Senior Parent Senior Parent NightNight

Class of 2012Class of 2012AAnderson nderson CCounty ounty HHigh igh SSchoolchool

Mrs. Bridget Wells, Associate PrincipalMrs. Bridget Wells, Associate PrincipalMs. Cindy Miracle, Guidance CounselorMs. Cindy Miracle, Guidance CounselorMrs. Krystal Lewis, Guidance CounselorMrs. Krystal Lewis, Guidance Counselor

Ms. Tara Lowder, College CoachMs. Tara Lowder, College Coach

ACT Matters!ACT Matters! ACT testing dates here at ACHS : ACT testing dates here at ACHS :

October 22October 22ndnd & December 10 & December 10thth Additional testing dates available at other Additional testing dates available at other

locationslocations What is ACHS offering?What is ACHS offering?

Practice ACT embedded in individual classroomsPractice ACT embedded in individual classrooms ACHS ACT Online – ACHS ACT Online – www.ACTpreponline.comwww.ACTpreponline.com ACT – ACT – www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org * ACHS workshops with teachers after school – * ACHS workshops with teachers after school –

Fall and SpringFall and Spring

ACT Matters!ACT Matters!KNOW THE ADMISSION KNOW THE ADMISSION

CRITERIA & SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA & SCHOLARSHIP STANDARDS FOR YOUR STANDARDS FOR YOUR COLLEGE CHOICE!COLLEGE CHOICE!

GPA is important, but most University GPA is important, but most University scholarships are figured on ACT scores.scholarships are figured on ACT scores.

Big $$ scholarships are typically 30 Big $$ scholarships are typically 30 composite scores and above. composite scores and above.

Consistently scholarships awarded at Consistently scholarships awarded at Universities with 3.5+ GPA and 28+ ACT.Universities with 3.5+ GPA and 28+ ACT.

3.2 GPA and higher; as well as 24/25 or 3.2 GPA and higher; as well as 24/25 or higher ACT, look at the websites.higher ACT, look at the websites.

Benchmark ScoresBenchmark Scores

ACT Benchmark scores:ACT Benchmark scores: English, 18; Math, 22; Reading, 21English, 18; Math, 22; Reading, 21

CPE Benchmark scoresCPE Benchmark scores: : English, 18; Math, 19; Reading, 20English, 18; Math, 19; Reading, 20

Practice ACT embedded in individual classroomsPractice ACT embedded in individual classrooms ACHS ACT Online – ACHS ACT Online – www.ACTpreponline.comwww.ACTpreponline.com ACT – ACT – www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org * ACHS workshops with teachers after school* ACHS workshops with teachers after school

More ACT informationMore ACT information

What if my child doesn’t meet What if my child doesn’t meet the ACT benchmarks?the ACT benchmarks? College – take remediation classes; College – take remediation classes;

You You $$pay$$$$pay$$ for class = for class = 0 credit0 credit ACHS tiered interventions in reading ACHS tiered interventions in reading

and math for seniors who do not meet and math for seniors who do not meet benchmarksbenchmarks

Eligible to take COMPASS – College Eligible to take COMPASS – College placement examplacement exam

•Finalize your list of colleges. Be sure you list "safety" colleges, as well as “probable” and "reach" colleges.

•Review college applications and informational materials. Organize materials into separate files by college.

•If you plan to apply through an early decision or early action program, get started on your applications right away. Deadlines for early applications tend to be in November.

•Begin working on your college essays. Think of topics that focus on your experiences and make you stand out from the crowd.

College Application College Application ProcessProcess

Early Decision vs. Early Early Decision vs. Early ActionAction

Early decision plans are binding.Early decision plans are binding. You agree to You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can adequate financial aid package. Although you can apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges through the regular admission apply to other colleges through the regular admission process. If you're accepted by your first-choice college process. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications.early, you must withdraw all other applications.

Early action plans are similar to early decision Early action plans are similar to early decision plans, but are not binding.plans, but are not binding. If you’ve been accepted, If you’ve been accepted, you can choose to commit to the college immediately, you can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring. Under these plans, you may or wait until the spring. Under these plans, you may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, you also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, you have until the late spring to let the college know your have until the late spring to let the college know your decision.decision.

