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2017-2018 Post-Secondary Planning Guide

Lenoir County Public Schools

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SUPERINTENDENT BOARD OF EDUCATION M. Brent Williams Jon Sargeant, Chair

Bruce Hill, Vice Chair ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT Elijah Woods Frances Herring Merwyn K. Smith

Connecting Your Child to a Prosperous Future W. D. Anderson ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Billy Davis Nicholas Harvey, II Keith King

2017-2018 School Year Dear Students & Parents: Whether your post-secondary plans include college, work, or the military, the information enclosed will be beneficial to you. Your school counselors and GEAR UP coordinators are available to assist you through this process, answer questions, and direct you to resources. This document provides specific information and procedures for use during this very important school year. Important dates, how to calculate GPA, tips for completing a resume or going through an interview, applying to college, and scholarship information are included in the guide. We look forward to working with you and hope that you have a very successful year! Sincerely, LCPS Post-Secondary Planning Guide Committee: Shannon Chamblee, KHS Counselor (schamblee@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-8067) Jill Deriso, KHS Counselor (jderiso@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-8067) Nicholas Harvey II, LCPS Assistant Superintendent (nharvey@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-1109) Frances Herring, LCPS Associate Superintendent (fherring@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-1109) Rachel Hewett, NLHS Counselor (rhewett@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-9184) Jennifer Hollingsworth, NLHS Counselor (jhollingsworth@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-9184) Amy Jones, LCPS High School CTE Director (ajones@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-1109) Hilary Lucas, NLHS Counselor (hlucas@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-527-9184) Karen Roddy, ECHS Counselor (kroddy@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-233-6870) Jessica Trujillo, SLHS GEAR UP College Advisor (252-568-6161) Candice Tyndall, SLHS Counselor (ctyndall@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-568-6161) Vacant, NLHS GEAR UP College Advisor (252-527-9184) Mary Vickory, SLHS Counselor (mvickory@lenoir.k12.nc.us or 252-568-6161) Brandon Yelverton, KHS GEAR UP College Advisor (252-527-8067)

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Table of Contents

County-Wide Functions & Dates to Remember ............................................................................. 4 LCPS High School Counseling Departments .................................................................................... 4 Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................................................... 5 Class of 2018 Graduation Requirements Checklist ......................................................................... 6 North Carolina High School Diploma Endorsements ...................................................................... 7 Cum Laude System Graduation Recognition .................................................................................. 7 Student Resume for Recommendation Letters .............................................................................. 8 Recommendation Letters ............................................................................................................... 9 Recommender Questionnaire ....................................................................................................... 10 Military Services (ASVAB) .............................................................................................................. 11 Selective Service Registration ....................................................................................................... 11 Career Search: What Career is Best For You? .............................................................................. 12 Preparing for College

Standardized Test Information (SAT/ACT) ........................................................................ 13 SAT or ACT? Comparison Chart .................................................................................... 14-15 Average SAT/ACT/GPA of First-Time Freshmen ............................................................... 15 College Minimum Admissions Requirements ................................................................... 15 2017-2018 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines ....................................................... 16 2017-2018 SAT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines ....................................................... 16 ACT/SAT Score Comparison .............................................................................................. 17 Senior College Planning Calendar ................................................................................ 18-20 What Do Admissions Offices Consider ............................................................................. 20 NC Private College/University Information ...................................................................... 21 NC Public Attendance Cost by Institution ......................................................................... 22 NC Public Total Enrollment & Residency by Institution .................................................... 22 Community College Information ...................................................................................... 23 College Foundation of NC (CFNC) ................................................................................ 24-25 College Application Month ............................................................................................... 25 College Redirection Pool ................................................................................................... 25 College Admissions Options & Keywords ......................................................................... 26 Freshmen Application Acceptance Rate by Institution .................................................... 27 Athletic Eligibility/NCAA Information ............................................................................... 27 College Visit Information .................................................................................................. 28 NC Residency Determination Services ......................................................................... 29-30

Financial Aid & Scholarship Information Financial Aid Information ............................................................................................. 31-32 Calendar for Applying for Financial Aid........................................................................ 32-33 Scholarship Process .......................................................................................................... 33

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County-Wide Functions & Dates to Remember

LCPS Senior Parent Night – Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at each individual high school (KHS-Performing Arts Center, NLHS-Auditorium, SLHS-Auditorium)

LCPS Financial Aid Night –Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at Lenoir Community College Administrative (Main) Building Auditorium

LCPS College Night – Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Woodmen Community Center – This is an opportunity to speak with college recruiters from over 50 NC colleges/universities.

