college night at hst 2021
TRANSCRIPT
College Night at HSTPresented by HST
Counseling Department
Dr. Kevin Pressley & Mathieu ChapmanSeptember 8, 2021
Tonight’s Program❏ HST Counseling Department❏ Getting Ready: What seniors should be doing now!❏ Evaluating Your Options❏ Testing: SAT / ACT / AP❏ The Application Process❏ Choosing The Right College ❏ Paying For College: Scholarships and Financial Aid❏ Sports In College
HST Counseling DepartmentDr. Kevin Pressley
School [email protected]
Allied HealthMedical ScienceDental Science
Business & Legal Studies
Mathieu ChapmanSchool Counselor
Computer EngineeringGraphics
Manufacturing & Engineering
HST Counseling Department - supportPedro Truesdale
Student Success [email protected]
Career & College PromiseNCVPS & GO!
Support other initiatives
Lori HammPowerschool Data Manager
PowerschoolTranscripts
Report CardsAttendance
Getting Ready For The Process❏ Check Google Classroom regularly for updates and announcements.❏ Create Activity Sheet or Resume
❏ Students should include everything they have been involved in from
9th-12th grade.
❏ Make a copy and share with Counselors in Google Classroom.
❏ Complete the Brag Sheet if you will need a recommendation from a teacher or School Counselor. ❏ Brag Sheet gives the recommender more information to write a
“personal” recommendation.
❏ Make a copy & give recommender Brag Sheet AND Activity Sheet
Getting Ready For The Process
❏ Students need to investigate colleges in which they are interested.❏ Internet
❏ College Fairs
❏ College Visits at HST (Virtual)
❏ College Information Sessions
❏ College Open Houses
❏ College Tours and Private Visits
Getting Ready For The Process
❏ College Foundation of NC (CFNC) - www.cfnc.org ❏ All students have a CFNC account and have taken career quizzes.
❏ Students can explore career interests and search for NC colleges
❏ BigFuture by The Collegeboard - www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org ❏ All Seniors have a Collegeboard account.
❏ Students can explore careers and search for colleges in the US.
❏ Visit each college’s website and social media pages.
Getting Ready For The Process❏ NACAC College Fairs - https://virtualcollegefairs.org/conventions
❏ Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 24, Nov. 2, Nov. 14❏ College Visits @ HST (Virtual)- Announcements in Google Classroom
(UNC Charlotte, Appalachian, ECU ....)❏ College Open Houses / Private Visits / Information Sessions
❏ ECU (8/31), Alabama (8/31)
Evaluating Your Options❏ What are colleges looking for when making an Admission Decision?
❏ GPA (Grades and Course Rigor - HN/AP)
❏ Test Scores - SAT or ACT (Test Optional?) - [Increased Applications]
❏ Extracurricular Activities
❏ Community Service
❏ Essays
❏ Recommendations
❏ Interviews
❏ Class Rank - not as much a factor at HST
❏ Leadership, Diversity, Passion, Character, Initiative, Impact, Talent
❏ What Stands Out? - Yale Admissions Podcast: Episode 13
Evaluating Your Options❏ What is the student’s GPA and SAT/ACT score?❏ Use college freshman profiles to help determine student’s chances of
being accepted. ❏ Check the Undergraduate Admission page on each college website.
❏ Use www.cfnc.org and www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org ❏ Ask Admissions Representatives at College Fairs.
❏ UNC System minimum admissions requirements
❏ 2.5 GPA
❏ 880 SAT or 18 ACT
Evaluating Your Options
❏ The Community College Option - Not all students attend a four year college right after high school.❏ Associate Degree Programs (Technicians, Assistants, Nurses)
❏ Transfer after 1 or 2 years (Bridge Programs)
❏ UNCC - Passport, UNC-CH - C-STEP, Belmont Abbey- Gaston
❏ All of the UNC System Universities have an agreement with the NC Community College System to accept transfer credits without penalty. There are also many NC private colleges that have the same agreement. ❏ Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA)
Evaluating Your Options ❏ Apprenticeship Programs - Students attend Community College and
receive on the job training at partnering companies. ❏ Apprenticeship 321 (Gaston)
❏ Chemical Operator, HVAC, Industrial Electrician, Machine Operator I,
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Machine Set up Operator, Mechatronics Technician, Tool & Die Maker, Paramedic Medicine
❏ Apprenticeship 2000 (CPCC)❏ CNC Machinist, Tool & Die Maker, Mechatronics Technician and
Injection Molding Technician
Testing❏ Many Schools are still Test Optional or Test Blind due to the Pandemic.
❏ Not held against student if they do not submit scores.
❏ Are scores a good representation of your preparedness for college?
❏ Take or retake the SAT and/or ACT no later than November of Sr. year.❏ Most students take SAT/ACT two or three times.
❏ SUPERSCORE - Colleges take your highest score.
❏ SAT vs. ACT❏ SAT scores compared to ACT scores
❏ Concordance Tables
ACT to New SAT Concordance Table - (New in 2018)
ACT Composite SAT Total Score ACT Composite New SAT Total Score
36 1590 27 1280
35 1540 26 1240
34 1500 25 1210
33 1460 24 1180
32 1430 23 1140
31 1400 22 1110
30 1370 21 1080
29 1340 20 1040
28 1310 19 1010
Testing❏ September 3 - Registration Deadline for October 2nd SAT❏ September 17- Registration Deadline for October 23rd ACT❏ September 21- Late Registration Deadline for October 2nd SAT❏ October 2 - SAT Test Date❏ October 8 - Registration Deadline for November 6th SAT❏ October 23- ACT Test Date - Last Chance for Early Action Deadlines❏ November 6 - SAT Test Date - Last Chance for Early Action Deadlines
❏ Register for SAT at www.collegeboard.org - $55 + ($30 Late)❏ Register for ACT at www.actstudent.org - $60 + ($36 Late)❏ Fee Waivers for students who receive Free or Reduced Lunch (2 total)
Testing❏ Send test scores to four colleges for FREE before you take your test.
❏ After you take the SAT or ACT you will have to pay to send your scores to the college of your choice. ❏ SAT - $12 for every score report you send.
❏ SAT sends scores for all SATs taken in the score report.❏ ACT - $16 for every score report you send.
❏ ACT only sends scores for one test in the score report. ❏ How to Send SAT Scores❏ How to Send ACT Scores
Testing❏ Advanced Placement Exams
❏ Join AP Teacher’s Class Section on CollegeBoard
❏ October 4 - AP Exam Decision Deadline (Fall class) - YES or NO
❏ March 4 - AP Exam Decision Deadline (Spring class) - YES or NO
❏ May 2-13, 2022 - no makeup/late testing/$40 for unused exams
❏ College Credit
❏ AP Credit Policies ❏ New UNC System AP Credit Policy
College Application Process❏ Visit the website of each college the student is interested in to find
out about the application process, their scholarship process, and DEADLINES! - NC Deadlines
❏ Apply Early - Don’t wait till the last minute.❏ October 15, November 1, November 15
❏ NC Countdown to College - October 18- 22, 2021 - Some Waive Fees❏ No Fee *TBD - ECU, UNCP, FSU, NC A&T, NCCU, WSSU, Davidson
❏ Early Decision (ED) vs. Early Action (EA)❏ Early Decision - Binding Agreement with the college that you will
attend if accepted and can’t apply Early Decision anywhere else.
❏ Early Action - No Binding Agreement but Early Notification
College Application Process❏ Most students apply to 3-5 colleges.
❏ Application fees can be expensive - $50-$85 (Fee Waivers)
❏ Make sure to apply to at least one college that has the avg. GPA and test scores close to the student’s GPA and test scores AND one you can afford. (Google Freshman Profile and College Name)
❏ How to apply:❏ Common Application
❏ CFNC Application (CAW Week)
❏ Application on college’s website
❏ Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success - (Last Resort)
College Application Process❏ 960 Colleges and Universities
❏ Appalachian State
❏ Barton College
❏ Belmont Abbey College
❏ Catawba College
❏ Davidson College
❏ Duke University
❏ East Carolina
❏ Elon University
❏ Gardner-Webb
❏ Guilford College
❏ High Point University
❏ Johnson & Wales
❏ Lees-McRae College
❏ Meredith College
❏ NC A & T University
❏ NC State University
❏ Queens University
❏ Salem College
❏ St. Andrews University
❏ UNC Asheville
❏ UNC Chapel Hill
❏ UNC Charlotte
❏ UNC Greensboro
❏ UNC Wilmington
❏ Wake Forest University
❏ Warren Wilson College
❏ Western Carolina
❏ Wingate University
Guide for first time students
Counselors must have Activity Sheet & Brag Sheet!
College Application Process❏ Many NC colleges use the CFNC application for admission. ❏ College Application Week (CAW) - October 18- 22, 2021
College Application Process❏ New in 2016-17❏ 150+ Colleges and Universities
❏ Davidson College❏ Duke University❏ NC State University
❏ Clemson University❏ Georgia Tech❏ Virginia Tech
❏ UNC Charlotte❏ UNC Chapel-Hill
College Application Process❏ Some colleges require essays. Always do the “optional” essay or
personal statement if they have one.❏ View the essay as an opportunity.
