1. 

2.  Ms. Tamara Dekine  Email: tadekine@gcsd.k12.sc.us tadekine@gcsd.k12.sc.us  Last names A-J  Mrs. Alyssa Graham  Email: agraham@gcsd.k12.sc.us agraham@gcsd.k12.sc.us  Last names K-Z

3.  All Year o Continue to challenge yourself academically. Most colleges require 4 years of English, at least 3 years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), 4 years of mathematics, and 3 years of laboratory science, and many require 2 years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.

4.  AREACREDITS  Language Arts 4.0  Mathematics 4.0  Science 3.0  U.S. History 1.0  Economics.5  Government.5  Social Studies elective 1.0  Foreign Lan. Or Voc. Elective 1.0  Health/PE or MJROTC 1.0  Computer Science 1.0  Electives 7.0  Total Required Units 24.0

5. South Carolina Uniform Grading Scale Conversions Numerical Average Letter Grade CPHonors AP/IB/ Dual Credit 100A4.8755.3755.875 99A4.7505.2505.750 98A4.6255.1255.625 97A4.5005.0005.500 96A4.3754.8755.375 95A4.2504.7505.250 94A4.1254.6255.125 93A4.0004.5005.000 92B3.8754.3754.875 91B3.7504.2504.750 90B3.6254.1254.625 89B3.5004.0004.500 88B3.3753.8754.375 87B3.2503.7504.250 86B3.1253.6254.125 85B3.0003.5004.000 84C2.8753.3753.875 83C2.7503.2503.750 82C2.6253.1253.625 81C2.5003.0003.500 80C2.3752.8753.375 79C2.2502.7503.250 78C2.1252.6253.125 77C2.0002.5003.000 76D1.8752.3752.875 75D1.7502.2502.750 74D1.6252.1252.625 73D1.5002.0002.500 72D1.3751.8752.375 71D1.2501.7502.250 70D1.1251.6252.125 69F1.0001.5002.000 68F0.8751.3751.875 67F0.7501.2501.750 66F0.6251.1251.625 65F0.5001.0001.500 64F0.3750.8751.375 63F0.2500.7501.250 62F0.1250.6251.125 How to calculate your weighted GPA 1.Use the scale to assign quality points to each grade based upon the type of credit you are receiving (ex: college prep, honors, etc.) 2.Add up all of the quality points to get the total. 3.Divide the total quality points by the total number of credits attempted. This is your weighted GPA. Example Grades Quality Points CP English I, 85 3.0 H Algebra I H, 95 4.750 CP Science, 84 2.875 CP Social Studies, 85 3.0 CP MCJROTC, 95 4.25 Add all quality points. 3.0 + 4.75 +2.875+3.0+4.25=17.875 Divide quality points by credits attempted. 17.875/5=3.575 3.575 is your weighted GPA

6. This is what your transcript will look like.

7.  All Year o Work hard all year; second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility. o Stay involved and seek leadership roles in your activities. o Update your portfolio. (A portfolio might include awards, game tapes, newspaper clippings, artwork, etc.)

8.  Fall o Meet with you school counselor – are you on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements? o If you haven’t done so already, register for and take exams such as the SAT I, SAT II: Subject Test, or ACT for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

9.  Fall, cont. o Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your application carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! o Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying. Allow a minimum of 10 Days for counselors and teachers to complete these for you. Many colleges include these request forms in the application. They may have to be printed or emailed to the guidance counselor.

10.  Fall, cont. o To prepare to apply for federal student aid, be sure to get a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.gov so that you can complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and access your information online. One of your parents must also get a PIN.www.pin.ed.gov o Pay close attention to FAFSA deadlines for colleges!

11.  Winter o Encourage your parent(s) to complete income tax forms early. If your parent(s) have not completed the tax forms, you can provide estimated information on your federal student aid application, but remember to make any necessary changes later.

12.  Winter, cont. o As soon after January 1 st as possible, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov – which is easier and faster. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February or March.www.fafsa.ed.gov

13.  Winter, cont. o If you have questions about the federal student aid programs or need assistance with the application process, call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1- 800-433-3243) or TTY for the hearing-impaired, 1-800-730-8913. o After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within one to four weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.

14.  Winter, cont. o If the schools you are applying to require it, complete the CSS Profile. Many private colleges and universities use this information to help them award nonfederal student aid funds. o Complete scholarship applications. Apply for as many as you can – you may be eligible for more than you think. o Parents should check their eligibility for the HOPE Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit or other tax benefits.

15. Palmetto Fellows Top 6% GPA 3.5 1200 SAT/ 27 ACT Life Scholarship Top 30% 3.0 GPA 1100 SAT/ 24 ACT Hope Scholarship 3.0 GPA

16.  Spring o Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll. o Review your college acceptances and compare financial aid packages. o When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1 st.

17. (www.fafsa.ed.gov) – The Free Application for Federal Student Aidwww.fafsa.ed.gov (www.pin.ed.gov) – The site to retrieve your unique Personal Identification Number (PIN)www.pin.ed.gov (http://www.collegeplanning.nelnet.net/) – College Planninghttp://www.collegeplanning.nelnet.net/ (http://www.studentloan.com/) – College Planninghttp://www.studentloan.com/ (http://www.edamerica.net/) – College Planninghttp://www.edamerica.net/

18. (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student) – College Planninghttp://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student (http://www.edamerica.net/payingback/debt/takecontrol.a spx) – Debt Managementhttp://www.edamerica.net/payingback/debt/takecontrol.a spx (www.fastweb.com) – Scholarship Searchwww.fastweb.com

19.  A student may only receive credit for 2 of the following courses throughout their high school experience: Service Learning Work Experience 1 Work Experience 2  College Application Day will be held on October 11 th Student must have Student Resource Guide to attend!!!  Parent meeting will be held on October 1 st @5:30pm  Senior interviews will be conducted during the month of October. Please invite parents to attend your interview with you!