Fort Mill High School Senior IGP Information Counseling

Fort Mill High School Senior IGP Information

Counseling Staff Barry Ledford (ledfordj@fortmillschools. org) 10 -12 A-E Andrew Griggs (griggsa@fortmillschools. org) 10 -12 F-L Courtney Kountz (kountzc@fortmillschools. org) 10 -12 M-R Karen Castillo (castillok@fortmillschools. org 10 -12 S-Z Edward Young (younge@fortmillschools. org) Career Development Facilitator

Virtual College Application Day n Monday, September 28, 2020 n A link will be sent to senior students and parents of seniors on the 28 th. n Not Mandatory - but encouraged! n Colleges will provide fee waiver code.

IGP Information n n n Graduation/College Requirements Community or Technical College Information Step by Step Applying to York Tech SC College Profiles SAT/ACT Dates How to Submit College Apps Tips for Writing a College Essay The FAFSA Grants & Scholarships State Scholarships & Loan information Naviance Majors/Cords Requirements

South Carolina High School Graduation Requirements 24 Credits Required 4 English 4 Math 3 Science – Biology Required 3 Social Studies – US History and Government/Economics Required 1 PE or ROTC 1 Computer Science 1 Career/Technology Elective or World Language 7 Electives (one must be HS 101 which is a Fort Mill School District requirement) South Carolina Four-Year College Requirements 4 English CP Level or Higher 4 Math CP Level or Higher o Algebra 1 o Geometry o Algebra 2 o 4 th Higher Level Math 3 Lab Sciences o Biology o Chemistry o Physics o Any Science with Biology or Chemistry as a prerequisite Environmental Science CP Marine Science CP Biology 2, Chemistry 2 or any AP level science 3 Social Studies o US History o Government/Economics 2 World Languages (3 for Clemson and College of Charleston) 1 PE or ROTC 1 Computer Science 1 Fine Arts n **For out of state schools contact the College or University directly to learn about their particular admission requirements.

Application for Graduation Cord available second semester n Must complete all required courses in a major to earn a cord (Required courses for major are listed in the Program of Studies n Can earn multiple majors/cords

High School Majors n Students are NOT required to complete a high school major for graduation. n. A high school major does NOT have to match your intended college major. n To receive a cord the student MUST complete the application for Graduation Cord (Google Form) – available second semester.

Destination - Work n. Apply for jobs toward the end of the school year. See Mr. Young if you need assistance with –Resume –Applications –Interview skills

Destination - Military n. Research Military Scholarships n. Take the ASVAB (free) – Offered at Fort Mill High School in the spring

Destination - Two Year College n Entrance exam needed if overall HS GPA is under a 3. 0. Can submit SAT or ACT scores, but most students take Accuplacer at the technical college testing center. n IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO PURSUE A HEALTH CAREER, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE SAT OR ACT.

Deciding on a College/University Research Possible Colleges – Internet Searches (Naviance, Big. Future, etc. ) – College Websites (virtual tours are often available) – College Visits – visit school’s website for information Open Houses Campus Tours n 2 days are excused for Official College Visits. Must present statement from the college that you attended on an Official College Visit. n

Submitting College Applications 1. Application 2. Transcripts 3. Test Scores for Apply through the college’s website, Common App, or Coalition Send your high school transcript to the college (requests made through Naviance) Send your test score(s) to the college (from testing agency, SAT collegeboard. org or ACT actstudent. org. FMHS will not send test scores students. If you have forgotten the log in information for your ACT or SAT account, you will need to contact them d irectly as we do not have access.

Submitting College Applications (continued) –Online applications are preferred by colleges (does not matter which type of application) –Apply to at least four colleges –Apply NOW - even if you plan to take/retake SAT or ACT (test scores can be submitted later)

The Main Types of College Admissions Options n n n Regular Admissions - most common, students must submit their applications by a specific date, usually between November and January. Rolling Admissions - admissions allow students to apply at any time during their admissions period; typically, September through July Open Admissions – typically community colleges, nearly all high school graduates are admitted Early Action - you are not bound to attend if accepted and you can apply early action to more than one university Early Decision - you agree to attend this school if accepted, and you can’t apply to any other college or university (this option is binding so be certain). If you’re relying on financial aid to pay for college, you may not want to apply early decision because you’ll receive your acceptance before you know what financial aid package you’ll receive. http: //www. campusexplorer. com/college-advice-tips/FC 3 F 1 C 62/College-Admissions-Options-Early-Decision-Early. Action-Rolling-Regular/

College Deadlines n. Application deadline vs. supporting documents deadline n. Watch for deadlines - each college sets their own n. Set a personal timeline to complete applications.

SAT n To register AND send scores go to: www. sat. collegeboard. org n Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math n Cost: $49. 50 (No Writing); $64. 50 (Plus Writing) n Subject Test - Do you need it? n Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without chargetake advantage of this. Be sure to check the college/university websites as many of the testing requirements have changed.

ACT n To register AND send scores go to: www. actstudent. org n One composite score n Cost: $52. 00 (No Writing); $68. 00 (Plus Writing) n Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge - take advantage of this! n To determine if your college/university requires/recommends the writing portion, go to: https: //actapps. act. org/writ. Pref. RM/go. Search. Inst. do Be sure to check the college/university websites as many of the testing requirements have changed.

