1. Welcome 12th Grade Senior Parents
Hosted By WFHS Counseling

4. West Forsyth High School
Vision
Inspiring Innovative Leaders
Mission
To provide the students of WFHS a comprehensive education preparing them to inspire, innovate, and lead.
Motto
We Excel and Succeed Together

5. Vision: Success for all
Mission: To create the ideal learning environment
Motto: Putting smiles on faces
Beliefs:
Collaboration is essential to professional and personal growth.
Instruction must be engaging.
Relationships are the key to success.
Communication with all stakeholders is vital.
Serving others is first priority.

8. Focuses for the 2017-18 School Year
Building Relationships
Instructional / Peer Coaching
Improving Communication

9. Make this the best day ever. I am West Forsyth! We are family!
Be awesome.
Have fun.
Make this the best day ever.
I am West Forsyth! We are family!

10. Senior Class Sponsor: Jenny Gilmore
Senior dues ONLINE ONLY for the Class of  
Please pay Senior dues at 
Dues:
$115  before September 15*
$125  September 16-March 14*
$150  March 15-April 28* 
$175  April 28-May 25- cap/gown will be shipped to student's home; additional shipping charges may apply 
*Cap/gown will be delivered to the school.  Pick-up date will be announced in March.
Senior dues: pay for Cap, Gown, Tassel, Senior gift, Senior breakfast, Senior baccalaureate reception, Graduation programs, Gwinnett Arena rental, diploma covers, and diploma. 

11. Senior Class Contacts
 Jenny Gilmore - Senior Class sponsor
Sean Smith - Balfour representative  
Maureen Farry - yearbook  
Andy Coleman - yard signs/banners

12. WFHS PTO Involvement
The PTO supports the students, teachers and staff with scholarships, teacher grants, and much more with your membership dues of ONLY $20!
You can join online via our website: or by printing the membership form and turning it into the main office in a  labeled envelope with ‘WFHS PTO. 
Opportunities to Get Involved: Hospitality - Volunteer to make/serve food for student & teacher appreciation activities. Membership Committee - Help with membership activities and input of membership forms. Student Appreciation Committee - Help with planning student appreciation activities. Teacher Appreciation Committee - Help with planning teacher appreciation activities. Copy Mom/Dad – Help make copies for teachers. Volunteer List - Can’t commit to something in particular? We can use you for various one time projects. s will be sent when we need people and, if you’re available, you can sign-up to help. To volunteer for the above opportunities, please contact us at: and also stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

13. PTO Board
Co-Presidents- Jessie Raymond and Kelly Wilson-Pellino
VP of Communications- Lori Kneeburg
VP of Student Relations- Joy Burns
VP of Teacher Relations- Melanie Bartholomew Treasurer- Kari Prinke Secretary- Laurie Vandergrift Parliamentarian- Jennie Jones
We look forward to meeting you and welcome your participation, suggestions, and comments. Thank you for your continued support!! WFHS PTO Board

14. Counseling Department
Deven Eberhardt: A-CH
Jennifer Ciaccio: Ci-F
Cassie Chumbler: G-Ka
Donovan Hollis: Ke-Nel
Kim Spence: Ner-Sh
Allison Rinehart: Si-Z

15. Principal: Karl Mercer
Administration Team
Principal: Karl Mercer
Assistant Principal: Molly Bradley
Assistant Principal: Bob Carnaroli
Assistant Principal: Tom Fowler
Assistant Principal: Tony Norce
Assistant Principal: Matt Woodley
Graduation Coach: Lindsey Needham
Assistant Administrator: Aaron Archambeau
Assistant Administrator: Judy Hollandsworth
Athletic Director: Brett Phipps

16. Graduation Requirements
4 English credits
4 Math credits
4 Science credits
3 Social Studies
3 Career/Fine Arts/World Language
Health/Personal Fitness
4 additional electives
23 Total Units

