1. Senior Planning

2. 10th-12th Grade Counselors
Ms. Nikki Johnson
Last Names A-Cl
Mrs. Abbey Youngblood
Last Names Cm-Harr
Mrs. Teresa Wilson
Last Names Hars-Lee
Mrs. Ashley Morris
Last Names Lef-O
Ms. Dolly Glisson
Last Names P-Sl
Mr. Joseph Pak
Last Names Sm-Z

3. Overview of Graduation
Requirements

4. High School Graduation Requirements
4 credits of Language Arts
4 credits of Math
3 credits of Social Studies (World History, US History and
Political Systems/Economics)
4 credits of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and another Science)
3 credits of CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Foreign Lang.
(2 years of foreign language required for many colleges)
4 Additional elective credits for all students
1 unit of Intro. to Lifetime Fitness/Health (.5 of each) or 3 credits of JROTC
23 total credits required

5. Senior Application for Graduation: Fall 2017 for current juniors

6. Gateway Test
Students must pass each section of the Gateway in order to receive a high school diploma at graduation
2 sections: Science and Social Studies
Tests administered at PRHS
When do students take this test?
10th: Spring, Summer
11th: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
12th: Fall, Winter, Spring

7. Additional Testing PSAT -Fall of 10th, 11th (Optional)
SAT -Spring of 11th (Recommended)
ACT -Spring of 11th (Recommended)
SAT II -Optional
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams (Recommended/Optional)
SAT/ACT fee waivers are available for Juniors & Seniors on free/reduced lunch
PSAT: can qualify for National Merit contention if taken Junior Year

8. Upcoming SAT Test Dates collegeboard.org

9. Upcoming ACT Test Dates act.org

10. Post Secondary Options
Military
Four year College/University
Georgia State, UGA
Two year College
Perimeter College at Georgia State
Technical College
Gwinnett Tech, Chattahoochee Tech
Military Service
Work force
Other Opportunities
Missionary Work, Study Abroad
Georgia State
Workforce

11. What are Colleges Looking for?
Core classes
Rank in class
Interests
Tests
Essays
Recommendations
Interviews
Academic GPA
Do your research and make sure you meet the basic requirements for admission!

12. Suggested to narrow list of schools to 3-5
Preparing for College
Compare Colleges
gafutures.org, bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Atlanta National College Fair (Sunday, March 19, 2017)
Georgia International Convention Center- 12:30-4:00pm
Attend college open houses
Attend college visits at PRHS
Virtual Campus Tours
Ecampustours.com, collegeweeklive.com
Suggested to narrow list of schools to 3-5

13. Choosing a College: Factors to Consider
Location – distance from home, urban, rural
Size – enrollment, class size
Cost – public or private
Academic – majors offered
Admission requirements – deadlines, average test scores, GPA, rank, AP/IB recognition policies
Housing – residence halls, meal plans
Activities – Greek life, athletics, organizations

14. College Application Process: What to Expect Senior Year
Electronic application preferred by most colleges
Georgia colleges-create an account at
ADHERE TO DEADLINES
Submit most recent transcript
Online via gafutures - free (in-state colleges only)
Paper copy from counseling- $5 per copy hr processing time; student must pick up and mail to college
Non-gafutures electronic transcripts are a one time fee of $5
Final transcripts are not sent electronically
Be sure you have completed everything on the admissions checklist
Incomplete applications are not viewed by colleges
Student is responsible for sending test scores electronically
Application fees/fee waivers MUST be submitted
Only submit those items that the college is requesting
Letters of Recommendation can be from teacher &/or counselor depending on the school

15. College Admissions Data

18. Paying for College: Financial Aid
PRHS Financial Aid Night
August 2017 at PRHS
Zell/HOPE Scholarship (gafutures.org)
Must have SSN on file at PRHS to be eligible to receive HOPE
Complete FAFSA or GSFAPPS during senior year to apply
Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is the application most colleges use to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs
FAFSA window opens in October of each year *new*
Must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident to apply
College & University Scholarships
Counseling Office Scholarship Listing
As we are notified of opportunities, scholarships are posted on the PRHS Counseling Website

19. A STUDENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY CARD MUST BE ON FILE TO RECEIVE HOPE
HOPE Scholarship
The Zell Miller Scholarship
3.7 Academic GPA with 1200 combined Math & Reading on the SAT or 26 ACT (both are in a single national test administration)
Meet 4 credit rigor requirement
Covers full tuition at in-state public schools
Must maintain a 3.3 GPA once enrolled in college
HOPE Scholarship
3.0 Academic GPA
Must meet 4 credit rigor requirement
Covers roughly 80% tuition at in-state public schools
Must maintain a 3.0 GPA once enrolled in college
HOPE Grant
No specific high school GPA required
Available for certain technical programs
Must maintain a 2.0 GPA once enrolled in technical college
Final HOPE GPA calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)
More information on HOPE is available at gafutures.org *requirements are subject to change
A STUDENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY CARD MUST BE ON FILE TO RECEIVE HOPE

20. Preliminary HOPE Scholarship Calculation
Students can access their preliminary HOPE GPA after each semester by logging in to their gafutures.org account
A student’s social security number must be on file at PRHS in order to access the preliminary HOPE calculation
A student must include their full name, date of birth, and social security number in their Georgia Futures profile, which must also match what is on file at PRHS
HOPE GPA is usually updated by the second week of 2nd semester and 2nd week of June (PRHS does not control this timeline)
For specific questions regarding the calculation process, please contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission at

21. What can SOPHOMORE students be doing now???
Plan next year’s classes appropriately based on future goals
Become more involved in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, volunteering, etc.)
Start a portfolio or resume
Explore post-secondary options
Begin thinking about potential colleges and majors
Create an account on
Turn in a copy of your student’s social security card to the Counseling Office

22. Helpful Resources

23. PRHS Counseling Website http://prhsguidance.onmycalendar.com/

24. Georgia Futures gafutures.org

25. Big Future bigfuture.collegeboard.org

26. Questions?