Senior Planning Guide

Common Lingo

EARLY ACTION: is an admissions procedure to notify students of early admissions to the college. Students do not need to accept the college’s offer of admissions but may file other applications (used by UNC, NCSU, etc.).

EARLY DECISION: is a plan under which you may submit your application early to one college, usually by October 15 of your senior year. You are notified of your status by December 1. As part of an early decision plan, you are required to sign a statement agreeing to accept the college’s offer of admission. You must also withdraw your application from other colleges if accepted under Early Decision. (Used by Duke, Elon, Wake Forest, etc.)

REGULAR ADMISSION: candidates submit an application during November to February, depending on the individual applicant and specific college deadline(s). Check the deadline for each individual school.

ROLLING ADMISSION: candidates submit an application at their convenience up to a certain date. They typically receive an offer of acceptance or rejection within four to six weeks. (Used often by Community Colleges and some four-year institutions)

ONSITE ADMISSION: is when an admissions officer will come to South Johnston High School and meet with students who have an interest in their university.  Students will provide the admissions officer with a copy of their transcript, completed application, and SAT/ACT scores (if available) and will know “onsite” of their admissions status. .  Watch for announcements via Twitter, Facebook, Remind 101, and email of these opportunities!

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the GPA score based on the weighted or unweighted GPA?

The weighted GPA will be used to determine if the student satisfies the minimum GPA requirement in most cases. It is up to the student to research the school they are interested in to make sure this is the case.

Is the GPA calculated based on all my courses or just the courses for the college preparatory curriculum?

The GPA is the cumulative GPA based on all courses taken during high school.

What if my GPA is over 2.5, but my SAT is less than 880 on the new version (or less than 800 on the old version), or my ACT is less than 17 - do I meet the requirement?

No, you must meet both the minimum GPA and the minimum SAT or ACT score to be eligible for admission. In rare cases, a campus may offer a student with extenuating circumstances or with a special talent a waiver from one of the requirements.

What is superscoring?

Superscoring is the process by which colleges consider your highest section scores across all the dates you took the SAT. Rather than confining your scores to one particular date, these schools will take your highest section scores, forming the highest possible composite score.Most schools will require a student take the ACT or SAT at least 3 times to use superscoring.

COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

FALL

  • Finalize/prioritize college choices and determine application deadlines.  Decide if you will apply Early Action (non-binding) or Early Decision (binding) to any schools.  Use a spreadsheet to keep track of application information:  due dates, supplemental documentation required (recommendations, etc), test scores, fees (WORKSHEET)

  • Update your resume

  • Register for and take/retake the fall SAT / ACT / SAT Subject Tests if needed

  • Prepare college applications early (some deadlines are as early as Oct 1st)

  • Ask teachers for recommendations if you haven't already (give them ample time!)

  • Work on essays; ask for feedback on your writing from teachers/counselor

  • Allow time for transcripts to be prepared (by the LNHS Counseling Center, for out-of-state schools) or sent (by you, to in-state schools via CFNC)

  • Keep copies of everything

  • Review your transcript and meet with your counselor to be sure that you are enrolled for proper credits to meet HS graduation requirements and college admission requirements

  • Make any additional visits to colleges you haven't seen yet or may need to re-visit to help you decide where to apply.  (Two visits are permitted during senior year.  In order for your absence to be excused, be sure to bring back a letter from the college admissions office with your name saying you visited)

  • Attend the Senior College Planning Session in September

  • Attend the College Fair in October

  • In early October, complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  It is required in order to receive any need-based financial aid.  The application can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

  • Continue to survey scholarship opportunities:  check websites (such as http://www.fastweb.com) as well as the updated scholarship list on the LNHS Counseling Department webpage.  Some scholarship applications are due in the fall.  Do your parents' places of employment offer college scholarships for children of employees?

WINTER

  • Continue to prepare and submit college applications for deadlines coming up

  • Keep track and stay on top of gathering recommendation letters, transcripts, etc

  • After submitting applications, check with colleges to make sure your COMPLETE application has been received

  • Keep your grades up!

  • Attend the Financial Aid Information Night in December (*Usually hosted at JCC by the county)

  • Check your transcript to be sure that you will meet all graduation requirements

  • Make sure midyear grade reports are sent to colleges, if requested

  • WORKKeys Testing, for all CTE Completers

SPRING/SUMMER

  • Keep your grades up!

  • Register for, and take, AP exams, if applicable

  • Many local scholarships have application deadlines in early spring (check the list on the Scholarship webpage)

  • As college acceptance letters arrive, compare financial aid offers and visit again if needed before making a decision

  • If you have ruled out any colleges that accepted you, notify them.  This is a courtesy to other applicants, and it will help the colleges manage their waitlists and extend the correct number of acceptance letters

  • If waitlisted, learn more about that process and move ahead with other plans

  • Notify your college of choice of your acceptance of their offer by May 1st.  Know when your college deposits are due.

  • In June

  • Send thank you letters to everyone who helped you in the application process.  Let your teachers/recommenders/mentors know the results of your college search.

  • Complete the SENIOR EXIT SURVEY 

  • Report all scholarships to the Mrs. Peters as well as your college

  • Attend senior events, graduation practice, and.....graduate!  Congratulations!

  • Read all mailings from your college carefully.  Often, important registration and housing material is sent in the summer

  • Register for freshman orientation and your classes as soon as possible.  Classes often fill, and registration is usually on a first-come, first-served basis