Rising seniors Class of 2018

24 Credits Total (minimum) 24 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR A WV HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA 4 Year College-Bound (formerly known as “Professional Pathway”) 4 English 4 Social Studies 4 Math 4 Science 1 Fine Art 1 PE 1 Health 2 Foreign Language (same language) 3 Electives (1 related to Career Cluster) 24 Credits Total (minimum) TRANSCRIPTS ARE REVIEWED REGULARLY

2 Year Technical/TrADE (Formerly known as “Skilled PATHWAY”) 4 English 4 Social Studies 4 Math 3 Science 1 Fine Art 1 PE 1 Health 4 Career Concentration Credits (Refer to Programs of Study Brochure) 2 Electives 24 Credits Total (minimum) ALGEBRA I and II MUST BE ON THE TRANSCIPT

WORK-BASED LEARNING/Community Service Students must complete 4 hours to graduate and have documentation on file! Student must get form signed by mentor or supervisor, parent, and advisor (homeroom teacher) before turning it in to the Guidance Office. Students who have 200+ documented community service hours will receive a medallion to wear at the graduation ceremony. (Paid hours do not qualify.) FORMS ARE DUE BY THE END OF THE FIRST SEMESTER! INSERT W BASED LEARNING FORMS

The ASVAB Career Exploration Program provides tools to help students learn more about career exploration and planning, in both the civilian and military worlds of work. The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. Scores can be used to enlist for up to two years after the date of testing, provided that they can be verified as being yours. Learn more about the ASVAB program at http://official-asvab.com/ An individual interpretation of scores will be scheduled a few weeks after testing. Sign up in the Counseling Office in the Fall.

COLLEGE VISITS, Fairs, and representatives Campus Visits and Open Houses College Fair - Typically in October at the WVU Coliseum College Rep Lunch Visits College representatives visit our school during lunches. Representation usually includes: Two and Four year colleges/universities for both in-state and out-of-state, technical colleges, and military.

APPLICATION PROCESS EARLY DECISION EARLY ACTION COMMON APPLICATION 1. Submit applications. Begin applying in early fall. Most prefer or require online applications. Be sure to include all required documents, such as application fees and recommendations. Some may also require a School Report Form (Common Application). - Give recommenders sufficient time to complete their letters. Give a resume of activities and information about what you are applying for to help them write your letter. 2. Be sure ACT and/or SAT test scores are sent to the college. - You do not need to wait until you have your test scores to complete your application. - Know what scores are required. Some may require SAT Subject tests. 3. Submit a Transcript Request Form to the Counseling Office to have your official transcript sent to the school. A parent signature is required on the Transcript Request Form. It can be found in the Counseling Office or on the school webpage. EARLY DECISION EARLY ACTION COMMON APPLICATION

ACT and SAT EXAMs www.actstudent.org sat.collegeboard.org To Register: Both tests are college entrance exams for 4-year colleges. Most schools accept both. However, some may require SAT Subject tests to be taken as well. Students should be aware of specific colleges’ requirements. When registering, you are permitted four “free” score reports. A fee must be paid if requested later (approximately $12 per test date per report). To Register: www.actstudent.org Research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once: 57% increased their Composite score on the retest. sat.collegeboard.org Note: AP scores must also be sent from College Board to the college the student is attending in order to receive corresponding credits hours.

Next testing dates ACT Current Cost - $42.50 No Writing/$58.50 with Writing June 10, 2017 Register by: May 5, 2017 (Late registration deadline – May 19th) Sept. 9, 2017 Register by: August 4, 2017 Oct. 28, 2017 Register by: September 22, 2017 Dec. 9, 2017 Register by: November 3, 2017 February, April, June, and July tests are also scheduled. SAT Current Cost - $45.00/$57.00 with Essay May 6, 2017 Register by: April 7th (Late registration deadline: April 25th) June 3, 2017 Register by: May 9th (Late registration deadline: May 24th) August 26, 2017 Register by: July 28th October 7, 21017 Register by: September 8th November 4, 2017 Register by: October 5th December 2, 2017 Register by: November 2nd March, May, and June tests are also scheduled. Fee waivers are available for students who qualify. ** Students who may qualify for accommodations due to a disability or medical condition must submit a request in advance.

WHICH TEST should I TAKE? The SAT and ACT generally test the same types of content. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions and merit-based scholarships. The biggest differences between the tests are that the ACT has a Science Test, and there’s one SAT Math Section for which you cannot use a calculator. Colleges don't prefer one over the other, so explore both tests to decide which one is right for you.  Source: www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-act

SAT ACT Why Take It Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. Test Structure Reading Writing & Language Math Essay (Optional) English Science Reasoning Length 3 hours (without essay) 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay) 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay) 5 reading passages 4 reading passages Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge) Covers: Arithmetic Algebra I & II Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis Geometry and Trigonometry Calculator Policy Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator. You can use a calculator on all math questions. Essays Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text. Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues. How It's Scored Scored on a scale of 400–1600 Scored on a scale of 1–36 You’ll have less time per question on every section of the ACT than you will on the SAT. Overall, across sections, you’ll have an average of 50 seconds per question on the ACT and 1 minute and 10 seconds per question on the new SAT.

ACT Prep FREE PREP: www.actstudent.org Sat.collegeboard.org There will be a four-week course in May that will conclude right before the June ACT exam! Sessions will be held on Mondays AND Wednesdays from 2:45-4:45 p.m., beginning on Wednesday, May 3rd. The cost is $160.00 for two books, three full practice exams with feedback, and as many times retaking the sessions as needed.  If you are interested in participating, please see Mrs. Eades (Room 139) by May 1st. FREE PREP: www.actstudent.org Sat.collegeboard.org www.cfwv.com

Advanced Placement SCORES AP CREDIT POLICY This site allows you to search by college for a list of AP scores required by AP subject area and corresponding credits granted. apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement/search-credit-policies SAMPLE: AP score reports are provided to the (one) college/university designated on the student's registration answer sheet. The reports are cumulative and include scores for all the AP exams a student has ever taken, unless the student has requested that one or more scores be withheld from a college or canceled. If you wish to send additional score reports to colleges, universities and scholarship programs, you can do so online for a fee (approx. $15 per report). Most AP scores become available in July. apscore.collegeboard.org/scores

How to prepare in the summer Prepare for and take ACT/SAT (if applicable) Begin scholarship searches Volunteer/Community Service Create a resume of involvements/activities/ honors/awards * Explore Majors and Careers Visit/Research Prospective Campuses/Career Opportunities Summer work for AP courses

CFWV CFWV provides free resources to help students and families College Foundation of West Virginia www.cfwv.com CFWV provides free resources to help students and families PLAN, APPLY, and PAY for education and training beyond high school. Career Planning High School Planning - career interest profiler - planning timeline - career exploration - study skills section College Planning Financial Aid Planning - virtual campus tours - find scholarships - in-state degree programs - financial aid calculator - applications - Financial Aid 101 - free ACT/SAT test prep

UPcoming events *Financial Aid Parent Meeting – TBD (Fall) A college financial aid officer will give detailed financial aid and FAFSA information. *Financial Aid Workshops – November and February? TBA College financial aid officers will assist students and parents in filing the FAFSA.

FINANCIAL AID

* Watch the Scholarship Bulletin on the UHS webpage!* $cholar$hip$ College specific scholarships Look EVERYWHERE! Examples of FREE Search sites: www.cfwv.com www.fastweb.com www.scholarshipexperts.com www.studentedge.com www.studentscholarships.org * Watch the Scholarship Bulletin on the UHS webpage!*

PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP Currently, eligible high school graduates receive annual awards up to $4,750 per year to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at WV public or private institutions of higher education. See CFWV .com for more detailed information about eligibility, renewal requirements, etc. Show Promise Site on Edline

Where can I use the Promise? The Promise Scholarship may be used at several West Virginia: Two-Year Institutions (Community/Technical Colleges) Four-Year Institutions (Colleges & Universities) Private Institutions (Colleges & Universities) The complete list of eligible schools are listed on www.cfwv.com

PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP Requirements CURRENT GPA REQUIREMENTS (8 sems): Cumulative GPA (3.0) & CORE GPA (3.0) CURRENT TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS: ACT: 22 Composite (Must score 20 or above on each subtest in English, Math, Science, and Reading) OR SAT: 1100 Combined Score (Minimum of 540 on Evidence Based Reading & Writing and minimum of 510 in Math) *Note: These are for the NEW SAT – taken on or after March 2016 Scores must be from a single testing date and cannot be combined from multiple test administrations. Last test dates to qualify for PROMISE: Typically June Students may use their eighth semester grades to achieve PROMISE eligibility (3.0 GPA in the core classes and overall), but must apply by the deadline.

The PROMISE Scholarship Application will be available at: AppLy in fall 2017 The PROMISE Scholarship Application will be available at: www.cfwv.com *Counselors will provide an opportunity for seniors to complete PROMISE applications in the Fall.

FAFSA is the key!

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID The FAFSA is the key that opens the door to financial aid. It serves as the application for most financial aid from federal/state programs and from colleges/universities. Even if you are not sure that you will need or qualify for financial aid, we recommend that you complete FAFSA anyway -- it's free. You should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. In past years, all Promise Scholarship applicants must have filed the FAFSA by March 1st to qualify.

FAFsA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Students will be able to file a 2018–19 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2017. Use Earlier Income Information: Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students reported income information from an earlier tax year. (Use 2016 Income Information)

The FAFSA will be available on www.fafsa.ed.gov October 1, 2017 The FAFSA will be available on www.fafsa.ed.gov Be careful to use the correct website. Some will charge a fee. (Example: fafsa.com)

* GRADUATION *