FAFSA Day – Saturday, October 28, 2017 at various locations – Register for FAFSA Day at www.cfnc.org/fafsaday.

CFNC College Application Month – Oct. 30 – Nov. 30 – Sign up to participate in your high school’s counseling department. For more information, go to www.cfnc.org/caw.

Graduation Ceremonies: o SLHS Class of 2018 Graduation – Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. o KHS Class of 2018 Graduation – Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. o NLHS Class of 2018 Graduation – Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. o ECHS Class of 2018 Graduation – Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

LCPS High School Counseling Departments

Early College High School Counseling Staff Karen Roddy – Counselor

KHS Counseling Staff Jill Deriso – Counselor, Department Chair (last name N-Z) Shannon Chamblee – Counselor (last name H-M) Vacant – Counselor (last name A-G) Luanne Harper – Counseling Secretary

NLHS Counseling Staff Jennifer Hollingsworth – Counselor, Department Chair (last name A-G) Rachel Hewett – Counselor (last name H-N) Hilary Lucas – Counselor (last name O-Z) Debbie Campos – Counseling Secretary

SLHS Counseling Staff Candice Tyndall – Counselor, Department Chair (Grades 10 and 12) Mary Vickory – Counselor (Grades 9 and 11) Joanne Greer – Counseling Secretary

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Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I APPLY TO COLLEGES IN NC? (see pp. 24-25 for more information) Go to www.cfnc.org Click APPLY, then TO COLLEGE, then APPLICATION HUB Click START AN APPLICATION and follow the directions

HOW DO I APPLY TO COLLEGES OUTSIDE OF NC? To apply to colleges outside of NC (colleges located in another state), Google the

college name and go to the college website. Click APPLY FOR ADMISSION.

HOW DO I SEND MY TRANSCRIPT TO COLLEGES IN NC? (see pp. 24-25 for more info) Go to www.cfnc.org (for NC colleges only) Click APPLY, then TO COLLEGE, then APPLICATION HUB Click REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT (You will need your school ID #.)

HOW DO I SEND MY TRANSCRIPT TO COLLEGES OUTSIDE OF NC? Complete a transcript request form in the counseling department.

HOW DO I SEND MY LCC TRANSCRIPT TO COLLEGES? If you have taken any LCC transferable courses, you will need to send your LCC

transcript to the colleges in which you apply. To send your LCC transcript: Go to http://www.lenoircc.edu/ps/psregtranscripts/ Click TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FROM NATIONAL STUDENT CLEARINGHOUSE Select school “Lenoir Community College” Click SUBMIT, then START, and follow all instructions on each page.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID? (see pp. 31-33 for more information) Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to access the FAFSA online. (1-800-557-7394)

HOW DO I COMPLETE RESIDENCY DETERMINATION? (see pp. 29-30 for more information) Go to www.ncresidency.org and click COMPLETE RESIDENCY DETERMINATION

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE SAT OR ACT? (see pp. 13 and 16 for more information) To register for the SAT, go online to www.collegeboard.org. To register for the ACT, go online to www.act.org.

HOW DO I GET SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION? (see p. 33 for more information) Go to your school’s counseling website at:

KHS – www.sites.google.com/a/lenoir.k12.nc.us/khscounseling NLHS – www.nlhsguidance.weebly.com SLHS – www.slhscounselingcenter.weebly.com

Check your school and personal email accounts. Counselors often send scholarship information via email.

Stop by the counseling department and pick up an application. If you need assistance, see the counseling secretary. You should stop by the counseling department at least every two weeks throughout the school year.

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Class of 2018 Graduation Requirements

(for students entering 9th grade in 2014-2015)

28 credits required to graduate

Review your graduation requirements very carefully with your school counselor at the beginning of the school year. Pay particular attention to the requirements for your chosen “Course of Study”.

