1. Fort Mill High School Senior IGP Meeting
September 7, 2017

2. Counseling Staff Shelley Graf 10-12 A-E Hannah Rash 10-12 F-K
Celestine Peters L-Q
Allison Davis R-Z
Haleigh Cahill Career Development Facilitator

3. Important Announcements
Parents please empower your students to reach out to their counselor with questions.
Counselors are generally available before and after school, during student lunches, FLEX, and by appointment to answer any questions students may have regarding the college application process.

4. Folder Contents Transcript White
Graduation/College Requirements Purple
Completion of Major Application Purple
Family Connection Step by Step Yellow
How to Submit College Applications Yellow
State Scholarship Information Green
SAT/ACT Dates Orange
Tips for Writing a College Essay Orange
Community or Technical College Information Blue
Step by Step Applying to York Tech Blue
The FAFSA Grey

5. South Carolina High School Graduation Requirements (Purple Sheet)
24 Credits Required
4 English
4 Math
3 Science – Biology Required
3 Social Studies – US History and Government/Economics Required
1 PE or ROTC
1 Computer Science
1 Career/Technology Elective or World Language
7 Electives (one must be HS 101 which is a Fort Mill School District requirement)
South Carolina Four-Year College Requirements
4 English CP Level or Higher
4 Math CP Level or Higher
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
4th Higher Level Math
3 Lab Sciences
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Any Science with Biology or Chemistry as a prerequisite
Environmental Science CP
Marine Science CP
Biology 2, Chemistry 2 or any AP level science
3 Social Studies
US History
Government/Economics
2 World Languages (3 for Clemson and College of Charleston)
1 Fine Arts
**For out of state schools contact the College directly to see their particular admission requirements.

6. TRANSCRIPT
I understand that I
must successfully
complete all courses bulleted to participate
in the FMHS
graduation ceremony.
________________
Student Signature
_______________
Parent Signature
Must earn credit(s) in all classes bulleted in the “Work In Progress” section to participate in graduation.
CR indicates a course needed to meet admission requirements for SC colleges (not needed for graduation from high school).
GPA is printed in the GPA Summary. SC colleges use the GPA and Rank from the SC UGP GPA column (weighted GPA – based on 5 point scale). CR CR

7. High School Majors
Purple Sheet
Must have 4 Credits in an area to earn a major (Required Courses for Major are listed in the Program of Studies)
Can earn multiple majors

8. High School Majors (continued)
Optional
A major is NOT required to graduate
A high school major does NOT have to match your intended college major
Must Complete Application
Turn into Tina Gardner in Guidance
Students should fill out a separate application for each major
Final application deadline: Wednesday, April 11, 2018

9. Apply for jobs toward the end of the school year. Resume Applications
Destination - Work
Apply for jobs toward the end of the school year.
Resume
Applications
Interview skills
Internship

10. Destination - Military
Research Military Scholarships
Visit recruiters during lunch
Take the ASVAB (free)
Offered at Fort Mill High School on October 11th
Sign up in Guidance to take the ASVAB Now - September 18th

11. Destination - Two Year College
Blue Sheet
Community and Technical College Information
Take entrance exam required by the school. Can submit SAT or ACT scores, but most students take the placement test at the community college called the Accuplacer test.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO PURSUE A HEALTH CAREER, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE SAT OR ACT.
Back of sheet gives step-by-step directions on applying to York Tech.

12. College Application Day
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Seniors can fill out at least one college application that day in the Media Center
Counselors and college admission representatives will be there to help.
Not Mandatory - but encouraged!
Students will be given a pass to come to the Media Center starting at 8:40 am

13. College Application Day (continued)
Students must sign up in Guidance between September 11th – 27th.
Space is limited. First come first serve.
Students MUST fill out the provided workbook prior to coming to College Application Day.

14. Submitting College Applications
Yellow Sheet
Application Apply through the college’s website or Common App
2. Transcripts Send your high school transcript to the college (requests made through Naviance/Family Connections)
3. Test Scores Send your test score(s) to the college (directly from testing agency, SAT or ACT)

15. Submitting College Applications (continued)
Research Possible Colleges
Internet Searches (Family Connection)
College Websites (virtual tours are often available)
College Visits
Open Houses
Campus Tours
2 days are excused for Official College Visits. Must present statement from the college that you attended on an Official College Visit.
Wednesday, October 11th – Extra opportunity to do a College Visit the day of PSAT/ASVAB testing
If you take the ASVAB, you will be dismissed afterwards.
College Rep Visits During FLEX (sign up in Guidance)

16. Submitting College Applications (continued)
Online applications are preferred by colleges
Apply to at least four colleges
Don’t let cost keep you from applying
Apply NOW - even if you plan to take/retake SAT or ACT

17. Application deadline vs. credential deadline
Deadlines
Application deadline vs. credential deadline
Watch for deadlines - each college sets their own
Set a personal deadline of Halloween (remember some deadlines might be earlier)

