FuquayVarina High School

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• Fuquay-Varina High School
• Junior Senior Information Night
• September 23, 2008
• Presented by
• FVHS Student Services

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Tonights Agenda

• Welcome
• Introduction of Counselors
• Course of Study Requirements
• Transcripts
• Graduation Project
• Post-Secondary Planning
• SAT, ACT, Testing
• NCAA
• Scholarships
• Financial Aid

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Program Overview

• Briefly review Graduation Requirements
• Provide resources and a guideline to assist with
  college planning and the application process
• Provide information on post-secondary options

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Student Services

• Please visit our web site www.fvhs.wcpss.net
• Under Student Services you will find forms,
  application procedures, a listing of scholarships
  

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Student ServicesPhyllis McLeod, Dean of Student
Servicespmcleod_at_wcpss.net 557-2526

• Guidance Counselors
• Mr. Eric Kostecki 9th Grade
  ekostecki_at_wcpss.net 557-2517
• Mrs. Xana Harrington 10-12th A-G
  aharrington2_at_wcpss.net 557-2539
• Mrs. Tricia Myers 10-12th H-M
  tmyers1_at_wcpss.net 557-2518
• Mrs. Jill Kreacic 10-12th N-Z
  jkreacic_at_wcpss.net 557-2703
• Mr. Stephen Moore SAP 9th Grade
  rmoore_at_wcpss.net 557-2522
• Mrs. Kara Morgan Test Coordinator
  kmorgan3_at_wcpss.net 557-2550
• Mr. Randy Swann CDC
  rswann_at_wcpss.net 557-2542
• Mrs. Pat Lyle Registrar
  plyle_at_wcpss.net 577-2521
• Mrs. Fonda Phillips Secretary
  fphillips_at_wcpss.net 557-2526

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Graduation Requirements

• Minimum of 26 credits
• Pass NC Math and Reading Competency Exams
• Pass Computer Proficiency Exams
• Complete Requirements for at least one Course of
  Study College/University Prep, College Tech
  Prep, Career Prep or Occupational

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Courses of Study

• Career Prep
• Minimum graduation requirements
• Prepares for entry-level career choice
• Admission to a community college
• College Tech Prep
• Higher academic standards
• Prepares for highly technical fields of study in
  community college
• College/University Prep
• Highest level of academic standards
• Course requirements for UNC Institutions
• Occupational
• Appropriate for certain students in special
  education

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Career Prep
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College Tech Prep
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Career Pathways at FVHS

• Agricultural Natural Resources
• Business Technologies
• Engineering Technologies
• Commercial Artistic Production
• Construction Technologies
• Health Sciences
• Public Service
• Arts Education (Career Prep Course of Study only)

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College University Prep
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Occupational
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Transcripts
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(No Transcript)
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Requesting Transcripts

• Each school requires an official transcript sent
  directly from FVHS to the college.
• Student must fill out and turn in a transcript
  request form available on Ms. Lyles door
  (Registrar).
• If the student is under 18, the request must be
  signed by a parent.
• Any counselor recommendation forms must be turned
  in with the transcript request.
• Transcripts are free!!!
• Starting May 1st final transcript requests must
  be sent to the college of your choice. Forms will
  be available on Mrs. Lyles door (Registrar).

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NC Academic Scholars

• GPA 3.5 unweighted
• English 4 Credits
• Math 4 Credits
• Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a higher
  math course with Algebra II as a prerequisite
• Science 3 Credits
• Chemistry or Physics, Earth/Environmental
  Science, and Biology
• Social Studies 3 Credits
• World History, Civics Economics, and US
  History
• Second Language other than English 2 Credits
• Level I and Level II
• Health Living 1 Credits
• Career Technical Education 1 Credits
• Art Education 1 Credits
• Electives 5 Credits
• (Elective credits to include at least two second
  level or advanced classes)

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North Carolina Graduation ProjectClass of 2010

• The GP is a statewide graduation requirement that
  provides students with experience in
• Public Speaking
• Presentation
• Community Involvement
• Personal Responsibility
• Personal Growth
• Written Language
• Technology
• more information available on school website

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GP Timeline for current juniors

• Junior Year
• Students need to
• finalize topic
• write essential question
• complete research paper requirement
• secure a mentor for product options begin
  consultation to log hours
• practice oral presentation skills
• finalize product ideas
• work on portfolio completion

• Senior Year (2009-2010)
• Students need to
• complete the Product, Presentation, and Portfolio
  components
• present their entire GP to a panel of judges
• projects will be scored using state-endorsed
  rubrics
• Students will have gained useful skills for
  transitioning into college/university workplace

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Career Information

• Our Career Development Coordinator is Randy Swann
• Career Assessment/Planning
• Career Options
• To contact Mr. Swann, call 557-2542 or
• e-mail at rswann_at_wcpss.net

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Post-Secondary Options

• 2 Year University
• Community College
• Junior College
• 4 Year University
• 16 Public Universities
• Independent Colleges and Universities
• Military
• Work

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Making Choices About College

• Know yourself and your reasons for wanting to go
  to college
• Consider College Characteristics
• List, compare, and visit colleges
• Apply for admission and adhere to deadlines

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College Visits

• Juniors are allowed 1 excused absence for college
  visits.
• Seniors are allowed 2 excused absences for
  college visits.

