Senior Parent Night 2011

Sherry HartSenior Counselor824-3213 x 13605shart@mcpss.com

Graduation Requirements

Credit Requirements

Regular/Advanced Diploma 28 required

Honors Diploma 30 required3.5 GPA required, all honors core classes

Graduation RequirementsALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXAMReading, Math, Language, Social Studies, Biology

Regular/Advanced/Honors Diploma = MUST PASS ALLCredit-Based Endorsement option –

only offered at the end of student’s senior year if all credit requirements have been met; Reading, Math, & one other portion must be passed & the student must have attempted the test each time it was offered. The endorsement is final.

AHSGE Dates• September 19 – 23•December 5 – 9•March 19 – 23No cell phones allowed!! Test

will be voided!!!

Manage Senior Year & Self

• Slow down• Prioritize tasks• Make a list using a calendar to accomplish

homework, college apps, work, & time for self

• Don’t take on more than you can handle• Make time for friends & having fun• Seek help when needed

Senior Year Myths

MYTH

• College isn’t in my future. I have too many other responsibilities.

FACT• College includes any

postsecondary education, including vocational training, certificate programs, & degree programs.

• You Can Go! www.YCG.org Watch videos of other students, just like you, who didn’t think college was in their future.

Senior Year Myths

MYTH• It’s time to take it easy

because I’m a senior! I think I will drop math second semester and take an elective….

FACT• Oh no! Junior year helps

prepare for college acceptance, senior year prepares for college level study. Choices made during 12th grade set the tone for college.

Senior Year Myths

MYTH• I got into USA, U of Ala,

Auburn (or any other college) so I don’t have to work too hard the rest of the year!

FACT• College admissions is

contingent. Students must maintain the integrity of their grades and course of study throughout 12th grade. Final transcripts are sent in June to confirm. Admissions can be revoked!

Senior Year Myths

Myth• I have to go away to

college since all of my friends are going away…

FACT• The away experience is

expensive and not for everyone. Investigate other options (BSCC, FSCC )

2yrs @ BSCC /FSCC = @ $9000

2yrs @ 4 yr public university (not living on campus) = @$15,000

2yrs @ 4 public university(in state, on campus) = @$20,000 - $25,000

Senior Year Myths

MYTH• If I go to a community

college I’m a loser….credits won’t transfer…

FACT• Community College is the

best bang for your buck! The first 2 yrs of college are simply piling through requirements. Community Colleges offer these classes that will transfer (not remedial courses) and for a fraction of the cost.

Communication• Bryant H.S. website -

http://bryant.mcs.schoolinsitesMany announcements will be on the homepage. Others

will be on the “Senior Information” section. Forms can be downloaded and current scholarships are listed here.

• Facebook – A group has been created to help you and your child stay

up to date on all announcements. Please allow yourself to be added to this group.

• Email – Emails will be sent if you are on our email list.

Career Cruising

www.careercruising.com– Career Matchmaker (interest inventory)– In depth occupations files with multimedia interviews– Explore colleges & universities (including cost)– Financial aid info (scholarship search tool)– Portfolio Tool – includes professional resume builder

Must obtain user ID and password to log on. More information to be given to students at the end of the month.

Post High School Options

“Not all children need college, but all children need an education.”

Technical or Trade SchoolMilitary Service, Military Academies, ROTCCommunity College College & UniversitiesApprenticeships & employment opportunities

(see handout)

Military• Military Academies

Academy Night with Congressman Jo Bonner in October.

• College ROTC programcheck with college of interest about ROTC

Military recruiters visit BHS quite often. Appointments can be set up also

College

Proprietary Schools/AKA For Profit Schools

• Remington, Virginia College, UTI, ITT, Fortis…

Be aware that most of the courses that are taken at schools such as these are not

transferable to a 4 year university.

College2 year

Community CollegesOffer certificates, degrees, and transferrable

credits at much lower costs.Offer specialized programs that only require a 2yr

degreeAPPLY ONLINE. There is no application feeCan apply anytime during senior year. Most

applications are online or download the PDF.

College4 year

• Student must have taken ACT/SAT for admissions– www.actstudent.org ACT test dates, registration, &

scores to send to colleges – www.collegeboard.org SAT registration & scores to

send

College4 yearThe Application Process• Apply online• Pay College Application Fee/app fee waiver available to qualified

students• Fill out application• Print out “counselor” or “school” page• Gather any letters of recommendation if needed• Bring all documents (counselor/school page, letters of

recommendation) to the guidance office. Give to Mrs. Hart to be sent together.

