COLLEGE PLANNING

I B C O U N S E LO R:

M S . A LY S S A S I M M O N S

S E N I O R C O U N S E LO R:

M R S . O L I V I A C A L LO WAY

FALL OF SENIOR YEARSign-up for Free & Reduced lunch.

Register for SAT/ACT Current dates and registration deadlines are on the IB website,

College Board Site and the ACT web page

Meet with your School Counselor to discuss college choices.

Sign up with your counselor on their meeting calendar

Request/pick-up teacher letters of recommendation.

Complete and submit all college applications (by Thanksgiving).

Early Action: non-binding Early Decision: binding

Complete Bright Futures (December 1) and FAFSA (January 1).

CONTINUE to challenge yourself – GRADES do matter Senior year!

ACT

ACT Date Registration Deadline

Late Registration(additional fee

required)

September 13, 2014 August 8, 2014 August 9 – August 22, 2014

October 25, 2014 September 19, 2014 September 20 – October 3, 2014

December 13, 2014 November 7, 2014 November 8-21, 2014

February 7, 2015 January 9, 2015 January 10-16, 2015

April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14-27, 2015

June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9-22, 2015

To register for the ACT, students can complete their registration online at www.actstudent.org .  Remember to register for the Writing Section of the exam as many colleges require it.

SATTo register for the SAT or SAT II Subject Tests, students can complete their registration online at http://sat.collegeboard.org/home. 

Remember to register for the SAT Writing Section of the exam as many colleges require it.

SAT Date Registration Deadline Late Registration(additional fee

required)

October 11, 2014 September 12, 2014 September 30, 2014

November 8, 2014 October 9, 2014 October 28, 2014

December 6, 2014 November 6, 2014 November 24, 2014

January 24, 2015 December 29, 2014 January 13, 2015

March 14, 2015 February 13, 2015 March 3, 2015

May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015 April 21, 2015

June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 27, 2015

WHERE TO BEGIN: SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR

Make a list of schools that interest you

Categorize them Safety School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are in the top 25th percentile

accepted at the college

Target School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are in the middle 50 % (between 25th and 75th percentile) accepted at the college

Reach School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are the lower 25th percentile accepted at the college. Note: Ivy League Universities are considered DREAM schools, NOT REACH schools.

Determine your areas of interest http://www.iseek.org/careers/clusterSurvey

Determine cost of each school

Compare Choices

• Admissions Requirement

• Size

• Location

• Environment

• Academics

• Retention and Placement

• Cost

• Financial Aid

• Housing

• Meal Plan Options

• Facilities

HOW TO COMPARE YOUR CHOICES

CONTACT AN ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR

• Some colleges and universities want to see that you are interested in them

• Ask them questions about their school

• Set up a campus visit

• Ask to speak with a current student

• Inquire about scholarship opportunities

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

TYPICAL APPLICATIONWho: Students complete all applications

What: Undergraduate application for admissions Transcripts, resume, recommendations, essays, test scores…etc

Where: Colleges/Universities admissions page or Common App

When: Fall of Senior year Pay attention to deadlines, each school is different! Major Deadlines:

October 15 November 1 January 15

THE COMMON APPLICATION

2013-2014: paper application no longer available

Counselor Information needed for Common App

IB - Alyssa Simmons: asimmons6@escambia.k12.fl.us Traditional - Olivia Calloway: ocalloway@escambia.k12.fl.us

Website:https://www.commonapp.org

What schools are members: https://www.commonapp.org/Login#!PublicPages/AllMembersOver 500 colleges and universities are members

Roughly 200 are exclusive members

All Schools using Common App

Schools that only use the Common App

Click here to start your account

Must have Applicants tab selected

TEACHER RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

• Make sure to look at the college application and be certain of the number of recommendations needed

• Provide teachers with resume• Ask your teachers if they can meet with you for 5 – 10 minutes concerning your rec letter

• Ask teachers from core Junior year classes Science English Math History

TRANSCRIPTS

Official Transcripts: Mid year and final may be requested by the school

College and Universities look at GPA (weighted and un-weighted) Freshman – Junior Year Grades

Did they fluctuate? Demonstrates what type of student you are

How many Honors, AP, and IB courses Class Rank Graduating class size

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?Grades What types of courses are they taking

IB, AP, Honors

Test Scores 20% of what schools consider

Essays No such thing as an OPTIONAL question Proof of mind at work Express yourself well Highlight skills that have been learned

Teacher Recommendations If requested by the college or university

Holistic Approach!!

