Agenda

2. Agenda • Upcoming Events • Counselor Introductions • GCH Student Services Web Site • Parent Access to Grades • Graduation Requirements • Community Service • Dual Enrollment • SAT / ACT • Calculating Grade Point Averages • What are Colleges / Universities looking for? • State Community Colleges/ State University System • Application Process • Bright Futures Scholarships • Financial Aid Process - FAFSA • Local and State/National Scholarships • NCAA – College Athletics

3. Student Services Staff

4. GCHS Counselors • Cindy Giles (Dept. Chair) Do- F • Lyndsey Dombroski A- Di • Heather Minsker G – L • Connie Perrin M-Re • Deb Wessman Ri– Z

5. Upcoming Events: • PSATOctober 15th,2014 • District College Night • September 22, 2014 @ Golden Gate HS • 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. • College Visits @ GCHS • Concentration mid – late September • ASVAB • 11/6/2014

6. PSATOctober 15th, 2014 ‘Pre’ – SAT National Merit Scholarship Program for 11th graders Will be given to all 10thand to 11th graders who sign up in the Student Services Department by September 30, 2014.

7. College Visits at Gulf Coast High

8. Tuesday September 9th 250 students showed up for UF! Essay Topic We often hear the phrase "the good life." In fact, the University of Florida's common course required of all undergraduate students is titled "What is the Good Life?". The concept of "the good life" can be interpreted in many different ways depending upon the experiences, values and aspirations of each individual. In a concise narrative, describe your notion of "the good life." How will your undergraduate experience at the University of Florida prepare you to live "the good life"?

9. University of Florida’s New Essay • Essay Topic • We often hear the phrase "the good life." In fact, the University of Florida's common course required of all undergraduate students is titled "What is the Good Life?". The concept of "the good life" can be interpreted in many different ways depending upon the experiences, values and aspirations of each individual. • In a concise narrative, describe your notion of "the good life." How will your undergraduate experience at the University of Florida prepare you to live "the good life"?

10. ASVAB • Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Exam (ENLISTED MILITARY ENTRANCE EXAM – career interest inventory) • November 6, 2014 @ GCHS • Open to Juniors and Seniors Only • MUST SIGN UP IN ROTC 6-176 BY OCTOBER 24, 2014

11. Student ServicesWEB SITE • www.gulfcoastsharks.com

12. Checking Student Grades • Check your student’s grades on-line: • 1. Set up your own account online with ID and Password • Parent Access to Gradebook or 2. Access through your son/daughter • Username: 6 digit student number • Password: Birth Month and Day • June 7, (0607) Contact Teachers: • www.gulfcoastsharks.com Click ‘Faculty’ for email addresses

13. Graduation RequirementsClass of 2015 • Required Credits: 24 • English 4.0 • Math 4.0 • Science 3.0 • Social Science 3.0 • Practical/Performing Art 1.0 • HOPE 1.0 • Pass the 10th Grade FCAT (Reading) • Pass Algebra 1 EOC • On line course • Take Biology & Geometry EOC’s for 10% of final course grade • Earn a 2.0 unweighted GPA • Elective Credits 8.0 • Note: Additional courses are required for SUS admissions

14. Graduation RequirementsClass of 2016 • Required Credits: 24 • English 4.0 • Math (Algebra & Geometry) 4.0 • Science (Biology) 3.0 • Social Science 3.0 • Practical/Performing Art 1.0 • HOPE 1.0 • Pass the 10th Grade (English Language Arts Test ) • Must pass Algebra 1 END of COURSE EXAM • One online course (Government/Economics) • Earn a 2.0 unweighted GPA • Elective Credits 8.0 • Note: Additional courses are required for SUS admissions

15. Important Community Service • Not required for graduation • Requirements for Bright Futures • Cannot be affiliated with religious or political organizations • Must obtain prior approval during lunch on Thursdays and Fridays in the Student Services Department • Forms available on the web page or in the Student Services Office

16. Dual Enrollment for Juniors Application Deadline • FGCU February 13, 2015 • Edison April 10, 2015 • SAT/ACT deadlines ( last test dates for FGCU is February 7th and ESC is March 14th) • Please see website for requirements • Application deadlines and requirements are set by FGCU & ESC – and may change.

