Junior / Senior College Planning Night

GCHS Guidance Department

September 24, 2007

Agenda Counselor Introductions GCH Guidance Web Site www.FACTS.org (academic evaluations & more) Graduation Requirements Bright Futures Scholarships SAT / ACT Calculating Grade Point Averages Community Service College Application Process State University Admissions Community College Admissions Bright Futures Scholarships Financial Aid Process Local and State/National Scholarships

GCHS Counselors

Cindy Giles : A – E Kim Walsh: F-H; ESOL Heather Minsker: I – N, ACE Pam Berryman: O-Q & Gifted Kim Beyer: R – Z Connie Perrin: ESE Linda Sharp: Director

Graduation RequirementsClasses of 2008 & 2009

Reguired Credits: 24 English 4.0 Math 3.0 Science 3.0 Social Science 3.0 Practical/Performing Art 1.0 Health .5 Personal Fitness .5

Pass the 10th Grade FCAT Earn a 2.0 unweighted GPA

Bright Futures Scholarships

Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (75% tuition and fees)

Florida Medallion Scholars (100% tuition and fees at community colleges and 75% at 4 year state colleges)

Academic Scholars (100% Tuition and fees and $300.00 per semester for expenses)

Each scholarship has specific GPA and ACT/SAT guidelines

Registration for Bright Futures

The application/registration process begins December 1st of the senior year

Counselors will call seniors to a computer lab for Bright Futures Registration beginning in January

Registration Instructions are also available on the Guidance Website under Scholarships/Bright Futures Registration Instructions

The application must be completed in order to be eligible for Bright Futures Scholarships

Differences Between ACT and SAT

SAT focuses on college successskills: writing, critical reading, and mathematics

Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes

ACT is curriculum based in the areas of English, mathematics, reading and science (must take writing)

Time: 3 hours and 30 minutesStudents should take one or both in

the spring of their junior year

SAT Test Date Test Deadline Late Fee

Oct. 06, 2007SAT I/II 9/10/07 09/14/07

Nov. 3, 2007 SAT I/II 10/02/07 10/11/07

Dec. 1, 2007 SAT I/II 10/30/07 11/08/07

Jan. 26, 2008SAT I/II 12/26/07 01/04/08

Mar. 1, 2008 SAT I 01/29/08 02/07/08

May 3, 2008 SAT I/II 04/01/08 04/10/08

June 7, 2008 SAT I/II 05/06/08 05/15/08

www.collegeboard.com

ACTTest Date Test Deadline Late Fee

Sept. 15, 2007 ACT 08/10/07 08/11/07

Oct. 27, 2007ACT 09/21/07 09/22/07

Dec. 08, 2007 ACT 11/02/07 11/03/07

Feb. 09, 2008 ACT 01/04/08 01/05/08

Apr. 12, 2008ACT 03/07/08 03/08/08

Jun. 14, 2008 ACT 05/09/08 05/10/08

www.act.orgPlease send scores to colleges when you register or when you take the

tests

SAT /ACT Prep Resources(It is recommended that all students take a prep

course or independent study work) CAMP SAT Educational Pursuits Florida Gulf Coast University Huntington Learning Center MathWorks Sylvan Learning Center Private Tutors Collier County Adult Education (Spring)

ACT/SAT RESOURCES Princeton Review Books The College Board Real SAT’s Barron’s SAT Prep Up Your Score-the Underground

Guide to the SAT testGear for SAT www.number2.com www.testu.com www.ACT.ORG www.COLLEGEBOARD.com

Grades

Calculation State unweighted for graduation County weighted for class ranking Recalculated “academic core”

for universities and Bright Futures

Weighted Calculations Honors/Dual Enrollment

add .02 points to each semester with grade of “C” or better

Ex. English 1 Hon. A= 4.04

Advanced Placementadd .04 points to each semester with grade of “C” or better

Ex. Biology Honors (AP) with AP Biology

Grade “A” 4.16

Community Service

Not required for graduation Most scholarships & many college

applications will ask for or require it Cannot be affiliated with religious

or political organizations Must obtain prior approval from

your guidance counselor Forms available in guidance

Selecting a College Cost-what are my cost limitations? Size-Large, medium or small Faculty/Student Ratio Rural or Urban-city scene or

suburban? Location-out of state, close to home Campus-campus life, dorms, food,

activities, athletics, Greek life Majors

Selecting A College Do Your Research

Visit the Colleges-Attend Open Houses Meet With College Recruiters at GCHS Attend College Fairs View College Websites Read Fiske Guide, US News and World

Report, Ruggs etc. Read Student and Local Newspapers Determine if you fit the admissions

profile

What Colleges are Looking For

The strength of your high school academic program (including the senior year)

Recalculated Core GPA Difficulty of classes Highest Level of classes (honors, AP) Improvement Consistency

