1. Senior Summit Senior Summit Preparing for the Future 09/11/2013

2. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER CONCERNING GRADUATION: It is YOUR graduation and and YOUR responsibility… Take ownership!

3. Graduation Responsibility The Student has the ultimate responsibility: responsibility: 1. Check high school credits 1. Check high school credits 2. Check college requirements 2. Check college requirements 3. Know NCAA requirements 3. Know NCAA requirements 4. Avoid last minute problems – grades, attendance, behavior 4. Avoid last minute problems – grades, attendance, behavior

4. Graduation Plans Arlington Minimum Recommended Distinguished

5. Graduation Plans Arlington Minimum: - 24 total credits - fulfills requirements for entrance into junior colleges entrance into junior colleges

6. Graduation Plans Recommended Plan Recommended Plan Fulfills the COURSE requirements for 4-year colleges and universities - 26 total credits - specific math sequence - specific science sequence - 2 credits of same foreign language - 1 fine art credit

7. Graduation Plans Distinguished Achievement Plan Recommended Plan with additional Recommended Plan with additional requirements of: - 3 rd year foreign language - Any combination of 4 from the following components: following components: 1) Selection as National Merit Finalist, Semi- 1) Selection as National Merit Finalist, Semi- Finalist, Commended Scholar, National Finalist, Commended Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, or Achievement Scholar Hispanic Scholar, or Achievement Scholar 2) Special research project 2) Special research project 3) Score of 3 or higher on any AP exam 3) Score of 3 or higher on any AP exam 4) 3.0 average on any college course taken 4) 3.0 average on any college course taken while in high school (includes dual credit courses) while in high school (includes dual credit courses)

8. Must pass all sections of TAKS for graduation. TAKS Must pass all sections of TAKS for graduation. October test dates: ELA / Writing – October 21st Math – October 22nd Science – October 23rd Social Studies – October 24th 1) Any senior new to state, previously @ private school, or retest 2) Any senior who has not tested nor passed exit level exam 3) Any Junior who will be reclassified at semester to senior status and is on target to graduate at the end of May or August.

9. COLLEGE INFORMATION APPLICATIONS Send applications NOW to colleges and universities… <<For Texas colleges and universities >> Apply @ www.applytexas.org Many application deadlines are moving to December 1st ! Know the deadlines for the schools you are most interested in attending.

10. Most application deadlines are “received by” not “postmarked by.”

11. TESTING You must be eligible for free or reduced lunch to request fee waivers for SAT, ACT, or college applications. Enrollment in junior college does not require ACT or SAT. COLLEGE INFORMATION

12. TESTING SAT AND ACT ON-LINE REGISTRATION AND PRACTICE TESTS (ON-LINE REGISTRATION PREFERRED): SAT – www.sat.collegeboard.comwww.sat.collegeboard.com ACT – www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org Registration forms if needed and practice tests located in the Counseling Office. (School Code: 440236). COLLEGE INFORMATION

13. TESTING  SAT - measures general verbal, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills - offered at UTA in October, November, January, March & June - offered at UTA in October, November, January, March & June  ACT  ACT - measures more closely high school curricula - offered at UTA or Mansfield Summit in September, October, February, April and June Other test dates available at different sites… see on-line registration for information. Watch college deadlines if taking after November!*

14. COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING Test scores must be sent directly to the college or university

15. COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING Additional Score Report Forms: Additional Score Report Forms: Order online: www.sat.collegeboard.com Order online: www.sat.collegeboard.com

16. Transcript Information Transcript provides the following information: GPA, Rank, # of Credits, Courses, Grades, Graduation Plan Ordering transcript: 1) Order from Mrs. Broker in Counseling Office 2) $3.00 per transcript 3) Provide addressed stamped envelope if mailing for scholarship or college application

17. COLLEGE INFORMATION At semester, send updated transcript to the university if your rank improves to the Top 10% or if GPA dramatically improves… this will allow your application to be reviewed by the admissions committee.

18. COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING THEA – must take prior to enrolling in Texas college, university, or teacher education program. THEA – must take prior to enrolling in Texas college, university, or teacher education program. Exemptions from THEA: Exemptions from THEA: TAKS – ELA > 2200, TAKS – ELA > 2200, WRITING > 3, WRITING > 3, MATH > 2200 MATH > 2200 SAT – combined >1070 with Verbal and Math SAT – combined >1070 with Verbal and Math both > 500 both > 500 ACT – composite > 23 with English and Math both > 19 both > 19

19. COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING Register on-line for THEA at: www.thea.nesinc.com www.thea.nesinc.comwww.thea.nesinc.com or: paper registration forms are paper registration forms are located in Counseling Office. located in Counseling Office.