17. Admission Officers asked us to make it clear to the parents and students If you choose to do dual enrollment you will start your college transcript and grade point average the minute you earn your first credit.

18. College Admissions Exams SAT & ACT • When Offered – registration deadlines • Handout /GCHS Student Services Website • Next Test Date for the Year • SAT October 11, 2014 • ACT. October 25, 2014 • See purple handout for more dates this school year

19. Differences Between ACT and SAT • SAT focuses on college success skills: writing, critical reading, and mathematics • Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes • ACT is curriculum based in the areas of English, mathematics, reading and science (must take writing) • Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes Students should take one or both in the winter of their junior year

20. SAT /ACT Prep Resources (It is recommended that all students take a prep course or independent study work) • A+ Skills Tutoring • Club Z • MathWorks • Sylvan Learning Center • www.ACT.ORG • www.COLLEGEBOARD.com • KAHN Academy • Princeton Review Books • The College Board Real SAT’s • Barron’s SAT Prep • Up Your Score-the Underground Guide to the SAT

21. Calculating Grades and GPA • Calculation • State unweighted for graduation • County weighted for class ranking • Recalculated “academic core” Bright Futures

22. GCHS Weighted Calculations • Honors add .02 points to each semester with grade of “C” or better Ex. English 1 Hon. A= 4.04 (entire full credit course) • Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment/AICE add .04 points to each semester with grade of “C” or better Ex. AP Biology Grade “A” = 4.08 (entire full credit course)

23. Where do I get my “Transcripts?”

24. In the Counseling Office!!!

25. Here is the form..

26. What Colleges are Looking For • The strength of your high school academic program (including the senior year) • GPA • Difficulty of classes • Highest level of classes (honors, AP) • Improvement • Consistency Strong Performance in a Challenging Curriculum

27. What Colleges Are Looking For • Standardized Tests • Extracurricular Activities • Special Talents/Interests • Athletics • Community Service (not a laundry list-depth& breadth) • Leadership • Employment

28. State (Community) Colleges • 28 State (Community) Colleges in Florida • 61 Campuses • Serve over 900,000 students • 67% enrolled in AA transfer Program • 33% enrolled in AS & certificate program

29. FSU UWF UNF FAMU UF UCF USF NCF FAU FGCU FIU FL Public Universities GCHS Class of 2014 • Florida State University 37 • University of Florida 17 • University of South Florida 21 • Florida Atlantic University 5 • University of Central Florida 29 • Florida International University 3 • University of North Florida 1 • Florida Gulf Coast University 82 • Community Colleges in Florida 118 TOTAL= 313 56% 4 year university 31% 2 year university

30. SUS Admissions Deadlines FSU has 1 admissions deadline: 10/16/14 • (12/16/14 notification) • Applications after are on a space available basis UFhas 1 admission deadline: 11/1/14 (2/14/15 notification) Applications after are on a space available basis 99% admitted from November applicant pool

31. SUS Admissions Deadlines • FGCU, FAMU, FAU,USF, UWF, and UCF have rolling admissions with a Feb 15th priority deadline Note: Generally to be considered for university scholarships, students must apply by the first deadline.

32. Four Year State Universities • Minimum Admission Requirements • Graduation From an Accredited High School • 18 Core Academic Credits • SAT or ACT Scores (With Writing) • Specific Requirements (GPA, Test Scores & Essays) vary From College to College • Minimum SAT Reading: 460 Math: 460 • Minimum ACT Reading: 19 English:18 Math 19

33. State University System Matrix • College MR GPA MR SAT MR ACT • FGCU 3.07-3.73 1450-1680 20-23 • FSU 3.8 -4.3 1760-1980 24-28 • UF 4.1- 4.5 1870-2100 24-29 • USF 3.75-4.3 1680-1900 21-25 No letters of recommendation required

