Banks County High School Senior Handbook

Banks County High School Senior Handbook (revised 08/2015) Counseling Department Policies Appointments with Counselors Transcript Requests College Applications Letters of Recommendation Registration for the SAT/ACT Senior Year Reminders Helpful Hints Researching Colleges Campus Visits College Application Process New Georgia Admissions Requirements College Essays NCAA Clearinghouse Second Semester Senior Issues HOPE Eligibility Websites Senior Year Planning Calendar I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to your senior year and to let you know how excited I am to be working with you This year will be filled with fun and exciting activities Before you realize it, May will be here and you will be leaving high school to start a whole new life Please utilize your school counselor and this handbook as resources to guide you through your senior year Mrs Loggins, M.Ed School Counselor BCHS Counseling Department Policies Appointments with Counselor I will arrange a senior meeting with each 12th grade student It is your responsibility to attend this meeting Any additional meeting is the student’s responsibility to set up with me Seniors should meet with their counselor to be sure that they are on track for graduation You may set up a meeting with me through the receptionist in the front office You must make the appointment at least one day in advance In order to receive a diploma, students must meet all credit requirements and must take all corresponding Georgia Milestones Exam In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, students must meet all credit requirements The Counseling / Records Department are responsible for mailing the following documents at the student’s request: Transcript Letters of Recommendation School Profile Secondary School Report (student provides this form to the counselor) Mid-year Report (student provides this form to the counselor) Students may request a “sealed copy” of their transcript to include in their application packet Students should hold their mid-year report forms until January At that time, the mid-year report forms should be given to their counselor Transcript Requests       Each student receives three official transcripts for free and then there is a $3.00 fee per transcript there after No transcript request will be processed until fees have been paid Students must make requests to the registrar a minimum of four days in advance of deadline Parents may also request that your transcript be sent to an institution prior to your eighteenth birthday; however they must so in writing four days in advance of deadline Students must include the name of institution, address, and contact person/department of where the transcript is to be sent SAT, ACT, and ASSET scores are included on your official transcript, however some institutions require that students have the scores sent from the SAT or ACT testing program directly to the colleges Upon graduation it is the student’s responsibility to request a final transcript to be sent to the selected colleges Upon graduation your parents may no longer request your transcript The graduate must request a transcript in writing four days in advance of the deadline Honor Graduates Each senior transcript is calculated using a 100-point scale Courses taken in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language are computed in the academic average Students enrolled in AP/MOWR and Honors level classes receive a 10 and point weight to the class average respectively The weighted average will be calculated in the cumulative academic average for honor graduate purposes Students who have cumulative academic averages of 90 or higher over years of high school coursework are honor graduates The student with the highest academic grade point average at the 3rd nine weeks grading period will be named valedictorian, second highest academic grade point average will be named salutatorian The third highest academic grade point average will be named the first honorarian Failed core courses are calculated into the average If a student takes additional core courses, beyond the graduation requirements, these courses are used when computing the average as well College Applications Students are responsible for mailing college applications and fees If letters of recommendations are required as part of the application package, students should notify counselors and teachers well in advance of deadlines Students who have college application deadlines in January must notify their counselors and teachers by December 1st If requests for transcripts and recommendations are made after this date, there will be no guarantee that the documents will be mailed prior to the December vacation (Students should keep counselors informed of any colleges that they add or delete from their list.) Letters of Recommendation    Students must complete a “Senior Brag Sheet” and return it to their counselor This will be used to facilitate the writing of letters of recommendation Colleges expect that letters of recommendation remain confidential and not be shared with students or parents If teachers write letters of recommendation, they generally mail those letters themselves However, it is a good idea for the student to ask that teacher to send a copy to the counseling office Please notify your teachers and counselor at least one (1) week in advance for letters of recommendation Registration for the SAT/ACT Your counselor has copies of the SAT/ACT on-line registration procedures and preparation booklets Follow the directions on the flyer to register on-line as soon as possible to meet the deadlines and to get your first choice testing site You will register for the SAT on-line at www.collegeboard.com and for the ACT on-line at www.act.org If you have questions as to which test is most appropriate for you or how to complete the registration information, please see your counselor We recommend that you first attempt the ACT in order to experience a timed standardized test See your counselor for the high