1. Sherry Hart Senior Counselor 824-3213 x 13605 shart@mcpss.com

2. Graduation Requirements Credit Requirements Regular/Advanced Diploma28 required Honors Diploma30 required 3.5 GPA required, all honors core classes

3. Graduation Requirements ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXAM Reading, Math, Language, Social Studies, Biology Regular/Advanced/Honors Diploma = MUST PASS ALL Credit-Based Endorsement option – only offered at the end of student’s senior year if all credit requirements have been met; Reading, Math, & one other portion must be passed & the student must have attempted the test each time it was offered. The endorsement is final.

4. AHSGE Dates September 19 – 23 December 5 – 9 March 19 – 23 No cell phones allowed!! Test will be voided!!!

5. Slow down Prioritize tasks Make a list using a calendar to accomplish homework, college apps, work, & time for self Don’t take on more than you can handle Make time for friends & having fun Seek help when needed

6. Senior Year Myths MYTH College isn’t in my future. I have too many other responsibilities. FACT College includes any postsecondary education, including vocational training, certificate programs, & degree programs. You Can Go! www.YCG.org Watch videos of other students, just like you, who didn’t think college was in their future.www.YCG.org

7. MYTH It’s time to take it easy because I’m a senior! I think I will drop math second semester and take an elective…. FACT Oh no! Junior year helps prepare for college acceptance, senior year prepares for college level study. Choices made during 12 th grade set the tone for college.

8. MYTH I got into USA, U of Ala, Auburn (or any other college) so I don’t have to work too hard the rest of the year! FACT College admissions is contingent. Students must maintain the integrity of their grades and course of study throughout 12 th grade. Final transcripts are sent in June to confirm. Admissions can be revoked!

9. Myth I have to go away to college since all of my friends are going away… FACT The away experience is expensive and not for everyone. Investigate other options (BSCC, FSCC ) 2yrs @ BSCC /FSCC = @ $9000 2yrs @ 4 yr public university (not living on campus) = @$15,000 2yrs @ 4 public university(in state, on campus) = @$20,000 - $25,000

10. MYTH If I go to a community college I’m a loser….credits won’t transfer… FACT Community College is the best bang for your buck! The first 2 yrs of college are simply piling through requirements. Community Colleges offer these classes that will transfer (not remedial courses) and for a fraction of the cost.

11. Communication Bryant H.S. website - http://bryant.mcs.schoolinsites http://bryant.mcs.schoolinsites Many announcements will be on the homepage. Others will be on the “Senior Information” section. Forms can be downloaded and current scholarships are listed here. Facebook – A group has been created to help you and your child stay up to date on all announcements. Please allow yourself to be added to this group. Email – Emails will be sent if you are on our email list.

12. Career Cruising www.careercruising.com – Career Matchmaker (interest inventory) – In depth occupations files with multimedia interviews – Explore colleges & universities (including cost) – Financial aid info (scholarship search tool) – Portfolio Tool – includes professional resume builder Must obtain user ID and password to log on. More information to be given to students at the end of the month.

13. “Not all children need college, but all children need an education.”  Technical or Trade School  Military Service, Military Academies, ROTC  Community College  College & Universities  Apprenticeships & employment opportunities (see handout)

14. Military Academies Academy Night with Congressman Jo Bonner in October. College ROTC program check with college of interest about ROTC  Military recruiters visit BHS quite often. Appointments can be set up also

15. Proprietary Schools/AKA For Profit Schools Remington, Virginia College, UTI, ITT, Fortis… Be aware that most of the courses that are taken at schools such as these are not transferable to a 4 year university.

16. 2 year Community Colleges  Offer certificates, degrees, and transferrable credits at much lower costs.  Offer specialized programs that only require a 2yr degree  APPLY ONLINE. There is no application fee  Can apply anytime during senior year. Most applications are online or download the PDF.

17. 4 year Student must have taken ACT/SAT for admissions – www.actstudent.org ACT test dates, registration, & scores to send to colleges www.actstudent.org – www.collegeboard.org SAT registration & scores to send www.collegeboard.org

18. 4 year The Application Process Apply online Pay College Application Fee/app fee waiver available to qualified students Fill out application Print out “counselor” or “school” page Gather any letters of recommendation if needed Bring all documents (counselor/school page, letters of recommendation) to the guidance office. Give to Mrs. Hart to be sent together. Fill out a “transcript request form” so that an official transcript can be sent to the requested college(s). Give to Mrs. Strauss.

