Senior Parent Meeting

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Senior Parent Meeting

• PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

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How Do I Begin?
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What the Counseling Office Has Done So Far

• 9th Grade Four Year Plan
• Understanding Graduation
  Requirements
• 10th Grade Career Cruising
• 11th Grade gacollege411
• Junior Conference
• College and Career Room
• College Fair in March
• 12th Grade Senior Application for Graduation
• Classroom Guidance
• College and Career Room
  Visits
• Senior Parent Meetings

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Read the Senior Newsletter
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QUESTIONS TO ASK

• What are your personal strengths and qualities?
• What is realistic for you?
• What kind of academic record do you have?
• Do you have a particular career in mind?
• What financial considerations do you have?
• Do you want to live at home or at college?
• Do you want to attend college in a small town or
  a large town?
• What size college appeals to you?
• Does the college offer your desired major?
• Do you want an extracurricular program?

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OBSTACLES YOUR STUDENT MAY FACE

• Fear of making the wrong decision
• Fear of taking a risk
• Fear of change
• Procrastination
• Feeling overwhelmed with lack of time
• Not knowing where to begin
• Pressure to attend college or a certain college
• Financial worries

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What To Do Next
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Taking the SAT or the ACTWhich is right for you?

• SAT
• Critical Reasoning (passage based reading and
  sentence completion)
• Math (number operations, algebra, geometry,
  data analysis, statistics, and probability)
• Writing (essay and multiple choice)
• Critical Reading, Math, and Writing
• scores range from 200-800. The
• highest total score possible is 2400.

• ACT
• Verbal Reasoning (Punctuation, Grammar, Sentence
  Structure, Strategy, Organization, and Style)
• Math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Coordinate and Plane
  Geometry, and Trig)
• Reading (Prose Fiction, Humanities, Social
  Studies, Natural Sciences)
• Science Reasoning (Biology, Physical Science,
  Chemistry, Physics)
• Writing (optional essay)
• Each section is scaled from 1 36
• The composite score equals the average of the
  four scores.

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Where do I get information?

• COLLEGE VISITS
• COMPUTER PROGRAMS
• COLLEGE WEBSITES
• GENERAL WEBSITES
• COLLEGE FAIRS
• COLLEGE/CAREER ROOM
• LUNCH ROOM VISITS

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A COLLEGE

• Costs
• Admission Requirements
• Strong Programs or Departments
• Faculty/Student Ratios
• Location
• Living Arrangements
• Make up of the Student Body
• Present Enrollment
• Safety of Campus

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Applications Where and How Many?

• Apply to more than one college
• Choose carefully all colleges require
  application fees.
• Reach Schools the most selective schools on
  your list (most likely your first and second
  choice).
• Schools whose numbers (SAT/ACT and GPA) match
  your numbers. Your chances of being accepted are
  good but not guaranteed.
• Safety Schools a college that fits your needs.
  You would be a shoe-in of being accepted.

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Applying To College

• Decide where to apply
• Obtain the information
• Complete the application
• Make sure all supporting information
• is included.
• Make college visits
• Complete college applications by Thanksgiving.
• NOTE APPLICATION DEADLINES!

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YOUR CAMPUS VISIT

• Plan in advance. Decide what you want to see and
  with whom you wish to speak.
• Contact the school in advance for a formal visit.
• Read the college literature.
• Prepare a list of questions and do not be afraid
  to ask them!
• Take a copy of your high school transcript and
  SAT/ACT scores.
• Be on time!
• Be yourself.
• Keep a journal of your thoughts and impressions.
  Feel free to take pictures as well.
• Use a college comparison worksheet to record
  information.
• Write thank you notes to those who helped you.

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WHAT COLLEGES CONSIDER

• GRADE POINT AVERAGE
• SAT/ACT SCORES
• COURSE SELECTION
• RANK IN CLASS
• EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
• RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
• ESSAY

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Accessing and Requesting Electronic Transcripts

• Students can now request electronic transcripts
  be sent to participating Georgia Colleges using
  the Georgia College 411 website
  (www.gacollege411.org)
• Your students social security number must be on
  file at Mill Creek for this to happen.
• This is not available at this time.
• GSFC is still working to perfect
• this opportunity.

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UGAs 2009 Freshman Profile

• Applications
• Applications Received 18,062 Applicants
• Accepted 9,593
• New First-Year Students Enrolled 4,725
• High School Core Grade Point Average
• Mid 50 range of All Enrolled First-Year
  Students 3.63 4.01
• SAT and ACT
• SAT Mid 50 Range of All Enrolled First-Year
  Students
• 1180 - 1350
• ACT Mid 50 Range for All Enrolled First-Year
  Students 27 31
• Average SAT Writing - 627
• 95 of accepted students took at least one AP
  course

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Georgia College and State University2009
Freshman Profile

• The average high school core academic gpa for
  Fall of 2008 was 3.31 (mid 50 range 3.13 3.71)
• The average SAT for Fall of 2008 was 1129
  (combine CR and Math) 3rd highest behind Ga.
  Tech and UGA)
• The average ACT composite for Fall of 2008 was
• 23.
•  

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University of West Georgia 2008 Freshman Profile

• The average core academic GPA 3.0
• The average SAT (combined CR/M) 1013
• Average SAT Critical Reading 510
• Average Sat Math - 503

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TWO YEAR COLLEGES

• GPA of 2.0 for students graduating with a college
  preparatory diploma
• GPA of 2.2 for students graduating with a
  technical diploma
• A placement exam will
• be required

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Paying For It

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Loans
• HOPE Scholarship
• Attend the Financial Aid Meeting for
• Senior Parents
• On
• December 3 at 700 pm
• This meeting will be held at Dacula High School

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THE SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS

• WHERE DO I LOOK?
• Colleges College/Career Room
  Websites
• Parents Work Senior Newsletter
  Books
• Students Work Community Organizations
• WHAT DO SCHOLARSHIPS CONSIDER?
• Grades SAT/ACT Scores Course Selection
• Leadership Community Service Rank in
  Class
• Talent Recommendations Athletic
  Ability

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HOPE SCHOLARSHIP

• REQUIREMENTS
• College Preparatory Students must have a 3.0
  average in academic courses (English, Math,
  Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language).
• Technical Diploma Students must have a 3.2
  average in academic courses (English, Math,
  Social Studies, and Science).
• A FAFSA form must be completed and sent to the
  college/colleges of choice.

• BENEFITS
• Public Colleges in Georgia pays tuition,
  miscellaneous fees, and 150 per semester for
  books.
• Technical Colleges in Georgia pays tuition for
  certificate and diploma programs regardless of
  GPA however, one must meet the GPA requirements
  for a degree program.
• Private Colleges in Georgia pays 3500 towards
  tuition.

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Accessing The HOPE Average

• The preliminary HOPE Scholarship calculations are
  available through Georgia College 411
  (www.gacollege411.org).
• Detailed directions are included in the packet.
• Mill Creek must have the students social
  security number on file in order to access this
  information.

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College and Career Room Resources

• Aptitude and Interest Inventories
• gacollege411
• career cruising
• College and Technical College Information
• Calendar of Visits
• Test Prep Materials (SAT/ACT)
• Financial Aid Information
• Scholarship Information
• Military Information
• Career Videos and Information

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HELPFUL WEBSITES

• Career Cruising
• www.careercruising.com
• userID millcreek
• Password hoschton
• www.gacollege411.org
• www.collegeboard.com www.collegenet.com
• www.petersons.com www.fastweb.com
• www.eCampusTours.com www.gocollege.com
• www.myfootpath.com www.wiredscholar.com