1. To Graduation and Beyond!
Junior Parent Night Class of 2014
To Graduation and Beyond!

2. Class of 2014 Graduation Requirements
23 Credits to Graduate
4 Credits English
4 Credits Math
4 Credits Science (Biology, Physics/Phys. Sci., and 2 selective Sciences)
3 Credits Social Studies (Am. Gov’t, World Hist., US Hist., Economics)
3 Credits Foreign Language (4 year college)
** Or Fine Art or Career Technology (2 year college)
4 Credits Electives
.5 Health
.5 Personal Fitness

3. Ways to Make-Up Classes
Regular schedule
Summer school
Fulton County Virtual School
Online through GA Virtual School
PLATO
Online through schools outside of Fulton County*
Private School
*STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE PRE-APPROVAL FROM THEIR COUNSELOR AND THEN FINAL APPROVAL FROM DOWNTOWN

4. Class of 2014 Graduation Requirements
Pass all 5 sections of the Georgia High School Graduation Test
Writing - Fall 2012 (Juniors took this test on October 3rd)
4 Content Areas - March 18th – 22nd
Science
Math
English/Language Arts
Social Studies
Up to 4 additional opportunities to pass before May 2014

5. EOCT and GHSGT
Students who entered a Fulton County high school in years , have the option of not having to pass the subject areas of GHSGT (all students must still pass the writing GHSGT).
If they pass all sections of GHSGT, they meet that part of the graduation requirements. But if they failed some subjects they have options – instead of passing all of the subjects in GHSGT, they can instead graduate if they pass one of the EOCTs from those particular subjects. It can be an EOCT they had before or one they will take in the future.
(Caution: If a student failed GHSGT subject test this March, and has failed EOCTs from that subject, these students should be encouraged to continue taking GHSGT in that subject NOT HOPE that they will pass an EOCT in that subject in future. Example: student failed SS GHSGT, fails US History EOCT also. Student should continue taking SS GHSGT and not wait until he/she takes Economics EOCT to find out if he/she passes it or not – if he/she fails Economics EOCT, it may be too late to then take GHSGT SS test again in time to graduate.

6. Graduation Accolades Magna Cum Laude
Overall Numeric Average - 96 or above
Honor cord (white)
Cum Laude
Overall Numeric Average - 88 or above
Honor cord (gold)
Determined after 1st semester of student’s senior year

7. Exploring the Different Types of Postsecondary Options
Four year Colleges and Universities
Many majors offered
leading to undergraduate
degrees
Two year Colleges
Offer freshman and sophomore level classes toward an Associate degree and/or transfer to a 4 year college
Technical Colleges
Certificate, diploma and 2-year degree programs leading directly to employment upon completion of specialized training
Special Purpose Schools
Focus on specific fields such as the arts or medical specialties

8. College Entrance Exams and Important Standardized Tests
PSAT
SAT
ACT
SAT Subject Tests
AP exams

9. PSAT – October 17th Why Prepare? Test Facts 2 hours, 10 minutes long
Practice for the real thing
Become eligible to earn a National Merit Scholarship and other awards
Test Facts
2 hours, 10 minutes long
Subjects include Critical Reading, Math and Writing
Total score between , per subject
-1/4 point wrong answer penalty (except for student-produced response questions)
No registration required. All 9th, 10th and 11th graders take the PSAT.

10. SAT Why Prepare? Test Facts 3 hours, 45 minutes long
Gain admission to college
Earn scholarship money
Test Facts
3 hours, 45 minutes long
Subjects include Critical Reading, Math and Writing
Total score between , per subject
-1/4 point wrong answer penalty (except for student-produced response questions)
You have the option to decide which total score is sent
Administered 7 times throughout the school year
Register at:

11. ACT Why Prepare? Test Facts 3 hours, 25 minutes long
Gain admission to college
Earn scholarship money
Test Facts
3 hours, 25 minutes long
Subjects include English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing (optional)
Composite score between 1-36 (based on average of scores from 4 subjects)
No wrong answer penalty
You decide which composite score is sent to colleges
Administered 6 times throughout the school year
Register at:

12. Compare the differences and see which one is right for you!*
SAT vs. ACT
Compare the differences and see which one is right for you!*
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.
The ACT includes a science reasoning test; the SAT does not.
The ACT math section includes trigonometry.
The SAT tests vocabulary much more than the ACT.
The SAT is not entirely multiple choice.
The SAT has a guessing penalty; the ACT does not.
*While the SAT and ACT are very different tests, they both fulfill the same role in the admissions process.

