SENIOR PARENT
NIGHT RRHS
COUNSELORS
Mariah Cruz A – C
Suzette Bentley D-J
Susan Foster K-Q
Brienne Roche R-Z
Important Dates
Sept. 12th
Sr. Parent Night RRHS (6:00 p.m.)
Sept. 22nd Military Service Academy Day (check website for location)
Oct. 26th
Senior Portrait Make Up Day
Oct 27th
Next ACT Test Date (Register by September 21, 2012)
Nov 3rd
Next SAT Test Date (Register by October 4, 2012)
November 13th-16th College Application Week
Dec. 3rd
Work Keys Testing (Early Graduates) (3rd-7th)
Dec. 5th
Graduation Project for Seniors in English IV in the Fall
Jan. 9th
Financial Aid Night – RRHS Auditorium (6:00PM)
Feb. 11th Work Keys Testing (11th- 22nd)
May 1st
June 2012
Universal College Candidate Reply Date
Graduation
College Applications
Think “Turkey!” Complete by
Thanksgiving…DON’T
PROCRASTINATE!!!!! Mama says “No
Pie until you apply”
A Walk Down the Successful
Seniors 2012 Time Line
 Make a Senior Timeline
 Take the ACT or SAT
 Graduation Requirements
 College Credits in High
School
 Attend College Fairs
 Look at Choices after
Graduation
 Career Planning
 College
Selection/Admissions
 Financial Aid
 Internet Resources
Testing Requirements
S.A.T./A.C.T./ S.A.T. II
2012-2013 Test
 School Code: 342-640
 Registration booklets available
in the Counseling office
 Register on-line or by mail
 Www.collegeboard.com
 ACT Test Dates: 09/8, 10/27,
12/8, 02/9, 04/13, 06/8
 SAT Test Dates : 10/6, 11/3,
12/1, 1/26, 3/ 9, 5/4, 6/1
 WATCH DEADLINES AND
LATE REGISTRATION FEES
 Recommendation – Take both
ACT and SAT
SAT II
 1 Hour Subject Matter Tests
 Check Catalog Requirements-
many universities do not require
 SAT II is used primarily for
placement purposes
*IEP or 504 AccommodationsContact Ms. Lake
Test Preparation Products and
Services
 www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org
 www.Ineedapencil.com
 Books/workbooks
 Computer programs
 Review Services
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–
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–
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Listen for announcements for RRHS preps offered by teachers
Princeton Review (fee)
Kaplan (fee)
Test Masters Educational Services (fee)
Graduation Requirements
 24-Credit CMS

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





FRC PLAN
English I, II, III, IV
Alg I, Geom, Alg II, 4th math
Earth & Environmental,
Biology, Chemistry
World History, C & E, US
History
Health and PE
4th Science / Social Studies
2 years same sequential FL***
-(not required for graduation,
only for 4 year college
admissions)
Class Rank
 Class Rank is based on the cumulative grade point
average for all high school credit courses. A
student’s grade point average is derived by
dividing the total number of grade points by the
number of semester courses attempted. The first
official class rank is determined during the spring
semester of the junior year and is updated after
each subsequent semester.
 The next update for Seniors will be September 17,
2012. (YES- RANK AND GPA DO
MATTER!!!)
College Selection
College Selection
A. Factors to consider
Admissions Requirements (on the college website)
Cost and Location
Area of Study and degree
B. Campus Visits
C. College “Reps” at RRHS
D. College Fairs
E. Counselors’ Office
F. www.CFNC.ORG and www.College Board.com
F. RRHS Counselor’s Website
Excused Absences for
College Visits -
****For a college visit to be
excused, paperwork MUST
be completed with Ms.
Donahue, PRIOR to the
college visit.
What College would I like to
attend?
DREAM SCHOOL?
REALITY SCHOOL?
Select a college that may be a “stretch” for you.
Select at least one “reality” school.
Select 2 or 3 schools between “dream” and “reality”
school.
The College must fit you:
ACADEMICALLY
PERSONALLY
SOCIALLY
BE REALISTIC!
The college you choose should NOT be one that will
overwhelm you (look at the average SAT/ACT scores).
COLLEGE INFORMATION ON
THE INTERNET
“Our Top Websites”
www.collegename.edu (College Website)
www.collegeboard.com
www.cfnc.org
www.commonapplication.org
www.myroad.com
www.collegeweek.live
CFNC

Interest, skill, work values
assessments
 Educational and occupational
information

