FuquayVarina High School

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• Fuquay-Varina High School
• Junior Senior Information Night
• September 24, 2009
• Presented by
• FVHS Student Services

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Tonights Agenda

• Welcome
• Introduction of Student Services
• Course of Study
• Transcripts
• Applying to Post Secondary Schools
• SAT, ACT, Testing
• Financial Aid / Scholarship

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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
ServicesX-Z pmcleod_at_wcpss.net 557-2526

• Guidance Counselors
• Mr. Eric Kostecki E-J
  ekostecki_at_wcpss.net 557-2517
• Mrs. Xana Harrington A-D aharrington2_at_wcpss.
  net 557-2539
• Ms. Tricia Myers K-P
  tmyers1_at_wcpss.net 557-2518
• Mrs. Patricia Moore Q-W
  pmoore1_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. Tori Sharpe Financial Aid Advisor
  vharpe_at_wcpss.net 557-2526
• 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 5 End-of-Course Exams English I, Algebra I,
  Biology, Civics Economics and US History
• 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.
• This year Wake County Public School System is
  going to use electronic transcripts for
  applications in state.
• In-state transcripts will be sent through
  www.cfnc.org for free.
• Students may also opt to have the paper copy of
  their transcript sent to in-state or out of state
  schools through Ms. Lyle, the registrar.
• Final Transcript must be sent too

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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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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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Applying to College

• Admissions look at
• 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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Applying to College

• 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

• 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 50.00 per credit hour. (The cheapest in the
  US!)

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UNC Requirements 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
• Minimum 2 units of a second language
• 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.

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Applying to Post-Secondary Schools

• Make a list of College names and application
  DEADLINES
  
• Complete student BRAG Sheet if needed for
  recommendations
• Please type your answers on a separate sheet,
  numbering your responses.
• Attach the Counselor Recommendation Form(s),
  from the colleges/scholarships to which you are
  applying.
• Please be thorough in your response, it makes a
  difference in what we write for you!
• PLEASE ALLOW TWO WEEKS TO COMPLETE YOUR LETTER OF
  RECOMMENDATION!!!
• Send transcripts and SAT/ACT scores

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SAT ACT Testing

• SAT
• October 10, 2009
• November 7, 2009
• December 5, 2009
• January 23, 2010,
• March 13, 2010
• May 1, 2010
• June 5, 2010
• www.collegeboard.com

• ACT
• October 24, 2009
• December 12, 2009
• February 6, 2010
• April 10, 2010
• June 12, 2010
• www.actstudent.org

Remember to check Registration Deadlines
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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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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 by students enrolled in Advanced
  Placement courses
• Used by colleges for course credit or placement

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Practice SAT

• On October 14, 2009, the PSAT (practice SAT) will
  be given to all 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 14.

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ASVAB

• November 5, 2009
• Aptitude test offered by the Armed Services
• 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
• Electronic Transcripts
• Paying for College

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CFNC College Application Week

• All seniors need to register on www.cfnc.org
• College Application Week is November 16th-20th
• College Application Day for FVHS is
• Thursday, November 19th from 8am-5pm
• On the 19th students and parents are welcome to
  come get assistance in the process

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CFNC Redirection Pool

• Students who were not admitted to their chosen
  colleges or universities
• Students who did not apply or did not apply on
  time
• Available from April 1st to August 31st
• CFNC.org/redirection

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Scholarships

• Available online monthly on the FVHS website
  www.//fvhs.wcpss.net
• It has information about all of the scholarship
  we know about
• Students and parents can check to see the
  scholarships that are available
• The scholarship bulletin may be emailed to
  parents and students if you provide email
  information

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Wake County Scholarship Bulletin

• Available at www.scholarshipplus.com/wake
• It has information about all of the scholarship
  we know about
• You can generate a newsletter from it
• You may Sort by Deadline allows you to see
  what is due in the next few months

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Need Based Scholarship

• Need is determined by parents and students
• income using the FAFSA (Free Application
• for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.gov).
• Financial aid money can only be applied for
• during the Senior year after Jan. 1st.

