IMPORTANT SENIOR INFORMATION
Ensure you meet graduation requirements, stay updated on important senior dates, request letters of recommendation, and prepare for college and scholarship opportunities. Stay on top of Keystone Grad Pathways, attendances, and grades. Mark your calendar for key events like FAFSA availability, SAT tests, and scholarship deadlines.
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IMPORTANT SENIOR INFORMATION Graduation requirements Important Dates/Reminders Letters of Recommendation Requesting Transcripts Senior Interviews Senior Mock Interviews Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) SAT/ACT College application process Scholarship opportunities Military options Job Search Tips Complete recommendation letter forms for staff
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Students must earn the correct number of credits in each category to graduate. Student must earn 25 credits overall or 24 credits for Vo-Tech students. Categories include: SUBJECTS CREDITS NEEDED ENGLISH SOCIAL STUDIES MATH SCIENCE WELLNESS HUMANITIES 4 4/3VT 3 3 4 1 FRESHMAN SEMINAR 1 ELECTIVES TOTAL 5 25/24VT
KEYSTONE GRAD PATHWAYS Class of 2023 must meet a Keystone Grad Pathway in order to graduate Keystone Proficiency Keystone Composite Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator Alternative Assessment Evidence-Based We will be working with you to complete your pathway if you have not already done so
ATTENDANCE AND GRADES Remember attendance is a key factor to passing courses, make sure you are here every day, and on time It is important to keep your grades up and pass your classes, you will need them to graduate! If you are struggling with a class, make sure you seek assistance from your teacher during DL, and/or see Ms. O Neill Please be sure to check your email regularly!
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS FAFSA Available 10/1/22 The 2020 21 FAFSA form is available beginning Oct. 1, 2020. You should fill it out as soon as possible on or after Oct. 1 at the official government site, www.fafsa.ed.gov ASVAB Testing 10/26/22 ASVAB test for interested seniors who need to retake the exam, sign up with Mrs. Donovan in the School Counseling Office to participate (Periods 1-2). Can take at later date with recruiter if needed. Financial Aid Night 11/8/22 Financial Aid Night/FAFSA Completion will be virtual this year ($250 scholarship given to one senior student). More information will be sent out in the future. FAFSA Completion Night - 11/15/22 To be determined. Can also schedule local appointments with the United Way to help complete FAFSA. College in the High School Deadline 11/8/22 Application and payment are to be due by this date
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS Scholarship Booklet Released January 2023 Will be available in the Guidance Office SAT Test at THS 3/1/23 SAT Test at THS during the school day. No Saturday testing dates. Scholarship Deadlines 4/15/23 Most scholarships will be due on this day. Pay important attention to deadlines, as some do vary. FAFSA Deadline 5/1/23 Deadline to file FAFSA form to be eligible to receive PHEAA grants and government loans (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Please note that some schools may have an earlier deadline. Career/Decisions Day 5/4/23 Attendance is required to attend prom.
IMPORTANT DATES - TENTATIVE Seniors Last Day 5/23/23 If you are in danger of not passing/graduating, you will be expected to work during the last 10 days of school to make up/complete work If you are not passing your courses to graduate by this date, you are in jeopardy of not participating in the senior banquet and graduation (will still earn diploma) If you do not meet requirements after graduation, you will be required to complete credit recovery or retake courses to earn diploma Tentative Finals Week 5/30-6/2-23 Venango Technology Center Graduation, Senior Academic Awards, Athletic Awards 6/1/23 Graduation Practice (7:55 am), Senior Banquet 6/6/23 Baccalaureate 6/8/23 GRADUATION 6/9/23
OTHER DATES TO PAY ATTENTION TO Make sure you check college application due dates, some majors may have different deadlines November 1stis often the deadline for most schools for Early Admission/Early Decision Check SAT & ACT registration dates Some schools are test optional - make sure to check! Schools will still look at SAT/ACT scores for merit based scholarships Check out to see if the school you are interested in is waiving scores/are test optional at https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional Pay attention to what programs require test scores
FAFSA YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FAFSA TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID TO ATTEND COLLEGE OR POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS You are able to apply for FAFSA starting 10/1/22, and most school s deadline to apply is 5/1/23 (some schools are different) It is FREE. If you are prompted to pay, you are at the wrong site! Do not be scammed! You can apply at any time. You do not need to apply for college first. You will need to create an FSA ID You will use this ID every year you attend a post-secondary school (do not forget it!) Wait see what assistance you receive from FAFSA and your school of choice before making a decision on where to attend Please attend Financial Aid Night for more information Please stop in the Guidance Office if you need more information
SAT/ACT Check SAT & ACT registration dates on websites Remember you must have a photo ID and admission ticket with you to be admitted If you don t have a photo ID, please see Mrs. Donovan in the School Counseling office in advance, and she will make one for you Take a calculator and a #2 pencil (no mechanical pencils) Snacks and drinks are permitted during break times ACT www.act.org SAT www.collegeboard.com SAT practice khanacademy.org, can be linked with PSAT test results for personalized practice
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Letters of reference/recommendation Complete form with Ms. O Neill, and it will be stored in binder/shared with you or teacher College applications, scholarship, employment, organization Students are expected to request recommendation a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the date that the recommendation is needed You can get a copy of the personal data sheet you filled out to give to the person writing the recommendation, sheets can be updated as often as necessary Be sure to notify Mrs. Donovan if your letters are to be sent with your high school transcripts, college applications, or scholarship applications It is always kind to send a thank you note to your teachers that have taken their time to write you a letter. Common Application
REQUESTING TRANSCRIPTS Your grades are personal educational records that we need permission to share with college, military, employers, etc. Transcript requests See Mrs. Donovan to complete transcript request release to send transcripts to future schools (if under 18, need parent signature) Final transcript requests For students furthering their education, final transcripts MUST be requested by the last day of school and approved by student signature (signs ups toward end of year) Future requests for transcript or diplomas after graduation, contact Mrs. Donovan. Release and payment will be due.
