+

Junior & Senior NightPiedmont Classical High School

September 2018

+Who is Your Counselor?

Mrs. Shannon Williams

Students last name A-L

Previously worked in undergraduate admissions at

High Point University

Ms. Kristen Mayernik

Students last name M-Z

Previously worked in undergraduate admissions at

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

+PCHS Resources

● Counselor’s Corner○ Information about events, important dates,

resources, scholarships, and more!● Bulletin Board● Remind App (new!)● Your Counselor

+ Factors for College Admissions

Grade Point Average

Extracurricular Activities/Sports

SAT/ACT Scores

Demonstrated Interest

Essays

Rigor of Classes Letters of Recommendation

+

Preparing to Apply to College

+ Transcript● UNC Minimum Requirements:

○ 2.5 GPA (weighted)■ The GPA that colleges will see will be

calculated at the end of Junior year (includes Freshman-Junior year courses)

○ 17 on the ACT or 880 on the SAT■ Superscore

○ Course requirements:■ 4 units of English■ 4 units of Math■ 3 units of Science■ 2 units of History■ 2 units of Foreign Language

+ SAT/ACT● Upcoming SAT dates:

○ October 6, 2018 (still accepting late registrations through September 26th with an additional fee)

○ November 3, 2018 (registration deadline: October 24th)

○ December 1, 2018 (registration deadline: November 20th)

● Upcoming ACT dates:○ October 27, 2018 (registration deadline: September

28th)○ December 8, 2018 (registration deadline: November

2nd) ● Be sure to ask your colleges if they superscore!● Colleges and universities only accept official SAT/ACT

scores directly from the testing agency. Be sure to have your scores sent via their website.

+ If you don’t meet those requirements, consider...

● Private Colleges

● Community Colleges ○ 2 years with the option of transferring to a

4-year school for the last 2 years

● Out-of-State Colleges (depending on their minimum requirement criteria)

● Search schools by GPA at collegesimply.com

+ Letters of Recommendation● Pick teachers (and/or your counselor depending on if the

colleges need a counselor recommendation!) for your letters of recommendation

● Pick teachers that know you and have seen your growth here at PCHS, and who can speak on behalf of your character

● Give your recommender a “brag sheet” or activities resume - both can be found in the Counselor’s Corner○ Things you’ve accomplished, projects you’ve worked on,

challenges that you’ve overcome, hobbies/plans for the future

○ If you need to discuss part of your transcript — low grades during your sophomore year, for example — do so. Explain why you had difficulty and discuss how you've changed and improved since then

+ Letters of Recommendation

● Ask AT LEAST 2 weeks before you need it completed!● It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to keep track of deadlines

and follow up with your recommender○ Follow up a week or so before the deadline to

ensure the letter was sent● When given the option, waive your right to view your

letter of recommendation● Thank you notes go a long way!

+ Your College Search● Look at College Profiles - average SAT/ACT scores, average

GPA, acceptance rate● Available on CFNC.org for all NC Colleges

You can also narrow down results through this section!

+UNC School System

● Appalachian State University

● East Carolina University● Elizabeth City State

University*● Fayetteville State

University● North Carolina A&T

University● North Carolina Central

University● UNC-Asheville

● UNC-Chapel Hill● UNC-Charlotte● UNC-Pembroke*● UNC-Wilmington● Western Carolina

University*● Winston-Salem State

University

* NC Promise Schools - offer tuition at $500 per semester

+ Touring Colleges● Many schools host Preview Days, Open Houses,

or other prospective student days throughout the fall

● Great way to get an overview of the school● Some schools will consider demonstrated

interest in the admission process● We offer excused absences if you tour a school

○ Make sure you get a note signed from the college/university and turn it into the front office

● Take notes after each visit - see packet● Some schools will offer interviews - take

advantage of these opportunities!

+ Deciding Where to Apply

Match Schools

Schools where your academic credentials fall within the school’s range for the freshman class. Apply to 2-3.

Reach Schools

Schools where your academic credentials fall below the school’s range for the freshman class. Apply to 1-2.

Safety Schools

Schools where your academic credentials fall above the school’s range for the freshman class. Apply to at least 1.

+

The College Application Process

+ Application PlansEarly Decision (1 or

2)

Early Action

Restrictive Early Action/Single-Choice

Early Action

Rolling Admission

Regular Decision

Binding; can only apply ED to 1 school; can apply Early Action or Regular Decision to other

schools

Non-binding; cannot apply early to any other school; can apply Regular Decision

Non-binding; can apply early or regular to other schools

Open admission; no specific deadline

Deadline established by the school

+ Early Decision vs. Early Action

● These are OPTIONAL● Apply early (October/November) Find out early

(December/January)○ Early Action– the benefit of applying early simply to

find out earlier○ Early Decision—you can only apply Early Decision to 1

school. You are telling the school “If you accept me, I contractually promise to attend your school!”■ BINDING- If you are accepted, you must withdraw

all other applications■ Usually the acceptance rate increases for students

applying Early Decision

+ How to Apply to Public, In-State Schools

● Complete the Residency Determination Service to determine in-state tuition/state financial aid: ncresidency.cfnc.org/

● IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO ANY PUBLIC COLLEGE IN NORTH CAROLINA, YOU MUST USE CFNC.ORG TO APPLY!!○ Set up an account at CFNC.ORG○ You can do “practice applications”○ FAFSA information & tips○ You can apply to multiple NC Colleges using 1 set of

demographic information○ You must specifically indicate that your transcript will be

uploaded electronically and then PCHS will get a notification to upload it for you!

