1. WELCOME to SENIOR PARENT NIGHT Class of 2016!

2. IMPORTANT DATES Sept. 26 – Order Senior Supplies ($100 deposit required) & take senior yearbook pictures; Mr. Scamardo from Herff Jones will be available several lunch periods in the fall semester to take orders Oct. 6– College and Career Prep Night at Edward A. Dufresne Community Center; 6:00 p.m. Oct. 10 – ACT Prep 9:00 – 12:00 & 1:00 – 4:00 at the Professional Learning Center (PLC) Oct. 22 - DHS scholarship applications will be distributed in advisory Dec. 18 – Deadline for turning in DHS Scholarship Application to Mrs. Maise

3. IMPORTANT DATES Early January, 2016 – Be sure to order senior supplies if you want the DHS logo on announcements Jan. 28, 2016 - FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP April 28, 2016 – SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT May 10, 2016 – GRADUATION PRACTICE at 8:30 a.m. in gym AND BACCALAUREATE at 7:00 p.m. in auditorium May 12, 2016 – GRADUATION! P o n t c h a r t r a i n C e n t e r a t 7 : 0 0 p. m.

4. DIPLOMA OPTIONS (see pink handout) To be considered for additional diplomas, seniors must indicate by checking on the Credit Check letter Regular State Diploma LA Core 4 or Basic Core DHS Advanced Studies (honors)Diploma Academic Endorsement Career/Technical Endorsement

5. RECOGNITION AT GRADUATION ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA (honors) White Stole; seated on stage SUMA CUM LAUDE (99.5-107 GPA)-Gold Cord MAGNA CUM LAUDE (94.5-99.4 GPA)- Silver Cord CUM LAUDE (89.5-94.4 GPA)-White Cord ACADEMIC ENDORSEMENT- Blue Cord CAREER & TECHNICAL ENDORSEMENT - Green Cord MU ALPHA THETA – Navy Stole NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY – Blue Stole

6. PLANNING MY FUTURE Every senior received or will receive a “Planning My Future” booklet in class presentations In those presentations, we discussed choosing a career, choosing a college, ACT/SAT, Financial Aid & TOPS and what you need to know before your first year of college, etc.

7. CHOOSING A CAREER Know yourself – Interests, abilities,personality, values Learn about careers – Websites (LA Connect), Occupational Outlook Handbook, Encyclopedia of Careers, Job Shadow Figure out where you fit!

8. CHOOSING A COLLEGE Factors: Major (see blue handout), cost, size, distance from home, admissions policies Resources: Websites, catalogues, guide books (Peterson’s, College Handbook) College Visits: DHS allows two days excused absence; parent must attend to be excused; turn in College Visitation form 3 days prior to visit; college appointment should be made in advance

9. ESTIMATED COLLEGE COSTS (check college websites) Estimate for LSU per semester Tuition & Fees $4830 Dorm $3450 Meal Ticket $2000 Books $ 800 Total $11,080 Estimate for SLU per semester Tuition & Fees $3657 Dorm $3000 Meal Ticket $1355 Books $ 180 Total $8192

10. LOUISIANA COLLEGES ADMISSIONS POLICIES (see pink handout) All require the Core 4 Curriculum All require the Core 4 Curriculum Flagship: LSU - 3.0 in 19 Core AND 22 ACT AND no remedial classes ACT English at least 18 and ACT Math at least 19 Statewide: La Tech, ULL and UNO, – 2.5 Core GPA, OR 23 ACT, and no remedial classes

11. LOUISIANA COLLEGES ADMISSIONS POLICIES REGIONAL: Grambling, LSU-A, LSU-S, McNeese, Southern, & SUNO 2.0 GPA OR 20 ACT Northwestern Minimum 2.35 “Overall” GPA and one of the following: 20 ACT OR 2.0 “Core” GPA Nicholls One of the following: 21 ACT OR 2.35 “Overall” GPA Southeastern & ULM Minimum 2.35 “Overall” GPA and one of the following: 21 ACT OR 2.0 “Core” GPA Open Admissions-all community colleges

12. APPLYING FOR ADMISSION Submit the following : Application (colleges prefer online application); Test Scores (ACT or SAT I and/or II); Transcripts (in-state public colleges can get student transcripts online; if applying out-of-state, or to private colleges see Ms. Beth); Essays if required; CSS Profile, if required Apply early – before Christmas; students must be accepted for admissions before being considered for financial aid Out-of-State Early Decision – Binding agreement Early Action – Not binding

13. ACT & SAT College entrance exams Louisiana is an ACT state Out-of-state schools may vary – some require one or the other. Check the schools websites! SAT I & SAT II (subject area tests) Cost - ACT - $39.50; SAT - $54.50 Dates listed on pg. 9 of Planning My Future booklet

14. ACT READINESS SCORES Data provided by ACT indicates that the following ACT scores indicate “readiness for college” English – 18 Math – 22 Reading – 22 Science - 23 ACT cutoff scores for remedial courses in LA English – 18 Math - 19

15. NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER For any athlete hoping to play at the college level, see Mrs. Maise Must complete application online Must meet ACT and Core GPA requirements Website: www.eligibilitycenter.org

16. FINANCIAL AID Scholarships – varies per school Grants – Pell, SEOG, Go Grant Loans – Perkins, Subsidized & Unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS Work Study Program TOPS PARENT FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP Jan. 28, 2016

17. TOPS (see your child’s TOPS report) Opportunity Award – 2.5 core GPA & 20 ACT = free tuition @ state universities Performance Award – 3.0 core GPA & 23 ACT = free tuition @ state un. PLUS $400 stipend Honors Award – 3.0 core GPA & 27 ACT = free tuition @ state un. PLUS $800 stipend

19. TOPS TECH AWARD 2.5 Core GPA & 17 ACT Two Options for Core Curriculum Go to www.osfa.la.gov for details or see handoutwww.osfa.la.

20. TOPS Students are allowed to go out-of-state and return to a Louisiana college and claim the remainder of TOPS eligibility. You may also start in LA, go out-of-state, then return and claim the remainder of your TOPS. LOSFA recommends sending them your ACT/SAT scores. Code for ACT is 1595 and SAT is 9010.

21. What you need to know before your first year of college…… College credits College schedules College roommates Learn to wash clothes & clean Learn to cook, if you live in an apartment

22. What you need to know before your first year of college…… Learn to manage money – be careful with credit cards Choose friends wisely Use a planner Learn to say “Sorry I can’t go out, I have to study.” It’s okay to be homesick!

23. ALTERNATIVES TO A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE Community College – Delgado, BRCC, River Parishes CC Proprietary Schools – Beauty school, court reporting school, etc. Technical College – River Parishes, Jefferson, etc. Apprenticeships Military

24. SENIOR BULLETIN Main means of communication Distributed every Monday morning in homeroom Includes information about colleges, scholarships, diplomas, TOPS, etc. Ask your child to share the bulletin with you or log on to the DHS website www.stcharles.k12.la.us/destrehan

25. I am here to help… If you would like to discuss your child’s future, call my secretary, Mrs. Pizzitola at 764-9872 to set up an appointment. My email: bmaise@stcharles.k12.la.us Thank you & have a nice evening!