TABLE OF CONTENTS:
CHECKING YOUR CREDITS FOR GRADUATION
GRADE POINT
AVERAGE (GPA)
ATTENDANCE
APPOINTMENTS WITH COUNSELOR
OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
CAREER CENTER REFERENCE MANUALS
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
ADMISSIONS OPTIONS
HOW TO APPLY TO COLLEGES
HOW TO HAVE YOUR TRANSCRIPT SENT
HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
SAT
I AND II
ACT
(AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING)
PERSONAL DATA SHEET (RESUME)
STUDENT RESUME INFORMATION
SUGGESTED MONTHLY
ACTIVITIES
INTERNET RESOURCES
CONTACT INFORMATION
CHECKING YOUR CREDITS FOR GRADUATION
It is your responsibility
to know the graduation requirements and to keep up with the credits that you
need to meet those requirements. They are:
College/ University Prep
ENGLISH: English I, II, III,
IV 4 credits
MATH: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2,
And a higher level math
course 4 credits
SCIENCE: Physical, Earth,
Biology 3 credits
SOCIAL
STUDIES: World History, Civics, US History 3 credits
HEALTHFUL LIVING:
Healthful Living 1 credit
SECOND LANGUAGE:
Two credits in the same language 2 credits
ELECTIVE
CREDITS: Eleven additional courses 11
credits
Total minimum credits
required for graduation = 28 credits, including passing scores on both parts
of the NC Competency (8th grade EOG) Tests and the NC Tests of
Computer Skills.
Steps to follow when
checking your credits:
- In the first few
weeks, you will receive a copy of your academic record. This is known
as a transcript.
- Review your transcript
for any errors. If you find an error, notify your counselor
immediately.
- Review the courses
listed on the transcript and the courses you are taking your senior year
to make sure you meet the graduation requirements listed above.
- If you are missing a
course required for graduation, notify your counselor immediately and
you will be placed in that class if possible.
- In January, review
your report card. If you failed a first semester course needed for
graduation, notify your counselor and efforts will be made to place you
in a second semester course (if one is available) that will meet your
requirement needs. Be aware that this is not always possible, so it is
best to pass all classes first semester.
- At any time during the
school year you may schedule an appointment with your counselor to
review your credits.
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GRADE POINT AVERAGE
Your cumulative GPA is
reported on your transcript. GPA is calculated by dividing your total
quality points (all years) by your total credits attempted (all years).
Your transcript will show both weighted and unweighted GPAs, but your rank
is computed using your weighed GPA. Your GPA will not change after first
semester grades are finalized. Therefore, to adhere to most college
admission deadlines, you will use your current GPA and class rank.
Note: In deciding when to
apply to colleges, you may wish to take the above information into
consideration. Your GPA and rank are factors used in determining college
admission.
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ATTENDANCE
Attendance is a major issue
of the senior year. Both excused and unexcused absences count toward
failure. You are allowed 10 absences each semester. If you exceed 10
absences in a semester you must make an appeal to the attendance committee.
YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP TO PASS!!!
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SCHEDULING AN
APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR COLLEGE COUNSELOR
Appointments may be
scheduled before or after school, or during lunch. Upon making an
appointment, the student will receive a pass to come to the High School
office at the time
of the appointment. Students may come after school or during lunch, with a
note. Parents may make an appointment by calling 404-0444 ext. 122. Always
encourage your parents to call for an appointment. If they drop in
unexpectedly, Mrs. Johnson may not be available. Often questions can be
answered on the telephone or through email. All contact information is
listed on page 14.
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OPTIONS AFTER HIGH
SCHOOL
Full-time Employment/Military
If you plan to work
full-time after high school, or go into one of the branches of the military,
we strongly suggest you make contact with Mr. Holloman. You may also reach
him by phone at 404-0444. He can provide further information on job
openings and military service, as will as set up appointments with
recruiters.
Trade and Career Schools
Trade and Career schools,
in two years or less, train students in practical skills needed for a
specific vocation. Control is private and dormitory-style living is usually
not available. Admission requirements are usually lenient, and SAT scores
are not required. Cost is usually high. (Examples: Watts School of
Nursing, Lucas Travel School, ECPI Computer Institute, Mitchell’s
Hairstyling Academy)
Technical and Community Colleges
Technical and Community Colleges are located in
almost every county in North Carolina and offer highly specialized training
in areas such as business, graphic arts, auto mechanics, paralegal, medical
technology, and electronics. Control is public and this is the least
expensive option for college. They have an “open door” admissions policy,
which means that all high school graduates will be admitted (although
certain programs, such as Nursing, have additional requirements). The SAT
or ACT is not required, but may be used for placement. No dorms are
available, so the students must be able to commute. Some technical and
community colleges such as Wake Technical Community College and Nash
Community College offer college transfer programs, which allow a student to
complete the first two years of a four-year bachelors degree at a greatly
reduced cost. Students then transfer to a four-year college to complete the
final two years. This is a great opportunity for students who need to
improve their grades.
