1. Your future begins with you – it’s your journey.
HHS Class of 2018
Your future begins with you –
it’s your journey.

2. Meet your Counselors! A-Er Mrs. Harris Es-Lam Dr. Kelpsh
Lan-Roo Ms. Robbins
Rop-Z Mr. Evans

3. Confidentiality The counseling office is a safe place
We respect you and your right to privacy and confidentiality
Exceptions:
Self-harm
Harm to others or yourself
Knowledge of others being harmed
The law requires us to report it
Our first priority is to keep our students safe!

4. Community Assistance Cards
Cards with community resources that one may need
Suicide prevention
24-hour hotlines
Domestic violence
Substance abuse
Food banks
Shelters
Available in the Counseling Office
HUSD Local Resource Guide: es.pdf

5. Career Center Mrs. Smith Career Specialist
Career questions
Looking for a job
Information on scholarships and financial aid
College visits
PSAT/SAT/ACT testing info, test prep sessions and study guides
Military

6. Senior Action Plan Graduation Requirements Credit Checks/Transcript
Letters of Recommendation/Resume
Post-Grad/Career Options
College Applications
Financial Aid
Scholarships

7. Graduation Requirements
Curriculum
Graduation
AZ University Entrance
English
4 credits
Math
Science
3 credits
Social Studies
2 credits
Foreign Language -
2 (two years of the same language)
Fine Arts OR CTE
1 credit
Physical Education
Electives
6 credits
TOTAL
22 credits
and must pass the Civics Test 16
Grade Point Average
No Minimum GPA
Unconditional admission:
3.0 unweighted core GPA
No deficiencies (minimum 2.0 in any subject area)

9. Class Rank vs GPA
What is the point of taking weighted classes if the universities look at unweighted core GPA?
Class rank is weighted. Universities and some scholarships look at both unweighted core course work and weighted class rank.

10. How can I walk with my friends in May?!?!?!
Behind in credits?
How can I walk with my friends in May?!?!?!
Plan should be in place NOW
Communicate with your counselor
Zero hour classes
Credit recovery classes
Pass all classes
Be positive…I am graduating in May
See your counselor to discuss your options and see what works best for you.

11. Dual Enrollment / AP Dual Enrollment
Credit transfers to in-state and some out-of-state colleges.
Check out the Course Equivalency Guide on AZ Transfer to see how credit transfers in-state.
Dual Enrollment credit does not show up on Higley High School transcripts. You must order your transcript from CGCC.
*It’s not too late to sign up for dual enrollment – sign up now!!
*CGCC Dual Enrollment $86 per credit hour vs. In-State University $900-$1,000 per credit hour
Advanced Placement (AP)
Many colleges and universities offer credit or placement for certain AP scores. You can find a college’s AP credit policy on College Board’s website:

12. Letters of Recommendation
Required for many universities and scholarships
Be proactive – some programs require letters before fall break
What makes YOU stand out? This is your time to shine!
Appointment with the counselor is recommended
Give your recommender 2 weeks to complete the letter. Letters will not be written over breaks and breaks do not count as the two week notice.
Form available in Career Center (helpful to include resume)

13. Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Why Create A Resume?
Scholarships
College Admissions
Employment
Community Service
Letters of Recommendation
Sports/Coaches
When you are asking someone to write a letter of recommendation, you need to give them at least 2 weeks notice.
Higley Highlights pp
Mrs. Ortega has a different handout on writing personal statements that may be helpful.

14. Post-Secondary Options

15. What are my options? University/College Military Community College
You may take different paths at different times in your life. Keep your career goals in mind and take the path the best suits you.
Work
Trade &Technical Schools

16. What is your role? Plan Research Communicate Know your resources
Be on time – watch deadlines
Ask for help

17. Community Colleges
Wide range of occupational, vocational and educational programs
Prerequisites, then transfer to university
Certificate programs and Associate’s Degree programs
The Accuplacer Placement Test is required and is given at the Community College campuses
Higley Highlights p. 7 gives you basic information about some of the different community colleges along with their websites.
Higley Highlights p. 13 (bottom) gives information of programs offered at some community colleges.

18. Career Opportunities And many more! Mesa CC Construction Drafting
Chandler Gilbert CC
Aircraft Construction Technology
Aircraft Maintenance
Aviation
Equine Science
Golf Course Operations
Media Arts: Dig. Imaging
Early Childhood Programs
Gateway CC
Court Reporting
Automotive Technology (Partnership w/ Nissan & Toyota)
Hydrologic Studies
Nursing
Respiratory Therapist
Medical Radiographer
Central Arizona College
Dietetic Education
Heavy Diesel
Massage Therapy
Welding
John Deere Program
Mesa CC
Construction Drafting
Para-Medicine
Police Academy Preparation
Nursing
Firefighting
Scottsdale CC
Culinary Arts
Radiography
Yoga Teaching Certification
Speech-Language Pathology
Broadcasting
And many more!

