1. Class of 2017 Information Session 2015-2016

2. Who is your counselor? Our counselors serve students based upon the first letter of a student’s last name  A - L Mr. Moscaritolo  M - Z Mrs. McCutcheon Other important people you need to know…  Registrar Mrs. Faulkner  Credit Recovery Ms. Hawkins Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., M-F

3. A student must have 25 credits in order to graduate HS Those credits must generally include the following: 4 LA 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social Science (U.S. History and World History, Economics and Government) 1 Health/PE 8 Electives ALL course requirements must be completed in order to participate in the graduation ceremony! If you aren’t going to have 25 credits, and plan to graduate next year see a counselor ASAP *Most, if not all, four-year and two- year colleges now require two years of the same foreign language Contact the colleges for specific information.

4. Counseling Webpage  Located off the main JCCHS website.  Visit it often! New information posted weekly.  SAT / ACT sign up information  College Preview Days  Test Preparation Information  Financial Aid / Hope Scholarship details  And More….. http://sites.jackson.k12.ga.us/jcchscounselors/

5. WHAT DO I WANT TO DO AFTER JCCHS?

6. Work Information  Use the career planning tools on the www.gacollege411.org website for help understanding what might be a good fit.www.gacollege411.org  Don't wait until the last minute to find a job.  Take the ASVAB (a career planning test sponsored by the military.... a FREE exam with no commitment to the armed services). It is offered once a year at JCCHS.  Work on building your resume.  Network, shadow, and interview people who can help you get started after high school.  Consider furthering your education by just taking a class or two at a local college.

7. Military  Talk to recruiters now....don't wait!  Bring a trusted individual with you – parent/guardian/friend. Do not sign anything until you are ready. You are committed once you sign documents.  Explore your options within the military.  Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). All branches require this test be taken. It is given once a year at JCCHS. Date will be announced in the Fall.  Be sure you also talk to the recruiter about funding for college to ensure you are eligible for aid.  Must be a high school graduate, no GED

8. Colleges & Universities Two and four year colleges & universities Bachelor’s Degrees Associates Degrees Technical Colleges Associates Degrees Diploma Programs Technical Certificates of Credit  Public or Private schools  Admissions Requirements vary. Check with each individual school Did you know?? Gwinnett Technical College offers more than 50 programs of study that a student can finish in two years or less.

9. How many schools should I apply to?  Dream School or Reach School  Likely—a pretty good chance of getting in  Safety—a sure thing for admission and cost Use your summer to visit colleges!

10. Athletic Scholarships  Begin talking with your coaches about prospective opportunities.  Student registers at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net www.ncaaclearinghouse.net  Student requests a transcript to be sent to NCAA Clearinghouse  Student sends S.A.T./A.C.T. scores to NCAA Clearinghouse, scores must be sent directly from the testing service

11. College Entrance Exams/Tests  S.A.T. – www.collegeboard.org  A.C.T. – www.actstudent.org  ASSET/COMPASS Most public two-year colleges and technical schools in Georgia (UNG requires SAT/ACT)  STUDENTS are responsible for sending their OFFICIAL test scores to the college of their choice. Must be requested through the testing site.

12. What is the difference between the ACT and the SAT?  ACT questions tend to be more straightforward  The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary  The ACT has a science section, the SAT does not Simply tests your reading and reasoning skills when given a set of facts  The ACT tests more advanced math concepts But not necessarily harder because the questions are more straightforward  The ACT writing test is optional on test day, but required by many schools. The SAT has a required writing portion  The SAT is broken up into more sections  The ACT is more of a “big picture” exam schools are more concerned with your composite score rather than each section

13. Visit the Counseling office for…. Transcripts Requests for counselor recommendations Local scholarships (beginning Dec/Jan) Fee waivers -(SAT/ACT/ college application, if qualified) www.gacollege411.org passwords and usernames www.gacollege411.org Check your GPA College Visit form

14. Grade Point Averages  Two main types of GPA's.  Cumulative  Core/HOPE GPA  Cumulative is EVERYTHING you have ever taken 9 th through 12 th grades.  Core is only your academic subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language.) It also includes any academic electives. See your counselor if you have questions.

15. HOPE Requirements  HOPE GPA of 3.0 HOPE GPA only includes academic courses and language courses  Zell Miller GPA requirement: 3.7 minimum score of 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT test or a minimum composite score of 26 on the ACT test in a single test administration

16. HOPE Requirements  Class of 2017  Students must receive 4 credits in the following types of courses in addition to maintaining a 3.0 HOPE GPA  Advanced Algebra, Math III, or an equivalent or higher course  Chemistry, Physics, or an equivalent or higher course  AP course or Dual Enrollment course  Spanish II or French II or higher course

17. Additional HOPE Information HOPE GPA is calculated over all four years of high school, not just your senior year! Must have a valid social security number on file in our office to receive HOPE – must bring card to counseling office if we do not have it on file. What are the award amounts?  The HOPE Scholarship award varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending and your specific hours of enrollment. There is a chart on the GA College 411 website to determine this information.

18. JCCHS Honors  Val & Sal Highest and second highest numerical average through first 3 years of high school and first 30 weeks of senior year. Must complete three academic core units of Honors, AP, or Dual Enrollment  Honor Graduate Overall high school average throughout the first 3 years of high school and the first 30 weeks of senior year of 90.0 Averages are NOT rounded up.

19. Registration for Senior Classes  Begin thinking about what classes you would like to take your senior year. Talk with your teachers about their recommendations.  If you sign up to take an AP course, you are responsible for completing the summer work that is due on when you return to school in August.  Schedule changes will be minimal so plan your classes carefully!

20. MOWR (Dual Enrollment)  Dual enrollment programs provide opportunities for JCCHS high school students to take college-level courses and earn concurrent credit toward a high school diploma and a college degree while still in high school.  If you plan to MOWR as a senior, you need to take the SAT or ACT before March so that you will have time to be accepted.  To apply students must meet SAT/ACT testing requirements. To apply to UNG you must meet the following:  20 on ACT with minimum scores of 20 English and 18 Math  970 on SAT with 480 on Critical Reading and 440 Math  Have a minimum 3.25 Core Grade Point Average

21. Dual-Enrollment Process  Talk with your counselor if this is something you would like to do your senior year.  Students can begin applying for DE admission NOW. Visit www.ung.edu.www.ung.edu  You MUST fill out an application and be accepted to register for a DE class (both on-campus and off- campus) DEADLINE IS MAY 1 st

22. Credit Recovery  If you have failed a course and need to retake it, there are some options for credit recovery:  Summer school  Faith Academy  Credit recovery options are expensive so plan accordingly!!  Please see a counselor for more information.

23. Extra Steps to Help With Success  Monitor Infinite Campus for grades  Be proactive- talk to your teacher when you have questions  Check teacher websites  Take advantage of tutoring opportunities  Have good attendance  Be responsible to get your make up work if absent  Be aware of athletic eligibility