JUNIOR INFORMATION

JUNIOR INFORMATION

● December 2013

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Counseling Webpage

Located off the main FCHS website.

Visit it often! New information posted weekly.

CLASS OF 2015 tab. This power point is posted online.

SAT / ACT sign up information

Dual Enrollment Information

GPAs

Scholarship and Summer Opportunities are posted

Test Preparation Information

Financial Aid / Hope Scholarship details

And More…..

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Four Year Plan

23 credits are needed for graduation, if you began 9th grade in the Fall of 2011-12.

- 4 English- 4 Math- 4 Science- 3 Social Studies- 3 CTAE / Language / Fine Art courses- 1 Personal Fitness & Health- 4 Electives

All students must earn all credits and pass the writing section of the GHSGT.

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THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE.....

Post Secondary Plans

College (Four Year, Two Year, Tech School, etc)

Work

Military

What will work best for you?

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College Information

Students receive 4 college visit days. Must bring back signed documentation on college letterhead for the absence to count as a field trip.

SAT / ACT – most take in the spring for the first time, most two-year and four-year schools do require these test scores for admission.

Those wanting to attend a technical school – sign up to take the ASSET test with Ms. Petersen held on March 5th at 8:15am.

Begin looking at scholarship searches.

Utilize www.gacollege411.org for information.

Your GPA is very important. Need at least a 2.0 – 2.2 cumulative GPA for admission to 2 year schools, much higher for 4 year schools.

Think about adding some rigor to your senior schedule!

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Work Information

Use the career planning tools on the www.gacollege411.org website for help understanding what might be a good fit.

Don't wait until the last minute to find a job.

Take the ASVAB (a career planning test sponsored by the military.... a FREE exam with no commitment to the armed services). It will be offered again next school year.

Work on building your resume.

Network, shadow, and interview people who can help you get started after high school.

Consider furthering your education by just taking a class or two at a local college.

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Military

Talk to recruiters now....don't wait!

Bring a trusted individual with you – parent/guardian/friend. Do not sign anything until you are ready. You are committed once you sign documents.

Explore your options within the military.

Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). All branches require this test be taken.

Be sure you also talk to the recruiter about funding for college to ensure you are eligible for aid.

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HOPE SCHOLARSHIP

How do you earn the HOPE scholarship?

The current HOPE regulations state that you must have a 3.0 Core or Academic Grade Point Average in order to be eligible to receive HOPE.

It is calculated over all four years of high school, not just your senior year!

Must have a valid social security number on file in our office to receive HOPE – must bring card to counseling office if we do not have it on file.

New Rigor Requirements!

What are the award amounts?

The HOPE Scholarship award varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending and your specific hours of enrollment. There is a chart on the GA College 411 website to determine this information.

Public Institutions - Students attending public colleges or universities receive a HOPE award amount, up to a maximum of 15 hours, based upon a per hour rate at the institution he or she is attending.

Private Institutions - Students attending private colleges or universities receive a HOPE award amount, up to a maximum of 12 hours, based on a half-time or full-time enrollment status.

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Beginning with students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2015, in order to be eligible to receive a HOPE scholarship, a student must receive at least two credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school:

1) Advanced math, such as Advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, or an equivalent or higher course;

2) Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, or an equivalent or higher course;

3) Advanced Placement courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language);

4) International Baccalaureate courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language);

5) Dual credit courses in Core subjects taken during Dual Credit Enrollment at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution;

6) Courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language) where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses; or

7) Advanced foreign language courses.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP – Rigor Requirements

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Zell Miller Scholarship

Graduate from an eligible high school with a minimum 3.7 grade point average combined with a minimum score of 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT test or a composite score of 26 on the ACT test in a single national test administration.

While you have until the last day of classes or exams to submit your application, in order to receive Zell Miller funds for that semester or quarter, we highly recommend submitting your HOPE application as early as possible.

For all the requirements please visit the GA College 411 webpage and click on the Financial Aid Tab.

