How Can I Get into College?

Susan E. Bley9th/10th School CounselorWilkes Central High School

Drumroll…………………..

It’s SIMPLE sort of. You have to:

Do what Raleigh (NCDPI) requiresfor graduation, and

Do what the UNC System Schools require for admissions. Most all private colleges have the same requirements also.

NC Department of Public Instruction:

Future-Ready Core

NC Department of Public InstructionAcademic Services and Instructional Support

Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology

Graduation Awareness:Future-Ready Core

Future Ready Core: Course of Study (2009-2010)

•All freshmen entering high school in fall 2009 will participate in the required

Core Course of Study, known as Future-Ready Core (21 units).

•Two courses of study: Future-Ready or Occupational Course of Study (OCS) written in IEP.

•SBE policy HSP-N-004 (approved Sept. 2008)

Future Ready Core: Course of Study (2009-10)

The Core (21 units) plus WCS (7 units)4 credits of English 7 Elective Credits4 credits of Mathematics TOTAL: 28 units3 credits of Social Studies 3 credits of Science1 credit of Health/Physical Education7 Elective Credits (required)

• 3 credits from CTE, Arts, or Second Language• 4 credit Concentration (recommended)

Future Ready Core: Course of Study (2012-13)

The Core (22 units) plus WCS (6 units)4 credits of English 6 Elective Credits4 credits of Mathematics TOTAL: 28 units4 credits of Social Studies 3 credits of Science1 credit of Health/Physical Education6 Elective Credits (required)

• 2 credits from CTE, Arts, or Second Language• 4 credit Concentration (recommended)

Concentration: Career Cluster(RECOMMENDS AT LEAST FOUR CREDITS IN ONE AREA)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) – 16 Areas• Arts/Music Education• Junior Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps (JROTC)• Advanced Placement (AP) • Second Language• Dual Enrollment (WCC, NCVPS, UNCGi School, Learn

and Earn)

• Other – Mix it up!

Future-Ready CoreMath Sequence

Math I Math II Math III Math IV(aligned with student’s post high

school plans)

Integrated Math I

Integrated Math II

Integrated Math III

AP Calculus (AB or BC)

-or-

Pre-Calculus

-or-

Discrete Math

-or-

AP Statistics

-or-

CC Math course

-or-

Aligned with CTE pathway

Future-Ready Core Math Sequence

4th Math

4

+ +

+or

Algebra I

1

Geometry

2

Algebra II

3

+ +Integrated I

1

Integrated II

2

Integrated III

3

Eligible for UNC System

AP Statistics

Pre-Calculus

AP Calculus

Courses such as…

Eligible for comm. college

Drafting

Engineering

Accounting I

Courses such as…

University of North Carolina System

Admission Requirements

The following courses will be required effective in the Fall of 2006:

Six (6) credits in language, including the following:

4 credits in English emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature (English I, II, III,IV) and

2 credits of a language other than English (French, Spanish, Latin, German, Russian, Portugese, etc.) in one area.

Four (4) credits in mathematics* in any of the following combinations:

Algebra I and II, and two credits beyond Algebra II, or

Algebra I and II, Geometry, and one credit beyond Algebra II

Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III and one credit beyond Integrated Mathematics III

* It is recommended that prospective students take a mathematics in the 12th grade.

Three (3) credits in science including the following:

At least one (1) credit in a life or biological science (for example biology),

At least one (1) credit in a physical science (for example, physical science, chemistry, physics), and

At least one (1) laboratory course

Two (2) credits in social studies, including the following:

One (1) credit in United States History** World History or Civics/Economics

**An applicant who does not have a credit in U.S. history may be admitted on the condition that at least three (3) semester hours in that subject will be passed by the end of the sophomore year.

What Do Colleges Look for on My Application?

Research reveals the following top six factorsas “considerably important” influences onadmission:

1. Grades in college prep courses2. Class rank3. SAT scores4. Grades in all subjects5. Teacher/Counselor recommendations6. Essay/writing sample

What Else Can I Do to Give Me an Edge?

•Prepare academically. Take challenging classes and explore your options. A’s in Honors classes will boost your GPA. So will AP classes.

•Learn how to succeed in class. Just being there isn’t enough.

•Explore your higher education options. Choose from hundreds of schools in North Carolina alone.

What Else Can I Do to Give Me an Edge? (Cont.)

•Register early to take college entrance exams. Most colleges and universities require the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the ACT.

•Learn to speak and write clearly.

•Read as much as possible. Read for understanding.

What Else Can I Do to Give Me an Edge? (Cont.)

•Solve problems using math or logic.

•Understand scientific ideas and the problem solving method.

•Take at least one technology class.

•Explore www.CFNC.org and begin to plan for your college career..