Senior Life and Beyond

1. Welcome Parents! Senior Life and Beyond NMHS Class of 2014

2. Parent Packet • College Application checklist and FAFSA information • Transcript • Credit Summary • Senior Timeline • Websites, contact information and testing information • Visit Counselor Website

3. Senior Life • Graduation Requirements • Testing Requirements • Honors and Recognitions • Counselor Outreach • Credit Recovery

4. Graduation Requirements • All students must have a minimum of 23 credits to graduate. • All students must meet specific course requirements. • All students will earn a General Education diploma if they meet the requirements.

5. Graduation Requirements • 4 credits of English • 4 credits of Math(check college websites) • 4 credits of Science(Bio, PhySci, Chem or Enviro and a fourth) • 3 credits of Social Studies (4 courses) • ½ credit of Health • ½ credit of Personal Fitness • 3 electives from CTAE, Fine Arts or World Languages

6. Foreign Language • Foreign Language is not required for graduation. • However, two and four year colleges still require 2 credits of the same foreign language for admissions.

7. Testing Requirements • Students must pass the Writing section of the Graduation Test AND • All 4 subject tests of the GHSGT OR • Pass a corresponding subject area EOCT to exempt that subject of the GHSGT

8. Honors and Recognitions • Honor Grad • Board Scholar • Academic Seal • Fine Arts Seal • Foreign Language Seal

9. Valedictorian/Salutatorian • Valedictorian is student with the highest # of points based on grades in all core academic classes. • Salutatorian is student with 2nd highest # of points based on grades in above courses. • Calculation is based on a points system using all numeric grades from core academic classes, with extra weight assigned to Honors, AP, IB and Dual Enrollment. • Top 10 contenders will be notified in February.

10. Counselor Outreach • Classroom visits • Parent Nights • Individual Appointments • Website • Remind 101

11. Credit Recovery • If student has taken and failed a course, E2020 is available. • See counselor immediately if you need to make up a course.

12. Other Programs • Ombudsman Night School • Project Graduation • Performance Learning Center (PLC) • Virtual Academy • Georgia Virtual School

13. Beyond High School • Work • Military • Technical/Career College • College/University

14. Entering the Workforce • Students should begin researching possible careers. • Create a resume. • Take advantage of opportunities for internships or apprenticeships for on-the-job training. • Most jobs require some training either on-the-job or at a local college or technical school.

15. Military Careers • Students considering a career in the military should request an appointment with our school’s recruiters. • The ASVAB test is required for admission and placement in a military career. • The ASVAB test is full for this semester, but if there is enough interest it may be offered next semester.

16. Technical/Career College • Technical or Career Colleges provide training for specific job duties. • Fast-track • Few academic courses • Hands-on • Job placement • COMPASS test required • Make an appointment at the college to take the COMPASS. ($20 fee)

17. College/University • Students take academic as well as career-specific courses. • Students may enter 4-year college after graduation or start at 2-year college and transfer. • Acceptable SAT or ACT score is required for admissions. • Check with each college concerning academic course requirements (especially for math).

18. College Research • Gacollege411.org • Collegeboard.org • Bigfuture.collegeboard.org • Individual college websites • Check the counselor’s website under files for a college planning spreadsheet!

19. SAT vs. ACT • Both are accepted by colleges for admissions. • SAT is reasoning test and the writing section is required. • ACT is knowledge test and the writing section is optional (most colleges still request a writing score). • Students must register for tests online. • Waivers are available for students who qualify.

20. SAT Prep for Seniors • Princeton Review • www.princetonreview.comand • look under SAT and your zip code.> The workshop consists of 6 hours of instruction and 1 practice exam - Course materials are included> $175 per student> Schedule:> 10/19- test from 9am-1:15pm> 10/22 - class from 4-7pm> 10/29 - class from 4-7pm

21. Application Process • Students should research admissions requirements before applying. • Student is responsible for adhering to college deadlines. • Applications and transcript requests should be submitted to Mrs. Morris. • $3.00 administrative fee for official transcripts.

22. Campus Visitation • Seniors are allowed 2 excused activity days for college visits. • Student must make a request to Mrs. Morris in the College & Career Center. • Students should contact college ahead of time to set an appointment or find out if there are special events taking place. • Return signed form to Mrs. Morris in the Career Center.

23. NCAA • NCAA determines eligibility for Division I and Division II schools • GPA is recalculated using core classes only. • Must have minimum core GPA of 2.0

24. NCAA Athletic Eligibility • Students interested in playing sports at an NCAA school must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. • www.eligibilitycenter.org • SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center. • An official transcript must also be sent. See Mrs. Morris in the College & Career Center.

25. Financial Aid • Financial Aid Night – Jan. 23rd • FAFSA • HOPE Scholarship • Other Scholarships • Grants • Loans

26. HOPE Update • There is still HOPE! • HOPE Scholarship • 3.0 core GPA • No longer covers books or fees • Hope Chart • Zell Miller Scholarship • 3.7 core GPA + 1200 SAT (math/verbal) or 26 ACT composite • Covers 100% of tuition

27. HOPE • HOPE Grant • Covers a percentage of tuition at a public technical college. • No GPA requirement to receive grant. • May be GPA requirement to keep it. • Must complete FAFSA in January to be considered for HOPE Grant.

28. GACollege411.org • Visit GACollege411 website for the most up-to-date info on HOPE. • Students may also submit applications through the website. • APPLY-TO-COLLEGE DAY is scheduled for November 20th at NMHS.

29. Parent Support • Your young adult still needs you! • Stay in contact with teachers. • Check website for important dates. • Email or call counselor if you have concerns.

30. Stay Connected • School website: • tinyurl.com/nmhs2014 • Sign up for text or email updates for seniors: • Text @nmhs2014 to (404) 418-8813 • Infinite Campus Parent Portal

31. Thank you for coming! • Congratulations to the Class of 2014!