Grades, Test Scores, and Course

Load

EssaysSports/Clubs

Community Service

HOW DO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES VALUE THE IB PROGRAM

• Provides outstanding preparation for university work

• Earning college credits with passing scores on AP and IB exams

• Scholarship opportunities

• Well rounded students

• Higher research and critical thinking skills

“A student’s high school courses and curriculum is the most important factor in the selection process complimented by all of the other pieces in the application.  We see the IB as a challenging curriculum, with higher and standard level courses as well as the TOK and extended essay.  As a staff, we respect IB very much and see applicants from all over the world in the IB curriculum.  The community service component of the IB is also highly respected as students engage in outreach to their communities as a part of their holistic school requirements.  We also note the extended essay subject and the opportunity for students to research and write in a way they have not been challenged to do so before or in other types of curriculums.  The IB is a wonderful program. ”

Jodi Robinson, Director of Admissions

COLLEGE VISITS TO PHS

Dates and Times will be posted on the IB website, as well as outside the School Counseling Office

www.phsibsupport.org

Vanderbilt VisitMonday , October 13, 2014 : 9:00 am

This is a non student day!

MAKING ACHIEVEMENT DESIRABLE:

NCAA ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS

PENSACOLA HIGH SCHOOL

P R E S E N T E D B Y O L I V I A C A L LO WAY

OVERVIEW

• What is the NCAA?

• What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?

• Initial-Eligibility Rules

• Registration Process

• Final Preparations

WHAT IS NCAA?

The NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association, was established in 1906 and serves as the athletics governing body for colleges, universities, conferences and organizations.

NCAA colleges and universities are divided into three divisions; Division I, Division II and Division III.

Difference between Divisions Mission/Philosophy Typically the size of school Emphasis on competition (i.e., national, regional) Athletic scholarships and grants in aid available

WHAT IS THE NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER?

To certify a student-athlete’s initial eligibility to practice, compete and to receive institutional aid during his/her first year of enrollment at a NCAA Division I or II school.

Departments include: Admissions & Registration High School Review Certification for Prospective Student Athletes Initial Eligibility Requirements

Register at:

www.eligibilitycenter.org

FOUR PARTS OF INITIAL ELIGIBILITY

• High School Graduation

• Minimum core grade-point average – 2.0

• Minimum ACT or SAT test score must be met

• Completion of 16 core course distribution

2005:

14 core courses

(DII).

2008: 16

core courses (DI).

2013: 16

core courses (DII).

2016: DI GPA and sliding scale

change, addition of

course progression

rules.

2018: DII GPA

and additio

n of sliding scale.

First and foremost, the Resources page on the High School Portal.

HIGH SCHOOL PORTAL

Many different resources that help to understand the new

academic requirements for

Division I 2016 and beyond.

PowerPoint presentation for

high school counselors to learn

about the initial-eligibility process.

Many helpful resources for you to

use to help your student-athletes

through the eligibility process.

FAQ for nontraditional coursework.

Follow us on Twitter!