17. Pathway Recognition Career Tech Recognition Fine Art Recognition
Advanced Academic Recognition
World Language Recognition

18. SAT/ACT Calendar
See handout for dates/locations and registration information.
Prep Options
Do you need to take SAT?
Send scores to respective colleges directly.
High School Code:

19. SAT/ACT Calendar Type of Test SAT ACT Test Dates Score Range
Test of critical thinking and problem solving
ACT
Content-based test
Test Dates
August 26
October 7
November 4
December 2
March 10
May 5
September 9
October 28
December 9
February 10
April 14
June 9
Score Range
1 - 36
Penalty for Wrong Answers No
Structure
Critical Thinking
Math (through Alg. II)
Writing
English
Math (through Trigonometry)
Reading
Science Reasoning
Writing (Optional)

20. Ready? Set? Go!!! What still needs to be done?
Complete college research & college applications
Understand the difference between being able to get into a college and being able to AFFORD a college.
Understand the difference between high school graduation requirements and college entrance requirements
Understand that there are high school deadlines and college deadlines for admissions, scholarships, NCAA, HOPE, FAFSA
Submit all requests for transcripts, evaluations and letters by the high school deadline
Research scholarships and financial aid

21. College Research Review
What am I looking for?
Size, location, costs, majors, clubs/groups, etc.
How does the BIG 3 affect my admissions?
GPA, SAT/ACT, Curriculum Strength
Have I narrowed my list down to 5-7 schools?
1-2 Dream, 2-3 Reach, 2-3 Safety

22. Review Plan a visit to tour the campus Attend College Fairs
Meet with the college representatives when they come to WFHS
Calculate your academic GPA (most colleges only consider academic courses) where 90+ = 4, = 3, = 2, and 0-69 = 0.
** Always contact the college to verify how they actually recalculate your GPA.

23. GA Futures (www.gafutures.org)
Important Resources
GA Futures (
Bigfuture (

24. University of Georgia and Georgia Tech
Fall of 2017 PROFILE
Total Applicants : 24,500
Total Enrolled: 5,800
Middle 50% Core GPA: 4.0
Middle 50% (SAT) 1344
Middle 50% ACT: 30
Middle 50% AP/IB/DE Courses 4 – 9
EARLY ACTION: October 15th
Foundation Fellowship: November 1st
REGULAR DECISION: January 1st
**You must submit your application before you request a transcript from the counseling office.
**If you are applying for the Honors College, you will have to submit a separate application and transcript.
Georgia Tech
Fall of 2017 PROFILE
Total Applicants: 31,504
Total Enrolled: 1,260
Middle 50%: A Average
Middle 50% (CR+M+W):
Middle 50%: 30-34
Middle 50% AP/IB/DE Courses 8-13
EARLY ACTION: October 15th
REGULAR DECISION: January 1st
**You will have to complete the Common Application .

25. Other Four Year Georgia Schools
Valdosta State
Avg. GPA: 3.15
Avg. SAT: CR/540 Math/510
Avg. ACT: 22
Kennesaw State University
Avg. GPA: 3.22
Avg. SAT: CR 490/MA 460
Avg. ACT: English 20/Math 19
University West Georgia
Avg. GPA: 3.11
Avg. SAT: CR/485 Math/476
Avg. ACT: 20
Georgia State University
Avg. GPA:
Avg. SAT: 1120
Avg. ACT: 24
Georgia Gwinnett College
Min. GPA: 2.0
SAT: CR 480/ MA 460
ACT: English 21/ Math 19
COMPASS: 32 ENG, 62 CR, 20 MA
University of North Georgia
Avg. GPA: 3.62
Avg. SAT: 1120
Avg. ACT: 24
Columbus State University
Min GPA: 2.5
Min SAT: CR 440/ MA 410
Min ACT: English 17/Math 17
Georgia Southern University
Avg. GPA: 3.24
Min. SAT: 1010
Min. ACT: 21