4-Year College/University

English I

English II

English III

English IV

Math I

Math II

Math III

Math beyond Math III

Earth Environmental Science

Biology

Physical Science or Chemistry

World History

Civics & Economics

American History I

American History II

Health & PE 2 credits of a World Language

_________________

_________________

*4 elective credits

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

Community College/Military/Career

English I

English II

English III

English IV

Math I

Math II

Math III

Math # 4 aligned with Post-Secondary Plans

Earth Environmental Science

Biology

Physical Science or Chemistry

World History

Civics & Economics

American History I

American History II

Health & PE 2 credits of any combination from Career Technical Education, Arts Education, or World Language

_________________

_________________

*4 elective credits

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

*NOTE: Students graduating from Lenoir County Public Schools no longer require a 4-course

concentration with the exception of those seeking the NC Academic Scholars Endorsement.

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NC High School Diploma Endorsements

Students enrolled in North Carolina high schools shall have the opportunity to earn endorsements to their high school diploma that identify a particular area of focused study. Each endorsement has a seal that may be added to your high school diploma. They are also noted on your official high school transcript.

Students may graduate high school with no endorsements or may earn up to five. The five endorsements are Career Endorsement, College Endorsement, College/UNC Endorsement, Global Languages Endorsement, and NC Academic Scholars Endorsement. The requirements for earning these endorsements are defined below:

I. Career Endorsement: Student has earned an unweighted grade point average of at least 2.6; has completed a Career Technical Education (CTE) concentration; completed a math sequence of NC Math I, NC Math II, NC Math III, and a 4th mathematics course aligned with their post-secondary plans including CTE math courses; and earned a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) at the Silver level or above from the WorkKeys assessment.

II. College Endorsement: Student has earned an unweighted grade point average of at least 2.6 and completed a math sequence of NC Math I, NC Math II, NC Math III, and a 4th mathematics course that meets University of North Carolina system minimum admission requirements (mathematics course with NC Math III as a pre-requisite)

III. College/UNC Endorsement: Student has earned a weighted grade point average of at least 2.5; completed a math sequence of NC Math I, NC Math II, NC Math III, and a 4th mathematics course that meets University of North Carolina system minimum admission requirements (mathematics course with NC Math III as a pre-requisite); and completed two units of a world language.

IV. Global Languages Endorsement: Student has earned a combined unweighted grade point average of at least 2.5 in the four English Language Arts courses required for graduation; and completed a four-course sequence of study in the same world language, earning a combined unweighted grade point average of at least 2.5 in those courses.

V. North Carolina Academic Scholars Endorsement: Student has earned an unweighted grade point average of at least 3.5; completed a math sequence of NC Math I, NC Math II, NC Math III, and a 4th mathematics course that meets University of North Carolina system minimum admission requirements (mathematics course with NC Math III as a pre-requisite); completed two units of a world language, completed one unit of Chemistry or Physics; completed four elective credits in any one content area; and completed three higher level courses taken during a student’s junior or senior years.

Cum Laude System Graduation Recognition

Lenoir County Public Schools has implemented a cum laude honor system as a more appropriate honor system for the 21st Century student. Beginning with the graduating class of 2016, students have the following opportunities for graduation recognition:

Summa Cum Laude: weighted GPA of the top 2% of the graduating class – Gold Medal

Magna Cum Laude: weighted GPA of the top 3-5% of the graduating class – Silver Medal

Cum Laude: weighted GPA of the top 6-10% of the graduating class – Bronze Medal

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Writing Your Student Resume for Recommendation Letters

Please do not ask counselors, teachers, principals, or community representatives to write a recommendation letter for you without providing them with your student resume and a copy of the Recommender Questionnaire. This is not a work resume, but a student resume to help the adults in your life write a strong recommendation for you. You will use your student resume for college applications, scholarship applications, and recommendation letters. Your resume should be in a format that best highlights your extracurricular activities (both in school and out of school), leadership potential, and interests. Try to keep it brief (2 pages maximum; 1 page is preferred). Make sure the font is large enough to be easily read. Follow this student resume format: HEADING: Name, Address, Telephone, Email, GPA (weighted & unweighted), Class Rank SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: List all school related activities in which you have participated with the grade level in which you participated by each (clubs, drama, band, NHS, etc.) COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: List all community related activities in which you have participated with the grade level in which you participated by each. Include all community service/volunteer work with dates, name of places, and number of hours served. Also list all church activities, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Young Life, etc. EMPLOYMENT: Paid work (include position, number of years employed, and number of hours per week) AWARDS/HONORS/LEADERSHIP: List all of your awards, honors, or leadership opportunities (elected office, elected representative, school nominee, sports awards, technical/computer skills certifications, other certifications (CRC, First Aid/CPR, lifeguard), Eagle Scout, etc. OTHER INTERESTS: Cover anything not already listed (bilingual skills, work skills, special projects you have started or completed, etc.) Highlight your strengths and accomplishments. If you know what profession/career you plan to pursue, please list it. REFERENCES: At least two non-family persons who can say great things about you, your character, and your work To create an online resume, go to www.cfnc.org, log-in to your account, click PLAN, click FOR A CAREER, click GET A JOB, and then click RESUME BUILDER. If you need your log-in and password, call 1-866-866-2362 (CFNC). Another recommended resuming building website is https://www.livecareer.com/.