@NCAA_EC

Division I16 core

requirement: 4 years English 3 years Math (Algebra 1 or

higher) 2 years Science (including 1

lab, if offered) 1 year Additional English,

Math or Science 2 years Social Science 4 years Additional Core

Division II 16 core requirement:

3 years English 2 years Math (Algebra 1

or higher) 2 years Science

(including 1 lab, if offered)

3 years Additional English, Math or Science

2 years Social Science 4 years Additional Core

CORE CURRICULUM

EXAMPLE OF APPROVED COURSES (PENSACOLA HS)

ENGLISH

• English 1

• English 1/H

• English 2

• English 2/H

• English 3

• English 3/H

• English 4

• English 4/AP/IB

• AP English Literature

• AP English Language

• Debate 1 & 2

NAT/PHYS SCIENCE• Biology • Biology/AP/IB• Biology/H• Chemistry• Chemistry/AP/IB• Chemistry/H• Anatomy &

Physiology • Integrated Sc -

1,2,&3• Earth Science• Physical Science• Physics• Marine Science 1

&2• Zoology

MATHEMATICS• Algebra 1• Algebra 2• Alg 1-A/Alg 1-B• Geometry• Calculus• Calculus AB• Calculus BC• Pre-Calculus

Math• Statistics • College Algebra

FINAL PREPARATIONS• Early Senior year

• Students should request a transcript to determine individual progress in satisfying the NCAA core-course requirements.

• Report all ACT and/or SAT to the NCAA Eligibility Center. 

• It is best for students to list the NCAA Eligibility Center as a score recipient at the time of exam registration to avoid additional fees. 

• Only official test scores sent from the testing agency (ACT/SAT) are acceptable.  Test scores on your high school transcript will not be used. 

SCHOLARSHIPSApply Early!

Scholarships are available for ALL high school grade levels.

Where to find scholarships? There are scholarships for everything! List of Scholarships posted on the IB website under the college tab

Local banks, clubs, companies, and community organizations

http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships

College Financial aid webpages http://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/florida-scholarships/

www.fastweb.com www.collegenet.com/mach25/app

SCHOLARSHIPSQuestions to ask yourself when applying to scholarships• What are the requirements and do I meet them?

• How do I apply?

• How does my scholarship effect my other financial aid?

• What is the deadline? Do I have time complete the application?

• Is this application something I am willing to do? Am I capable?

• Is this scholarship state or college specific?

Plan ahead, be organized• Make a list of scholarships that you are eligible for and want to

apply

• Organize the deadlines/decision release dates in calendar and check it

often!

• Request alerts for approaching deadlines

• Ask for recommendation letters in advance – DO NOT request recommendation letters from your teacher the day before the deadline.

FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS

Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate; and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid.

You can learn about scholarships in several ways, contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend checking information in a public library or online..

Try these free sources of information about scholarships: the financial aid office at a college or career school the U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool federal agencies

your state grant agency your library’s reference section foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic

groups organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of

interest ethnicity-based organizations your employer or your parents’ employers

BRIGHT FUTURES

http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/

Students must apply during their last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation)

Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) – GPA/Test Scores

4 year school $77 per semester hour = 1,155 – 1,386 dollars a semester

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) – IB Diploma

4 year school - $103 per semester hour = 1,500 – 2,000 dollars a semester

HELPFUL RESOURCES

PARENT/STUDENT RESOURCE

EXPLORING COLLEGE OPTIONS STUDENT/PARENT SESSION

Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, and Penn

Hosting information session for prospective students and their parents

Where: Mobile, Alabama Wednesday, October 1, 7:30 p.m. 251-338-2000 The Battle House Renaissance 26 North Royal Street Mobile, AL 36602

www.exploringcollegeoptions.org Register online

Huntsville, ALSunday, September 28,

7:30 pmHuntsville Marriott5 Tranquility Base,

Huntsville, AL 35805Register

Birmingham, ALMonday, September 29,

7:30 pmBirmingham Marriott

3590 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35243

Register

Mobile, ALWednesday, October 1,

7:30 pmThe Battle House

Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa

26 North Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602

Register

Click on Alabama

    

TRIO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER

Student Services SpecialistObi Kalu, MPH

akalu@pensacolastate.edu

(850) 484-2357

educationalopportunitycenter.org

Q AND AAlyssa Simmons: IB College Counselor

asimmons6@escambia.k12.fl.us(850) 595–1500 ext. 292

Olivia Calloway: Senior Counselorocalloway@escambia.k12.fl.us

(850) 595 – 1500 ext. 235