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Grade Point Averages

Two main types of GPA's.

Cumulative

Core

Cumulative is EVERYTHING you have ever taken 9th through 12th grades.

Core is only your academic subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language.) It also includes any academic electives such as psychology, sociology, or AP European History, Dual Enrollment classes, etc... See your counselor if you have questions.

Most colleges primarily look at your Core GPA for admission, not your cumulative. Ask them before you apply!

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Advanced Placement & Dual Enrollment

If you score a 70 or higher in an AP or Dual Enrollment class, an additional quality point is added in the GPA calculation.

For your cumulative GPA, a full quality point is added (ex: if you get an A, you get 5 quality points instead of 4. For a B, you get 4 instead of 3, etc.)

For your HOPE or Academic GPA, only a ½ quality point is added and nothing is added if you get an A. (ex: an A is only worth 4 quality points, a B is worth 3.5 and a C is worth 2.5).

This helps to explain why your cumulative GPA may be higher than your HOPE GPA.

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Honor Graduate

You need a 3.5 CUMULATIVE GPA to be considered an Honor Graduate at the graduation ceremonies.

This is a high honor and you will receive a stole to wear at graduation.

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Dual Enrollment Options

Dual enrollment programs provide opportunities for FCS high school students to take college-level courses and earn concurrent credit toward a high school diploma and a college degree while still in high school.

To apply students must meet SAT/ACT testing requirements.

Have a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average

Talk with your counselor if this is something you would like to do your senior year.

Listen for announcements for a meeting in January or February.

PARENT/STUDENT INFORMATION NIGHTS:University of North Georgia – located at the Cumming Campus of UNGInformation Nights for Parents and StudentsJanuary 27th and 28th

6-8 PM

Lanier Technical College -Forsyth Campus Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming, GA 30041Information Night for Parents and StudentsFebruary 4th 6-8 PM

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CENTRAL STARS

A program which honors students who have a combined score utilizing the Critical Reading and Math scores on the SAT of an 1100 or higher and a composite score of a 24 or higher on the ACT exams.

This will be held on January 29 at 9:00am in the New Gym.

If you think you should be included please make sure to notify Ms. Petersen prior to January 10, 2014.

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Credit Recovery

Do you need to make up a failed class? Make sure to make up missed courses BEFORE your senior year. Do not wait! See your counselor before you sign up to get it approved.

Some options for making up courses:

Summer School

Mountain Education Center

Georgia Virtual School

Forsyth Academy (Day)

IACHIEVE

Online options - other

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Shortened School Day (SSD)

If you are caught up on all your credits and on track for graduation you may want to consider the SSD option for seniors.

Seniors will be required to sign up for a minimum of 4 courses. If you play any type of sport you will be required to sign up for a minimum of 5 classes in order to still be eligible to play.

Just because you are interested in the SSD option, does not mean it will logistically work with your schedule. We will not know until the summer. We will try our best to make it work for you!

Contracts for the SSD program will be available in late January.

Must have a parent/guardian sign off on forms. Counselors verify all signatures.

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Registration for Senior Classes

Begin thinking about what classes you would like to take your senior year. Talk with your teachers about their recommendations.

If you are recommended to take an AP course and do not want to take it, you MUST complete a course waiver to have the class dropped from your schedule.

There will be no changes after the waiver deadline!

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Sports in College!

If you would like to play a division I or II sport in college, you need to follow some necessary steps.

Register with the NCAA clearinghouse.

Transcripts must be sent to them. A preliminary one & a final one.

Should prepare a sports resume.

Begin talking with your coaches about prospective opportunities.

Contact various organizations for more guidance:

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

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Counselor Information

If you have questions, email your counselor!

Ms. Petersen – (A – E and 11th and 12th ELL Students)[email protected]

Mrs. Chilson – (F - L)[email protected]

Mrs. Miller – (M - R)[email protected]

Ms. Savage – (S – Z and 9th and 10th ELL Students)[email protected]