Senior Year

1. Senior Year and beyond…

2. Whitewater Counselors and Guidance Staff Lisa Love– A-D Kelly Floyd– E- K Jessica Maddox– L-Ri Kelly Hubbard – Ro-Z Terre Lyle – Records Secretary Cynthia Ward –Infinite Campus Secretary

3. Senior Evaluations • Each student will meet with his/her counselor • Student’s transcript • Standardized testing • Scholarship information (websites) • Future plans • Brag Sheet • Gafutures.org(HOPE GPA) • Naviance.com • Common Application (if needed) What your student will receive: Senior Survival Guide Unofficial transcript Scholarship websites

4. www.GAfutures.org Helpsstudents plan, apply and pay for college • Career inventory, SAT and ACT prep, financial aid and scholarships • Check your HOPE eligibility • Apply to college (Georgia schools) • Financial Aid-FAFSA Opens October 1st

5. How to Apply to College • Choose 3-5 schools and visit their websites (www.uga.edu, www.gatech.edu) • Check admissions requirements • Apply online • Have a transcript and a copy of SAT/ACT scores as well as the Senior Brag Sheet available • Have someone proofread the application before submitting • Request recommendations if school requires them • Submit application, send transcripts and test scores • Print copy for your records

6. Admissions Plans and Deadlines Types of Plans: • REGULAR ADMISSION • ROLLING ADMISSION • EARLY DECISION • EARLY ACTION Each college you apply to may have a different plan. Deadlines are IMPORTANT!!! Students are advised to complete and submit applications/ other documentation at least 3 weeks prior to deadline date

7. Naviance Naviance is a college and career readiness solution that helps districts and schools align student strengths and interests to postsecondary goals, improving student outcomes and connecting learning to life. • College and Career Preparation • Career Exploration • Send official transcripts for free • Send teacher recommendations Connection.naviance.com/whitewaterhs

8. Requesting a Transcript • Transcripts for most Colleges can be requested online at www.naviance.com at no cost For all other transcripts: • Complete a “Request for Transcript” • Pay $3.00 fee for each transcript • Allow 2 days for the requests • Picking up and mailing of transcript is the student’s responsibility • Opening of the envelope invalidates the transcript

9. Senior Brag Sheet Brag Sheet on Blackboard under WHS Counseling. Make a copy in Google drive. Fill it out and share with teachers and counselors. • Be Detailed • Be Accurate • Brag about yourself. This information is used to write your recommendations for the following: College Admission Scholarships Other awards

10. Letters of Recommendation • Speak to the teacher in person and request a letter of recommendation • Prepare a comprehensive “Brag Sheet” and share with counselor and teachers • Allow 3 weeks for completion of recommendation (most colleges do not require a recommendation) • Confidential recommendations are typically uploaded to the appropriate site.

11. FYI Need a recommendation letter before semester break (remember those January college deadlines)? December 1, 2019 is the DEADLINE to request a recommendation from your counselor Transcripts with 1st semester grades will be available after January 20, 2020

12. College Visits As a senior you receive 2 official college visitation days per year . In order for the 2 visits to count as an excused field trip you must do the following: 1. Make an appointment with the College Admission Office 2. Obtain a College Visitation form from Attendance Office 3. Have the form signed by your teachers and parents 4. Have the form signed by a college official and parent 5. Return the signed form to the attendance office by the next school day. ___________________________________________ College Representatives @WHS– Students can sign up for repvisits through their Naviance account. Come to guidance for a pass to attend the session

13. The HOPE Scholarship The HOPE GPA includes only Core Credits (all attempts) and is calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. HOPE Scholarship GPA: 3.0 4 rigor courses Zell Miller Program GPA: 3.7 1200 SAT or 26 ACT(1 sitting) 4 rigor courses www.gafutures.org To apply: FAFSA or HOPE application - By using your gafutures account, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to apply

14. Eligibility Center - NCAA To participate in college athletics and receive athletically-based financial aid, you must do the following: • Register online with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse and meet eligibility standards (SS# and fee required)-www.eligibilitycenter.org • Complete the amateurism certification questionnaire • Submit transcript release form to Ms. Floyd

15. Important Dates • SAT test dates: www.sat.org • ACT test dates: www.actstudent.org • Financial Aid Nights: McIntosh High School September 24@ 7 pm Fayette County High School October 8 @ 7pm WHS School Code: 111279

16. Follow WHS Guidance Twitter: @_WHScounselors FACEBOOK: Whitewater High School Counseling Department

17. College Application Team“CAT Time” • The counselors will be available every Wednesday after school from now through October for any assistance needed with the college application process. CAT TIME Wednesdays – Now thru October After school Thank you for coming to Senior Night!