Tips for Making the Most of Tips for Making the Most of Your Counselor’s TimeYour Counselor’s Time

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

1.  Be Responsible1.  Be Responsible Ultimately, you want to go to a Ultimately, you want to go to a

college that’s a good fit for you. Take college that’s a good fit for you. Take charge of the application process. charge of the application process. Find out your school’s process, know Find out your school’s process, know your deadlines, keep in contact with your deadlines, keep in contact with your counselor and perform the your counselor and perform the legwork necessary to get the job legwork necessary to get the job done.done.

2.  Be Organized2.  Be Organized Make a chart to keep track of different Make a chart to keep track of different

colleges' requirements, and mark a colleges' requirements, and mark a calendar with your application calendar with your application deadlines. Have a separate folder for deadlines. Have a separate folder for each application so you can keep each application so you can keep materials organized and easy to access. materials organized and easy to access. Know your school’s process and Know your school’s process and schedule for asking for schedule for asking for recommendations, and write your recommendations, and write your essays well ahead of the deadlines.essays well ahead of the deadlines.

3. Be Early3. Be Early In the case of college applications, on In the case of college applications, on

time might not be good enough. Essays, time might not be good enough. Essays, recommendations and transcript request recommendations and transcript request forms should all be completed and forms should all be completed and submitted at least two weeks before the submitted at least two weeks before the application deadline. Counselors and application deadline. Counselors and support staff members usually fill these support staff members usually fill these requests on a first-come, first-served requests on a first-come, first-served basis, so get in line as early as possible.basis, so get in line as early as possible.

4.  Be Ready4.  Be Ready Even when you apply to a college online, Even when you apply to a college online,

some parts of the application must be sent by some parts of the application must be sent by mail. Leave time for the U.S. Postal Service to mail. Leave time for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your application and for the college's deliver your application and for the college's internal mail service to process it. And don’t internal mail service to process it. And don’t wait until the last minute to submit online — wait until the last minute to submit online — the website could have technical problems if the website could have technical problems if too many students are trying to use it at the too many students are trying to use it at the same time. Finally, factor in some additional same time. Finally, factor in some additional time for unanticipated errors and delays.time for unanticipated errors and delays.

5.  Be Positive5.  Be Positive The college application process, although The college application process, although

time-consuming, is a good chance for you to time-consuming, is a good chance for you to discover yourself, what you are interested in discover yourself, what you are interested in and your opportunities for the future. This and your opportunities for the future. This may be one of the most complex tasks you’ve may be one of the most complex tasks you’ve ever taken on, but it’s a good introduction to ever taken on, but it’s a good introduction to the multifaceted projects you’ll be handling the multifaceted projects you’ll be handling in college and in life. Organization, in college and in life. Organization, communication, patience and reasonable communication, patience and reasonable expectations are the keys to making it a expectations are the keys to making it a manageable and successful experience.manageable and successful experience.

Guidance office formsGuidance office forms

College Day FormCollege Day Form -Must fill out -Must fill out and turn into Ms. Miracle and turn into Ms. Miracle

the top page the top page beforebefore you go on visit (to you go on visit (to prevent being counted absent)prevent being counted absent)

validation sheet upon returning to validation sheet upon returning to school school after after college visitcollege visit

Transcript request formTranscript request form -must -must have parent sign form if under 18have parent sign form if under 18

Recommendation formRecommendation form

ACHSACHSValedictorian / Salutatorian Valedictorian / Salutatorian

PolicyPolicy Valedictorian and Salutatorian awards shall be given to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian awards shall be given to the

two students in the graduating class with a class rank of 1 two students in the graduating class with a class rank of 1 and 2 respectively. and 2 respectively.

To be eligible for Valedictorian/Salutatorian consideration, To be eligible for Valedictorian/Salutatorian consideration, a student must have at least 30 credits. a student must have at least 30 credits.

If we have two or more students who have earned above a If we have two or more students who have earned above a 4.0 GPA, we will use the total number of quality points to 4.0 GPA, we will use the total number of quality points to determine Rank 1 and 2. determine Rank 1 and 2.

Quality points will not be added for student aide or Quality points will not be added for student aide or work-based learning. work-based learning.

