For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a

future…Jeremiah 29:11

WELCOME

• Graduation Requirements• Course Selection

• Grade Point Average (GPA)• College Entrance Test

• College Selection• Financial Aid/Scholarships

• Resources

Agenda“Begin With the End in Mind”

Step I

Take Challenging CoursesEarn CreditsMake Good Grades

4 credits Bible4 credits English4 credits Math- Algebra I and above

4 credits Science- Biology, Chemistry, Intro. to Physics or Physics

4 credits History-World, US History, Government/Economics

2 credits Foreign Language- Two years of same language

½ credit PE½ credit Health1 credit Fine Art2 credits Additional classes

*26 credits total

Graduation RequirementsCollege Prep Diploma

9 10 11 12

1 Bible Bible Bible Bible

2 English I* English II* English III*AP English Lang.

English IV*AP English Lit./Comp.

3 Algebra IGeometry*

Geometry*Algebra I

Algebra II*TrigonometryPre-Calculus*

Algebra IIICalculus AP Calculus AB AP Statistics

4 Biology I* Chemistry*AP BiologyAnatomy

Intro. PhysicsAnatomyAP BiologyAP ChemistryPhysics *Environ. Science

Physics*Adv. Physics/RoboticsAnatomyAP BiologyAP ChemistryEnvironmental Science

5 Ancient World History*AP Human Geography

Modern World History*AP World History

US History*AP US History

Government/Economics*AP Government/Economics

6 PE/Health Elective Elective Elective

7 Elective orForeign Language

Elective or Foreign Language*

Elective or Foreign Language*

Elective or Foreign Language*

Letter Grade Numerical Standard GPA Honors GPA AP GPA

A+ 99-100 4.50 4.75 5.00

A 92-98 4.00 4.25 4.50

A- 90-91 4.00 4.25 4.50

B+ 88-89 3.50 3.75 4.00

B 82-87 3.00 3.25 3.50

B- 80-81 3.00 3.25 3.50

C+ 78-79 2.50 2.75 3.00

C 76-77 2.00 2.25 2.50

C- 74-75 2.00 2.25 2.50

D+ 73 1.50 1.75 2.00

D 71-72 1.00 1.25 1.50

D- 70 1.00 1.25 1.50

F 0-69 0.00 0.00 0.00

How GPA is CalculatedGrading Scale

Understanding GPA TerminologyUn-weighted GPA- Grade Point Average without additional quality points for honors and AP courses.

Weighted GPA- Grade Point Average with additional quality points added for honors and AP courses.

Overall GPA- Grade Point Average with all courses taken in high school.

Core GPA , Academic GPA, or Required High School Course Work- Grade Point Average with only academic courses taken in high school ( English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language ).

Kennesaw State University“Academic grade point average minimum of 2.5 as calculated by Kennesaw State University, using only the Required High School Coursework. This GPA is calculated using a 4 point scale. AP and IB classes are not weighted differently.”

Georgia Institute of Technology“During the application process, we will evaluate the weighted GPA (if available) listed on your high school transcript. Utilizing this method enables us to look at your grades and class selection within the context of your own high school.”

Georgia Southern University“To process transcripts, we must recalculate your GPA based on the required high school curriculum, so it may appear lower than you originally anticipated because we do not factor in classes like Art, Drama, Theater, etc.”

Step 2TESTING

College Admission Tests

• SAT I Reasoning Test- Consists of three tests: Verbal, Math, Writing- Each test is scored on a scale of 200-800

• SAT Subject Test- Used mostly as placement tests

College Admission Tests

• ACT- Consists of four tests: English, Math, Reading, Science,

and Writing- Writing component is optional- Top composite score is 36

Recommended Testing Schedule

9th grade Fall- PSAT/Plan

10th grade Fall – PSAT/Plan

11th grade Fall – PSAT/PlanSpring – SAT or ACT

12th gradeFall – SAT or ACT

Step 3COLLEGE SELECTION

• Carnegie Mellon 39,846 5,982• Columbia 32,967 2,291• Dartmouth 19,296 2,220• Georgetown 19,475 3,384• Univ.CA-Berkeley 73,774 13,324• UNC Chapel Hill 31,331 8,930