school code which is required for your testing scores to be sent to the high school In addition, if you receive free or reduced lunch you are eligible for two fee waivers for the SAT as well as the ACT Once you have used a fee waiver for a college placement exam you will be eligible for four college application fee waivers for participating institutions See Mrs Loggins for the fee waivers If you are planning to attend a technical college, the ACT and SAT may not be required Ask your counselor about taking the ASSET or COMPASS Although your SAT/ACT scores are included on your transcript, many colleges not consider these to be official To send official scores to colleges you should: Place the college code number for each college on your SAT/ACT registration form Please note that you receive four free reports per test, but there is a fee for each additional report If you did not indicate college code numbers when you registered, you can get a “request for additional reports” form from the counseling department or use the internet in order to have these scores sent to colleges There is a fee for every report that you request in this manner Military Options Some students plan to enter the military straight out of high school This option allows students to have a guaranteed salary, housing, medical care, and retirement benefits all while traveling the world Students will need to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) as the entrance exam into the military The ASVAB is offered yearly at the high school See your counselor for the test date and for information on how to contact a recruiter for the branch of service you are interested in joining For more information on the ASVAB you can go on-line to www.asvabprogram.com Senior Year Reminders Senior year is the time for you to finalize your plans for life after high school Although many of you will apply to two-year and four-year colleges, some of you may be interested in pursuing other post-secondary plans Whatever your plans or ideas may be for next year, all seniors should meet with their counselor to discuss the following: Are you in good standing to graduate this year? Does your current schedule complete your graduation requirements? Do you need to attend Credit Recover through the After School Program? If you are a student athlete, have you taken enough NCAA required courses? If you hope to play sports on the college level on a Division I or II team, you should complete the NCAA Clearinghouse application Have you taken (or registered to take) the SAT, ACT, or ASSET? Have you mailed in your college applications? Have you completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)? Have you developed a final plan for your post-secondary years? Helpful Hints Schedule an appointment with your counselor if you have questions or concerns Read the monthly scholarship list and apply for all scholarships in which you are eligible Listen to all announcements and pay attention to deadlines Save everything – Create a folder for each college to which you apply Make copies of everything: applications, essays, financial aid forms, tax forms Put our school code on every SAT/ACT application If you have a special talent – music, drama, athletic, science, creative writing – pursue that interest at each college This is the time to brag about yourself If the admissions committee doesn’t know about your talent, they cannot possibly react to it Read the application requirements for each college thoroughly Some have very specific requirements such as a required language or science, SAT Subject Test or a recommendation from a science or math teacher Knowing about and adhering to these specific requirements is your responsibility Treat each application as if that were your first choice Many schools are paying close attention to a student’s level of interest They want to admit students who want to attend their college 10 File the FAFSA (financial aid form) as soon as possible after January 1st If necessary, have your parents/guardians estimate their taxes The FAFSA must be filed to be eligible for the HOPE scholarship 11 Remember that HOPE GPAs will be calculated at the end of first semester and again at the end of your senior year for final HOPE eligibility You must have a 3.0 for the HOPE Scholarship or a 3.7 for the Zell Miller Scholarship ALL English, math, science, social studies and foreign language courses count in the HOPE and Zell Miller GPA HOPE Rigor requirements begin with the Class of 2015 12 Meet all deadlines Deadlines are a serious matter and in some cases, financial aid, admission to college and assignments for SAT/ACT testing is done on a first come, first serve basis Submitting materials after the deadlines can be costly 13 Ask two academic teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you This should be done early in the year but no later than December Give teachers at least a one week notice 14 Use the attached Senior Time Line to keep you on track 15 Visit the counseling office for help in researching careers, obtaining college applications, and locating scholarships You may also this through the GA College 411 website (Soon to be GAFutures) 16 Attend the Financial Aid Program in February for assistance in completing the FAFSA 17 If you are a student athlete and hope to play a sport at the college level in a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse and/ NAIA during the fall of your senior year These forms can be obtained from the athletic director You may receive fee waivers if you receive free or reduced lunch Researching Colleges Consider the following factors when choosing a college: Location – states that you are willing to consider; city vs rural Size – small (up to 3,000) medium (3,000 – 10,000) large (10,000 +) Type – public, private, religious affiliations, technical, liberal arts Majors offered – liberal arts, business, technical, science, math, etc Student Body – male, female, coed, racial diversity, etc Special Programs – programs for students with disabilities, tutorials labs, etc Extracurricular