1. FALL 2015 (Almost) Everything you need to know about college admissions, SAT/ACT, financial aid, and more.

2. ATTENTION: 11 th grade is a very important year for you as you prepare for entrance to a college/university Academically  Junior Course Selection AND Grades must be taken seriously, as these set of courses and grades will be your last opportunity,before applying colleges (submitting transcripts), for you to make a statement about who you are as a student. Planning  No Plan => No Direction => FAILURE  Informed Choices => Effective Plan => SUCCESS

3. Hot Topics for Junior Year Take the PSAT Utilize SAT or ACT prep to prepare for testing Plan to take the SAT and/or ACT in SPRING of 2016. Consider taking the ASVAB Assessment to help identify your vocational strengths Research your top colleges/universities Research scholarship opportunities Bright Futures-If you do not have an approved project, you need to make this a priority. Know your graduation/College/Career related needs

4. Hot Topics for Junior Year SPC Dual Enrollment  Registration for Spring Semester Opens  October 26 th  It’s not too late to strengthen your curriculum  Must see counselor, if interested SPC Early Admissions – Full-Time SPC in Senior Year  Deadline is Feb. 10, 2016  See Counselor for paperwork

5. SAT Testing Register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com You SHOULD register for the Writing portion of the test Scores are interchangeable/mixed for college admission; however, with the NEW SAT, it is not known if schools will “Superscore” Each section (reading, math, writing) has a maximum value of 800 points, totaling 2400 points as the highest possible score. Cost is $54.50, but you may qualify for a fee waiver if you are on free or reduced lunch

6. SAT w/ESSAY SHOULD I TAKE ESSAY??? SCHOOLS Unofficial List /See school website for update information WILL ACCEPT OLD SAT FOR 2017 WILL REQ WRITING WILL SUPER SCORE BOTH Auburn UniversityYes No College of William and MaryLikelyNoUndecided Cornell UniversityUndecided Florida State UniversityLikelyUndecided George Washington UniversityYesUndecided Harvard UniversityYes Ohio State UniversityYes Not likely Princeton UniversityYes Undecided Stanford UniversityYesUndecidedLikely University of FloridaUndecided University of Notre DameYesLikelyNot likely University of PennsylvaniaLikely Unlikely University of VirginiaUndecided Yes Vassar CollegeLikely Virginia TechLikelyNot likelyLikely Washington and Lee UniversityLikely Yale UniversityYesUndecidedNot likely

7. ACT Testing Register at www.actstudent.org You MUST register for the Writing portion of the test Each section (English, math, reading, science) has a range from 1 to 36, 36 being the highest possible score. These individual test scores are averaged together for your Composite Score, which is what colleges look at for admission. Score is not interchangeable at all Colleges/Universities. Cost is $49.50, but you may qualify for a fee waiver if you are on free or reduced lunch

8. SAT National Test Dates SAT Date SAT Subject Tests Available Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline Deadline for Changes Status Mar 5 Feb 5 Feb 19 Feb 23 Register Now May 7 Subject Tests Apr 8 Apr 22 Apr 26 Register Now Jun 4 Subject Tests May 5 May 20 May 25 Register Now

9. ACT National Test Dates Test DateRegistration Deadline(Late Fee Required) September 12, 2015August 7, 2015August 8–21, 2015 October 24, 2015September 18, 2015September 19– October 2, 2015 December 12, 2015November 6, 2015November 7–20, 2015 February 6, 2016*January 8, 2016January 9–15, 2016 April 9, 2016March 4, 2016March 5–18, 2016 June 11, 2016**May 6, 2016May 7–20, 2016

10. Testing in Junior Year Plan to take at least one if not two tests in the SPRING of your junior year. You will want to have scores available to send to colleges before Senior year application deadlines If you do not send score reports directly to colleges/universities at the time of the test, there will be a fee to send later New Security Measures! PICTURES!! School code is 100254

