1. CAUTION: Your FUTURE Ahead!!!
A Guide for Planning Throughout High School for Post-High School Success

2. DBHS Counseling Office
Jonathan Odom: Students A-F
Regina Cox: Students G-M
Julie Gentry: Students N-Z
Niswonger College & Career Counselor: Jessica Jennings
NESCC College Access Program: John Adcox
DBHS Counseling Office

3. Tips for College & Career Planning

4. Start Now….
The college and career planning process is ongoing and takes place throughout high school.
Preparing and planning throughout your high school years will help when managing time once you begin your senior year.
THE EARLIER YOU BEGIN THE COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING PROCESS, THE BETTER!!!!
To better prepare, check out this college planning timeline!

5. Review Courses You are Taking in High School
DO NOT TAKE THE EASY ROAD!!!
Check your course selections to make sure they are challenging!
Colleges/Employers will review the courses taken throughout high school; the more challenging the course, the better it looks!
ALL grades your senior year are important!!!
Review: Each year, all grades are important! Keep them up; especially your senior year!!

6. Keep in Mind: Factors in the College Admission Decision
NACAC Admissions Trend Survey 2011

7. Attendance is Important
In order to be successful, YOU MUST BE HERE!!!
Colleges and employers will look at your attendance.
Letters of recommendation could be impacted by your attendance.
If you do not have good attendance, individuals could assume the trend will carry once you leave high school.
Be here to be the best prepared you can be!!!

8. Beware of Social Media Once you post it, it’s there to stay!
College admissions reps and employers may “review” your social media profiles.
Think before you post!!

9. Research Colleges
Begin to make a list of potential post-high school institutions that interest you.
Research the schools; find information regarding: location, type of institution, campus life, size, admissions requirements, & cost/financial aid/scholarships.
Compare information between colleges and start narrowing down your list of choices.
Use the following website to compare up to 3 colleges at a time: colleges

10. Be Organized in Your College Search
Organization is critical!
Begin your research early on to determine the application requirements and deadlines for each college.
Pay attention to the details.
Be sure to submit all materials! (application, transcript, ACT scores, senior year schedule)
Name of College
Application Deadline
Type of Application (online/paper)
Separate Scholarship Application?
Scholarship Application Deadline

11. Be Realistic in the Search!
Browse a school’s website and look at the most recent freshman class profile.
Compare your GPA and ACT/SAT scores to the profile.
Review all of the materials and rank your schools:
Likely to be admitted
Solid chance of being admitted
Possibly out of reach

12. College is a Match to be Made, Not a Prize to be Won!!
Ways Students Match with a College:
Educational Match
Geographical Match
Social Match
Spiritual Match
Other?...

13. Plan College Visits
Schedule college visits. Different schools offer different options, so be sure to contact the school to set-up an appointment/visit.
Possibly plan follow-up visits for your top schools in the summer of junior year/fall of senior year to see what the campus is like school is in full session. This is the best way to get a feel for campus life!
Need financial assistance with making a campus visit? Meet with the Niswonger Counselor at your school to discuss possible options!
Mention that students can request for an excused absence if they would like to make a college visit.

14. Resume Begin compiling a resume.
Many scholarships will ask that you send a resume with your application; if possible, begin working on this early, it will help in completing applications later!
Sample Resume
This form will help with compiling honors/awards you may have received to place on your resume.
Start a folder to keep everything organized!

15. Scholarships Students can begin to research scholarships NOW!
Making a list of scholarships and their deadlines will help when it is time to apply.
Review the Steps for Getting a Scholarship to learn more about the scholarship search/application process.

16. TN Hope Scholarship
Must have either a 21 on the ACT OR a 3.0 GPA; apply by completing the FAFSA
Up to $6,000 per year at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution or a two-year eligible postsecondary institution. 
Up to $3,000 per year at an eligible two-year postsecondary institution. 
The award is divided equally between fall, spring and summer semesters. (i.e. If only taking fall/spring classes, students will receive $4,000 or $2,000)

17. Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
How to Qualify: Enroll in a certificate or diploma program at a Tennessee Technology Center.
Available to all students enrolled at a Tennessee Technology Center who are TN residents 1 year prior to the term school begins.
Award Amounts:$2,000 (no more than cost of attendance)
How to Apply: Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.

