SENIOR ADVISEMENT

Information for Seniors and Their Parents

SENIOR ADVISEMENT

Topics for Discussion

- Counselors- College Application Process

- Transcript Request Procedure

- Letters of Recommendations

- Credits and Honor Points

- Numeric Average GPA vs NGA

- College Admission Standards- GPA- Researching colleges- Honor Code- SAT/ACT- Scholarships/Financial

Aid- HOPE Changes- NCAA

Northview High School – Counselors

Students are assigned to counselors according to their last name:Counselor Student CaseloadSamiah Garcia (A – De)

Jamie D. Brown (Dh – Ka)

Renee Ferrerio, Dept Chair (Ke – Mc)

Allison Leja (Me- Sc)

Steve Creel (Se – Z)

College Application Process

What still needs to be done? Complete college research & college applications Understand the difference between being able to

get into a college and being able to AFFORD a college.

Understand the difference between high school graduation requirements and college entrance requirements

Understand that there are high school deadlines and college deadlines for admissions, scholarships, NCAA, HOPE, FAFSA

Submit all requests for transcripts, evaluations and letters by the high school deadline

Research scholarships and financial aid

College Application Process

High School DeadlinesThere will be a strict minimum three week (or 15 business day) high school deadline prior to the college deadline for students submitting any requests for Transcripts, Letters of Recommendation, or HS Counselor Section evaluations for a college application or for a scholarship to the Counseling Office.

This deadline excludes holidays and only includes working business days.

Due to the number of seniors… students who fail to turn in their applications prior to the three week deadline will NOT receive a letter of recommendation from their counselor. In order to ensure a letter of recommendation, completed forms, and on time delivery, ALL STUDENTS must meet their deadlines. This excludes holidays and breaks. College Application Process

In order to have an honest, fair, and complete evaluation of the application between high school and college…the student MUST waive their rights to view the application when and if colleges ask.

Failure to waive rights will result in minimal academic information being reported.

All Senior Students need to give their Counselor a SENIOR INFO SHEET on Sept. 4th. Parent Response Form is optional. Available electronically or on paper. Electronic copies are available on our website and may be emailed to the counselor.

College Application Process

Transcript Request Four types of transcript requests: Paper Transcript Request (green) Electronic Transcript Request (blue)

Common App Transcript Request (gold) UGA Transcript Request (red)

The college will be specific as to how they want the transcript sent.

Follow the specific college’s instructions. All Transcript requests require a $3.00 processing

fee and will be accepted by Ms. Boatwright in the counseling office.

Common Application Common Applications must be submitted before a

counselor can fill out information. A correct email address must be entered for your

counselor in order for it to reach their account. A list of all colleges that utilize common

application should be listed on their website at www.commonapp.org .

We will only charge ONE $3.00 fee per student, regardless of the number of colleges on Common Application.

A $3.00 fee is also required for mid-year requests with the accompanying form

No envelopes are needed for Common App. Everything is electronically uploaded.

UGA UGA Transcript requests require their own form as there is a lot of

information required. A $3.00 fee is required for a transcript request to UGA. A $3.00 fee is also required for any mid year reports that must be sent and

a form must be filled out. Early Action applicants must complete Part 1 only and turn in the transcript

request form by September 24, 2012 to meet the October 15th deadline Regular Decision applicants must complete Part 1 and 2 and must turn in

the transcript request form by December 17, 2012. Early Action applicants will be notified by December 15th.

UGA applications must be submitted online prior to transcript requests being turned in.

Failure to submit a Senior Information Sheet prior to submitting a transcript request will result in academic information being reported only.

Please indicate if you plan to apply for a scholarship and be mindful of the SAT/ACT and GPA requirements.

Students who miss their deadlines will not receive a letter of recommendation and may not receive an evaluation if time does not permit.

No envelopes are required for UGA applications. Everything will be uploaded electronically.

DO NOT TURN IN THIS FORM UNTIL YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR UGA APPLICATION ONLINE!!!   UGA application submission date: ________________________ □ Initial Request □ Mid-Year Request Please complete the following before submitting this request: 1. Submit ONE copy of the Senior Information Sheet to your counselor. Mandatory   2. Circle one option Early Action Regular Decision   3. For Early Action, you must complete Part I of the application by October 15th. This form is due to the

counseling office by September 26, 2011 for Early Action applicants.   4. Please indicate if you are applying for the following programs:   Bernard Ramsey Honors Scholarship Yes No (Minimum Academic GPA 3.75 unweighted, 1400 SAT CR & Math, 31 ACT)( Middle 50% GPA for

Honors Students 4.0-4.2, Middle 50% SAT for Honors Students 1430-1490, Middle 50% ACT for Honors Students 31-33)

  Foundation Fellowship Scholarship Yes No (Minimum Academic GPA 3.75 unweighted, 1400 SAT CR & Math, 31 ACT)   5. Please indicate your highest scores: SAT CR _______ SAT Math ________ SAT Writing ________ ACT Composite _______   6. For Regular Decision, you must ask a teacher to submit a teacher evaluation and you must complete Parts

I and II by January 15th. Do not forget to ask your teacher to submit for UGA deferrals from Early Action. The deadline to turn in this form for Regular Decision applicants is December 16, 2011.