26. Two Year Schools in Georgia
Oxford College Of Emory University
Oxford, GA
Avg. GPA:
SAT:
ACT: 20-34
Georgia Military College
Milledgeville , GA
Min. GPA: 2.39
SAT: 920
ACT: 19
Georgia Perimeter College
Alpharetta, GA
Min. GPA: 2.0
Accepting SAT/ACT or COMPASS
University of North Georgia:
2-year College – Oconee, Forsyth , Watkinsville
SAT: MA 310, CR 330
ACT: MA 14, ENG 12

27. Technical Colleges in Georgia
Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA
Accepting COMPASS if you do not meet the min. SAT/ACT
Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta, GA
SAT: MA 410, CR 410
ACT: 18
Chattahoochee Technical College
Marietta, GA
ACT: 19
SAT: CR 460, MA 440
or COMPASS
Lanier Technical College
Cumming, GA
Accepting COMPASS if you do not meet the min. SAT/ACT

28. Military Options in Georgia
Georgia Army National Guard
SSG WYCHE
NAVY
Keith Bostick
EM1
US ARMY
John C. Hughes
Sergeant First Class
MARINES
SSGT Mitchell Hamilton

29. College Applications #1
Complete your applications
Online is best option.
Common App ( – allows you to apply to over 400 colleges with one application. You will need to invite your counselor to complete your evaluation by submitting their address. Make sure you have their correct address!
**Make sure you verify the application deadline
for each individual college that you are applying to.

30. College Applications #2
TRANSCRIPT REQUEST PROCESS:
Please visit  pay for your transcript.
Each transcript request is $4.
Instate: Transcripts will be submitted electronically.
Out of State: you must submit payment through AND get an envelope from the counseling office, address it to the college admissions office, and provide 3 stamps.
**For Common App, you only need to make one transcript request for the schools that you applying to through that site.

31. College Applications #2 (cont.)
Very Important!
There is a two week (business day) notification period for transcripts that require counselor recommendations or evaluations to be submitted with your transcript request.
Example: Any one applying to UGA or Tech early application (deadline Oct. 15th) should have their transcript request in by Sept 22nd at the latest!
Example: For any January 1st deadlines, request should be into the counseling office by December 4th at the latest!

32. College Applications #3
Counselor Evaluations and Recommendations:
These are not required for every school, so check the college’s application requirements to verify if you need these or not.
If needed, turn in to your counselor a completed Senior Profile Sheet that can be found on the WFHS Counseling website (please save a copy of this for your records).
**Reminder: request should be made at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.

33. College Applications #3 con’t
Very Important!
If the recommendation or evaluation request is going to be made electronically, it is your responsibility to check with your counselor to make sure that they have received the notification. Make sure you have their correct address!

34. College Applications #4
Teacher recommendations:
If a teacher recommendation is needed, please give them a 2– 3 week notice, you will submit to your recommender stamped and addressed envelopes for each of the schools that you would like a letter sent to.
Just as with your counselor, if the request is made electronically you will need to verify with your recommender, that they have received the request. Make sure you have their correct address!

35. College Applications #5
Make sure that you have sent your ACT, SAT, or both scores to each of the schools that you are applying to!
SAT –
ACT –

36. Step – By - Step
For your convenience, all of the steps of the application procedures are posted on the WFHS Counseling Website.

37. All Done?
Check all of your application requirements to make sure that you have submitted all needed documentation! Some colleges or programs may require supplemental information (Common App), portfolios, interviews, etc.
Please see your counselor for any questions!
Continue to work hard in school because college acceptances are not guaranteed and can be rescinded.
Start thinking about which school you will attend if you are accepted.
Find some scholarship money!

38. Early Action/Early Decision
Not binding – if student is accepted, not obligated to attend.
Binding – if student accepted, obligated to withdraw all other applications.

