1. WKHS Senior Family Meeting September 2015 Before the meeting begins, please: - Check over and sign your name verification form - Start filling out your major form - Look over your transcript for any possible errors

2. Graduation Saturday, June 4 th, 2016 4:00 PM Colonial Life Arena

3. Counseling & Advisement Department Staff COUNSELORSTUDENT’S LAST NAME Courtney MolonyA-Ch Michael DagenaisCi-Gi Lilly HookGl-Jol Shea McCormackJon-Moo Tracey SpiresMop-San Darrick CuretonSap-T Crissy RoddyU-Z

4. Counseling Office Staff Dana Crumpton Counseling Office Secretary Nina HowardCareer Facilitator Cathy LoyDatabase Operator Pam PorthRecords Clerk

5. Envelope Contents   Transcript (2 copies)White   Name VerificationWhite   Counseling Staff Info. SheetBlue   Graduation RequirementsGreen   State Scholarship InformationGreen   Major ApplicationYellow   Wolf Word Senior NewsletterWhite   Naviance Transcript RequestPink   Naviance Parent Log In SheetWhite

7. WKHS Senior Site http://wkhscounseling.weebly.com/ Stay updated! All activities and events specific to seniors will be kept on the senior calendar

8. Graduation Requirements Bulleted in the “Work In Progress” section of the transcript. Must earn credit in all classes bulleted to participate in graduation. GPA is printed in the GPA Summary. SC Schools use the GPA and Rank from the SC UGP GPA column. Honor Graduate- Final GPA of 4.0 or top 10% of the graduating class. Recognized with gold stoles at graduation.

9. Your Plans Listed on the right of your transcript Work, Military, or 2-Year School Includes 2 year transfer option 4-Year School Includes additional requirements

10. Destination - Work Secure work site toward the end of the school year. Nina Howard is our Career Specialist. Resume Applications Interview skills Co-op, Internship

11. Destination - Military Visit recruiters during lunch Take the ASVAB It will be offered twice this year at WKHS

12. Destination Two -Year College Transfer Programs vs. Career Programs Take entrance exam required by the school. (MTC requires the Compass) IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO PURSUE A HEALTH CAREER AT MTC, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE SAT OR ACT.

13. Destination Four Year College Additional Four-Year College requirements are noted with a“CR”under Work in Progress. Take a college Entrance Exam (ACT or SAT) Register for the early fall administration

14. SAT SAT Reasoning Test Critical Reading, Writing, Math, and optional essay Most colleges only use reading + math Super Scoring- most colleges do this Cost : $54.50 Subject Test- Do you need it? Register on-line at sat.collegeboard.org Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this!

15. SAT- Continued Great website! www.sat.collegeboard.org SAT Question of the Day Practice SAT tests College Search Amend SAT registration information Planning for College section Scholarship Search

16. Redesigned SAT- What does it mean for Seniors??? Odds are- you will not take it Redesigned SAT starts in March Old/Redesigned SAT scores cannot be combined for super scoring Test scores will be delayed for the March administration

17. ACT One composite score between 1 - 36 $39.50- no writing, $56.50- plus writing To determine if your college/university requires/recommends the writing portion, go to: www.actstudent.org/writing

18. ACT- Continued   Register on-line at www.actstudent.org   Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge - take advantage of this!   Website offers test prep, college planning, career planning, amend registration

19. High School Majors IGP meetings 4 Credits in area to earn major Can earn multiple majors Recognized at Graduation

20. Majors Templates are in the District Course Guide pages 9-46 And on our website!!

21. High School Majors   Optional   Do not have to earn a major   High school major does NOT have to match your intended college major   Must Complete Application   Due May 1 st   Separate applications for each major

22. Which College is right for me? Research Possible Colleges Naviance search Ed-Op: October 27th College Application Day: September 23 rd College Visits Open Houses Campus Tours 2 days are excused for Official College Visits. Must present statement from the college that you attended on Official College Visit.

23. Applying to College On-Line applications are preferred by colleges Apply to at least three colleges Don’t let cost keep you from applying, check for waivers Apply NOW- even if you plan to take/retake an entrance exam

24. Deadlines Application deadline vs. credential deadline Watch for deadlines- each school sets their own Set a personal deadline of Halloween

25. Recommendations   Some colleges (and many scholarships) will ask for letters of recommendation.   Contact your references through Naviance early- allow them at least two weeks to write your letter.   Carefully select references- someone who can comment on your positive characteristics.   Complete a resume on Naviance to have on file to assist your recommender in writing your recommendation.

