Senior YearIs Here

!!!

Got Diploma?Application for Graduation– Build on Junior counselor meeting– Complete Senior meeting with your counselor– Know exactly where you stand

28 Units All Required Coursework All GHSGT

Who is my counselor?

• (A-F) Ms. Bennett

• (G-N) Mr. Callahan

• (O-Z) Mr. Bowden

What – more school? Postsecondary (after high school) Education Options

4 Year college / university 2 year college Military Technical college

How do I get there?

• Where am I going?• How do I apply?• How will I pay for it?

Where am I going?

Online search– Walnutgrovehigh.org• Counselor’s Corner–Useful Links» GA College 411» College Testing» College/Career Planning» Scholarships/Financial Aid

Where do I find more information ?

• PROBE fair• Schedule school visits• Talk to alumni• Lunch visits from school reps• Military – talk to recruiters

Where am I going?Questions I should ask myself:• What do I want to learn?• Do I want to live at home or on campus?• Do I want to go to a smaller or larger school?• Am I looking at public and/or private schools?• Am I looking in and/or out of state?• What do my parents think?• What is the campus like?• Will I be competitive for admission?

How do I apply?

• Narrow or broaden your choices– Three (3) to four (4) serious choices.

• Look at specific requirements for where you want to go

• Complete all requirements ON TIME

Applications – what is required?

Typical admissions packages require the following:

Completed Application Application Fee Official Transcript Official Admission Test scores: (ACT, SAT, COMPASS) Recommendation Form

Applications – where? Find application at the school’s website Or through GACollege411 Many can be completed and sent to the school,

electronically, through the website Others allow you to print and send in by mail Application Fee Waivers may be available,

depending on financial need – see counselor.

Official Transcripts?

Request to the Front Office Turn in Official Transcript Request Form Include $2.00 fee Pick up in sealed envelope Send to admissions office (do not break seal)

Admissions Tests? SAT (collegeboard.com)

Or link through counselor’s corner ACT (actstudent.org)

Or link through counselor’s corner COMPASS

For Technical/2-year schools Contact Technical or 2 year school to schedule

ACT/SAT fee waivers may be available through your counselor, based on financial need

Recommendation Forms? Many schools require recommendation forms Your counselor will normally help you complete

these Make sure your counselor has all information

necessary to complete Give plenty of notice (at least 2 weeks)

Letters of Recommendation? Not always necessary When needed, should be best possible Teachers, coaches, club sponsors

Who can best comment on best things about you? Work ethic, determination, accomplishments

Counselors Need a complete resume to do best work

Give plenty of notice (at least 2 weeks)

Suggestions Research and focus on serious prospects Know and meet your deadlines Do neat and complete work Keep copies of everything you can Get and stay organized Ask questions when you aren’t sure

Show Me The Money HOPE FAFSA

Student Loans Grants & Work Study

Local/PTSO Scholarships Other Scholarships Family contribution Personal contribution (part time work)

HOPEHOPE Scholarship/HOPE Grant

Link (counselor’s corner -useful links - GAcollege411 - HOPE) 3.0 (CP), 3.2 (TP) final academic GPA required for

scholarship (degree programs) Yearly re-evaluation Public – pays tuition & mandatory fees? Private – pays $1750/semester? Must apply

1. FAFSA (counselor’s corner - useful links - GAcollege411 - HOPE)2. HOPE (counselor’s corner - useful links - GAcollege411 - HOPE)

FAFSAFederal Application for Federal Student Aid

Link (counselor’s corner - useful links - [scholarships/financial aid] - FAFSA)

Site includes: Step by step instructions List of necessary documents Deadlines Eligibility information

Local/PTSO Scholarships

Much more information to come Work on your resume’ Think about teachers for recommendations Pay attention to details and deadlines

Other Scholarships Use search engines Link (useful links - [scholarships/financial aid])

FastWeb Atlanta Scholarships Paying for School Zinch

Identify good opportunities Follow directions, meet deadlines, ask questions

Family Contributions

Have you talked with your parents about how they might plan to help with expenses after high school?

Personal Contribution

Have you thought about working to pay some of your education expenses?

Odds & Ends

WGHS school code: 111-867 Rank in class: You are # ( ? ) out of 136 Early decision (binding) Early action (non-binding)

Feeling ill?Senioritis kills … your hopes and dreams.

Don’t let yourself get distracted. Stay focused.

You are almost there…but not yet. You still need to earn credits, complete classes and work on

your GPA.

Finish strong!