34. College Application Process • Select up to 5 colleges and visit their websites to obtain their application procedures-most colleges require/prefer online applications. • Get Started Now if you are a senior- APPLY EARLY! • Update your resume. • All applications are online – visit individual school websites - look under ‘admissions’. • Recommendations: Most colleges do not require recommendation letters-some scholarships do. • Once you apply to college, NO SCHEDULES WILL BE CHANGED

35. Out of State and Applications • Some colleges are using Send.edu applications • Common Applications • The “Common App” (CommonApp.org) is currently accepted by over 450 colleges and universities; many of these are private schools.  The idea was to make the admissions process more uniform and save students time in entering the same information over and over. • Boston University, University of Michigan etc.

36. University of Florida Florida State University • Student Self-Reported Academic Record • The Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) is FSU and UF's new self-reported transcript. It is an online form where you enter your high school and dual-enrollment courses and grades from 9th-11th and your courses in progress for grade 12. It is recommended that you get a hard-copy transcript from your guidance counselor in order to complete the SSAR.

37. Scholarships • Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance • www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org • Florida Financial Aid Applications • Florida Bright Futures Scholarships • Talented 20 Program • State Grant and Scholarship Programs

38. Bright Futures Scholarships/ Volunteer Requirements

39. Bright Futures Gold Seal will not be used at the 11 State Universities • PLEASE NOTE: • Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars graduating in 2011-12 and after may receive an award for 100% of the number of hours required to complete only one of the following programs at a Florida public or eligible Florida private postsecondary institution: • Applied Technology Diploma, up to 60 credit hours or equivalent clock hours. A course of study that is part of a technical degree program, is less than 60 credit hours, and leads to employment in a specific occupation. • Technical Degree Education Program, not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours. A course of study that leads to an associate in applied science degree or an associate in science degree. • Career Certificate Program, not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours. A course of study that leads to at least one occupational completion point.  The term is interchangeable with the term “certificate career education program.”

40. Registration for Bright Futures • The application/registration process begins December 1st of the senior year • Counselors will call seniors to a computer lab for Bright Futures Registration in Dec/Jan • Registration Instructions are also available on the GCHS Counselor Website under Scholarships/Bright Futures Registration Instructions • The application must be completed in order to be eligible for Bright Futures Scholarships

41. FAFSA Federal Financial Aid • Free Application for Federal Student Aid • WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV • Application available January 1st. • GCHS Financial Aid Night: Tuesday, January 21, 2016:30pm

42. Financial Aid Workshops at Lorenzo Walker Institute • September 24 6pm-7pm • October 15 6pm-7pm • There will be 4 other workshops also.

43. Scholarships at GCHS 2014 • Bright Futures Scholarships Total: $1,740,120 • Community Scholarships Total: $135,400 • College/University Scholarships Total: $2,388,755 Grand Total: $4,124,415

44. Gulf Coast High School Scholarship List • www.gulfcoastsharks.com • State/National List is now available and has weekly updates • Local Scholarship List will be available in February of 2014 • Senior Scholarship Assembly on 2/25/15 at 9 AM

45. Scholarship National Search Sites • www.scholarships.com • www.fastweb.com • www.collegenet.com • www.collegeanswer.com • www.fastaid.com • www.schoolsoup.com See GCHS Web Site for additional search engines and information.

46. NCAA • In order to play college sports, students must register with NCAA • http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.com/ (online registration) the fee is $70.00 • Athletes must be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse and meet academic and athletic requirements • A copy of the NCAA release must be given to Data Entry Clerk in Student Services for transcripts to be released to colleges and coaches

47. Closing Thoughts… • Check School Website for Daily Announcements and Upcoming Events • Check Student Services and District Website for College, Dual Enrolment and Scholarship Information. • College Bound Students – Attend Financial Aid Night • Check w/ the Admissions Offices of the Schools you wish to attend to make sure you are meeting all deadlines and requirements. • Thank you for attending!