Paper Transcripts Paper Transcript requests are used for all colleges

OUTSIDE of Georgia that are not on the Common Application and cannot receive electronic transcripts

A 9x12 self adhesive envelope made out to the college admissions office must accompany your transcript request. Proper postage must also be attached. Return address labels are available.

Pre stamped envelopes are available for sale in The Agora for $3.00

A $3.00 fee is required for a transcript request that needs to be mailed.

A $3.00 fee is also required for any mid year reports that must be sent and a form must be filled out.

  _______________________ ____Name of College/University/Scholarship etc. ___________________________ Admissions Deadline Date  ______________________________________________________________________________________ Admissions Address of College/University/Scholarship Etc. City State

Zip Code

□ Initial Request □ Mid-Year Request Please complete the following before submitting this request:   1. Submit ONE copy of the Senior Information Sheet to your counselor. Mandatory   2. Does the application include a REQUIRED “Counselor Section”? YES or NO If so, attach the form or online access information to this request.   3. Is a “Counselor Letter of Recommendation” REQUIRED for the application? YES or

NO 4. Is a “Teacher Letter of Recommendation” REQUIRED for the application? YES or NO If yes, provide the teacher with the following at least THREE weeks prior to the application deadline: Legal Envelope with Admissions Address and Postage, Recommendation Form, Legal

Name and DOB.   5. Submit your SAT/ACT scores to the college? www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org

Electronic Transcripts Electronic Transcript requests are used for

Georgia colleges that are not on the Common Application and for NCAA transcript requests.

All transcripts will be uploaded through www.gacollege411.com

This form should not be used for UGA. If a letter of recommendation is “required” please

submit a legal size envelope with proper address and postage with transcript request form.

A $3.00 fee is required for a transcript request done electronically.

A $3.00 fee is also required for any mid year reports that must be sent and a form must be filled out.

2011-2012 ELECTRONIC TRANSCRIPT REQUEST GEORGIA SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT ACCEPT THE COMMON APP.

NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER DO NOT USE FOR UGA

__________________________________________________________ ___________________________ Name of College, University, or NCAA Eligibility Center

Admissions Deadline Date  □ Initial Request □ Mid-Year Request

  Please complete the following before submitting this request:   1. Submit ONE copy of the Senior Information Sheet to your counselor. Mandatory   2. Are you requesting a Letter of Recommendation from your counselor? YES or NO If yes, include a legal sized envelope with a stamp and college admissions address.   3. Submit your SAT/ACT scores to the college? www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org

Students may request electronic transcripts be uploaded through GACollege411

Students, in order to request your transcript electronically via GAcollege411, please click on the following link: https://secure.gacollege411.org/Home/_default.aspx

Next, click “Sign In” (top right corner)

After entering your Account Name and Password, click “Sign In” in the blue highlighted box (If you are not able to access your account, please contact your Professional School Counselor for assistance).

Next, select the “College Planning” tab

Select “Applications and Transcripts” (bottom box)

Next, select “Request and Track Your Transcript” (bottom left box)

You must be associated with your high school to request transcripts (Please verify that your high school information is correct)

Next, select the transcript postsecondary destination by using the scroll down tool in the blue highlighted box.

Click “Continue”

Congratulations! Your transcript request has been submitted. Click on the “Request Transcript” tab to request another transcript

or click on the “History” tab to view the status of all your requests.

Remember, transcripts will not be released from our office through GACollege411 until the corresponding electronic/UGA transcript request form and $3.00 fee have been dropped off in the counseling office.

Letters of Recommendation-Teacher

Could be Paper or Electronic Requires a Senior Info Sheet filled

out & Self Addressed Stamped Envelope given to the teacher

Teacher will mail if paper or send electronically (Student will communicate the deadline)

Please give your teachers at least a three week lead time to write you a letter

Letters of Recommendation-Counselor

Some schools want Letters of Recommendation and some do not. Check the application if required.

Do not assume every college needs or even wants a Letter of Recommendation.

Be considerate and mindful of your recommender when requesting a Letter of Recommendation.