20. SCHOLARSHIPS WATCH FOR DEADLINES ON WATCH FOR DEADLINES ON SCHOLARSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND APPLICATIONS!!! APPLICATIONS!!! For JANUARY deadlines (COLLEGE OR SCHOLARSHIP) your Counselor needs completed application, transcript, and envelope by ………

21. Letters of Recommendation  ONLY IF SPECIFIED IN APPLICATION  NEED AT LEAST 2 WEEKS (this means working days!!!!) IN ADVANCE OF DEADLINE for teachers / counselors  Counselors mail directly – must have addressed, must have addressed, stamped envelope and stamped envelope and transcript if needed transcript if needed (usually need two stamps) (usually need two stamps)

22. Scholarships Scholarships Scholarship Bulletins available on AISD website, Martin website… Listen to announcements : 1) Scholarship opportunities 2) Colleges visiting MHS during lunch 3) Tuesday evenings – Visiting colleges and special programs.

23. FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION Must complete the FAFSA for you to be considered for many scholarships… apply on-line (after Jan. 1 st of Senior year) Financial Aid Night @ MHS in Jan/Feb. Apply for your pin # now at: www.pin.ed.gov

24. GPA and Rank Valedictorian Valedictorian Salutatorian Salutatorian Summa (top 2%) Summa (top 2%) Magna (top 10%) Magna (top 10%) Cum (top 20%) Cum (top 20%) Honor Graduates (10.0 GPA) Honor Graduates (10.0 GPA) Final ranking determined at end of 5 th 6wks : computed on a 7 and 4/7 semester formula (2 semesters for 9 th, 10 th, 11 th and 1 4/7ths of a semester for the senior year)

25. MISCELLANEOUS Exemption Policy  80 average  no more than 3 excused absences  no more than 2 tardies in a class per semester  no unexcused absences  no OCS

26. MISCELLANEOUS College Days College Days  2 days allowed  must inform attendance office in advance  days are excused  must see Admissions or Financial Office to stamp form.

27. MISCELLANEOUS MISCELLANEOUS  Top 10 %  Top 10 % - Automatic admissions to if Top 10%. Texas college/university if Top 10%. (UT Top 7%) Must apply!!!!  NCAA Clearinghouse - booklet and application from Mrs. Broker …or online: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

28. MISCELLANEOUS Senior Awards Nomination Form To be considered for any senior award you must complete / turn in a To be considered for any senior award you must complete / turn in a Senior Award Nomination Form Forms are available through any teacher (requires teacher signature). Forms are available through any teacher (requires teacher signature).

29. MISCELLANEOUS Selective Service: All males must register with the Selective Service upon reaching the age of 18. Register at: www.sss.gov

30. College and Career Information Resource Center NEW Location: Library HOURS: Opening in October

31. Local College Opportunities  Tarrant County College: Cornerstone Program – an honors program leading to acceptance, with scholar- ships, to third and fourth year of college.  University of Texas (Arlington): Honors Academy – dual credit opportunity with possibility of receiving renewable scholarships to UTA.

32. College and Career Night When: Next Thursday September 19th September 19th Time: 7:00 PM Where: UTA Activity Center What: Representatives from over 150 Colleges / Universities 150 Colleges / Universities NEED TO REGISTER – see handout Financial Aid presentations Parent participation encouraged!

33. MHS Mini College Nights Tuesdays, 5-7 PM Sept 17- Pepperdine U., UTA, Abilene Christian, Washington U. of St. Louis and St Edwards Sept 17- Pepperdine U., UTA, Abilene Christian, Washington U. of St. Louis and St Edwards Oct. 1 - TX A & M, UTA, TX Tech, Univ. Of Oklahoma, Tarleton State, Stephen F. Austin, TX Wesleyan, TX A & M Commerce, TCC Oct. 1 - TX A & M, UTA, TX Tech, Univ. Of Oklahoma, Tarleton State, Stephen F. Austin, TX Wesleyan, TX A & M Commerce, TCC Oct. 15 - TCU, TX State, U. of Arkansas, UTA, U. of NM, TCC Oct. 15 - TCU, TX State, U. of Arkansas, UTA, U. of NM, TCC Nov. 5 - UTA Nov. 5 - UTA Nov. 19 - Baylor, TX Tech, TCC, UTA, Tarleton, Mississippi State, Ohio U., U. of Kansas, Kansas State, U. of Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma City U., U. Of Central AK, TX Wesleyan, Iowa State U. Nov. 19 - Baylor, TX Tech, TCC, UTA, Tarleton, Mississippi State, Ohio U., U. of Kansas, Kansas State, U. of Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma City U., U. Of Central AK, TX Wesleyan, Iowa State U. Dec. 3 - UTA, TCC, TX Tech, U. of Central Arkansas Dec. 3 - UTA, TCC, TX Tech, U. of Central Arkansas

35. GUIDANCE PACKETS TAKE HOME AND SHARE INFORMATION WITH PARENTS!