Senior Summit Senior Summit Preparing for the Future 09/15/2011

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER CONCERNING GRADUATION: It is YOUR graduation and and YOUR responsibility… Take ownership!

Graduation Responsibility The Student has the ultimate responsibility: responsibility: 1. Check high school credits 1. Check high school credits 2. Check college requirements 2. Check college requirements 3. Know NCAA requirements 3. Know NCAA requirements 4. Avoid last minute problems – grades, attendance, behavior 4. Avoid last minute problems – grades, attendance, behavior

Graduation Plans Arlington Minimum Recommended Distinguished

Graduation Plans Arlington Minimum: - 24 total credits - fulfills requirements for entrance into junior colleges entrance into junior colleges

Graduation Plans Recommended Plan Recommended Plan Fulfills the COURSE requirements for 4-year colleges and universities - 26 total credits - specific math sequence - specific science sequence - 2 credits of same foreign language - 1 fine art credit

Graduation Plans Distinguished Achievement Plan Recommended Plan with additional Recommended Plan with additional requirements of: - 3 rd year foreign language - Any combination of 4 from the following components: following components: 1) Selection as National Merit Finalist, Semi- 1) Selection as National Merit Finalist, Semi- Finalist, Commended Scholar, National Finalist, Commended Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, or Achievement Scholar Hispanic Scholar, or Achievement Scholar 2) Special research project 2) Special research project 3) Score of 3 or higher on any AP exam 3) Score of 3 or higher on any AP exam 4) 3.0 average on any college course taken 4) 3.0 average on any college course taken while in high school (includes dual credit courses) while in high school (includes dual credit courses)

Must pass all sections of TAKS for graduation. TAKS Must pass all sections of TAKS for graduation. October test dates: ELA / Writing – October 18th Math – October 19th Science – October 20th Social Studies – October 21st 1) Any senior new to state, private school, or retest 2) Any senior who has not tested nor passed exit level exam 3) Any Junior who will be reclassified at semester to senior status and is on target to graduate at the end of May or August.

COLLEGE INFORMATION APPLICATIONS Send applications NOW to colleges and universities… <<For Texas colleges and universities >> Many application deadlines are moving to December 1st ! Know the deadlines for the schools you are most interested in attending.

Most application deadlines are “received by” not “postmarked by.”

COLLEGE INFORMATION Colleges and universities strongly urge students to apply on-line … this will speed up application process and will allow students to access status of application !!!!!!

TESTING You must be accepted for free or reduced lunches to request fee waivers for SAT, ACT, or college applications. Enrollment in junior college does not require ACT or SAT. COLLEGE INFORMATION

TESTING SAT AND ACT ON-LINE REGISTRATION AND PRACTICE TESTS (ON-LINE REGISTRATION PREFERRED): SAT – ACT – Registration forms if needed and practice tests located in the Counseling Office. (School Code: ). COLLEGE INFORMATION

TESTING  SAT - measures general verbal, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills - offered at UTA in October, November, January, March & June - offered at UTA in October, November, January, March & June  ACT  ACT - measures more closely high school curricula - offered at UTA or Mansfield Summit in September, October, February, April and June Other test dates available at different sites… see on-line registration for information. Watch college deadlines if taking after November!*

COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING Test scores must be sent directly to the college or university

COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING Additional Score Report Forms: Additional Score Report Forms: Order online: Order online:

Transcript Information Transcript provides the following information: GPA, Rank, # of Credits, Courses, Grades, Graduation Plan Ordering transcript: 1) Order from Mrs. Broker in Counseling Office 2) $3.00 per transcript 3) Provide addressed stamped envelope if mailing for scholarship or college application

COLLEGE INFORMATION At semester, send updated transcript to the university if your rank improves to the Top 10% or if GPA dramatically improves… this will allow your application to be reviewed by the admissions committee.

