1. CLASS OF 2017

2. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS English English I, II, III, IV Mathematics Algebra I (Math I), Geometry (Math II), Algebra II (Math III)r & One math course beyond Algebra II/Math III Science Earth/Environmental Science, Biology, Physical Science OR (Chemistry/Physics) Social Studies World History, Civics & Economics, American History I/II Electives (2) + Concentration (4) Two electives must be courses in CTE, Arts or World Language; Four electives recommended in a concentrated area: CTE, Arts, or any other subject area. Health & PE Electives Total 28

3. NC Academic Scholars GPA: 3.5 Unweighted English I, II, III, IV  Science: Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics  Social Studies: World History, Civics and Economics, American History I/II  Four (4) elective credits in a concentration  Math: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, OR Math I, II, III & 4th math beyond Algebra II or Math III  Healthful Living/Health & PE  World Language: 2 Credits (Level I & Level II of the same language  3 Higher Level courses taken during junior and/or senior years (honors, AP or College Courses)

4. TESTS… ReDesigned SAT I Reasoning Begins With March 2016 Testing Measures the skills students need for academic success in college in three sections: Critical Reading, Math, & Writing (Optional) Score Scale: 800 on each section; 2400 total Average score is 500 on each section Recommend taking at least once (or twice) in the spring of junior year and again at the beginning of the senior year if needed to increase scores. Register online at collegeboard.com Important to prepare for the SAT: utilize free practice Web sites (such as www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com www.cfnc.org and practice SAT bookswww.cfnc.org March2Success.com Not penalized for guessing

5. TESTS… ACT with Writing Curriculum-based test designed to measure students’ college readiness and academic achievement in four skill areas: English, Math, Reading, & Science The writing test is optional but required for admission to UNC system schools Score Scale is 1-36 on each section; 1-36 composite Recommend taking at least once (or twice) in spring of junior year and again at beginning of senior year if needed to increase scores. Register and prepare online at www.act.orgwww.act.org Make sure to sign up for the writing.

6. THE ACT THE ACT WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE ACT – Only test with College Readiness Standards Act- Based on information you are learning now ACT- Score based on number of correct answers ACT – Is accepted by all 4 yr colleges/universities ACT – Writing Test is optional

7. THE ACT THE ACT WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE ACT – Only test with College Readiness Standards Act- Based on information you are learning now ACT- Score based on number of correct answers ACT – Is accepted by all 4 yr colleges/universities ACT – Writing Test is optional

8. UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCORES ENGLISH MATHEMATICS READING SCIENCE WRITING- 1-6 (a SCORE of 7 suggests you can handle college-level writing assignments) COMPOSITE SCORE (1-36) 17 minimum score for UNC System

9. COLLEGE READINESS SCORES ENGLISH COMPOSITION COLLEGE ALGEBRA PRECALCULUS ALGEBRA SOCIAL STUDIES BIOLOGY ENGLISH (18) MATH (22) READING (22) SCIENCE (23)

10. SHOULD YOU TEST AGAIN? CONSIDER RETESTING IF ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO YOU Did you misunderstand the directions or feel ill Do you think your scores do not accurately represent your abilities? What you expected-based on high school grades Were you prepared An expected increase of 57% Decrease 22% No Change – 21%

11. REPORTING YOUR SCORES TO COLLEGES COLLEGES USE ACT RESULTS TO Identify applicants who can benefit most from their programs Place students in first-year courses Help you develop an appropriate program of study Help scholarship/loan agencies identify qualified candidates

12. COLLEGE SEARCH REMEMBER you are seeking a college where the goals and personality of the student are well matched with those of the college. Consider what is important to you: cost, location, size, residential life, major, etc… EVALUATE & EXPLORE interests, majors, and careers by taking interest inventories and assessments (CFNC.org and princetonreview.com ) LIST abilities, preferences, personal qualities, and potential college majors RESEARCH COLLEGES by searching college Web sites, CFNC.org,collegeboard.com

13. COLLEGE SEARCH CONT’D ATTEND local college fairs and meet with college representatives when they visit your school VISIT colleges and take college tours when they are in session to get a feel for the campus and regular activity. TALK to friends, family, teachers, and recent grads about their careers & college experiences DEVELOP a list of colleges and make comparisons REVIEW admission requirements and application deadlines for potential colleges