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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.gov
• The CSS/Financial Aid Profile establishes
  eligibility for institutional aid The application
  is available at www.collegeboard.com

Tori Sharpe, Financial Aid Advisor e-mail
vsharpe_at_wcpss.net
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FAFSA Day

• FAFSA Day is February 13, 2010
• 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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Need Based Scholarships

• State Contractual Scholarship Fund SCSF
  (administered by SEAA)
• Nurse Education Scholarship Program NESLP
  (administered by SEAA)
• NC Student Incentive Grant NCSIG (administered
  by SEAA)
• NC Reach Child Welfare Postsecondary Support
  Program (www.ncreach.org)

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Merit Based Scholarship

• Most merit based scholarship money comes from the
  colleges, universities and endowments.

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What Do The Big Merit Winners Look Like?

• GPA 4.0
• Class Rank top 5-10 of their class
• SAT Scores 1350 (Reading Math only)
• ACT Scores 30
• Courses Taken the most challenging available
• - Honors
• - Advance Placement
• - College Transfer
• Extracurricular Activities Depth breadth
  depth is more important consistency is valued
  breadth is impressive if sincere LEADERSHIP is
  valued by scholarship selection committees!

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Merit ScholarshipsCollege Specific

• Park (NC State)
• Morehead-Cain Scholarship (UNC Chapel Hill)
• Levine Scholars (UNC Charlotte)
• J. Hunter Mabel C. Strickland Memorial
  (Campbell University)

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Merit ScholarshipsNon-College Specific

• Teaching Fellows (www.teachingfellows.org)
• Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan Program
  (application on CFNC.org)
• Millennium Teacher Scholarship Loan Program
  (administered by NCSEAA)

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Community Scholarships

• Scholarships identified for a specific community
  i.e. Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Wake County.
• Criteria is set by sponsoring organization.
• Amount of award varies

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Athletic Scholarship

• The first step in marketing yourself to college
  coaches is an honest evaluation of your talent
  level.
• Identify what level of competition is a good fit
  for you. (Division I, II, II, NAIA, or Junior
  College prospect)
• Talent level your coach, opposing coaches, and
  camp performances/evaluations

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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 or at
  877-262-1492

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Athletic Associations

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  www.ncaa.org 317-917-6222
• Any student wishing to be recruited by NCAA
  division I or II schools must register with the
  NCAA Clearinghouse.
• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
  www.naia.org 913-791-0044
• National Junior College Athletic Association
  www.njcaa.org 719-590-9788

For more information contact Mr. Swann, call
557-2542 or e-mail at rswann_at_wcpss.net
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Scholarship Tips

• Meet all Deadlines
• Neat and complete you are trying to impress the
  readers
• Get letters of recommendation early
• Write an autobiographical statement
• Show off your individual talents, interests and
  strengths

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Common Mistakes (continued)

• Black ink vs. Blue ink always use black or
  type! Almost all scholarship can be typed now
  using the latest version of Adobe Reader. Type
  whenever possible.
• Not having essays proofread for mistakes
• Waiting too late to take the ACT/SAT.
• Take 2x by the end of the junior year in second
  semester
• Not completing the FAFSA by schools deadline

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Common Mistakes

• Not applying for scholarships for which you are
  eligible this is the 1 MISTAKE
• Not applying on time postmarked vs. received
  deadlines
• Waiting too late to do a good job plan ahead!
• Not giving enough notice or information to those
  writing letters of reference/recommendations.
  Try to give at least TWO week notice

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What Can Parents Do?

• Encourage your student to challenge themselves
• Dont let your student opt out of classes when
  the going gets tough
• Talk to your student about college costs how
  much your family will be able to pay.
• Investigate and then tour colleges when possible.
• Help your student believe in him/herself

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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 a 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.gov Free Application for Federal
  State Aid
• www.Fastweb.com Scholarship search
• www.Collegenet.com College Admissions
• www.Collegeview.com/collegesearch/ College
  Admissions
• www.scholarshipplus.com/wake Wake Co Scholarship
  site
• www.SallieMae.com Scholarship Search, Saving and
  Planning for College
• amanda_at_elpueblo.org Scholarships for NC Latino
  Students

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Upcoming Events

• September 29-October 23 Senior Conferences
• October 1- College Essay Writing Workshop
• October 14 PSAT
• November 5 ASVAB
• November 19 College Application Day
• January 1 FAFSA available
• February 8-26 Junior Conferences
• February 13 FASFA Day
• May 3-14 AP Testing
• May 27 Senior Night
• June 3 Graduation Rehearsal
• June 9 Graduation 800 am

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