1. Let’s Get College-Ready
Riverside High School

2. A planning list for parents of ninth- and 10th - graders
You CAN go to college!
Your GPA is looking good!
You show a desire to go!
You have supportive parents and adults to help you!
You can find money to attend!
A planning list for parents of ninth- and 10th - graders

3. Look at the difference going to college can make!
Median Annual Household Income

4. There is a college out there for everyone
Open Enrollment – anyone can attend (no GPA requirement)
All community colleges
Selective Colleges – admission is competitive (3.5+ GPA)
Highly Selective Colleges – admission is HIGHLY competitive (4.0+ GPA)
Some colleges fit into the gap between selective and open enrollment (2.0+ GPA)
All colleges in the UNC System require a 2.5+ GPA
Fall 2010 Average SAT of First-Time Freshmen and Is Community College Right For You?

5. Keep these questions in mind when making decisions in high school:
What are you good at?
What are you interested in?
What is your career interest?
Where do you want to go?
What steps do you need to take to reach your goal?
Choose classes, activities, and colleges based on your answers to these questions.

6. Academics Know the Future-Ready Core Work on your Grade Point Average
Take a rigorous course of study
Improve your class rank
Excel on your college entrance exams

7. Future-Ready Core Graduation Requirements
4 English
4 Math
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Advanced Math beyond Algebra II
3 Science – A Physical Science, Biology, Earth/Environmental
3 Social Studies – World History, Civics and Economics, US History
2 Levels of the same Foreign Language
2 Courses in a specified area – Band, Art, Agriculture, Health Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, etc…
4 Courses in a specified area are recommended
1 Computer Course
1 Health/PE

8. GPA – Grade Point Average Each grade is awarded a point value
GPA – Grade Point Average Each grade is awarded a point value. #1 Criteria in College Admissions
Unweighted
Unweighted GPA is your TRUE GPA.
Unweighted GPA is important for NC Scholars – you have to have a 3.5 unweighted to be considered
Unweighted GPA is also important in some scholarships
Weighted
Weighted GPA averages in 1 extra grade point for each honors class and 2 extra grade points for each Advanced Placement (AP) class.
Colleges look at weighted GPA
Weighted GPA is important when deciding marshals, National Honor Society, Honor Graduates, and many scholarships
Weighted GPA shows colleges that you took the most rigorous course of study that you could.
Calculating Your GPA

9. Rigorous Course of Study Rigor - : a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable (M-W.com)
Rigorous = Challenging!
A rigorous course of study means taking the most challenging courses that you can. It can include Honors and AP classes and college classes if possible
Rigor does not end your junior year. Colleges want to see you taking challenging academic subjects your senior year.
Rigorous Courses

10. Class Rank Where you fall in the class based upon your weighted GPA.
Given great consideration by most colleges
Highly selective schools only want the top students
Selective schools also want the top 10.

11. College Entrance Exams
SAT
Predicts how well you will do in college – there will be lots on this test that you have not seen or done. They want to test your ability to problem-solve or “reason”
Reading, Math, and Writing sections
Take in the spring of your junior year and in the fall of your senior year
College Board offers this test
ACT
Unlike the SAT, the ACT tests what you should have already learned at a certain point.
Tests English, math, science, and reading
Take along with the SAT.
Offered by ACT – American College Testing

12. Preparing for College Entrance Exams

13. Activities

14. College Eligibility Requirements: Playing College Sports
To play sports at a college, you have to be able to accepted at that school!
There are different divisions of athletics. Division I is the most selective in academics and athletics.
There may be Division II schools that you could qualify for, too, if your athletic ability is not what Division I is looking for.
All colleges look at your core GPA and your SAT to determine eligibility. Core GPA is your GPA in your English, Math, Science, and Social Studies

15. Financial Aid Handouts and Scholarships
Paying for College
Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Offered by universities; based on GPA, rank, community service, and leadership
General Scholarships
Have different criteria depending upon who is offering them; local scholarships are usually general
Scholarship opportunities are endless!
CFNC.org
Riverside High School website
Other school websites
Google searches
List of scholarships advertised here
Most scholarships are competitive in nature
Financial Aid
Grants, scholarships, and loans obtained by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is money offered by the federal government and state government through colleges and universities
The amount you are eligible for is based on your EFC (expected family contribution)
Financial Aid Handouts and Scholarships

16. Getting College-Ready

17. Permission Slip, Itinerary, and Emergency Form
College Tours!
1st Tour – East Carolina University and Pitt Community College
March 23rd. Depart at 8:00 A.M. and return around 4:00 P.M.
Wear school uniforms
Lunch and snacks will be provided
Sign permission slips and leave here with us.
Permission Slip, Itinerary, and Emergency Form