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!