19. Community Colleges Open Admissions Policy Apply in 2nd semester at
Maricopa Colleges or
Central Arizona College

20. Trade & Technical Schools
Vary in size, entry requirements, cost and quality.
Research
Visit the school
Talk with students and employers
Look for internship opportunities

21. Military
The U.S. Military is one of the largest employers of vocational programs in the world.
**The ASVAB exam will take place on November 2nd. Sign up in the Career Center.
This is a good opportunity to have your college paid for, just be aware that before you sign on the dotted line, there is a service commitment.
Military visits Higley Highlights p. 2
Explore career options available through each of the military branches
College tuition and scholarship opportunities
Check in the Career Center for dates of Military Rep visits
Remember to involve your parents in the process 21 21 21

22. In-State University Admissions
Assured Admission:
3.0 unweighted core GPA or better in the 16 core courses
No deficiencies in core courses (minimum 2.00 in any subject area)
Some majors have higher requirements for admission
Delegated Admission:
2.5 unweighted core GPA or better in the 16 core courses
No more than 2 deficiencies (minimum 2.00 in any subject area)
Deficiencies cannot be in both math and science
Competencies may also be met by ACT/SAT test scores 
Calculate your core GPA using the calculator on the HHS Counseling website

23. Apply online – applications are open!
Check deadlines on the school’s website
ASU – VIP/Priority admission 11/1
NAU – for those already admitted: merit scholarship notifications in August, housing application opens 9/1 UA
Request transcript to be sent to university AFTER you have applied
An Official Transcript Request Form can be filled out in the Career Center.
Option of self-reporting grades on application
Don’t forget, colleges have application fees
University information in Higley Highlights p. 6
If you need the contact information for Higley’s representative for a particular university, see Mrs. Ortega in the Career Center

24. In-State University Honors Programs
Most schools have higher admissions requirements
ASU separate application
NAU separate application
UA no separate application, students will be invited to apply based on the information provided on their general admissions application

25. Private and Out of State Colleges
When to apply – Check each school’s website – these vary significantly!
Highly selective schools have earlier deadlines (Early Action, Early Decision)
May use Common App or SendEdu
HAVE AN IN-STATE BACKUP PLAN!!

26. College Entrance Exams
ACT or SAT - which one should I take?
Check with your University
Some Universities - SAT Subject Tests (not required by in-state schools)
Due to the changes to the SAT, there are almost no differences between the two exams.
What do I need to do?
Check dates and registration deadlines
ACT given 6 times per year
SAT given 7 times per year
Register online
ACT –
SAT –
Review test-taking tips
Take practice exams and/or test prep sessions
Tests can be taken multiple times
SAT/ACT information in Higley Highlights p. 9

27. College Visits Sign up for college visits in the Career Center
Upcoming college visits are posted on the Career Center website
College Night
September 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Higley High School

28. Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Create parent and student FSA ID
Apply ON or AFTER October 1st senior year. Update annually.
FAFSA Priority Deadlines
ASU 1/1
UA 3/1
NAU 11/15
Apply for FAFSA AZ College Goal FAFSA Workshop
November 16th during school
Financial Aid Night
November 16th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Higley High School
College Goal AZ FAFSA Community Events – free assistance with FAFSA completion

29. Scholarship Information
Academic and Merit - top GPA and high test scores
Merit Estimator on college websites and Career Center website
Separate application is not required for in-state
Check college websites for additional scholarship opportunities
Scholarships available from businesses, civic groups, government, church, etc.
Athletic, minority, creative, unusual, community service, and more!
Scholarship information is available on the Career Center website and in AzCIS
Apply early and apply often!

30. Community College Scholarships
Maricopa Community College
Presidential Scholarship pays for tuition and fees to 15 credit hours for four consecutive semesters as long as student maintains academic standards.
*May qualify via placement test scores, rank in top 20% of class
* May qualify via placement test scores, 3.0 GPA and does not rank in the top 20%

31. NCAA Plan Ahead Division I or II Schools 16 Core Courses
GPA/SAT or ACT requirements
Meet with your counselor
Higley Highlights p. 12
is a great website to track your process through the NCAA and it gives you some background to how the whole NCAA process works. CHECK IT OUT!

32. Making Your Decision “Decision Making is a Process, not an Event”
Visit campuses over fall break - each one has a different personality and different characteristics
Keep applying for scholarships – lack of finances is a huge reason why students decide not to attend their preferred college
Apply now, get accepted, do financial aid, THEN decide where to attend.

33. Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP)
AzCIS (replaced Naviance)
Information on the HHS Counseling website
Personal assessments
Career planning
Resume building
College search
Scholarships

34. Make your Senior Year Count
What is Senioritis?!
Attendance
After 10th class period absence – placed on audit status (no credit)
Stay active and involved
Maintain a challenging course load
Talk to adults in the field you want to pursue
HAVE FUN!

35. Questions?
Visit Mrs. Smith in the Career Center or go to the HHS Career Center website:
Schedule an appointment with your counselor

36. Higley High School Graduation
Academic Goals Met
Higley High School Graduation
ASU – Wells Fargo Arena
May 24, 2018