Parent Meeting – 11th and 12th grade

College Entrance TestsIt is highly recommended that your student take the ACT (or SAT) multiple times.

ACT Test Dates

December 13 (11/7 registration deadline)February 7 (1/9 registration deadline)April 18 (3/13 registration deadline)June 13 (5/8 registration deadline)

www.actstudent.org

2) College Visits◦ It is recommended that juniors make at least two

college visits by the end of this year. Spring of junior year is the best time to start the college visitation process.

◦ A College Visit Permission Form should be obtained from the office. Proper filling out of this form prior to your visit will treat the visit as a field trip and not an absence.

3) Transcripts◦ Students need to register with PARCHMENT, an

electronic transcript clearinghouse. Most college transcript requests are sent through this system. This is a free service for 99% of colleges.

◦ Official transcripts (with raised seal) may only be sent from the high school office to designated school or scholarship agency. MCS will not give official transcripts to students or parents.

◦ Students or parents may download an unofficial transcript from STI.

◦ PSO (college) transcripts must be ordered through the college directly (forms available online). NCSC charges $5.00 for a transcript.

4) Financial Aid for College◦ Types

Grants: usually government based; free money usually based on need

Scholarships: usually college or non-profit based; free money usually based on merit

Loans: may be from government, college, or other entity; must be paid back with interest after graduation

◦ FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) May be filled out as early as January Requires much financial data including tax return info

Twenty four credits are needed to graduate from MCS. There are three diploma options through MCS.

◦ College Prep I, II, and III◦ Diploma requirements are set forth in the MCS academic handbook.

The State of Ohio has an honors diploma.

◦ http://www.ode.state.oh.us – Search: Honors diploma◦ Basic requirements – 7 of 8 criteria must be fulfilled

English – 4 credits Science – 4 credits (must include chemistry and physics) Social Studies – 4 credits Mathematics – 4 credits (Alg. 1 and 2, geometry, and higher level course) Foreign Language – 3 units Fine Arts – 1 credit ACT / SAT – 27 ACT / 1210 SAT (not including writing) GPA – 3.5

This diploma track is nearly identical to our College III diploma.

MCS uses the college system for graduation honors.

◦ Cum Laude distinction – Unweighted GPA of 3.70 – 3.84 or weighted GPA of 4.25 – 4.49

◦ Magna Cum Laude distinction – Unweighted GPA of 3.85 – 3.97 or weighted GPA of 4.50 – 4.74

◦ Summa Cum Laude distinction – Unweighted GPA of 3.98 or higher or weighted GPA of 4.75 or higher

Students receiving these distinctions will receive medals to wear at the graduation ceremony and be recognized in the written graduation program.

The state has revamped the PSO (or PSEO) program, including renaming it “College Credit Plus” (CCP). Part of the revamping involves how the state will pay for the courses, but early indications are that the state will be paying for more of the college tuition than in the past. This would include college on-line courses and include private colleges.

Our PSO class sequences are worth six credit hours (two three-hour semester courses).

PSO English (English 1010) requires: ACT score of 18 on Reading and 22 on English OR COMPASS score of 80 on Reading and 81 on Writing

We currently have two AP classes (AP Calculus and AP World History). AP courses may change due to the new CCP program.

Remember, AP credit is not automatic as with PSO classes. The AP exam must be passed, usually with a score of 3 (out of a possible 5).

Juniors will meet with me prior to registering for senior year to insure that all credit requirements have been met for graduation.

A student who is one credit short at graduation may ‘walk’ but will not receive a diploma. Students more than one credit short will not be permitted to walk in the graduation ceremony.

If a senior misses more than 14 days of school and/or class during either semester, he/she will not be permitted to go on the senior class trip. He/she will need to stay behind and make up the missed time in order to graduate. Also, no “F” grade on a second semester course.

Have a great night! Thank you for coming!