Transfer students’ transcripts will be evaluated on a case-Transfer students’ transcripts will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the counseling office and the by-case basis by the counseling office and the administration. administration.

Beginning with the Class of 2005, the class rank awards of Beginning with the Class of 2005, the class rank awards of Valedictorian and Salutatorian shall be determined using Valedictorian and Salutatorian shall be determined using this method.this method.

ACHSACHSCollege Prep CertificateCollege Prep Certificate

All ACHS students must complete 26 credits to be eligible for graduation. All ACHS students must complete 26 credits to be eligible for graduation. Advanced College Prep Certificates will be awarded to students who Advanced College Prep Certificates will be awarded to students who

complete the following course of study. No yearly grades below a “C will complete the following course of study. No yearly grades below a “C will be accepted toward credit and a student must have at least a final 2.5 be accepted toward credit and a student must have at least a final 2.5 grade point average. On rare occasions, a substitution may be made. grade point average. On rare occasions, a substitution may be made. Students earning the Commonwealth Diploma or taking 4 A.P. courses (as Students earning the Commonwealth Diploma or taking 4 A.P. courses (as well as completing 4 AP exams) will qualify for the College Prep well as completing 4 AP exams) will qualify for the College Prep Certificate.Certificate.

English: 4 CreditsEnglish: 4 Credits Social Studies: 4 Credits – Geography, U.S. History, World Civilization, Social Studies: 4 Credits – Geography, U.S. History, World Civilization,

Government & Economics (required), and one upper level class Government & Economics (required), and one upper level class Mathematics: 4.5 credits – Algebra I, Geometry, Data & Measurement, Mathematics: 4.5 credits – Algebra I, Geometry, Data & Measurement,

Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Introduction to College Math, or AP StatisticsAlgebra II, Pre-Calculus, Introduction to College Math, or AP Statistics Science: Science: 4 credits – Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, 4 credits – Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science,

and a choice of AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP and a choice of AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics. Students may also use any other science elective. Physics. Students may also use any other science elective.

Health & PE: 1 creditHealth & PE: 1 credit Foreign Language: 2 credits – 2 courses of the same languageForeign Language: 2 credits – 2 courses of the same language Humanities: Art and Drama ½ credit & Music and Dance ½ creditHumanities: Art and Drama ½ credit & Music and Dance ½ credit Electives: 5.5 creditsElectives: 5.5 credits

Commonwealth DiplomaCommonwealth Diploma To earn this diploma, a student must fulfill minimum To earn this diploma, a student must fulfill minimum

high school graduation requirements and high school graduation requirements and successfully complete the pre-college preparation successfully complete the pre-college preparation curriculum. curriculum.

Then, the student must complete four AP courses: Then, the student must complete four AP courses: EnglishEnglish Science or MathScience or Math Foreign LanguageForeign Language one AP electiveone AP elective Finally, the student must complete AP exams in 3 of Finally, the student must complete AP exams in 3 of

the 4 subject areas. the 4 subject areas. Students who earn a completion score of 8 or better Students who earn a completion score of 8 or better

(combined) on the 3 AP exams will be reimbursed (combined) on the 3 AP exams will be reimbursed for exam costs by the State of Kentucky in the fall for exam costs by the State of Kentucky in the fall following a student’s senior year.following a student’s senior year.

Senior Credit ChecksSenior Credit Checks

Mrs. Wells, Mrs. Kays and Ms. Mrs. Wells, Mrs. Kays and Ms. Miracle will be doing senior credit Miracle will be doing senior credit checks this yearchecks this year

Make sure you know exactly what Make sure you know exactly what you need to graduate in May!!you need to graduate in May!!

Keep up with your grades, you can Keep up with your grades, you can view Parent Portal with your parentsview Parent Portal with your parents

Most Common Scholarship Most Common Scholarship TypesTypes

AcademicAcademic: : Grades & ACT/SAT ScoresGrades & ACT/SAT Scores AthleticsAthletics: NCAA or NAIA divisions.: NCAA or NAIA divisions.

Community Service/VolunteerismCommunity Service/Volunteerism Health/DisabilityHealth/Disability: : Physical/mental/learning disabled.Physical/mental/learning disabled. Church/Faith BasedChurch/Faith Based: Specific religion/belief: Specific religion/belief EssayEssay: Most likely to not focus on academics.: Most likely to not focus on academics. InstitutionalInstitutional: Specific to the particular : Specific to the particular

College/UniversityCollege/University TransferTransfer: Institutional specific and varies: Institutional specific and varies

Please review the scholarship applications for eligibility!!

Scholarship TermsScholarship Terms Full Scholarship: Full Scholarship: Usually means that the Usually means that the

scholarship covers tuition, housing, meal plan, books and scholarship covers tuition, housing, meal plan, books and fees.fees.

Full Tuition Scholarship: Full Tuition Scholarship: PaysPays onlyonly the the Tuition costs of a full time student. (Does not include Tuition costs of a full time student. (Does not include housing, meals, books, fees.)housing, meals, books, fees.)

Partial Scholarship: Partial Scholarship: Only awards funding for a Only awards funding for a portion of the tuition or fee costs.portion of the tuition or fee costs.

Renewable ScholarshipRenewable Scholarship: : Student must renew Student must renew each year for scholarship, and usually requires ‘conditions’ each year for scholarship, and usually requires ‘conditions’ and reapplying.and reapplying.

Nonrenewable ScholarshipNonrenewable Scholarship:: Usually meaning Usually meaning a one time award.a one time award.

Top 10 Scholarship MythsTop 10 Scholarship Myths

1.1. Only straight- Only straight- “A”“A” students win scholarships students win scholarships2.2. Only Only minorityminority students win scholarships students win scholarships3.3. My child will get a My child will get a full-ridefull-ride scholarship scholarship 4.4. Only Only athletesathletes win scholarships win scholarships5.5. Only the Only the poorpoor win scholarships win scholarships6.6. Scholarships are just for high-school Scholarships are just for high-school seniorsseniors 7.7. The cost of The cost of privateprivate high school is earned back in high school is earned back in

scholarshipsscholarships8.8. $6.6-billion in scholarships went $6.6-billion in scholarships went unclaimedunclaimed last year last year 9.9. Colleges will justColleges will just reduce reduce other aid if a student has a other aid if a student has a

scholarshipscholarship10.10. Applying for scholarships is moreApplying for scholarships is more work work than it’s worth than it’s worth

College Search ResourcesCollege Search Resources

College Board College Board www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

Department of Education Department of Education www.ed.govwww.ed.gov

Go to College Go to College www.gotocollege.ky.govwww.gotocollege.ky.gov

KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority) Assistance Authority) www.kheaa.comwww.kheaa.com

KHEAAKHEAA College CircuitCollege Circuit KEES BrochureKEES Brochure Kheaa.com BrochureKheaa.com Brochure College Cost and Planning College Cost and Planning

Report Report (College Circuit book page 40)(College Circuit book page 40)

Creating a Zip Access Account to view KEES money and to do the College Cost and Planning Report.

The Individual The Individual Learning Plan Learning Plan

(ILP)(ILP)What is it?What is it?An online college and career An online college and career

planning tool used to help planning tool used to help students prepare for post students prepare for post

secondary decisions.secondary decisions.

How can SENIORS utilize How can SENIORS utilize their ILP?their ILP?

Search for colleges in all states; compare Search for colleges in all states; compare tuition rates, available majors, by-college tuition rates, available majors, by-college scholarship opportunities, student scholarship opportunities, student demographics and housing plans.demographics and housing plans.

Research different careers; find out the level of Research different careers; find out the level of education required, expected salary and job education required, expected salary and job outlookoutlook

Record their extracurricular activities, awards, Record their extracurricular activities, awards, work/volunteer experiences, etc.work/volunteer experiences, etc.

Create a professional resumeCreate a professional resume Receive notifications about scholarships and Receive notifications about scholarships and

program opportunities that you may qualify for. program opportunities that you may qualify for.

