SENIOR PARENT INFORMATION MEETING

Presented byMarietta High School

Professional School Counseling Department

o

Helping your child to take the next step into their

future can make you feel like this….

But never fear, MHS counselors are here to

help!

Professional Counselor Assignments

With the exception of first time ninth graders, our counselors serve students based upon the first

letter of the students’ last name.

• A-F Mrs. Chenedra Garnigan• G-M Mrs. Nancy Hill• N-Z Mrs. Betsy Alpert• PLC Ms. BJ Smith

First time Freshmen Ms. Joann Kinlaw

Herff Jones• Cap & Gown & Announcements Ordering Dates

• September 16, 2015• September 17, 2015• October 1, 2015• December 7, 2015

• Cap & Gown & Announcement Delivery Dates• March 2, 2016• April 14, 2016• May 6, 2016

• Contact Information: 770-795-1626

• Website:www.herffatlanta.com

SENIOR INFORMATION• Senior Quotes, Senior Yearbook Ads, and Senior Portraits are all due on

October 13!!– Check http://mhsolympian.weebly.com/ for more information

• SENIOR PORTRAITS--Senior Portraits must be taken by Prestige Studios before October 13. Call to make your appointment!– (678) 569-1315 – 1555 Williams Drive, Suite 104, Marietta, GA 30066– Prestigeportraits.com

Is Your Student Interested in College Athletics?

Two Governing Bodies

• NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics – no national clearinghouse, simple requirements www.naia.org

• NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association – requires potential Division 1 and 2 student athletes to register at ncaaclearinghouse.com

Please note that it is the parent’s or student’s responsibility to register

See Paul Hall, MHS Athletic Director, for more information770-428-2631, Ext. 2241 Room A224

DO YOU KNOWWHAT THE

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

ARE?

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Subject Units Required CoursesEnglish 4 1 unit of American Literature or AP LanguageMath 4 Courses varyScience 4 1 unit Physical Science or Physics

1 unit of Biology1 unit of Chemistry or Environmental Science or AP Science 4th Science may be used to meet both elective and science requirements

Social Studies 3 1 unit World History1 unit U.S. History½ unit Economics½ unit American Government or Civics

CTAE, Foreign Language, Fine Arts 3 This area can be a combination

Health/Personal Fitness 1 .5 unit each

Electives 4 Total 23

The requirements below represent minimal courses needed for high school graduation. Some academic programs of study or diploma options require additional units of credit beyond the minimal requirements listed. For example, IB Diploma requires a minimum of 27.5 credits.

How Will I Know if My Student is on Track?

Senior Exit Interviews will be conducted with all seniors.

Indicates what credits are completed and what credits remain to be passed during the senior year

What Do You Need to Know About Graduation?

Graduation requirements

High honor graduatesGPA is 4.0 and aboveHonor GraduatesGPA 3.5-3.99Graduation date: Saturday, May 21, 2016

Graduation practice: May 18-20, 2016--Attendance is mandatory

HEADED IN THE

RIGHT DIRECTION

Post Secondary Options

Can IncludeTraditional 4-year schools

2 year colleges for associates degree or to transfer to a 4-year college/university

Technical Colleges

Professional Training Programs Military Work

Which is appropriate for your student?

Factors to Consider When Choosing a College

Major or Program of study

Location and EnvironmentIncludes housing opportunities

In-state vs. Out-of-state

Public vs. Private

Size of School

Extra-curricular activities offered

How Do I Learn More About Schools?Research

Meet with College Reps when they visit

On-site campus visits

Open houses sponsored by colleges

Internet

www.GACollege411.org if password is lost, students can reset, see their advisor, or contact Mrs. McCormick, the

school registrar.

Attend college fairs in the area

How Do Colleges Choose Who Will Be Accepted?

High school academic record and course rigor (GPA/Class Rank)

SAT/ACT scores

Essays

Recommendations

Special Abilities

Service to school or community

Extracurricular activities

Interview

Neatness and accuracy of application

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

Students need to apply to more than one school

• Typically students apply to 3-5 schools

• Dream Schools – may not get in, but is their top choice

• Reach Schools—student stands a good chance of admission

• Safety School – backup plan in case they need it

Parental Stumbling Blocks

Dictating exactly where your student must apply and attend

Completing your student’s applications. Colleges can usually tell the difference.

Doing all the work for your student doesn’t teach him/her the coping skills needed for college or in life!

TheCollege and Scholarship

Application Process

Secure applications from colleges either online or by the traditional method (on-line is preferred)

Students can apply to most in-state schools using their GACollege411.org account

Apply early and organize deadlines

Professional email addresses are a must!! Address should contain some form of your name. No nicknames, slang, etc.

