1. Junior Parent Information Night Presented by the Johns Creek Counseling Department October 7, 2015 @ 6:30pm

2. Agenda  Counselor Introductions and College Information  College Panel  Junior Advisement  Mini College Fair-Cafeteria

3. The Counseling Dept. Who are we??? All counselors are available for students, however, the primary counselor for students are based upon their last names : Counselor’s Name Email Address Jay Wiley C-Df and Dg-I wileyjg@fultonschools.orgwileyjg@fultonschools.org Corey Debrody A-Bar and J-Me Debrody@fultonschools.orgDebrody@fultonschools.org Emily Foster Barh-Bromb and Mf-Se fostere@fultonschools.orgfostere@fultonschools.org Jay Mercer Brown-Ch and Sf-Z mercerj@fultonschools.rogmercerj@fultonschools.rog Patrick Greenaway-Student Support Counselor greenawayp@fultonschools.orggreenawayp@fultonschools.org Wanda Moran-Graduation Coach moranw@fultonschools.orgmoranw@fultonschools.org Kris Watkins-Student Support Coordinator watkinskm@fultonschools.orgwatkinskm@fultonschools.org Jenny Poulos-Director of College & Career Center Poulos@fultonschools.orgPoulos@fultonschools.org Rachel Kitchens-Cole- Social Worker Colekr@fultonschools.orgColekr@fultonschools.org Mary Lou Fleming-Registrar flemingml@fultonschools.orgflemingml@fultonschools.org

4. State of Georgia Requirements for Graduation 23 Units Required  4 credits of Language Arts  4 credits of Mathematics  4 credits of Science  3 credits of Social Studies  0.5 credit Health/0.5 credit Personal Fitness  3 credits of FL/FA/CT  4 elective credits

5. What are colleges looking for?  GPA (core/academic)  Rigor of courses taken (difficulty level)  Test Scores (SAT and/or ACT)  Extracurricular Activities  College Application Essays  Teacher Recommendations

6. Fulton County GPA Numeric Average  Fulton County calculates numeric averages by adding every grade on the student’s transcript (failed classes are included)  100 point scale i.e. 87.963 out of 100  Fulton County adds 7 points to the final passing grade for each Honors, AP, and college course taken; shown on transcript  Counselors cannot convert your students GPA to a 4.0 scale

7. Grade Point Average (GPA)  Some colleges may give additional points for Honors, AP, and College courses  Most only consider academic courses (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language)  To calculate, take your academic classes and assign a 4,3,2, or 0 for each course. Add them together and divide by the total number of academic courses (estimated GPA)  Some colleges may take off the additional 7 points added for Honors, AP and college courses (if so, take off the 7 points before assigning the (A)4, (B)3, (C)2, or (F)0)

8. College Entrance Exams SAT  A test of critical thinking and problem solving (aptitude)  Score: 600 – 2400  Wrong answer penalized  Structure of test:  Critical Reading  Math (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry)  Writing (Mandatory) ACT A content/curriculum- based test (achievement) Score: 1 - 36 Wrong answer not penalized Structure of test: English Math (through trigonometry) Reading Science Reasoning Writing (Optional)

9. SAT II: Subject Tests  Some highly selective four-year colleges require  Subject specific  designed to measure knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject areas.  Tests are given in Literature, U.S. History, World History, Biology EM, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics Level I, Mathematics Level II, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.  Colleges use the Subject Tests for admissions, course placements, or both  Contact schools to see if needed

10. Upcoming Test Dates SAT Test Registration DateDeadline November 7October 9 December 5November 5 January 23 December 28 March 5February 5 May 7April 8 June 4May 5 www.collegeboard.com ACT Test Registration Date Deadline October 24 September 18 December 12 November 6 February 6 January 8 April 9 March 4 June 11 May 6 www.actstudent.org