18. The Main Types of College Admissions Options
Regular Admissions - most common, students must submit their applications by a specific date, usually between November and January.
Rolling Admissions - admissions allow students to apply at any time during their admissions period; typically, September through July
Open Admissions – Typically community colleges, nearly all high school graduates are admitted
Early Decision - you agree to attend this school if accepted, and you can’t apply to any other college or university (this option is binding so be certain). If you’re relying on financial aid to pay for college, you may not want to apply early decision because you’ll receive your acceptance before you know what financial aid package you’ll receive
Early Action - you are not bound to attend if accepted and you can apply early action to more than one university

19. Family Connections
Organizational tool
Only your counselor can see your information
Colleges cannot view your account

20. Family Connections I need to Register Enter Registration Code
Choose an you use often
Most students registered last year during junior IGP meeting. (Please try logging in before contacting counselor)

21. How to Request a Transcript
Click Colleges Tab

22. Colleges I’m Applying to…

25. Recommendations
Some colleges (and many scholarships) may require letters of recommendation.
Carefully select references - someone who can comment on your positive characteristics and knows you well.
Contact your references early - allow them AT LEAST TWO WEEKS to write your letter.
Complete a Resume or Activity Sheet to give to your recommender
Naviance/Family Connections has a resume template that counselors and teachers have access to.
Should you waive your right to view your recommendations? YES!

31. SAT
Orange Sheet
To register AND send scores go to:
Critical Reading (SAT = Evidence-Based Reading and Writing), Math, and Essay
Super Scoring
Cost: $46 (No Writing); $60 Plus Writing
Subject Test - Do you need it?
Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this.

32. ACT Orange Sheet To register AND send scores go to: www.actstudent.org
One composite score
$ no writing, $ plus writing
Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge - take advantage of this!
To determine if your college/university requires/recommends the writing portion, go to:

33. College Athletes
If you are planning to participate in college level athletics, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Registration is online at:
Register NOW. Once registered, FMHS will send your transcript for you.
Registration requires sending your ACT or SAT test scores directly from the testing organizations.
See your coach for more information.

34. Federal Financial Aid Grey Sheet
Must complete Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Need Based
Pell Grant
Campus-based Programs
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal Work Study Program
Perkins Loan Program
Stafford Loan
PLUS Loans (Parents)

35. State Supported Scholarships Green Sheet
Palmetto Fellows
For Early Awards, Mrs. Peters will submit the application and required documentation to the CHE for the students who qualify by Dec 15th. Students are eligible to apply if they meet one of the following:
Score 1200 (Reading + Math) on SAT or 27 on ACT, 3.5 minimum GPA, top 6% of sophomore, junior or senior year. OR
Score 1400 On SAT or 32 ACT and 4.0 GPA
Up to $6,700 1st academic year
Increases to $7500 in 2nd, 3rd and 4th academic years
For Late Awards, the guidance counselor/school representative must submit the application and required documentation to the Commission on Higher Education for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship by June 15th.

36. State Supported Scholarships (Continued)
LIFE Scholarship
Four-Year School – must meet two out of three qualifiers
- 3.0
- top 30% of graduating class
on SAT or 24 on ACT
Up to $5000 per academic year
Two-Year School
- 3.0 Final GPA
Up to $5000 for two years (usually covers tuition costs)

37. State Supported Scholarships
HOPE Scholarship
Only available at Four-Year schools
3.0 Final GPA
Up to $2,500 for the first academic year plus $300 for books
Lottery Tuition Assistance Program
Only available at Two-Year schools
Must complete a FAFSA
Award money varies by academic year.

38. Scholarships Scholarships through Naviance/Family Connections:
National Scholarship Search - Lists scholarships from a National Database
Scholarship List - Lists Local Scholarships
most have links available online or applications can be ed to you from guidance.
Church, Work, Clubs
Institutional Scholarships - Contact your college’s Financial Aid Office

40. Scholarships - continued
Beware of “for fee” services and companies that request confidential information (ex. Social Security #)
Popular websites:
Submit a copy of your award letter to Guidance - we use this to calculate the total scholarship money earned for the class of 2018.

41. Tips for Parents The application process should be student driven.
Check the Scholarship List on Family Connections frequently.
Students apply NOW! You don’t have to wait for test scores.
Review this PowerPoint on the Guidance website.
Make sure to request ALL transcripts through your Family Connection account.
Make sure you send ALL test scores directly from the testing agency.

42. Important Dates: Thursday, September 14 – USC Admissions Visit
Tuesday, September 19 – Winthrop Admissions Visit
Tuesday, October 3 – College Application Day
Wednesday, October 11 – College Visit Day and ASVAB testing
(need to bring documentation of visit for it to be an excused absence)
Monday, October 16, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Regional College Fair with representatives from over 80 colleges will be available. McBryde Winthrop University

43. Next Steps
Return one signed copy of the transcript before you leave tonight.

44. Thanks for Coming!
Questions & Answers