Fort Walton Beach High School Guidance Department presents NAVIGATING THROUGH THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS
Meet Your Guidance Office Staff Professional School Counselors Dr. Linda Dugan students A-D Mrs. Christy Simms students E-K Mrs. Marcy Ross students L-Q Mrs. Lori Lipnicky students R-Z Guidance Secretaries Mrs. Jan Shaffer Mrs. Cindy Lemasters Assistant Principal Ms. Dolores Noechel
Graduation Requirements 4 credits English Language Arts 1 credit Algebra 1 1 credit Geometry 2 credits Additional math courses 1 credit Biology 2 credits Additional science courses 1 credit World History 1 credit United States History ½ credit ½ credit United States Government Economics 1 credit Fine, performing or practical arts 1 credit Physical Education, to include the integration of health 8 credits Electives 1 course Online learning (counts as one of the 24 credits)
Graduation Requirements, cont. REQUIRED ASSESSMENTS Must earn a passing score on the FCAT Reading 2.0 Must earn a passing score on the Algebra end-of-course exam Minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA Completion of 1 online course within the 24 credits Must take the Biology, Geometry, and U.S. History EOC s and the Algebra 2 EOC if enrolled in the course. Scores will count as 30% of final course grades. Foreign language is NOT required for graduation, but is required for admission into state universities. Community service hours are not required for graduation but are required for Bright Futures.
Summa Cum Laude Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude GPA 4.5 and above GPA 4.2-4.49 GPA 4.0-4.19 Configured at the end of 7 th semester. Based on these 19 credits: 3.5 English credits 3.5 Social Studies credits 3.5 Math credits 3.5 Science credits 1.5 Foreign Language credits 3.5 Elective credits In order to be an honors graduate, students must be enrolled in the same year-long classes at the same level and receive a grade for the 8 th semester or have completed their 4 required credits by the end of the 7 th semester.
Did you know that by using FLVC.org you can monitor your transcript? FLVC also gives you access to: Career choices and development Graduation requirements College entrance requirements Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program Academic planning Graduation status Help with how to pay for college
Assessments for Juniors & Seniors to Consider ACT www.actstudent.org The ACT measures reading, writing, math, English, science also gives an overall composite score. SAT www.collegeboard.com The SAT measures critical reading, math and writing gives a combined score with and without the writing. PERT (Post Secondary Education Readiness Test) The PERT measures English, reading and math levels. Students may take the PERT at Northwest Florida State College. The PERT is given to seniors taking Math for College Readiness and/or English for College Prep as the end-of-course exams.
ACT Test Dates and Deadlines Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required) September 13, 2014 August 8, 2014 August 9 22, 2014 October 25, 2014 September 19, 2014 Sept. 20 October 3, 2014 December 13, 2014 November 7, 2014 November 8 21, 2014 February 7, 2015 January 9, 2015 January 10 16, 2015 April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14 27, 2015 June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9 22, 2015 SAT Test Dates and Deadlines Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required) October 11, 2014 September 12, 2014 September 26, 2014 November 8, 2014 October 9, 2014 October 24, 2014 December 6, 2014 November 6, 2014 November 21, 2014 January 24, 2015 December 29, 2014 January 9, 2015 March 14, 2015 February 13, 2015 February 27, 2015 May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015 April 17, 2015 June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 22, 2015 Students participating in the free/reduced lunch program are eligible to receive fee waivers for the ACT and SAT.
One of the best ways to figure out if you might be accepted by a college is to look at the freshman profile and see how you compare.
University of Florida Average GPA: 4.2 Average ACT score: 30 Average SAT score: 2010 Deadline to apply November 1 www.uf.edu
Florida State University www.fsu.edu Average GPA: 4.1 Average ACT: 28 Average SAT score: 1860 Deadline for application: Oct 15
University of Central Florida 2 nd largest university in the United States with an enrollment of 60,000, and growing! UCF = Under Construction Forever Average GPA: 3.85 Average ACT score: 27 Average SAT score: 1830 Rolling admissions apply as early as possible! www.ucf.edu
Florida Polytechnic Florida s only STEM university Opened August, 2014 Science Technology Engineering Mathematics https://floridapolytechnic.org/
Northwest Florida State College www.nwfsc.edu Offers A.A. degrees, A.S. degrees, Certificates and Bachelor s degrees Admission requirements: High school diploma A test score either PERT, ACT or SAT The main campus is in Niceville, with satellite campuses located in FWB, Crestview, Defuniak Springs, South Walton, and on both military bases. 850.678.5111
University of West Florida Average 3.51 Average ACT: 23.31 Average SAT:1522 Deadline to apply: rolling admissions www.uwf.edu Listed in Forbes America s Top Colleges (2011, 2012) Designated as a Best Southeastern College by the Princeton Review (2003 2013) Named a top military-friendly school by G.I. Jobs magazine (2008-2013) Ranked No. 13 in the Top Colleges for Future Service Members in Florida by The College Database (2013) Listed in Princeton Review s Guide to 311 Green Colleges (2011-2013) Listed in the Great Colleges to Work For by The Chronicle of Higher Education (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014) Named No. 38 for Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans by the U.S. News and World Report (2014)
Troy University Offers in-state tuition to residents of Okaloosa County Average ACT score: 21 Deadline to apply rolling admissions Alabama s International University Troy teaches students in More than 13 time zones In six countries Across the globe online More than 80 languages are spoken on Troy s main campus. www.troy.edu
Auburn University www.auburn.edu Average GPA: 3.74 Average ACT score: 27 Average SAT: 1220 (math and critical reading only) Deadline to apply January 15
TO THE TOP! The University of Southern Mississippi www.usm.edu Average GPA: 3.18 Average ACT score: 22 Average SAT: 1050 (math and critical reading only) Deadline to apply rolling admissions Classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a fully comprehensive research university. The Polymer Science and Engineering department is consistently ranked among the nation's top 10 by U.S. News & World Report. Hattiesburg is ranked by Livability as the 10 th best college town in The U.S. for 2014.