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Recommendation Letters

Whether it’s for a job application, a college application, or a scholarship, you may be required to have a recommendation letter completed on your behalf. Many colleges and universities require letters of recommendation along with your application for admission. These letters are an important way for admissions officials to gain insight into your personal strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments.

TIPS to get the best recommendation possible:

Ask the right people! How do you decide who can give you the best recommendation letter? Think about who knows you best and would write a strong recommendation letter in support of you. A teacher usually will give you the best recommendation letter. Consider a class that you really had to work hard in, not the class that was necessarily the easiest; the teacher that has seen you put forth your best effort can convey in a strong letter.

Give the recommender enough time to write a strong recommendation. What is an appropriate amount of time to give the recommender? Determine the deadline for when the recommendations are due. Ask for letters at least 2 weeks in advance of the due date to get it completed. If possible, more than 2 weeks would be appreciated. Be sure to check back with the recommender to ensure it was completed.

Give the recommender the necessary information. Complete a Recommender Questionnaire. Be courteous and polite. Remember that you are asking the person to do something extra on top of their usual workload. You should also provide the recommender with the following:

1. Recommender Questionnaire (see next page) 2. A copy of your student resume 3. Information on how they should return the recommendation to you 4. A recommendation form (if applicable) 5. The date the recommendation letter/form is due (Make sure you follow the

directions on how to send them in and when!)

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Recommender Questionnaire

What are the first three words that come to mind to describe you?

What are your personal strengths? Give examples that illustrate these strengths. Responses can include traits from academics, activities, athletics, hobbies, your personality, work experiences, etc.

What points or qualities do you want stressed in a letter of recommendation about you?

The accomplishments I am most proud of are . . . (shows personal initiative or commitment)

I have shown leadership skills by . . .

The out-of-school activity that has been most rewarding to me is . . . because . . .

Right now what are the “top priorities” in your life? At present do you have a particular “philosophy of life”? What is your intended college major? Why?

Are there any ‘extenuating circumstances’ that should be included in your recommendation?

What sacrifices or adjustments, if any, have you had to make/or will have to make in order to reach your goals? Are you the first from your immediate family to go to college?

What additional information should I know to write your letter of recommendation? How can I capture the “real you” on paper?

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Military Services

The different branches of the military visit schools many times during the year. These visits are scheduled through the

Counseling Department.

The ASVAB, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is an aptitude test to access an individual’s natural abilities and skills. The military branches require the ASVAB for entrance into the military. The

ASVAB is an excellent tool to help determine your own natural abilities, which will assist you in making an informed career choice.

The ASVAB is given at each high school. See your school’s counseling department for specific dates.

Kinston High School – November and March North Lenoir High School – November and February

South Lenoir High School – November and April

You may also take the ASVAB by contacting your military recruiter and scheduling an appointment. The Military Entrance Processing Service Center offers the ASVAB on a weekly basis.

For ASVAB test preparation or assistance on the ASVAB, go to www.testpreview.com, www.vocabulary.com, www.algebrahelp.com, www.purplemath.com, www.khanacademy.org,

www.military.com, or www.march2success.com.