❏ The student’s chance to sell themselves to the admissions
committee and let them know more personal information.
❏ Questions to help you start thinking about a “personal statement.”❏ What makes you different?
❏ What experiences have shaped who you are?
❏ What mistakes have you made and what have you learned?
❏ What are you passionate about?
❏ How have you made an impact?
College Application Process
❏ Recommendations❏ Needed for some college applications and many scholarships.
❏ Ask recommender if they are willing to write recommendation.
❏ Give recommender a copy of the Activity Sheet AND Brag Sheet
❏ Student should give recommender at least two weeks notice.
❏ It’s recommended to waive the right to read the letter.
❏ A lot of recommendations now ask for an email address. Follow up
with recommender to make sure they received the request. (SPAM)
❏ Follow up with the recommender and thank them for their letter.
College Application Process ❏ NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)
❏ https://ncresidency.org - RDS Website❏ Students must complete RDS if they want to be considered for
In-State Tuition at Public Universities or for State Grants at Private Universities in North Carolina.
❏ Students must complete RDS to have a complete application at most North Carolina Colleges/Universities.
❏ Students will use their CFNC username and password to log in.❏ Recommended students complete RDS before submitting their
application to receive their Residency Certification Number (RCN)❏ Read questions carefully and take your time. Parent Help Needed.
College Application Process❏ A complete application includes:
❏ Submitted Undergraduate Application
❏ Paid Application Fee or Fee Waiver
❏ Transcript
❏ Test Scores sent from CollegeBoard (SAT) and/or ACT
❏ NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)
❏ How to send Transcripts: - How To Send Transcript Instructions❏ www.CFNC.org - Apply>To College>Application Hub>Request a
Transcript❏ Common App - Counselor will upload Transcript in Counselor Report❏ SENDedu - Counselor will upload for Out of State colleges only. (ie WCU)❏ GCS ScribOrder - https://gastonnc.scriborder.com/ - Out of State Colleges❏ Need a pdf or paper copy for a Scholarship - Counselor Referral Form.
Choosing The Right College❏ Check your email and College Portals regularly.❏ May 1st - College Decision Day - Pay deposit by this date.❏ Visiting the college is the best way to decide if it is a good fit. ❏ Determine what things are most important to the student?
❏ Don’t follow someone to college. (Friends/Boyfriend/Girlfriend)❏ Don’t rule a college out based on cost alone. Wait for Financial Aid.❏ VISIT, VISIT, VISIT!
❏ Majors❏ Campus ❏ Location❏ Study Abroad
❏ Housing Options❏ Class Size❏ Student Body❏ Student Life
❏ Financial Aid/Scholarships❏ Extracurricular Activities❏ Graduate School Rate❏ Internships / Job Placement
Paying For College
❏ There are four ways to pay for college:❏ Scholarships
❏ Financial Aid
❏ Grants
❏ Work Study
❏ Loans
❏ Savings
❏ Military
Paying For College / Scholarships❏ Highland’s class of 2021 received over 6.5 million dollars in
scholarship/grant money last year!
❏ Going Merry - GCS Main resource for Scholarships❏ HST Fall & Winter Mini Scholarship Newsletter (Nomination info)
❏ Park (NCSU), Morehead (UNC-CH), Jefferson (UVA), Belk (Davidson)
❏ HST Nomination Scholarship Form - Deadline - September 12th ❏ New and last minute scholarships are added to Google Classroom.
Paying For College / Scholarships❏ Students should create a Going Merry account. (GCS partnership)
❏ Build profile and get matched to National, State, Local scholarships❏ Students should create a Raise.Me account.
❏ Earn microscholarships to Colleges ❏ Students should create a www.fastweb.com account.
❏ FREE Scholarship Search based on the student’s profile.
❏ Visit College Scholarship/Financial Aid pages where you apply.
❏ Ask about scholarships in your community, church, and place of employment.
Paying For College / Scholarships❏ Apply, Apply, Apply! The biggest mistake is not applying for
scholarships in which students qualify.❏ Visit the scholarship and financial aid websites for each college to
know about their process and deadlines.❏ Separate scholarship applications
❏ Interviews
❏ Ask counselors to schedule mock interviews before the real thing.❏ Write great essays and have someone proofread before submitting.❏ Stay on top of deadlines. Don’t wait till the last minute. ❏ Beware of scholarship scams!
❏ Students should never pay for scholarship information.
Paying For College / Financial Aid❏ Cost of Attendance - Use the net price calculator tool.
❏ COA = Direct Costs + Indirect Costs
❏ Direct Costs - Tuition, Room & Board, Fees
❏ Indirect Costs - transportation, personal, books, misc
❏ NC Promise - 3 Public Universities with $1,000 yearly tuition
❏ Elizabeth City State University
❏ UNC Pembroke
❏ Western Carolina University
Paying For College / Financial Aid❏ NC Longleaf Commitment Grant for Community Colleges (Pilot ℅ 2021)
❏ EFC from $0 - $15,000 = Grant of $700-$2,800 per yr.
❏ Gaston College SPARC Scholars Program
❏ STEM Scholarship w/ Research Opportunities - $6,000
❏ GC Promise - covers all in-state tuition and fees not covered by financial aid or
other scholarships for two years for all eligible Gaston County high school
graduates.
❏ 3.25 GPA
❏ 15 CCP credit hours
❏ C or better in all CCP courses
Paying For College / Financial Aid❏ All students planning on going to college should complete the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.gov
Paying For College / Financial Aid❏ Student AND Parent should create a FSA ID before beginning the FAFSA
❏ The FSA ID is how you log in and sign the FAFSA. www.fsaid.ed.gov
❏ FAFSA is now available beginning October 1st of senior year.❏ Fill out the 2022-2023 School year FAFSA❏ “Prior Prior Year” (PPY) - Class of 2022 will use 2020 tax info.
❏ Must include both student and parent tax information and savings.❏ Use the IRS data retrieval tool when filling out the FAFSA.❏ EFC = Expected Family Contribution
❏ Colleges use the EFC to create a financial aid package for the student.
❏ FAFSA Help - https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/fafsa-assistance/
Paying For College / Financial Aid
❏ Some schools require students to complete the CSS/PROFILE.
❏ NC Schools requiring CSS/PROFILE –
❏ Duke, Davidson, Elon, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest.
❏ Complete the CSS/PROFILE online at www.collegeboard.org
❏ Cost: A $25.00 fee & $16.00 for each additional college.
❏ Special Circumstances - Contact each college Fin Aid office directly
❏ Things that can’t be documented when completing the FAFSA.
❏ Changes in employment, medical expenses, marital status, etc.
Paying For College / Financial Aid❏ Students start receiving financial aid award letters in April and May. ❏ Award letters will include any scholarships, grants, and loans the
student will receive at that school. (Merit and Need Based Aid)❏ Please tell Counselors about ANY Scholarship a student receives. ❏ Federal/NC Need Based Aid - based on your EFC
❏ Pell Grant❏ Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)❏ NC Need Based Scholarship (private colleges)❏ Work Study
❏ Federal Loans - Everyone receives loans❏ Stafford Loans - Subsidized / Unsubsidized❏ PLUS Loans - (parent loan)
Paying For College
❏ If Need Based Aid and Scholarships do not cover the total cost of attending the college, families may consider these options:❏ Savings
❏ Loans from Federal Government
❏ Alternative Loans
❏ Military -
❏ GI Bill
❏ Reserves
❏ ROTC Scholarships
❏ HST Resource for Children of Veterans
Sports In College
❏ If students are planning on playing sports in college they must register with the NCAA through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
❏ Eligibility is based on GPA in 16 Core Courses and SAT/ACT scores.❏ Cost to register is $90.00❏ Submit Transcript - Counselor❏ HST NCAA Presentation
Sports In College❏ Students should not wait for schools to recruit them.
❏ Most colleges have online recruitment forms on their athletics page.
❏ Students can send a cover letter and Sports Activity Sheet/Resume to
college coaches.
❏ Make sure students have realistic goals.
❏ Talk to the student’s coach to determine what division level the
student can play at in college. (Division I,II,III, NAIA, Jr. College)
❏ Use CFNC and choose College Search > Intercollegiate Sports
Final Tips for Seniors and Parents
❏ NEVER create a duplicate account.
❏ Students should consider sharing username and password with parents.
❏ Save username and password in google drive so Counselors can help.❏ CFNC, CollegeBoard, Common App, College Portals, Fastweb, FAFSA, etc.
❏ Parents don’t do the application for the student!
❏ Students should use their own email when applying.
❏ Have your student add you to google classroom to get emailed updates each week. (It’s best to have student’s login information so you can see everything.)
Questions?Thank you for coming!