Activities – clubs, teams, sports, etc Financial Considerations – All students should have at least one school that would be affordable should they not receive enough financial aid Admissions Chances – You should have at least on college where your credentials (SAT/ACT scores and GPA) are stronger than most and you are fairly confident that you will be admitted Campus Visits Every student is strongly encouraged to visit a college campus to ensure that the college is a good match to your needs To facilitate this process each senior has two (2) instructional days in which you can visit a college campus, however the student assumes all responsibility for coordinating make-up work with individual teachers A week prior to your scheduled visit you need to obtain a college visitation form from the attendance office You must have all of your teachers and parents sign the form prior to returning it to the office Administration will then approve or deny the request While at the college visit it is your responsibility to obtain a statement on letter head from a college representative stating you visited the college and the date of the visitation Upon your return to school you need to give that statement to the attendance clerk within two days of your absence in order for it to be considered instructional time College Application Process Request a college catalog and an application from colleges, at the PROBE College Fair, or on-line at www.gcic.peachnet.edu or www.gacollege411.org (soon to be GAFutures) Visit the counseling office to review catalogs, get applications for colleges and scholarships, and to use GCIS and GA College 411 Read and follow directions on the applications If you need help, see your advisor or your counselor 4 Check deadlines, admissions requirements, tests to be taken, etc It is your responsibility for knowing specific details applicable to each school to which you are applying See your counselor for assistance Fill out the applications neatly Type, use your computer or print with black ink pen Many colleges also allow you to apply on-line through their website Give yourself time to complete the application procedure by starting as early as possible in the school year Be aware that some schools require you to write an essay Admission Requirements for Georgia Public Colleges and Universities Students should pursue a challenging and rigorous high school curriculum to be best prepared for a successful college experience and should consult with their high school counselor to determine appropriate coursework The following high school requirements must be met by all freshmen applicants and transfer applicants with less than 30 transferable semester hours.* Students should contact their college or university of interest to learn about any additional institution specific admission requirements that may apply Carnegie Unit Requirements 17 Carnegie Units should be completed by students graduating high school in 2012 or later Carnegie Unit Requirement in Specific Subject Areas: Carnegie units of college preparatory English: Literature (American, English, and World) integrated with grammar, usage and advanced composition skills Carnegie units of college preparatory mathematics: Mathematics I, II, III and a fourth unit of mathematics from the approved list, or equivalent courses or Algebra I and II, geometry and a fourth year of advanced math, or equivalent courses Carnegie units of college preparatory science: The four science units should include two courses with a laboratory component Students graduating from a Georgia public high school should have at least one unit in biology, one unit of physical science or physics, one unit of chemistry, earth science or environmental science and a fourth science The following CTAE based science classes may count as a fourth science for admission into the university system and will also be averaged into your HOPE GPA: Natural Resources Management, Forest Science, Food for Life, Food Science, Food and Nutrition through the Lifespan, General Horticulture, Animal Science Technology, Appropriate and Alternative Energy Technologies, Energy and Power Technology, Equine Science, Introduction to Biotechnology, and Plant Science and Biotechnology, Advanced AC and DC Circuits, Essentials of Healthcare, Sports Medicine, Essentials of Biotechnology, and Applications of Biotechnology The following CTAE based science classes will also count into your HOPE GPA and will fulfill the requirement to graduate from high school and for admission into the military or a technical college, but is not recognized by the Board of Regents as a science for college admission: Digital Electronics 3 Carnegie units of college preparatory social science: Must include one unit focusing on US studies and one unit focusing on world studies Carnegie units of the same foreign language or American Sign Language: Must be two units of the same foreign language (or American Sign Language) emphasizing, speaking, listening, reading and writing skills *Students who graduate from a Georgia public high school having participated in the Georgia Alternative Assessment will not be eligible for admission to a USG institution College Essays General guidelines: Print your essay from a computer – avoid handwriting an essay unless the directions specifically request that Conform to guidelines for length of essay; if guidelines are not given, one page single-spaced is appropriate Avoid humorous essays, but freely use humor within an essay Watch spelling – there is no excuse for errors Avoid overly familiar quotations or definitions Do not repeat lists of activities Do not let anyone else write your essay Accentuate the positive – even in a painful experience Engage the reader in the first few sentences of the essay 10 Have a teacher or counselor proofread your essay before submitting to the college Goals of the Essay: To help the reader get to know you – regard the essay as a window to your personality, values and goals To illustrate your uniqueness To enable the reader to evaluate your writing