SENIOR INTERVIEWS (EXIT INTERVIEW) Ms. O Neill will meet with students to discuss graduation requirements, post-high school plans, financial aid, etc. during the fall months A letter will be sent home to your parent(s)/ guardian(s) summarizing the information discussed Will call home for students who are virtual
SENIOR MOCK INTERVIEWS November 17th, 2022 during English classes. Still working on logistics for the day Each student will probably complete one interview Mock interviews will be held with local employers, and they may or may not be related to your career goal Students will submit a resume, cover letter, and application to their English teachers The interview will be included as a grade for English classes Dress appropriately for an interview (you will be graded on appearance!) Ladies: dress pants or skirt with a nice shirt, dresses are also appropriate Gentlemen: dress pants and dress shirt with or without a tie If having appropriate clothing to wear is an issue, please let Ms. O Neill know ASAP
CAREER INFORMATION WEBSITES www.careercruising.com Career information, scholarship and college search used in classroom presentations (login via PowerSchool) www.march2success.com Practice ASVAB, military info, practice SAT and ACT, career information, college search www.jobgateway.pa.gov Virtual job shadows www.educationplanner.com career information, scholarship and college search www.onetonline.org - Tool for career exploration and job analysis www.careerstreeterie.org- Offers local job experiences such as internships, job shadows, and company tours
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Timeline of senior year attached in email with presentation Make sure you meet the deadlines for the school/college and major (certain majors may have earlier deadlines) At four year colleges, you will be applying for an undergraduate degree (Bachelor s Degree) At two year colleges, you will be applying for an Associate s Degree You attend graduate school after your first four years of college and is typically 2-4 years in length 4 Year Colleges look at: Cumulative GPA Class Rank SAT or ACT Score High School Curriculum Extracurricular Activities 2 year Colleges look at: Cumulative GPA High School Curriculum
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS If you need a recommendation letter, give the person writing it a couple of weeks to complete it Students should apply to 3-4 postsecondary options with one of those being a safe school that is affordable along with their dream school Final decisions about which school you will attend don t need to be made until May, unless noted elsewhere The high school code is 394-820 (also may be referred to as CEEB code) Students are permitted to meet with postsecondary representatives Students can use up to 3 trip forms to visit postsecondary schools, and make sure to use a trip form submitted to Mr. Knapp at least 3 days prior to your visit Research your schools to see when they have an open house to visit, and some will waive application fees It is a good idea to take an unofficial copy of your transcript with you to discuss with an admission counselor
SCHOLARSHIPS www.careercruising.com www.fastweb.com Local scholarship booklet in School Counseling Office, new booklet is passed out in January Some unique scholarships will be lying on the School Counseling Office counter Listen to announcements or check email to get info about additional scholarships Make sure you meet all scholarship deadlines (typically around April 15th) Grants and Scholarships = FREE MONEY Write an appropriate thank you note to people who grant you a scholarship
MILITARY ACADEMY DEADLINES There are early deadlines for students who plan to apply to one of the 4 military academies Recommendations need to be requested from Congressman Mike Kelly Please see Ms. O Neill if you need further assistance You can meet with military recruiters virtually in school (or in person outside of school)
SELECTIVE SERVICE Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service Visit https://www.sss.gov/ to register The law says men must register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday It s important to know that even though a man is registered, he will not automatically be inducted into the military Registering with Selective Service does not mean you are joining the military Registering online requires a valid social security number Typically done in senior Social Studies courses
NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE AND NAIA Student athletes that want to participate at the Division I or II level must register at www.eligibilitycenter.org, or playnaia.org for NAIA participating schools Go to Prospective Student-Athletes Cost is $90 NCAA/$135 NAIA, See Ms. O Neill for a fee waiver if you qualify for free/reduced lunch You must meet a minimal GPA calculated on their scale, take approved core course requirements, and meet testing score requirements to be eligible to participate as a freshman. Students also must complete a survey about their participation in sports on the web site See Ms. O Neill and your coach for further details
ADDITIONAL PACKET INFORMATION Job search tips FAFSA information College senior checklist College application timeline Writing college/scholarship essay SAT/ACT dates Military information
PERSONAL DATA SHEET What would you want your recommender to know about you? Be specific! Examples: Extra-curricular activities: Sports, Band, Varsity Club, Art Club, Class Officer, Student United Way, FBLA, Yearbook, Journalism, Academic Challenge, Student Council, Ecology Club, Drama Club Special Awards/Honors: Honor Roll, National Honor Society, NTHS, Mandated Reporter Certificate, OSHA 10, SP2, HIPAA, Varsity Letters, Districts/States for Sports/Band/Choir, College in the Classroom Work Experience/Volunteer: Employment, Service Learning, Co-op, Ignite Mentor, Volunteer at Church/Community, babysitting
HAVE GREAT SENIOR YEAR! If you need anything else, please contact me at: boneill@gorockets.org 814-827-2715 ext 1431 I plan to post FAQ on gorockets.org website Google Classroom I have sent attachments in your email with additional information that I spoke about in this presentation Plan to also send this information home to parents via SwiftCall/mail.