How Competitive Is It?(2014 figures)

Applied Admitted

How Competitive Is It? Applied Accepted Admitted

• Georgia State 13,489 7,269 3,455• Georgia Southern 9,679 6,107 3,498 • Kennesaw State 11,309 6,073 3,752• Mercer University 6,826 3,034 616• Georgia Tech 25,880 8,560 2,800• UGA 21,260 11,650 5,285

Admission RequirementsAvg. GPA Avg. SAT Avg. ACT

Berry College 3.64 1100 23

GA Southern 3.20 1010 21

GA State 3.30 1099 24

GA College 3.50 1170 25

GA Tech. UPDATED 2012 3.95 2185 (cr+m+w) 32

Kennesaw 3.21 1070 22

Mercer 3.62 1170

26

Univ. GA 3.95 1930 (cr+m+w) 30

Three Basic Admission Models• Open Admission

• Formula Admission

• Highly Selective Admission

COLLEGE ADMISSION SELECTION PROCESS

• Complete Application

• High School Graduation

• Minimum or no academic requirements

(Technical or Junior Colleges – Gordon College, Georgia Perimeter)

OPEN ADMISSION

FORMULA ADMISSION

• SAT/ACT scores

• GPA ranges

• Specified curriculum

• (Examples: Freshman Index Formula = (500xHSGPA) + SAT V + SAT M)

• ( Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State)

• Read application by committee• Written Recommendations• Essays• Activities• Honors, Awards, Leadership

(Harvard, Duke, Agnes Scott, Georgia Tech, UGA)

HIGHLY SELECTIVE PRACTICES

WHAT COLLEGES CONSIDER

Primary Factors

• Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses• Academic Performance/Grades• Test Scores (SAT,ACT)

Additional Factors

• Extracurricular Activities• Essay(s)• Letters of Recommendation• Demonstrated Interest

STEP 4SCHOLARSHIPSFINANCIAL AID

WHAT IT COST(2014 figures)

Georgia Institute of Technology State

University of North Georgia State

Emory University Private

Mercer University Private

Berry College Private

Georgia Southern University State

Valdosta State University State

ResidentNon-resident$11,394 $30,698

$ 6,816 $19,712

$45,008 $45,008

$33,780 $33,780

$30,530 $30,530

$ 7,190 $20,086

$ 7,162 $20,058

Scholarships

• Scholarships are based on merit• Apply early• The college will be the PRIMARY source • Private companies and foundations will be

the SECONDARY source

Georgia’s HOPE Program

1. Hope ScholarshipEligibility

3.0 GPA college preparatory curriculum Award AmountsPublic university- pays a percentage of tuition

(90% this past year).

Private university- $3,600 plus Tuition Equalization Grant- $700 = $4,300

2. Zell Miller Scholarship Eligibility3.70 GPA college preparatory curriculum1200 SAT (cr/m) or 26 ACT

Award AmountsPublic University- Full tuitionPrivate University– pays $4,000 per year plus the Tuition Equalization Grant - $700 =$4,700

3. HOPE Grant EligibilityNo GPA requirement

For students seeking a technical certificate or diploma

Award AmountCovers a percentage of the tuition up to 63 credits

Merit Scholarship Tips*

• There is more than $11 billion in merit scholarships available to students from colleges

• Not just for “A” students• Many awards emphasize leadership or school

involvement• Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships• The average merit scholarship is $5,000• Many awards can be renewed year after year

*Cappex.com

Financial Aid

• Financial aid is based on need• Must file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

– After January 1 of the senior year– File Early– Have tax return ready to go

• Colleges typically develop individual aid packages around the first of April

Financial Aid comes in several forms:

• Federal Pell Grant• Federal Supplemental Grant• Federal Work-Study• Federal Perkins Loan• Federal Stafford Loan• Federal Plus Loans for Parents

10 Tips for Parents1. Help your student understand the college search process2. Be realistic and non-judgmental3. Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the college

search process4. Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions5. Be aware of deadlines and fees due6. Know that things have changed since your college days7. Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters8. Don’t compare your student with others9. Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter10. Celebrate successes!

• www.elcaonline.org• www.gacollege411.org

Resources