To help the reader create a full (and hopefully memorable) picture of you NCAA Clearinghouse The NCAA has established a clearinghouse for both recruiting and eligibility purposes for student-athletes in Division I and II All students with an interest in either Division I or II programs should register on-line at www.eligibilitycenter.org at the beginning of the senior year The Clearinghouse certifies that you have completed a core of courses that may be different from BCHS graduation requirements Also, be aware that not all BCHS courses have been approved by the NCAA You will need to check with the athletic director to determine that you are taking approved courses Second Semester Senior Issues Course Selections – While the grades a student earns in course work completed during second semester of the senior year not usually enter into the admissions decision, colleges request that students provide a list of courses in which they have registered for second semester It is assumed that this course selection will reflect the same high quality as a student’s previous work in high school Taking “easy” courses or a reduced course load during the second semester is not the best option Academic Performance – Admissions decisions are also contingent upon the successful completion of all course work, and admissions officers reserve the right to question poor second semester performance, and, in some cases, to reverse an admissions decision already made HOPE Eligibility HOPE Scholarship  Students graduating under the single diploma type must have a 3.0 GPA as calculated by GSFC  Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college  If a student falls below a 3.0 GPA in college, they may only regain the HOPE Scholarship one time  The HOPE Scholarship will not pay for remedial or developmental courses A student may receive the HOPE Scholarship until the first of these events:  The student has earned a baccalaureate or first professional degree  The student has attempted at any postsecondary institution a total of 190 quarter hours or 127 semester hours  The student has received a total of combined payment of 127 semester hours or 190 quarter hours from the HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Grant  The student will lose eligibility seven years from his/her graduation date from high school or the equivalent However, for a student that serves on active duty in the military during such seven-year period such active duty service time will be credited back to the seven years The HOPE Scholarship will pay:  At an eligible public postsecondary institution, a percentage amount of the standard tuition charges from the previous year (View the chart on GAcollege411 to find award amount)  At an eligible private postsecondary institution, a percentage amount of the HOPE award amount for private colleges Zell Miller Scholar Program Students are eligible for the Zell Miller Scholar program:  As an incoming freshman: o Having graduated from an eligible high school with a grade point average of at least 3.7 as calculated by Georgia Student Finance Commission and having received a score of at least 1,200 combined critical reading score and math score on a single administration of the SAT or an ACT score of at least 26; or o Having graduated from an eligible high school as the valedictorian or salutatorian Students can maintain the Zell Miller Scholarship by: o A student must maintain a 3.3 grade point average in college to maintain the Zell Miller Scholar program If the student falls below a 3.3 grade point average, they remain eligible for the regular HOPE Scholarship if the student’s GPA is still a 3.0 or above o A student meeting the requirements to be a Zell Miller Scholar must also meet all the requirements to be a HOPE Scholar o If a student loses eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholar program for any reason, they may regain that eligibility one time The Zell Miller Scholar Program will pay: o At an eligible public postsecondary institution, 100% of the standard tuition charges (view the chart on GAcollege411 to find award amount); o At an eligible private postsecondary institution, 100% of the HOPE award amount for private colleges HOPE Grant Program - Only available for students seeking a certificate or diploma at a branch of the Technical College System of Georgia or a unit of the University System of Georgia - Students must meet achievement standards by earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attended 30 or 60 semester hours or 45 or 90 quarter hours of courses towards a diploma or certificate for which the student received HOPE Grant funds HOPE Grant will pay: - A percentage amount of the standard tuition charges from the previous year (view the chart on GAcollege411 to find award amount) - No students with a baccalaureate degree can receive the HOPE Grant In addition to the requirements listed above for all of these aid programs, students must still meet the basic eligibility requirements of: - Be a legal resident of Georgia; - Meet academic achievement standards required by the program or the college; - Be registered with the Selective Service, if required; Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990; Meet HOPE’s U.S citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements; Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs; Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program; Meet enrollment requirements; and Attend an eligible Georgia school Other Pertinent HOPE Information:  The grades for ALL attempted (passed and failed) academic courses will be converted to a TRUE 4.0 GPA scale for calculation of the HOPE GPA  Math I and other 8th grade courses that students received credit for in Middle School, will NOT be used to calculate the HOPE GPA  All grades that are weighted at the local high school level for honors, gifted, MOWR, PreAP, and Advanced Placement will be stripped of their weights by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)  GSFC will add a quality point weight on a TRUE 4.0 scale for