Senior Planning

10th-12th Grade Counselors Ms. Nikki Johnson Last Names A-Cl Mrs. Abbey Youngblood Last Names Cm-Harr Mrs. Teresa Wilson Last Names Hars-Lee Mrs. Ashley Morris Last Names Lef-O Ms. Dolly Glisson Last Names P-Sl Mr. Joseph Pak Last Names Sm-Z

Overview of Graduation Requirements

High School Graduation Requirements 4 credits of Language Arts 4 credits of Math 3 credits of Social Studies (World History, US History and Political Systems/Economics) 4 credits of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and another Science) 3 credits of CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Lang. (2 years of foreign language required for many colleges) 4 Additional elective credits for all students 1 unit of Intro. to Lifetime Fitness/Health (.5 of each) or 3 credits of JROTC 23 total credits required

Senior Application for Graduation: Fall 2017 for current juniors

Gateway Test Students must pass each section of the Gateway in order to receive a high school diploma at graduation 2 sections: Science and Social Studies Tests administered at PRHS When do students take this test? 10th: Spring, Summer 11th: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer 12th: Fall, Winter, Spring

Additional Testing PSAT -Fall of 10th, 11th (Optional) SAT -Spring of 11th (Recommended) ACT -Spring of 11th (Recommended) SAT II -Optional Advanced Placement (AP) Exams (Recommended/Optional) SAT/ACT fee waivers are available for Juniors & Seniors on free/reduced lunch PSAT: can qualify for National Merit contention if taken Junior Year

Upcoming SAT Test Dates collegeboard.org

Upcoming ACT Test Dates act.org

Post Secondary Options Military Four year College/University Georgia State, UGA Two year College Perimeter College at Georgia State Technical College Gwinnett Tech, Chattahoochee Tech Military Service Work force Other Opportunities Missionary Work, Study Abroad Georgia State Workforce

What are Colleges Looking for? Core classes Rank in class Interests Tests Essays Recommendations Interviews Academic GPA Do your research and make sure you meet the basic requirements for admission!

Suggested to narrow list of schools to 3-5 Preparing for College Compare Colleges gafutures.org, bigfuture.collegeboard.org Atlanta National College Fair (Sunday, March 19, 2017) Georgia International Convention Center- 12:30-4:00pm Attend college open houses Attend college visits at PRHS Virtual Campus Tours Ecampustours.com, collegeweeklive.com Suggested to narrow list of schools to 3-5

Choosing a College: Factors to Consider Location – distance from home, urban, rural Size – enrollment, class size Cost – public or private Academic – majors offered Admission requirements – deadlines, average test scores, GPA, rank, AP/IB recognition policies Housing – residence halls, meal plans Activities – Greek life, athletics, organizations

College Application Process: What to Expect Senior Year Electronic application preferred by most colleges Georgia colleges-create an account at www.gafutures.org ADHERE TO DEADLINES Submit most recent transcript Online via gafutures - free (in-state colleges only) Paper copy from counseling- $5 per copy. 24-48 hr processing time; student must pick up and mail to college Non-gafutures electronic transcripts are a one time fee of $5 Final transcripts are not sent electronically Be sure you have completed everything on the admissions checklist Incomplete applications are not viewed by colleges Student is responsible for sending test scores electronically Application fees/fee waivers MUST be submitted Only submit those items that the college is requesting Letters of Recommendation can be from teacher &/or counselor depending on the school

College Admissions Data

Paying for College: Financial Aid PRHS Financial Aid Night August 2017 at PRHS Zell/HOPE Scholarship (gafutures.org) Must have SSN on file at PRHS to be eligible to receive HOPE Complete FAFSA or GSFAPPS during senior year to apply Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA) The FAFSA is the application most colleges use to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs FAFSA window opens in October of each year *new* Must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident to apply College & University Scholarships Counseling Office Scholarship Listing As we are notified of opportunities, scholarships are posted on the PRHS Counseling Website

A STUDENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY CARD MUST BE ON FILE TO RECEIVE HOPE HOPE Scholarship The Zell Miller Scholarship 3.7 Academic GPA with 1200 combined Math & Reading on the SAT or 26 ACT (both are in a single national test administration) Meet 4 credit rigor requirement Covers full tuition at in-state public schools Must maintain a 3.3 GPA once enrolled in college HOPE Scholarship 3.0 Academic GPA Must meet 4 credit rigor requirement Covers roughly 80% tuition at in-state public schools Must maintain a 3.0 GPA once enrolled in college HOPE Grant No specific high school GPA required Available for certain technical programs Must maintain a 2.0 GPA once enrolled in technical college Final HOPE GPA calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) More information on HOPE is available at gafutures.org *requirements are subject to change A STUDENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY CARD MUST BE ON FILE TO RECEIVE HOPE

Preliminary HOPE Scholarship Calculation Students can access their preliminary HOPE GPA after each semester by logging in to their gafutures.org account A student’s social security number must be on file at PRHS in order to access the preliminary HOPE calculation A student must include their full name, date of birth, and social security number in their Georgia Futures profile, which must also match what is on file at PRHS HOPE GPA is usually updated by the second week of 2nd semester and 2nd week of June (PRHS does not control this timeline) For specific questions regarding the calculation process, please contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission at 770-724-9000

What can SOPHOMORE students be doing now??? Plan next year’s classes appropriately based on future goals Become more involved in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, volunteering, etc.) Start a portfolio or resume Explore post-secondary options Begin thinking about potential colleges and majors Create an account on www.gafutures.org Turn in a copy of your student’s social security card to the Counseling Office

Helpful Resources

PRHS Counseling Website http://prhsguidance.onmycalendar.com/

Georgia Futures gafutures.org

Big Future bigfuture.collegeboard.org

Questions?