1 Class of 2012 NMHS Senior Parent Night

2 Counselors A-GKaren Harkleroad H-P Marelle Bowers Q-ZJulie Gallman

3 Post High School Options Types –Four-year colleges and universities –Community or junior colleges –Vocational, technical, and career schools –Military/Armed Forces

4 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 the week of November 1 st )

Colleges consider the following for admission: 5 Grade Point Average (GPA) Rigor of Curriculum (High School course selections) SAT/ACT scores (You are responsible for having the Official test scores sent. NMHS cannot send scores) Leadership/Extracurricular Activities/Community Service Essays Letters of Recommendation

6 Things to consider Location Admission difficulty Cost Majors Offered Program Prestige Availability of financial aid Activities available Religious affiliation

7 Numeric Average Murray County calculates numeric averages by adding up all grades in classes and dividing by the total number of classes taken 100 point scale i.e out of 100 All grades included in this calculation – failed grades, summer grades, online grades… Murray County adds 5 points to the final passing grade for each Honors Class and 10 points for each AP class, and college course taken & shown on transcript

8 Numeric Average Computation Example CourseGrade (H)Lit/Comp. 97 Algebra I90 (H) Biology97 Political Science90 Intro. Art90 Spanish I90 Total divided by 6 = 92.3 Numeric Average; NOT A GPA! Please NOTE: If a student fails a class and then retakes the same class, the grades are averaged. The new grade does NOT replace the old grade on the transcript.

9 Grade Point Average (GPA) Contact college to find how they calculate –Most use this scale (4.0): A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0 Most only consider academic courses (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language) To calculate, take your academic classes and assign a 4,3,2,1, or 0 for each course. Add them together and divide by the total number of academic courses (estimated GPA)

10 Some colleges may give additional points for Honors, AP, and College courses Some colleges may take off the additional 5 and 10 points added for Honors, AP and college courses (if so, take off the 5 or 10 points before assigning the 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0) Make sure your student uses CNA when the college asks for GPA

11 Grade Point Average Computation Example Course Numeric Grade Letter Grade Quality Points (H)Lit/Comp. 97 A 4.0 Algebra I89 B 3.0 (H) Biology97 A 4.0 Political Science90 A 4.0 Intro. Art78 C 2.0 Spanish I70 D 1.0 Total divided by 6 = 3.0 Please Note: HOPE deduct 5 points off Honors and AP *This example is purely for your information.

12 Narrowing Down 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 Prospective Colleges 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 two college visits per year –If college visits are pre-approved and letterhead excuse is returned to NMHS, the visit will not count as an absence. Attend college visits at NMHS(Sign up in advance in the Counseling Center) Attend PROBE Fair at DSC Match colleges with your personality and goals in life. Need to be socially comfortable to be academically successful

14 Prospective Colleges Visit the college’s website Be sure to find out which high school courses, GPA, SAT/ACT, etc is required for admission, so that you don’t fall short. Narrow down your college choices Be realistic!

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

TYPES OF ADMISSIONS 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

17 Teacher/Counselor recommendations –MINIMUM of 2 weeks notice (give to teacher or counselor with student’s activity resume before requesting transcript) –Straight from teacher to college or Included with school transcript College visits –Three day advance request to miss school NMHS School Website –Scholarship information –Transcript and College Visit Forms SAT/ACT scores Personally have SAT and/or ACT scores sent directly to the college(s) from the appropriate testing service

College Entrance Exams SAT A test of critical thinking and problem solving (aptitude) Score: 600 – 2400 Wrong answer penalized Structure of test: –Critical Reading –Math (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry) –Writing (Mandatory) ACT A content/curriculum-based test (achievement) Score: Wrong answer not penalized Structure of test: –English –Math (through trigonometry) –Reading –Science Reasoning –Writing (Optional)

19 May 1st – Decision Day (required to tell college of your decision) Avoid senioritis –Rescinding admission and scholarship offers –Falling grades second semester 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.

20 HOPE Scholarship Meet the requirements for graduation and earn a 3.0 GPA in “state core” courses. Award adjusted annually based on lottery revenue (90% of Tuition) Zell Miller Scholarship 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.

21 HOPE Continued… Every grade earned in core academic courses (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language) will be used in calculating Grade Point Average (GPA) for HOPE eligibility. “Fs” will not be replaced for these purposes by a higher grade if a core academic course is repeated. Also, if a student earns more core academic credits than required for graduation, all grades will be used to determine HOPE.

22 HOPE Continued… Only grades in Advanced Placement (AP) programs will be weighted for HOPE purposes. 5 pts will be removed from both honors and AP Courses. Middle School Courses not counted.

23 Financial Aid School-Specific Aid –Apply for school-specific aid with application for admission –Be aware of deadlines FAFSA –Can fill out as soon as January 1, 2011 –Federal loans, grants, work study, HOPE –Requires information from parental tax return –GSFC workshop on Jan 17 th - 5:00 pm in NMHS Auditorium

College Opportunity Grant State of Georgia’s first true needs-based program Student must be fully matriculated in a degree-seeking program at an eligible Postsecondary Public Institution in full-time status. Must be a recipient of the Pell Grant during the term seeking COG. Eligible students must have an Estimated Family Contribution as calculated on FAFSA of $0 Community service requirement hours at a Non-Profit Organization at a rate of 20 hours per semester of COG payment. and 24

25 Scholarships School-specific websites gacollege411.com Many more…Check our website!

26 College-Bound Student Athletes NCAA Initial-Eligibility 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 Odyssey courses not accepted by NCAA. If your student has made up courses outside of NMHS, please have your counselor look over your transcript. Submit the transcript request forms to Joy Miles, Counseling Office Secretary.

27 Senior Meetings Counselors have been meeting with seniors individually to review graduation checklists and college information specific to each student. Senior Information Sheet – needed prior to completing recommendation letters Transcript requests are processed through counseling office secretary, Mrs. Miles

28 Web Resources College and Career Search Scholarship Search

Graduation Graduation Date is May 25, 2012 at 6:00 pm in the NMHS Gymnasium. Jostens will be here during lunch at various times throughout the school year to take orders/payment for announcements, etc. Dates/times will be announced. 29

30 Thank You!!!! NMHS Website: