1. WELCOME STUDENTS CLASS OF 2011

2. Administrators you should know... Ms. Pam Tapley, Principal Mr. Michael Hague, Assistant Principal Ms. Vicki Luttrell, Assistant Principal

3. Get to Know Your Counselors … Ms. Crowell A-DO Ms. Smith DR-LEB Ms. Swaine LEC-RIN Ms. Short RIO-Z

4. MEET OUR GUIDANCE SUPPORT PERSONNEL … Ms. Buehler Ms. Woodruff Ms. Barber College and Career

5. Meeting with a counselor is easy...  Call the Guidance office to schedule a parent/teacher conference with all teachers or speak with your counselor directly.  Students should meet with their counselor once every nine weeks this year and every month their senior year!  Students may come to the Guidance Office before school, during lunch, or after school to make an appointment with their counselor.  Remember…Ms. Barber is also available in the Career Center!

6. What it takes to be a Senior...  18 credits  On track for graduation  2.0 GPA (recommended)

7.  24 Total Credits:  4 English  4 Math (Algebra 1 & above)  3 Social Studies  1 World History  1 American History .5 Economics .5 American Government  3 Science  1 H.O.P.E.  1 Performing Fine Art  8 Elective Credits What it takes to graduate... Pass FCAT 1926 Read/1889 Math 2.0 GPA

8. Problems with the FCAT ?  Substitute ACT/SAT scores  15 on Reading and Math for ACT  410 in Reading/370 in Math for SAT  Walk with the class, receive a Certificate of Completion, retake until you pass (must have 24 required credits and a 2.0 GPA)  Take classes at community college and earn an AA degree (must have 24 required credits, 2.0 GPA, and pass CPT)  Earn a GED  Attend a tech school or take a job that does not require a high school diploma

9. Consider the options...

10. LIFE AFTER ST CLOUD HS... or preparing for the future! FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES Education & Health Services 30.6% increase Healthcare & Social Services 30.3% increase Professional & Business Services 27.8 % increase

11. Working: where, what, how?  Type of work desired  Additional training  Resume  Dress for Success  Practice interview skills  Check out benefits: insurance, tuition reimbursement, chances for advancement  Needed for ALL jobs  Good attendance  Communication and computer skills  Ability to work as a team member

12. TAKE A LOOK AT … Osceola & Orange County Technical Schools TECO Mid-Florida Tech Orlando Tech Westside Tech Winter Park Tech Avalon Center

13. Military  Investigate jobs of interest  Research all branches for those jobs  Take the ASVAB  Talk to a recruiter

14. College Admissions 2-year and Community Colleges  Standard High School Diploma or GED  CPT: Computer Placement Test  Certificate of Completion with  24 required credits, 2.0 UW GPA, & passing CPT scores 4-year Colleges and Universities  Standard High School Diploma  GPA for College Admission - Based on Academics ( 3.0+)  Appropriate SAT/ACT scores (at least 1000 SAT, 23 ACT)  Rigorous academic courses in HS: AP, Honors, DE  Minimum of 18 Academic Credits (20+ Recommended):  4 English, 4 Math (Algebra I & above, Algebra II Req.)  3 Science, 3 Required Social Studies (Recommend 4)  2 Foreign Language, 2 other academic credits

15. What it REALLY takes to get in… Mid-Range GPA’s and test scores for Fall admission:  FAU3.2-3.81510-1720 SAT/VMW22-26 ACT  FSU3.4-4.21730-1960 SAT/VMW26-29 ACT  UCF3.5-4.21150-1290 SAT/VM25-28 ACT  UF4.3-4.41970-2090 SAT/VMW30-32 ACT  UNF3.3-4.01140-1260 SAT/VM22-25 ACT  USF3.58-4.121120-1280 SAT/VM24-29 ACT

16. What Will College Cost?  That depends...you must consider the cost of tuition, books, room, food, transportation, parking, clothing.  Average tuition and fees (per year) as follows:  4-year Public Institution$4,650  2-year Public Institution$2,700  4-year Private Institution$33,000  Room & Board/Public$8,728  Books/Misc. Expenses$4,600  Estimated costs (per year):  FSU $15,446  Stetson University $44,000  University of Miami $50,000  Rollins College $51,857

17. Bright Futures Scholarship  Florida Academic Scholars Award  3.5 GPA in selected subjects  1270 SAT or 28 ACT  75 hours community service  Florida Medallion Scholars Award  3.0 GPA in selected subjects  970 SAT or 20 ACT  Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award  3.0 in selected subjects  3.5 in 3 sequential vocational courses  Test scores:  SAT – 440 verbal, 440 math or  ACT – 17 English, 18 Reading, 19 Math, or  CPT 83 Reading, 83 Sentence Structure, 72 Math See www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org for changes in awards/renewalwww.floridastudentfinancialaid.org

