Seniors…

1. Seniors… “Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.” President Barack Obama

2. Great Expectations: Senior Year Mount Tabor High School CLASS OF 2012

3. Senior Year Is . . . - An accomplishment - Challenging - Busy - Distracting - Your last memories of high school - A gateway to...

4. School Counselor Senior Meetings(September to early October)

5. Senior Meetings • Graduation Requirements • Your Transcript • Financial Aid Planning • Have an idea about a major/job that interests you • College/Post Graduate Plans • Bring an idea of 3-5 colleges to apply to including a safety school

6. Deciding Where to ApplyHow Do I Do That? 1.) Choosing your list 2.) Know your chances of acceptance 3.) Research scholarships/financial aid 4.) Be idealistic and realistic in narrowing your college list 5.) Visit colleges on your list (you get one college visit day) 6.) Don’t miss a deadline! 7.) Know what is needed to apply 8.) Use Online Resources

7. COLLEGE FAIR POST SECONDARY OPPORTUNITY SESSION • Monday, October 3rd (5-8) • Benton Convention Center • Sign-in at the Mount Tabor Table • Representatives from approximately 150 Colleges & Universities PRIZES AVAILABLE!!!!!

8. Important Factors in the College Admissions Process • High School Transcript GPA, Class Rank, Senior Year Rigor • Test Scores • SAT & ACT - Four Year Colleges & Universities • ASSET & Computerized College Placement Test (NC Community Colleges) • Essays • Recommendation Letters • Special Talents and Accomplishments • School and Community Activites

9. Definitions of Admission Options Non-Restrictive Applications Students are not restricted from applying to other institutions and have until May 1st to consider their options and confirm enrollment Restrictive Applications Students are responsible for determining and following restrictions

10. College Entrance Exams • SAT www.collegeboard.com • ACT www.act.org • Community College Placement Testing • ACCUPLACER/Computerized Placement Test @FTCC • Most colleges/universities require the SAT or ACT • Most colleges/universities will accept either the SAT or ACT • Students may choose to take both the SAT and the ACT • Some colleges/universities allow students to apply without SAT/ACT

11. Registering for the SAT or ACT online 1.) Log on to the website (feel free to come use the Counseling Center’s computers!) 2.) Register for the test by looking at the test date and location 3.) Pay for the test using a credit card or fee waiver 4.) Get your confirmation number Afterwards….. By logging on to collegeboard.com you can check your scores, send scores to colleges, and find study tips for taking the test again

12. Benefits of Online Registration • Choose the test date and test center immediately • Get immediate registration confirmation • 24-hour access to registration • Print admission ticket immediately • EZ Registration speeds up Re-registration (SAT) • Fee waiver registration is available online • Approved accommodation request also online • Online account allows more timely access to score report

13. A Look at Some NC Colleges/Universities

14. You Should Also Know… • Fee Waivers are available to students who qualify (see your school counselor) • Two for SAT Reasoning and two for SAT Subject Tests • Two for the ACT • Students with disabilities may request accommodations • Please see your Counselor for details • Plan ahead, this process takes some time

15. Is Your College Application Complete? • Know what each school requires for admissions, scholarships, financial aid: • Application • Essays • Recommendations • School Counselor Form • Mid-Year Report • SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests • FAFSA • CSS/Financial Aid Profile • Interviews

16. Common Application Over 400 Colleges/Universities now use the Common Application! •  Talk with your Counselor to find out if they are completing their sections online or not •  Supplemental Forms (required by 2/3 of Schools using the Common App) • Signing the Privacy Waiver

17. HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT • Request your transcript via the off-white cards available in the Counseling Office • Request your transcript at least two weeks prior to application deadlines • First 2 requests free, additional $2.00 • www.cfnc.org transcript process • Mid-Year Transcripts (free) • Scholarship Transcripts (free) • Request FINAL TRANSCRIPT in May

