Presented by Shelia R. Jackson Senior Activities Counselor

Guidance Department Staff Mrs. “Missy” Ford, Head Counselor Mr. Rod Fludd, A-E (9 th Grade Activities Counselor) Dr. Ken Cooke, F-K (10 th Grade Activities Counselor) Mrs. Shelia R. Jackson, L-R (12 th Grade Activities Counselor) Mrs. Willene Freeman, S-Z (11 th Grade Activities Counselor) Dr. Aubain-Roebuck, Graduation Coach Mrs. Juanita Lumpkin, Professional Assistant Mrs. Sandra Brown-Allen, Registrar

GUIDANCE PROCEDURES GUIDANCE PROCEDURES  Request for transcripts - 48 hour notice (Lumpkin)  Letter of Recommendation - 5 days/ Resume’ (Counselor)  Scholarships – 5 days (Counselor)  College Admissions – Students mail  Documents from Permanent Record (Brown-Allen)

Graduation Requirements Graduation Requirements Class of 2012 and Beyond Core Area # of Units Required English 4 Units Mathematics 4 Units Science 4 Units Social Studies 3 Units Health and PE 1 Units World Language/Fine Arts/Career Tech*3 Units General Electives4 Units Total Units: 23 Units *Note any combination of World Language, Fine Arts, and/or Career Technology satisfies the 3 units required for a High School Diploma; however, in general, colleges require a minimum of 2 consecutive years of the same World Language.

Alternatives to Earning Credits PLATO (12th Graders Only) PLATO (12th Graders Only) FULTON VIRTUAL ($250 per 1/2 credit) FULTON VIRTUAL ($250 per 1/2 credit) GEORGIA VIRTUAL ($300 per 1/2 credit) GEORGIA VIRTUAL ($300 per 1/2 credit) SUMMER SCHOOL ($225 per 1/2 credit) SUMMER SCHOOL ($225 per 1/2 credit) McClarin HS (alternative program) McClarin HS (alternative program) Any other options MUST be approved by the Fulton County Curriculum Department. See counselor to complete the Off Campus Course Request Form. Any other options MUST be approved by the Fulton County Curriculum Department. See counselor to complete the Off Campus Course Request Form.

POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS Colleges/Universities Colleges/Universities 4 Year 2 Year/Junior Technical Military Military Employment Employment Apprenticeship Apprenticeship

What colleges consider for admission: Grade Point Average (GPA) Rigor of Curriculum (High School course selections) SAT/ACT scores (You are responsible for having the Official test scores sent. Westlake cannot send scores) Leadership/Extracurricular Activities/Community Service Class rank Essays Letters of Recommendation

Things to consider when choosing a college: Location Admission difficulty Cost Majors Offered Program Prestige Availability of financial aid Activities available

Narrow down your college selection Preliminary College Search ( After preliminary research, choose schools that fall into 3 different categories “Reach Schools” “Target Schools” “Back up Schools” There is no limit to how many schools to which you may apply, but people typically choose 3-6

Research your college selections Visit your prospective college Pre-approved absence for college visitation should be requested three days prior to absence Request must be made in writing from parent/guardian for approval by the student’s administrator Can request six days of pre-arranged absences per year Attend college visits at Westlake (Sign up in advance in the Counseling Center with Mrs. Lumpkin) Attend local college receptions Attend college Fairs

Scheduled College Visits at Westlake Philander Smith – September 15th Howard University – September 16th Tuskegee – September 19th University of California – September 23rd Florida A & M – October 5th Valdosta State – October 13th Georgia Southern – October 2 University of Alabama – November 15th

College Application Process Identify Important Information Admissions deadlines (mindful of holidays) Application checklist (in handout) GACollege411 ( Early vs. Regular decision (early action vs. early decision)

Types of Admission Decisions Regular Decision Early Action Invite early applications Receives notice of admission early If accepted, student is not obligated to attend Early Decision Early determination of admissibility Receives notice of admission early If accepted, student IS obligated to attend If accepted, student must withdraw all other applications

Senior Year Responsibilities Keep your grades up Make up any failed courses Take advantage of help from teachers & tutors Pass all 5 sections of the GHSGT or Corresponding EOCT GHSGT-for new seniors & re-tests is September 12th & 13th Writing-September 27th

SAT vs ACT SATACT SubjectsCritical Reading Writing Writing (required) English Math Reading Science Writing (optional) MathArithmetic, geometry, algebra, and algebra II Arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and trigonometry Score Composite1/3 Math 1/3 Reading 1/3 Writing ¼ English ¼ Math ¼ Reading ¼ Science (analysis, knowledge, problem solving) PenaltiesTypically ¼ point deducted for wrong answers No penalty for wrong answers Score600 – for Essay 1 -36

SAT II: Subject Tests Some highly selective four-year colleges require Some highly selective four-year colleges require Subject specific Subject specific designed to measure knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject areas. designed to measure knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject areas. Tests are given in American History, European History, Biology EM, Chemistry, Physics, English Composition, English Literature, Mathematics Level IC, Mathematics Level IIC, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test). Tests are given in American History, European History, Biology EM, Chemistry, Physics, English Composition, English Literature, Mathematics Level IC, Mathematics Level IIC, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test). Colleges use the Subject Tests for admissions, course placements, or both Colleges use the Subject Tests for admissions, course placements, or both Contact schools to see if needed Contact schools to see if needed

Upcoming Test Dates SAT Test Registration DateDeadline October 1September 9 November 5October 7 December 3November 8 January 28December 30 March 10February 10 May 5April 6 June 4May 8 SAT I TEST FEE: $49.00 SAT II TEST FEE: $ Test Registration Date Deadline September 10 August 12 October 22 September 16 December 10 November 4 February 11January 13 April 14March 9 June 9May 4 TEST FEE: $34.00 ACT TEST + Writing FEE: $

SCHOOL CODE/ FEE WAIVERS School Code School Code Must meet requirement guidelines set by SAT/ ACT = Free/ Reduced Lunch or Receiving Government assistance. Must meet requirement guidelines set by SAT/ ACT = Free/ Reduced Lunch or Receiving Government assistance.