Air Force www.airforce.com www.afrotc.com Army www.army.com www.goarmy.com

Coast Guard www.uscg.mil www.GoCoastGuard.com Marines www.marines.com www.parents.marines.com

Navy www.navy.com www.nrotc.navy.com Also www.todaysmilitary.com/futures

Selective Service Registration Registering with Selective Service is now possible via the Internet. All young men in the U.S., with very few exceptions, are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. Registration is federal law. It is also required to remain eligible for many federal and state benefits, including student financial aid, job training, and jobs in the Executive Branch of the federal government, such as jobs with the U.S. Postal Service. Failure to register is a felony. To register, click on the “Register On-line Now” Icon at the Selective Service web site (www.sss.gov). Enter in some basic information and then a Selective Service number will be generated.

Registration forms are also available at any U.S. Post Office. Remember that you must register with Selective Service before

you can apply for financial aid.

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Career Search: What Career Is Best For You?

Prior to attending a college/university or community college, you should decide what types of careers are of interest to you. All students should complete a career interest inventory of some form to narrow their career choices and explore the colleges that offer programs that will allow them to obtain their desired career choice prior to going to college. For example, you may desire to become a pharmacist. You have a select few colleges/universities that have a pharmacy program. You don’t need to waste time applying to colleges that do not offer degree programs for your desired career. Complete a career interest inventory and do your research!

Step 1: Complete a career interest inventory. Go to www.cfnc.org. Click “PLAN” and then

click “FOR A CAREER.” Click “LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF.” Step 2: Investigate colleges that match your interests and your career selections. Go to

www.cfnc.org. Click “PLAN” and then click “FOR A COLLEGE.” Explore their programs and majors.

Step 3: Take your time and surf the cfnc.org website. Jot down anything you want to

remember for the future. The time you spend planning now will benefit you in the long run.

Did you know? (Awesome Career Information Website)

You can research any career in the world at www.bls.gov/oco, which is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. At this site, scroll down to #3 and click on A-Z Index for a listing of all occupations in alphabetical order. Why should you go to college? (www.act.org/college/index.htm)

1. Every bit of education increases the chances you’ll earn good pay. 2. The more education you get the more likely it is you will always have a job. 3. Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than it

was for your parents’ generation. College Degrees and Average Yearly Income (2012 US Census Bureau)

High School Dropout – persons that do not graduate from high school ($19,915) Diplomas/Certificates – demonstrate that you have a set of skills for a particular occupation

($29,448) Associate’s Degrees – two-year degrees that provide preparation for a career or for transfer to

a four-year college or university ($37,990) Bachelor’s Degrees – four-year degrees that include general education courses and courses in

a declared major ($54,689) Master’s Degree – an advanced degree earned in a specialized field after completion of a

bachelor’s degree ($67,898) Professional Degree – additional license in a recognized profession ($119,009) Doctoral Degree (Doctorate) – the highest degree you can earn. A doctoral degree indicates

expertise in a specialized field. ($92,863)

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Standardized Test Information (SAT/ACT)

The SAT, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, measures critical reading and mathematics abilities and is a test that predicts college performance.

The ACT, the American College Test, measures educational development in English, math, reading, and science; and is a test that predicts freshman year college performance.

Most colleges/universities will accept either test (SAT or ACT) for admission. Some highly competitive colleges require SAT Subject Tests. The SAT Subject Tests measure performances in specific subjects and are often used by the colleges for placement purposes.

Be sure to have your scores sent to the colleges and scholarship agencies to which you are planning to apply. It is free to send your scores to four colleges of your choice at the time you register; however, if you wait to do this later, it will cost you for each set of scores. When signing up to take the ACT or the SAT, not only should you send your scores to the college/universities to which you have applied, but you must also send them to the NCAA for athletic eligibility consideration if you plan to play sports in college (Code: 9999).

Take time to familiarize yourself with the instructions and sample questions sent by the testing service. You may want to take one of the SAT/ACT prep courses that are offered. SAT and ACT Practice Booklets are available in your high school’s counseling department. There are also many websites that offer ACT and SAT test preparation. USE THEM!!!!

* www.cfnc.org * www.prepfactory.com * www.sat.collegeboard.org/practice * www.act.org * www.khanacademy.org/sat.jspq * www.number2.com * www.kaptest.com/ * www.4tests.com/act

Only those students on the four year college/university pathway and planning to attend a four year college or university need to take the SAT or ACT. These tests are not required for students planning to enter a two year community college (even those planning to follow the 2 + 2 plan). Students on the college/university pathway should plan to take the SAT/ACT during exam time of their junior year, preferably after passing Math III. Students should plan to take the SAT/ACT twice during their junior year and, if necessary, a third time at the beginning of their senior year.