13. SAT Subject Test Why Prepare? Test Facts 1 hour long
Gain admission to college
Demonstrate Academic Achievement
Test Facts
1 hour long
Offered in over 20 different subject areas
Total score between
Scoring above a 600 is considered an impressive score
Administered each time the SAT is offered (except in March)
Register at:

14. AP Why Prepare? Test Facts Tests vary in length
Earn college credit and advanced placement
Stand out in admissions process
Test Facts
Tests vary in length
Offered in over 30 different subject areas
Scoring is on a 5-point scale
Scoring a 3 or above could earn college credit
Administered each year during the first two weeks of May
No registration required. Must be enrolled in the AP course at AHS

15. AHS Class of 2012 Statistics
COLLEGE
AVERAGE C.N.A.
AVERAGE SAT
(3 sections, max score 2400)
AVERAGE ACT
(all sections taken, max score 36)
AVERAGE # HONORS COURSES
AVERAGE # AP COURSES
HOPE GPA
UGA
94.2
1941 30 8 7
3.57
GA PERIMETER
83.4
1460 24 1
2.74
GEORGIA STATE
88.7
1711 25 5 2
2.72
GA TECH
95.6
2040 32 9
3.66
GA SOUTHERN
85.3
1595
2.9
KENNESAW
85.7
1607 23
2.93
AUBURN
90.31
1751 27 6
3.28
GA COL & STATE 89
1758 26 4
3.17
UN OF ALABAMA
89.3
1716
3.23

16. Importance of Academic Rigor
Admissions Decision
Cumulative Numeric Average
SAT
# of Honors Courses
# of AP Courses
UGA
Student A
DENIED
87.733
1800 3
Student B
ACCEPTED
87.698
1660 7 5
Georgia Tech
91.409
1920 8
91.136
1830 10 6

17. HOPE Programs Hope Scholarship Hope Grant
3.0 Core GPA (Math, English, Science, SS and Foreign Lang.)
4.0 Conversion scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0 F=0)
Middle school courses not counted
7pts removed from honors, AP and college level courses
Additional .5 granted for all AP and IB courses only
Not calculated until senior year (Prelim. in Feb, Final in May)
HOPE GPA not listed on the transcript
Calculation done by GA Student Finance Commission
Hope Grant
Used for Technical Schools
Tuition, fees, & $300 book allowance
No GPA requirement
*We will offer a Financial Aid/HOPE presentation on December 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the AHS auditorium

18. HOPE Programs (cont’d)
Zell Miller Scholarship
Zell Miller Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
3.7 Core GPA (Math, English, Science, SS and Foreign Lang.)
Score 1200 on Math & Critical Reading of the SAT in one sitting
or score a 26 composite score on the ACT OR
Graduate as the Valedictorian or Salutatorian from H.S.
If awarded:
Covers full standard-rate tuition at a public college or university
Covers $4,000 per academic year at a private college or university
For additional information on HOPE, please visit
*We will offer a Financial Aid/HOPE presentation on December 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the AHS auditorium

19. NCAA Clearinghouse
Juniors who intend to play division 1 and division 2 college level sports should register this year with the NCAA
The website is There is a link for prospective student athletes – with frequently asked questions
Review the “Eligibility Standards”
Registration fee is $60.00
SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly to the clearinghouse – the code is 9999
Submit a transcript request form to Mrs. Edmiston in Counseling Suite 1310

20. Junior Timeline PSAT– National Merit Qualifications October 17th
Junior Classroom Guidance – October 22nd – 26th
15 Minute One-on-Ones – October – December
Sign up for SAT / ACT Prep Classes – December
Pre-Registration for Senior Year – January/February
Take 1st SAT or ACT - Spring
Initial College List - Spring
College Visits - Spring Break & Summer
Final College List - Summer
Start College Applications – Early Fall (Senior Year)
Submit Applications - Fall & Winter (Senior Year)
Research & Apply to Scholarships - Winter & Spring (Senior Year)

21. Junior Classroom Guidance
October 22nd – 26th
During U.S. History Classes
Discuss post secondary options
Help students learn how to create a priority list
Discuss the importance of a competitive senior class schedule
Introduce resources including college handbooks, college websites, college fairs
Instruct students how to diversify college selection process
Discuss college entrance exams (SAT vs. ACT, When to take, How Many times)
Go over timeline to graduation

22. Junior Advisement Individual Meeting
Graduation Status Report
Credits (23 needed)
GHSGT (must pass all 5 parts or the EOCT)
Courses required (specified by GA Dept of Ed)
Check transcript for accurate credits and SSN#
Senior Schedule
Courses needed for Graduation
Recommended: 4 academic classes
Individual Questions from Classroom Guidance
After having time to process information

23. Class of 2014 www.gacollege411org. Junior Assignment
JUNIORS MUST COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT LISTED IN THE COLLEGE HANDBOOK. PRINT OUT PROOF AND BRING WITH YOU TO YOUR JUNIOR ADVISEMENT MEETING WITH YOUR COUNSELOR.

24. Counseling Department At AHS
Dee Webb
A – COL
Keisha Iton
COM– HINC
Lexi Nguyen
HIND - MEA
Susan Chamberlin
MEB - R
Karen Bolt
S - Z
Maggie Edmiston
Records Clerk
Contact Information:
Office
Fax
**Your students’ Guidance Counselor is available, by appointment, to discuss everything mentioned this evening as well as to answer any other questions and concerns you may have.

25. College and Career Cove
The College and Career Cove is where parents and students can find:
Resource books, CDs, applications, scholarship information
SAT/ACT Testing information and study guides
Post-secondary timelines and guides
Hardcopies of Scholarship Applications
Students can access before school, after school and during their lunch period
Located outside Counseling Suite 1310

26. Helpful College and Career websites:
Helpful Websites
AHS Homepage
Helpful College and Career websites:

27. Thank You for Coming!