Sprayberry High School
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
August 20, 2015
2015-2016 SHS
ADMINISTRATION
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 Joseph Sharp – Principal
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Dr. Kerri McDougal, Assistant Principal, Alpha A-C
Leigh Graham, Assistant Principal, Alpha D-H
Dr. Richmond Parker, Assistant Principal, Alpha I-M
Erika Beck, Assistant Principal, Alpha N-R
Mark Giles, Assistant Principal, Alpha S-Z and Athletic
Director
Follow Mr. Sharp on Twitter: @PrincipalSharp
2015-2016 SHS COUNSELING
DEPARTMENT
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Lindsay Williams, Alpha A-D lindsay.williams@cobbk12.org
Paula Ferguson, Alpha E-Kg paula.ferguson@cobbk12.org
*Carla Cooper, Supply Counselor carla.cooper@cobbk12.org
Brandy Brady, Alpha Ki-Ri brandy.brady@cobbk12.org
Rebecca Irwin, Alpha Rj-Z rebecca.irwin@cobbk12.org
Jonathan Tabb, School Social Worker
Rachelle Denison, Registrar
Counselors Remind 101: text @58ac952 to 559 483 9927
CLASS OF 2016
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Graduation Requirements
The College Application Process
SAT, ACT, Compass Test
HOPE Requirements & Financial Aid
NCAA
Technical Colleges
Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities
Upcoming Events
Final Thoughts
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS
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4 Credits of English
4 Credits of Math
4 Credits of Science
3 Credits of Social Studies
3 Credits from CTAE/Foreign Language/or Fine Arts
1 Credit of Health and Personal Fitness (.5 credit in each)
4 General Elective Credits
23 Credits for Graduation
Graduation requirements are set forth by Georgia’s Board of Regents
which establishes the admissions requirements for Georgia’s colleges and
universities.
PARENTVUE AND STUDENTVUE
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CREATING A LIST OF COLLEGES
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Choose one or two
PROBABLE schools: the
student’s GPA, test scores,
and other features look
similar to those of recent
entering classes
Choose one or two
SAFETY schools:
colleges wherein the
student is mostly likely
to be admitted
Choose one or two REACH
schools: student meets
admissions criteria but may
not have the stellar
qualifications as most firstyear students
WHAT DO COLLEGES CONSIDER?
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Primary Factors:
- Quality/Rigor of
Academic Courses
- Academic
Performance and
Grades
- Test Scores (SAT, SAT
Subject Tests, ACT, AP, etc)
Additional Factors:
- Extracurricular
Activities
- Essay(s)
- Letters of
Recommendation
GRADES AND COURSEWORK
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 Colleges will look for a few
characteristics:
- Course selection: Challenge
yourself with a rigorous course
load & high-level classes
including Honors or AP.
- Grades: Every year counts
beginning with 9th grade.
- GPA: Continue to make
improvements through each
year.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
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 Positive
recommendations from
mentors
 Personal statement
demonstrating selfexpression and writing
ability
 A demonstrated interest
showing your enthusiasm
for interested colleges
 Extra-curricular activities
including sports, clubs,
volunteering
 Community involvement,
part-time job, summer
internships, etc.
COLLEGE SEARCH ENGINES
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 www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
 www.gacollege411.org
 www.fastweb.com
 www.fastaid.com
 www.careercruising.com
 www.commonapp.org
 www.ncaa.org
 College websites
SAT and ACT
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SAT
Website: www.collegeboard.com
Measures academic aptitude (critical thinking) in
terms of verbal and mathematical reasoning
ACT
Website: www.act.org
Measures classroom achievement (knowledge) in
four broad content areas as well as the ability to
reason and to apply problem-solving skills
- Four content areas: English, Math, Science, and
Reading
- No guessing penalty and all multiple choice
If your student receives free
or reduced lunch, they are
eligible to receive SAT/ACT fee
waivers – 2 for SAT, 2 for ACT.
 2-3 times is typical
 Check the application deadline for
each school you are applying to
determine the latest test date that
school will consider for
admissions.
 Most schools do super score your
SAT score!
 Some schools will super score your
ACT score. (Super score- when a
college takes the highest sub
scores from various test dates to
get a new higher super score)
UPCOMING TEST DATES 2015-2016
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SAT TEST DATES
OCT. 3, 2015
NOV. 7, 2015
DEC. 5, 2015
JAN. 23, 2016
**Redesigned SAT begins**
MAR. 5, 2016
MAY 7, 2016
JUNE 4, 2016
ACT TEST DATES
SEPT. 12, 2015
OCT. 24, 2015
DEC. 12, 2015
FEB. 6, 2016
APR. 9, 2016
JUNE 11, 2016
Students may pick up an
SAT or ACT Practice Test
Book in the Counseling
Office.
