This document provides information about a college planning meeting being held at Riverside High School on September 30, 2015 from 6:00-7:00 pm. The agenda includes discussing graduation requirements, post-secondary options, the college application process, financial aid, SAT/ACT testing, and important upcoming dates. Counselors are assigned to students by last name and contact information is provided for additional support staff. An overview of graduation requirements, endorsement options, and the NC Academic Scholars program is also given. The document outlines the college application process including early decision, early action, regular admission and rolling admission. It provides information about the SAT, ACT, transcripts requests, and financial aid including the FAFSA.

1. WELCOME!!
September 30, 2015
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Riverside High School Media Center

2. Agenda
 Graduation Requirements
 Options after High School Graduation
 College Application Considerations
 SAT/ACT
 Financial Aid
 Upcoming Dates

3.  Curtis Holton
9-12 A-Ce
 Portia Jacobs
9-12 Ch-F
 Jewel Jeffreys
9-12 G-J
 Renee Hango
9-12 K-M
 Christina Yarborough
9-12 N-Sc
 Cathy Sebring
9-12 Se-Z
 Destiny Hemphill
College Advisor
 Caroline Yates
Intern
 Sheena Brooks
Career Development
 Bill Allee
Special Populations
 Lisa Outlaw
Social Worker

4.  English I, II, III, IV
 Common Core Math I, Math II, Math III, 4th Math
 World History, American History I, American History
II, Civics & Economics
 Earth/Environmental, Biology, a Physical Science
course (Physics or Chemistry or Physical Science)
 Health/PE
 2 Credit Concentration (CTE, Arts, World
Languages)
 4 Credit Concentration (Recommended)
28 Credits to Graduate

5. Career Endorsement
 Complete FRC math sequence (4th math
aligned with student’s post secondary plan)
 Complete CTE concentration
 Unweighted GPA of at least 2.6
 Silver level or above on WorkKeys
College Endorsement
 Complete FRC math sequence (4th math
meet UNC system minimum admission requirement
 Unweghted GPA of at least 2.6

6. College/UNC Endorsement
 Complete FRC math sequence (4th math
meets UNC system minimum admission requirement
w/Math III or Alg. II as pre-requisite
 Complete three units of science (1 physical
science, 1 biological science and 1 laboratory
science that must included either physics or
chemistry)
 Complete 2 units of a world language
 Weighted GPA of at least 2.5

7. NC Academic Scholars
 FRC math sequence (4th math meets UNC system minimum
admission requirement w/Math III or Alg. II as pre-requisite
 Three units of science (1 physical science, 1 biological
science and 1 laboratory science that must included either physics
or chemistry)
 Four units of social studies (World History, American
History I and II, Civics and Economics)
 Two units of a world language (other than English)
 Four elective credit concentration (CTE, JROTC, Arts,
Second Language, any other subject)
 Three higher level courses during junior and/or
senior year (AP, Advanced CTE, Honors)
 Unweighted GPA of at least 3.50

8. Global Languages
A. Earn a combined 2.5 GPA for English I, II, III, IV.
B. Proficiency in one or more languages in addition
to English by one of the options below:
i. Pass an external exam approved by NCDPI
ii. Complete four-course sequence in same world language
w/overall 2.5 or above in those courses
iii. Establish “Intermediate Low” proficiency or higher per the
ACTFL proficiency scale using the Credit by Demonstrated
Mastery policy.
C. LEP students shall complete requirements A & B
above and reach “Developing” proficiency per
the WIDA proficiency scale in all four domains on
the most recent state identified English language
proficiency test.

9. Options after High School
Visit Ms. S. Brooks, Career Dev. Coordinator
 To meet with military recruiters
(Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines,
National Guard, Navy)
 To take an interest inventory
(www.cfnc.org, www.f4k.org)
 Inquire about jobs or job readiness
(Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, Career Expos)

10. Options after High School
Visit Ms. Hemphill, College Advisor,
for assistance with:
 college applications
 applying for scholarships
 applying for financial aid
Additional Spanish Service –
www.cfnc.org/adelante

11.  NC has 58 Community Colleges - 3rd
largest in the nation based on number of
colleges
 Community Colleges in NC are within a
30 minute drive of their citizens
 Historically, NC has had the lowest tuition
rates in the Southeast Region
 Over 280 Curriculum Programs ranging in
length from one semester to two years

12. Community Colleges offers Curriculum
Programs leading to a:
 Certificate
 Diploma
 Associate Degree
 College Transfer
 Visit www.nccommunitycolleges.edu

13.  38 Private College/Universities in NC
 16 Public Universities in NC
 Minimum Admission Requirement for the
NC Public Universities
 2.5 GPA
 800 SAT (Critical Reading and Math)
 17 ACT (ACT plus Writing)
 Over 3000 2yr and 4yr
College/Universities nationwide

14. Colleges offer various opportunities to
apply. Each has advantages and
disadvantages. Be informed to make
the best decision for you and your child.
 Early Decision
 Early Action
 Regular Admission
 Rolling Admission

15.  Students apply early decision to 1 college;
acceptance is binding.
 Application deadline: range from October
15 - November 15 (check each school)
 Students are usually notified in December.
 Students who are denied cannot reapply
for regular admission.
 Students waive the opportunity of
comparing scholarship packages.

16.  Students apply early to multiple colleges.
Acceptance is non-binding.
 Application deadline: range from
October 15th - November 15th (check
each school)
 Students are notified December-
January.
 Students can compare scholarship
packages from different colleges.

17.  Students apply to colleges of their
choice at the regularly scheduled date.
 Application deadlines vary, usually
beginning in January and ending in the
spring. Check college admissions
websites for details.
 Colleges notify students of acceptance
in early spring.

