Senior

Workshop
Mrs. Anderson (A-F)
Ms. Armstrong (G-M)
Ms. Ferrell (N-Z)
Danni Ross (UNF Intern)
 Senior Workshop
▪ Senior credit check; graduation requirements
▪ Diplomas and transcripts
▪ GPAs
▪ College application procedure
▪ SAT and ACT and post-secondary readiness
▪ Community service vs. Volunteer service
▪ College Fair October 13, Prime Osborn Center
▪ November BEACON financial aid program
▪ Financial aid and scholarships (Bright Futures)
▪ Lunch & Learn school counseling activities
KAHOOT.IT
 Duval County
Graduation Requirements
24 credits
4-English ▪ 2.0 unweighted GPA
4-Math Alg I, Geo, + 2 math ▪ Pass ELA FSA Grade 10
3-Science ▪ Pass Algebra 1 EOC
Bio, + 2 sci ▪ Complete one online high
3-Social Studies school course
World Hist, US Hist, Eco/Gov
2-Foreign Language
must be in same world language
1-Practical or Performing Fine Art*
1- HOPE
6-Electives*
*includes the 12 specific arts courses for DA arts seal
 Grade Point Average
▪ State, Unweighted, Graduation GPA (4.0 scale)

▪ District, Weighted, Ranking GPA (5.0 scale)

▪ Re-calculated, Academic GPA (includes half of an extra quality

point for each academic honors course, whole extra point for
AP, DE) i.e. State University Schools in Florida
(other colleges/universities recalculate based on their unique
formulas)

▪ Florida Bright Futures GPA (uses specific courses and includes

half of an extra quality point for each honors, AP, or DE
course). Go to www.floridashines.org
 Senior TO DO list:
▪ Compile a list of colleges applying to

▪ Request transcripts through the D.A. webpage

▪ Complete senior information form (and resume) and submit to counselor

▪ Request letters of recommendation from counselors/teachers in person

▪ Complete college applications

▪ Turn in Scholarship and College acceptance documentation to Arts

Directors

▪ Senior Exit Survey

 12th Grade Checklist Fall
▪ Meet with your counselor!

▪ Study – senior year grades are important

▪ Take SAT and ACT www.collegeboard.com, www.act.org

▪ Receive senior newsletters and visit the DA school counseling

webpage, counselor corner blog, Instagram, and senior page

▪ Continue activities/community service - document and submit

▪ Attend the College Fair October 13, Prime Osborn Center

 12th Grade Checklist Fall
▪ Prepare college applications –
▪ Request transcripts; pick up transcripts to be mailed
▪ Write essays, resume, Letters of recommendation
▪ View Bright Futures scholarship eligibility
www.floridashines.org
▪ Research and apply for scholarships
▪ Apply for Bright Futures and FAFSA starting October 1
▪ BEACON financial aid workshop
▪ Attend senior parent night
 12th Grade Checklist Spring
▪ Meet with your counselor!
▪ Keep grades up, colleges may rescind admission for
falling grades
▪ Receive senior newsletters and visit the DA
school counseling webpage, counselor corner blog, and
senior page
▪ View Bright Futures scholarship eligibility
www.floridashines.org
 12th Grade Checklist Spring
▪ Continue to take the SAT/ACT, PERT post-secondary
readiness
▪ Continue to apply for scholarships & other financial aid
▪ Attend senior parent night
▪ Follow up with colleges to confirm your attendance
 *Students on
free/reduced lunch are
eligible for SAT and
ACT waivers.
Visit the school
counseling office for
more information.
 Community Service &
Extracurricular Activities
▪ Extracurricular activities and community service are “hot” items! Participation throughout
grades 9-12 is most important (includes summer before ninth grade)
• Turn in verification forms for all service completed to date by end of the first 9 weeks
• Get pre-approval for current yr/upcoming community service from school counseling office
• If over 50 hours at one organization – need letter on letterhead
• Submit all completed documentation to the school counseling office
• Be sure to submit copies of any NHS hours to the school counseling office as well
• Make copies to keep for your records
• Only the total number of hours are listed on your transcript

▪ What kind of activities are important?

▪ Quality participation in one or few activities
▪ Service to the community and involvement in the school
▪ Leadership and/or significant contributions
 General Tips
▪ Establish Notebook with Dividers
• Transcript
• Resume
• Divider for Each School with check list

▪ Create College folder system

▪ Get the name of your Admission Reps and keep it
▪ Establish a calendar of deadlines for each school
▪ Maintain Senior Year Grades
 Resume Tips
▪ Activities and experiences sheet
• School activities
• Leadership positions
• Community involvement/service opportunities
• Awards, honors & achievements: a simple laundry list
• Work experience
▪ Activities - short, one sentence description, strong active
verbs. List leadership positions within if applicable
▪ Can include one time special projects
▪ Professional looking easy to read font
▪ Page length, more of an outline not an essay, easy to follow
bulleted list
 Six Steps to the
College Application Process
1) Know yourself and your reasons for attending
College
2) Consider College characteristics
3) List, compare, and visit Colleges
4) Apply for admission and observe deadlines
5) Develop a plan to finance your education
6) Review and finalize your plans
 College Visit Procedure
If the visit causes you to miss class(es) at DA, the absence
will be excused if the following procedure is followed:
▪ For Juniors and Seniors only
▪ Pick up an application in the Dean’s Office
▪ Obtain work from teachers prior to leaving
▪ Turn in the application to the Attendance Office at least
two weeks prior to the college visit
▪ Approval will only be granted for formal invitations and
open houses
▪ Upon return to school bring a note signed by both a
university representative and your parent/guardian
 Meeting College Expenses
Need-Based Financial Aid
GRANTS, LOANS and WORK STUDY
▪ Many students and families receive need-based financial aid.
▪ Federal Government: “The Student Guide” and “Funding Your Education” –
www.ed.gov/finaid.html
▪ Families complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) starting October
1st
• www.fafsa.ed.gov
• To estimate your eligibility for federal student aid. Visit the FAFSA4caster
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate
• OR https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/next-steps/how-calculated to get
more information on the your EFC - Expected Family Contribution -the amount
of federal student aid you are eligible to receive
• Make sure to reference your college/university’s specific financial aid page.
 Meeting College Expenses
Merit Scholarships
▪ Based on talent or merit
▪ Very competitive - national pool of applicants
▪ High GPA and test scores
▪ Academic
▪ Artistic
▪ Community service
▪ Leadership
▪ Essay competitions
 Bright Futures Eligibility
▪ Apply at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org starting October 1
senior year
▪ Weighted Academic GPA (16 college-preparatory credits & up to 2
additional credits from courses in these academic areas and/or AP
fine arts courses)
• Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)
• 3.5 GPA
• 29 ACT/1290 SAT (Old SAT is Critical Reading and Math while new SAT is
combined Evidenced-based Reading and Writing and Math)
• 100 hours community service
• Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
• 3.0 GPA
• 26 ACT/1170 SAT (Old SAT is Critical Reading and Math while new SAT is
combined Evidenced-based Reading and Writing and Math)
• 75 hours community service

**Must maintain GPA in college**

 www.floridashines.org
▪ For Bright Futures Eligibility GPA and test scores
(community service is not listed here)
▪ District sends transcripts 3 times a year
▪ Click on “Go to College”
▪ Click on “Pay for College"
▪ Click Check Now under Bright Futures Scholarship
▪ Your Student Identifier Number is your social
security number followed by the “x” sign
 CONGRATULATIONS!
College Boot Camp
Lunch & Learn starting Friday October 5th
Mrs. Lepage’s Room