14. COLLEGE SEARCH CONT’D FINALIZE your college list early in the senior year. Consider the following guide: One or two safety colleges: colleges to which you will almost certainly be admitted Some realistic or “probable”: colleges where your GPA, test scores, and other features look very similar to those of recent entering classes. Use www.cfnc.org to view collegewww.cfnc.org freshman scores for a particular college AND www.collegeboard.com click on BIG Futurewww.collegeboard.com

15. WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR IN A STUDENT? Academic Achievement (GPA) SAT/ACT scores Rigor of classes Class rank Extracurricular Activities Community Service Essay Recommendation Letter(s)

16. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OPTIONS Early Action-is an admissions procedure to notify student of early admissions to the college. Students are not obligated to accept the college’s offer of admission and may file applications at other universities. Early Decision-is a plan under which candidates may submit credentials early to one college, usually by Oct. 15th of senior year. Applicants are notified of their status by December. As part of the early decision plan, students may be required to sign an agreement to withdraw other applications if accepted.

17. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OPTIONS CONT’D Regular admission-is the plan under which candidates submit credentials during November to February, depending on school deadlines. Check the deadlines for each individual school. Rolling admission-is the plan under which candidates submit the credentials at their convenience through a certain date, usually late in the year. They receive an offer of acceptance or denial within four to six weeks. Onsite admission-is an admissions option in which colleges visit students at the high school and make an admissions determination during a scheduled appointment with the student.

18. NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE The clearinghouse certifies your eligibility to compete as a student athlete, but your college must accept you as a student. The clearinghouse evaluates your academic record to determine if you are eligible to participate at a Division I or II college as a freshmen. You can review the eligibility requirements and register at www.eligibitycenter.org

19. SENIOR CONFERENCES Sessions will be in small groups/classes conducted by your counselor to discuss senior year. This is for STUDENTS ONLY. Senior Guide: Students will receive this guide. Review their transcripts. Complete Senior survey

20. COUNSELOR STATEMENT Some colleges or universities will want a counselor statement along with your transcript. Fill out A BRAG SHEET This information provides your counselor/teacher with what they need to provide you a good recommendation. Please be mindful of time constraints when requesting counselor statement and letter of recommendations. Allow at least two weeks prior to any deadline you are trying to meet.

21. TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS Read the application carefully to determine how many you need. Ask teachers and give them at least 2 weeks notice. They can return it to you in a sealed envelope for you to mail to the college OR you can give them a stamped and addressed envelope for them to mail it. Some recommendations are sent electronically through the teacher’s email BE SURE TO WRITE THEM A THANK YOU NOTE FOR WRITING THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION!

22. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS Student’s Responsibility: Application Request testing data from Collegeboard for SAT/SCORES FROM ACT Request teacher recommendations Transcripts and counselor statements.

23. TRANSCRIPT REQUEST & COUNSELOR STATEMENTS If a Counselor Statement IS part of the application: Print a copy of the counselor statement and turn it in to Student Services along with the counselor statement request form. (The statement will be sent directly to the college and will not be returned to the student.) If the counselor statement is requested electronically, a Counselor Statement Request Form must be turned in for this as well.

24. FINANCIAL AID GRANTS, LOANS & WORK-STUDY The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the form that is needed to apply for aid in the form of grants or loans. On- Line applications are found at ww.fafsa.ed.gov.ww.fafsa.ed.gov The CSS/Financial Aid Profile establishes eligibility for institutional aid. The application is available at www.collegeboard.com. A Financial Aid Information Session is held each year in the Media Center. FAFSA DAY IS HELD IN FEBRUARY AT SECU.

25. SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID Review Senior Guide & Senior Bulletins Each college/university have scholarships available to students entering for first time. Utilize your search engines on your computers and find all available aid possible. www.cfnc.org also has scholarships that may be helpful. Resources also include a financial literacy course and financial aid estimator.

26. POST SECONDARY OPTIONS Community colleges offer a vast array of Associate Degree and Certificate programs For students that may not have the grades right away or want to save money, community colleges offer College Transfer programs wherein you can transfer to a 4 year university within 2 years. What about the Military? Get in touch with a recruiter and sign up to take the ASVAB.