Welcome to Buford High School

1. Welcome to Buford High School Preparing for your senior year

2. SAT/ACT • Register for the SAT/ACT test given in the spring and then register for them again at the beginning of your senior year.

3. SAT • www.collegeboard.org • SAT Deadlines to register • November 6 for test on December 6 • December 29 for test on January 24 • February 13 for test on March 14 • April 6 for test on May 2 • May 8 for test on June 6 High School Code is 411240. (You will need this when you register)

4. ACT • www.actstudent.org • ACT Deadline to register • Be sure to sign up for ACT with Writing -November 7 for test on December 13 • January 9 for test February 7 • March 13 for test April 18 • May 8 for test on June 13 • High School Code is 411240 (You will need this when you register)

5. SAT/ACT • When registering for the SAT/ACT be sure to take advantage of the 4 FREE score reports. You can have your scores sent to the college (s) of your choice. • If you are thinking about playing a sport in college then you will send a score report to the NCAA Clearinghouse. (Code- 9999) • When you register for the test you can choose where you would like to take your test. • If you receive free or reduced lunch you are eligible for a fee waiver. This will pay for your test. See your Guidance Counselor for this waiver. • After applying for the test you will upload a picture and print your admission ticket.

6. SAT/ACT • After applying for the test you will upload a picture and print your admission ticket. • Study and be prepared for the test! • Make sure you take all the material that you need to the testing center. This information is on your admissions ticket for the test.

7. Prepare Now • Research colleges now! Look for the colleges that offer your major. • Start touring colleges on the weekends or during the summer of your junior year. • Some colleges will have Open Houses and those are good to attend. Check the college websites for these.

8. Prepare Now • Use your SCOIS accounts if you are unsure of your major or what college you may want to attend. • www.scois.net – your username and password is your state id number. Guidance has those if you do not have it. You can also sign in with username: bufordhigh and password: jackets • Use this website to research most of the SC colleges and the possible majors that are offered. This is all linked to your assessments you have completed on this website.

9. Course Options • You have the opportunity to take AP and Dual credit courses. • AP courses- Advanced Placement courses that follow the curriculum outlined by College Board. These courses offer higher GPA points than College Prep and Honors Courses because of the amount of work involved with the course. • Dual Credit- courses students can take for high school and college credits. • Ex: A grade of 93- 4.000 College Prep, 4.500 Honors, 5.000 AP/ Dual Credit

10. Course Options • Dual credit courses are offered in partnership with USC-L the first semester and/or 2nd semester of every year. • Classes that USC- L have included for dual credit include Criminal Justice, Economics, Philosophy, Political Science and Psychology.

11. Get Involved • Get involved in extracurricular activities like sports, church and clubs. • Colleges are looking for well rounded students that can balance both school and outside activities.

12. Playing a Sport in College • If you plan to play a sport in college, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at • http://eligibilitycenter.org You can do this at the end of your junior year or at the beginning of your senior year. • Create an account and complete registration on this website. (There is a charge to register)

13. Playing a Sport in College • Fee waivers apply for this application as well. You will need to notify guidance when you have completed the application and we can apply the waiver at that time. • Make sure to request a transcript to be sent at the end of your junior year and at the end of your senior year. Request transcripts on BHS website http://bhs.lancastercsd.com

14. Completing College Applications Senior Year • Complete applications on-line. • Begin completing them by the end of September or first of October (Some colleges have deadlines to review applications for scholarships at the beginning of October.) • You are responsible for keeping up with your college deadlines for applications. This information is usually posted on their websites or you can call the college for the deadlines.

15. Completing College ApplicationsYour Senior Year • Provide correct counselor e-mail address to the colleges you are applying to in order for them to send your counselor the paperwork that must be completed by the counselor. • Lisa Cauthen - lisa.cauthen@lcsdmail.net • Eron Watts - eron.watts@lcsdmail.net

16. Completing College Applications For Your Senior Year • Make copies of your completed application before you submit it. • Keep a file of all you do during your junior and senior year with the colleges. • Document everything!! This is so important! Keep up with your username and password for all applications. • If you qualified for a fee waiver for the SAT/ACT then you qualify for up to four fee waivers for college applications as well. You will need to see guidance for the forms.

17. Completing College Applications • If you are applying to a college where the major you want is highly competitive, please include teacher recommendations to make your application “stand out” to that college.

18. Transcript Requests • Requests transcripts on our school’s home page http://bhslancastercsd.com. Click on the Guidance tab at the top and then click on transcripts. • Request in advance so guidance will have time to process them.

