Set . . . Pursue . . . Reach . . .

BHS Class of 2014

Sometimes taking the next step can may you feel like this . . .

But no need to fear, your counselors are here to help you set, pursue, and reach your goals!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZnlB9fG39E

Agenda

Senior Review Graduation

requirements Planning for life after

Brookwood HS Senior checklist

You must schedule a Senior Review

Who? – Anyone who is planning on graduating in December 2013, Spring or Summer 2014

When? – You need to schedule an appointment with your counselor between September 3—October 1.

How? – Contact Mrs. Smith in A1

Why? – To complete graduation application and start planning for college and life after high school.

Find your counselor by your last name

A - C Ms. Medlin D - H Dr. Benton I - Mo Dr. Benjamin Mp - Sh Dr. Dehnke Si - Z Mrs. Kennedy

9th Grade Dr. Ricks Interventions Mrs. Byrd

Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., M-F

Graduation Requirements

You must have 23 credits

Those credits must generally include the following:

4 Language Arts 4 Math 4 Science 1 Health/PE 3 Social Studies (U.S. History and World History,

Economics and Political Systems) 3 Electives (Fine Art/Technology/Foreign Language) 4 additional electives

Application for Graduation

Meet with your counselor (Senior Review) Review requirements for graduation participation Discuss your future plans Complete and submit a student brag form if you need a

letter of recommendation Review your test scores and learn more about retest

options, if needed Provide your Social Security number

If you have failed a required class, it is your responsibility to:

Check on grades Contact a counselor to determine options Review School Plus options

Phoenix Community Schools Credit Recovery*

Review online options like www.gwinnettonlinecampus.com

* Brookwood Community School’s Credit Recovery Program for Fall 2013 is offering 10th grade Language Arts, second semester; Biology,

second semester; Chemistry, second semester; and Algebra I CC, second semester. The cost is $100 and students must have made a previous grade of 60-69 for the course in order to be eligible.

The registration deadline is September 13th.

PLEASE NOTE:

ALL course requirements must be completed in order to participate in the graduation ceremony!

SENIOR CLASS SPONSORS

Mrs. Dee Anna Bean (Room B27)

Mrs. Susan Lockwood (Room B29)

Please see them about graduation events, such as:•Senior Picnic•Graduation announcements, robes, and accessories•Graduation Ceremony

Life after Brookwood High School

Do you know what you want to do?

If the answer is no, please talk with a counselor to learn more about your options.

If the answer is yes, please let your counselor know during your senior review.

FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

Bachelor’s Degrees

Public Colleges/Universities Private Colleges/Universities

Admissions Requirements SAT and/or ACT for

entrance exam May require letters of

recommendation

Admissions statistics from three largest research universities in Georgia from

2012-2013

Middle 50%

Core GPA: 3.7-4.05

SAT(CR+M+W): 1790-2060

ACT: 27-32

AP/IB: 4-6

Middle 50%

Core GPA: 3.2-3.7

SAT(CR+M): 1030-1200

ACT: 22-27

Middle 50%

Core GPA: 3.8-4.11

SAT: 2000-2210

ACT: 29-33

AP/IB: 6-11

TWO-YEAR COLLEGES

Associate Degrees

Public Private

Entrance Exams Vary Compass ACT or SAT

Transfer to a four-year college

TAG Program

Two-year colleges BHS students most frequently apply to are:

University of North Georgia, Cumming, Gainesville, and Oconee

Public, liberal arts college/university Two-year programs at the above-

mentioned locations. At the completion of the associate program, a student may transition into a bachelor’s degree program within the University of North Georgia.

Rolling Admissions, Selection based on SAT/ACT scores and high school performance

Enrollment: 8,000 (for two-year programs)

*Now requires two years of the same F.L. Colleges may work with you on a case-by-case basis regarding the F.L.

requirements. Contact the college admissions office for further questions.

Georgia Perimeter College*

Public, liberal arts collegeRolling Admissions, 2.0 or higher and SAT/ACT/CompassEnrollment: 23,000As a GPC student and Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, a student can complete their core courses or earn an associate degree and transfer to their choice of more than 36 four-year schools in Georgia and beyond—guaranteed.

*Now requires two years of the same F.L.

TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Programs Degree Certificate or Diploma

Compass Exam for Degree Program No SAT/ACT

Gwinnett Technical College offers more than 50 programs of study that a student can finish in two years or less.

MILITARY Opportunities

Training Education Travel

Policies/Expectations/Commitment

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)—September 12 or Spring 2014,

sign up in A1.

Scholarships

Must be a high school graduate, no GED

ENTERING THE WORK FORCE IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

CAREER INFORMATION

www.gacollege411.org

www.careercruising.com

College and Career RoomDVD LibraryBooksDictionary of Occupational Titles Occupational Outlook Handbook

College Planning

The College Application Process

The Application Application Fees Transcripts Letter of Recommendation College Visits Financial Planning

HOW MANY?

“Dream School” Likely—a pretty good chance of getting in Safety—a sure thing for admission and cost

1 to 2 schools in each category

THE APPLICATION

Sources College Admissions Office College web site BHS College and Career Room www.gacollege411.org

When “the early bird….?” Deadlines

Applying Early?

Early decision and early action plans allow you to apply early (usually by October or November) and get an admissions decision December or January.

Early Decision versus Early ActionEarly decision plans are binding. A student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college.Early action plans are similar but are not binding, which means students receive an early response but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.