11. Research Prospective Colleges  Visit www.gcic.peachnet.eduwww.gcic.peachnet.edu parent id: johnscreekhs password: gcis7315  Visit College Websites  Attend College Visits at JCHS (24 hours in advance)  Attend College Fairs/Receptions  Visit Your Prospective College-Make sure this absence is preapproved with the attendance office 3 days before you leave  Be Realistic

12. Dual Enrollment  Students have to meet the university/college’s admissions requirements and deadlines in order to be admitted (SAT/ACT and GPA)  JCHS cannot extend the university/college’s deadline  Students are not admitted to the college/university until they receive notice stating so  Deadline for Fulton County dual enrollment is March 30, 2016 (JCHS must know by this date)  Dual Enrollment Night November 18, 2015 @ 6:00pm

13. College Application Process Process starts Monday August 31, 2016 WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A COLLEGE Visit www.gcic.peachnet.edu Entrance requirements/ Admissions policy Location Size of student body Majors and educational programs Type of school and degrees offered Activities Diversity of student body Class size Costs and financial aid College affiliation and accreditation Athletics Campus activities Support services

14. DEADLINES FOR COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ( Due to the large number of applications the Counseling Department receives, we ask that you strictly adhere to the following deadlines) COLLEGE & SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE APPLICATION DUE TO COUNSELING OFFICE October 1- 30September 15 November 1-30October 15 December 1- 30November 15 January 1 - 30December 1

15. TYPES OF ADMISSIONS DECISIONS  Regular Decision  Early Action  Receives notice of admission early  If accepted, student is not obligated to attend  Early Decision  Receives notice of admission early  If accepted, student is obligated to attend  If accepted, student must withdraw all other applications

16. Letters of Recommendation  Submit a resume or senior information sheet  Counselors need at least 10 business days to complete a recommendation  Please try and give teachers at least a month to complete a recommendation *Resume contains academic information, honors, awards, extracurricular activities, employment, and charity work

17. Financial Aid Options Four Types  Grants/Gifts (merit-based monies) Grants and gift monies do not have to be repaid. Some schools term these “scholarship.”  College Work Study allows students to work either on or near campus in a job arranged by the Financial Aid Office.  Loans which usually have low interest rates, must be repaid  Federal and/or State Loans must be repaid as stipulated. Application Process for Need-Based Financial Aid:  FAFSA: The application opens January 1st of your child’s graduating year https://fafsa.ed.gov/https://fafsa.ed.gov/  CSS PROFILE: This is a form required by many private colleges. Ask the college if it is required.

18. Scholarships  RESEARCH scholarship opportunities  College and Career Center  HOPE  Web Sites  www.gcic.peachnet.edu id: johnscreekhs pw: gcis7315 www.gcic.peachnet.edu  www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com  http://gacollege411.com  www.scholarships.com www.scholarships.com  www.fastaid.com www.fastaid.com  www.finaid.org www.finaid.org  Call the Financial Aid Office at Individual Schools

19. “Understanding Financial Aid” Information Night  Wednesday, December 2, 2015 @ 6pm  Johns Creek High School Auditorium  Learn about the financial aid process, HOPE Scholarship, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), federal aid, loans, grants, work programs, education cost, Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and much more!

20. College-Bound Student Athletes Is your student planning on participating in Intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution?  The student must register with the NCAA Initial- Eligibility Clearinghouse at www.eligibilitycenter.org  Submit the transcript request to Mrs. Fleming in the Counseling Office.  When taking the SAT/ACT, enter 9999 for scores to be sent to NCAA Eligibility Center.

21. Advice  Let your student take ownership of the process  May 1 st – Decision Day (required to tell college of your decision)  Senioritis  Rescinding admission and scholarship offers  Falling grades second semester  Schedule changes (rigorous to less rigorous)  If the student changes his or her schedule, he or she must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admissions immediately in writing

22. Keep in Touch  Follow us on Twitter: @JCHS_Counseling  Remind: Enter this number (770) 212-9776 with this message: @7ef54  Counselor’s Corner

23. Thank You