Senior Year

Senior Year  The senior year is extremely busy with the college admissions process, financial aid, and scholarship applications.  Deadlines are crucial. There will be many this year, so make a list  The senior year courses should be challenging, and it is critical to maintain good grades.  Stay involved with school activities  Attend Open Houses

Understand the different types of admissions and the timelines Rolling Admissions Rolling Admissions You are accepted a few weeks after your application has been submitted Regular Decision Regular Decision Submit application anytime (usually by Feb. 1 st ) Early Decision Early Decision Deadline is usually in Oct. or Nov. Cannot apply anywhere else (unless rejected) and you are committed to that school Early Action Early Action Deadline is usually in Oct., Nov., or Dec. No commitment to the school Can still apply to other schools

MINIMUM HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS VARY 22 Units of Credit

4 UNITS OF ENGLISH 1)ENGLISH 9 2)ENGLISH 10 3)ENGLISH 11 REGENTS 4)ENGLISH 12 or COLLEGE ENGLISH or VOTECH ENGLISH

4 UNITS OF SOCIAL STUDIES 1) SOCIAL STUDIES 9 2) SOCIAL STUDIES 10 GLOBAL REGENTS 3) SOCIAL STUDIES 11 US HISTORY REGENTS 4) ECONOMICS/GOVERNMENT

3 UNITS OF SCIENCE 1) EARTH SCIENCE REGENTS 2) LIVING ENVIRONMENTREGENTS* 3) CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, VOTECH SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, FISH & WILDLIFE, ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY or ADVANCED CHEMISTRY * DENOTES ADVANCED REGENTS DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS

3 UNITS OF MATH 1) ALGEBRA REGENTS 2) GEOMETRY REGENTS 3) INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA, ALGEBRA 2*, APPLIED MATH, VOTECH MATH, PERSONAL FINANCE & ACCOUNTING, PRE-CALCULUS, OR JCC CALCULUS * ALGEBRA 2 HAS A REGENTS EXAM THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE ADVANCED REGENTS DIPLOMA

FOREIGN LANGUGE SPANISH I PROFICIENCY* * MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENT SPANISH II SPANISH III REGENTS** **NEEDED FOR ADVANCED REGENTS DIPLOMA

2 UNITS PHYSICAL EDUCATION 1/2 UNIT HEALTH 1 UNIT ART OR MUSIC OR DDP

REGENTS REQUIREMENTS  Students must pass all 5 regents exams to graduate   1) English   2) Global Studies   3) US History   4) Math   5) Science

ADVANCED REGENTS REQUIREMENTS English Global Studies US History Algebra & Geometry & Algebra 2 Any two science exams Foreign Language  *must pass all exams with at least a 65

Diplomas with Honors  To receive a Regents or Advanced Regents with “Honors”, a student must have an average of 90.0 or above on all qualifying exams.  To receive “Mastery in Math and/or Science” on your diploma, you must score 85 or better on three math and/or three science exams.

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Class Rank and GPA  Student with the highest overall average is ranked “one” in that class. Student with the second highest overall average is ranked “two”, etc.  Final class rank will be determined following 3 rd quarter report card of senior year.  When determining class rank, courses that are of Regents or college level are given a weighted value. Regents course – 1.03 Regents course – 1.03 College/AP course – 1.06 College/AP course – 1.06 Ex. 92 (Biology) = 95 Ex. 92 (Biology) = (JCC English) = (JCC English) = 98

COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS (TYPICALLY) 4 UNITS ENGLISH 4 UNITS SOCIAL STUDIES 3 UNITS MATH 3 UNITS SCIENCE 2-3 UNITS FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACT/SAT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITES COMMUNITY SERVICE

SAT/ACT SAT/ACT When should you (re)take the SAT or ACT? Fall of your Senior year

The SAT  The SAT is $52.50  You can sign up online at sat.org/register  Photo now required  Fee waivers available if you qualify – check with Mrs. Hazelton in the Guidance Office.

The ACT  The ACT without Writing is $38.00  The ACT with Writing is $54.50  Photo upload is now required  Fee waivers available if you qualify – check with Mrs. Hazelton in the Guidance Office.

ACT VS. SAT  Science reasoning section  Math includes trigonometry  Vocabulary less important  Entirely multiple-choice  No guessing penalty  English grammar tested  Math accounts for 25% of your score  Easy and hard questions mixed within sections  Based on high school curriculum No Science SectionNo Science Section No Trigonometry QuestionsNo Trigonometry Questions Vocabulary EmphasizedVocabulary Emphasized Non multiple-choice questions includedNon multiple-choice questions included Guessing penaltyGuessing penalty Math accounts for 50% of your scoreMath accounts for 50% of your score Questions go from easy to hard in most sectionsQuestions go from easy to hard in most sections

Test Scores Test Scores  The ACT Top score of 36 Average score is around 20 EnglishMathReadingScience Final score is average of all four sections  The SAT Critical Reading Math Writing (Essay score of 2 – 12, 1/3 of writing score) (Multiple-choice 20 – 80, 2/3 of writing score) (Multiple-choice 20 – 80, 2/3 of writing score) Average score of For a top score of 2400

Preparing for the SAT  Take free practice tests Guidance office reference Guidance office reference Online tests - Online tests  The Official SAT Online Course Interactive lessons Interactive lessons Practice tests Practice tests Fee Fee