18.  Students apply to multiple colleges and
receive an admission decision quickly,
often within 2 weeks.
 Colleges may continue to accept
students until the freshman class is full.

19. Online Applications
CFNC.org
• Online applications for ALL North Carolina Colleges
• Students can apply and submit transcripts
electronically
• Student must submit all information as it appears on
his/her transcript and include Student Number
Commonapp.org
• Online applications to over 600 colleges/universities
• Students provide teacher and counselor email
information for online recommendations and online
transcript submissions.

20. Online Applications cont.
14 Common App Participating NC Schools:
•Davidson College
•Duke University
•Guilford College
•High Point
University
•Johnson & Wales
University -
Charlotte
•Meredith College
•NC State
University
•Queens University
of Charlotte
•Salem College
•UNC-Asheville
•UNC- Chapel Hill
•UNC Wilmington
•Wake Forest
University
•Warren Wilson
College

21. Included:
 Student Information
 Credit History
 GPA (weighted &
unweighted)
 Class Rank
 NC Testing
Information
Not Included:
 Curriculum Related
Work Experience
 Awards /
Achievements &
Extra Curricular
Activities
 SAT / ACT Scores

22.  Electronic Submission through CFNC
 Electronic Submission - Common App
(sent with Secondary School Report by Counselor)
 Electronic Request - RHS website
› www.riverside.dpsnc.net
› Parent Resources Or Student Resources
› Transcript Requests
 Transcript will be mailed within 2 business days
 Students may request three (3) transcripts free
 There is a fee of $3.00 beginning with the 4th
request for a transcript.

23. Transcripts by online
request
Counselor’s Statement /
Secondary School Report (if
applicable)

24.  Application
 Transcript
Request
 Application Fee
(fee waivers
available to eligible
students)
 SAT/ACT Scores
› Collegeboard.org
› actstudent.org

25. SAT
 Three sections: Critical Reading, Math,
Writing
 Register online at
www.sat.collegeboard.org or pick up a
paper registration form in the Student
Services Office.
 Fee is $54.50. (Fee Waivers available for
qualified applicants)

26. SAT Subject Tests
 You may take up to three subject tests in one
day.
 Some colleges require as many as three
subject tests; other colleges recommend
subject tests.
 Basic registration fee is $26. Language tests
with listening are $26; all other tests are $18
each. (Fee Waivers available for qualified
applicants)

27. ACT
 Five sections: English, Reading, Math,
Science and Writing (optional)
 Register online at www.actstudent.org or
pick up a paper registration form in the
Student Services Office.
 Fee without Writing is $39.50
 Fee including Writing is $56.50 (Fee Waivers
available for qualified applicants)
 All Juniors took the ACT free last year.

28. Testing Date Reg. Deadline Late
ACT
Oct. 24, 2015 Sept. 18th Oct 2nd
Dec.12, 2015 Nov. 6th Nov. 20th
Feb. 6, 2016 Jan. 8th Jan. 15th
SAT
Nov. 7, 2015 Oct. 9th Oct. 23rd
Dec. 5, 2015 Nov. 5th Nov. 20th
Jan 23, 2015 Dec. 28th Jan. 8th

29. sat.collegeboard.org
actstudent.org/testprep
cfnc.org
 khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat

30. Visit www.collegeboard.org
 Under College Search, type in name of
college
 Click on Applying; SAT/ACT scores;
Academics, etc.
Visit www.cfnc.org for NC schools
 Click on Plan; For College; Explore
Postsecondary Schools

31. FAQ
 Who do I get to write my letter?
 How many letters should I send?
 How do I ask someone to write a letter for
me?

32.  Share something
about yourself not
found elsewhere in
the application in
YOUR OWN VOICE.
 Make it perfect:
proofread and
read aloud.
 Get the right essay
to the right college.

33.  Here
 There

34.  Federal Loans – 34%
 Institutional Grants – 21%
 Federal Pell Grants – 18%
 Federal Education Tax Credits &
Deductions – 8%
 Federal Grants other than Pell – 7%
 Private and Employer Grants – 6%
 State Grants – 5%
 Federal Work-Study - <1%
 NOTES: Loans reported here include only federal loans to students and parents. Percentages may not sum to 100 because
of rounding. SOURCE: Trends in Student Aid website (trends.collegeboard.org), Table 1A.

35. Financial Aid
 DPS Master Scholarship List – link found on
www.riverside.dpsnc.net or
www.dpsnc.net Parent Resource Or Student Resource
 Check college websites
 Scholarship search websites
› www.fastweb.com
› https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-
search
› www.mycollegedollars.com
› www.cfnc.org
Spanish services – www.cfnc.org/adelante

36. FREE Application for Federal
Student Aid
 www.fafsa.ed.gov
 Apply beginning January 1, 2016
 FAFSA Day: Saturday, February 20, 2016
usually at NCCU.
 www.collegeboard.org (CSS Profile)
 Financial Aid Workshop @ RHS (date to be
determined).

37.  Oct. 4th -College Fair – Northgate Mall,
1:00-3:00.
 Oct. 6th – ASVAB register by Oct. 1st
 Oct. 14th – Discovery Day @ Durham
Tech (sign-up with Ms. S. Brooks)
 Nov. 2nd–6th - College Application Week
 Nov. 13th – Career Expo
 Feb. 20th – FAFSA Day – NCCU
 TBD – Financial Aid Workshop @ RHS

38. What should I do now?
 Take the ACT or SAT for second time
 Note Application and Scholarship
deadlines.
 Complete online college applications at
cfnc.org, commonapp.org, or college
website.
 Write essays early. Edit, proofread, and
rewrite.
 Ask teachers, counselors, or references
to write letters of recommendation