College Prep for Freshmen 2017-2018

Graduation Requirements vs. College Subject Requirements FLA WCU UNCW Selective Colleges English 4 credits Math Social Studies 1 credit 2 credits 3-4 credits Science 3 credits Foreign Language PE Elective Freshman Seminar

Required Graduation Credits Year you entered high school 2018-2019 and beyond 2017-2018 2016-2017 2015-2016 Number of possible credits 32 30 28 Number of credits required to graduate 27 26

Typical Sophomore Year Schedule Fall semester Spring semester Core Foreign language or elective Healthful Living Fine art/ elective/ sport It is required to take a full load every year! Must pass English every year to meet promotion requirements

Classification as a sophomore Minimum 5 earned course credits with one being English I Satisfactory performances on all PBL project content and presentations Not more than 15 unexcused absences in any yearlong course and 8 unexcused absences in a semester course Note: More than 15 unexcused absences in any high school course = loss of credit

Grading scale and quality points (for unofficial/ official transcript) Regular courses: Honors courses: AP/ VGCC courses: 90-100= 4.0 90-100= 4.5 90-100= 5.0 80-89= 3.0 80-89= 3.5 80-89= 4.0 70-79= 2.0 70-79= 2.5 70-79= 3.0 60-69= 1.0 60-69= 1.5 60-69= 2.0 <59= 0.0 <59= 0.5 <59= 1.0

Tools for Exploration CollegeBoard’s Big Future Search CFNC.org College and career fairs Family input It is really important to understand your priorities for characteristics before exploring!

BigFuture.org

What should I be doing this year and over the summer? Now that you’re in 9th grade, it’s time to get serious about your post-secondary plans Don’t neglect your study habits! If you don’t have any, create some! Talk to Ms. McGarry, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans for college Find out about college entrance requirements for the school you’re interested in Find out about AP and other honors-level courses Continue to get involved in campus and community activities Think about how you want to spend your summer Volunteering and educational programs can help give you a better idea about what kind of training or career would be right for you

College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won!

How to build a college list Consider the following when building your college list: Essay(s) required Tests needed: SAT/ ACT, SAT Subject Average test scores of accepted students Average GPA of accepted students Classes required for admission Scholarships available Location Majors Campus life

Creating a resume Think about what the employer wants Tailor your resume to fit the type of job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in retail, highlight any experience you have working customer service or helping others Use a resume summary statement A resume summary statement is a brief list of a couple sentences that summarize your qualifications for the job. You can list some of your strengths and skills that are most relevant to the job. A resume summary statement is a great way to quickly show the employer why you are a strong candidate. Highlight academic accomplishments As a student, a lot of your experiences are in the classroom. Emphasize achievements like a high GPA or any academic awards. If you have taken courses related to the job you’re applying for, list those as well.

Include extracurricular activities. Because you likely have limited work experience, emphasize any non-work activities. These might include clubs, sports, babysitting, volunteer work, or community service. All of these activities can show your skills and abilities. Note any leadership experience. Have you held a position in a club, or been a captain on a sports team? Be sure to list this experience, as it shows your ability to lead a team. Use action words. When describing your achievements, use action words. Words like led, researched, tutored, and created to portray your experiences in an energetic way. Check out a list of action words for useful examples. Edit, edit, edit. Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it. A clean, error-free resume will make you look professional. Ask a friend or family member to read the resume for you as well. Use a resume example. Use a resume example or template to guide your own writing. A resume example can help you decide what kind of content to include, as well as how to format your resume. However, be sure to tailor a resume example to fit your own experiences, and the job you are applying for.

Activity Review each resume individually (these are based on real resumes, submitted by real people) Talk with the person next to you or in small groups about each resume Come up with 3-5 reasons for why each resume is not professional Would you hire this person? Review the template for a well done resume Begin making your own!

How to Contact Me! Email: HannahMcGarry@fallslakeacademy.com Please be advised, I typically do not look at or respond to emails over the weekend—plan ahead! Office hours: 8:00-8:45 and 4:15-4:45 Schedule appointments with me during Smart lunch