WELCOME! Gig Harbor High School

1. WELCOME!Gig Harbor High School Senior Parent Night 2013 – 2014 This presentation will be posted on our Counseling website

2. Overview • Counselor Assignments • Graduation Requirements • Senior Exhibition • Post High School Options • Admissions • Application Process • Tests • Scholarship and Financial Aid Information • Important Dates

3. Counselor Assignments Kim Lubin A – Bar Lillian Amrine Bas – F Jen Clarke G – Lav Todd Dempewolf Law – Rof Todd Davis Rog – Z Dave Burmark Career Education Counselor Julie Barnett Psychologist Karen Lindberg Secretary Lorraine McCormick Career Education Specialist

4. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 22 CREDITS—Check the Graduation Progress on Power School HSPE READING & WRITING 1 EOC IN MATH HIGH SCHOOL & BEYOND PLAN SENIOR EXHIBITION

5. SENIOR EXHIBITION State Requirement for Graduation Encourage your Senior to stay on top of the deadlines QUESTIONS? Contact current Civics/Decisions/AP Gov teacher TCC Experiential Learning 200 (EXPLR 200)

6. Reporting College Credits Earned in High School • Running Start Credits • AP Courses • College in the High School Courses • Articulated Agreement Courses for Duel Credit w/Community Colleges Your student is responsible for sending an official transcript from the reporting institution to the college to which he/she is applying.

7. Post High School Training is necessary for EVERYONE!

8. Post High School Options • Specialty schools - Cosmetology, Art, Fashion, Culinary, Commercial Diving, etc. • Military • Apprenticeships • Community/Technical Colleges • Four Year Colleges/Universities • Community Service Volunteer Programs • Live at home with parents and watch TV

9. Roads to Success

10. Apprenticeships Check out web sites: LNI.wa.gov/scs/apprenticeship/default.htm

11. Military Service • Explore/Compare career and education opportunities between branches • Take the ASVAB exam in Fall (November 26) or this Spring • Require written assurances from recruiters • ROTC and Military Academies

13. Community & Technical College Admissions • Community Colleges: • Placement exam required prior to entry • Apply early • Know transfer requirements if seeking baccalaureate degree • Technical Colleges: • Must have a career focus • Placement exam required prior to entry • Waiting lists possible

15. Minimum University Entrance Requirements • English: 4 years (Some “English” classes may not meet requirements.) • Math: 3 - 4 years—through Algebra 2 • Social Studies: 3 years • Science: 2 - 3 years lab science (one must be year long, algebra-based course) • World Language: 2 - 3 years—same one • Fine/Visual/Performing Art: 1.0 credit (requirement varies among schools—some require 1.0 of the same genre)

16. Admissions • Criteria varies for each school • Information available on the web or contact the institution • BE AWARE OF DEADLINES • May require: • Transcripts (3 DAYS NOTICE) • letters of recommendation (2 WEEKS NOTICE) • entrance exams • interviews • portfolios and/or auditions Students are responsible for all correspondence

17. Tips to strengthen your application(adapted from WWU admissions packet) • Strong Finish (grade trends matter) • Write compelling personal statement • Make positive difference in the lives of others • Demonstrate sustained involvement • Convey personal contributions to the college • Express appreciation for cultural diversity • Take risks (embrace challenges) • Follow application instructions • Personally contact colleges (not through parents) WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE YOU STAND OUT FROM THE REST?

18. ACT and/or SAT? • ACT—competency/curriculum-based test • English, Math, Reading, Science • Writing test is optional • SAT—critical reasoning/general knowledge test • Critical Reading • Math • Writing is mandatory • SAT 2 (specific subject tests, select schools only)

19. Choosing A College/University • Admission requirements • Courses of study offered • College environment • Size, Class size, Gender ratios, Climate, Urban versus rural • Religious affiliations • Distance from home • Sports programs • Dorms versus Greek system • Job opportunities • Friend’s choices • Financial costs A College’s reputation—Be cautious of rankings and rumors.

20. Parent Role • Encourage career exploration • Know student’s interest & skills • Research requirements & employment outlook • Arrange a job shadow • Recognize and encourage student’s right to choose • Set financial parameters • Seek “best fit” not “best college” Make memories & teach them life skills

21. Financial Aid • FAFSA application required for financial aid • www.FAFSA4caster.ed.gov • Complete on-line after January 1st--Sooner is better • Four types of assistance: • Grants • Scholarships • Loans • Work Study • Merit versus need-based scholarships • Loans can also be obtained through local lending institutions • WUE – The Western Undergraduate Exchange Program • reduced tuition www.wiche.edu • Financial aid from private institutions can often neutralize the costs FINANCIAL AID NIGHT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 6:30 – 8PM at GHHS

22. Scholarship Information • Check scholarship websites • Contact individual schools and programs • Most schools have their own scholarships • Check parents’ place of employment, organizations and banks/credit unions • Scholarship Notebooks (Check website for dates) Be cautious about paying for scholarship search programs.

23. Important Dates to Know*Check the website November 19th Financial Aid Meeting at GHHS (6:30 pm) Jan. 1st First day you may submit your FAFSA Jan. 21st Scholarship Notebooks Due TBD Senior Project service completion date TBD Senior Project paper due May 20th Scholarship Awards Assembly May 29th Senior Exhibition, Oral Boards June 13th Seniors check out day June 14th Graduation Rehearsal June 15th Graduation!! (3:00 PM) July Diplomas mailed

24. QUESTIONS?

25. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!