Senior Meeting Class of 2017

Days till Graduation! 260 Days of School Left! 138

Stay Informed! Monthly meetings Information Parent Newsletters Area wide college fairs College visits @ Goodpasture Senior English classrooms Senior bulletin board Announcements Schoology

Senior Interviews Mandatory 20 minutes 10 min interview/ 10 min college choices Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Remaining seniors are still required to have a meeting! Check your packet to see if your child has completed his or her interview.

Let’s get started… Step 1: Research colleges Step 2: Make sure the college has the major your child desires Step 3: Apply – Sooner rather than later Early Acceptance In some cases this means early decision, which commits the student to the University. In others, it may be priority for scholarship, housing, or a waive of the application fee Be sure to read the fine print to make sure you are not committing to a university too early Step 3: Request Transcripts/ACT scores Parchment – Check your email Pink forms outside my office. Do they need a personal statement? Do they need an academic reference? Is there a deadline? This first semester is when you will see academic scholarship deadlines appear For Example: November 1st and December 15th are important deadlines for the University of Tennessee

Transcripts 9th-12th grade (S1 and S2) Weighted and Unweighted GPA Pink Form in the HS Office Make sure to plan ahead I will send out transcripts at the beginning of each day. Includes ACTs, AP scores

Let’s get started… Personal Statements College may/may not require- check! Some college will say the personal Statement is not required but is highly suggested. Show personality Tell a story about intended major Life experience that shows character Academic/Committee Review “Generic”

Common App Personal Statements 2016-2017 Essay Prompts  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.  2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

Common App Personal Statements 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Academic Reference Ask Appropriate References not a family member Someone who knows your character Someone who knows you academic Someone who likes you! Always ask first! Explain the purpose of the letter Include students resume REMEMBER: Neatness, GRAMMAR, spelling

Resumes and Personal Statements 9th-12th grade academics, clubs, sports Make it neat Not a work resume Copy of my resume for students to reference on schoology.

Scholarships Where do I look? Internet Places of Employment Churches School (check in regularly)

ACT Test Dates Test Dates Registration Deadline September 10, 2016 August 7, 2016 October 22, 2016 September 16, 2016 December 10, 2016 November 4, 2016 February 11, 2017* January 13, 2017 April 8, 2017 March 3, 2017 June 10, 2017 May 5, 2017

ACT Prep Classes October 15, 16, 17, 18 Classes cover: Math and Science with Mr. Knox English and Reading with Mrs. Boyd Classes last – 2 hours Feedback – on average most students scores improve 1 – 2 points

College Visits You are allowed 2 days! Must fill out YELLOW form in office before going Bring back a note from office Best time to visit is during fall break! 9-26- 9-30

Deadlines Check regularly – Check for application deadlines Most are in December Check with your admissions counselor

Hope Scholarship FAFSA is the only application $4,000 @ a 4 year institution $2,000 @ a 2 year institution Must be a Tennessee Resident for at least 1 year. Minimum 21 ACT / 980 SAT or 3.0 GPA Good at both private and public institutions See the Handout of the attached Tennessee Universities that accept the Hope.

Hope Access Grant $2,750 @ 4 year institution Must have an 18, 19, or 20 ACT / 860-970 SAT 2.75 GPA Adjusted Gross Income must be $36,000 or less

Tennessee Promise Program Requirements: November 1st – Deadline to apply for the Tennessee Promise Scholarship at www.TNPromise.gov January 17th – Deadline to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov Before March 1st: - Attend first mandatory meeting coordinated by partnering organization (some meetings may happen as early as October) Before May 1st – Attend second mandatory meeting coordinated by the partnering organization July 1st – Deadline to complete and report 8 hours of community service August 1st – If selected for the FAFSA verification, provide the necessary documentation to institution so verification can be completed.

Tennessee Promise Retain Scholarship: Enroll full-time and maintain a 2.0 GPA at a community college or four-year institution or satisfactory academic progress at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Complete and report 8 hours of community service per term enrolled. Complete the FAFSA by the January deadline every year of the program. Complete the Tennessee Promise renewal application by July 1st prior to the academic year.

Ned McWherter Scholars Program In-State School 29 ACT and above 3.5 GPA and above Deadline is Feb. 15, 2017 www.collegePaysTN.com http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/article/ned-mcwherter- scholars-program

Robert C. Byrd Scholars Program In-State School Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA or 3.0 GPA and a 24 ACT Deadline is March 1st Apply at www.CollegePaysTN.com

NCAA Clearinghouse How to register http://web3.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp www.ncaaclearinghouse.net (877) 622-2321 Students should register with the clearinghouse after the completion of their junior year in high school. At this time, a transcript, which includes six semesters of grades, should be sent to the clearing house through the high school. Additionally, students should have their ACT / ACT test scores forwarded directly to the clearinghouse whenever they take the exam.

Financial Aid The 2017-2018 FAFSA will open October 1st, 2016, and will only require your 2015 tax information. This will allow everyone ample time to complete the FAFSA before the deadlines. January 17th is the 2017-2018 FAFSA deadline for the TN Promise and TSAA (State Grant). You can still submit the FAFSA after this deadline for the Hope, Pell, and Student Loans, but you will not be eligible for the TN Promise. Deadline is February 15th, 2017

Goodpasture Financial Aid Meeting October 3rd @ 6:00 in the High School Library Jason Seay – Works for the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation Contact: jason.seay@tn.gov Office – 615-253-7459 Cell – 615-319-1740