High school students in the U.S. or U.S. territories who can't afford to pay test fees may be eligible for SAT fee waivers. Students must be in 11th or 12th grade to use an SAT fee waiver. To be eligible, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. (See your school counselor for details.)

Enrollment in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g. Federal TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).

Family receives public assistance. Lives in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or is homeless. A ward of the state or an orphan.

Some scholarships/grants request financial fee waiver certification. Students are only allowed to get TWO fee waivers for each test. Please do not obtain a fee waiver and then decide not to use it. It cannot be replaced. To obtain the fee waiver, please see your school counselor.

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SAT or ACT? Which Test Should You Take?

Frequently Asked Questions New SAT ACT

What are these tests used for?

Four year colleges/universities use the SAT to aid in admissions decisions.

Four year colleges/universities use the ACT to aid in admissions decisions.

When is it administered? Six times per year Seven times per year

What is the test structure?

Three sections: Reading, Writing & Language, Math

Four sections: Reading, English, Math, Science

Is the essay optional?

Yes – Check with the colleges in which you are applying, but for most, the

writing test is no longer required for admission

Yes – Check with the colleges in which you are applying, but for most, the

writing test is no longer required for admission

How long is the test? The SAT is 3 hours. The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes.

What is the score range? The score range for the SAT is 200-800

per section, 400-1600 overall. The score range for the ACT is 1-36.

Is there a penalty for wrong answers?

No – so make an educated guess if you don’t know the answer

No – so make an educated guess if you don’t know the answer

Which test should I take?

It is okay to take both tests! It is okay to take both tests!

Are there other uses for the exam?

Scholarship Purposes Scholarship Purposes

Would short-term commercial test

preparation courses help me do better?

It varies student by student. The best way to get ready for the SAT is to take

a challenging course load and study hard.

It varies student by student. The best way to get ready for the ACT is to take

a challenging course load and study hard.

Are my SAT/ACT scores the most important

factor in admissions?

The SAT is just one of many factors in admissions. Although grades and SAT scores are important, colleges look at

and value other things, too.

The ACT is just one of many factors in admissions. Although grades and ACT scores are important, colleges look at

and value other things, too.

Are fee waivers available?

Only for ELIGIBLE students – Four college application fee waivers

are sent directly to students who use an SAT fee waiver

Only for ELIGIBLE students – Two college application fee waivers are available when using an ACT fee

waiver, but you have to see your school counselor

Are all scores sent to schools?

By using “Score Choice” students are only able to select which scores they

send by test date. Scores from an entire SAT test are sent. Student can

choose, by test date (test sitting), which scores appear on the score

report sent to colleges & universities. Students cannot, for example, send

just their math score.

ACT maintains a separate record for each test date, and it is ACT’s policy to report scores only for entire test dates. In requesting a score report from ACT,

you may not select test scores from different test dates to construct a new record; you must designate an entire

test date record as it stands.

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If I take the test more than once, will my

highest combined scores be used even if it is from two different test dates?

Yes. The highest score received on any administration of the New SAT for reading will be combined with the

highest score received on mathematics. Scores taken from the

Old SAT and the New SAT CANNOT be combined.

Yes. College admissions officers will look at all scores from all parts of the ACT, but the most important score is

the overall composite score.

When is the best time to register?

About four weeks before the test day – You pay a late fee for registering later. Note that fee waivers may be used to

cover late fees on the SAT.

About five weeks before the test day – You pay a late fee for registering later.

Note that fee waivers MAY NOT be used to cover late fees on the ACT.

Need more information? The College Board

1-866-756-7346 www.collegeboard.org

ACT, INC (319) 337-1000 www.act.org

What’s a Good SAT/ACT Score?

Average SAT/ACT/GPA of First-Time Freshmen A “good” SAT/ACT score depends on the college/university in which you are applying. The scores vary among

the 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina system. Below is a chart of the average first-time freshmen scores entering each university. All data is based on the 2016 freshmen class. Data was obtained

from https://www.collegeboard.org/ and the data changes with each new freshmen class.

