This document summarizes information presented at a senior parent meeting at Marietta High School. It provides contact information for student counselors based on last name. It also includes details about cap and gown ordering, senior portrait deadlines, college athletic registration, graduation requirements, post-secondary options, factors to consider when choosing a college, the college application process, letters of recommendation, scholarships including HOPE, and important senior year events and testing dates. The presentation aims to help parents and students navigate the final steps of high school and the transition to post-secondary education or careers.

1. SENIOR PARENT INFORMATION MEETING
Presented by
Marietta High School
Professional School Counseling Department

2. Helping your child to take the
next step into their future can
make you feel like this….
But never fear, MHS
counselors are here to help!

3. Professional Counselor
Assignments
With the exception of first time ninth graders, our
counselors serve students based upon the first letter of
the students’ last name.
• A-F Mrs. Chenedra Garnigan
• G-M Mrs. Nancy Hill
• N-Z Mrs. Betsy Alpert
• PLC Ms. BJ Smith
First time Freshmen Ms. Joann Kinlaw

4. Herff Jones
• Cap & Gown & Announcements Ordering Dates
• September 16, 2015
• September 17, 2015
• October 1, 2015
• December 7, 2015
• Cap & Gown & Announcement Delivery Dates
• March 2, 2016
• April 14, 2016
• May 6, 2016
• Contact Information: 770-795-1626
• Website:www.herffatlanta.com

5. SENIOR INFORMATION
• Senior Quotes, Senior Yearbook Ads, and Senior Portraits are all due on
October 13!!
– Check http://mhsolympian.weebly.com/ for more information
• SENIOR PORTRAITS--Senior Portraits must be taken by Prestige Studios
before October 13. Call to make your appointment!
– (678) 569-1315
– 1555 Williams Drive, Suite 104, Marietta, GA 30066
– Prestigeportraits.com

6. Is Your Student Interested in
College Athletics?
Two Governing Bodies
• NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics – no national
clearinghouse, simple requirements www.naia.org
• NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association – requires potential
Division 1 and 2 student athletes to register at ncaaclearinghouse.com
Please note that it is the parent’s or student’s responsibility to register
See Paul Hall, MHS Athletic Director, for more information
770-428-2631, Ext. 2241 Room A224

7. DO YOU KNOW
WHAT THE
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS
ARE?

8. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Subject Units Required Courses
English 4 1 unit of American Literature or AP Language
Math 4 Courses vary
Science 4 1 unit Physical Science or Physics
1 unit of Biology
1 unit of Chemistry or Environmental Science or AP Science
4th Science may be used to meet both elective and science
requirements
Social Studies 3 1 unit World History
1 unit U.S. History
½ unit Economics
½ unit American Government or Civics
CTAE, Foreign Language, Fine Arts 3 This area can be a combination
Health/Personal Fitness 1 .5 unit each
Electives 4
Total 23
The requirements below represent minimal courses needed for high school graduation. Some academic programs of study or diploma options
require additional units of credit beyond the minimal requirements listed. For example, IB Diploma requires a minimum of 27.5 credits.

9. How Will I Know if
My Student is on Track?
Senior Exit Interviews will be conducted with all
seniors.
 Indicates what credits are completed and what
credits remain to be passed during the senior
year

10. What Do You Need to
Know About Graduation?
Graduation requirements
High honor graduates
GPA is 4.0 and above
Honor Graduates
GPA 3.5-3.99
Graduation date: Saturday, May 21, 2016
Graduation practice: May 18-20, 2016
--Attendance is mandatory

11. HEADED
IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION

12. Post Secondary Options
Can Include
Traditional 4-year schools
2 year colleges for associates degree or to
transfer to a 4-year college/university
Technical Colleges
Professional Training Programs
Military
Work
Which is appropriate for your student?

13. Factors to Consider When
Choosing a College
Major or Program of study
Location and Environment
Includes housing opportunities
In-state vs. Out-of-state
Public vs. Private
Size of School
Extra-curricular activities offered

14. How Do I Learn More About Schools?
Research
Meet with College Reps when they visit
On-site campus visits
Open houses sponsored by colleges
Internet
www.GACollege411.org
 if password is lost, students can reset, see their advisor, or contact Mrs. McCormick, the
school registrar.
Attend college fairs in the area

15. How Do Colleges Choose Who Will
Be Accepted?
High school academic record and course rigor (GPA/Class Rank)
SAT/ACT scores
Essays
Recommendations
Special Abilities
Service to school or community
Extracurricular activities
Interview
Neatness and accuracy of application

16. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!
Students need to apply to more than one school
•Typically students apply to 3-5 schools
•Dream Schools – may not get in, but is their top
choice
•Reach Schools—student stands a good chance of
admission
•Safety School – backup plan in case they need it

17. Parental Stumbling Blocks
Dictating exactly where your student must apply and
attend
Completing your student’s applications. Colleges can
usually tell the difference.
Doing all the work for your student doesn’t teach him/her
the coping skills needed for college or in life!

