Presented by the Independence HS
Student Services Team
Staff
Caseload
Email
Ext.
B. Williamson
A-Com
brenda.williamson
4011741
A. Durr
Con-Ha
Anita1.durrlowe
4011732
C. Davis
Hb-Mc
Cheryl1.davis
4011706
A. McKinley
Me-Ro
Ashley.blount
4011702
R. Ramadan
Rp-Z
Ryans.ramadan
4011717
J. Kritzer
9th Grade
James.kritzer
4011721
B. McSwain, Registrar
bridget.mcswain
4011726
S. Schuch, Secretary
shelley.schuch
4011733
@cms.k12.nc.us
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Coordinate college recruiter visits to
Independence
Coordinate the college and career fair
Facilitator of College and Career Promise at
CPCC
Assist students in making critical decisions
relative to their future
To contact Mrs. Wright,
patrice.wright@cms.k12.nc.us
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Connects students to work-based learning
opportunities by providing job shadows, internships,
and other special events that emphasize a wide range of
industries with many career options
Facilitates the Youth Works program at Independence
that helps students overcome barriers to their college
and career aspirations
Provides lunch-n-learns to feeder middle schools in an
effort to expose students to the opportunities both in
high school and to begin having them think
about college and career options
Rusty1.roberson@cms.k12.nc.us
Courses
Credits
English (I, II, III, IV)
4
Math (Math I, Math II, Math III, and a higher level math –
AFM, Honors Pre-Calc, Honors Discrete, etc.)
4
Science (Earth/Environmental, Biology, Physical
3
History (World, Civics/Economics, American History I and
II OR AP US History and another social studies course)
4
Foreign Languages (at least 2 of the same, but many
prefer 3)
2
Health/PE
1
Electives (including the 2 foreign language)
8
TOTAL CREDITS
24
(Chemistry, Physics, or Physical Science)
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College Foundation of North Carolina
www.cfnc.org
College Visits
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Choose 3-5 colleges that you wish to apply
◦ 1- ‘Reach’ school
◦ 2- Where you would like to attend
◦ 3- If you can’t get in anywhere else, what you will
take
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Follow the directions on the application.
Be mindful of deadlines!!!
You can apply at the college’s website or
through CFNC (www.cfnc.org)
www.duke.edu; www.uncc.edu;
www.nccu.edu
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Coursework
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Class rank
SAT and/or ACT scores
Extracurricular Activities
Community Service
Recommendations, essays, and interviews (if
required)
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Private and independent colleges sometimes
have more flexible entrance requirements.
Check with individual schools for specifics.
Don’t let cost deter you from considering a
private or independent college. They usually
give great financial aid packages!!!
 Early Action -is an admissions procedure to
notify student of early admissions to the college.
Students are not obligated to accept the college’s
offer of admission and may file applications at
other universities.
 Early Decision -is a plan under which
candidates may submit credentials early to one
college, usually by Oct. 15th of senior year.
Applicants are notified of their status by December.
As part of the early decision plan, students may be
required to sign an agreement to withdraw other
applicants if accepted.
 Regular Admission – is the plan under
which candidates submit credentials during
November to February, depending on school
deadlines. Check the deadlines for each individual
school.
 Rolling Admission – the plan under which
candidates submit the credentials at their
convenience through a certain date, usually late in
the school year. They receive an offer of
acceptance or denial within 4-6 weeks.
 Onsite Admission – is an admissions
option in which colleges visit students at the high
school and make an admissions determination
during a scheduled appointment with the student.
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SAT (2)
ACT (2)
College Application Waivers (4) – only used if
you previously used an SAT or ACT waiver
◦ Please check with the college to see if they accept
these waivers first!
Students must qualify by having proof of free/reduced lunch.
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Can be written for college admissions or
scholarships
Must turn in a ‘Brag Sheet’ first
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All transcripts for in-state colleges are free if
they are requested through www.cfnc.org.
Official transcripts for out-of state college
admissions -http://connection.naviance.com/IndHSNC
Scholarships and NCAA Clearinghouse are
free! Please request them at
www.bigibelieve.com.
Please see the secretary in Student Services.
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Please visit www.bigibelieve.com
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid – Must be
completed starting January 1st of the year you will be
attending college.
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Merit-based aid is usually awarded by colleges and private
sources for unique talents and achievement or for meeting
other donor-specified qualification. Merit scholarships
include academic, leadership, athletic, music, single parent
and returning adult student awards.
Need-based aid – Eligibility for need-based aid is
determined by an evaluation of your family's financial
circumstances through completion of a need analysis
application known as the FAFSA.
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Athletes should sign up in the spring of their
Junior year.
Which courses count for Clearinghouse
How GPAs/SAT/ACT scores are calculated.
If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so
ASAP.
If you need help at school, please see
Mr. Ramadan or
Mr. Kritzer in Student Services.
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
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Don’t neglect your study habits!
If you don’t have one, sign up for a college
savings account.
Talk to your school counselors, teachers,
family members, and other trusted adults
about your plans for college.
Create a file for the following documents:
report cards, honors and awards, volunteer
work, etc.
Find out about AP and other honors-level
courses
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Continue to be involved in campus and
community activities.
Spend your summers volunteering and
completing educational programs.
Take small steps toward independence.
When you get to college, you’re on your
own!
Always try your best. You may not get a
2nd chance.
Be responsible for your own success!
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January 20th, 2015 at 6:00 pm in the Mall
Area
Follow us on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram!
@indy_counselors
Counselors will be available at the end to discuss any specific
questions.