19. Misspellings and grammatical errors Applying online, but the application is not actually submitted Forget to sign the application Not reading directions carefully Writing illegibly Not completing a “transcript request form” so that the official transcript is sent Using an email address that is not appropriate (sexydancer01…) or have inappropriate pics on FACEBOOK/MYSPACE… Not checking email regularly Letting Mom or Dad fill out college applications/write essays

20. Fill out college/scholarship/NCAA applications Be sure to meet all application deadlines. Check college websites and contact the admissions office to be sure. (Many colleges visit often in the fall. Check Mrs. Hart’s calendar) Bring items to be sent to the guidance office. Don’t assume the counselor knows your child is applying to a school. Complete a “transcript request form” and check any/all colleges applied to. Student Profile Form should be completed thoroughly. This is used to write letters of recommendation (if needed)

21. Sign up for & take the ACT/SAT. Fee waivers available for students receiving free/reduced lunch Be sure to have ACT/SAT scores sent to colleges: www.actstudent.org/www.collegeboard.com If requested when registering for test, no additional request is required. www.actstudent.org/www.collegeboard.com NCAA/Students aspiring D1 or D2 athletics: meet with counselor to assure all high school classes align with NCAA standards. Students must go to eligibilitycenter.org to file an application to be cleared. A transcript must be sent for NCAA clearing. ACT/SAT scores must also be sent. When registering for ACT/SAT, NCAA code is 9999 for scores to be sent without add’l request.

22. Financial aid is any scholarship, grant, work study, or loan that will help pay for college. File FAFSA (free application for student aid) no sooner than Jan. 1; www.fafsa.ed.gov but before March 1.www.fafsa.ed.gov Do not pay an agency to assist with financial aid. Use our guidance office and college financial aid offices for assistance. (fafsa.com is a scam website – never pay to complete the FAFSA) A Financial Aid workshop will be held at BHS in January. Exact date & time TBD.

23. Types of Financial Aid Federal government aid – need based Admissions scholarships – GPA based (beware deadlines) Private foundations – need & GPA based Scholarship & grants – need & GPA based Call US Dept of Ed 1-800-4-FEDAID

24. “For me it’s hard enough to decide what clothes to put on in the morning. It took me forever to decide where I wanted to go to college. My mom was getting quite concerned as each month passed and deadlines approached. In all reality, you think about your college choice 24/7. It may not appear that way on the outside but it’s always internal, always in your head, rolling around” (Coburn & Treeger, p. 115) The Launching Years by L. Kaster & J. Wyatt Admissions Confidential by R. Toor The Gate-Keepers by J. Steinberg College is Yours in 600 Words or Less by P. O’Conner Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years by K. Coburn & M. Treeger

25. Help with ACT/SAT www.march2success.com www.ineedapencil.com www.zaps.com $79 fee; National ACT prep course offered at BHS Oct 17 & 18 3:00 – 5:30 (just prior to the Oct administration) Must register www.zaps.com www.collegeboard.org www.actonlineprep.org (username & password available on table) www.actonlineprep.org

26. Scholarship search websites Search engines: Black Excel, Broke Scholar, College Answer, College Board, College Scholarships, Education Planner, The Princeton Review, Scholarships.com, Scholarship Experts, School Soup, SRN Express, fastweb.com

27. Seniors are allowed 2 college/military visits (excused) for the year. See Mrs. Hart for form. It can also be downloaded at the school website. MCPSS College & Career Days – Oct 25& 26; all seniors will attend at USA Mitchell Center (field trip). Over 200 booths set up, colleges, military, career fields, etc… Most university scholarship deadlines – Dec. 1 st. You must apply by this date. (USA, UofA, Auburn, Springhill) Visit colleges you are interested in. “Fit” is most important! Set up private tour or visit on Preview Dates

28. Fall 2011 Preview Dates University of South Alabama11/19 University of Mobile9/23, 10/21, 11/11 UAB9/24 University of Alabama10/14, 11/11 Alabama State10/15 Montevallo10/29 Jacksonville State Univ9/24 Tulane10/2 (Mobile Marriott 6pm) **private tours available at most colleges/universities**