Three week notice required excluding holidays and breaks.

College Admission StandardsGPA – Typically average in academic core on a 4.0 scale (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language)

Course Selection (rigor; difficulty level) – Selective colleges are looking at the strength or rigor of your courses throughout high school, including your senior year. We highly recommend seniors take a minimum of 4 academics each semester. (For highly selective colleges, a minimum of 5 each semester)

Test Scores (SAT and/or ACT)

Class Rank – Based on overall numeric weighted average

Extracurricular Activities – Leadership and participation in clubs, service and sports can be particularly important to competitive colleges

College Admission Standards College Application Essays – Required

essays on the college application are important because they demonstrate your writing ability and give the college more information about you. Please seek advice when writing an essay and make sure to proofread for errors

Letters of Recommendation – Request teacher recommendation three weeks before needed and counselor recommendation at least three weeks prior to the college’s deadline

Resume – Contains academic info., honors & awards, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experience, etc.

Interviews

GPA

Student should contact college to find how they calculate GPA

Most colleges use this scale: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0

Most colleges only consider academic courses (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language)

Some colleges may give additional points for Honors, AP, and College courses

Some colleges may take off the additional 7 points added for Honors, AP and college courses

High School GPA is calculated by the postsecondary institution not the high school (Fulton County does not calculate)College GPA is different than the Fulton County Numeric Average

Research Colleges

Use the Internet

- GAcollege411 www.gacollege411.org

- Georgia Career Information Service (GCIS) www.gcic.peachnet.edu

- User ID: nviewhs Password: gcis1890

- www.collegeboard.com

- Visit college websites and note deadlines

Research College Visit with College Representatives at Northview

High School Pre-register in the Counseling Office by signing

a list and receiving a permission slip

Visit College Campuses

Request up to 6 days of pre approved absences each year to visit colleges

Start visits junior year and complete them by early fall of your senior year

Meet with representatives from admissions, financial aid and from your area of interest and ask questions during your visit.

Research Colleges

Use the College Career Room to research colleges and scholarships

Attend College Fairs

PROBE College FairTuesday, September 11, 2012 6pm- 9pm (North Point Mall)Wednesday, September 19, 2012 6pm- 8:30pm (Gwinnett Civic Center)

Narrow your list to somewhere around 4-8 colleges – List should be balancedView the school profiles, and compare the admissions data to your own academic record and test scores.

- Dream/Reach school (less than 30% chance of admission)- Your Academic Record/Test scores are at or below average- For highly selective schools, your scores should meet or be

above average

- Good Fit/Target school (30%-60% chance of admission)- Your Academic Record/Test Scores are in line with average

- Safety school (greater than 60% chance of admission)- Your Academic Record/Test Scores are above average

- You need one at least one safety school - Highly selective school should never be considered safety

- Close to home (more affordable) - Consider location and the cost of traveling home Apply to schools that are a good match for your personality, interests, and career goals

Research Colleges

Research Colleges Types of Admissions Decisions Regular Decision Early Action - Invite early applications; Receives notice of admission. If accepted, student is not obligated to attend. Early Decision - Receives notice of admission early; If accepted, student is obligated to attend; If accepted, student must withdraw all other applications. If accepted, student is obligated to attend.

Research College Visit the college or college’s website Make sure you find out and meet minimum high school courses for admissions, particularly if OUT-OF-STATE.

Check GPA, SAT/ACT, etc and anything else that is required for admissions.

If a college or scholarship program inquires about honor code violations or discipline, we are obligated to report this information.

Also, inquiries on a student's integrity may also be affected if the student has a documented out of school suspension or honor code violation.

Acceptance to college is provisional and the colleges hold all of the rights.

Colleges reserve the right to rescind admission or put you on immediate probation.

Honor Code/Discipline

SAT I Scores 600-2400College admission test that measures students’ mathematical ability, critical reading knowledge, and writing skill.

SAT Subject Tests Scores 200-800One-hour tests offered in subjects such as English, foreign language, science, history, and mathematics. Some colleges require the SAT II test(s) & students should check with each college to determine whether it is necessary to take the SAT II(s).

SAT vs ACT College Entrance Exams

SAT vs ACT College Entrance Exams American College Testing Program (ACT) Scores 0-36 College admission test which measures aptitude and skill in English, math, reading, natural sciences, and writing.

Test Registration SAT www.collegeboard.com ACT www.act.org High School Code 111148

SAT vs ACT

Type of Test SATTest of critical thinking and problem solving

ACTContent-based test

Test Dates October 6November 3December 1January 26

September 8October 27December 8

Score 600 to 2400 1 to 36

Penalty for wrong answers

Yes No

Structure Critical ReadingMath (through Algebra 2)

Writing

EnglishMath (through trigonometry)

ReadingScience ReasoningWriting (Optional)

Scholarships/Financial Aid

- All Scholarships that we become aware of will be posted to the NHS Counseling website. Student should check this resource frequently.

