Senior Seminar September 14, 2012 Jamie Zucker Counselor & CAP Advisor

High School Graduation Requirements 24 credits to graduate 4 Credits of English 4 Credits of Math 3 Credits of Science: Earth Space or Integrated, Biology & Chemistry 3 Credits of History: World History, American History, Government (0.5) & Economics (0.5) 1 Credit of Fine Art 1 Credit of Physical Education—must include Personal Fitness *** 2 Credits of a Foreign Language are not required, but recommended for most colleges & needed for Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

High School Graduation Requirements (con.) Minimum 2.0 GPA Earn a passing score on the Reading & Mathematics portion on the FCAT or a standardized test score that is concordant with the passing scores on the FCAT (SAT & ACT)—Reading 420 SAT or 18 ACT; MATH- 340 SAT or 15 ACT Community Service Hours hours for Florida Academic Scholars ( Bright Futures); 75 hours for Florida Medallion

New ACT Testing Information New ID Requirements at registration: ALL students must upload a photo and provide their gender when they register online Photo and gender will be printed on all tickets and rosters Your entire name that appears on your identification must match the name you provide at registration exactly Types of Identification acceptable: License, Passport, School ID with picture Make sure all identification is current. If it is expired you will not be allowed to test! You must have an acceptable photo ID and your paper copy of your admission ticket. NO ID/NO TICKET= NO TESTING

New SAT Testing Information You must print and have your admission ticket Your entire name that appears on your identification must match the name you provide at registration exactly Types of Identification acceptable: License, Passport, School ID with picture Changes to “test center”, “test type”, or “date” cannot be done that morning The test is now: 10 sections starting with a 25 minute essay (total testing time: 3 hours & 45 minutes)

Deadlines The deadline means ALL information must be in- NO EXCEPTIONS!

Florida State School Priority Application Deadlines -Your Job to Know Deadlines Florida State University- October 15 th !!!!! University of Central Florida- November 1 st University of Florida- November 1 st Florida International University- December 1 st University of West Florida- January 1 st Florida Golf Coast University- February 15 th University of North Florida- November 16 th

EARLY DECISION, EARLY ACTION OR REGULAR DECISION??? Early decision—easier to get accepted but it is binding- you must attend and withdraw all other applications. DO NOT apply ED unless this is your dream school and you can afford the costs. Early Action-easier to get accepted than regular decision but not binding. DO NOT apply EA if you need senior grades to give you a boost from first semester Regular decision-later deadline-colleges will look at first semester grades from senior year. DO YOU NEED THE BOOST?

Florida State Schools Florida A&M—FAMU University of West Florida-UWF Florida Atlantic University-FAMU University of Florida-UF Florida Gulf Coast University-FGCU University of North Florida-UNF Florida International University-FIU University of South Florida-USF Florida Sate University-FSU New College PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES—November 1 really means October 15

Tips for College Essays Don’t just recycle your essays. Be yourself! This is time for the college to learn more about you and what you have to say. Emphasize the positive- this is your time to shine! Have someone proofread your paper- English teachers, counselor, parents, etc. Don’t overdo it, just because your essay is long doesn’t mean it’s what the colleges want.

Examples of Essay Topics for State Schools Florida State University Florida State University is more than just a world-class academic institution preparing you for a future career. We are a caring community of well-rounded individuals who embrace leadership, learning, service, and global awareness. With this in mind, which of these characteristics appeal most to you, and why?

Examples of Essay Topics for State Schools University of Central Florida Although optional, the essay assists the Admissions Committee in knowing you as an individual, independent of test scores and other objective data. We ask that you respond to two of the topics below. Your responses should be no longer than a total of 500 words or 7,000 characters. 1. If there has been some obstacle or bump in the road in your academic or personal life, please explain the circumstances. 2. How has your family history, culture, or environment influenced who you are? 3. Why did you choose to apply to UCF? 4. What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that will allow you to contribute to the UCF community?

Examples of Essay Topics for State Schools University of Florida Please write a concise narrative in which you describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your ideas about student responsibility, academic integrity, campus citizenship or a call to service.

More Tips & Advice 1. DO NOT FILL OUT APPLICATIONS LATE AT NIGHT. Although access to applications is 24/7, you need to be alert and focused. Take your time, because these documents are too important to rush. 2. HAVE ALL YOUR APPLICATION INFORMATION ON HAND. You should have all application information next to you, or save your progress and go back in when you do have it. You will also need credit card information to pay application fees and standardized test score reporting fees. 3. HAVE YOUR COUNSELOR REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION - BEFORE HITTING ‘SEND.’ Your counselor needs to look over absolutely everything - especially essays and your first few applications.

3 TYPES Of APPLICATIONS Public Schools Florida-apply on website if possible Common Application- register-Use for all common app. Schools Public Schools outside Florida-website if possible You will need letters of recommendations for all common app schools- 2 teachers from junior year

WHOSE JOB IS IT? YOU------application and sending test scores ME transcript: use form and allow one week all other documentation Provide $1.00 and completed form for each transcript requested

SENIOR SEMINAR #2 Topics to be discussed: Bright Futures Scholarship opportunities Tips for Surviving Freshman year of College

NOW WHAT????? Don’t panic Use me but don’t abuse me-I am here to help you Pay attention to College Corner on website for continuous update information. We are all in this together-let’s work together as a team so colleges will continue to want to come to our school. So far you guys are awesome and I am so proud of you.

Jamie Zucker Counselor & CAP Advisor