1. Melissa High School Senior Seminar – Aug/Sept/Oct

2. Start Strong & Finish Strong Deadlines matter! Deadlines matter! Grades matter! Grades matter! Until you walk across the stage, you are NOT finished! Until you walk across the stage, you are NOT finished!

3. Check Your Schedule and Transcript Review your schedule/transcript to ensure you are in classes that meet graduation requirements and prepare you for your post high school goals. Review your schedule/transcript to ensure you are in classes that meet graduation requirements and prepare you for your post high school goals.

4. Grade Classification MISD Policy Ranked Ranked –At the end of each semester June June January January –Seniors Only: 3 rd Nine Weeks*

5. Diploma Distinctions: Recommended High School Diploma 4 Years of English 4 Years of English 4 Years of Social Studies 4 Years of Social Studies 4 Years of Math 4 Years of Math 4 Years of Science 4 Years of Science.5 Communications Applications.5 Communications Applications 1 Year Fine Arts 1 Year Fine Arts 1 Year PE 1 Year PE 2 Years Foreign Language 2 Years Foreign Language Electives Electives

6. Complete the Recommended High School Plan Complete the Recommended High School Plan Add a third year of the same foreign language. Add a third year of the same foreign language. Must complete 4 Advanced Measures. Must complete 4 Advanced Measures. –Complete and present an original advanced research project. –Earn a qualifying score on AP exams. –Earn Commended Scholar on the National Merit Qualifying Exam (PSAT) in the junior year. –Earn 3.0 GPA or better in 4 Dual Credit Courses. Noted on transcript after graduation. Noted on transcript after graduation. Diploma Distinctions: Distinguished Achievement Program

7. English Sequence AdvancedRecommended 9 th Grade Honors English I* English I 10 th Grade Honors English II* English II 11 th Grade AP English III* English III 12 th Grade Dual Credit English IV English IV Dual Credit English IV *Summer Reading Project Required

8. Social Studies Sequence AdvancedRecommended 9 th Grade Honors World Geography World Geography 10 th Grade AP World History World History 11 th Grade Dual Credit History US History 12 th Grade Dual Credit Economics & Government Dual Credit Eco/Govt.

9. Science Sequence AdvancedRecommended 9 th Grade Honors Biology Biology 10 th Grade Honors Chemistry Chemistry 11 th Grade Honors Physics Physics 12 th Grade Dual Credit Environmental Science Anatomy and Physiology or Forensics

10. Math Sequence AdvancedRecommended 8 th Grade Algebra I* 8 th Grade Math 9 th Grade Honors Geometry Algebra 10 th Grade Honors Algebra II Geometry 11 th Grade Dual Credit Alg/Trig Algebra II, 12 th Grade Dual Credit Calculus Advance Quantitative Reasoning Dual Credit Alg/Trig AP Computer Science *Readiness Exam Required

11. High School Required Electives Physical Education=1 Credit Physical Education=1 Credit –PE, Athletics, Marching Band (Fall Only) Fine Arts=1 Credit Fine Arts=1 Credit –Band, Art, Theatre, Theater Production Foreign Language=2 Credits (3 for Distinguished Achievement Program) Foreign Language=2 Credits (3 for Distinguished Achievement Program) –Spanish Speech=.5 Credits Speech=.5 Credits

12. Decide where youre going after high school. Discuss college/career plans with your family & counselor. Discuss college/career plans with your family & counselor. Attend our districts college day. Attend our districts college day. –September 12, 2013 from 9am-11am. Reduce your college list to 3-5 colleges. Reduce your college list to 3-5 colleges.

13. What do you need to do now (Aug/Sep/Oct)? Ensure you have the materials to apply for colleges/military/financial aid-request the materials you do not have. Ensure you have the materials to apply for colleges/military/financial aid-request the materials you do not have. –Colleges and scholarships will have a checklist of required items you will need to submit with DEADLINES! Continue to build, improve and update your academic portfolio with academic, extracurricular and community activities. Continue to build, improve and update your academic portfolio with academic, extracurricular and community activities. Attend workshops or ask for assistance on writing application essays. Attend workshops or ask for assistance on writing application essays. You will need an official transcript for each school to which you are applying. These are obtained through the registrar. You will need an official transcript for each school to which you are applying. These are obtained through the registrar. Ask teachers/counselors for letters of recommendation. Ask teachers/counselors for letters of recommendation. Prepare essays for inclusion with you application(s)-if required. Prepare essays for inclusion with you application(s)-if required.

14. College Application Begin to apply for colleges and financial aid/scholarships. Begin to apply for colleges and financial aid/scholarships. Many colleges in Texas accept the Texas Common Application, acquired at www.applytexas.org. If the college to which you are applying does not accept this application, contact them directly or check their website to obtain an application for admission, housing, and financial aid information. Many colleges in Texas accept the Texas Common Application, acquired at www.applytexas.org. If the college to which you are applying does not accept this application, contact them directly or check their website to obtain an application for admission, housing, and financial aid information.www.applytexas.org MEET ALL deadlines and complete ALL requirements for college and scholarship applications. MEET ALL deadlines and complete ALL requirements for college and scholarship applications.

15. Scholarships Local scholarships are distributed through the Melissa Education Foundation. Available in the Spring. Local scholarships are distributed through the Melissa Education Foundation. Available in the Spring. College search engines: College search engines: –http://www.scholarships.com/ –www.fastweb.com –www.meritaid.com –www.cappex.com –www.finaid.org

16. ACT/SAT Register and take ACT/SAT if you have not already taken them: Register and take ACT/SAT if you have not already taken them: –College Board (SAT): www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com Oct 5 & Nov 2 Oct 5 & Nov 2 –ACT: www.act.org www.act.org Sept 21 & Oct 26 Sept 21 & Oct 26

17. Athletes If you are an athlete hoping to compete for athletic scholarships, be sure to complete the NCAA Eligibility Center form online at www.web1.ncaa.org If you are an athlete hoping to compete for athletic scholarships, be sure to complete the NCAA Eligibility Center form online at www.web1.ncaa.org www.web1.ncaa.org Remember NCAA core GPA and your high school GPA are NOT the same Remember NCAA core GPA and your high school GPA are NOT the same

18. Additional Resources Cardinal Graduation Guide Cardinal Graduation Guide Parents Parents Counselor, Teachers, Administrators Counselor, Teachers, Administrators Google Google Colleges Colleges

19. Questions? Email the Counselor Email the Counselor kgracy@melissaisd.org rkiefer@melissaisd.org Email the Assistant Principal Email the Assistant Principal dsparks@melissaisd.org Email the Principal Email the Principal lrainey@melissaisd.org