WHEELER HIGH SCHOOL ADVISEMENT, SEPTEMBER 2010

See your counselor FIRST! Guidance:  A-G MRS. EDWARDS  H-N MS. SCHLOEMER  O-Z DR. HIGGINS MAGNET  12 TH MRS. SUTTLES

PLEASE NOTE….. THIS IS AN ABBREVIATED RENDITION OF THE COLLEGE / TECHNICAL SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A MORE DETAILED GUIDELINE, WE SUGGEST YOU GO TO THIS WEBSITE: %20Links/12th%20grade%20to- do%20packet.pdf

THIS POWERPOINT HAS BEEN ADDED TO: YOU MAY ACCESS IT ANY TIME.

THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR COUNSELOR  CHECK YOUR TRANSCRIPT FOR ANY ERRORS  ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP?  WHAT WOULD YOU NEED TO DO THIS YEAR TO BECOME ELIGIBLE  DISCUSS YOUR FUTURE PLANS  ASK FOR HELP  FILL OUT ANY FORMS REQUIRED BY COUNSELOR

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND !!!  Do your research  Choose 2 Georgia Colleges and 5 out of state colleges  Be realistic  Do the MATH....  TUITION  BOOKS  FOOD AND LODGING  INCIDENTALS

Do a REALISTIC Review of Family Finances !  Start with the WORST case scenario ( job loss or financial crisis)  Analyze how this situation would impact family and your college plans  Review CURRENT financial state  Analyze how this would impact family and your college plans

Study the TOTAL college !  What matters most to you the student  Distance from home  Consider additional travel costs  Prefer small or large classes  Liberal Arts, Engineering, Combination  Georgia State vs Georgia Tech vs University of Georgia  Sports, clubs, extracurricular

NARROW YOUR CHOICES!  Plan a “touring” trip to the colleges  Go on Internet and obtain information about “campus tours”  Set up a planned tour BUT after tour leave enough time to walk around campus and talk to students  Get the “feel” for the school...just like you did for our magnet!  Select the colleges you SERIOUSLY would like to attend

Obtain Applications...most are online.  You ONLY get one try to make a FIRST impression !  Always fill out forms neatly in Black Ink !  If you can’t print/write neatly, use a computer!  Even the envelope you will be mailing must be neatly done!

You have chosen your colleges and completed your application…now what? 1. Step one …. Take $2 for each transcript you will be sending and go see Mrs. SQUIER in Guidance to obtain official transcript. (Magnet see Mrs. Suttles) 2. Step two…complete “tracker card” 3. Allow 2 school days before picking up completed transcripts.

You have your transcripts and now you will…..  Fill out your forms and make an appointment to see your counselor  Fill out your portion completely and be sure to sign and date form (s).  Always include a brief letter explaining the purpose of the forms (other than application)  Explain what the recommendation should highlight ( academic, service, athletics, volunteer work)  Place transcripts (if mailing), any required information, completed applications all in large envelope  Take all completed forms to your counselor #

Process continued...  List ALL college applications contained in your envelope and the DATE due.  Wait 10 days.  Stop back in to your counselor to check if forms have been mailed or take your completed form (s) if you are mailing.

WAIT 10 SCHOOL DAYS BEFORE CHECKNG WITH YOUR COUNSELOR TO SEE IF YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN SENT Completed recommendation

What if I lose my forms...  Go to the following website and download the file....it is in Word so that you can type on it. 

How to choose the “right” teacher to ask for your recommendation. Teacher who knows you and your character well.  Taught you in a class or activity in which you were actively involved  Knows your attributes: collaborative skills, analytical skills, higher thinking skills  Willing to take the time necessary to write the best possible letter.....

Finally  Write a “short” but sincere note to each person who helped you with your applications.  This should be done shortly after you have sent your forms in.  Your teachers have taken on an additional time commitment to help you so they deserve your gratitude!

We must work together...  It is vitally important that WE work together to attain the highest possible level of success!  You have worked diligently for 4 years and deserve the best possible recommendation.

Scholarships  Go to various websites

Let’s review the information in your packet...