WELCOME! AHS Senior Cat Chat Graduation Requirements Applying to College Scholarships Senior Events
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore is not an act, but a habit. -Aristotle
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 28 total units required for all students 4 units of English Language Arts 4 units of Mathematics 4 units of Science 4 units of Social Studies 1 unit of Health and Physical Education 3 units for PATHWAY - CTAE Pathway, Fine Arts, or World language 8 additional electives
KEY ROLES OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS Individual academic advisement Personal/social counseling College and career Information Assistance with college applications, scholarships, and recommendations
STAY CONNECTED Webpage: www.barrow.k12.ga.us/ahs Facebook page Twitter: @apalacheehs Instagram: Cheenation Counselor Connection Newsletter Parent Portal BE INFORMED
KEY UPCOMING EVENTS FOR SENIORS Georgia Apply to College Week: November 16-20 Assistance with college applications from career center coordinator and local colleges representatives http://www.usg.edu/apply-to-college Financial Aid Night: January 21, 2016 at 7 PM Georgia Student Finance Commission
4 Year College Workforce After High School Options 2 Year College Military Technical College
SENIOR COLLEGE VISITATION DAYS Seniors are allowed to visit a college, one time per semester to count as an excused absence. Provides valuable insight into college life Forms available in the Attendance Office
WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW? Standardized Testing (waivers available in Career Center for eligible students) SAT/ACT/ASVAB/Compass/ASSET Research colleges online Take a college tour Start researching scholarships Make an appointment with Ms. Sharp in the Career Center Make an appointment with your school counselor to verify credits, request a college/scholarship recommendation, and to send transcripts
CRITICAL RESOURCES www.gacollege411.org www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org www.fastweb.com www.fafsa.ed.gov www.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org
FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES Set up a free account with www.fastweb.com to be matched with national scholarships Set up a free account with www.meritaid.com to be matched with merit scholarships available with both private and public colleges across the country. As they become available, Ms. Sharp will post local/private/community scholarships on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Copies of same scholarships that are posted on social media will also be placed in a scholarship notebook outside Ms. Sharp s office in Attendance. There are also copies available for students to pick up in the boxes outside of Ms. Sharp s office.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS ON THE PATH TO GRADUATION Attendance is critical to success Be mindful that colleges review your entire school record Record key dates and be mindful of when materials are due: scholarships, test scores, recommendations. Do not wait until the last minute! Most school records require a minimum 24 hour notice to receive. Contact your counselor for additional direction and assistance Keep in contact with teachers. Utilize Parent Portal to keep on top of grades Utilize available after school teacher help sessions.
WHAT S THE NEXT STEP? Narrow down your colleges Review entrance requirements and determine what colleges may be a reach school and what schools may be a good fit based on test scores and GPA Study for standardized testing! GaCollege411 and Khan Academy offer FREE resources Get involved! Colleges and scholarships want a well-rounded student. Volunteer and service hours are critical. Request transcripts be sent in a timely manner. Review due dates for materials to be received by colleges and plan accordingly! Set your sights on scholarships! Make an appointment with Ms. Sharp, Scholarship Coordinator for assistance.
HOPE Scholarship HOPE SCHOLARSHIP Eligible students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in core academic courses Rigor requirements Portion of tuition covered Zell Miller Scholarship Eligible students must have a minimum 3.7 GPA in core academic courses Combined score of 1200 SAT or 26 ACT in one test administration Rigor requirements Pays full tuition at public institutions
HOPE GRANT HOPE Grant No high school graduation requirement Enrolled in certificate of diploma program Portion or standard tuition covered Zell Miller Grant No high school graduation requirement Enrolled in certificate or diploma program Cumulative 3.5 or higher postsecondary GPA each term Full standard tuition covered
WHEN QUESTIONS ARISE Wildcat Wednesdays See a counselor during lunches each Wednesday in the Cafeteria Make an appointment E-mail A-G: whitney.hardegree@barrow.k12.ga.us H-M: amy.bishop@barrow.k12.ga.us N-Z: daniel.bennett@barrow.k12.ga.us Phone 770.586.5111 Feel free to contact us with specific questions. We are here to help!
Senior Sponsor Mrs. Susan Pierce and Mrs. Sondra Anderson Balfour Mr. John Upchurch Digital Creations 4U Mr. Mason Orr