Class of 2019 Parent Meeting Marietta High School

Class of 2019 Parent Meeting Marietta High School Counseling Department

Helping your child take the next step into their future can make you feel like this….

But never fear, the MHS counselors and college advisor are here to help! We will do our best to help you feel like this at the end of senior year…

MHS Counselors and Staff Counselors serve students based upon the first letter of the students’ last name. A—Co Joann Kinlaw Cr-Haw Chenedra Garnigan Hax-Mc. F Nancy Hill Mc. G-R Marlon Prather S-Z Betsy Alpert PLC Julie Smith College Advisor Brandi Smith

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION Graduation Requirements Dual Enrollment Post-Secondary Options Georgia’s Hope Scholarship Program Testing Naviance

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS The requirements below represent minimal courses needed for high school graduation. Some academic programs of study or diploma options require additional units of credit beyond the minimal requirements listed. For example, IB Diploma requires a minimum of 27. 5 credits. Subject Units Required Courses English 4 Math 4 Science 4 1 unit Physical Science or Physics 1 unit of Biology 1 unit of Chemistry or Environmental Science or AP Science 4 th Science may be used to meet both elective and science requirements Social Studies 3 1 unit World History 1 unit U. S. History ½ unit Economics ½ unit American Government or Citizenship CTAE, Foreign Language, Fine Arts Health/Personal Fitness 3 This area can be a combination 1 . 5 unit each Electives 4 Total 23 1 unit of 9 th Lit/Comp 1 unit of American Literature or IB Lang/Lit 1 unit of Coordinate Algebra or Algebra 1 1 unit of Geometry 1 unit of Adv. Algebra or Algebra 2 1 additional unit

DUAL ENROLLMENT/FORMERLY Move on When Ready DUAL ENROLLMENT Program is available to high school students in grades 9 -12. Earn dual credit Students must meet admission requirements of college/university they’re interested in attending. Requirements vary for each Post secondary institution. Please research your dual enrollment prospective colleges/universities for requirements and deadlines.

Post Secondary Options

Which Is Most Appropriate for Your Student? Post Secondary Options Can include: 4 Year Colleges and Universities 2 Year Colleges for Associate’s Degree or to transfer to a 4 year College or University. Technical Colleges Professional Training Programs Military Work

Factors to Consider When Choosing a College/University Size and Diversity of Student Body Location (Urban, Rural, or College Town) Potential College Major Graduation and Retention Rates Career Placement Overall Academic Experience (Academic Pressure Cooker or Well. Balanced Students) Campus Life (Athletics, Greek Life, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Research Opportunities, etc. ) Distance from home (Travel Expenses, Frequency of coming home for breaks) FINANCIAL FIT Public vs. Private In-State vs. Out of State Need-Based Aid vs. Merit-Based Aid THINK ABOUT WHERE YOUR STUDENT WILL BE THE MOST HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL!

How Do Colleges Choose Who Will Be Accepted? Holistic Admission Process: Primary Factors Academic Rigor Grade Trends/Academic Performance Testing (ACT, SAT, AP Exams, IB Exams, SAT Subject Tests) Additional Factors Extracurricular Activities Essay(s) Letters of Recommendation Demonstrated Interested Optional Factors: Interviews Arts Portfolio and/or Audition Athletic Recruitment (Only NCAA Division I and II, NAIA, NJCAA offer athletic scholarships)

How Do I Learn More About What Colleges Have to Offer? Visit individual college websites Meet with College Reps when they visit MHS Visit college campuses: -Register online for tours -Talk with an admission officer -Sit in on a class -Eat in the dining hall -Pick up a student newspaper -Talk to current students Mid-Winter Break and Spring Break are great times to visit college campuses! If you visit colleges in the summer, keep in mind you won’t get the most accurate view of student life. Attend Open House programs at colleges/universities Attend College Programs hosted at MHS in the MPAC and the Seminar Room Attend college fairs in the Atlanta area Talk with our College Advisor, Ms. Smith

Great College Search Websites Naviance Big Future- www. bigfuture. org Cappex- www. cappex. com Chegg- www. chegg. com/schools Peterson’s - www. petersons. com College Navigator- www. nces. ed. gov/collegenavigator

