1. Welcome to 10th Grade Sophomore Information Session
Hosted By the WFHS Counseling Office

2. WFHS Counseling Department
Deven Eberhardt
A-CH
Donovan Hollis
Ke-Nel
Erica Waters
Ner-Sh
Jennifer Ciaccio
Ci-F
Allison Rinehart
Si-Z
Allison Leja
G-Ka

3. Graduation Requirements
4 English credits
4 Math credits
4 Science credits
3 Social Studies
3 Career/Fine Arts/For. Lang.*
Health/Per. Fit
4 additional electives
23 Total Units
*If you are planning on attending a 4 year university you must take a minimum of 2 credits in the same foreign language

4. Time for Growth and Planning
Sophomore year is a time for students to focus on personal growth and academic achievement.
Students are encouraged to expand extracurricular activities and explore leadership opportunities. The opportunities may be found in community service, clubs, athletics, fine arts, employment, and other areas of personal interest

5. Additional Help
All teachers offer help sessions before or after school on a regular basis.  Students are encouraged to see their teachers before or after school whenever they have an academic issue.
Peer tutoring- Takes place on Wednesdays during IF in the media center.
Instructional Extension- Primarily peers helping peers after school in the media center on Tuesdays from 3:35-5pm. The program is run by a math and science teacher who are also available to help.

6. PSAT PSAT prepares students to take the SAT
The PSAT is offered once every year in October. Sophomores will take this practice test. Students will receive a detailed report, which explains test scores.
The PSAT will be given at West on 10/19 during the school day.

7. Pathway Recognition Career Tech Recognition Fine Art Recognition
Advanced Academic Recognition
World Language Recognition

8. Ready? Set? Gooooo!!! What do I need to do and how do I start?
Start your post-secondary research.
Understand the difference between being able to get into a college and being able to AFFORD a college.
Understand the difference between high school graduation requirements and college entrance requirements
Research scholarships and financial aid.
Work on your class schedule for senior year – see your counselor with any questions or guidance.

9. How do I choose? What am I looking for?
Size, location, costs, majors, clubs/groups, etc.
How does the BIG 3 affect my admissions?
GPA, SAT/ACT, Curriculum Strength
Have I narrowed my list down to 5-7 schools?
1-2 Dream/Reach, 2-3 Moderate level, 2-3 Safety/Fall Back

10. Good Common Practice Plan a visit to tour the campus
Attend College Fairs
Meet with the college representatives when they come to WFHS
Get to know the rep in your area
Attend info sessions in the area
Join the school’s mailing list and follow them on social media
Write a good admissions essay

11. GA Futures (www.gafutures.org)
Important Resources
GA Futures (
Career Cruising (
Bigfuture (

12. HOPE Scholarship Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school
Be registered for Selective Service (males only)
Meet Georgia residency requirements
3.0 CORE GPA (all academic courses only)
**Eng., Math, Science, Social Studies, For. Lang.
AP quality pts. (only .50 given for AP, nothing above a 4.0)
RIGOR Requirement - FOUR rigor Courses.
Middle school credit is not calculated in the HOPE GPA
All calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, and not by WFHS or Forsyth Co. Schools.
HOPE GPA is not rounded up, so 2.99 does not qualify.

13. HOPE Scholarship
Covers a percentage % of tuition (based on Lottery Funds)
Award Amounts: $$$ varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending (public/private).

14. Zell Miller Scholarship
Covers 100% of tuition (based on Lottery Funds)
Requirements:
Must meet all the requirements to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, plus:
Core GPA of 3.70
1,200 SAT (CR+MA) on a single test administration or a 26 composite on the ACT
RIGOR Requirement – FOUR rigor Courses.

15. All HOPE is Not Lost!
Did you know that if you graduate from high school with less than a 3.0 GPA, you could still earn HOPE once you get into college?
At 30, 60, or 90 hours, if a once ineligible student earns a 3.0+, they become HOPE eligible.
This does not apply to Zell Miller. Students have to be eligible for Zell Miller upon graduating from high school, to receive the award at any point in college.

16. HOPE at Private Institutions
HOPE Scholarship (Enrolled Full-Time)
$3,936 per year award
ZELL MILLER (Enrolled Full-Time)
$4,348 per year award

17. HOPE Grant
Pays a percentage of tuition at all Georgia Technical Colleges
Graduate from a Hope-eligible high school
NO GPA requirement
Technical College System (based on 12 hours) $1,950 (HOPE) and $2670 (Zell)

18. How to Apply Apply for the HOPE
Applying for HOPE, Zell Miller, or HOPE Grant – Complete FAFSA starting October, 2016.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) -
For Additional Information on HOPE
Contact Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) or

19. Other Scholarship Options
College based: check college financial aid websites for criteria and categories.
Community based: church, civic groups, local organizations.
Private based: parents place of work, FREE scholarship search through websites.
Visit the WFHS Counseling Website.

20. Move On When Ready
MOWR – Opportunity for GA high school students to take courses from a state public or private postsecondary institution while still enrolled as a high school student and receive credit BOTH at the high school and at the postsecondary institution.

21. Move On When Ready 101
Financial assistance for tuition, fees, and books is provided. Courses do not count against any maximum hourly caps for HOPE scholarships or grants.
Students may participate part-time or full-time.
Student must apply and be accepted to a participating postsecondary institution (University System of GA, Technical College of GA, or Private University).
Extra quality point added to GPA.
See handouts in you packet for UNG and Lanier Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions:

22. Counselor Coffee and Conversation
Upcoming Events
Counselor Coffee and Conversation
Date: October 20th
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 AM
Location: WFHS Media Center
Questions answered regarding credits, classes, etc.

23. ASVAB Upcoming Events Date: Wednesday, November 9th.
**Sign-up in the Counseling Office

24. Location: WFHS Auditorium
Upcoming Events
Financial Aid Night
Date: November 14th
Time: 6:30
Location: WFHS Auditorium
FAFSA
Apply for PIN #

25. Questions Visit the WFHS Counseling website!
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