Before graduation, Seniors Before graduation, Seniors MUST complete the following MUST complete the following

sections in the ILP:sections in the ILP: Annual ILP ReviewAnnual ILP Review Annual Student Annual Student

SurveySurvey Careers that Interest Careers that Interest

MeMe Schools that Interest Schools that Interest

MeMe Career and Life GoalsCareer and Life Goals Career Cluster Career Cluster

InterestsInterests

Post-Secondary Post-Secondary GoalsGoals

Career Planning Career Planning ActivitiesActivities

Organizations and Organizations and ActivitiesActivities

Community Community ServiceService

Course of Study-Course of Study-Grade 12Grade 12

The Parent/Guardian ILP The Parent/Guardian ILP Tool allows YOU to:Tool allows YOU to:

View the work your child has View the work your child has entered in his or her ILP.entered in his or her ILP.

Learn more about the careers and Learn more about the careers and schools that your child is interested schools that your child is interested in.in.

Keep track of your child’s ILP Keep track of your child’s ILP completion status.completion status.

COMMUNICATIOCOMMUNICATION: “KEEPING N: “KEEPING YOU IN THE YOU IN THE

KNOW”KNOW”The Counselor’s Website The Counselor’s Website

The Senior NewsletterThe Senior Newsletter

Ms. Miracle’s Weekly E-mailMs. Miracle’s Weekly E-mail

The Counselor’s WebsiteThe Counselor’s Website

On the ACHS homepage, click On the ACHS homepage, click AcademicsAcademics click Counselor’s Office click Counselor’s Office

Here you will find 12Here you will find 12thth Grade News Grade News You Can Use, ILP Information, You Can Use, ILP Information, Scholarship Listings and the Daily Scholarship Listings and the Daily AnnouncementsAnnouncements

In The Senior Newsletter In The Senior Newsletter You Will Find:You Will Find:

A Planning for A Planning for College ChecklistCollege Checklist

What you should be What you should be doing each month to doing each month to prepare for collegeprepare for college

Info. for athletesInfo. for athletes ACT & SAT ScheduleACT & SAT Schedule Info about fee Info about fee

waiverswaivers AP Test ScheduleAP Test Schedule ACHS Graduation ACHS Graduation

RequirementsRequirements

Requirements for the Requirements for the College Prep Certificate, College Prep Certificate, Pre-College Curriculum, Pre-College Curriculum, Commonwealth DiplomaCommonwealth Diploma

Attendance/Homework Attendance/Homework PoliciesPolicies

KEES InfoKEES Info How to apply for college How to apply for college

and for Financial Aidand for Financial Aid Types of Financial AidTypes of Financial Aid College Visit PolicyCollege Visit Policy

Ms. Miracle’s Weekly E-Ms. Miracle’s Weekly E-mailmail

Every Friday, Ms. Miracle sends out Every Friday, Ms. Miracle sends out an e-mail with information about an e-mail with information about important events, deadlines and important events, deadlines and activities relating to ACHS students. activities relating to ACHS students.

Call or e-mail Ms. Miracle to give Call or e-mail Ms. Miracle to give her your e-mail address if you would her your e-mail address if you would like to be added to her distribution like to be added to her distribution list. list.

Local ScholarshipsLocal Scholarships

Local ScholarshipsLocal Scholarships Local Scholarship packets will be available in Local Scholarship packets will be available in

spring term– after January.spring term– after January. Scholarship packets may be picked up in guidance Scholarship packets may be picked up in guidance

office.office. Each scholarship has varying deadlines and Each scholarship has varying deadlines and

varying amounts.varying amounts. Scholarship recipients will be notified.Scholarship recipients will be notified. All Scholarship information that is returned to All Scholarship information that is returned to

Mrs. Wells in the spring will be announced at the Mrs. Wells in the spring will be announced at the Senior Awards Program in May and will be Senior Awards Program in May and will be submitted to the Anderson News after graduation. submitted to the Anderson News after graduation. If we are not aware of it, we cannot share it.If we are not aware of it, we cannot share it.

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

Call us if you have questions, we are here Call us if you have questions, we are here to help!to help!

Judy Craft, our guidance secretary, is the Judy Craft, our guidance secretary, is the only one of us that can say she’s been only one of us that can say she’s been where you are…the rest of us have not where you are…the rest of us have not experienced the senior year as parents.experienced the senior year as parents.

Financial Aid Workshop – December Financial Aid Workshop – December This power point will be online. If you do This power point will be online. If you do

not have access, let us know, we will get not have access, let us know, we will get this information to you!this information to you!