Financial Aid Financial Aid Options available to help finance a college education Options available to help finance a college education Four Types: Grants (need-based money) and Gifts (merit-based monies). Grants (need-based money) and Gifts (merit-based monies). Grants and gift monies do not have to be repaid. Some schools term these “scholarship.” College Work Study allows students to work either on or near College Work Study allows students to work either on or near campus in a job arranged by the Financial Aid Office. Loans, which usually have low interest rates, must be repaid Loans, which usually have low interest rates, must be repaid Federal and/or State Loans must be repaid as stipulated. Federal and/or State Loans must be repaid as stipulated. Application Process for Need-Based Financial Aid: To qualify for financial aid, complete one or both of these forms: FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the application all students must file to be considered for the Title IV aid and the HOPE Scholarship. All families desiring financial aid should complete this form. Aid begins with the FAFSA. The FAFSA is to be completed, signed, and mailed on or after January 1 of the student’s senior year. This form should be completed and mailed before February 15. FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the application all students must file to be considered for the Title IV aid and the HOPE Scholarship. All families desiring financial aid should complete this form. Aid begins with the FAFSA. The FAFSA is to be completed, signed, and mailed on or after January 1 of the student’s senior year. This form should be completed and mailed before February 15. CSS PROFILE: This is a form required by many private colleges. Ask the college if it is required. CSS PROFILE: This is a form required by many private colleges. Ask the college if it is required.

Funding Your Education FAFSA ON THE WEB The PIN The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is an electronic access code number that serves as your identifier. The PIN The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is an electronic access code number that serves as your identifier. The PIN The PIN Get a PIN If this is your first time filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and you haven't applied for a PIN (Personal Identification Number), you should do so now. Your PIN is what allows you to complete the FAFSA paper-free! You'll need your PIN to make online corrections to your FAFSA, including changing your name and address, or adding/changing the name of a school to receive your application data. Get a PIN If this is your first time filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and you haven't applied for a PIN (Personal Identification Number), you should do so now. Your PIN is what allows you to complete the FAFSA paper-free! You'll need your PIN to make online corrections to your FAFSA, including changing your name and address, or adding/changing the name of a school to receive your application data. Get a PIN Get a PIN

Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program HOPE Scholarship (Pays 90% of Tuition) Meet the requirements for graduation and earn a 3.0 GPA in “state core” courses. Award adjusted annually based on lottery revenue Zell Miller Scholarship (Pays 100% of Tuition) GPA of 3.7 or higher and a score of at least 1200 on combined Critical Reading Score and Math Score on the SAT or have received a score of at least 26 on the ACT. Full tuition or full private HOPE award.

The GPA FOR HOPE The GPA for HOPE will be determined by averaging ALL core curriculum coursework (English, Math, Science, Social Science, and World Language), including failing grades on a 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0). The GPA for HOPE will be determined by averaging ALL core curriculum coursework (English, Math, Science, Social Science, and World Language), including failing grades on a 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0). GA College 411 website GA College 411 website All honors points are removed before the calculation AP courses receive HOPE value point. All honors points are removed before the calculation AP courses receive HOPE value point. Please note: A 2.99 GPA does NOT qualify you for HOPE. Please note: A 2.99 GPA does NOT qualify you for HOPE. All calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. All calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

HOPE Scholarship Students with missing or invalid Students with missing or invalid Social Security Numbers will have their HOPE scholarship award delayed. Social Security Numbers will have their HOPE scholarship award delayed. If you used a nickname instead of your legal name at the time you enrolled in the Fulton County School system, your HOPE scholarship award will be delayed. If you used a nickname instead of your legal name at the time you enrolled in the Fulton County School system, your HOPE scholarship award will be delayed. All young men are required to register with the Selective Service no later than 30 days of their 18th birthday. HOPE eligibility will be delayed until this requirement is met. Men can register as early as 17 ½. Register at All young men are required to register with the Selective Service no later than 30 days of their 18th birthday. HOPE eligibility will be delayed until this requirement is met. Men can register as early as 17 ½. Register at

NCAA Clearinghouse If your student is planning on participating in Intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution, student must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at SAT / ACT Scores must be sent directly to the Eligibility center from Testing Agency. SAT / ACT Scores must be sent directly to the Eligibility center from Testing Agency. PLATO courses are NOT accepted by NCAA.

Scholarships RESEARCH scholarship opportunities RESEARCH scholarship opportunities Senior Newsletter Senior Newsletter College and Career Center College and Career Center Web Sites Web Sites September Issue of Ebony Magazine September Issue of Ebony Magazine Call the Financial Aid Office at Individual Schools Call the Financial Aid Office at Individual Schools

Advice Let your student take ownership of the process Let your student take ownership of the process Do not wait until the last minute to apply to college. Do not wait until the last minute to apply to college. May 3rd – Decision Day (required to tell college of your decision) May 3rd – Decision Day (required to tell college of your decision) Just say no to senioritis Just say no to senioritis Rescinding admission and scholarship offers Rescinding admission and scholarship offers Failing grades second semester Failing grades second semester Schedule changes (rigorous to less rigorous) Schedule changes (rigorous to less rigorous) If the student changes his or her schedule, he or she must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admissions immediately in writing. If the student changes his or her schedule, he or she must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admissions immediately in writing.

Food for Thought ”Your children need your presence more than your presents.” Jesse Jackson