Great Expectations: Senior Year

1. Great Expectations: Senior Year Mount Tabor High School CLASS OF 2016

2. School Counselor Senior Meetings(September to early October)

3. Senior Meetings • Graduation Requirements • Your Transcript • Financial Aid Planning • Have an idea about a major/job that interests you • College/Post Graduate Plans • Bring an idea of 3-5 colleges to apply to including a safety school

4. Deciding Where to ApplyHow Do I Do That? 1.) Choosing your list 2.) Know your chances of acceptance 3.) Research scholarships/financial aid 4.) Be idealistic and realistic in narrowing your college list 5.) Visit colleges on your list (you get one college visit day) 6.) Don’t miss a deadline! 7.) Know what is needed to apply 8.) Use Online Resources

5. COLLEGE FAIR POST SECONDARY OPPORTUNITY SESSION • Monday, October 5th (5-8) • Benton Convention Center • Sign-in at the Mount Tabor Table • Representatives from approximately 150 Colleges & Universities

6. Important Factors in the College Admissions Process • High School Transcript GPA, Class Rank, Senior Year Rigor • Test Scores • SAT & ACT - Four Year Colleges & Universities • ASSET & Computerized College Placement Test (NC Community Colleges) • Essays • Recommendation Letters • Special Talents and Accomplishments • School and Community Activities

7. Definitions of Admission Options Non-Restrictive Applications Students are not restricted from applying to other institutions and have until May 1st to consider their options and confirm enrollment Restrictive Applications Students are responsible for determining and following restrictions

8. College Entrance Exams • SAT www.collegeboard.com • ACT www.act.org • Community College Placement Testing • ACCUPLACER/Computerized Placement Test @FTCC • Most colleges/universities require the SAT or ACT • Most colleges/universities will accept either the SAT or ACT • Students may choose to take both the SAT and the ACT • Some colleges/universities allow students to apply without SAT/ACT

9. Registering for the SAT or ACT online 1.) Log on to the website (feel free to come use the Counseling Center’s computers!) 2.) Register for the test by looking at the test date and location 3.) Pay for the test using a credit card or fee waiver 4.) Get your confirmation number Afterwards….. By logging on to collegeboard.com you can check your scores, send scores to colleges, and find study tips for taking the test again

10. A Look at Some NC Colleges/Universities

11. You Should Also Know… • Fee Waivers are available to students who qualify (see your School Counselor) • Two for SAT Reasoning and two for SAT Subject Tests • Two for the ACT • Students with disabilities may request accommodations • Please see your Counselor for details • Plan ahead, this process takes some time

12. Is Your College Application Complete? • Know what each school requires for admissions, scholarships, financial aid: • Application • Essays • Recommendations • School Counselor Form • Mid-Year Report • SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests • FAFSA • CSS/Financial Aid Profile • Interviews

13. Common Application Over 500 Colleges/Universities now use the Common Application!  Talk with your Counselor to find out if they are completing their sections online or not  Supplemental Forms (required by 2/3 of Schools using the Common App) • Signing the Privacy Waiver

14. HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT • Request your transcript via the off-white cards available in the Counseling Office • Request your transcript at least two weeks prior to application deadlines • First 2 requests free, additional $2.00 • www.cfnc.org transcript process • Mid-Year Transcripts (free) • Scholarship Transcripts (free) • Request FINAL TRANSCRIPT in May

15. When Requesting Official Transcripts Don’t Forget….. • High School Profile • Counselor Statement Forms The above should be given to Mrs. Robinson when requesting transcripts. Allow your Counselor time to write a thoughtful recommendation letter • Teacher Recommendation Forms or Requests for Letters. Provide teachers with stamped and addressed envelopes. Give teachers plenty of turn around time(two weeks minimum) Give recommenders your Senior Profile/Resume

16. What Does Your College Application Say About You? Recommendation letters (based on your Senior Profile) Discipline History Class Choices (including senior year!) Mid Year Grades

17. FINANCIAL AID • Need-Based Financial Aid • Grants • Loans • Work Study • Merit-Based Financial Aid • Scholarships (scholastic, athletic, artistic ability & success) Some scholarship opportunities are both merit-based and need-based.

18. FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid • Must file to determine eligibility for all federal and most state aid for year entering college • File online form after January 1, 2016 • FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) • Use www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to project eligibility • Some scholarship opportunities require the FAFSA

19. CSS/Financial Aid Profile • Required by some colleges/universities and scholarships • Davidson, Duke, Elon, UNC-CH, & Wake Forest • Required by some scholarship organizations • Fee-$25.00 (initial fee & 1st institution + $16.00 for each institution) • Register and complete Profile at www.collegeboard.com at least two weeks before first priority deadline

20. Upcoming Dates concerning Financial Aid • College Fair (10/5, 5-8pm) – over 100 Colleges and Universities will be present • Financial Aid Information Night (tentative date: 11/10 @6:30pm) - a representative from Davidson will in the Mt. Tabor Media Center to discuss the Financial Aid process • Financial Aid District Meetings (in January) – more information available soon! • College Application Week (Nov. 2nd-6th)

21. Scholarship Search Tips • Make sure your email address is up-to-date in the Counseling Office for when we send out email Scholarship Updates! • Look on the Mt. Tabor Counseling Website to view the scholarship updates from previous years to get an idea about what scholarships are available • Broaden your search at the beginning of senior year • Be diligent throughout your senior year • Select opportunities that fit you best • Be realistic about the number of applications you can complete • Work against becoming complacent • Do not give up! • Think about local resources

22. Scholarship Nominations • Unlimited Applicants • Obtain endorsement from your counselor • Limited Nominations or Applicants • Read requirements on Scholarship Update • Submit your Senior Profile and Resume • Update as often as you like • Submit a Scholarship Nomination Request Form • Front of scholarship file cabinet/place in bin outside Mr. Huck’s office • Additional statement may be requested The Mount Tabor HS Scholarship Committee will review your documents, along with your transcript, to determine the Mount Tabor nomination(s).

23. Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities Morehead-Cain Scholarship Program Park Scholarship Wendy’s High School Heisman Program Be on the lookout for scholarship updates throughout the year!!!

24. Crosby Scholars Check the Crosby Board for announcements (500 hallway across from the Attendance window) for updates and announcements! Don’t forget that you must attend 2 of the 5 Senior Academies - register online - 10 minute rule (if you’re 10 minutes late, you will not be awarded credit) Scholarships with Crosby Scholars: Last Dollar Grant BBB Scholarship Make sure all email addresses and contact info is up to date. Crosby sends emails and updates via emails!

25. PREPARE FOR YOUR SENIOR MEETING WITH YOUR COUNSELOR • Take time to discuss your college planning goals with family members. • Be able to discuss your tentative career goals. • Generate a list of questions relative to the college admissions process. • Have a realistic list of 3 to 5 schools in which you have an interest. • Know your academic credentials such as GPA & previous test scores.

26. Mount Tabor Class of 2016 "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead