I’m a Senior... What do I do now?

The Big Question: Am I on track for graduation?  Core 4: University Prep  English: 4 Must be English I, II, III, & IV  Basic Curriculum: Technical and Community (2 yr.) Colleges  English: 4 English I, II, & III Senior Applications or English IV

 Core 4  Math: 4  Must be Algebra I or Algebra Part I and Part II Remaining 3 units may come from these: Geometry Algebra II Advanced Math Pre-Calculus Advanced Math Statistics Calculus Financial Math** Math Essentials** **Does not meet TOPS requirements and university requirements.  Basic Curriculum  Math: 4  Must be Algebra I or Algebra I Part I and Part II Remaining 3 units may be: Geometry % Algebra II Advanced Math Pre-Calculus Advanced Math Statistics Calculus Financial Math % Math Essentials % % Most often chosen math's when opting to Basic Curriculum

 Core 4  Science : 4 Must be: Biology Chemistry 2 others from:  Agriculture I & II (counts as 1)  Anatomy & Physiology  Biology II  Chemistry II  Environmental science  Integrated science  Physical science  Physics  Basic Curriculum  Science: 3  Must be: Biology 2 others from:  Agriculture I & II (counts as 1) %  Anatomy & Physiology  Biology II  Chemistry II  Environmental science %  Integrated science %  Physical science %  Physics

 Core 4  Social Studies: 4 Must be:  American History  Civics or ½ Civics & ½ Free Ent.  And 2 others from:  World Geography  World History  Psychology **  ** NOT accepted by TOPS  Basic Curriculum  Social Studies: 3 Must be:  American History  Civics or ½ Civics & ½ Free Ent.  And 1 other from:  World Geography  World History

 Core 4  ½ Health  1 ½ Physical Education  Foreign Language:  2 units of the same foreign language  Art: 1 unit  May come from:  Art  Band  Choir  Theatre  Fine Arts Survey  _____ 24 units  Basic Curriculum  ½ Health  1 ½ Physical Education  Journey to Careers or  Education to Careers  An Area of Concentration (AOC) 4 primary courses 2 related courses ______ 24 units

Your counselors will be working with you through Academic Periods to give you your transcripts, TOPS reports, and to go over this information in more detail.

If you missed an excessive amount of days last year, you may have received an NC for your courses. Make sure you have signed an attendance contract with Mr. Strickland.

Tops Core Curriculum (Tuition Opportunity Program for Students) Units Courses 1 ENGLISH = 4 Units 4 units English I, II, III, & IV MATH = 4 Units 1 unit Algebra I, or Integrated Mathematics I, or Applied Algebra I or Algebra I - Parts 1 & 2 (two units) or Applied Mathematics I & II (two units) or Applied Algebra 1A and 1B (two units) 1 unit Algebra II or Integrated Mathematics II 2 units Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Advanced Math-Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Advanced Math-Functions and Statistics, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated Mathematics III, or Algebra III

TOPS continued... SCIENCE = 4 Units 1 unit Biology I or II 1 unit Chemistry I or II, or Chemistry Com 2 units Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental Science, Integrated Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, Physics for Technology I or II, or Anatomy and Physiology or both Agriscience I & II ( both for 1 unit ) SOCIAL STUDIES = 4 Units 1 unit United States History 1 unit Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit, combined), 2 Civics (1 year), or AP Government and Politics: United States 2 units World History, Western Civilization, World Geography, European History, History of Religion or AP Human Geography

TOPS Continued... FOREIGN LANGUAGE = 2 Units 2 units Foreign Language (2 units in the same language) FINE ARTS = 1 Unit 1 unit Fine Arts Survey or 1 unit of a performance course in music, or dance, or theater or 1 unit of studio art or 1 unit of visual art or both Speech III & IV ( both for 1 unit ) TOTAL = 19 Units Basically TOPS aligns with Core 4 except that they do not accept Psychology as a Social Studies or Financial Math and Math Essentials.

Additional TOPS requirements: 2.5 cumulative GPA on the 19 core courses State’s average on the ACT (20) or an equivalent SAT score If you qualify for TOPS, but don’t have a 20 on the ACT, you will get TOPS TECH with an ACT of 17.

When do I apply for TOPS?  On January 14 at 6:00 P. M., we have personnel from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid (LOSFA) coming to talk to you and your parents about the different types of Financial Aid available and how to apply for them.  TOPS is applied for using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form which cannot be submitted before January 1 st.