Junior Colleges
Junior Colleges are two
year colleges that offer two options: preparation to transfer to a four year
college or university, or the potential to earn a two year associate degree
in an area such as business. Usually control is private. Admission
requirements, including SAT and ACT scores, must be met, but requirements
are much more flexible than those of four-year institutions. (Example:
Louisburg College)
Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Four-year colleges and
universities offer various bachelor degrees and differ widely in admission
requirements and cost. Control may be private or public, with private
colleges and out-of –state colleges being the most expensive. SAT and ACT
is required. (Examples: NCSU, UNC-Chapel Hill, ECU and Campbell University)
Requirements vary from school to school and program to program, even in
the UNC system.
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CAREER CENTER REFERENCE
MANUALS
When deciding which
colleges you will apply to, use the reference manuals available in the
Career Center (Room 160). The College Handbook contains
valuable information such as application deadlines, tuition costs, admission
requirements, address and phone numbers, and a general idea of the GPAs and
SATs of the freshmen who were admitted in the previous academic year. Keep
in mind that most applications have a fee and your goal is to apply to one
or more schools to which you feel you have a reasonable chance of being
accepted. You should always apply to at least one “safe” college that you
know will accept you. Keep in mind that some colleges are highly
competitive while others have less demanding admission requirements. You
should be able to determine the competitiveness of a college by looking at
the freshman GPAs, SATs, and the percent of applicants accepted. Also
remember that each college sets its own application deadline. Be sure to
check these deadlines in The College Handbook, the college
catalog, or check them by calling the admissions office. College catalogs
are available for use in the Career Center, and can be checked out. You may
also wish to call the college admissions office to get your own copy, but
occasionally a fee will be charged. If you know what you’d like to major
in, you can use the Index of Majors to get a list (by state) of colleges
that offer that major. This includes two and four-year colleges.
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COLLEGE
APPLICATIONS
Deciding when to apply for
college admission is an individual decision and you should take into account
the admission requirements of the school you are considering. For example,
if your SAT scores are not as strong as you would like, you may wish to wait
until after the October testing. In some cases, it is better to wait until
your first quarter or semester grades are available. For most strong
students, earlier application is recommended. During your senior
conference, your counselor will review your transcript.
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ADMISSION OPTIONS
Early Action is an
admissions procedure to notify students of early admissions to the college.
Students need not accept the college’s offer of admissions but may file
other applications. Remember that early action candidates can be rejected
and candidates must have superior records because the process is highly
selective.
Early Decision is a
plan under which you may submit your credentials early to one college,
usually by October 15 of your senior year. You are notified of your status
by December 1. As part of an early decision plan, you are required to sign a
statement agreeing to accept the college’s offer of admission. You must
also withdraw your application form other colleges if accepted under Early
Decision.
Regular Admission is
the plan under which you submit your credentials during November to
February, depending on individual schools. You should check the deadline
for each school.
Rolling Admission is
the plan under which candidates submit their credentials at their
convenience up to a certain date. They receive an offer of acceptance or
rejection within four to six weeks.
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HOW TO APPLY TO
COLLEGES
- Attend college fairs,
visit college websites, or visit the Career Center to pick up
applications for colleges you are interested in.
- Make a copy of the
application and practice filling it out. If an essay is required,
prepare a draft and have someone proof it. Neatness counts, so type if
possible. If it is not legible, it may be thrown out!
- If references are
required, you should ask permission from the people you choose to use as
references. If they agree, you need to provide them with a stamped,
addressed envelope, and a copy of your personal data sheet, or resume.
- Follow up with your
references to make sure they have mailed their forms.
- Make a copy of the
completed application before you mail it. You can use this information
again with other applications or you may need to review it if you are
asked to report for an interview. If you must interview, see your
counselor for interview tips.
- Submit the application
ahead of the deadline to avoid any postal delays or holiday rushes.
- Request a transcript
from Mrs. Lee in the High School office.
- Make sure that the
college has your SAT scores. If you put down that college’s code when
you registered for the SAT, your scores will automatically be sent.
(You are provided with the opportunity to have four reports sent for
free each time you take it.) If you did not put down that school’s code,
you will need to fill out the Additional Report Request for you received
with your admission packet and pay a fee. Keep in mind that it takes
five weeks to receive scores, so send your request well in advanced of
the admissions deadline.
- Follow up with the
admissions office if you have not heard from them in a reasonable amount
of time. Have your social security number available when inquiring
about your admission status.
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HOW TO HAVE
YOUR TRANSCRIPT SENT
Your transcript is
considered confidential information. We cannot, and will not, send your
transcript anywhere without a written request or signed approval. Always
request that your transcript be sent well in advance of the application
deadline. Mrs. Lee needs at least five days notice to mail your
transcript. You also need to allow plenty of time for the post office,
especially during the holiday periods.
