For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…Jeremiah 29:11 WELCOME

Graduation Requirements Course Selection Grade Point Average (GPA) College Entrance Test College Selection Financial Aid/Scholarships Resources Agenda “Begin With the End in Mind”

Step I Take Challenging Courses Earn Credits Make Good Grades

4 credits Bible 4 credits English 4 credits Math- Algebra I and above 4 credits Science- Biology, Chemistry, Intro. to Physics or Physics 4 credits History- World, US History, Government/Economics 2 credits Foreign Language- Two years of same language ½ credit PE ½ credit Health 1 credit Fine Art 2 credits Additional classes *26 credits total Graduation Requirements College Prep Diploma

Bible 2English I*English II*English III* AP English Lang. English IV* AP English Lit./Comp. 3Algebra I Geometry* Algebra I Algebra II* Trigonometry Pre-Calculus* Algebra III Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Statistics 4Biology I*Chemistry* AP Biology Anatomy Intro. Physics Anatomy AP Biology AP Chemistry Physics * Environ. Science Physics* Adv. Physics/Robotics Anatomy AP Biology AP Chemistry Environmental Science 5Ancient World History* AP Human Geography Modern World History* AP World History US History* AP US History Government/Economics* AP Government/Economics 6PE/HealthElective 7Elective or Foreign Language Elective or Foreign Language* Elective or Foreign Language* Elective or Foreign Language*

Letter GradeNumericalStandard GPAHonors GPAAP GPA A A A B B B C C C D D D F How GPA is Calculated Grading Scale

Understanding GPA Terminology Un-weighted GPA- Grade Point Average without additional quality points for honors and AP courses. Weighted GPA- Grade Point Average with additional quality points added for honors and AP courses. Overall GPA- Grade Point Average with all courses taken in high school. Core GPA, Academic GPA, or Required High School Course Work- Grade Point Average with only academic courses taken in high school ( English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language ).

Kennesaw State University “Academic grade point average minimum of 2.5 as calculated by Kennesaw State University, using only the Required High School Coursework. This GPA is calculated using a 4 point scale. AP and IB classes are not weighted differently.” Georgia Institute of Technology “During the application process, we will evaluate the weighted GPA (if available) listed on your high school transcript. Utilizing this method enables us to look at your grades and class selection within the context of your own high school.” Georgia Southern University “To process transcripts, we must recalculate your GPA based on the required high school curriculum, so it may appear lower than you originally anticipated because we do not factor in classes like Art, Drama, Theater, etc.”

Step 2 TESTING

College Admission Tests SAT I Reasoning Test - Consists of three tests: Verbal, Math, Writing - Each test is scored on a scale of SAT Subject Test - Used mostly as placement tests

College Admission Tests ACT - Consists of four tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing -Writing component is optional -Top composite score is 36

Recommended Testing Schedule 9 th grade Fall- PSAT/Plan 10 th grade Fall – PSAT/Plan 11 th grade Fall – PSAT/Plan Spring – SAT or ACT 12 th grade Fall – SAT or ACT

Step 3 COLLEGE SELECTION

Carnegie Mellon39,8465,982 Columbia32,9672,291 Dartmouth19,2962,220 Georgetown19,4753,384 Univ.CA-Berkeley73,77413,324 UNC Chapel Hill31,3318,930 How Competitive Is It? (2014 figures) Applied Admitted

How Competitive Is It? AppliedAccepted Admitted Georgia State 13,489 7,269 3,455 Georgia Southern 9,679 6,107 3,498 Kennesaw State 11,309 6,073 3,752 Mercer University 6,826 3, Georgia Tech 25,880 8,560 2,800 UGA 21,260 11,650 5,285

Admission Requirements Avg. GPAAvg. SATAvg. ACT Berry College GA Southern GA State GA College GA Tech. UPDATED (cr+m+w) 32 Kennesaw Mercer Univ. GA (cr+m+w) 30

Three Basic Admission Models Open Admission Formula Admission Highly Selective Admission COLLEGE ADMISSION SELECTION PROCESS

Complete Application High School Graduation Minimum or no academic requirements (Technical or Junior Colleges – Gordon College, Georgia Perimeter) OPEN ADMISSION

FORMULA ADMISSION SAT/ACT scores GPA ranges Specified curriculum (Examples: Freshman Index Formula = (500xHSGPA) + SAT V + SAT M) ( Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State)

Read application by committee Written Recommendations Essays Activities Honors, Awards, Leadership (Harvard, Duke, Agnes Scott, Georgia Tech, UGA) HIGHLY SELECTIVE PRACTICES

WHAT COLLEGES CONSIDER Primary Factors Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses Academic Performance/Grades Test Scores (SAT,ACT) Additional Factors Extracurricular Activities Essay(s) Letters of Recommendation Demonstrated Interest

STEP 4 SCHOLARSHIPS FINANCIAL AID

WHAT IT COST (2014 figures) Georgia Institute of Technology State University of North Georgia State Emory University Private Mercer University Private Berry College Private Georgia Southern University State Valdosta State University State ResidentNon-resident $11,394$30,698 $ 6,816$19,712$45,008$33,780$30,530 $ 7,190$20,086 $ 7,162$20,058

Scholarships Scholarships are based on merit Apply early The college will be the PRIMARY source Private companies and foundations will be the SECONDARY source

Georgia’s HOPE Program 1. Hope Scholarship Eligibility 3.0 GPA college preparatory curriculum Award Amounts Public university- pays a percentage of tuition (90% this past year). Private university- $3,600 plus Tuition Equalization Grant- $700 = $4,300

2. Zell Miller Scholarship Eligibility 3.70 GPA college preparatory curriculum 1200 SAT (cr/m) or 26 ACT Award Amounts Public University- Full tuition Private University– pays $4,000 per year plus the Tuition Equalization Grant - $700 =$4,700

3. HOPE Grant Eligibility No GPA requirement For students seeking a technical certificate or diploma Award Amount Covers a percentage of the tuition up to 63 credits

Merit Scholarship Tips * There is more than $11 billion in merit scholarships available to students from colleges Not just for “A” students Many awards emphasize leadership or school involvement Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships The average merit scholarship is $5,000 Many awards can be renewed year after year *Cappex.com

Financial Aid Financial aid is based on need Must file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – After January 1 of the senior year – File Early – Have tax return ready to go Colleges typically develop individual aid packages around the first of April

Financial Aid comes in several forms: Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Grant Federal Work-Study Federal Perkins Loan Federal Stafford Loan Federal Plus Loans for Parents

10 Tips for Parents 1.Help your student understand the college search process 2.Be realistic and non-judgmental 3.Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the college search process 4.Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions 5.Be aware of deadlines and fees due 6.Know that things have changed since your college days 7.Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters 8.Don’t compare your student with others 9.Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter 10.Celebrate successes!

Resources