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Applying to College

• Admissions look at
• (In no particular order)
• Course work
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Class rank
• SAT and or ACT scores
• Extracurricular activities
• Recommendations, essays, and interviews (if
  required)

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Application Tips

• Read all instructions before beginning
• Know deadlines
• Students should fill out applications
• Fill out in black/blue ink Make them NEAT!
• Fill out transcript request two weeks prior to
  the date you need the transcript to arrive.

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Wake Tech

• (Example of the Benefits of a Community College)
• The only requirement for entrance to Wake Tech is
  a high school diploma.
• Many students choose to go to Wake Tech to get a
  2-year associates degree. Some will enroll in
  the College Transfer Program with plans to
  transfer to a 4-year university after two years.
• Wake Tech is a great option for students who
  would like to start over academically.
• It is also a very affordable option at a cost of
  only 42.00 per credit hour. (The cheapest in the
  US!)

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UNC Minimum Admissions Requirements

• 4 units of English
• 4 units of Math, 1 unit for which Algebra II is a
  prerequisite
• 2 units of History, 1 unit of US History
• Biology, Physical Science, 1 lab Science
• 2 units of a language other than English
• SAT/ACT
• It is recommended that students take a math
  during their senior year.
• GPA 2.0, SAT Minimum 700, ACT Minimum 15

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Independent Colleges and Universities

• Private and independent colleges sometimes have
  more flexible entrance requirements. Check with
  individual schools for specifics.
• Dont let cost deter you from considering a
  private or independent college. They usually
  give great financial aid packages!!!

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College Admission Options

• Early Action-is an admissions procedure to notify
  student of early admissions to the college.
  Students are not obligated to accept the
  colleges offer of admission and may file
  applications at other universities.
• Early Decision-is a plan under which candidates
  may submit credentials early to one college,
  usually by Oct. 15th of senior year. Applicants
  are notified of their status by December. As part
  of the early decision plan, students may be
  required to sign an agreement to withdraw other
  applicants if accepted.

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College Admissions Options cont

• Regular admission-is the plan under which
  candidates submit credentials during November to
  February, depending on school deadlines. Check
  the deadlines for each individual school.
• Rolling admission-is the plan under which
  candidates submit the credentials at their
  convenience through a certain date, usually late
  in the year. They receive an offer of acceptance
  or denial within four to six weeks.
• Onsite admission-is an admissions option in which
  colleges visit students at the high school and
  make an admissions determination during a
  scheduled appointment with the student.
• East Carolina University is planning onsite
  admissions this year they will require electronic
  application.

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Benefits of the Brag Sheet

• The Brag sheet is an extremely helpful tool in
  comprehensively completing the Counselor
  Recommendation Form
• Answering Brag topics allows each student to
  express her or himself as individuals
• Any unique circumstances in a students life can
  be explained through the Brag Sheet
• Completed Brag Sheets may be given to the
  teachers that are asked to write letters of
  recommendation.
• PLEASE ALLOW TWO WEEKS TO COMPLETE YOUR LETTER OF
  RECOMMENDATION!!!

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SAT ACT Testing

• SAT
• October 4, 2008
• November 1, 2008
• December 6, 2008
• January 24, 2009,
• March 14, 2009
• May 2, 2009
• June 6, 2009
• Cost 45
• www.collegeboard.com

• ACT
• October 25, 2008
• December 13, 2008
• February 7, 2009
• April 4, 2009
• June 13, 2009
• Cost 48
• (including the writing portion)
• www.actstudent.org

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SAT I Reasoning Test

• Measures the skills students need for academic
  success in college in three areas Critical
  Reading, Math, Writing
• Score Scale 800 on each section 2400 total
• Average score is 500 on each section
• The College Board reports that 55 of juniors
  improve their scores as seniors 35 decrease
  10 no change
• Register online at www.collegeboard.com
• Prepare for the SAT sign up for SAT prep
  classes, utilize free practice Web sites (such as
  www.collegeboard.com ), and resource books

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SAT/ACT Conversion
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Conversion cont.
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ACT Assessment

• Curriculum-based test designed to measure
  students college readiness and academic
  achievement in four skill areas English, Math,
  Reading, Science
• The writing test is optional but required for
  admission to UNC system schools
• Score Scale is 1-36 on each section 1-36
  composite
• Register and prepare online at www.actstudent.org

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SAT II Subject Tests

• Required by some selective colleges for admission
  and/or for placement purposes once a student
  enrolls
• Check college Web sites to determine requirements
• Students can take up to 3 subject tests on one
  test date
• Recommend taking Subject Tests near the end of a
  course when the information is still fresh in
  their mind
• Register at www.collegeboard.com

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Advanced Placement Exams

• Taken in May 4-15, 2009 by students enrolled in
  Advanced Placement courses
• Gain an edge in college preparation
• Stand out in college admissions
• Broaden intellectual horizpns
• Used by most colleges and universities, plus
  colleges and universities in 24 other countries
  grant students admission credit and/or placement
  for qualifying AP Exam grades

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AP courses offered at FVHS

• AP English Literature 12
• AP English Language 11
• AP US History
• AP European History
• AP US Government
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Chemistry
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC

• AP Statistics
• AP Spanish Literature
• AP Spanish Language
• AP Art History
• AP Visual Art Drawing
• AP Music Theory
• AP Human Geography
• AP Psychology
• AP Biology

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Practice SAT

• On October 15, 2008, the PSAT (practice SAT) will
  be given to all Juniors and Sophomores that have
  passed Algebra I or both Algebra I part 1 and
  part 2.
• Students that have not taken or not passed
  Algebra I can take the PSAT for 13.

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ASVAB

• November 6, 2008
• Aptitude test offered by the Armed Services
• Offered in high school for career exploration
  purposes and is free of charge with no military
  obligation
• Test given in the Media Center
• Sign up with Mr. Swann, CDC

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College Foundation of North Carolinawww.cfnc.org

• Career Center
• Student Planner
• College Fair
• Online Applications
• Paying for College

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CFNC College Application Week

• All seniors need to register on www.cfnc.org
  before November 1st
• College Application Week is November 10th-14th
• College Application Day for FVHS is
• Thursday, November 13th from 8am-5pm
• On the 13th students and parents are welcome to
  come get assistance in the process

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CFNC Redirection Pool

• Available from April 1st to August 31st
• Purpose to make available every possible avenue
  for a student to pursue a post secondary
  education
• Matches students who werent accepted to colleges
  with colleges still accepting students
• 900 students in 2008 were accepted through this
  program.

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NCAA Clearinghouse Student Athletes

• The clearinghouse certifies your eligibility to
  compete as a student athlete, but your college
  must accept you as a student.
• The clearinghouse evaluates your academic record
  to determine if you are eligible to participate
  at a Division I or II college as a freshmen.
• You can review the eligibility requirements and
  register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

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Scholarships

• The Scholarship Bulletin is available online
  monthly on the FVHS website www.//fvhs.wcpss.net
• The Scholarship Bulletin may be emailed to
  parents and students if you provide your email
  information.

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FVHS Scholarship Night

• Date September 30, 2008
•  Time 630 p.m.
•  Location FVHS Auditorium
•  Learn the FVHS procedures for acquiring
  scholarship information.
• Gain knowledge of the different types of
  scholarship available.
• Know helpful tips for interviewing

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Teaching Fellows Scholarship

• (Sample of a scholarship)
• Provides 6500 per year, for a minimum of 4 years
  of college, to 500 high school seniors who agree
  to teach for 4 years in North Carolinas public
  schools after graduation from college.
• www.teachingfellows.org
• Application deadline
• October 17, 2008

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Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Night is in January
• Mrs. Tori Sharpe, a Financial Aid Counselor, will
  be available for appointments beginning in
  October to assist with the process.
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
  must be filled out after Jan. 1st when tax
  information is available. You can obtain a FAFSA
  application at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• The CSS/Financial Aid Profile establishes
  eligibility for institutional aid The application
  is available at www.collegeboard.com

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FAFSA Day

• FAFSA Day is February 21, 2009
• High School seniors and their families will have
  the opportunity to get help completing and
  electronically submitting their FAFSA form.
• Go to www.cfnc.org/FAFSADay for details
• Students must register through www.CFNC.org for
  this event.

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What Can Parents Do?

• Encourage your child to challenge themselves
• Dont let your child opt out of classes when the
  going gets tough
• Talk to your child about college costs how much
  your family will be able to pay
• Investigate and then tour colleges when possible

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What can Students Do?

• Start Planning Now!
• Discuss expectations and financial aid with your
  parents
• MEET DEADLINES!!!
• Make sure applications are sent in a least at
  week before deadline to ensure prompt arrival and
  make copies of all applications.
• Teacher/counselor should get at least two weeks
  to complete any recommendations.

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Helpful Websites

• www.//fvhs.wcpss.net FVHS
• www.cfnc.org College Foundation of North Carolina
  
• www.wcpss.net Wake County Public School System
• www.collegeboard.com SAT AP Testing Information
• www.actstudent.org ACT Testing Information
• www.fafsa.ed.gov Free Application for Federal
  State Aid
• www.Fastweb.com Scholarship search
• www.Collegenet.com College Admissions
• www.Collegeview.com/collegesearch/ College
  Admissions

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Upcoming Events

• September 30 Scholarship Night
• October 6 College Fair
• October 15 PSAT
• November 6 - ASVAB
• November 13 College Application Day
• May 4-15 AP Testing
• June 8 Graduation Rehearsal
• June 13 - Graduation

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• We are looking forward to working with you and
  your child this school year. Please let us know
  if we can assist you in any way. This
  presentation will be available on the website
  www.fvhs.wcpss.net.
• Go Bengals!