Naviance n n n To log-in, please click the above link then click "Login with Clever. " Students will use their student Google email address and password Request Transcripts – Initial: now – Mid-Year: January – Final: May Request Letters of Recommendation – Please reach out to the teacher prior to requesting through Naviance. Organizational tool Only your counselor can see your information Colleges cannot view your account

Naviance • https: //student. naviance. com/fortmill • Most Seniors registered during their sophomore IGP meeting. (Please try logging in before contacting counselor)

How to Request a Transcript • Click “Colleges I’m applying to” (or use the Colleges tab at the top)

Click the red + button

Add the college name, app type, and how applying. Click “Add and Request Transcript” Select Initial and click “Request and Finish” Please note: If you are applying using the Common App, you MUST link your Common App account with Naviance or we cannot send transcripts or letters of rec.

You can view if a transcript has been requested. Use “Request Transcripts” if needed.

Click “Manage Transcripts” to view confirmation number and date sent.

Coalition At this time, Naviance is not supporting the completion of the Coalition App’s forms in the same way that we support an integration for the Common App’s school forms. Because all 116 colleges that provide students with the option to apply via Coalition App are also e. Docs receivers, counselors may send all supporting application materials electronically via Naviance e. Docs. When students at schools using Naviance e. Docs fill out the Coalition Application, they will check the box to indicate that they’ll be sending their transcript separately. These students will then request their documents be sent directly to the Coalition Application members using the same work flow and experience that they use for colleges in general.

Letters of Recommendation n Some colleges (and many scholarships) may require letters of recommendation. n Carefully select references - someone who can comment on your positive characteristics and knows you well. n STEP 1 - Contact your references early, in person or by email. Please allow them AT LEAST 2 – 4 WEEKS to write your letter. The longer the better. n STEP 2 - You must provide your recommender a resume or a list of your activities so that they can write a better, more descriptive letter of recommendation. – Naviance has a resume template that counselors and teachers have access to (under “About Me” “My Stuff”) n STEP 3 - You must also request your letter of recommendation electronically through Naviance in order to allow your teachers/counselor to submit it to your schools. n Should you waive your right to view your recommendations? YES! n Recommendations carry more weight with colleges if they remain confidential, which is why they are often sent directly to the institution. n Don’t forget to thank the recommender.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation in Naviance n Instructional Video: n http: //www. screencast. com/t/y. Flg. Lh. Uy

Matching your Common App account to Naviance n If you plan on applying to colleges through the Common App you MUST match your Common App account to Naviance. n Instructional Video: n http: //www. screencast. com/t/gx. EQk. Elyo 1

College Athletes n If you are planning to participate in college level athletics, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. n Registration is online at: www. eligibilitycenter. org n Register NOW. Once registered, FMHS will send your transcript for you (no need to make a request on Naviance). n Registration requires sending your ACT or SAT test scores directly from the testing organizations. n See your coach for more information.

Federal Financial Aid n Must complete Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) – opens October 1. n www. fafsa. ed. gov – Need Based Pell Grant Campus-based Programs – – Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Federal Work Study Program Stafford Loan PLUS Loans (Parents)

State Supported Scholarships n Palmetto Fellows – Four-Year School – For Early Awards, Mrs. Anderson will submit the application and required documentation to the CHE for the students who qualify by Dec 15 th. Students are eligible to apply if they meet one of the following: – Score 1200 (Reading + Math) on SAT OR 27 on ACT, 3. 5 minimum GPA, top 6% of sophomore, junior or senior year. OR – Score 1400 On SAT OR 32 ACT and 4. 0 GPA – Up to $6, 700 1 st academic year – Increases to $7500 in 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th academic years – For Late Awards, the guidance counselor/school representative must submit the application and required documentation to the Commission on Higher Education for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship by June 15 th.

State Supported Scholarships (Continued) n LIFE Scholarship Four-Year School – must meet two out of three qualifiers - 3. 0 - top 30% of graduating class - 1100 on SAT OR 24 on ACT Up to $5000 per academic year Two-Year School - 3. 0 Final GPA Up to $5000 for two years (usually covers tuition costs)

State Supported Scholarships (continued) n HOPE Scholarship – Four-Year school – 3. 0 Final GPA Up to $2, 500 for the first academic year plus $300 for books n Lottery Tuition Assistance Program – Only available at Two-Year schools – Must complete a FAFSA Award money varies by academic year.

Scholarships • Scholarships found in Naviance: • “National Scholarship Search” - Lists scholarships from a National Database • “Scholarship List” - Lists Local Scholarships most have links available online or applications can be emailed to you from guidance. • Private Organization Scholarships – Business, Foundations, Community, Clubs • Institutional Scholarships - Contact your college’s Financial Aid Office or the school’s website

Naviance: Click “Colleges Home” and scroll to the bottom for the full Scholarship section

Scholarships – (continued) n Beware of “for fee” services and companies that request confidential information (ex. Social Security #) n Popular websites: – www. fastweb. com – https: //bigfuture. collegeboard. org/scholarship-search – www. scholarships. com – www. finaid. org n Submit a copy of your award letter to the Counseling department and complete the Google Scholarship Form - we use this to calculate the total scholarship money earned for the class of 2021.

Tips for Parents • The application process should be student driven. • Check the Scholarship List on Naviance frequently. Updates are made often. • Students apply NOW! You don’t have to wait for test scores. • Review this Power. Point on the Counseling website. • Make sure to request ALL transcripts through your Naviance account. • Make sure you send ALL test scores directly from the testing agencies (SAT/ACT).

Next Steps • Be sure to review the senior handouts attached to the IGP email. • Complete the Google Form sent to your student email account (IGP email). • Be sure to sign up for an IGP with your counselor. • Students, please make sure that you check your email regularly.