WELCOME STUDENTS

1. WELCOME STUDENTS CLASSOF 2011

2. Administrators you should know... Ms. Pam Tapley, Principal Mr. Michael Hague, Assistant Principal Ms. Vicki Luttrell, Assistant Principal

3. Get to Know Your Counselors… Ms. Crowell A-DO Ms. Swaine LEC-RIN Ms. Smith DR-LEB Ms. Short RIO-Z

4. MEET OUR GUIDANCE SUPPORT PERSONNEL… Ms. Buehler Ms. Barber College and Career Ms. Woodruff

5. Meeting with a counselor is easy... • Call the Guidance office to schedule a parent/teacher conference with all teachers or speak with your counselor directly. • Students should meet with their counselor once every nine weeks this year and every month their senior year! • Students may come to the Guidance Office before school, during lunch, or after school to make an appointment with their counselor. • Remember…Ms. Barber is also available in the Career Center!

6. What it takes to be a Senior... • 18 credits • On track for graduation • 2.0 GPA (recommended)

7. What it takes to graduate... • 24 Total Credits: • 4 English • 4 Math (Algebra 1 & above) • 3 Social Studies • 1 World History • 1 American History • .5 Economics • .5 American Government • 3 Science • 1 H.O.P.E. • 1 Performing Fine Art • 8 Elective Credits Pass FCAT 1926 Read/1889 Math 2.0 GPA

8. Problems with the FCAT ? • Substitute ACT/SAT scores • 15 on Reading and Math for ACT • 410 in Reading/370 in Math for SAT • Walk with the class, receive a Certificate of Completion, retake until you pass (must have 24 required credits and a 2.0 GPA) • Take classes at community college and earn an AA degree (must have 24 required credits, 2.0 GPA, and pass CPT) • Earn a GED • Attend a tech school or take a job that does not require a high school diploma

9. College/University 2-year 4-year Consider the options ... Work Tech School Military

10. LIFE AFTER ST CLOUD HS... or preparing for the future! FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES Education & Health Services30.6% increase Healthcare & Social Services 30.3% increase Professional & Business Services27.8 % increase

11. Working: where, what, how? • Type of work desired • Additional training • Resume • Dress for Success • Practice interview skills • Check out benefits: insurance, tuition reimbursement, chances for advancement • Needed for ALL jobs • Good attendance • Communication and computer skills • Ability to work as a team member

12. TAKE A LOOK AT…Osceola & Orange County Technical SchoolsTECOMid-Florida TechOrlando TechWestside TechWinter Park TechAvalon Center

13. Military • Investigate jobs of interest • Research all branches for those jobs • Take the ASVAB • Talk to a recruiter

14. College Admissions 2-year and Community Colleges • Standard High School Diploma or GED • CPT: Computer Placement Test • Certificate of Completion with • 24 required credits, 2.0 UW GPA, & passing CPT scores 4-year Colleges and Universities • Standard High School Diploma • GPA for College Admission - Based on Academics ( 3.0+) • Appropriate SAT/ACT scores (at least 1000 SAT, 23 ACT) • Rigorous academic courses in HS: AP, Honors, DE • Minimum of 18 Academic Credits (20+ Recommended): • 4 English, 4 Math (Algebra I & above, Algebra II Req.) • 3 Science, 3 Required Social Studies (Recommend 4) • 2 Foreign Language, 2 other academiccredits

15. What it REALLY takes to get in… • Mid-Range GPA’s and test scores for Fall admission: • FAU 3.2-3.8 1510-1720 SAT/VMW 22-26 ACT • FSU 3.4-4.2 1730-1960 SAT/VMW 26-29 ACT • UCF 3.5-4.2 1150-1290 SAT/VM 25-28 ACT • UF 4.3-4.4 1970-2090 SAT/VMW 30-32 ACT • UNF 3.3-4.0 1140-1260 SAT/VM 22-25 ACT • USF 3.58-4.12 1120-1280 SAT/VM 24-29 ACT

16. What Will College Cost? • That depends...you must consider the cost of tuition, books, room, food, transportation, parking, clothing. • Average tuition and fees (per year) as follows: • 4-year Public Institution $4,650 • 2-year Public Institution $2,700 • 4-year Private Institution $33,000 • Room & Board/Public $8,728 • Books/Misc. Expenses $4,600 • Estimated costs (per year): • FSU $15,446 • Stetson University $44,000 • University of Miami $50,000 • Rollins College $51,857

