1. Welcome Class of 2013!

2. Overview  Graduation Requirements  Star Groups (homeroom)  Additional Information  College Knowledge  Paying For College  Getting It Done

3. * Occupational * Future Ready Core NC Graduation and Course of Study Requirements

4. Occupational Prep English I, II, III, IV Math I, II, III Science I, II Social Studies I, II Health/PE Career Prep (6 credits) Four Vocational Courses Six Electives Work hours (school, volunteer, paid) TOTAL = 28 CREDITS

5. Future Ready Core English I, II, III, IV Algebra I, Geo & Alg II and a math beyond Alg. II (Discrete Math, Adv. Funct, Pre-Cal, AP Cal, AP Statistics) A Physical Science, Biology, Earth Science Civics/Economics, World History, US History Health/PE 6 credits: 2 elective credits of any combination from: CTE, Arts Education, or World Languages 4 elective credits (strongly recommended) in a four course concentration from: CTE, ROTC, Arts Education, Other subject Eleven Electives TOTAL = 28 CREDITS

6. Senior picture/yearbook info. Mark your calendars...Fall Sports pictures will on Wednesday of this week. Yearbook and Senior ad forms have already been mailed and sent home. The deadline for discounted yearbook and/or senior pages is Sept. 17 th. If you have any questions about pictures or yearbooks, see Mrs. Westmoreland in room 302.

7. Star Groups and Announcements:  Every three weeks for progress reports : - Dates for this semester: Sept. 24, Oct. 16, Nov. 7, Dec. 4, and Jan. 3  Newsletters (emailed to GAGGLE account) and other handouts given out from Mrs. Murray  Information on Invitations & Class Rings (packets will be handed out Oct. 16 th – orders are due on Oct. 25 th during lunch) & Caps/Gowns (packets will be handed out Jan. 29 th – orders are due on Feb. 6 th during lunch)  MUST BE IN STARGROUP OR YOU WILL MISS STUFF!!!

8. Additional Information  College Code = 342-460  College Day for seniors  College Night = September 20, 2012 6-8 pm @ CVCC Tarlton Complex  NCAA Clearinghouse- www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org  Voter Registration & Selective Service  Senior information on board in Guidance lobby  Armed forces and college visits at lunch

9. Transcripts = free to students – MHS will mail the final transcript and scholarship nominations only

10. College Knowledge Types of Colleges  2-year vs. 4-year  Public vs. Private  Single Sex vs. Coed  Religious Affiliations  Liberal Arts

11. Types of Colleges TypeDescriptionTuitionAdmission Requirements Two year Degrees offered: Associates Provides: A way to ease into college / take general college classes for credit. Typically have agreements with four year colleges to transfer credits. Typically around $1,500 year Nursing programs can cost under $5,000.00 Open-door admission policy No SAT or ACT

12. Types of Colleges TypeDescriptionTuitionAdmission Requirements Four yearDegrees offered: Bachelors and beyond Provides: A well- rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study. State: Typically under $19,000 year Private: Typically more than $28,000 year  SAT or ACT  GPA  Class rank  Essay  Extracurricular activities  Letters of recommendation  Transcripts

13. About College Admission Tests  ACT (American College Test) Given at MHS in Dec. www.act.org March test is not on transcript – send scores if not one of the four designated when taken Predominantly used by schools in middle-U.S. states Consists of four tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing Writing component is optional Top composite score is 36  SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) Given at LRU every time www.collegeboard.com Predominantly used by east and west coast schools Consists of three tests: Verbal, Math, Writing Each test is scored on a scale of 200-800

14. What information do college admission officers review? Grades / Overall grade point average (GPA) Class rank SAT/ACT Test Score Strength of high school course selections Courses in progress Junior and Senior year Essay Teacher / counselor recommendations Personal accomplishments

15. Average Freshman ACT/SAT and GPA CollegeGPACritical ReadingMathACT UNC – Greensboro3.68460-560460-57019-23 Lenoir-Rhyne3.59510 21-23 Appalachian3.92510-610530-61021-27 Western Carolina3.61470-560480-57019-24 East Carolina3.65460-550490-57020-24 UNC-Chapel Hill4.5590-700610-71027-31 UNC-Wilmington3.78540-620550-62022-26 NC State4.28530-620560-66023-28

16. How Are We Going to Pay for It?  Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) After Jan. 2013 and before the end of March 2013  Grants Free money and financial need is the key factor  Loans Federal student loans often with lower interest rates and postponement of payment options (FAFSA results) Private Loans  Scholarships Need-Based Academic Athletic Ethnic Employee’s child Religious Denomination  Work Study Programs Students work for money on or off-campus to pay for college expenses. Usually coordinated through the college. **We strongly discourage paying any money towards information about scholarships or chances for Scholarships.**

17. How do I get Financial Aid to Help? First Step in the Process:  Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) www.fafsa.ed.gov What do you need to know for this :  Estimated Family Contribution-previous year tax return and other income information  Assets  Family Size  Number of students in college

18. Internet Resources  Maiden High Counseling - http://www.catawbaschools.net/schools/MaidenHigh/Co unseling http://www.catawbaschools.net/schools/MaidenHigh/Co unseling  Scholarships - www.Fastweb.com & www.GoCollege.comwww.Fastweb.comwww.GoCollege.com  College Applications - College Foundation of NC - www.cfnc.org (NC colleges only)www.cfnc.org - College Board www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com At these websites, you can do a “college search” for information about a specific school, or you can use a “matching assistant” to find colleges that match your preferences.  Entrance Tests - ACT – www.act.orgwww.act.org - SAT – www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

19. Next Steps  Take the SAT at least twice(once the junior year and once in Oct. of the senior year) OR ACT (only if not taken serious last March)  Apply to the college / community college of choice by Nov. 1 st for early decision admissions (others complete at least one application by Thanksgiving)  Apply for scholarships: check the scholarship page & Mrs. Murray (every 3 weeks on day of Stargroup)  Notify Mrs. Murray of acceptances and scholarships awarded  Financial Aid – on senior newsletter / FAFSA (don’t fill out until Jan.) Questions??? Ask Mrs. Teague

20. Getting It Done Senior Year Snapshot  Fall Work on & complete college applications – COLLEGE APPLICATION DAY (Nov. 14) Take 2 nd round of SAT/ACT  Winter Complete FAFSA form  Spring Receive financial aid packages Make final decision about where to go

21. Catawba Valley Community College will be hosting FAFSA Day February 2013 *You take your W2s and tax forms with you. A person from CFNC will be there to help you fill out the form and answer all your questions. * You must register on the CVCC website (www.cvcc.edu)www.cvcc.edu If you want to attend – register after Oct. 15 th FAFSA Day

22. GRADUATION = MAY 24, 2013 @ 4:30 PM CVCC Tarlton Complex Please contact the counseling department with any questions or concerns. We will be glad to help in any way we can.

23. Questions???