1. Peachtree Ridge High School Welcomes the Class of 2016 to SENIOR NIGHT

2. PRHS Counselors O Ms. Nikki Johnson Last names A-Cl O Mrs. Abbey Youngblood Last names Cm-Harr

3. PRHS Counselors O Mrs. Teresa Wilson Last Names Hars-Lee O Mr. Brent Henderson Last Names Lef-O

4. PRHS Counselors O Ms. Dolly Glisson Last names P-Sl O Mr. Joseph Pak Last names Sm-Z

5. Graduation Requirements 4 units of Language Arts 4 units of Math 3 units of Social Studies World History, US History, Political Systems/Economics 4 units of Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics, student chooses 4th 3 units of fine arts, business electives or foreign language* 4 general elective units.5 unit of Intro. to Lifetime Fitness.5 unit of Health *2 units of the same language is required for admission to most 4-yr colleges

6. High School Testing Requirements Gateway (Science & Social Studies) Required for diploma in GCPS

7. What Seniors need to know and do before graduation… Complete Senior Application for Graduation with your counselor Copy will be mailed home to parents in November Complete a College Recommendation Profile sheet for your counselor May not be necessary depending on your college(s) of choice but is also used for scholarship recommendations Be sure your Social Security # is on file in the Counseling office; this is how the state determines your HOPE Scholarship eligibility Failure to submit this info will delay HOPE processing

8. Post Secondary Opportunities 4 Year College or University Bachelor’s degree UGA, Georgia State 2 year College Associate degree East Georgia College, Georgia Perimeter Technical College Associate degree Diploma programs Certificate Gwinnett Tech, Columbus Tech

9. Post Secondary, continued United States Armed Forces Air Force Army Coast Guard Marines Navy Service Academies West Point, Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Citadel Workforce Full time job Apprenticeships Specialized Training

10. PRHS Graduates' Post Secondary Plans Class of 2015 Stats

11. To choose the wrong college, place all of your emphasis on : The school with the “best” athletics Where your mom and dad attended college Where your friends are applying The school with the most parties The school with the cutest guys/girls Choosing a College

12. To choose the best fit FOR YOU, consider: O Admission Requirements: GPA, SAT, rigor of curriculum, etc. O Cost: Tuition, Room & Board, Personal Spending O Size Enrollment, Class Size, Campus Size O Location: Setting, Distance from Home O Academics: Majors, Programs, Services Choosing a College, Continued

13. Preparing for College Compare Colleges gacollege411.org princetonreview.com bigfuture.collegeboard.org Attend PRHS College Fair-immediately after presentation 50 + representatives from all over the nation Probe College Fair: Wednesday, September 2 nd Gwinnett Center- 6:00-8:30pm 100+ representatives from all over the nation Pre-Register at gotocollegefairs.com Visit colleges of interest Attend college visits at PRHS Virtual Campus Tours www.ecampustours.comwww.collegeweeklive.com Narrow list of schools to 3-5

14. College Entrance Exams SAT ACT *A score from either the SAT or ACT is commonly required by 4 year colleges SAT II Subject tests Required by some colleges and majors COMPASS College placement exam most commonly used by 2 year colleges ASVAB Military entrance exam AP Exams Optional; could potentially earn college credit

15. 2015-16 Test Dates https://collegeboard.org https://collegeboard.org PRHS School CODE: 112866 SAT TEST DATEREGULAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE October 3 rd September 3 rd September 22 nd November 7 th October 9 th October 27 th December 5 th November 5 th November 23 rd January 23, 2016 December 28, 2015 January 12, 2016 REDESIGNED EXAM BEGINS March 5 th February 5 th February 23 rd May 7 th April 8 th April 26 th June 4 th May 5 th May 25 th

16. 2015-2016 test dates https://www.actstudent.org https://www.actstudent.org PRHS School CODE: 112866 ACT