11. Begin your College Research Visit www.flvc.org Welcome to the Learning Resources Center for Florida's Colleges and Universities

12. Begin your College Research Visit: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org /

13. College Research, cont.  Try to make some college visits during the Spring of your Junior Year and meet with an admissions representative  4 college days to use between junior and senior year (excused absences)  Contact admission representatives directly to request information on admissions and financial aid via email or telephone

14. SPC EXPO Tarpon Campus Attend anytime from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to explore our academic programs, get details on admissions, financial aid, advising and moreSPC EXPO Thursday, Feb. 11th Use our locator map for directions to SPC EpiCenter.SPC EpiCenter Want an event e-mail reminder?event e-mail reminder Need more information? Call 727-341-3178 or e-mail Lisa LeightonLisa Leighton EXPO highlights Explore SPC degrees and programs degrees and programs Talk to advisors or contact an advisor now contact an advisor now Learn how to apply, submit transcripts and other admission details * Learn how to apply Apply at the event or get a head start and apply online *apply online Find ways to prepare for College Placement Test College Placement Test Explore early college options and Career Pathways for high school studentsearly college optionsCareer Pathways Learn about Honors College program admissions Honors College program admissions

15. Scholarship and Financial Aid Visit www.fastweb.com for scholarships Pinellas County has the Pinellas Education Foundation that will open up for applications in the Fall of your senior year. www.pinellaseducation.org  Application Deadline : January 13, 2016 Be sure you are on track to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship. www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org Prepare to fill out the FAFSA during your Senior year. www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is a requirement for Bright Futures

16. Bright Futures Information www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org Florida Academic Scholarship: 1290 SAT or 29 ACT; Weighted GPA 3.5; 100 volunteer hours Florida Medallion Scholarship: 1170 SAT or 26 ACT; Weighted GPA 3.0; 75 volunteer hours The FAFSA must be filled out in order to qualify www.fafsa.ed.gov *You can register for the BF scholarship in SENIOR year, starting on December 1 st *

17. The College Application Process Application through School website – In State and some out of state schools Application through Common Application – www.commonapp.org Letter of Recommendation Transcript Requests

18. Be sure your application has been submitted prior to turning in your completed transcript request form Allow up to two weeks for transcripts to be sent to your selected schools – Mrs. Smith sends ALL electronic transcripts Electronic and Common Application transcripts are FREE, but may take 14 days to send Out of state and private schools will cost between $2.00 and $5.00 per school If letters of recommendation are required, be sure to indicate on the transcript request form. If you need a letter of recommendation, your resume MUST be submitted. No Resume = No Letter of Recommendation If asking a teacher to provide you with a letter, you must provide them with the addressed envelope and correct postage

19. Transcript Visit SAT Resume Essay ACT GPA SAT When applying to most colleges you are judged by:  The rigor of your H.S. curriculum  Your grades in those rigorous courses  Your SAT/ACT scores  Your Essay  Your resume/list of activities, volunteer work, etc.  Letters of Recommendation Decisions, Decisions

20. According to the 2010 State of College Admission report released by the National Association College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Admission Offices indicated that the top factors in the admission decision were (in order): 1. grades in college preparatory courses, 1. grades in college preparatory courses, 2. strength of curriculum, 2. strength of curriculum, 3. standardized admission test scores (SAT/ACT), and 3. standardized admission test scores (SAT/ACT), and 4. overall high school grade point average (GPA). 4. overall high school grade point average (GPA). Among the next most important factors were the essay, teacher and counselor recommendations, extracurricular activities, class rank, and student’s demonstrated interest. Most Important Factors in College Admissions

21. Decisions, Decisions, cont. With an Eye on next year… Your senior year is very important- Not only are your senior courses very significant, but your grades in those courses can determine if you are accepted into a college and if they will honor or rescind your invitation. In other words, you must work hard next year, all year.

23. Any Questions? Ask your counselor Thank you all for attending!!