Please check the policies of the individual colleges/universities you are applying to if you are applying early.

College and Career Specialist

Mrs. Donna Varzaly Transcripts Provides requests for

recommendations to counselors

Great resource for scholarships – Check the Senior Bulletin

Fee waivers -(SAT/ACT/ college application, if qualified)

www.gacollege411.org

“OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT” OUT OF STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Request “paper” transcript from Counseling Office – College and Career Room

$5.00 cost Student must stamp, address, and mail sealed

envelope.

GEORGIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ONLY FREE Online through www.gacollege411.org Mid-Year and Final Will send paper copy for Final Transcript ($5.00)

To learn how to request and request your transcript via GAcollege411, go to https://secure.gacollege411.org/College_Planning/Applications_and_Transcripts/_default.aspx

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS/TESTS

S.A.T. I (reasoning tests) A.C.T. S.A.T. II (subject area tests) T.O.E.F.L. ASSET/COMPASS

Most public two-year colleges and technical schools in Georgia (UNG requires SAT/ACT)

Armed Services Vocational Battery Aptitude (ASVAB)

TEST PREP RESOURCES

www.gacollege411.org Core classes at Brookwood High School Brookwood Community School Commercial organizations Tutor list Media Center College and Career Room Free online resources

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are written only when requested

Find the Student/Parent Brag forms online at www.brookwoodcounseling.com

Complete the forms and bring them to Mrs. Varzaly in the College and Career Room.

Plan ahead – Allow two weeks for your counselor to complete your letter of recommendation

Your part of the application is expected to be completed beforehand.

Please be polite when requesting a letter of recommendation

College Visits

Visit during regular session

Pre-arranged absences

Better in the fall (exam exemptions)

List of questions to ask

Contact the college to set up

THE LETTER OR EMAIL ARRIVES. . . .

ACCEPTED! (Hooray) Send deposits

May 1, 2014 deadline Celebrate

Wait-listed Don’t panic Evaluate back-up plan

Denied— It’ll be okay Go to back-up plan

FINANCIAL PLANNING

College Financial Aid Office

Georgia Student Finance Commission

Forms F.A.F.S.A. GA. Tuition

Equalization Grant GSFAppS (HOPE)

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID Scholarships

Academic Special talents Special circumstances

Grants Generally don’t require repayment Based on financial need

Federal Pell Grant Program Loans

Subsidized, unsubsidized, and private

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.)

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ English and Español version

First Step in Financial Planning Need parent(s) tax returns (Form 1040)

The parent/guardian that claims the student as a dependent.

The F.A.F.S.A. determines a student’s eligibility for grants and loans

ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Register with www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Send a transcript

S.A.T./A.C.T. scores must be sent directly from the testing service

Calculate core average according to NCAA requirements

Please review NCAA policies and procedures

Hope Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholars

To qualify for the HOPE Scholarship, a student must:Earn a minimum of 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all academic classes (e.g., Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language)Must meet Georgia residency requirements and be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen

To qualify for the Zell Miller scholarship, a student must:Meet all of the requirements aboveMust be their high school’s valedictorian or salutatorian, OR earn a 3.7 high school GPA or higher and post, in one sitting, an SAT combined score of 1200 or higher in math and reading or an ACT score of 26 or higher.

HOPE CALCULATIONS A = 4.0 B = 3.0 C = 2.0 D = 1.0

Advanced Placement Classes 10 pts. Subtracted .5 added

The Georgia Student Finance Commission calculates HOPE averages based on transcript information. GCPS does not calculate HOPE averages and does no have access to the state’s calculations. Please check GAcollege411 for your “HOPE” GPA.

HOPE GRANT

No minimum average required

Applicable at technical colleges for diploma and certificate programs

Ready, Set, Go!

1. Schedule your Senior Review (counselor and student)2. Complete an application for graduation with your

counselor3. Refresh your www.gacollege411.org account4. Complete and submit brag forms to Mrs. Varzaly in the

College and Career Room, if letter of recommendation is needed

5. Make sure you understand and have reviewed the application requirements for college/military

6. Know application deadlines

Ready, Set, Go!, continued

7. Schedule tests (e.g., SAT/Subject/ACT/Compass/ASVAB)8. Research scholarships and track scholarship

opportunities (some scholarships can be found in your bi-weekly Senior Bulletin)

9. Fill out FAFSA (anytime after your parents have tax information)

10. Attend Financial Aid Night, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.11. Request your final transcript

HELPFUL WEB SITES

Brookwood HS Counseling Department www.brookwoodcounseling.com

Brookwood High School www.brookwoodhighschool.net

College Board/S.A.T. www.sat.collegeboard.com

A.C.T. www.ACTstudent.org

Commons Application: www.commonapp.org

HELPFUL WEB SITES, CONT’D

Online applications for colleges in Georgia and much more www.gacollege411.org

Georgia Student Finance Commission (H.O.P.E.) www.gsfc.org

Free application for Federal Student Aid http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Sources of Information from BHS Counseling Department

BHS Counseling Dept. website at www.brookwoodcounseling.com

Senior Bulletin http://www.brookwoodcounseling.com/senior-bulletin.html

BHS Counseling Dept. on Facebook

The Tack Room Subscribe at school website -> “Bronco eNews” ->

“Join Our Mailing List”

SET, PURSUE, and REACH YOUR GOALS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2DKmAV2o5s