18. WHEN SHOULD YOU TEST? ACT OR SAT?  SAT is a Reasoning test…it tests your  Reasoning ability  A good test for students who excel in math  College admissions test  May be used for placement at Valencia  FCAT alternative 410/370  ACT is a test of Knowledge...it tests your  Learned knowledge  A good test for students who excel in language  College admissions test  May be used for placement at Valencia  FCAT alternative 15/15 SAT & ACT are comparable tests & should be taken in winter/spring of 11th Planning to attend college – take SAT/ACT with Writing ACT or SAT req. for FAS & FMS

19. OTHER TESTS TO CONSIDER …  Take the CPT if you…  Plan to take Dual Enrollment classes (3.0 GPA – test spring ‘10)  Plan to attend community college after graduation (test Spring ‘11)  May qualify for Bright Futures GVS  PSAT is…  A great way to practice for SAT – Individualized Score Report for each student  the test that determines National Merit Scholars (top ½ of one percent nationwide), National Hispanic Scholars, and National Achievement Scholars  9 th, 10 th, and 11 th WILL TEST ON OCTOBER 14TH!

20. College and Career Center Learn about educational opportunities after graduation from high school. Discover career information – just ask! Use the computers for career and post- secondary school searches. Access financial aid & scholarship information – Check Prep HQ! Learn how Prep HQ can help you. Find answers: NCAA Clearinghouse, college visits, applications, transcripts. Ask your counselor or see Ms. Barber TODAY!

21. www.facts.orgwww.facts.org – check it out!  Make a 4-year plan on ePep!  Check out your unofficial Bright Futures GPA.  Take a CHOICES interest inventory!  Visit SUS university websites to help find the right college. Check out programs & narrow choices. (3-5 by senior year)  Apply to colleges during summer/fall after junior year! You can…

22. The Search for the Green  Community service – Remember to document hours earned - Bright Futures FAS requires 75 hours.  Check Prep HQ scholarship opportunities & get a head start on senior year!  Planning to play sports in college? Register online with NCAA Clearinghouse at end of junior year.  Bright Futures - Academic, Medallion and Gold Seal - apply online senior year (opens December 1 of senior year).  www.facts.org Use your ePEP account for an unofficial Bright Futures GPA evaluation! www.facts.org

23. WHAT TO DO NOW! Fall: Write down your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities Evaluate your options for senior year and after high school Attend college night Retake the FCAT if necessary Consider taking an SAT/ACT prep course or practice online Set up an account on www.facts.org for college searches, BF evaluation, college admissions information Begin your college search Winter/Spring: CPT @SCHS for students registering for Dual Enrollment classes (must have a 3.0 GPA & Valencia application on file) Register to take the SAT &/or ACT Meet with your counselor to review your options for senior year Sign up for an FLVS class to make up credits or raise GPA – Impact Lab may be an option during summer. Arrange for college visits over spring break or summer vacation Narrow your college choices to 5 Do research on scholarships (Internet, College & Career Center, college websites)

24. Summer Fun? Summer Fun?  July 1Begin NCAA Clearinghouse paperwork for students planning on athletic recruitment www.ncaaclearinghouse.org  July-AugNarrow post-secondary options (3-5 choices are good)  University-bound students should begin writing college application essays  Complete brag sheet & resume Bring a copy to your counselor  August-SeptComplete state university applications – set a deadline and get it done! (UF applications open July 1 – most others August 1) - after Nov. 1 priority deadline many schools accept students on a space available basis only!

25. Web Resources  http://www.schs.osceola.k12.fl.us - access grades, stay current with Prep HQ, check important dates http://www.schs.osceola.k12.fl.us www.act.orgwww.act.org - ACT registration; sign up for the writing section if planning to attend college; educational planning  www.campustours.com - college admissions; virtual campus tours; web/cam broad casts and college admissions message board www.campustours.com  www.collegeboard.com - SAT registration (Reasoning or Subject Tests); test taking tips/practice questions; financial aid information; college admission tips www.collegeboard.com  www.facts.org - information about financial aid; career/interest inventory (CHOICES); ePEP www.facts.org  http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool - college opportunities; college search; list of internet resources http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool SAT ®

26. IMPORTANT! CLASS RINGS  Oct. 7 Presentation during ACHIEVE  Oct 10, 17 (Sat) Orders taken 10 AM to noon  Oct. 13, 14  Orders taken during lunch and 6 to 8 PM

27. Thank you for your attention. Please complete your post test… And Remember… It is your responsibility to make up any work you missed while attending this presentation!