Building A College List: Don’t Put All of Your Eggs In One Basket Reach schools Apply to 1 or 2 “Reach schools” are those where your academic credentials fall below the school’s range for the freshman class “Match schools” are schools where your academic credentials fall within or perhaps slightly exceed the school’s range for the freshman class. “Safety schools” are schools you will almost definitely get into because your academic credentials are much better than the typical range for their freshman class. Match schools Apply to 2 or 3 Safety schools Apply to at least 1

Testing

When Should I take the SAT/ACT During/after taking Algebra II or the equivalent Spring of junior year for most students Take both the SAT & ACT to decide which test is right for you All colleges will accept either the SAT/ACT Some schools will Superscore- when a college takes the highest sub scores from various test dates to get a new higher score. Most students will test 2 -3 times before applying to college, but plan ahead to meet application deadlines…especially if you apply early.

Test Reminders SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests www. collegeboard. org Mar 10, 2018 May 5, 2018 June 2, 2018 ACT www. actstudent. org Feb 10, 2018 April 14, 2018 June 09, 2018 July 14, 2018 The Spring MHS SAT/ACT Bootcamp will be held March 1 st, 3 rd, and 8 th. Applications will be available Feb. 7 th - Feb. 26 th and are due by Feb. 27 th. The cost is $40, but refunded for students who attend all three sessions. For more info, contact Jessica Meade at jessicameade@Mariettacity. k 12. ga. us. Accuplacer March 7 th and 8 th, 2018 ASVAB March 14 th, 2018

Are you interested in Dual-Enrollment (MOWR)? You need to take the ACCUPLACER College Placement Test Register by visiting: http: //tinyurl. com/MHSACCUPLACER Spring Dates: Wednesday, 7 March 2018 Thursday, 8 March 2018 The last day to register is Friday, 2 March 2018 You will need to be signed into your MCS Google Drive to register. For more information on ACCUPLACER registration, please contact Jason Meade (jmeade@marietta-city. k 12. ga. us) For more information on Dual-Enrollment (formally MOWR), please see your Counselor

Do you want to take the ASVAB? The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Register by visiting: http: //tinyurl. com/MHSASVABtest Spring Date: Wednesday, 14 March 2018 The last day to register is Friday, 9 March 2017 You will need to be signed into your MCS Google Drive to register. For more information on the ASVAB or on ASVAB registration, please contact CMSgt Alfaro at jalfaro@marietta-city. k 12. ga. us or Jason Meade at jmeade@marietta-city. k 12. ga. us.

Are You Eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch? Fee Waivers for SAT/ACT Fee Waivers for College Applications Scholarship Opportunities Assistance with paying for IB/AP Exams To apply for Free/Reduced Lunch go to: mariettacity. strataapps. com IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION: ACT- Beginning Sept. 2018, ACT will offer free score reports for free/reduced lunch participants SAT- Beginning Mar. 2018, SAT will offer free score reports for $25 for the CSS Profile (for schools that require it).

Remember… Colleges/Universities require SAT/ACT scores to come directly from the testing agency!

SCHOLARSHIPS AND HOPE

How Do I Find $$ for College? v Scholarship Link on MHS Counseling Web Page v Naviance v Colleges and Financial Aid Offices v FAFSA and CSS Profile v Research on Websites -www. fastweb. com -www. gafutures. org for special GA state and federal grants -www. bigfutures. org

How Do I Find $$$ for College? Scholarship Link on MHS Website Naviance College/University Financial Aid Offices FAFSA and CSS Profile Research on Websites: www. bigfutures. org www. fastbweb. com www. gafutures. org (For special GA and some federal grants) www. collegegreenlight. com (Great for 1 st generation and underrepresented students) www. cappex. com

Scholarship Search Services We follow the guidelines set forth by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) and recommend that you DO NOT use a scholarship search service. The same resources that you will be charged in excess of $500 are available for free.

