STOCKBRIDGE TIGERSSENIOR

ADVISEMENTInformation for Seniors and Parents

SHS MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Stockbridge High School Guidance and Counseling is to help students succeed. We recognize that each student has the fundamental right of equal access to the knowledge and skill required to function successfully in a global society. Therefore, we designed a comprehensive guidance and counseling program that addresses, not only the academic needs of our students, but also environmental conditions such as poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and child abuse/neglect that affect a student’s ability to learn. SHS Guidance and Counseling focuses on the needs of the whole student by recognizing and responding to the social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral challenges facing students and families. Students will have the opportunity to acquire educational and social competencies necessary for growth toward lifelong success in becoming productive citizens.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION- Counselors - College

Admission Standards

- College Application - SAT/ACT Process - Financial

Aid- Transcript Request - HOPE Procedure - NCAA - Letters of Recommendation- Units and Honors/AP Points- GPA

STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS Students are assigned to counselors by

last name: Counselor Last

NameHodge A-GGraham H-ORush P-Z

Ms. C. Melissa Bell, Graduation CoachMrs. M. Brown, Counseling Secretary

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Parent’s Role Guide and support student through

college application process Discuss college finances with student Remind student to remain focus and

monitor application deadlines established by college and scholarship committees.

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Student’s Role Coordinate between high school and

college admission requirements Complete college research and college

application Be aware of deadlines for admissions,

scholarships, NCAA, HOPE, FAFSA Submit all requests for transcripts,

evaluations, and letters of recommendation by high school deadline

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

High School Deadlines There will be a strict minimum one

week (5 business days) high school deadline prior to the college deadline for students submitting requests for transcripts, letters of recommendation, or high school counselor section evaluations for a college application or for a scholarship to the Counseling Office.

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS In order to have an honest, fair, and

complete evaluation of application between high school and college…the student must waive their rights to view the application when and if colleges ask.

Failure to waive rights will result in minimal academic information being reported.

All senior students must return a Senior Data Sheet by September 7, 2012 to their Counselor.

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST All transcript requests require a $2.00

processing fee and will be accepted by Mrs. Brown in the Counseling Office. Please complete the transcript request form.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION - TEACHER Requires a completed Senior Data Sheet

and self-addressed stamped envelope given to the teacher

Teacher will mail if paper or send electronically (Student must communicate the deadline)

Please allow two weeks for teachers to write letters of recommendation

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION - COUNSELOR Some schools require letters of

recommendation and some do not Do not assume every college requires or

wants a letter of recommendation Allow a minimum of two weeks when

requesting a letter of recommendation

COLLEGE ADMISSION STANDARDS GPA – Typically average academic core on a 4.0

scale (English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language)

Course Selection – Selective colleges are looking at the rigor of your courses throughout high school, including senior year.

Test Scores (SAT and/or ACT) Class Rank – Based on overall numeric weighted

average Extracurricular Activities – Leadership and

participation in clubs, service, and athletics can be important to competitive colleges and universities

COLLEGE ADMISSION STANDARDSCollege Application Essays – Required

essays on the college application are important because they demonstrate student’s writing ability and give the college additional information. Please seek advice when writing an essay.

Letters of Recommendation – Request teacher and counselor recommendation two weeks prior to college’s deadline

Resume – Include academic information, honors and awards, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experience

GPA Student should contact college to find out how

they calculate GPA Most colleges/universities use this scale: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0 Most colleges/universities only consider academic courses (English/Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and World

Language). Some colleges/universities may give

additional points for Honors/AP courses. Some colleges/universities may remove the additional points for Honors/AP courses.

RESEARCH COLLEGESUse the Internet www.GACollege411.org

Visit College Campuses Request pre-approved absences to visit

colleges/universities Meet with representatives from

admissions, financial aid, and area of interest (intended major) and ask questions during visit

Attend College Fairs (Probe Fairs)

RESEARCH COLLEGES Narrow list to 4-8 colleges/universities View school profiles and compare the admissions data to

your own academic record and test score Dream/Reach School (less than 30% chance of

admission) - Academic Record/Test Score at and/or below average Good Fit/Target School (30%-60% chance of admission) - Academic Record/Test Score in line with average Safety School (greater than 60% chance of admission) - Academic Record/Test Score above average - Need one safety school Close to home (more affordable)

Apply to schools that are a good match for your personality, interests, and career goals!!!