• Fill out a “transcript request form” so that an official transcript can be sent to the requested college(s). Give to Mrs. Strauss.

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

• Misspellings and grammatical errors• Applying online, but the application is not actually submitted• Forget to sign the application• Not reading directions carefully• Writing illegibly• Not completing a “transcript request form” so that the

official transcript is sent• Using an email address that is not appropriate

(sexydancer01…) or have inappropriate pics on FACEBOOK/MYSPACE…

• Not checking email regularly• Letting Mom or Dad fill out college applications/write essays

Student Responsibilities• Fill out college/scholarship/NCAA applications• Be sure to meet all application deadlines. Check college

websites and contact the admissions office to be sure. (Many colleges visit often in the fall. Check Mrs. Hart’s calendar)

• Bring items to be sent to the guidance office. Don’t assume the counselor knows your child is applying to a school. Complete a “transcript request form” and check any/all colleges applied to.

• Student Profile Form should be completed thoroughly. This is used to write letters of recommendation (if needed)

Student Responsibilities• Sign up for & take the ACT/SAT. Fee waivers available for

students receiving free/reduced lunch• Be sure to have ACT/SAT scores sent to colleges:

www.actstudent.org/www.collegeboard.com If requested when registering for test, no additional request is required.

• NCAA/Students aspiring D1 or D2 athletics: meet with counselor to assure all high school classes align with NCAA standards. Students must go to eligibilitycenter.org to file an application to be cleared. A transcript must be sent for NCAA clearing. ACT/SAT scores must also be sent. When registering for ACT/SAT, NCAA code is 9999 for scores to be sent without add’l request.

Financial Aid

• Financial aid is any scholarship, grant, work study, or loan that will help pay for college.

• File FAFSA (free application for student aid) no sooner than Jan. 1; www.fafsa.ed.gov but before March 1.

• Do not pay an agency to assist with financial aid. Use our guidance office and college financial aid offices for assistance. (fafsa.com is a scam website – never pay to complete the FAFSA)

• A Financial Aid workshop will be held at BHS in January. Exact date & time TBD.

Financial AidTypes of Financial Aid• Federal government aid – need based• Admissions scholarships – GPA based (beware

deadlines)• Private foundations – need & GPA based• Scholarship & grants – need & GPA based

Call US Dept of Ed 1-800-4-FEDAID

Recommended Reading“For me it’s hard enough to decide what clothes to put on in the morning.

It took me forever to decide where I wanted to go to college. My mom was getting quite concerned as each month passed and deadlines approached. In all reality, you think about your college choice 24/7. It may not appear that way on the outside but it’s always internal, always in your head, rolling around” (Coburn & Treeger, p. 115)

• The Launching Years by L. Kaster & J. Wyatt

• Admissions Confidential by R. Toor

• The Gate-Keepers by J. Steinberg

• College is Yours in 600 Words or Less by P. O’Conner

• Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years by K. Coburn & M. Treeger

Helpful sites

Help with ACT/SAT• www.march2success.com• www.ineedapencil.com• www.zaps.com $79 fee; National ACT prep course offered at

BHS Oct 17 & 18 3:00 – 5:30 (just prior to the Oct administration) Must register

• www.collegeboard.org • www.actonlineprep.org (username & password

available on table)

Scholarship search websites• Search engines:

Black Excel, Broke Scholar, College Answer, College Board, College Scholarships, Education Planner, The Princeton Review, Scholarships.com, Scholarship Experts, School Soup, SRN Express, fastweb.com

Other Notes…• Seniors are allowed 2 college/military

visits (excused) for the year. See Mrs. Hart for form. It can also be downloaded at the school website.

• MCPSS College & Career Days – Oct 25& 26; all seniors will attend at USA Mitchell Center (field trip). Over 200 booths set up, colleges, military, career fields, etc…

• Most university scholarship deadlines – Dec. 1st. You must apply by this date. (USA,

UofA, Auburn, Springhill)• Visit colleges you are interested in. “Fit” is most

important! Set up private tour or visit on Preview Dates

Fall 2011 Preview DatesUniversity of South Alabama 11/19University of Mobile 9/23, 10/21, 11/11UAB 9/24University of Alabama 10/14, 11/11Alabama State 10/15Montevallo 10/29Jacksonville State Univ 9/24Tulane 10/2 (Mobile Marriott

6pm)**private tours available at most colleges/universities**