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HOW TO APPLY FOR
FINANCIAL AID
To initiate the financial
aid process, you and your parents must submit a financial aid form. The
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) is a confidential document
used to collect information for determining a student’s need for financial
aid. An estimate of your family’s financial ability to contribute to the
costs of education beyond high school in computed. This estimate and a copy
of the appropriate form are forwarded at your request to the Pell Grant
Program, to state scholarship and grant programs, and to financial aid
officers at the colleges or other post-secondary institutions you specify on
the form.
You cannot apply for
financial aid until January 1, 2008. You must also have a copy of your
parent’s 2006 tax return (which isn’t due to the IRS until April 15, 2007)
so your parents may wish to complete their tax return early. Financial Aid
Forms will be available in early January and you will be given specific
information on the process to follow. A financial aid workshop that will be
very helpful to you and your parents will be held in early January (date to
be determined).
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HOW TO APPLY FOR
SCHOLARSHIPS
Many colleges, businesses,
churches, and community organizations offer scholarships that do not come
through the Career Center. Therefore, you should check with the colleges
that interest you (information is usually available in the college catalog
or you may call the college financial aid office), your church or your
parent’s place of employment. Also, you should check with any civic or
professional organization that you or your parents are members of, or
through the wide assortment of on-line information.
In general, companies that
solicit by mail, telephone or fax and offer to find scholarships that you
are eligible to apply for (and wanting to charge you for their services) are
of limited use. Most of the information accessed by these companies is
available free in public libraries. Usually, the companies are providing a
computer search of national scholarships, which mean that thousands of other
students will also be applying.
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SAT I AND II
The SAT is offered several
times a year. For admission purposes, colleges will use your highest
verbal, math and writing scores, even if they are on different test dates.
Therefore, repeated testing cannot hurt your score – only improve them.
College bound juniors should have taken the SAT in the spring of their
junior year. We strongly recommend that you take the SAT in October of your
senior year since these scores will be reported in mid-November.
SAT II are subject tests
which you may be required or recommended by some colleges for admission of
Freshman placement. You should check with the college of your choice to
determine its policy (if any) on SAT II requirements. CHECK NOW! Do not get
caught having to take the SAT II at the last minute.
Registration information
for the SAT I and the SAT II is available in the Career Center. The
registration form is located in the center of the booklet. This should be
completed by you and mailed directly to the College Board by the deadline
dates on the back of the booklet. Failure to meet the registration deadline
will result in a late fee. Our CEEB code, 344529, is on the front of the
booklet. A small practice booklet is also available in the Career Center.
If you desire more intense practice reference books, such as Baron’s
or Peterson’s Guide to Studying for the SAT, they are available at
most bookstores.
The SAT is required for
four-year and junior colleges. It is not always required for technical and
community colleges or trade schools. However, if you plan to enter a college
transfer program and transfer to a four-year college, the four-year college
may require the SAT at the time of your transfer.
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ACT (AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING)
Most colleges will accept
ACT scores as well as SAT scores. For many students the ACT is a better
fit. Talk to your counselor about which test is better for you.
Registration material is available in the Career Center.
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PERSONAL DATA SHEET
(RESUME)
If you plan to apply to
competitive colleges or for scholarships that require references, you will
need to design a personal data sheet or resume. It should include all of
your academic awards, athletic participation and awards, extracurricular
activities (be sure to point out leadership positions), community service,
and employment (including babysitting and tutoring). If you are strong in
all of these areas, it is beneficial to design your resume with a separate
section for each category to show how well rounded you are. It is also
efficient to design your resume on a computer so you can customize it to the
requirements of each scholarship application. If you would like help with
your resume, please see your English teacher or your counselor.
IN
GENERAL…
Overall, we hope your
senior year is one of your best. As things come up throughout the year,
don’t wait until it is too late to take care of things. Student Services is
here to hopefully answer any questions you might have, so please don’t
hesitate to stop by or call. Together, let’s make this an outstanding
year!!!
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STUDENT
RESUME INFORMATION
The development of your student resume is an important
step in planning for your future. You will use your student resume for many
pursuits, including, but not limited to: after-school and summer employment,
volunteer work, job shadowing and internships, college applications, and
scholarship applications. Your school counselor may use your resume to
write recommendations and to help you with the scholarship process. Each
senior is encouraged to have a resume and share it with the counselor.
Your resume should be in a format that best highlights
your experience, education and interests.
One possible resume format will include the following
sections:
Heading: Name, Address, Telephone, email
Skills: Technical/Computer Skills, People
Skills, Language Skills, Work Skills,
Certifications
Education: Specialized classes or training,
expected graduation from EWA
Experience: Volunteer and paid work, special
projects you have completed
Activities: School and community activities in
which you have participated (include
dates, offices, and awards)
Interested: Cover anything not in “Activities”
References: At least two non-family persons who
can say great things about you, your
character and your work.
To create an online resume, visit CFNC.org and click on
the Student Planner tab. You will need to create a USERNAME to use the High
School Planner feature.
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