RESEARCH COLLEGETypes of Admission DecisionsEarly Action: Invite early applications;

receives notice of admission. If accepted, student is not obligated to attend.

Early Decision: Receives notice of admission early. If accepted, student is obligated to attend. Student must withdraw all other applications.

Regular Decision

SAT VS. ACTSAT I: Scores 600-2400College admission test measuring mathematical

ability, critical reading knowledge, and writing skill.

SAT II Subject Test: Scores 200-800One hour tests offered in English, Foreign

Language, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. Some colleges require the SAT II Subject Test (s).

ACT: Scores 0-36College admission test measuring aptitude and

skill in English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing.

SAT VS. ACTHow do I register?

SATwww.collegeboard.com

ACTwww.actstudent.org

SHS School Code 112830

FINANCIAL AIDScholarships/financial aid is posted at http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/domain/5054 on a regular basis alerting seniors to available scholarship opportunities. Click on Administration, Counseling, and Scholarships.

Research scholarships on the internet:www.scholarships.comwww.fastweb.comwww.gacollege411.orgwww.collegeboard.com

Contact colleges/universities directly about financial aid opportunities.

Colleges/universities award renewable scholarships. Inquire about criteria,

application process, and deadline.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIPA 3.0 GPA is required by averaging core coursework,

including

failing grades on a 4.0 scale.

Core courses include: English/Language Arts, Mathematics,

Social Studies, Science, and World Language.

Honors and AP points are removed and a .50 weighting is

added back for AP courses not to exceed 4.0.

Middle school credit is not included in the HOPE GPA.

All HOPE GPA calculations are completed by the Georgia

Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

***Counselors are not responsible for calculating HOPE GPA. A 2.99 GPA does not qualify for HOPE.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIPBasic eligibility requirements: Student must have a 3.0 GPA as calculated by GSFC.

Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college to maintainthe HOPE Scholarship.

Students who fall below 3.0 GPA may only regain theHOPE Scholarship one time.

Students can earn a 3.0 GPA in college and enter theHOPE Scholarship Program at the 30, 60, or 90 semesterhour checkpoint.

HOPE Scholarship does not pay for remedial and/ordevelopmental courses.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIPThe HOPE Scholarship will pay for: At an eligible public postsecondary

institution, a percentage amount of the standard tuition charges from the previous year.

At an eligible private postsecondary institution, a percentage amount of the HOPE award for private colleges. Award amounts can be located on

www.gacollege411.org.

ZELL MILLER SCHOLARSHIPStudent must meet all requirements for the

HOPE Scholarship plus: Graduate from an eligible high school in

Georgia with a 3.7 GPA as calculated by GSFC,

Receive a score of at least 1200 combined critical reading and math on a single administration SAT or an ACT score of at least 26, and

Graduate from an eligible high school in Georgia as the valedictorian or salutatorian.

ZELL MILLER SCHOLARSHIP Student must maintain a 3.3 GPA in

college. If a student loses eligibility for the Zell

Miller Scholarship Program, they may regain eligibility one time. Students remain eligible for the HOPE Scholarship as long as the GPA is 3.0 or higher.

NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE If you are planning on participating in intercollegiate

athleticsat an NCAA Division I or II institution, you must register

withthe NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Access registration material at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

When taking the SAT/ACT, enter 9999 for scores to besent to NCAA.

Students and parents are responsible for determiningNCAA eligibility to Division I and Division II school.

COMMUNICATIONYou should have received communication

for this meeting.If you did not receive any communication,

make certain we have your email, mailing address, and/or telephone number.

You may contact the Counseling Office at 770-474-8747 and update your information with the Counseling Secretary, Mrs. Brown.

QUESTIONS