LOUISIANA BOARD OF REGENTS MINIMUM ADMISSION STANDARDS for FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN Students should check with the specific institution for additional information, as some have adopted or may choose to adopt additional requirements for admission. (1) Regents’ Core: 19 units (from Core 4 Curriculum)AND (2)Overall HS GPA of 2.0 AND (3) Developmental Courses Developmental courses needed: Effective Fall 2014: 0 at any university As demonstrated by the following minimum ACT sub scores: ACT English _ 18; ACT Math _ 19

AND ONE of the FOLLOWING (3) HS Core GPA or- ACT (4) GPA on the Core — 3.0 – Flagship GPA on the Core — 2.5 – Statewide GPA on the Core — 2.0 – Regional OR ACT Composite— 25 – Flagship ACT Composite— 23 – Statewide ACT Composite— 20 – Regional * Flagship: LSU. Statewide: LA Tech, ULL, UNO. Regional: Grambling, LSU-A, LSU-S, McNeese, Nicholls, NSU, SLU, SU, SUNO, ULM. Two-Year institutions are open admission for freshmen students with: a diploma from a BESE-approved high school, or GED or its equivalent, or appropriate score on an Ability to Benefit test.

How do I find out about Scholarships? 1. All of the scholarship information that is sent to us is: Typed up and posted on our bulletin board Posted on the Counselors’ page under academics If a scholarship requires an application, we have a file drawer with a red label on it in our office. Most scholarships refer you to a web site.

Can I research scholarships for myself?  Yes, You may refer to sites such as Google “ scholarships for children of military personnel”. NEVER PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH; THEY’RE SCAMS.

More about the ACT  If you are not satisfied with your score, re-take the ACT. Practice before re-taking it because just re-taking it doesn’t help unless you prepare in between.  Mrs. Latour and Mrs. Monistere are offering an ACT prep course here. You should have gotten the information in your homeroom classes.  There are numerous sites for ACT prep on our counselors’ web page.  Ordering your test and correct answers the next time you take the ACT is an excellent way to pin-point your strength and weaknesses.

ACT information continued...  If you have a diagnosed disability and receive accommodations either through an IEP or a 504 IAP, you may qualify for accommodations on your ACT test. See your counselor for additional information.  If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you should qualify for a fee waiver for the ACT. You can receive up to 2 fee waivers while in high school.  Waivers don’t pay for late fees, so be sure to register in time.

Test DateRegistration Deadline September 21, 2013August 23, 2013 October 26, 2013September 27, 2013 December 14, 2013November 8, 2013 February 8, 2014*January 10, 2014 April 12, 2014March 7, 2014 June 14, 2014May 9, 2014 ACT Test Schedule

Important!  1. Your should be researching and/or applying to colleges very soon.  2. Be aware of scholarship deadlines.  3. Check out admission requirements. Remember different universities have the right to increase admission requirements from the minimum.  Example: LSU’s Scholarship deadline is November 15.  -- A website from which you can access every public  college in Louisiana.

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) for Athletes  If you are planning on playing sports in college, ask your coach to help you register at the NCAA national clearinghouse.  Print up a paper and bring it to your counselor so they will have the correct info to send your mid-term and final transcript. 

After graduation, what comes next? If you haven’t decided in what you want to major, you are not alone. I encourage you to visit and take their career survey. Together with the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the College board website you can find the path that is best for you.

Today really is the first day of the rest of your life. Make the most of it.  “It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.” Jackie Joyner-Kersee  “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” Bill Cosby

Remember to come see us before school, during your lunch, or after school. Do not just drop in between classes. We are not supposed to write you a tardy slip. Go to class first, then come back with a teacher’s permission. Come by and make appointments to see us. Remember, we’re here to help you succeed.

Letters of Recommendation  It’s often better to ask teachers and/or club sponsors to write letters for you because they have had a chance to work with you more.  If you need a letter from us, there is a vertical file next to my office with a Letter of Recommendation Request Form. Fill it out and submit it at least a week before you need the letter.  The information you give us will help us write a better letter.

I hope this has been helpful. Mrs. Denise Latour A-D Mrs. Orlisa DePhillips E-K Ms. Katharine Meadors L-Q Ms. Tommie Robertson R-Z