Strong Performance in a Challenging Curriculum

What Colleges Are Looking For

Standardized Tests Extracurricular Activities

Special Talents/Interests Athletics Community Service (not a laundry

list-depth& breadth) Leadership Employment

Getting Started Terminology

Regular Admission Early Admission(full time dual enrollment) Early Application

Early Action (Non Binding) UM Early Decision (Binding)

• Flagler (80% of freshman class from ED)

Rolling Admissions- Colleges accept applications & make decisions continuously

SUS Admissions Deadlines

FSU has 3 admissions deadlines: 10/10/07, 01/02/2008, 02/13/08

UF has an admissions deadline of November 1 (all other applications are on a space available basis)

FIU has a deadline of Dec. 1 (all other applications are on a space available basis)

UNF has 3 admission deadlines:11/01/07, 02/01/08, 04/01/08

New College has 4 admissions dates FAU, FGCU have rolling admissions with a priority

deadline of February 15. The other 4 year state universities are on a rolling

admissions schedule. Please note that generally to be considered for

scholarships, students must apply at the first deadline

Four Year State Universities Minimum Admission Requirements

Graduation From an Accredited High School 18 Core Academic Credits SAT or ACT Scores

Specific Requirements (GPA, Test Scores & Essays) vary From College to College

Where to Find State College Information

Florida A & M University(FAMU) Tallahassee www.famu.edu

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Boca Raton www.fau.edu

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Fort Myers www.fgcu.edu

Florida International University (FIU) Miami www.fiu.edu

Florida State University (FSU) Tallahassee www.fsu.edu

State Colleges New College of Florida (NCF) Sarasota

www.ncf.edu University of Central Florida (UCF) Orlando

www.ucf.edu University of Florida (UF) Gainesville

www.ufl.edu University of North Florida (UNF) Jacksonville

www.unf.edu University of South Florida (USF) Tampa

www.usf.edu University of West Florida (UWF) Pensacola

www.uwf.edu

State University System Matrix

College MR GPA MR SAT MR ACT

FGCU 3.0-3.7 960-1110 20-24 FSU F 3.4-4.1 F-1140-1280 F-25-28

S 3.3- 3.9 S-1040-1180 S- 22-25

UF 3.9-4.3 1220-1390 25-31 USF 3.30-3.97 1060-1220 22-27

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College Application Process Select up to 5 colleges and visit their websites to

obtain their application procedures-most colleges require/prefer online applications

Get Started Now if you are a senior Update your resume. Teachers and counselors

require a resume in order to write a letter of recommendation

Complete a “pink slip” in guidance to request an official transcript for each college application

Once an official transcript has been sent to a college, NO SCHEDULES WILL BE CHANGED

Community Colleges

28 community Colleges in Florida 52 Campuses Serve over 900,000 students 67% enrolled in AA transfer Program 33% enrolled in AS & certificate

program

Community Colleges Why Attend A Community College

Open access/close to home Quality Instruction at low cost Low student/instructor ratios Small Classes Instructors with primary Focus on

Teaching Flexibility in Scheduling Bright Futures Medallion pays 100%

Community Colleges Admissions Standard High School Diploma GED ACT/SAT or College Placement Test Special Diploma students may earn non-

college credit career and technical certificate programs

Once an AA degree is earned, student may transfer to a 4 year college with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA

Scholarships

Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance www.floridafinancialaid.org Florida Financial Aid Applications Florida Bright Futures

Scholarships Talented 20 Program State Grant and Scholarship

Programs

Scholarships at GCHS 2007

Bright Futures Scholarships

Total: $2,204,000

Community Scholarships

Total: $359,951

College/University Scholarships

Total: 1,795,138

Grand Total: $4,359,089

Gulf Coast High School Scholarship List www.gulfcoastsharks.com Hard Copies in Guidance State/National List is now

available and has weekly updates Local Scholarship List will be

available in February of 2008 Assembly on 2/11/08 at 9:00 AM

Financial Aid Night 01/28/08 at 7:00PM

Scholarship National Search Sites

www.scholarships.com www.fastweb.com www.collegenet.com www.collegeanswer.com www.fastaid.com www.schoolsoup.com

See GCHS Web Site for additional search engines and information.

College Recruiters at Gulf Coast High School Students sign up in Guidance List of recruiters visiting posted in

Guidance Office, announcements and on-line at www.gulfcoastsharks.com

Upcoming visits include: UCF, FSU, Stetson University, & more!

NCAA In order to play college sports, students

must register with NCAA www.ncaa.org (online registration) the

fee is $50.00 Athletes must be certified by the NCAA

Clearinghouse and meet academic and athletic requirements

A copy of the NCAA release must be given to Mrs. Sharp in order for transcripts to be released to colleges and coaches

Did you know….….

Check your student’s grades on-line: www.gradebook.collier.k12.fl.us Username: 6 digit student number Password: Birth Month and Day

• June 7, (0607)

Contact Teachers: www.gulfcoastsharks.com

Click ‘Faculty’ for email addresses