26. Application Deadlines CollegeEarly Decision/Early AnswerRegular Deadline 1 Midlands Technical College Wednesday, August 05, 2016 2USC ColumbiaWednesday, October 15, 2015Monday, December 01, 2015 3Clemson University Monday, December 01, 2015 4College of CharlestonFriday, November 01, 2015Sunday, February 01, 2016 5 Tri County Tech Wednesday, August 05, 2016 6USC AikenMonday, December 01, 2015Sunday, February 01, 2016 This information is provided for reference only. Please check each individual school for actual dates and deadlines.

27. It’s time for WKHS’s 2015 College Application Day!!! Wednesday, September 23rd

28. Once You’ve Applied…… Request a mid-year report if requested by your college. Continue to excel in your classes - colleges offer conditional acceptances- they can withdraw it if you do not continue to perform at an adequate level. Communicate with your college- meet their deadlines- return information in a timely fashion.

29. College Athletes If you are planning to participate in college level athletics, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Registration is on-line at eligibilitycenter.orgeligibilitycenter.org Register NOW. Registration requires submitting your transcript. See your coach, Ms. Richards, or Coach Howell for more information.

30. State Supported Scholarships Palmetto Fellows   Score 1200 on SAT (Reading + Math) or 27 on ACT   3.5 minimum GPA   top 6% at the end of sophomore, junior or senior year.  Score 1400 on SAT or 32 ACT  4.0 GPA OR $6,700 each academic year

31. State Supported Scholarships LIFE Scholarship Four-Year school two out of three qualifiers   3.0   top 30% of graduating class   1100 on SAT or 24 on ACT Up to $5000 per academic year Two-Year school  3.0  Cost of tuition plus $300 book allowance

32. State Supported Scholarships HOPE Scholarship HOPE Only available at Four-Year schools 3.0 Final GPA $2,800 for the first academic year Lottery Tuition Assistance Program Only available at Two-Year schools Must: complete a FAFSA be a SC resident Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours Award money varies by academic year.

33. Scholarships Naviance Log on to view scholarships Advertised scholarships applications are available in the Counseling Office Community Scholarships Church, Work, Clubs Wolf Word Senior Newsletter emailed every 4-6 weeks during school year Institutional Scholarships Contact your school’s Financial Aid Office Most are automatically considered

34. Scholarships- continued Beware of “for fee” services Popular websites: www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.finaid.org Submit a copy of your award letter to the Counseling Department- we use this to calculate the total scholarship money earned for the class of 2016.

35. Scholarship Scams 1. Fees 2. Credit card or bank account information needed 3. Scholarship guarantee 4. No work involved 5. No contact information 6. Unsolicited scholarships 7. Pressure tactics 8. Claims of "exclusive" scholarships 9. Sponsor goes out of their way to sound "official" 10. Your questions aren't answered directly

36. Tips for Parents   Help your student do the work– but be the coach, not the player   Don’t let money be the reason for not going to college

37. Other Important Dates 1 st Semester Senior IGP Conferences – Now – Oct 9 th College Application Day – September 23 rd (8:30-2:30) Ed-Op – October 27 th First Semester Exams – Dec 14 th – 18 th 2 nd Semester MANDATORY Graduation Practice – Friday, June 3 rd (8:30 AM at WKHS)

38. Financial Aid vs. Scholarships Financial Aid- Awarded on need Standard Application Pell Grant Campus-based Programs Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Federal Work Study Program Perkins Loan Program Stafford Loan PLUS Loans (Parents) Scholarships- Awarded on Merit Different Applications Academic Athletic Talent Other areas

39. Financial Aid Night February 2016 Prepare to do your taxes early To complete FAFSA you’ll need a Federal PIN You can apply for your PIN today! Apply at: www.pin.ed.gov

40. Build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers Research colleges – Compare GPA, standardized test scores, and other statistics to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied and been admitted in the past Research careers – Research hundreds of careers and career clusters, and take career assessments Create plans for the future – Create goals and to-dos, and complete tasks assigned by the school to better prepare your student for future college and career goals

44. Next Steps… Return 1 signed copy of the transcript. Return completed Name Verification form. Return completed Major Application. Contact your child’s counselor with any questions you have!

45. Thank you for coming!!