th 11 Grade Guidance Lesson SOUTH COBB HIGH

th 11 Grade Guidance Lesson SOUTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Professional School Counseling Department Mission Statement �The mission of our Counseling Department is to help all students achieve personally/socially, academically and vocationally in order to be productive citizens in a global society. This is a four-year approach and is a collaborative effort that includes the support of students, parents, faculty and staff, central office and community stakeholders.

Professional School Counseling Department Goals � To provide comprehensive programs to meet the needs of students and their families. �To eliminate unnecessary barriers for students to maximize their full potentials. �To use result-based data to deliver quality counseling service. �To utilize community resources/referrals when needed. �To provide flexible time for students to conference with a counselor. �To employ preventive measures to assist students.

Who is your school counselor? � 2011 -12 School Year �Freshmen �Retained Freshmen �Sophomores �Juniors �Seniors Dr. Moses Mrs. Bullock (Dept. Chair) Mr. Chung Ms. Medley Dr. Jackson

Essential Questions WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR YEAR? HOW DO I PUT MY POST-SECONDARY PLAN INTO ACTION?

Discussion Topics �High School Graduation Requirements �Senior course selection �Post-secondary options �Admissions requirements versus graduation requirements �SAT/ACT/COMPASS/ASVAB �Graduation tests and EOCT’s �College admissions process �Financial aid resources (HOPE)

2012 Graduation Requirements for students entering 9 th grade in 2009 SUBJECT CREDITS REQUIRED COURSES English 4 9 th Lit American Lit Plus 2 more English courses Math 4 Math 1 & Math II or GPS Alg. & GPS Geo. or Acc. Math I & II Plus 2 additional math credits Science 4 Biology Physical Science or Physics Chemistry, Earth Science, or Environmental Science Plus 4 th science course Social Studies 3 US History World History Government / Economics Career Tech Languages and/or Fine Art 3 Note: 2 credits of the same language are required for entrance into a college or university. Health and PE . 5. 5 Health ½ Personal Fitness ½ Electives TOTAL 4 23

Which credits do I need to be promoted to a Senior �Complete the requirements for promotion to 11 th grade 10 units including two full units each of state required or core coursework in mathematics, science, and English. �Complete 16 credits

GHSGT Tests and EOCT’s �Juniors must pass the Georgia HS writing test. September 27, 2011 Make up-Feb. 29, 2012 �Juniors who started ninth grade in 2009 must pass one EOCT in each of the four content areas or pass the corresponding subject test of the GHSGT. �Testing dates: www. usatestprep. com -Member log in English March 19, 2012 -Create new account Math March 20, 2012 School ID: Southcobb Science March 21, 2012 Activation code: newton 24 Social Studies March 22, 2012

Let’s talk about…. . �Post-graduation plans �Post-secondary options �Admissions requirements versus graduation requirements �SAT/ACT/COMPASS/ASVAB �College admissions process �Financial aid resources (HOPE)

Post-secondary opportunities • ON-THE-JOB TRAINING • MILITARY • TECHNICAL SCHOOL • 2 -YEAR COLLEGE • 4 -YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

What do I need to Know? �What’s my path after high school? �What are the requirements to get there? �What tests do I need to take? �How do I pay for it?

Post-secondary opportunities • On-the-job training • Military • Technical school • 2 -year college • 4 -year college/university

Graduation vs. Admissions Requirements Graduation (minimum) �Determined by Georgia Department of Education �Tracked by you, your teachers, and your school counselor �Needed before you earn a diploma – you get it, you graduate �Must pass all the GHSGT or equivalent EOCT. Admissions (above & beyond) �Determined by the individual college �Tracked by you – it is your responsibility to find out what the school wants �Needed before you can be admitted – no guarantees for admissions �Must take SAT or ACT or COMPASS

What test works for me? ACT www. act. org � 5 sections (math, English, science, reading and writing) �No penalty for guessing � 36 maximum score �Achievement test SAT www. collegeboard. org � 3 sections (math, reading, and writing) �Points deducted for incorrect answers � 2400 maximum score �Aptitude test Most colleges will accept either test. These tests are only required for admissions to four year colleges. Students can take both. Students are responsible to register for all tests.

ACT and SAT DATES �www. act. org �www. collegeboard. org �Sept. 10, 2011 �Oct. 1, 2011 �Oct. 22, 2011 �Nov. 5, 2011 �Dec. 10, 2011 �Dec. 3, 2011 �Feb. 11, 2012 �Jan. 28, 2012 �April 14, 2012 �March 10, 2012 �June 9, 2012 �May 5, 2012 �June 2, 2012 �Fee: 49. 50 �Late Fee: 70. 50 Fee: 49. 00 Late Fee: 75. 00 South Cobb School Code: 110305

Other tests you may need �COMPASS – Placement exam required for entrance to two year and technical colleges �ASVAB – Aptitude exam required for entrance into the military that determines your eligibility for military jobs Everyone who wants to walk at graduation must earn a high school diploma. This means they must pass one EOCT in each of the four content areas or pass the corresponding subject test of the GHSGT and pass the GHSWT.

How do I get to college? �Make a list of potential schools �Compare your profile to the school’s freshman profile �Review each school’s application: Online application (preferred) Transcript Application fee Recommendations (if needed) � Counselor Know your application deadlines! Recommendation (or school evaluation) � Teacher Recommendation (letter or form)

Ways I can pay for college… • GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS Do not have to be repaid – Based on specific requirements – • LOANS – Need to be repaid after college • WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS Student has a job on campus – Money earned helps pay for college – FINANCIAL AIDE NIGHT

Is there HOPE for me? Changing information Scholarship � 3. 0 Core GPA Needed �Two year or four year degree �Must graduate from a GA high school �Must be a GA resident for at least one year �Covers a percentage of tuition. Grant �No GPA requirement �Technical certificate or diploma �Must have a high school diploma or GED �Must be a GA resident for at least one year �Covers a percentage of tuition and some fees Apply for HOPE through FAFSA after January 1 of your senior year.

Is there HOPE for me? Zell Miller Scholarship � 3. 7 Core GPA Required � 1200 SAT Math and Reading/Verbal or 26 ACT �Two year or four year degree �Must graduate from a Georgia High School �Covers full tuition

Nuts and bolts of finding money Where do I find money? �My school counselor and career center �GACollege 411 �Websites such as fastweb �My employer or my parent’s employer �My college’s financial aid office �Community resources How do I get the money? �Apply early and often – scholarships have deadlines too! �Put together a resume and prepare a personal statement so you will be ready to apply �Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of senior year!

Websites to bookmark � cobbk 12. org/southcobb/ Click on the counseling link GAcollege 411. org Careercruising. com Username: South Password: Cobb Portfolio username: Student lunch number Password: 6 digit birthday (ex. 091293) www. usatestprep. com -Member log in -Create new account School ID: Southcobb Activation code: newton 24 www. studyisland. com username: Student #@schs password: eagles � �

Other helpful websites �www. perterson. com �www. fastweb. com �www. schoolsoup. com �www. fafsa. ed. gov �www. maldef. org/pdf/scholarship/pdf. “Plan for the future because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life. ” Mark Twain