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  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. Decide where you’re going after high school. Discuss college/career plans with your family & counselor. Discuss college/career plans with your family & counselor. Reduce your college list to 3-5 colleges. Reduce your college list to 3-5 colleges.

8. What do you need to do? 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.

9. 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.

10. After the semester ends…FAFSA! When: January(ish) Complete and return FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) as soon after January 1 st as possible as financial aid is awarded on a first come first served basis.www.fafsa.ed.gov Continue to complete and monitor applications for colleges and scholarships-make sure materials are received on time.

11. 5 Minute FAFSA http://www.fastweb.com/content/fi naid_vid http://www.fastweb.com/content/fi naid_vid

12. 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

13. 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 College Board (SAT): www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com ACT: www.act.org ACT: www.act.orgwww.act.org Free Test Prep on MHS Library website: Testing Database Login: region10

14. 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

15. Selective Service Registration ALL Males MUST register for Selective Service upon turning 18 ALL Males MUST register for Selective Service upon turning 18 http://www.sss.gov/default.htm http://www.sss.gov/default.htm http://www.sss.gov/default.htm

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

17. Questions? Email the Counselor Email the Counselor kgracy@melissaisd.orgkgracy@melissaisd.org (L-Z) kgracy@melissaisd.org rkiefer@melissaisd.orgrkiefer@melissaisd.org (A-K) rkiefer@melissaisd.org Email the Assistant Principal Email the Assistant Principal dsparks@melissaisd.org Email the Principal Email the Principal lrainey@melissaisd.org