STEPS TO A COMPLETE FILE FOR 2-YR AND 4YR COLLEGE APPLICATION ADMISSIONS
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1. Admissions
Application
Online
Common App
2. Application Fee Waivers
The student must be eligible for free or reduced lunch AND have used an SAT/ACT waiver. Students may
have up to 8 college application fee waivers. See the counseling clerk for details.
3. Official High School Transcript
Official Transcripts cost $2.00 cash , or
Student can send their transcript through GACollege411
See Counseling clerk for details
ONE Final transcript is FREE
4. Send Appropriate Test Scores
Students MUST request their scores to be sent directly from the reporting agency; NOT from the HS.
5. Recommendations, Resume, Essay May Be Required
IF the student requires a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, please allow a
minimum of TWO WEEKS for completion.
HOPE REQUIREMENTS
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HOPE Scholarship Program Eligibility Overview
Please review the website below for detailed information regarding
HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship:
https://www.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/HOPE_Program/Georgia_s
_HOPE_Scholarship_Program_Overview.aspx
Rigor Requirements
The Rigor requirements for the Class of 2016 indicate that students
must earn a minimum of THREE full credits in a rigorous course.
http://www.gsfc.org/main/publishing/pdf/2012/Course_List.pdf
WE MUST HAVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER ON FILE FOR YOUR STUDENT TO
RECEIVE HOPE!!!!
STUDENTS MUST APPLY FOR HOPE.
IT IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY GIVEN TO
THEM.
****FAFSA (FREE Application for Federal Student Aid) ****
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Transcript & Status
Report
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 Insert transcript and status report
FINANCIAL AID
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Private Scholarships
 Business/Corporations
 Private Organizations
 Colleges – Athletic, Academic, etc.
 Civic Organizations
 PTSA
Federal & State
 HOPE Scholarship
 PELL Grant
 HOPE Grant
 Zell Miller Grant **
 Federal Work Study
 Student Loans
Loans – MUST be repaid
Work Study – student works on college campus in exchange for
financial aid award
Scholarships & Grants – DO NOT need to be repaid
NCAA
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For detailed information regarding your student’s
collegiate athletic eligibility, please visit the NCAA
Eligibility Center website listed below.
www.eligibilitycenter.org
If you have additional questions, please contact our
Athletic Director, Mark Giles
TECHNICAL COLLEGES
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 Many throughout the State
 ALL students are eligible for the HOPE Grant
 The HOPE Grant has NO GPA requirement for high school
graduation
 Will have regular interval check points, just like the HOPE
Scholarship, to maintain HOPE Grant students will need a
2.0 GPA
 For further details please visit the Georgia Student
Finance Commission at www.gsfc.org/
TECHNICAL COLLEGES
CONTINUED
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• COMPASS TEST is the general assessment for
advisement and program placement
• 3 Sections: Reading, Writing, Mathematics
• Scores indicate areas of strength as well as areas
requiring remediation
**Taken for admission to 2-year and technical colleges
as well as course placement**
SHS FINANCIAL AID NIGHT
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DATE: Thursday, November 5, 2015
TIME: 6:30PM
PLACE: LGI
SPEAKER: Marcus Hilliard, GSFC
Representative
UPCOMING EVENTS
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6th Annual Turner Chapel College Fair
DATE: Saturday, October 24, 2015
TIME: Noon – 3:00PM
LOCATION: Turner Chapel
ADDRESS: 492 N. Marietta Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30060
**There will be breakout sessions prior to and during the fair**
PROBE College Fair
DATE: Tuesday, September 1, 2015
TIME: 6:00PM – 9:00PM
LOCATION: North Point Mall
ADDRESS: 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA 30022
**Students MUST pre-register through www.gotocollegefairs.com
COLLEGE LUNCH VISITS
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GA Southwestern University – 9/1
Agnes Scott – 9/3
Shorter College – 9/8
Life University – 9/10
KSU – 9/15
Presbyterian College – 9/17
Berry College – 9/29
Harvey Mudd College – 10/1
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University of North GA – 10/13
GA State University – 10/15
Columbus State – 10/22
University of Alabama – 11/5
College representatives will
have a table set up in the
Commons. Students can
stop by ONLY during their
lunch.
STUDENT REMINDERS
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Email Address
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Appropriate vs. Inappropriate
Check at least twice per week
Social Networking
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Pros and Cons
Cannot rescind once you hit send
Colleges may check your page
FINAL THOUGHTS
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 Please check the SHS Counseling Blog for current
information throughout the school year.
http://www.cobbk12.org/Sprayberry/#
**Counseling website is located under the Departments tab**
 Please email the counselor to set up a one-on-one
appointment with your student’s counselor.
Thank you for coming and we hope your student
has a successful and memorable Senior year!