Welcome Class of 2017 Parents

Visit Senior Page Often: Senior Class Advisors Mrs. Becky Dean Mrs. Angie Richards Visit Senior Page Often: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/21802

Senior Portraits, Ads, & Yearkbook www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/page/21714 Questions? Please contact Taylor Feeney

Counseling Department Mr. Rafael Santiago, Counseling Department Chair Students with last names beginning with Strange - Z + All ELL students Mrs. Ashley Kozee, School Counselor Students with last names A - Dix Mrs. Leila Fondo, School Counselor Students with last names Doe - Just Mrs. Kyleigh Swanburg, School Counselor Students with the last names K - Oh Ms. Grace Savage, School Counselor Students with last names Oi - Strand Mr. Mitch Young, Principal Mr. Michel Satterfield, Assistant Principal Mrs. Amy Gamez, School Social Worker Mrs. Brenda Hamilton, Registrar Mrs. Linda Alexander, Counseling Secretary

HELP!!! I can’t remember all this information!!! Don’t worry We are available to answer questions Visit the website often Tonight's presentation will be posted on the counseling website

Graduation Most seniors need to earn the last core requirements for graduation. It is imperative that students pass all required courses in order to graduate and participate in graduation ceremonies. Graduation is on May 27, 2017. Counselors are meeting with seniors individually and are reviewing senior status sheets which cover graduation requirements.

How many schools should I apply to??? It is important to narrow your choices. An appropriate number of schools to apply to for most students is 3 - 5. It is not necessary to apply to a long list of schools. Consider your first choice colleges and selectivity. Do consider applying to schools that may be Reach Target or Likely *Students are strongly encouraged to review your college choices with your counselor.

Step 1 Finalize list of College/Universities – 3 to 5 (Remember to be selective and to keep in mind a “reality check”) Consider: College Visits (4 excused absences) College Representative Visits (Sign-up in Counseling Office) College Search Engines (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/, gafutures.org...)

Step 2 Visit College/University Website Find the following information from the Freshman Admissions Link: Requirements (HS credits, application, recommendations, fees, tests) Deadlines for Application Deadlines for Scholarships (also on the school’s Financial Aid website)

Step 3 Complete Senior Information Sheet Students submitting Early Action Applications must submit Senior Profile by September 12th. Seniors must complete and submit Senior Profile by October 1st for all other deadlines Senior Profile will provide counselors with important information that can be used when writing letters of recommendation. Give complete, honest and well-thought out answers to the required questions.

Step 4 Register for SAT/ACT (If you have not taken or need to retake either of these tests) Act quickly! Deadlines for registrations are coming up! Counseling Webpage: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/21822 Update Schools you are applying to on your personal SAT/ACT Account (Colleges/Universities must receive scores directly from testing agency)

To register, go to www.applerouth.com/signup and enter the event code. Upcoming Mock Tests at Forsyth Central High School Full-length proctored mock tests help students learn what to expect under test-like conditions. Students will receive a report with comprehensive personal analysis of their performance on the test. Mock ACT Mock SAT SAT/ACT Diagnostic September 17 September 17 September 17 9:00am - 1:15pm 9:00am - 1:30pm 9:15am - 1:45pm Event code: Event code: Event code: M225759 M225761 M225760 Each mock exam is $10. To register, go to www.applerouth.com/signup and enter the event code. www.applerouth.com info@applerouth.com 404-728-0661

Step 5 Complete and Submit Applications Essays Common Applications (Prioritize according to deadlines and Review/Edit before Submitting. Pay application fee.) Essays Dedicate time and effort. Be honest, authentic, creative and answer the prompt. Ask teachers/peers to review and make suggestions. Proof Read and Edit, Edit, Edit. Common Applications Create an account. Complete Personal and School Information. Invite your counselor and teacher(s) as recommenders.

Admissions Terms Regular Admissions Deadline- The regular application deadline specified by colleges is typically in January or February. Rolling Admissions- No deal - applications are processed as received. Early Decision - This is a binding agreement and should only be used when application to your top choice college. Deadline usually in October/November. Early Action - Early application that is non binding with a deadline usually in October/ November. *It is strongly recommended that students consult with their counselor prior to applying early.

Step 6 Submit a Transcript Request Official Transcript & School Profile Forms available in Counseling Office and on the Senior Page of the Counseling Website. Fill out completely for all applications (Common App., In-State/Electronic Copy, Out-of-State/Hard Copy) Include a $3.00 Fee for each request. Note: If you are completing a Common Application for multiple schools, please list them on the Transcript Request Form and include one $3.00 fee. Counselor Recommendation (if needed) – Be Considerate! (Allow 2 to 3 weeks) School Report/Counselor Evaluation (print and include with Transcript Request) Requests for out-of-state transcripts will cost $5.00. The cost includes postage and envelope. Students will provide address where they want it sent.

Step 7 Request Teacher Recommendation (only if required by the college/university) Please allow teachers ample time (2 to 3 weeks) to write your recommendation. Provide them with a copy of your Senior Profile Sheet/ Resume. Let the teacher know whether the application will be sent through Common Application, College Website, or mailed. If the recommendation letter needs to be mailed, provide teacher with a stamped envelope, addressed with the corresponding school’s Office of Admission address.

Step 8 Review Final Checklist Completed Senior Information/Senior Profile Sheet Registered for SAT/ACT (if needed) Send test scores directly from testing agency to college Reviewed/edited and submitted Application Paid College Application Fee Requested Teacher Recommendation Submitted Transcript Request with applicable fee, stamps, forms (allow 3 weeks to process)

College Athletes Students interested in playing college athletics must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse or NAIA Students must register once your junior year courses and grades are available on you transcript Submit the clearinghouse application at http://web3.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp or www.playnaia.org Submit an official high school transcript and official SAT/ACT scores

Step 9 The Waiting Game Review application status page for each college Verify all required documents have been submitted Note: If college states something is missing or that they have not received your application, DON’T PANIC! See Mrs. Hamilton, in room 173 and CALMLY ask her to track your documents. Many times the schools have received everything but have not updated the status page of their website. Patiently wait for Admission Decisions

Financing College Hope Scholarship College Scholarships Local Scholarships National Merit Scholarships Government Financial Aid – Loans, Grants

HOPE & Zell Miller HOPE Zell Miller Scholar Program 3.0 Core GPA as calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA College. Zell Miller Scholar Program Students must graduate with a 3.7 GPA as calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission and have a 1200 SAT (math & critical reading) or a 26 on the ACT. Visit www.gafutures.org for complete scholarship details. HOPE application and FAFSA need to be completed.

Social Networking 82% of teens between 14 – 17 are on Social Networking Sites The average user of Facebook has 130 friends Areas of Concern Know your students log in and password 69% percent of students 13 – 17 have included their physical location Careful of who you accept as a friend Be selective of material that you post Colleges Admissions teams report to searching out applicants on social networking sites.

https://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX_rPkWzlqs

Senioritis Senioritis – (Seen-yer-i-tis) n. Lack of concern for one’s academic program performance. Second semester high school seniors are the individuals at risk of contracting this potentially crippling syndrome.

Step 10 In the Meantime…. Maintain Grades – Mid-Year reports / Final Grades (Both Important). Search for and apply for Scholarships http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/21818 Visit the counseling web page often and follow us on Twitter @FCHS_Counseling Make an appointment to see your counselor with any questions. Visit gafutures.org for HOPE scholarship details. Attend Financial Aid Night at Forsyth Central High School – To Be Announced Finally......ENJOY THE SENIOR YEAR!

Thank you for joining us and arrive home safely. Counselors will be available for questions.