visit will not count as an absence. Attend PROBE Fair at DSC Match colleges with your personality and goals in life. Need to be socially comfortable to be academically successful

15 Prospective Colleges Visit the college’s website Be sure to find out which high school courses, GPA, SAT/ACT, etc is required for admission, so that you don’t fall short. Narrow down your college choices Be realistic!

16 College Application Process Identify Important Information –Admissions deadlines (mindful of holidays) –Application checklist –GACollege411 ( –Develop a timeline (in handout) –Early vs. Regular decision (early action vs. early decision)

TYPES OF ADMISSIONS DECISIONS Regular Decision Early Action –Invite early applications –Receives notice of admission early –If accepted, student is not obligated to attend Early Decision –Early determination of admissibility –Receives notice of admission early –If accepted, student is obligated to attend –If accepted, student must withdraw all other applications

18 Teacher/Counselor recommendations –MINIMUM of 2 weeks notice (give to teacher or counselor with student’s activity resume before requesting transcript) –Straight from teacher to college or Included with school transcript College visits –Three day advance request to miss school NMHS School Website –Scholarship information –Transcript and College Visit Forms SAT/ACT scores Personally have SAT and/or ACT scores sent directly to the college(s) from the appropriate testing service

Georgia Apply to College Day Date to be determined at NMHS Students should update gacollege411 account Know college(s) where they want to apply Have a plan for application fees Have information needed to complete app., i.e. SS#, Residency, Personal Resume, etc. 19

College Entrance Exams SAT A test of critical thinking and problem solving (aptitude) Score: 600 – 2400 Wrong answer penalized Structure of test: –Critical Reading –Math (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry) –Writing (Mandatory) ACT A content/curriculum-based test (achievement) Score: Wrong answer not penalized Structure of test: –English –Math (through trigonometry) –Reading –Science Reasoning –Writing (Optional)

21 May 1st – Decision Day (required to tell college of your decision) Avoid senioritis –Rescinding admission and scholarship offers –Falling grades second semester Schedule changes (rigorous to less rigorous) If the student changes his or her schedule, he or she must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admissions immediately in writing.

22 HOPE Scholarship Meet the requirements for graduation and earn a 3.0 GPA in “state core” courses. Award adjusted annually based on lottery revenue (Percentage of Tuition) Zell Miller Scholarship GPA of 3.7 or higher and a score of at least 1200 on combined Critical Reading Score and Math Score on the SAT or have received a score of at least 26 on the ACT. Full tuition or full private HOPE award.

23 HOPE Continued… Every grade earned in core academic courses (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language) will be used in calculating Grade Point Average (GPA) for HOPE eligibility. “Fs” will not be replaced for these purposes by a higher grade if a core academic course is repeated. Also, if a student earns more core academic credits than required for graduation, all grades will be used to determine HOPE.

24 Financial Aid SAVE THE DATE–February 4, 2014 GSFC Workshop School-Specific Aid –Apply for school-specific aid with application for admission –Be aware of deadlines FAFSA –Can fill out as soon as January 1, 2014 –Federal loans, grants, work study, HOPE –Requires information from parental tax return

College Opportunity Grant State of Georgia’s first true needs-based program Student must be fully matriculated in a degree-seeking program at an eligible Postsecondary Public Institution in full-time status. Must be a recipient of the Pell Grant during the term seeking COG. Eligible students must have an Estimated Family Contribution as calculated on FAFSA of $0 Community service requirement hours at a Non-Profit Organization at a rate of 20 hours per semester of COG payment. and 25

26 Scholarships School-specific websites gacollege411.com Many more…Check our website!

27 College-Bound Student Athletes NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse If your student is planning on participating in Intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution, student must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at Odyssey courses not accepted by NCAA. If your student has made up courses outside of NMHS, please have your counselor look over your transcript. Submit the transcript request forms to Joy Miles, Counseling Office Secretary.

28 Web Resources College and Career Search Scholarship Search

Graduation 2014 Graduation Date - TBD Sabrina Howard is the contact for graduation caps & gowns, diplomas, invitations, etc. 29

30 Thank You!!!! NMHS Website: