1. Senior Advisory Lesson Count Down to Graduation Reminders Community service forms are due and must be given to your counselor before winter break! All transcript request forms must be given to your counselor TODAY if your college has a January, 2012 admissions deadline!

2. 2 SENIOR Year Responsibilities Keep your grades up and see your counselor ASAP if you failed a S1 course for graduation! *MANDATORY Senior/Parent meeting on February 28, 2012 at 6pm in the Theater. Topics will include: graduation ceremony, rehearsals and practice, senior week, dues, and other important information! Senior class faculty sponsors: Mrs. Sabb and Mr. Vincent (questions and/or concerns)

3. 3 REMINDER: Narrowing Down College Selection After preliminary research, choose schools that fall into 3 different categories –“Reach Schools” –“Target Schools” –“Back up Schools” There is no limit to how many schools to which you may apply, but people typically choose 3-6

4. Research Prospective Colleges Its not too late to visit colleges during winter break! Visit the college’s website Be sure to find out which high school courses, GPA, SAT/ACT, etc is required for admission, so that you don’t fall short. Narrow down your college choices Be realistic! Match colleges with your personality and goals in life. Need to be socially comfortable to be academically successful

5. 5 May 1st – “Unofficial Decision Day” (required to tell college of your decision). However, this date may vary from college to college Avoid senioritis –Rescinding admission and scholarship offers –Falling grades second semester Schedule changes (rigorous to less rigorous)-NO! If the student changes his or her schedule, he or she must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admissions immediately in writing.

6. 6 Financial Aid- REMINDERS School-Specific Aid –Apply for school-specific aid with application for admission –Be aware of deadlines FAFSA –Can fill out as soon as January 1, 2012 –Federal loans, grants, work study, HOPE –Requires information from parental tax return –Next Financial Aid workshop at Grady will be Saturday January 21, 2012 in the CCC from 9-12noon!

7. 7 Scholarships- Reminders School-specific websites www.fastweb.com gacollege411.com www.scholarships.com www.fastaid.com www.finaid.org Many more…Check out the CCC website during the winter break!

8. 8 College-Bound Student Athletes NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Are you are planning to participate in Intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution? Students must register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net AND submit a transcript request form to your counselor ASAPwww.ncaaclearinghouse.net

9. 9 Web Resources College and Career Search www.gacollege411.org www.familyeducation.com www.collegeview.com Scholarship Search www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fastweb.com www.gsfc.org

10. SENIORS, PAY YOUR DUES! Seniors who didn’t take advantage of the early bird special must see Ms. Rhodes-Igherighe in the front office Monday – Friday from 9:30-11:30 with a hall pass or after school from 3:15-3:30 ASAP. The second deadline is February 22nd and senior dues will be $180. Seniors that wait until the final deadline of April 11th will pay $200. We urge you not to wait!! Senior expenses can be enormous as the year concludes. Take advantage of this low price right now!! 10

11. What do Senior dues cover? Cap and gown, tassel, and Diploma cover School yearbook ($70 flat fee) Senior trophies and awards Decorations and logistics for Visions of the Future, parent gifts at Visions of the Future, Senior token of appreciation at Visions of the Future and programs for Visions of the Future Printing costs and logistics for graduation Refreshments for Board of Education dignitaries at graduation (required by APS) Senior picnic, t-shirts, logistics, and entertainment Graduation transportation Class legacy gift to the school *Note: If seniors pay their dues via a payment plan, the balance of their arrangement must be paid in full by the closest due date of their initial payment or the balance will roll over to the amount due on the subsequent due date. 11