1. Making the Most of Your Senior Year…..
It Only Seems Like Yesterday……..They were enrolling in Kindergarten…..Now they are SENIORS
Making the Most of Your Senior Year…..
PREPARATION is the key to success!

2. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Attendance Requirements
Avoid Disciplinary Action that could lead to losing graduation privilege
Credit Requirement: 24 Credits - See Senior Checklist and Transcript– Must Sign & Return Pink Copy
Senior Graduation Contract & Fee – Sign & Return
Senior Attire – See List
Senior Activities: Honors Day; *Baccalaureate; Senior Breakfast, Graduation (* led by Sr Officers)

3. Preparing for May, 2018!!!
Talk with parents/student about plans AFTER high school. Yes we want them to graduate, but the big step is what to do AFTER graduation??????
Discuss college/career plans NOW! How to PAY for it, what to do NOW to make the transition easy from high school to college.
What career field do I want to enter, and what can I major in, to best meet those career goals?
“I never knew how important deadlines are until I did not meet one for college and scholarship money” ….. Quote from a graduate!

4. EVERY SENIOR NEEDS:
1. A RESUME: highlighting academic achievement, work skills, abilities, honors/achievements, volunteer service, career goals, technical skills
2. At least 3 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Letters identifying the student worthy of consideration for scholarship, admissions, & membership (teachers, employers, pastor, etc)
3. An OUTFIT SUITABLE FOR INTERVIEWS: Girls: Jacket, skirt, Blouse, closed-toe shoes; Boys: jacket, shirt, tie, Slacks, black/brown shoes – NO jeans, Must be in compliance with the dress-code; Senior Attire may also be used
4. A COLLEGE ESSAY written by the individual student, stating 5 W’s: Who, What, When, Where, Why/How pertaining to future plans, career goals, how to pay for it, etc.
5. A CALENDAR/PLANNER to keep up with dates, deadlines, etc. A big notebook/folder to keep up with college materials.

5. How To Apply to College:
Pick at least 3 schools to apply. More is better! Don’t limit your options! MEET THE DEADLINES
Go to the college’s website and find the section: “Undergraduate Admissions” or “Prospective Students” or “New Students”. Set up an account & complete the online application process.
Notify the guidance office that you have completed the application so an official transcript can be sent to the school.

6. Get ACCEPTED to the college/university
Get ACCEPTED to the college/university. Be sure to KEEP the acceptance letter to use for scholarship applications
Find out the application/scholarship deadlines…MUST meet the deadlines!!!!!!!!
Complete ALL scholarship requirements (online or paper copy) and meet deadlines! See list
Scholarships are based on MERIT: ACT score, GPA, academics, athletics, MUST meet deadline!
Financial Aid is based on NEED: Family income, *Use taxes for 2016*, complete FAFSA online to determine eligibility. Due MARCH 1- Use your 2016 tax return. MUST meet deadline!

7. ITEMS NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA:
To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), YOU & YOUR PARENT WILL NEED:
Social Security Number; Driver’s License & Date of Birth
Most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. ( 2016: Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (ex. Social Security, child support, SNAP, WIC, etc)
An FSA ID to sign electronically for both you & parent

8. Lots of Decisions to Make!!!!!!
Don’t procrastinate! Start TODAY!
Visit colleges NOW! Take advantage of their Preview Days! (freebies)
College Fair – Tues. Oct. 17 EHS
College Visits – ESCC, WALLACE (by class) LBW (by student) - College Visitors on Campus
Job Shadowing
Meet with Mrs. McPhaul – Career Coach
What do I want to be when I grow up?

9. Red Tie (long or bow tie)
Senior Attire
BOYS:-
Black Slacks – no jeans
White Dress Shirt
Black Shoes and Socks
Black Belt
Red Tie (long or bow tie)

10. Senior Attire GIRLS: Black sleeved dress- appropriate fit; No tank
top, At least fingertip
Length,
Must meet Dress Code
Black closed-toe shoes; Avoid high heels

11. Please sign up for Senior Remind Updates
to the number: or (334) Senior Contract & Fee Required by ALL Seniors

12. Don’t Forget…..
At the end of the presentation, before leaving: Turn in signed Senior CheckList- Pink copy on the back table Turn in signed Senior Contract on back table Pay Senior Fee