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


Education Planner
Resume Builder
Career search
College search
College comparison




Financial aid assistance
FAFSA application
Scholarship search
Job search
College Application Process
College Application Process
THINK TURKEY
NO PIE UNTIL YOU APPLY!
COLLEGE APPLICATION
PROCESS
1. Obtain Application (from the college or online)
Online Preferred
Go to the college website and set up account
For Most Private - www.commonapp.org.
2. Fill it out and SAVE until ready to submit
3. Keep a hard copy of the application.
4. Follow-up with college to confirm status of application.
CFNC.ORG
3 Features:
 Explore - (Research your options – admission
info for every University or college of interest)
 Apply - (Online) – Admission and scholarship
applications
 Repeat - (No need to start from scratch, copy a
completed application and use it to apply to
another school.
College Application Week (November 13th-16th)
It’s fast. It’s easy. It’s free.
College Application Process
1. Be prepared and organized
- Download copy of application
- Organize information needed in a folder before you start
2. Create a checklist or calendar of registration deadlines, fees, etc. (p. 60)
3. Distribute the appropriate parts of the application to the right people
(at least 3 weeks prior to deadline).
- Counselor page (if applicable) to counselor
- Recommendations (teachers/counselors)
- SAT/ACT – sent directly from the testing agency
- Transcripts – sent directly from Registrar’s office.
4. Write essay (if applicable)
5. Apply for Housing and Financial Aid
What do you need from RRHS?
Complete the (Green form and give to your counselor)
Counselor’s Checklist College Applications, Recommendations, Scholarships
(Applications need to be turned in no less than 14 working days prior to the deadline date. Applications
received less than 14 working days cannot be guaranteed they will be received by the institution on
time.)
_______________________________________
______-____-_______
(____)___________________
Student Name
SS #
Home Phone
___________________________________________________________________________________
 Name of College Applied to:
 Scholarship Name
Request:
 Fill out application only
 Write recommendation letter only
 Fill out application and write recommendation letter
 Other ________________________________________________
Transcript Release Form
 Please complete the transcript request form
and submit $3.00. Forms should be turned
into Ms. Farrior (registrar). Please allow 10
working days for requests to be processed.
 -Forms can be found in guidance or on the
RRHS Student Services Website.
College Essays – Tips for Good
Essay Writing
DO’s
 Keep your focus narrow and personal
 Prove it – Use examples
 Be specific
 Use creativity
DON’Ts
 Don’t tell your readers what you think they want to hear
 Don’t write a resume
 Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do
 Don’t forget to proofread
What are Colleges Looking For?
Academics
Extra-Curricular
2.
HS Transcript
GPA
1.
Leadership
3.
Assessment
2.
Community Service / Volunteer
hours
3.
Club or Organization
involvement
4.
Athletic Involvement
1.
-PSAT
-SAT I
-SAT II
-AP
College Resume
A college resume is always a good idea!
It sets you a step above other applicants and
showcases what you have to offer the college.
Include all of your Honors, Awards, Distinctions,
Scholarships, Volunteer Work, Leadership, Clubs
and Athletic Activities and anything that sets you
apart!
The 14 step process of applying to
college
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
1) Visit Colleges and Finalize SAT / ACT
2) Prepare Resume and Complete student information packets in recommendation letters
are needed
3) Prepare Resume
4) See Ms. Humphrey for NCAA Clearing House (Athletes Only)
5) Request Recommendation Letters if needed – allow a minimum of 14 days
6) Complete your college applications (preferably ONLINE)
7) Write Essay if required
8) Send Test Scores / transcript to Colleges
9) Submit Application on line
10) check with colleges to confirm receipt
11) FAFSA form in January
12) Financial Aid / Scholarship Deadlines
13) Housing Application (If applicable)
14) Accept and Decline Deadlines
LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION
1.
Profile Packet is available in the guidance office.
2.
Give at least 2-3 weeks notice. Not including weekends or
holidays. Requests for recommendation letters for
applications that are due 12/1 – 1/1 need to be in to the
counselor before Thanksgiving.
3.
Should tell or give NEW information. (Many applications do
not require recommendations at all, especially for automatic
admission).
4.
Thank you notes
COLLEGE ADMISSION
TERMS
Early Decision - A binding commitment to attend the college if you are accepted.
Says, “I am only applying to you.”
•Deadlines usually Nov. 1-15.
Early Action/Notification - Simply applying early so you will receive acceptance
notification early - No commitment to attend.
Rolling Admissions – You apply and usually receive an admissions decision with
two to six weeks.
Scholarship - Award for merit or talent.
Grant - Award based on a financial need.
Wait List - Admission pending
Review – You do not receive automatic admission.
Provisional/Summer Admit - Varies from school to school
Financial Aid
SCHOLARSHIPS
GRANTS
LOANS
WORK STUDY
APPLY EARLY FOR
FINANCIAL AID

Distributed on a need basis and
first come, first serve basis.
 Watch deadlines.
$ FINANCIAL AID $
1.
Types – Merit based vs. Need based
2.
Finding financial aid requires initiative on the part of the student and parent.
3.
Scholarships – Posted on the RRHS website, monthly bulletin through senior
homerooms and online.
4.
College Specific Scholarships – Check for types, deadlines and guidelines.
5.
Free Scholarship Search- www.fastweb.com or www.salliemae.com,
www.finaid.org www.cfnc.org
6.
Research Scholarships on the Internet, library, with your parents’ employers,
and with the college to which you are applying.
7.
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after
January 1st available on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply for a personal
identification number (PIN) fall semester.
8.
Some private schools require CSS/Financial Aid (Profile) some may require
as early as Oct. 1st.
FAFSA
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
HOTLINE
1-800-801-0576
For help with completing forms
www.fafsa.ed.gov
College Financial Aid Offices
*Must fill out forms every year
CSS/Financial Aid Profile
• Awarding of non-federal student aid funds
• Not all colleges use it/ - used by private
colleges
• Can complete at www.collegeboard.com
click on CSS Profile – under Pay for
College.
Choices After Graduation
Junior College / Community College
Vocational / Technical Schools
Four- Year Colleges and Universities
Military Academies
Armed Service
College Knowledge
 Who Am I?
 I am the college adviser Ms. Humphrey

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
-Fee Waivers
SAT
ACT
College
Application Completion
FAFSA Completion
Phone- 980-344-0409
E-mail: Kayla1.humphrey@cms.k12.nc.us
Entrance Requirements
For students entering college in the
fall of 2013:
*The minimum GPA requirement to get in any UNC system school is
a 2.5
*The minimum SAT score is an 800 combined on critical reading and
math
*The minimum ACT score is a 17
Course Requirements
-4 English Units
-4 Math Units
--2 Foreign Language Units
--Science Units
--1 Biological Science
--1 Physical Science
--Laboratory course
-_ 2 Social Studies Units
-- 1 Must be US History
Scholarships
 -Websites (see handout)
 Scholarship Newsletter
 College board (Fund Finder)
 Scholarships.com
SENIOR PARENTS – 2013!!!
THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR
COMING!