19. Scholarships • Students will find out about some scholarships through Remind 101. This will be available during student’s Senior Year. • They are posted on the TV’s in the cafeteria that scroll during lunch. • Guidance posts it on the school website and on the board outside of guidance. • Students are encouraged to stop by guidance to check for any new scholarships. • Parents can call us to see if there are any new scholarships available. • Students can also use their SCOIS account and Goggle to search for scholarships.

20. Scholarships • If they require a recommendation, please give the person you are requesting a recommendation from at least a week to complete it. • DEADLINES are DEADLINES! No exceptions! Guidance does not make the deadlines but we must follow them. • If the scholarships require guidance to complete a portion, you must submit it at least a week prior to the deadline. This is SO IMPORTANT!!!

21. Scholarships • USC-L scholarships are usually available in the fall. • York Tech scholarships are usually available in the spring. • Check with the colleges you are wanting to attend to see if they have scholarships that are for their school only.

22. Scholarships • PALMETTO FELLOW is for the top 6% at the end of their sophomore or junior year. They must have a 3.5 GPA and a 1200 SAT or 27 ACT. (Application required)($6,700 with a possible increase the following year depending on your major in college.) • LIFE at a 2 year school is for those who have a 3.0 GPA at the end of their senior year. (No application required)

23. Scholarships • LIFE at a four year school, the student must meet 2 of the 3 criteria to qualify. They must have a 3.0 GPA, top 30% of their class and/or 1100 SAT/24 ACT. ($5,000 which includes $300 for books) • HOPE is for four year colleges only and the student needs a 3.0 GPA only. (No application required) • TUITION grants are for private colleges only. (information in guidance) (FAFSA required but no application required)

24. Applying for Scholarships Online • Be aware there are scams out there. • Do not apply for a scholarship on-line that ask for social security number, credit card information or bank information. • You should never have to pay for a scholarship search or to apply for a scholarship. • The point is to find free money that is available, but use good business sense when applying.

25. College Days and Tours Your Senior Year • As a senior you are allowed TWO college days to tour during the school day. This day must be approved through guidance prior to attending. (not allowed for students who owe recovery) • Colleges will not give tours without an appointment. • Reminder: Some colleges have Open Houses and if you check their websites you can see what those dates are.

26. FASFA Senior Year • A financial aid workshop is usually scheduled in the spring at USC-L to go over this application. • Parents will be reminded about this workshop in January. • Completing this application is important in order to access lottery money, grant money, some scholarships and loans. • Fill out registration online at www.fafsa.ed.gov • Get your taxes completed early next year because college grant money is a first come first serve.

27. Additional Information • Guidance will meet with seniors and parents individually in the Fall to discuss specific details about college plans. • Begin communicating with colleges now with any questions you may have about what they offer. View their websites first before you call to make sure that your question is not answered on their websites. • Please make sure to document everything! Stay organized, use time management, prioritize and when in doubt—ASK! • Guidance is always available to help when you need us. Please call for an appointment. • Parents need to stay involved throughout the whole process. • We hope this will help make your senior year great!

28. Helpful Websites • www.cerra.org • www.SCcollegeaid.org • www.scstudentloan.org • www.collegeboard.org (SAT) • www.actstudent.org (ACT) • www.che.sc.gov (Commission on Higher Education has explanation • of different scholarships) • www.sctuitiongrants.com • www.finaid.org (Guide to Financial Aid) • www.fastweb.com • www.SCcollegeaid.com • www.sctrac.org (Information about courses transferring from one college to another college) • www.scois.net (Provides career guidance, reality check, and scholarship sorts)

29. Helpful Websites • www.sccango.org (Information for parents in planning to go to college and funding college) • www.FederalStudentAid.gov (Gives details about federal student aid programs) • www.sss.gov (18 year old male registration, must do to receive financial aid) • www.march2success.com (Test prep for SAT/ACT)

30. BHS Website • http://bhs.lancastercsd.com/ • access Guidance information under the tab entitled Guidance

31. DISCUS • http://scdiscus.org • state’s virtual library • available at all public campuses and libraries • resources available 24 hours, 7 days a week all year • requires password and username if used at home - username: discus15 - password: learnhere

32. DISCUS Homepage

33. Databases

34. Ferguson's Career Guidance Center • Ferguson's Career Guidance Center

35. Learning Library Express

42. College Application Essay • Writing is essential to success in college • A college application can be the determining factor between close applicants • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays

43. Contact Information • If you need more assistance, please contact Mrs. Blackmon at kim.blackmon@lcsdmail.net

44. Resources BHS website: http://bhs.lancastercsd.com DISCUS: Learning Library Express Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center