- Research scholarships on the internetwww.scholarships.comwww.fastweb.comwww.gacollege411.orgwww.gsfc.com

- Contact colleges directly about financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Colleges award many renewable scholarships. Ask about criteria, procedures and deadlines

- A great site to learn about types of Financial Aid, who is eligible, FAFSA and more is: http://studentaid.ed.gov/

- Financial Aid Night at Northview High hosted by the Georgia Student Finance Commission and a local Expert on Financial Aid, Joni Towles. A representative will be at Northview on January 17, 2013 at 6:30pm in the NHS Auditorium to outline the FAFSA form and review HOPE scholarship information

HOPE GPA

A 3.0 GPA is required by averaging core coursework, including failing grades, on a 4.0 scale

Core Courses ConversionEnglishMathScience Social ScienceWorld Language

Honors points are removed and a 0.50 weighting is added back in for AP courses only, not to exceed 4.0

Middle school credit is not calculated in the HOPE GPA

All calculations are done by the Georgia Student Finance Commission

Counselors are not responsible for calculating the HOPE GPA

A 2.99 GPA does NOT qualify you for HOPE

A 90 to 100

4.0 Points

B 80 to 89 3.0 Points

C 70 to 79 2.0 Points

F 0 to 69 0 Points

HOPE Scholarship Basic eligibility requirements: Students graduating under the single diploma type must

have a 3.0 GPA as calculated by GSFC. The GPA calculation is the same calculation that was

mandated in the HOPE changes in 2004. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college to maintain

the HOPE Scholarship. If a student falls below a 3.0 GPA in college, they may only

regain the HOPE Scholarship one time. A student that does not graduate from high school as a

HOPE Scholar, can earn a 3.0 GPA in college and enter the HOPE Scholarship program at the 30, 60 or 90 semester hour check point or equivalent quarter hour check point.

The HOPE Scholarship will not pay for remedial or developmental courses.

HOPE Scholarship

The HOPE Scholarship will pay: At an eligible postsecondary institution, a

percentage amount of the standard tuition charges from the previous year.

At an eligible private postsecondary institution, a percentage amount of the HOPE award for private colleges.

Award Amounts: Payment amount for private & public colleges and

universities can be located on GAcollege411.org on the HOPE Program Changes page

Zell Miller Scholarship

Major premise of the program is that a student must meet all the requirements to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, plus:

Graduate from an eligible high school with a grade point average of at least a 3.7 as calculated by GSFC and having received a score of at least 1,200 combined critical reading score and math score on a single administration of the SAT or an ACT score of at least 26; or

Graduated from an eligible high school as the valedictorian or salutatorian

Zell Miller Scholar Program

A student must maintain a 3.3 grade point average in college to maintain the Zell Miller Scholar program.

If a student loses eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholar program for any reason, they may regain that eligibility one time. They remain eligible for the HOPE Scholarship provided the student’s GPA is still a 3.0 or above.

HOPE

Apply for the HOPE

Apply for the HOPE – Complete FAFSA starting January, 2013 senior year:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - www.fafsa.ed.gov orGeorgia Student Financial Aid Application System (GSFAPPS) - www.GAcollege411.org

View your HOPE average

Go to www.gacollege411.org and login to your account.

For Additional Information on HOPE

Contact Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)

770-724-9000 or www.gsfc.org

Program changes are available on the www.gacollege411.org website

NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse

If you are planning on participating in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution you must register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse

Access the registration materials by visiting the NCAA website www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

When taking the SAT/ACT, enter 9999 for scores to be sent to NCAA

Students and parents are responsible for determining NCAA eligibility to Division I and Division II schools

Counselor’s are neither responsible nor allowed to determine eligibility

COMMUNICATION You should have received email

alerts for this meeting. If you do not receive any email

communication from the counseling office, make certain we have your updated email address.

You may send your updated email to [email protected]

Make sure to include your student’s legal name and grade level

Don’t Forget…. Check the counseling website

frequently for scholarship opportunities:

http://northviewhigh.com/counseling/ Follow us on Facebook at:

facebook.com/NHSTitansCounseling Follow us on Twitter at:

@NHSCounseling1  This entire presentation will be

added to the counseling website to review as needed!

Q & A

Complete the Survey and hand it back to counselor or teacher before leaving

It is the policy of the Fulton County School System not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national

origin, age, or disability in any employment practice, educational program, or any other program, activity or service.