18. The
College and
Scholarship
Application Process

19. Secure applications from colleges either online or by the
traditional method (on-line is preferred)
 Students can apply to most in-state schools using their
GACollege411.org account
Apply early and organize deadlines
Professional email addresses are a must!! Address should
contain some form of your name. No nicknames, slang, etc.
Gather application fees
Request letters of recommendation
Create resume
Compose essays
Make copies of everything you send out

20. College Application Process
Transcripts for in-state schools should be requested electronically
through GAcollge411.org. There is no charge. Students should see
their advisors or Mrs. McCormick if passwords are lost.
Request out-of-state transcripts using the transcript request form,
found in the counseling office or on the MHS Webpage.
•Hard copies of official transcripts must be requested in writing.
•Students receive three free paper transcripts. Each additional
transcript will cost $2.
See your counselor if your college requires a counselor/school
evaluation form. Bring the form or send the link to our e-mail account.
The Professional Counseling Department does not mail applications.
The Professional Counseling Department mails counselor evaluation
forms unless we are asked not to.
You must submit final transcript requests through GACollege411.org
for in-state schools. Only final transcripts for out-of-state schools are
mailed from the Marietta High School Counseling office.

21. College Application Process
Obtain the application…
•on-line (preferred method)
 print application copy for your records
•at Probe Fairs
•through the college admissions office
Complete the application…
•early! Your goal should be to apply by Thanksgiving
•neatly and free or errors
•thoroughly
•in blue or black ink, if handwritten

22. Remember…
Colleges/Universities require
SAT/ACT scores to come directly
from the testing agency!

23. Letters of Recommendation
Request letters of recommendation from:
--teachers, advisors, coaches, counselors, and/or
employers
Submit Student Fact Sheet or resume and You Science
assessment results
Double check application instructions. If the school does
not ask for a letter of recommendation, then don’t send
one!
Request at least two weeks in advance
--Follow up with a reminder
--Make sure letters are signed

24. Resume
This document will give your prospective
admissions office or employers an idea of who you
are
Sample subjects to include:
--Education
--Activities
--Sports
--Clubs
--Employment
--Community Service
--Awards and Achievements

25. After Applying
 Accepted (Hooray!!)
 Celebrate
 Send Deposits
 Deferred
 Still in the game. Send mid-year grades and updated test scores!
 Evaluate back-up plan
 Denied
 Rescind admissions offers
 Poor academic performance
 Dual Enrollment GPA below 2.0
 Drop classes you said you were taking when you applied
 Not checking email
 Check email and college accounts regularly to receive updated
information from the admissions offices. That is their method of
connecting with you.
ALL colleges/universities request that students let them know if they do not
plan to attend their institution. An email is appreciated and may allow an
opportunity for a student on the deferred list.

26. SCHOLARSHIPS
AND
HOPE

27. How Do I Find $$ for
College?
 Scholarship Link on MHS Counseling Web Page--http://mhs.marietta-
city.org/Page/1915
 Research
 Handouts in Senior Advisements & lists in Devils Advocate
 Colleges and Financial Aid Offices
 FAFSA and CSS Profile
 Websites
--www.fastweb.com
--www.gacollege411.org for special state and federal grants.

28. Scholarship Search
Services
We follow the guidelines set forth by the
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)
and recommend that you DO NOT use a
scholarship search service.
The same resources that you will be charged
in excess of $500 are available for free.

29. HOPE Scholarship
Rigor Requirements
The class of 2016, in order to be eligible to receive the HOPE scholarship, must receive at least
three credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school:
• Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, or an equivalent or
higher course taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible
postsecondary institution
• Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, or an equivalent or higher course
taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level credit at an eligible postsecondary
institution;
• Advanced foreign language courses taken at an eligible high school or taken for degree level
credit at an eligible postsecondary institution;
• Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit enrollment courses in core
subjects (English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language)

30. Georgia’s HOPE Program
Zell Miller Scholarship—
 Must earn a 3.7 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in
all English, math, science, social studies and
foreign language coursework attempted between
grades 9-12 and at least a 1200 on the Math and
Reading/Verbal portions of the SAT in one test
administration or score at least a 26 composite
score on the ACT
OR
Graduate as the Valedictorian or Salutatorian and
meet the requirements of the HOPE Scholarship

31. HOPE Scholarship--
 Must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for
all English, math, science, social studies, and
foreign language coursework in the high school
curriculum
HOPE Grant—available to students who are seeking a
technical certificate or diploma, regardless of
student’s high school grade point average or
gradation date.

32. All three HOPE programs will require students to:
 Be a legal resident of Georgia
 Be registered with Selective Service, if male
 Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Post-
secondary Education Act of 1990
 Meet HOPE’s US citizenship or eligible non-citizen
requirements
 Attend an eligible Georgia school
To see the full list of program requirements, visit
www.gacollege411.org

33. How to Check Your
Current HOPE GPA
• Go to www.gacollege411.org
• From Home Page, go to “Your HOPE
GPA” in right panel
• Create your account
• Follow directions to get your HOPE
GPA.

34. Miscellaneous

35. Events to Look for Senior Year
PROBE College Fair
 September 17, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Georgia Apply to College Event
 November 18, 2015 in the MHS Seminar Room
from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Financial Aid Meeting
--December 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
College Representatives at MHS
College Visits

36. Test Reminders
SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests
www.collegeboard.org
ACT
www.actstudent.org
 Compass Exam
 ASVAB
 You Science Assessment Tool—sign up in B116

37. Final Thoughts
• Apply early
• Finish Strong
• Use your senior year as a start to your
freshman year
• Academic rigor should be increased, not
decreased
• Scholarships are like research, most are
just a click away

38. Questions???
Ask
Now!!!