Junior & Rising Senior Information Archer High School Counseling Department

Who is my Counselor? Why?

Obstacles to Graduation 23 credits to Graduate 4 credits English 4 credits Math 4 credits Science (Bio, Chem, Physics, Elective) 3 credits Social Studies (World, US, Econ/Poli Sys) 3 credits Fine art/Tech/Foreign Language) 4 credits elective .5 Health/ .5 Personal Fitness Pass Gateway exam (Science & Social Studies)

Options After High School 4-year College/University 2-year College Technical College Military Work

Junior Timeline Sign up for SAT/ACT Prep classes Take 1st SAT/ACT – Spring (dates on Archer & College Board Website) Make a college list – Spring College visits – Spring break/Summer Final college List – Summer Begin writing college essay – Summer Start college applications – Early Senior year Submit applications – Fall/Winter Senior year Research/Apply for scholarships – Fall/Spring Senior year

Career Interest Inventory Resources SAT & ACT Prep Career Interest Inventory https://collegereadiness.college board.org/sat/practice Practice App, Practice Tests and Sample Questions https://www.khanacademy.org/ sat http://www.act.org/content/act /en/products-and-services/the- act/test-preparation.html Online prep courses (at a cost), Prep Guide and Sample Test questions http://www.act.org/content/da m/act/unsecured/documents/P reparing-for-the-ACT.pdf https://www.gafutures.org/car eer-exploration/learn-about- yourself/ My Next Move – Interest Profiler Career One Stop – Skills Profiler Virtual Job Shadow – eClass – under additional resources GCIS – Assessments – Career Cluster Inventory, Interest Profiler, Skills/Work Values

Applying? Factors to consider- size, cost, location, majors, environment, admission requirements Suggested that you apply to at least 3 or 4 schools (1 reach, 1 middle of the road, 1 safe) How to apply? Review the schools admissions website Common App, Send edu, GaFutures, School website

Letters of Recommendation Counselor and/or teacher recommendation may be required as part of your college application Student MUST complete a “Brag Sheet” “Brag Sheet” located on Archer HS Counseling website 10 school days turn around; student responsible for meeting all deadlines Electronic recommendation invite must be sent to counselor/teacher for 10 day turn around to begin Communicate with your counselor!

How do I request my transcript? 1. To order your transcript for in-state colleges and universities through GaFutures (No cost): A. Go to www.gafutures.org  B. Create an account (make sure that you use your full legal name and Social Security Number; Your profile needs to be complete) C. Go to the “My GaFutures” tab D. Go to “My Transcript” E. Complete the form and send 2. To order your transcript through Archer High School for out-of-state schools, and scholarships: A. Complete an order on My Payments Plus; Each transcript is $5.00. B. Pick up your transcript(s) in the front office in 48 hours 

Senior Final Transcripts After you graduate, final transcripts will not be available until the summer. Graduates needing to send a final transcript to the college that they are attended will need to order a transcript through my payments plus ~July Archer HS does not mail finalized transcripts to colleges – Students are responsible for picking up their transcript. Check with the counseling office around May of your senior year for more details.

GA Futures & SS# Students must have an active GA Futures account with a complete “Profile” section that includes full LEGAL NAME, address and SS#. Students must also have their SS# on file at Archer HS. You must bring your card or a copy of your card to the counseling office. HOPE GPA and transcript requests Make sure that this is completed before the start of your senior year! https://www.gafutures.org/

Give me my money! HOPE Scholarship Zell Miller Scholarship Graduate from a HOPE eligible high school with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (as calculated by GSFC) A HOPE GPA calculator is located on your GaFutures account Graduate from high school with a minimum 3.7 grade point average (HOPE GPA) AND Minimum SAT score of 1,200 on the math and reading portions or a minimum composite ACT score of 26 in single national test administration Apply by completing the FAFSA or GSFAPPS (FASA must be completed every year). FAFSA opens on October 1St . Please visit GaFutures.org for award amounts and more eligibility requirements

Searching for Scholarships Free Application for Federal Student Aid- https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Ga Futures - https://www.gafutures.org/scholarship-search Archer Scholarship Page- http://archer.archerhighschool.net/page/show/203 0674-scholarships Scholarship Search Websites - http://archer.archerhighschool.net/page/show/203 0666-scholarship-websites Google!