Gather application fees

Request letters of recommendation

Create resume

Compose essays

Make copies of everything you send out

College Application ProcessTranscripts for in-state schools should be requested electronically

through GAcollge411.org. There is no charge. Students should see their advisors or Mrs. McCormick if passwords are lost.

Request out-of-state transcripts using the transcript request form, found in the counseling office or on the MHS Webpage.

• Hard copies of official transcripts must be requested in writing.• Students receive three free paper transcripts. Each additional

transcript will cost $2.

See your counselor if your college requires a counselor/school evaluation form. Bring the form or send the link to our e-mail account.

The Professional Counseling Department does not mail applications.

The Professional Counseling Department mails counselor evaluation forms unless we are asked not to.

You must submit final transcript requests through GACollege411.org for in-state schools. Only final transcripts for out-of-state schools are mailed from the Marietta High School Counseling office.

College Application ProcessObtain the application…

• on-line (preferred method) print application copy for your records

• at Probe Fairs• through the college admissions office

Complete the application…• early! Your goal should be to apply by Thanksgiving• neatly and free or errors• thoroughly• in blue or black ink, if handwritten

Remember…Colleges/Universities require

SAT/ACT scores to come directly from the testing agency!

Letters of RecommendationRequest letters of recommendation from:

--teachers, advisors, coaches, counselors, and/or employers

Submit Student Fact Sheet or resume and You Science assessment results

Double check application instructions. If the school does not ask for a letter of recommendation, then don’t send one!

Request at least two weeks in advance--Follow up with a reminder--Make sure letters are signed

Resume

This document will give your prospective admissions office or employers an idea of who you are

Sample subjects to include:--Education--Activities--Sports--Clubs--Employment--Community Service--Awards and Achievements

After Applying Accepted (Hooray!!)

Celebrate Send Deposits

Deferred Still in the game. Send mid-year grades and updated test scores! Evaluate back-up plan

Denied Rescind admissions offers Poor academic performance Dual Enrollment GPA below 2.0 Drop classes you said you were taking when you applied Not checking email

Check email and college accounts regularly to receive updated information from the admissions offices. That is their method of connecting with you.

ALL colleges/universities request that students let them know if they do not plan to attend their institution. An email is appreciated and may allow an opportunity for a student on the deferred list.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND

HOPE

How Do I Find $$ for College?

Scholarship Link on MHS Counseling Web Page--http://mhs.marietta-city.org/Page/1915

Research

Handouts in Senior Advisements & lists in Devils Advocate

Colleges and Financial Aid Offices

FAFSA and CSS Profile

Websites --www.fastweb.com--www.gacollege411.org for special state and federal grants.

Scholarship Search Services

We follow the guidelines set forth by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) and recommend that you DO NOT use a scholarship search service.

The same resources that you will be charged in excess of $500 are available for free.

HOPE Scholarship Rigor Requirements

The class of 2016, in order to be eligible to receive the HOPE scholarship, must receive at least three credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school:

• Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, or an equivalent or higher course taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution

• Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, or an equivalent or higher course taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution;

• Advanced foreign language courses taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution;

• Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit enrollment courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language)

Georgia’s HOPE Program

Zell Miller Scholarship— Must earn a 3.7 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in

all English, math, science, social studies and foreign language coursework attempted between grades 9-12 and at least a 1200 on the Math and Reading/Verbal portions of the SAT in one test administration or score at least a 26 composite score on the ACT

ORGraduate as the Valedictorian or Salutatorian and meet the requirements of the HOPE Scholarship

HOPE Scholarship-- Must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for

all English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language coursework in the high school curriculum

HOPE Grant—available to students who are seeking a technical certificate or diploma, regardless of student’s high school grade point average or gradation date.

All three HOPE programs will require students to: Be a legal resident of Georgia Be registered with Selective Service, if male Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Post-

secondary Education Act of 1990 Meet HOPE’s US citizenship or eligible non-citizen

requirements Attend an eligible Georgia school

To see the full list of program requirements, visit www.gacollege411.org

How to Check Your Current HOPE GPA

• Go to www.gacollege411.org• From Home Page, go to “Your HOPE

GPA” in right panel• Create your account• Follow directions to get your HOPE

GPA.

Miscellaneous

Events to Look for Senior Year

PROBE College Fair September 17, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Georgia Apply to College Event November 18, 2015 in the MHS Seminar Room

from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Financial Aid Meeting

--December 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. College Representatives at MHSCollege Visits

Test Reminders

SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests www.collegeboard.org

ACT www.actstudent.org

Compass Exam

ASVAB

You Science Assessment Tool—sign up in B116

Final Thoughts• Apply early• Finish Strong• Use your senior year as a start to your

freshman year• Academic rigor should be increased, not

decreased• Scholarships are like research, most are

just a click away

Questions???

AskNow!!!