The University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Ole Miss is Mississippi s largest university and is home to both a major medical and law school. Ranked by Forbes as one of the best college buys. www.olemiss.edu Mississippi State University Mississippi State University is designated as a Doctoral/Extensive institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Home to the College of Veterinary Medicine Home to the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station www.msstate.edu
Looking for a different besides college? Consider one of the many adult programs at the CHOICE Technical Center. Medical Administration Nursing Assistant Cosmetology Culinary Arts Electrical Technology Welding Licensed Practical Nursing Digital Cinema Creative Arts Automotive Technology Construction Technology FINANCIAL AID ACCEPTED 850.833.3500
Is the MILITARY an option for you? Opportunities Training Education Travel Health Benefits Pension
2015 Bright Futures Scholarships There are Three Different Award Categories Florida Academic Scholars Award Florida Medallion Scholars Award Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award
Florida Bright Futures Awards for 2015 2014-2015 Bright Futures award Myth - NOT a percentage of tuition and fees (since 2009-10) Rather a dollar amount per credit hour enrolled This Year s Amount Per Hour Enrolled: FAS = $103 FMS = $ 77 GSV = $ 48 **Varies by enrollment in a state university, state college or state community college
Class SAT FAS SAT FMS ACT FAS ACT FMS Comm. Service hours FAS Comm. Service hours FMS GPA FAS GPA FMS 2015 1290 1170 29 26 100 75 3.5 3.0 FAS = Florida Academic Scholar FMS = Florida Medallion Scholar ***GPA for Bright Futures is based solely on core classes.
Academic Scholars Requirements 16 credits (college preparatory) 3.5 weighted GPA (unrounded) in those 16 courses 100 Community Service Hours ACT = 29 Composite (excludes writing section) SAT = 1290 (critical reading and math)
Medallion Scholars Requirements 16 credits (college preparatory) 3.0 weighted GPA (unrounded) in those 16 courses 75 Community Service Hours SAT = 1170 (critical reading and math) ACT = 26 Composite (excludes writing section)
COMMUNITY SERVICE GUIDELINES Example of ACCEPTABLE Community Service Hours The preservation of the environment and/or the protection of historical sites The promotion of health, welfare and safety of the community The improvement of the standard of living for residents of our community The encouragement of the growth of the arts in our community The improvement and enrichment of the lives of the mentally and/or physically disabled of our community The promotion of a quality life for the senior citizens of our community The implementation of activities for the general good of the community
www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org State Grants, Scholarships & Applications Application window opens on December 1.
Scholarship Opportunities Ms. Julie Smith runs the College and Career Center. Seniors should be visiting her now for important scholarship information. Visit the FWBHS scholarship page at www.fwbvikings.com/scholarships.php Good websites for scholarship opportunities www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.cappex.com
What should SENIORS do now? Continue to work hard. Grades are important! Get the scores you want or need. Take and retake the ACT or SAT. Create an admissions calendar. Mark down all the important deadlines in your college application process. Build your Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR) if necessary. UF and FSU requires the SSAR. Apply for admission to your college(s) of choice on time. Apply for Bright Futures. The application window opens on December 1 of each year. Apply for financial aid. The FAFSA application opens on January 1 of each year. Take care of business. Register for previews and orientations. Apply for housing. Pay deposits. What should JUNIORS do now? Grades are key. Don t lose your academic focus. Get the scores you want or need. Take the ACT or SAT. Narrow down your choices. Pick your favorites colleges and do your research. Think about your senior schedule. Make sure you are on track to graduate. Summer visitations. Visit as many of your top colleges as you can.
If a student has taken or will take an AICE or AP class or an ACT or SAT test, it is the student s responsibility to make sure the college of your choice receives the test score. How is this done? AICE has a special transcript request form that the student must mail directly to AICE. A transcript request form may be picked up in the guidance office. AP and SAT test score requests can be made through collegeboard.com. ACT test score requests can be made through www.actstudent.org