NAVIGATING THROUGH THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS

Fort Walton Beach High School Guidance Department

presents…

Meet Your Guidance Office Staff

Professional School Counselors

Dr. Linda Dugan students A-D

Mrs. Christy Simms students E-K

Mrs. Marcy Ross students L-Q

Mrs. Lori Lipnicky students R-Z

Guidance Secretaries Mrs. Jan Shaffer

Mrs. Cindy Lemasters

Assistant Principal Ms. Dolores Noechel

Graduation Requirements 4 credits English Language Arts

1 credit Algebra 1

1 credit Geometry

2 credits Additional math courses

1 credit Biology

2 credits Additional science courses

1 credit World History

1 credit United States History

½ credit United States Government

½ credit Economics

1 credit Fine, performing or practical arts

1 credit Physical Education, to include the integration of health

8 credits Electives

1 course Online learning (counts as one of the 24 credits)

Graduation Requirements, cont.

Minimum 2.0 unweighted

GPA

Completion of 1 online course within the 24

credits

Foreign language is NOT required for graduation, but is

required for admission into state universities.

Community service hours are not required for graduation but are

required for Bright Futures.

REQUIRED

ASSESSMENTS

•Must earn a passing

score on the FCAT

Reading 2.0

• Must earn a passing

score on the Algebra

end-of-course exam

•Must take the Biology,

Geometry, and U.S.

History EOC’s and the

Algebra 2 EOC if

enrolled in the course.

Scores will count as

30% of final course

grades.

Summa Cum Laude Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude

GPA 4.5 and above GPA 4.2-4.49 GPA 4.0-4.19

Configured at the end of 7th semester. Based on these 19 credits:

3.5 English credits

3.5 Social Studies credits

3.5 Math credits

3.5 Science credits

1.5 Foreign Language credits

3.5 Elective credits

In order to be an honors graduate, students must be enrolled in the same

year-long classes at the same level and receive a grade for the 8th semester or

have completed their 4 required credits by the end of the 7th semester.

Did you know that by using

FLVC.org you can monitor your transcript? FLVC also gives you access to:

Career choices and development

Graduation requirements

College entrance requirements

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program

Academic planning

Graduation status

Help with how to pay for college

Assessments for Juniors & Seniors to Consider

ACT – www.actstudent.org The ACT measures reading, writing, math, English, science – also gives an overall composite score.

SAT – www.collegeboard.com The SAT measures critical reading, math and writing – gives a combined score with and without the writing.

PERT (Post Secondary Education Readiness Test) The PERT measures English, reading and math levels. Students may take the PERT at Northwest Florida State College. The PERT is given to seniors taking Math for College Readiness and/or English for College Prep as the end-of-course exams.

Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)

September 13, 2014 August 8, 2014 August 9–22, 2014

October 25, 2014 September 19, 2014 Sept. 20–October 3, 2014

December 13, 2014 November 7, 2014 November 8–21, 2014

February 7, 2015 January 9, 2015 January 10–16, 2015

April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14–27, 2015

June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9–22, 2015

ACT Test Dates and Deadlines

SAT Test Dates and Deadlines Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)

October 11, 2014 September 12, 2014 September 26, 2014

November 8, 2014 October 9, 2014 October 24, 2014

December 6, 2014 November 6, 2014 November 21, 2014

January 24, 2015 December 29, 2014 January 9, 2015

March 14, 2015 February 13, 2015 February 27, 2015

May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015 April 17, 2015

June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 22, 2015

Students participating in the free/reduced lunch program are eligible to receive fee waivers for the ACT and SAT.

One of the best ways to figure out if you might be accepted by a college is to look at the freshman profile and see how you compare.

University of Florida

Average GPA: 4.2 Average ACT score: 30 Average SAT score: 2010 Deadline to apply – November 1

www.uf.edu

Florida State University www.fsu.edu

Average GPA: 4.1 Average ACT: 28 Average SAT score: 1860 Deadline for application: Oct 15

University of Central Florida 2nd largest university in the United States with an enrollment of

60,000, and growing! UCF = Under Construction Forever

Average GPA: 3.85 Average ACT score: 27 Average SAT score: 1830 Rolling admissions – apply as early as possible!

www.ucf.edu

Florida Polytechnic Florida’s only STEM university

Opened August, 2014

Science

Technology

Engineering

Mathematics

https://floridapolytechnic.org/

Northwest Florida State College www.nwfsc.edu

Offers A.A. degrees, A.S. degrees, Certificates and Bachelor’s degrees

Admission requirements:

High school diploma

A test score – either PERT, ACT or SAT

The main campus is in Niceville, with satellite campuses located in FWB,

Crestview, Defuniak Springs, South Walton, and on both military bases.