17. Bright Futures Scholarship • Florida Academic Scholars Award • 3.5 GPA in selected subjects • 1270 SAT or 28 ACT • 75 hours community service • Florida Medallion Scholars Award • 3.0 GPA in selected subjects • 970 SAT or 20 ACT • Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award • 3.0 in selected subjects • 3.5 in 3 sequential vocational courses • Test scores: • SAT – 440 verbal, 440 math or • ACT – 17 English, 18 Reading, 19 Math, or • CPT 83 Reading, 83 Sentence Structure, 72 Math See www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org for changes in awards/renewal

18. WHEN SHOULD YOU TEST? ACT OR SAT? • SAT is a Reasoning test…it tests your • Reasoning ability • A good test for students who excel in math • College admissions test • May be used for placement at Valencia • FCAT alternative 410/370 • ACT is a test of Knowledge. ..it tests your • Learned knowledge • A good test for students who excel in language • College admissions test • May be used for placement at Valencia • FCAT alternative 15/15 ACT or SAT req. for FAS & FMS Planning to attend college – take SAT/ACT with Writing SAT & ACT are comparable tests & should be taken in winter/spring of 11th

19. OTHER TESTS TO CONSIDER… • Take the CPT if you… • Plan to take Dual Enrollment classes (3.0 GPA – test spring ‘10) • Plan to attend community college after graduation (test Spring ‘11) • May qualify for Bright Futures GVS • PSAT is… • A great way to practice for SAT – Individualized Score Report for each student • the test that determines National Merit Scholars (top ½ of one percent nationwide), National Hispanic Scholars, and National Achievement Scholars • 9th, 10th, and 11th WILL TEST ON OCTOBER 14TH!

20. College and Career Center • Learn about educational opportunities after graduation from high school. • Discover career information – just ask! • Use the computers for career and post- secondary school searches. • Access financial aid & scholarship information – Check Prep HQ! • Learn how Prep HQ can help you. • Find answers: NCAA Clearinghouse, college visits, applications, transcripts. • Ask your counselor or see Ms. Barber TODAY!

21. www.facts.org– check it out! • Make a 4-year plan on ePep! • Check out your unofficial Bright Futures GPA. • Take a CHOICES interest inventory! • Visit SUS university websites to help find the right college. Check out programs & narrow choices. (3-5 by senior year) • Apply to colleges during summer/fall after junior year! You can…

22. The Search for the Green • Community service – Remember to document hours earned - Bright Futures FAS requires 75 hours. • Check Prep HQ scholarship opportunities & get a head start on senior year! • Planning to play sports in college? Register online with NCAA Clearinghouse at end of junior year. • Bright Futures - Academic, Medallion and Gold Seal - apply online senior year (opens December 1 of senior year). • www.facts.org Use your ePEP account for an unofficial Bright Futures GPA evaluation!

23. WHAT TO DO NOW! Fall: • Write down your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities • Evaluate your options for senior year and after high school • Attend college night • Retake the FCAT if necessary • Consider taking an SAT/ACT prep course or practice online • Set up an account on www.facts.org for college searches, BF evaluation, college admissions information • Begin your college search Winter/Spring: • CPT @SCHS for students registering for Dual Enrollment classes (must have a 3.0 GPA & Valencia application on file) • Register to take the SAT &/or ACT • Meet with your counselor to review your options for senior year • Sign up for an FLVS class to make up credits or raise GPA – Impact Lab may be an option during summer. • Arrange for college visits over spring break or summer vacation • Narrow your college choices to 5 • Do research on scholarships (Internet, College & Career Center, college websites)

24. Summer Fun? • July 1 Begin NCAA Clearinghouse paperwork for students planning on athletic recruitment www.ncaaclearinghouse.org • July-Aug Narrow post-secondary options (3-5 choices are good) • University-bound students should begin writing college application essays • Complete brag sheet & resume Bring a copy to your counselor • August-Sept Complete state university applications – set a deadline and get it done! (UF applications open July 1 – most others August 1) - after Nov. 1 priority deadline many schools accept students on a space available basis only!

25. Web Resources • http://www.schs.osceola.k12.fl.us - access grades, stay current with Prep HQ, check important dates www.act.org - ACT registration; sign up for the writing section if planning to attend college; educational planning • www.campustours.com - college admissions; virtual campus tours; web/cam broad casts and college admissions message board • www.collegeboard.com - SAT registration (Reasoning or Subject Tests); test taking tips/practice questions; financial aid information; college admission tips • www.facts.org - information about financial aid; career/interest inventory (CHOICES); ePEP • http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool - college opportunities; college search; list of internet resources SAT®

26. IMPORTANT! CLASS RINGS • Oct. 7 Presentation during ACHIEVE • Oct 10, 17 (Sat) Orders taken 10 AM to noon • Oct. 13, 14 • Orders taken during lunch and 6 to 8 PM

27. And Remember… It is your responsibility to make up any work you missed while attending this presentation! Thank you for your attention. Please complete your post test…