TATES CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

1. TATES CREEK HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR INFORMATION

2. COUNSELORS (Arranged by the first letter of student’s last name.) MRS. BRUCE A – D MR. WALDROP E – Le MR. SCHLICH Li – R MRS. OLIVER S - Z

3. SENIOR MEETING Welcome to Senior Meeting! • The purpose behind meeting with all of you today is to guide you through the steps of graduating and preparing for life after high school. • We plan to cover several topics with you in this presentation that you will need for your Senior year. • We will also share resources that we have put in place to help guide you along as you transition into the next step.

4. TRANSCRIPTS • Check for ACCURACY • Note any discrepancies • Discuss these with your counselor • Are you in the classes needed for graduation? • Did you repeat any classes? Make-up failed classes? • Weighted G.P.A is used for class rank • Unweighted G.P.A is used by colleges for admissions • To request an official transcript see Mrs. Gilley, the counseling secretary- each copy is $1.00.

5. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS • Completed ILP • Completed Writing Portfolio • Completed Diploma Slip • Students must pay for diploma through Balfour. • 26 credits needed to graduate • 4 credits of English , 3 credits of Science, 3 credits of Math, 3 credits of Social Studies, PE/ Health, Humanities, and 11 electives. • For complete & detailed listing, see Grad. Brochure

6. COMMONWEALTH DIPLOMA Students must successfully complete the following requirements: - Earn 26 credits - Fulfill the pre-college curriculum - Earn at least a “C” average in four AP/IB courses (AP/IB Senior English, AP/IB Foreign Language, AP/IB Science or Math, one additional AP/IB course) - Take three AP/IB exams in the courses listed * Please submit Commonwealth Checklist to Mr. Schlich.

7. PREPARING FOR THE NEXT STEP A few tips….. • Plan ahead to avoid being overwhelmed. • Stay on top of your grades this year. • Pay close attention to deadlines. • Research the schools you are interested in. • Start planning for tomorrow TODAY.

8. APPLYING TO COLLEGES • Pick 3 to 5 schools that interest you. • Get an application for admission from the school's website or office of admissions. Most applications are online. • Complete and return the application with all necessary materials that must go with it. • Request a copy of your official transcript. Have your transcript sent to the school. • Get a housing application if you're living on campus. • Find out what tests, ACT/SAT, are required and the deadlines for submitting your official scores report. • If you have questions ask your parents, guidance counselor, or an admissions director.

9. THE COMMON APPLICATION • If you plan to apply to several colleges, please consider using the common app. • This is one application used for many schools. • Apply at www.commonapp.org • For a complete listing of schools that accept the common app visit this website. • Three Colleges use Common App in KY- Centre, Transylvania, and now University of Kentucky

10. COLLEGE VISITS • These visits must be pre-approved by the principal. • Students can schedule up to 3 college campus visits • A request must be submitted three days in advance. • Try to visit colleges when they are in session or during Open House or Preview Nights. • On weekends, all you will see are empty buildings!

11. COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITS • College Representatives also make visits to TCHS. • The reps are usually from college admissions office. • A list of colleges and the dates they are visiting can be found on the TCHS website or counseling office. • Sign up to visit with college reps BEFORE the day they are scheduled to visit. • To sign up, see Mrs. Gilley in the counseling office. • Dismissal from class is at the teachers’ discretion • BE SELECTIVE WHEN SIGNING UP!

12. ACT / SAT • Register for the ACT at www.act.org • Register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com • These websites are also useful for test preparation. • Online registration is required unless special accommodations are needed. • Some out of state schools require SAT II’s, or subject tests. Check with your selected schools. • If you plan to re-take the ACT, register for Oct or Dec. • Ask your counselor about a fee waiver if you have free or reduced lunch.

13. ACT PREPARATION • Use the study guide from FCPS that is tailored to you • Check out an ACT prep book from the library. • Register for the Sullivan ACT Prep Class that is every Saturday before an ACT test date or the UK Test Prep Course. • Use the test prep section from act.org • More advanced test prep is offered through Kaplan. • Study and Practice. Practice and Study. • Focus on improving one area with lowest score.

14. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION • Some colleges require a counselor or teacher letter of recommendation • Letters of Recommendation and Applications require 2 weeks notice to counselor. • Please provide your counselor with a Letter of Rec. Request Form found on the senior webpage. • Applications DUE this semester should be submitted to counselor no later than DECEMBER 1st

15. GARY R. MARTIN CENTRAL KY COLLEGE FAIR • College night is at Rupp Arena on Monday, October 17, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm • More than 120 colleges and universities from all over the USA will be present to give you information. • Most beneficial Open House in KY. • MARK YOUR CALANDARS FOR THIS ONE!!

16. NCAA GUIDELINES • If you hope to play college sports, you must meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements. • PLATO classes are not accepted for eligibility by NCAA. E-School Classes are accepted. • Visit www.ncaa.org for more information and up-to-date guidelines. • NCAA will need an official copy of your transcript. To send a copy of your transcript to NCAA, see Mrs. Gilley. • Register with the Clearinghouse to begin the process.

17. SCHOLARSHIPS • A list of current scholarships is provided on the TCHS Counseling Website. • Please let your counselor know if you want to be nominated for a certain scholarship. • A link to current scholarships is also listed on the Senior Bulletin Webpage. • Now is the time to seek out scholarships. Look on the web, your church, community organizations, etc. • Check with the colleges you are interested in for scholarships that they offer as well.

18. FINANCIAL AID • Now is the time to talk to your parents about financing your college education. • Most colleges require the FAFSA • This is the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid • Apply online for the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov • This application will be filled out at the beginning of next year. • Encourage your parents to file their taxes as soon as possible, so that you can complete this form. • THE SOONER, THE BETTER. MORE $$ AVAILABLE. • Remember- you must earn 5 credits each year to be eligible for KEES $$$. KEES $ is tracked with your social security #.

19. NON-COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS • Military options • Technical Schools/ Trade Skills • Correspondence or Home Study Schools • Internships or Apprenticeships • Job skills from high school courses such as Eastside or Southside • Family Business Options • Entrepreneurship • Entry-level job positions

20. THE “GETTING IN” BOOK • This book is a free resource provided to you. • It offers many helpful resources to aid students in college planning. • Detailed Info for KY colleges -Deadlines for applying and scholarships -Testing score/ GPA requirements -Tuition and fees -Contact Numbers The Getting In Book- IT DOES THE WORK FOR YOU!

21. SENIOR BULLETIN WEBPAGE We have dedicated a page on the counseling website just for our Seniors that is now called the Senior Bulletin. Information available includes: Senior Information College Information ACT/SAT Testing Scholarships and Financial Aid Career Resources Resources for Non-College Bound Students

22. TCHS COUNSELING WEBSITE • We have mentioned it over and over. Why? • This is where you will find all the information you need for planning for your Senior year. • Scholarships, College Rep. Visits, Resources, Testing Info, Senior Calendar, & MORE! • Visit www.tchs.fcps.net. Then choose the tab for counseling to view our counseling webpages.

23. SIGN UP…… If you have additional questions about graduation, testing, or college planning or you fell asleep during this presentation….. SIGN UP TO SEE YOUR COUNSELOR! Stop by the counseling office and put your name on the sign up sheet under your designated counselor.

24. CONGRATULATIONS! GOOD LUCK CLASS OF2011- 2012