1. Parent Information Meeting CREDITS FOR GRADUATION, COLLEGE TESTS, AP EXAMS, FINANCIAL AID

2. ACT Test Given several times a year here at the high school Contains four sections: Reading, math, grammar, science reasoning Optional writing section—extra $; check to see if prospective colleges require it Information/practice booklets available in Guidance Office Sign up online at www.actstudent.org $39.50 ; $56.50 for plus writing Free State offers study sessions and practice tests! (online sign-up)

3. SAT Test  Given several times a year at KU  Contains two major areas: reading and math; essay is now optional  Information/practice booklets available in Guidance Office  Sign up online at www.collegeboard.com $54.50www.collegeboard.com  SAT Subject Tests: sometimes required for more selective colleges; prices vary depending on subjects and combinations  PSAT test is great practice for SAT—open to juniors and sophomores

4. Advanced Placement Exams  Given on specific days in May (check calendar carefully!)  Cost is $96 per exam; ordered online—registration link at FS website  Offered for each AP class taught at Free State (exams available in all four core areas, Latin, computer science, music theory, and art)  Possible to earn either college credit or advanced placement  Check with possible college choices for their policies Around 70% of Free State students pass exams with a 3 or better

5. Credits for Graduation: Review  English—4 years (8 semesters)  Social Studies—3.5 years (7 semesters)  Math—3 years (6 semesters)  Science—3 years (6 semesters)  Fine Arts—1 year (2 semesters)  PE/Health—1 year (2 semesters)  Electives—15 semester classes  Recommended for college-bound: 2 years of a World Language and an extra year of math

6. Regents Curriculum  4 years English  3 years Social Studies  3 years Science  3 years math, with a 22 on the math portion of the ACT, OR  4 years math, with one year beyond Algebra 2

7. Qualifying for Regents Universities Completion of Regents Curriculum with at least a 2.0 GPA AND ACT score of 21 OR top third of class (around a 3.6 GPA) (K-State, Emporia, Pittsburg, Wichita State, and Fort Hays) KU: Completion of Regents Curriculum with at least a 2.0 GPA AND 21 ACT with an overall GPA of 3.25 OR 24 ACT with an overall GPA of 3.0

8. Preparing for College  Have your student take a college admissions test (ACT or SAT) in the spring of the junior year  Check to be sure student is in a pre-college curriculum  Begin college searches online  Schedule some college visits  Narrow college options before senior year  Have a conversation with your student about paying for college  Possibly apply at the beginning the of senior year

9. Paying for College: Types of Aid  Scholarships  Based on merit  85% come directly from colleges  Check websites; local scholarships (February)  Grants  Based on income  Capped; can range from several hundred to several thousand  Loans  Subsidized (no interest while in school)  Unsubsidized (interest starts immediately)

10. FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid Will need to complete this for consideration for most any type of aid Form is online at www.fafsa.govwww.fafsa.gov Active beginning of senior year—use previous year’s tax information Colleges appreciate receiving early, but can still fill it out throughout the school year

11. Class requirements for Seniors  Social Studies all year  US Government for semester; different social studies for other  AP Politics available (all year)  English all year  Recommend one literature, one writing class  AP Lit and Comp available (all year)  SENIOR PRIVILEGE: POSSIBLE REDUCED SPRING SCHEDULE (5 hrs minimum)

12. Class requirements for Juniors  English all year  American Lit for first semester; many choices for second  US History all year  AP version available  Math all year  Science all year

13. Class requirements for Sophomores  English all year  English 10 first semester; App. Of Lit or Epic Tradition second  World History all year  AP European history available  Math all year  Science all year

14. Lawrence Free State Counselors  Bryan Duncan (A-E)  Joel Frederick (F-K)  Tina Mitchell (L-R)  Ken Hile (S-Z)