17. College Admissions Process Electronic application preferred by most colleges Georgia colleges-create an account at www.gacollege411.orgwww.gacollege411.org ADHERE TO DEADLINES Submit most recent transcript Online via gacollege411- free (in-state colleges only) Paper copy from counseling- $5 per copy. 24-48 hr processing time; student must pick up and mail to college Non-gacollege411 electronic transcripts are a one time fee of $5 Final transcripts are not sent electroncially Be sure you have completed everything on the admissions checklist Incomplete applications are not viewed by colleges Application fees/fee waivers MUST be submitted Only submit those items that the college is requesting

18. www.gacollege411.org

19. The Common App

20. Common Names Used During Admissions Process O Early Decision (ED) Students who apply under early decision make a commitment to enroll at the college if admitted and offered a satisfactory financial aid package (binding). Application deadlines are usually in October or November with a mid-to-late-December notification date. O Early Action (EA) (also referred to as Priority Application) EA is a nonbinding program in which a student can receive an early admission decision from several colleges, but is not required to accept an admission offer before May 1. Application deadlines are usually in October or November with a mid-to-late-December notification date. O Regular Admission (Regular Application or Regular Decision) Regular Application students have additional months of time to complete and submit their applications and they have no restrictions on the number schools they can apply to. O Rolling Admission Colleges with this type of admission procedure consider each student's application as soon as all the required credentials have been received (e.g., high school record, test scores). The college usually notifies applicants of its decision within two weeks. O Deferred Admission Students applying under the early application process are “deferred” from being an early applicant and are “pushed” back to be part of the regular admission pool of applicants. O Open Admission This refers to a policy in which colleges accept any high school graduate, regardless of grades, until all spaces are filled. Many technical colleges have an open admission policy.

21. Letters of Recommendation O Submit Counselor Recommendation Form to your counselor with all necessary college forms if required. Available on counseling webpage and in the counseling office. Not every college requires a letter of recommendation Submit any college information form needing your counselor to complete O Letters of recommendations have a firm 2 week turn around, so please PLAN AHEAD! There are nearly 800 seniors at PRHS; 90% are college bound

22. HOPE Scholarship Opportunities  The Zell Miller Scholarship  3.7 Academic GPA with 1200 combined M/CR SAT or 26 ACT in a single national test administration  Meet 3 credit rigor requirement  Covers full tuition at in-state public schools  Must maintain a 3.3 GPA once enrolled in college  HOPE Scholarship www.gacollege411.org www.gacollege411.org  3.0 Academic GPA  Must meet 3 credit rigor requirement  Covers roughly 90% tuition at in-state public schools  Must maintain a 3.0 GPA once enrolled in college  HOPE Grant  No specific high school GPA required  Available for certain technical programs  Must maintain a 2.0 GPA once enrolled in technical college Final HOPE GPA calculations are done by the GSFC. More information on the HOPE Program is available at GAcollege411.org WE MUST HAVE SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS ON FILE *requirements are subject to change

23. HOPE Scholarship Rigor Requirement O Class of 2016: O Must have 3 courses possessing academic rigor prior to graduation O Courses include: O Chemistry & Physics O Pre-Calculus, Calculus or AP Calculus O Level 2 or higher in Spanish, French, Chinese, German or Latin O Don’t worry……. ***Students are required to take/pass these courses in order to earn a GCPS diploma ***

24. Financial Aid O PRHS Financial Aid Night: Wednesday, December 3, 2015 6:30 p.m. PRHS Theater O Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA) The FAFSA is the application most colleges use to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs FAFSA window opens January of each year Must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident to apply O Zell/HOPE Scholarship (GAcollege411.org) Have SSN on file at local school Complete FAFSA or GSFAPPS O College & University Scholarships O Counseling Office Scholarship Listing

25. Information Updates Ridge Rundown PRIDE PRHS website – www.peachtreeridge.orgwww.peachtreeridge.org Counseling page Ask a Counselor table during lunch on Tuesdays PRHS Friday e-newsletter *Graduation dates are typically announced at the School Board meeting in March*

26. QUESTIONS?