+ How to Apply to Other Colleges

● Some private in-state schools will also use CFNC to apply. If not….

● Check to see if they are a part of the Common App○ 698 Member colleges (nationwide & international) and

only one application. Includes public, private, large, small, secular, and religious colleges.

○ Transcripts and letters of recommendations will be electronically uploaded■ You must put your counselor’s email and at least one

teacher’s email address for this recommendation process○ You can make an account now at

apply.commonapp.org

+ How to Apply to College

● If the out-of-state college does not participate in the Common App, then use the application that you are directed to use on the College’s website○ Enter your counselor’s email address for the transcript to

be sent electronically, or you may receive instructions to be printed out and given to her for the transcript to be uploaded

○ If you are not prompted to do either of these electronic options, then you must give your counselor a stamped, pre-addressed envelope for her to send your official transcript for each school

○ Same process goes for letters of recommendation for out-of-state

+Other Things to Consider

● Check the admissions requirements for each individual school. You can find this on their website.

● Some schools only consider core classes in the calculation of your GPA. Be sure to ask each school how the GPA is calculated and if they look at your weighted or unweighted GPA.

+ Step-by-Step

1. Search schools and decide where you are going to apply (reach schools, match schools, and safety schools)

2. Complete the Residency Determination Service3. Determine the application type (CFNC, Common App,

school-specific application) and application plan (ED, EA, REA, RD, RA)

4. Submit your application for admission5. Have your test scores sent from SAT or ACT. PCHS CEEB

code is 3416146. Invite teacher/counselor recommenders7. Request your transcript8. Track your application!9. Most schools require a decision by May 1st, unless you

apply Early Decision

+ Scholarships/Financial Aid

● Submit your FAFSA! The FAFSA opens up October 1st. ○ FAFSA will have you submit information from

two years ago (referred to as the prior-prior year)

○ FAFSA Night - date TBD● Some schools also require the CSS profile. Be

sure to check your schools to see if this is required

● Check school websites for school-specific scholarships. The Counselor’s Corner also lists scholarship opportunities

+ Final Tips and Tricks

● Thanksgiving Break is a great goal to have all applications completed. Be sure to check school websites to make sure deadlines are not before then!

● Colleges want students who want to be at their school! Reach out to your Admissions Counselor with questions.

● Take a tour of the school! Touring campus gives you a feel for the students and the campus. It is also a great time to ask specific questions about admissions!○ Fall Break and school holidays are perfect

times to visit colleges!

+ 2-Year or Technical Colleges

● These are great options for transferring into a 4-year school or gaining an Associates degree

● You must have a high school diploma to enroll● Most 2-year or community colleges will use CFNC for

the application. You will still need to complete the NC Residency Determination Service prior to submitting CFNC

+ Military Options

● You must have a college diploma ● You must sign up to take the ASVAB

○ We will be offering it at PCHS, date TBD

● Sergeant Senor is available to talk

+ Opportunities to Learn More

● Guilford County Schools College Fair ○ Tuesday, October 2nd from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM○ Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center○ Financial Aid sessions at 5:45 PM and 7:00 PM○ More than 100 post-secondary options represented -

4-year colleges/universities, 2-year colleges, military branches, and community/technical colleges

● College Application Week○ October 15-19○ Many schools will WAIVE the application fee during

this week!

+ NC Community Colleges Johnson and Wales Saint Augustine’s University

Barton College Johnson C. Smith University Salem College

Belmont Abbey College Lees-McRae College Shaw University

Bennett College Lenior-Rhyne University St. Andrew’s University

Brevard College Livingstone Vollege University of Mount Olive

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Louisburg College University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Campbell University Mars Hill University Warren Wilson College

Catawba College Meredith College William Peace University

Chowan University Methodist University Wingate University

Davidson College Montreat College Winston-Salem State University

Elizabeth City State University

NC A&T University

Fayetteville State University NC Central University

Gardner-Webb University NC Wesleyan College

Greensboro College Pfeiffer University

Guilford College Queens University - Charlotte

+ College Visits to PCHSMonday, September 24th at Lunch - Guilford College

Friday, September 28th at 9:15 AM - High Point University

Thursday, October 4th at Lunch - Queens University of Charlotte

Tuesday, October 16th at Lunch - University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Thursday, October 18th during Homeroom - Appalachian State University

Monday, November 5th at Lunch - Greensboro College

*New schools are added daily! Check the Counselor’s Corner website for more information!

+Remind App

Text @9a887h to 81010

+ What now?!● DO NOT STRESS!! We are in this together. We are here

for you if you have questions and to explore different plans.

● Start doing your research! What are things that are important to you? How will these things position you for success?

● Go visit your schools! Ask questions! If you need help coming up with questions to ask, see the packet in your folder

● Contact us anytime!Shannon Williams - swilliams@piedmontclassical.comKristen Mayernik - kmayernik@piedmontclassical.com

+