HOPE Scholarship Rigor Requirements The class of 2019, in order to be eligible to receive the HOPE scholarship, must receive at least four credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school: • Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, or an equivalent or higher course taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution • Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, or an equivalent or higher course taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution; • Advanced foreign language courses taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary institution; • Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit enrollment courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language)

Georgia’s HOPE Program Zell Miller Scholarship— § Must earn a 3. 7 core GPA on a 4. 0 scale in all English, math, science, social studies and foreign language coursework attempted between grades 9 -12 and at least a 1200 on the Math and Reading/Verbal portions of the SAT in one test administration or score at least a 26 composite score on the ACT OR Graduate as the Valedictorian or Salutatorian and meet the requirements of the HOPE Scholarship

HOPE Scholarship-§ Must earn a 3. 0 core GPA on a 4. 0 scale for all English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language coursework in the high school curriculum HOPE Grant—available to students who are seeking a technical certificate or diploma, regardless of student’s high school grade point average or gradation date.

Georgia’s HOPE Program All three HOPE programs will require students to: § Be a legal resident of Georgia § Be registered with Selective Service, if male § Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug -Free Post-secondary Education Act of 1990 § Meet HOPE’s US citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements § Attend an eligible Georgia school To see the full list of program requirements, visit www. ga. Futures. org

How to Check Your Current HOPE GPA Go to www. ga. Futures. org From Home Page, go to “Your HOPE GPA” in right panel Create your account Follow directions to get your HOPE GPA If you have any additional questions, please contact our registrar Linda Mc. Cormick @ lmccormick@marietta-city. org

NAVIANCE Naviance (Family Connection) is a comprehensive website for students and parent to use as a tool to organize personal data, complete a personality inventory, maintain a list of prospective colleges and track the application process. Features: College Search Scholarship Search Apply to colleges & universities Sign up to meet with college reps when they’re visiting our school Personality profile

Naviance Login Go to http: //connection. naviance. com/mariettahs Students: Email: Student ID Number Password: student (all lowercase) Parents: Click on “I need to register” Enter registration code: This is a one-time use code that was sent to parent email on 1/22/18. If you have an issue with logging in, please contact Ms. Smith and she can assist you.

Junior Student and Parent Questionnaires in Naviance Ms. Smith WILL NOT meet with any juniors or their families until both the junior student and the junior parent/guardian questionnaires are COMPLETED. To access these questionnaire’s in Naviance: Students: -On the Homepage, click the “About me” tab. -To the left you will see “Surveys to take”, click on “Junior student questionnaire” and complete. Parents: -On the Homepage, click the “About me” tab. -To the left you will see “Surveys to take”, click on “Junior parent/guardian questionnaire” and complete.

College Advising Programming for February and March Two Mini-College Fairs Feb. 8 th and March 2 nd from 10: 55 am-1: 00 pm for both students and parents Three College Admission Panels Programs -Selective Admission Panel/Program -College Kickoff -HBCU Admission Panel/Program 7 College March Madness Parent Talks: -Mar. 1 st – How parents can best help in the college admission and financial processes -Mar. 6 th – Nuts and Bolts of Naviance -Mar. 13 th – College Search and College Visits: What you really need to know -Mar. 15 th – Understanding Admissions Numbers -Mar. 21 st – How to help your student stand out in the application process -Mar. 26 th - –#Real talk about Financial Aid and Scholarships -Mar. 28 th – Understanding the new College Application processes at MHS (Junior Parents Only)

How to Receive College Advising and Junior Information from MHS Remind 101 Text Messages/Emails Junior Class Info Text Messages- Text @2 K 19 grad to 81010. Email - https: //www. remind. com/join/2 k 19 grad. The class code is @2 K 19 grad. College Advising Info Text Messages- Text mhscadvis @ to 81010. Email - https: //www. remind. com/join/mhscadvis. The class code @mhscadvis. Naviance Emails MHS Counseling Website Marietta High School College Advising Facebook Page: https: //www. facebook. com/Marietta. College. Advising/ Parent Reminders in the Devil’s Advocate To schedule an individual student or family meeting with Ms. Smith, go to: https: //mhscollegeadvising. as. me/

Questions? ? ? Ask Now!!!