18. Financial Aid
Students and parents/guardians should have open communication when it comes to talking about financial aid.
Begin discussing plans for application fees and making a list of schools you definitely want to apply to. Remember, each school has a different application fee.
Start discussing realistic financial college expenses. Discuss loans, grants, scholarships, etc. now, so these things do not sneak up on you during your senior year.
Learn more about financial aid:

19. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The FAFSA is the form to complete to receive federal and state funds to further your education.
Students can begin applying January 1 of their senior year.
The sooner you file the FAFSA, the better shot you will have at receiving federal and state funds. Some federal funds are on a first come, first serve basis, so the EARLIER you apply, the better!!
(Only official website to complete the FAFSA)

20. College for TN/Big Future
Choosing your path is a big and exciting decision. Use the following sites to explore your interests and take the time to find a college/career that will put you on a path to a bright future.
College for TN:
Big Future:

21. ACT Prep
Check with the colleges you are interested in to learn about ACT score admissions requirements.
ACT Prep through College for TN.
Create a free “College for TN” account.
Click on College Planning, then Test Prep.
Schedule to take the test!
Register online at:
Test Dates: September 21, 2013; October 26, 2013; December 14, 2013; February 8, 2014; April 12, 2014; June 14, 2014
All 11th graders will take the test during the Spring of their Junior year.

22. Considering Playing College Sports?
If you are considering playing sports in college, there are two different forms (depending on the school) you will need to complete your senior year to become eligible:
NCAA Clearinghouse (Division I, II, & III sports)
NAIA (form for small, independent colleges)
For NCAA Eligibility requirements, click here.
For NAIA Eligibility requirements, click here.

23. GET INVOLVED!!!
One key thing you can do throughout high school is GET INVOLVED!!!
Many scholarships are awarded to students who are involved in school and in the community.
Volunteer hours will help your resume and will present you as a well-rounded individual!
Remember, in order to be considered a TN Scholar, you must complete a minimum of 80 hours of community service.

24. TN Scholars Requirements
English: English 9, 10, 11, 12
Math: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, & a higher math (Bridge Math will not count)
Science: Biology, Chemistry, Additional Lab Science
Social Studies: World History, Government/Economics, U.S. History
Personal Finance: 0.5 credit
Foreign Language: 2 credits in the same language
Fine Arts: 1 credit
Wellness: 1 credit
Attendance: Cannot exceed 36 total days absent for 4 years
Discipline: No “out of school” suspensions
Overall Average: Maintain a “C” average; no “F” as a final grade in any course

25. TN Scholars CTE, AP, Dual Enrollment, or Online Class Requirement
Any combination of 2 of the following:
CTE credits
Additional AP classes
Dual enrollment
Online classes
Examples: 2 CTE courses, 1 AP and 1 CTE, 1 online and 1 Dual enrollment

26. TN Scholars Volunteer Hours Requirement
Complete the following for Volunteer Service.
Each activity must have a signature to verify your participation in the activity.
80 hours (hours must be done outside of the school day)
Please see the list on the website for what will and will not count for Tennessee Scholars. (
Name of
Activity
Date of Activity
Number of
Hours
Signature and phone
number of Contact
Person

27. Basic Tips
Practice completing online applications (filling out rough drafts, without submitting them)
Review applications, especially the essays. Asks others to proof the essay for any grammar, content or punctuation errors.
Read all college mail and send reply cards back to schools of interest.
Apply for scholarships whose deadlines are in the fall.

28. *Questions?* Like us on Facebook! Search: “DBHS Counseling”
Keep up-to-date on application and scholarship deadlines, upcoming parent nights, college fair dates, etc.

29. Contact Information
Jonathan Odom
Regina Cox
Julie Gentry
Jessica Jennings