JUNIOR INFORMATIONNIGHT

Palm Beach Central High SchoolFebruary 15, 2011Presented by the Guidance Department

Meet Your Counselor

A-C : Ms. Russell D-I : Mr. Boettcher J-Mi : Mrs. Mills Mo-R : Mrs. Barrett S-Z :Mr. Colarulli

ESOL/ESE : Mrs. Torres

How Can My Counselor Help Me?

Review college plans Assist with general

questions Clarify application

questions Guide you toward

resources Complete school report

form

Graduation Requirements

24 credits required Pass FCAT Reading and

Math with 300 each 2.0 GPA on all courses 20 hours of community

service

Course Requirements

English – 4 credits Math – 4 credits Science – 3 credits (Physical, Biology, Elective) Social Studies – 3 credits (World History, American

History, Government/Economics) Personal fitness / P.E. Elective – 1 credit Fine Arts – 1 credit Electives – 8 credits

Universities require 2 consecutive years of a Foreign Language.

Grade Point Average for Graduation

2.0 GPA in all credits attempted

Competitive universities require 3.5 and higher

Most recalculate you GPA/HPA

Palm Beach Central High School Code

101844

College Entrance Exams

All college bound JUNIORS were advised to take the PSAT last October and should take the SAT and/or ACT between January and June 2011.

SAT and ACT Spring dates:

- SAT: March 12, May 7, June 4

- ACT: Feb. 12, April 9, June 11

College Entrance Examinations

Scholastic Achievement Test SATCritical Reading, Math, and Writing sectionsMaximum Score of 800 in each sectionMinimum requirement (Excluding Writing)

State Universities: 1150Community College: 890

American College Testing ACTVerbal, Math, Reading, Science“Optional” Writing SectionMaximum Score of 36Minimum requirement (Excluding Essay)State Universities: 24Community College: 18-19

What are SAT II’s?

Subject-area tests – 1 hour length Same registration procedure as SAT’s Required for entrance at some colleges

- Register early!

Required for course placement at some colleges

ACT’s sometimes substitute for SAT II’s Check college application requirements

SELECTING COLLEGES

Safe Schools Match Schools Reach Schools Maximum 5-7 schools

total

“BEST” Colleges

Individual choices

Considerations

- Academic needs

- Personal needs

- Social needs

“BEST” College Tools

Websites Guides to Colleges/Universities College/University catalogs Campus visits and interviews College representatives College Nights and Fairs

- County-sponsored – usually mid October- Check www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us or www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/palmbeachcentralhs for updates

College Admissions Criteria

Academic achievements- Challenging Courses- Weighted GPA- Test Scores- Essays

Teacher recommendations School/Counselor recommendations Leadership and extracurricular

accomplishments “Special” talents

Application Options

REGULAR DECISION- Due in January/February

-November is recommended!

-UF is November 1 EARLY ACTION

- Due in November- Response in December

EARLY DECISION- Due November 1- Response in December- Binding decision; You must withdraw other applications

Community College Planning

Testing Option…………….College Placement Test

Fee………………………….$25

Content…………………….Reading, English, Math

2 + 2 PROGRAM in Florida:

Freshman/Sophomore Year at Community College

Junior/Senior Year transfer to University

AA Degrees

A student with an AA degree is guaranteed admission to the State University System (not necessarily university or degree program of choice)

Acceptance of 60 credit hours toward BA/BS degree

Junior standing at university 51% of BA/BS degree recipients in state universities

are Community College transfers!

Continue Planning

FACTS.org Make a list of college choices Review your list with your family Review your list with your counselor RESEARCH!

Campus Visits

Set up appointment with Admissions Office Call one week in advance and visit when school

is in session Ask to meet with faculty and financial aid, take a

campus tour Arrive on time, notify if need to cancel Allow for time to explore

Things to Avoid

Letting others make the choice for you Procrastination and waiting too long to

apply Deciding not to apply because you

think you would not be accepted

Letters of Recommendation

Determine who to ask

-Applications may specify

-Knows your work and potential Give teachers 3 weeks to prepare letters Give teachers your resume, forms

needed, and stamped, addressed envelopes

Remember to thank the teacher!!

Counselor Recommendations

Meet with your counselor Give counselor your resume and

the counselor forms with stamped, addressed envelopes

Provide counselor with additional information

Determine mailing date Counselor will mail to college

Meet with your Counselor

September – October 2011 Discuss post-graduation plans Discuss Financial Aid options Create a plan and timeline

IMPORTANT DEADLINE

All CounselorRecommendation

forms areDue to your Counselor

NO LATERthan

NOVEMBER 15

Transcripts

Transcripts require 48 hours to process

Private and out-of-state universities and scholarship applications require paper transcripts

Must provide complete address for all out of Florida College/University

Electronic transcripts are NOT fast! – 3-5 days for University processing

Fees: In County (hard copy) - $1

Out of County (hard copy) - $3

Electronic - $1

To Request a Transcript

Complete a request form Submit the form and payment to

Ms. Zaretsky The transcript will be mailed to your

college Electronic transcripts go directly to the

college

NCAA Requirements

Athletes must apply through the NCAA Clearinghouse

Contact the NCAA website www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Submit transcripts and test scores as

required

BRIGHT FUTURES

Apply online after December 1 senior year

Florida Academic Scholars Award-3.5 GPA, 1270 SAT or 28 ACT, 75 hours community service

Florida Medallion Scholars Award-3.0 GPA, 980 SAT or 21 ACT

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholar Award-3.0 GPA, 880 SAT or 19 ACT or CPT scores

-Complete a 3 course vocational program in H.S.

Scholarships

University- Honors, Fellowships Federal- National Merit, National

Achievement Private- agencies, companies,

organizations

Types of Financial Aid

Grants Loans Scholarships Work Study

When Filing the FAFSA“Free Application for Federal Student Aid”

DO NOT file before January 1st senior year

A workshop is held in January/February of senior year

Once again…………

Palm Beach Central

School Code for SAT/ACT

101844

Internet Resources

www.fastweb.com www.PALMBEACH.K12.FL.US

Senior Year

September-Meet with counselor

-Begin applications

-Request teacher recommendations

October

-Study to maintain grades!!

Request transcripts

-$1 or $3 fee

Write essays

-re-write essays

Visit colleges Search for Financial Aid

Seniors’ Responsibilities

Give counselor forms to counselor - Include stamped envelopes- Addressed to colleges- Use Palm Beach Central return address

Give teacher recommendation forms to selected teachers (include stamped, addressed envelopes)

Write and revise essays Meet deadlines for college application forms Request transcripts Work hard, have fun, and graduate!!

WARNING!

Admission directors warn that “Senioritis” may be hazardous to your educational health. Colleges and universities may rescind their offer of admission if you do not follow through with the expected course work and maintain your grades. It is recommended that you continue to take the most rigorous course work throughout your senior year in order to be the most prepared for college work.

Those who FAIL to PLAN,

PLAN to FAIL…

Good Luck, Class of 2012!!!!!!

See Your Counselor for Assistance..

We’re here to help!