Letters of Recommendation  ONLY IF SPECIFIED IN APPLICATION  NEED AT LEAST 2 WEEKS (this means working days!!!!) IN ADVANCE OF DEADLINE for teachers / counselors  Counselors mail directly – must have addressed, must have addressed, stamped envelope and stamped envelope and transcript if needed transcript if needed (usually need two stamps) (usually need two stamps)

COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING THEA – must take prior to enrolling in Texas college, university, or teacher education program. THEA – must take prior to enrolling in Texas college, university, or teacher education program. Exemptions from THEA: Exemptions from THEA: TAKS – ELA > 2200, TAKS – ELA > 2200, WRITING > 3, WRITING > 3, MATH > 2200 MATH > 2200 SAT – combined >1070 with Verbal and Math SAT – combined >1070 with Verbal and Math both > 500 both > 500 ACT – composite > 23 with English and Math both > 19 both > 19

COLLEGE INFORMATION TESTING Register on-line for THEA at: or: paper registration forms are paper registration forms are located in Counseling Office. located in Counseling Office.

SCHOLARSHIPS WATCH FOR DEADLINES ON WATCH FOR DEADLINES ON SCHOLARSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND APPLICATIONS!!! APPLICATIONS!!! For JANUARY deadlines (COLLEGE OR SCHOLARSHIP) your Counselor needs completed application, transcript, and envelope by ………

Scholarships Scholarships Scholarship Bulletins available on AISD website, Martin website, and all senior English classes. Listen to announcements : 1) Scholarship opportunities 2) Colleges visiting MHS during lunch 3) Tuesday evenings – Visiting colleges and special programs.

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION Must complete the FAFSA for you to be considered for many scholarships… applying on-line will speed up the process … 3 days vs weeks on paper. Apply for your pin # now at:

GPA and Rank Valedictorian Valedictorian Salutatorian Salutatorian Summa (top 2%) Summa (top 2%) Magna (top 10%) Magna (top 10%) Cum (top 20%) Cum (top 20%) Honor Graduates (10.0 GPA) Honor Graduates (10.0 GPA) Final ranking determined at end of 5 th 6wks : computed on a 7 and 4/7 semester formula (2 semesters for 9 th, 10 th, 11 th and 1 4/7ths of a semester for the senior year)

MISCELLANEOUS Exemption Policy  80 average  no more than 3 excused absences  no more than 2 tardies in a class per semester  no unexcused absences  no OCS

MISCELLANEOUS College Days College Days  2 days allowed  must inform attendance office in advance  days are excused, but count towards the 3 allowed for exemption  must see Admissions or Financial Office to stamp form.

MISCELLANEOUS MISCELLANEOUS  Top 10 %  Top 10 % - Automatic admissions to if Top 10%. Texas college/university if Top 10%. (UT Top 8%) Must apply!!!!  NCAA Clearinghouse - booklet and application from Mrs. Broker …or online:

MISCELLANEOUS Senior Awards Nomination Form To be considered for any senior award you must complete / turn in a To be considered for any senior award you must complete / turn in a Senior Award Nomination Form Forms are available through any teacher (requires teacher signature). Forms are available through any teacher (requires teacher signature).

MISCELLANEOUS Selective Service: All males must register with the Selective Service upon reaching the age of 18. Register at:

College and Career Information Resource Center Room 185C Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays

Local College Opportunities  Tarrant County College: Cornerstone Program – an honors program leading to acceptance, with scholar- ships, to third and fourth year of college.  University of Texas (Arlington): Honors Academy – dual credit opportunity with possibility of receiving renewable scholarships to UTA.

College and Career Night When: Next Thursday September 22nd September 22nd Time: 7:00 PM Where: UTA Activity Center What: Representatives from over 150 Colleges / Universities 150 Colleges / Universities Financial Aid presentations Financial Aid presentations Parent participation encouraged! Parent participation encouraged!

GUIDANCE PACKETS TAKE HOME AND SHARE INFORMATION WITH PARENTS! Return Honors and Activities Sheet to Senior English teacher (or counselor, if enrolled in Dual Credit or are a 3 year graduate).