Advanced Placement (AP) courses and MOWR courses up to a maximum grade value of 4.0 (A’s are not weighted)  The final HOPE GPA on a 4.0 scale will not be rounded up Websites Scholarship Search Engines www.fastweb.com www.finaid.com www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/index.html (tips to help identify scholarship scams) www.scholarships.com www.collegeboard.com www.gacollege411.org www.wiredscholar.com www.gsfc.org (contains information about the HOPE scholarship guidelines) College Search Engines www.usg.edu/ga-easy (allows you to apply on-line to GA colleges and universities) www.collegeboard.com (allows students to sign up for the SAT and to create a profile to conduct college searches) www.review.com (website from the Princeton Review – allows students to search for colleges and helps the student discover which major matches their interests) www.gacollege411.org (Georgia’s complete guide to colleges, financial assistance, and college placement exams) A Planning Calendar for Seniors August  Narrow college choices to four or five choosing one you feel is a certainty  Obtain application packets from your colleges of choice o Tip: When you visit your top school choices, interview a broad range of people, including students, faculty, and staff September  Revise and update your college list based on information gained during your visits  Make a detailed list of test names, dates and fees; registration deadlines; college application deadlines; and financial aid applications and deadlines o Tip: Some colleges that offer early action admissions have application deadlines in early October such as the University of Georgia  Ask your teachers, school counselor and employer for letters of recommendation  Apply for all scholarships you are eligible for  Register and begin studying for the SAT, ACT, or ASSET/COMPASS exams again if needed o Tip: You must take the SAT and ACT tests at least six weeks before your college’s submission deadline October  Take the SAT and ACT exams again if necessary  Begin drafting college application essays  Stay focused and keep your GPA as high as possible  Check housing availability at the colleges to which you’re applying Residence hall space may be limited November  Complete your college applications  Sign up for your transcripts to be sent to requested colleges o Tip: Avoid the urge to ease up on your studies during your senior year Colleges look at how well you are able to balance your schoolwork with your activities and still maintain a good GPA December  Apply for outside funding and scholarships  Ask your parents to save their year-end payroll stubs if they show earnings for the year You can use this information to start filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in January  Contact colleges to obtain any financial aid applications they require in addition to the FAFSA and find out their deadlines Private campus aid is often on a firstcome, first-served basis o Tip: January 1st is usually the deadline for applications to a majority of colleges Others have deadlines later in January or February January  Complete and submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st Access the FAFSA application on the Web at: www.fafsa.ed.gov, or www.gacollege411.org Applications are not accepted before this date and federal grant funding is limited You will need you tax return information to complete the FAFSA Be sure to keep a copy of your application  If you’re male and have not yet registered for the Selective Service, complete the check-off box on your FAFSA or register at a U.S post office Men who are 18 years or older must be registered to be eligible to receive federal financial aid February  Attend BCHS’ financial aid program on Feb 4th  Make sure you have signed up to have your mid-year transcript sent to your college if required March    Take the ASSET or COMPASS exam again if necessary About four to six weeks after you submit the FAFSA, you’ll receive the results in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR) Send the SAR to your chosen colleges, if they haven’t received a copy o Tip: The SAR will tell you the amount of money your family is expected to contribute (expected family contribution or EFC), and whether you qualify for the Federal Pell Grant April  Review financial aid award letters from the colleges and decide which college to attend The letters describe the amount of assistance you’ll receive – usually a combination of grants and scholarships, work study and student loans  Inform the college of your choice that you accept its offer   May     Apply for Federal Stafford loans if needed Your parents can also apply for a Federal PLUS loan Submit loan applications based on the school’s procedures Complete the local scholarship application and submit it to the counselor’s office by the deadline Contact your college choice and submit required deposit Contact the schools you not decide to attend and let them know of your decision Sign up for your final transcript to be sent to your college of choice Congratulations! Now that you’ve taken all the required courses and tests to prepare for college, it’s time to prepare for some fun Remember: Your graduation is around the corner and the good times are about to begin o Tip: Find out whether your college offers interest-free tuition payment plans to enable you or your family to pay your college expenses in installments throughout the year Congratulations Leopard Graduate! ... will be leaving high school to start a whole new life Please utilize your school counselor and this handbook as resources to guide you through your senior year Mrs Loggins, M.Ed School Counselor... high school curriculum to be best prepared for a successful college experience and should consult with their high school counselor to determine appropriate coursework The following high school. .. experience a timed standardized test See your counselor for the high school code which is required for your testing scores to be sent to the high school In addition, if you receive free or reduced lunch