Preparing for the ACT  Online Prep – actstudent.org/onlineprep Practice tests with real ACT test questions Practice tests with real ACT test questions Practice essays for the new optional ACT Writing Test, with real- time scoring Practice essays for the new optional ACT Writing Test, with real- time scoring Comprehensive content review for each of the ACT's four required tests—English, Math, Reading, and Science Comprehensive content review for each of the ACT's four required tests—English, Math, Reading, and Science Diagnostic test and personalized Study Path Diagnostic test and personalized Study Path Anywhere, anytime access via the Internet Anywhere, anytime access via the Internet Website: actstudent.org/testprep Website: actstudent.org/testprep Each day they post a new question Each day they post a new question

Attention!  September 19 th is the registration deadline for the October 25 th ACT  October 9 th is the registration deadline for the November 8 th SAT

Career Searching  Guidance office has several reference books  This site lists many career options and a little background information about certain careers  This site has information on careers and majors for college. Everyone who took the PSAT has a free membership to MY COLLEGE QUICKSTART

College Quickstart  My College QuickStart includes these features: QuickStart  My Online Score Report – An enhanced score report that allows you to review each test question, your answer, and the correct answer with answer explanations.  My SAT Study Plan – A customized SAT study plan based on your PSAT/NMSQT test performance, highlighting skills for review and practice.  My College Matches – A starter list of colleges based on your home state and indicated choice of major.  My Major & Career Matches – Personalized lists of majors and careers plus access to a personality assessment that suggests other compatible possibilities.

College Admissions Check-List  Required Tests and Courses  Essays  Resumes  Letters of recommendation  Deadlines  College credit for classes taken in high school

Academic Checklist  Degrees/programs offered  Majors  Clubs/Associations  Career placement services  Internship opportunities

Financial Check List  Cost of attending college  Grants (do not need to be paid back)  Loans (have to be paid back)  Employment (work-study)  Academic and need-based scholarships  Deadlines  FAFSA (ASAP after Jan. 1st)  FINANCIAL AID NIGHT SPONSORED BY SUNY FREDONIA 7PM

Applying for Financial Aid Request a federal PIN at Request a federal PIN at Fill out the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet in December (Do Not Mail this Worksheet) Fill out the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet in December (Do Not Mail this Worksheet) Complete FAFSA online at in January 2015! DON’T WAIT UNTIL TAXES ARE FILED Complete FAFSA online at in January 2015! DON’T WAIT UNTIL TAXES ARE FILEDwww.fafsa.ed.gov Print the confirmation page Print the confirmation page Use the link to apply for TAP Use the link to apply for TAP Keep records Keep records

FAFSA4caster Lets students and parents receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid. It will increase knowledge of the financial aid process and provide an opportunity to investigate other sources of aid (e.g.; grants, scholarships).

FAFSA4caster  Provide general information about federal student aid  Foster early awareness and create familiarity with the financial aid application process and form  Serve as an early analysis tool informing college affordability  Reduce the time required to submit the "official" financial aid application in the student's senior year and beyond

Financial Aid cont. EFC is determined by Student’s income and assetsStudent’s income and assets Parent’s income and assets Parent’s income and assets Size of family Size of family Number of children in college Number of children in college  Annual Cost minus EFC = Need Visit to use the award comparison calculator

Questions for families to ask and not assume!!  How do outside awards affect the aid package?  What is the school’s policy on non-custodial parents?  What is the average student debt level?  Are the scholarships/grants renewable each year?  How might awards change in future years?  What happens if financial circumstances change?

Financial Aid Facts of Life for Families  Don’t rule out a school just because of its cost!  Apply to one or two financially “safe” schools.  Meet deadlines!  Keep copies of all forms filed.  Student loans are a way of life.  Families should save as much as they can. No amount is too small!  Plan ahead! Think about how you will pay for each year of the student’s program.  Appeal if circumstances change.  Look at all financing options—start with those offered by the college at which the student enrolls!  Don’t assume—ask!  Early application is critical

Scholarship Checklist  High School Guidance Office  Organizations your parents belong to  Places of employment  Search the web Announcements at school Announcements at school  Colleges you are applying to

Campus Life Check-list  Who attends the college  Sports  Music  Theater  Art  Library  Publications  Extracurricular Activities  Housing  Health services  Counseling services  Safety information  Community information

College Visits  Go now while the weather is still nice!!!!  Look online for the Open House dates

What activities and services are available to help students get settled (academically and socially during their first year? How big are the classes? How easy is it to meet with faculty? Are you able to register for the classes you want? What is the total cost of attending the college? Are all freshmen assigned an academic counselor? QUESTIONS TO ASK A COLLEGE:

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS  A good rule is that when you think turkey you should be completing your college applications. I highly recommend finishing applications by Dec. 1 st.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS  Complete all parts  Proof-read your essays  Have someone else proof your essays  Allow 2-3 weeks for someone to write you a letter of recommendation  Request an Official Transcript  Copy everything that you mail  Request a Final transcript at the end of the year

12 th Grade Checklist  Apply to 3-5 colleges (have a back-up plan)  Take or re-take SAT or ACT  Research and apply for scholarships  Keep grades up and stay involved in activities  Complete FAFSA in January  Choose a college and send in all paperwork

QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU!