Seniors 2015

Some Questions You May Have  What are the graduation requirements?  Am I on track for graduation?  Who gets to sit on stage for graduation?  When do I start applying to colleges?  Do my senior year grades count?  How do I apply for scholarships?  Where do I find scholarships?  Is it too late to take the ACT?  How do I apply for a Pell Grant?  Do we get excused absences for college visits?

Graduation Requirements for 2015 Cohort  Regular diploma—28 credits  4 math (Algebra A, Algebra B, Geometry A, Geometry B) minimum  4 English  4 Science  4 Social Studies  ½ fine art, ½ health, ½ computer app, 1 credit PE  No Foreign Language Required  Advanced Academic Endorsement—28 credits  4 math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trig, math elective)  4 English  4 Science  4 Social Studies  ½ fine art, ½ health, ½ computer app, 1 credit PE  2 years of same foreign language

Graduation Requirements Cont.  Advanced with Honors Diploma  30 Credits  3.5 weighted GPA by the end of 1 st semester  4 English (honors, AP, or IB)  4 Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trig, Precal)  4 Science (honors, AP, IB) Must take physics  4 Social Studies (honors, AP, IB)  ½ fine art, ½ health, ½ computer app, 1 PE  2 years of same foreign language

College and Career Ready Initiative  All seniors are responsible for creating a Career Exploration Portfolio (3 requirements)  Resume  Cover Letter  Evidence of Career Exploration

Are you on track for graduation?  Parents who are concerned about their child’s graduation status will need to call and make an appointment with me to review the student’s transcript. Please try not to drop in. I may be off campus at a meeting or have other scheduled appointments.

Graduation Regalia  Students who sit on stage: 3.75 cumulative weighted GPA by the end of 1 st semester.  International Baccalaureate students: IB Stole with Emblem  National Honor Society: Gold and White Tassel  EPIC Majors: Black and White Cord  Valedictorian and Salutatorian: Black and Gold Stole

When do I start applying for college?  You can start NOW!  1 st, check the admissions requirements for the schools you are interested in.  Do you have the minimum GPA and ACT score?  Have you taken the courses needed to get into the college of your choice?  Do you have the ability to pay the application fee?  2 nd, if you meet the requirements, just get started!  Fill out the application COMPLETELY  Have someone proofread your essays before you submit  Don’t be afraid to hit the submit button!  Fill out a transcript request form with Ms. Franklin  Transcripts are mailed on Thursdays---plan accordingly

Do My Senior Year Grades Count?  YES!  Although I submit you 6 th semester transcript initially, some schools require a mid-year transcript and all schools require a final transcript. Your admission status can change if your grades tank! I have seen it happen!  Many schools also require a copy of your senior schedule to make sure you are enrolled in the correct classes to meet admissions requirements.

How do I apply for scholarships?  Colleges and Universities offer a variety of scholarships  Merit based scholarships---based on GPA and ACT/SAT  Departmental scholarships---based on major  Privately funded scholarships---endowed scholarships  Need-based grants---for elite schools who do not offer merit based scholarships  Outside Scholarships  Remind App  Ms. Franklin’s gmail acct  Google—DO YOUR OWN SEARCH  Scholarships.com  Fastweb.com

Join Now To Receive Scholarship Updates   Or  Enter this number (213) with this  Or  Send an to 

Is it too late to take the ACT?  Absolutely not!  October 25 th  December 13 th 

Financial Aid  The road to financial aid begins in January, 2015   Financial Aid Workshop and College Night January 22 nd 5:30 pm. At Murphy High School

College Visit Days Excused  Every senior who is on track to graduate is allowed TWO excused college visit days.  The form must be filled out and signed by the parent, the student and the teachers BEFORE leaving for the college visit  Student must return to school with a letter signed by the admissions office  All college visits must be completed before the beginning of 4 th quarter

Senior Responsibilities  Watch your deadlines!!!  Give your teachers and Ms. Franklin at least two weeks notice when requesting a letter of recommendation  When requesting a letter of recommendation, you must give the teacher and Ms. Franklin a current resume  Request you transcripts in a timely manner  Parent Brag Sheets are available on  Keep up with your grades in INOW. Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for your username and password  Notify Ms. Franklin of your admission decisions  Notify colleges/universities which have offered admission that you will attend or will not attend.  Turn in ALL scholarship offers as soon as you receive them. We expect great things from this class!!

Currently Scheduled College Recruiters  Morehouse College  UAB  Spring Hill  Alabama  UAH  Washington University St. Louis  Loyola  LSU  Oglethorpe  Senior College and Career Fair at the Mitchell Center—October 29 th

Senior Portraits, Cap & Gown, Etc  Senior Portraits will be made here at Davidson on Tuesday, September 2 nd. You must sign up for a time slot in the library. All students must sit for a senior portrait—these serve as the senior yearbook pictures! There is a $20 sitting fee. You also have the option to call Jim Owen Photography directly and set up an appointment at the studio. If you do a studio session, you can take a change of clothes and have the option to take different poses.  Senior fee of $125 is due now. The price goes up to $135 September 1. If you make a deposit before August 31 st, you will be locked in to the $125 price.  Senior Fee covers your yearbook, senior t-shirt, senior mug and senior breakfast. It also helps cover expenses for the graduation ceremony such as programs, flowers, etc.  Balfour will be on campus several days this year to take Cap & Gown orders as well as invitation orders and class ring orders. Listen for announcements.  See Ms. Baxter ASAP to fill out a Diploma Order Form!

Contact Information   (All official business)  (Scholarship info only)