39. WFHS Cumulative GPA ≠ HOPE GPA
HOPE Scholarship
Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school
Be registered for Selective Service (males only)
Meet Georgia residency requirements
3.0 CORE GPA (all academic courses only)
**English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language
AP quality pts. (only .50 given for AP, nothing above a 4.0)
RIGOR Requirement - FOUR rigor Courses.
Middle school credit is not calculated in the HOPE GPA
All calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, and not by WFHS or Forsyth Co. Schools.
HOPE GPA is not rounded up, so 2.99 does not qualify.
WFHS Cumulative GPA ≠ HOPE GPA

40. HOPE Scholarship
Covers a percentage % of tuition (based on Lottery Funds)
Award Amounts: $$$ varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending (public/private).

41. Zell Miller Scholarship
Covers 100% of tuition (based on Lottery Funds)
Requirements:
Must meet all the requirements to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, plus:
Core GPA of 3.70
1,200 SAT (CR+MA) on a single test administration or a 26 composite on the ACT
RIGOR Requirement – FOUR rigor Courses.

42. How to Keep HOPE/Zell Miller
Students must maintain a 3.0+ GPA in college to receive HOPE Scholarship.
If a student falls below 3.0 they may only regain the HOPE Scholarship one time, if their GPA returns to or higher.
Zell Miller:
Students must maintain a 3.3+ GPA in college to receive Zell Miller Scholarship.
If a student falls below 3.3 they may only regain the Zell Miller Scholarship one time, if their GPA returns to 3.3+ or higher. (As long as student’s GPA does not fall below 3.0, this student is still eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship)

43. All HOPE is Not Lost!
Did you know that if you graduate from high school with less than a 3.0 GPA, you could still earn HOPE once you get into college?
At 30, 60, or 90 hours, if a once ineligible student earns a 3.0+, they become HOPE eligible.
This does not apply to Zell Miller. Students have to be eligible for Zell Miller upon graduating from high school, to receive the award at any point in college.

44. HOPE at Private Institutions
HOPE Scholarship (Enrolled Full-Time)
$4,056 per year award
ZELL MILLER (Enrolled Full-Time)
$4,480 per year award

45. HOPE Grant
Pays a percentage of tuition at all Georgia Technical Colleges
Graduate from a Hope-eligible high school
NO GPA requirement
Technical College System (based on 12 hours per year) $1,680 (HOPE) and $2,136 (Zell)

46. How to Apply Apply for the HOPE
Applying for HOPE, Zell Miller, or HOPE Grant – Complete FAFSA starting October, 2016.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) -
View your HOPE average
Go to and login to your account. There is a link titled calculate my HOPE GPA.
For Additional Information on HOPE
Contact Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) or

47. Other Scholarship Options
College based: check college financial aid websites for criteria and categories.
Community based: church, civic groups, local organizations.
Private based: parents place of work, FREE scholarship search through websites.
Visit the WFHS Counseling Website.

48. NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center
If you are planning on participating in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution you must register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center
Access the registration materials by visiting the NCAA website
When taking the SAT/ACT, enter 9999 for scores to be sent to NCAA
Students and parents are responsible for determining
NCAA eligibility to Division I and Division II schools
Counselor’s are neither responsible nor allowed
to determine eligibility

49. Senior Reminders Wednesday, October 11th is the PSAT OPTIONS:
Utilize as a college visit day
Participate in planned morning activity (early release day)
Scheduled college representative visits on WFHS campus. Listen to the announcements and check the website!
Check out the senior bulletin board on the main hallway by the food court
Sign in the Blue Book to have your colleges added to the “WFHS Seniors Are Going Places” board.

50. Financial Aid Night Date: November 7th Time: 6:30pm
Location: WFHS Cafe
FAFSA
Apply for PIN #

51. Annual Apply to College Night
Date: October 5th
Time: 2:00pm-6:00
Location: WFHS Media Center
Please reserve your spot by going onto mypaymentsplus.com and make your $10 payment

52. Questions Visit the WFHS Counseling website!
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