18. When Requesting Official Transcripts Don’t Forget….. • High School Profile • Counselor Statement Forms The above should be given to Mrs. Callaghan when requesting transcripts. Allow your Counselor time to write a thoughtful recommendation letter • Teacher Recommendation Forms or Requests for Letters. Provide teachers with stamped and addressed envelopes. Give teachers plenty of turn around time(two weeks minimum) Give recommenders your Senior Profile/Resume

19. What Does Your College Application Say About You? Recommendation letters (based on your Senior Profile) Discipline History Class Choices (including senior year!) Mid Year Grades

20. FINANCIAL AID • Need-Based Financial Aid • Grants • Loans • Work Study • Merit-Based Financial Aid • Scholarships (scholastic, athletic, artistic ability & success) Some scholarship opportunities are both merit-based and need-based.

21. FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid • Must file to determine eligibility for all federal and most state aid for year entering college • File online form after January 1, 2012 • FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) • Obtain a PIN (electronic access code number) at www.PIN.ed.gov • Use www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to project eligibility • Some scholarship opportunities require the FAFSA

22. CSS/Financial Aid Profile • Required by some colleges/universities • Davidson, Duke, Elon, UNC-CH, Wake Forest, NC A&T • Required by some scholarship organizations • Fee-$25.00 (initial fee & 1st institution + $16.00 for each institution) 2010-11 • Register and complete Profile at www.collegeboard.com at least two weeks before first priority deadline

23. Upcoming Dates concerning Financial Aid • In November we will have a representative from Davidson college come and talk one evening about the Financial Aid process; this is a GREAT presentation and you should plan to attend • January 5th & 12th: District Financial Aid Information meetings • Get your PIN for the FAFSA now!

24. Scholarship Search Tips • Make sure your email address is up-to-date in the Counseling Office for when we send out email Scholarship Updates! • Look on the Mt. Tabor Counseling Website to view the scholarship updates from previous years to get an idea about what scholarships are available • Broaden your search at the beginning of senior year • Be diligent throughout your senior year • Select opportunities that fit you best • Be realistic about the number of applications you can complete • Work against becoming complacent • Do not give up! • Think about local resources

25. Scholarship Nominations • Unlimited Applicants • Obtain endorsement from your counselor • Limited Nominations or Applicants • Read requirements on Scholarship Update • Submit your Senior Profile and Resume • Update as often as you like • Submit a Scholarship Nomination Request Form • Front of scholarship file cabinet/place in bin outside Mr. Huck’s office • Additional statement may be requested The Mount Tabor HS Scholarship Committee will review your documents, along with your transcript, to determine the Mount Tabor nomination(s).

26. Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities Morehead-Cain Scholarship Program Park Scholarship Wendy’s High School Heisman Program Be on the lookout for scholarship updates throughout the year!!!

27. Crosby Scholars Check the Crosby Board for announcements (500 hallway across from the Attendance window) for updates and announcements! Don’t forget that you must attend 2 of the 5 Senior Academies - register online - 10 minute rule (if you’re 10 minutes late, you will not be awarded credit) Scholarships with Crosby Scholars: Last Dollar Grant BBB Scholarship Make sure all email addresses and contact info is up to date. Crosby sends emails and updates via emails!

28. PREPARE FOR YOUR SENIOR MEETING WITH YOUR COUNSELOR • Take time to discuss your college planning goals with family members. • Be able to discuss your tentative career goals. • Generate a list of questions relative to the college admissions process. • Have a realistic list of 3 to 5 schools in which you have an interest. • Know your academic credentials such as GPA & previous test scores.

29. Mount Tabor Class of 2012 "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

30. Online College Resources CFNC.org NC colleges & universities Collegeboard.com All college profiles Collegeportraits.org All colleges & universities Collegeprofiles.com All colleges & universities CTCL.com Colleges That Change Lives HBCUmentor.org Historically Black Colleges & Univ. Mymajors.com College planning & Major searches Collegeview.com College searches