850.678.5111

University of West Florida

Average 3.51

Average ACT: 23.31

Average SAT:1522

Deadline to apply: rolling admissions

www.uwf.edu

•Listed in Forbes “America’s Top

Colleges” (2011, 2012)

•Designated as a “Best Southeastern

College” by the Princeton Review (2003

– 2013)

•Named a top military-friendly school by

G.I. Jobs magazine (2008-2013)

•Ranked No. 13 in the “Top Colleges for

Future Service Members in Florida” by

The College Database (2013)

•Listed in Princeton Review’s “Guide to

311 Green Colleges” (2011-2013)

•Listed in the “Great Colleges to Work

For” by The Chronicle of Higher

Education (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012,

2014)

•Named No. 38 for Best Online

Bachelor's Programs for Veterans by the

U.S. News and World Report (2014)

Troy University Offers in-state tuition to residents of Okaloosa County

Average ACT score: 21

Deadline to apply – rolling admissions

Alabama’s International University

Troy teaches students in

•More than 13 time zones

•In six countries

•Across the globe online

•More than 80 languages are spoken on Troy’s

main campus.

www.troy.edu

Auburn University www.auburn.edu

Average GPA: 3.74

Average ACT score: 27

Average SAT: 1220 (math and critical reading only)

Deadline to apply – January 15

The University of Southern Mississippi www.usm.edu

Average GPA: 3.18

Average ACT score: 22

Average SAT: 1050 (math and critical reading only)

Deadline to apply – rolling admissions

TO THE TOP!

•Classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a fully comprehensive research university.

•The Polymer Science and Engineering department is consistently ranked among the nation's

top 10 by U.S. News & World Report.

•Hattiesburg is ranked by Livability as the 10th best college town in The U.S. for 2014.

The University of Mississippi - Ole Miss

•Ole Miss is Mississippi’s largest university and is home to both a major medical

and law school.

•Ranked by Forbes as one of the best college buys.

www.olemiss.edu

Mississippi State University •Mississippi State University is designated as a

Doctoral/Extensive institution by the Carnegie Foundation

for the Advancement of Teaching.

•Home to the College of Veterinary Medicine

•Home to the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry

Experiment Station

www.msstate.edu

Looking for a different besides college?

Consider one of the many adult programs at the CHOICE Technical Center.

Medical Administration

Nursing Assistant

Cosmetology

Culinary Arts

Electrical Technology

Welding

Licensed Practical Nursing

Digital Cinema

Creative Arts

Automotive Technology

Construction Technology

FINANCIAL AID ACCEPTED

850.833.3500

Is the MILITARY an option for you?

•Opportunities

•Training

•Education

•Travel

•Health Benefits

•Pension

2015 Bright Futures Scholarships

There are Three Different Award Categories

Florida Academic Scholars Award

Florida Medallion Scholars Award

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award

Florida Bright Futures Awards for 2015

2014-2015 Bright Futures award

Myth - NOT a percentage of tuition and fees (since 2009-10)

Rather a dollar amount per credit hour enrolled

This Year’s Amount Per Hour Enrolled:

FAS = $103

FMS = $ 77

GSV = $ 48

**Varies by enrollment in a state university, state college or state community

college

Class SAT FAS

SAT FMS

ACT FAS

ACT FMS

Comm. Service hours FAS

Comm. Service hours FMS

GPA FAS

GPA FMS

2015 1290 1170 29 26 100 75 3.5 3.0

FAS = Florida Academic Scholar FMS = Florida Medallion Scholar ***GPA for Bright Futures is based solely on core classes.

Academic Scholars Requirements

16 credits (college preparatory) 3.5 weighted GPA (unrounded) in those 16 courses 100 Community Service Hours ACT = 29 Composite (excludes writing section) SAT = 1290 (critical reading and math)

Medallion Scholars Requirements

16 credits (college preparatory)

3.0 weighted GPA (unrounded) in those 16 courses

75 Community Service Hours

SAT = 1170 (critical reading and math)

ACT = 26 Composite (excludes writing section)

COMMUNITY SERVICE GUIDELINES

The preservation of the environment and/or the protection of historical

sites

The promotion of health, welfare and safety of the community

The improvement of the standard of living for residents of our

community

The encouragement of the growth of the arts in our community

The improvement and enrichment of the lives of the mentally and/or physically disabled of our community

The promotion of a quality life for the senior citizens of our community

The implementation of activities for the general good of the

community

Example of ACCEPTABLE Community Service Hours

www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org State Grants, Scholarships &

Applications

Application

window opens

on December 1.

Scholarship Opportunities

Ms. Julie Smith runs the College and Career Center. Seniors should be visiting her now for important scholarship information. Visit the FWBHS scholarship page at www.fwbvikings.com/scholarships.php

Good websites for scholarship opportunities

www.fastweb.com

www.scholarships.com

www.cappex.com

What should SENIORS do now? Continue to work hard. Grades are important! Get the scores you want or need. Take and retake the ACT or SAT . Create an admissions calendar. Mark down all the important deadlines in your college application process. Build your Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR) if necessary. UF and FSU requires the SSAR. Apply for admission to your college(s) of choice on time. Apply for Bright Futures. The application window opens on December 1 of each year. Apply for financial aid. The FAFSA application opens on January 1 of each year. Take care of business. Register for previews and orientations. Apply for housing. Pay deposits.

What should JUNIORS do now? Grades are key. Don’t lose your academic focus. Get the scores you want or need. Take the ACT or SAT . Narrow down your choices. Pick your favorites colleges and do your research. Think about your senior schedule. Make sure you are on track to graduate. Summer visitations. Visit as many of your top colleges as you can.

If a student has taken or will take an AICE or AP class or

an ACT or SAT test, it is the student’s responsibility to

make sure the college of your choice receives the

test score.

How is this done?

•AICE has a special transcript request form that the

student must mail directly to AICE. A transcript request

form may be picked up in the guidance office.

•AP and SAT test score requests can be made through

collegeboard.com.

•ACT test score requests can be made through

www.actstudent.org