SAT (M+R) ACT Composite GPA (weighted)

Appalachian State Univ. 1205 25 4.17

East Carolina Univ. 1100 23 3.5

Elizabeth City State University 880 17 3.07

Fayetteville State University 920 18 3.2

NC A&T State University 900 18 2.5+

NC Central University 950 18 3.2

NC State University 1320 29 4.66

UNC-Asheville 1200 26 3.5

UNC-Chapel Hill 1365 30 4.63

UNC-Charlotte 1190 24 3.9

UNC-Greensboro 1075 23 3.6

UNC-Pembroke 975 20 3.4

UNC-Wilmington 1255 24 4.12

UNC School of the Arts 1205 25 3.75+

Western Carolina University 1080 22 3.4

Winston-Salem State University 889 17 3.0

COLLEGE MINIMUM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS The 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina have minimum admissions requirements.

Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a minimum combined SAT (Reading + Math) score of 880 which is equivalent to a composite score of 17/18 on the ACT.

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2017-2018 ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines For more information and to register, go to www.act.org

Regular Registration Fee is $42.50 (no writing) and Late Registration Fee is $70 (Note: ACT Fee Waivers WILL NOT waive late registration fees.)

ACT code or CEEB code: Early College High School – 342072 Kinston High School – 342075 North Lenoir High School – 342130 South Lenoir High School – 340970 Local ACT Test Centers: East Carolina University – all dates Jones Senior HS – Sept, Oct, Feb New Bern HS – Sept, Dec, Feb Smithfield Selma HS - all dates Wayne Community Coll –all dates

2017-2018 SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

For more information and to register, go to www.collegeboard.org Regular Registration Fee is $46 (no writing) and Late Registration Fee is $75

(Note: SAT Fee Waivers WILL also waive late registration fees.)

SAT code or CEEB code: Early College High School – 342072 Kinston High School – 342075 North Lenoir High School – 342130 South Lenoir High School – 340970 Local SAT Test Centers: East Carolina University – all dates Goldsboro HS – all dates Jones Senior HS – Aug, Oct, May Kinston HS – Oct, Nov, Mar, May New Bern HS – all dates North Lenoir HS – Dec & May Smithfield-Selma Sr. HS – all dates Wayne Country Day – Aug, Nov, May

Test Date Regular Registration

Deadline Late Registration

*additional fee

September 9, 2017 July 28, 2017 July 29-August 21

October 28, 2017 September 22, 2017 Sept. 23 – Oct. 6

December 9, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 4-17

February 10, 2018 January 12, 2018 January 13-19

April 14, 2018 March 4, 2018 March 5-18

June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018 May 5-18

July 14, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 16-22

Test Date Regular Registration

Deadline Late Registration

*additional fee

August 26, 2017 July 28, 2017 July 29-Aug. 15

October 7, 2017 September 8, 2017 September 9-27

November 4, 2017 October 5, 2017 October 6-25

December 2, 2017 November 2, 2017 November 3-21

March 10, 2018 February 9, 2018 February 10-28

May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 7-25

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ACT/SAT Score Comparison

ACT Composite Score

SAT Score (Reading + Math)

36 1600

35 1570

34 1540

33 1500

32 1470

31 1430

30 1400

29 1360

28 1320

27 1290

26 1260

25 1220

24 1180

23 1140

22 1110

21 1070

20 1030

19 990

18 950

17 910

16 870

15 830

14 780

13 740

12 680

11 590

Obtained from http://www.princetonreview.com

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Senior College Planning Calendar September

Review courses and graduation requirements with your counselor during your “Initial Senior Interview.”

Create a master list or calendar that includes: o tests you’ll take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines o college application and scholarship deadlines o volunteer/community service hours o financial aid application forms required and their deadlines o other materials you’ll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.)

Save all paperwork related to testing and college applications in a secure file folder, box or special location.

If you haven’t already done so, complete a career interest inventory. Go to www.cfnc.org. Click “PLAN” and then click “FOR A CAREER.” Click “LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF.” Investigate colleges that match your interests and your career selections. Go to www.cfnc.org. Click “PLAN” and then click “FOR A COLLEGE.” Explore their programs and majors. Take your time and surf this website. Jot down anything you want to remember for the future. The time you spend planning now will benefit you in the long run. If you need your login or password, call 1-866-866-CFNC (2362).

Update your CFNC Account (www.cfnc.org). You can apply to NC colleges using this account.

Take the ACT in September or the SAT in October – the registration deadlines are in August and September. Get registered and start studying.

It is recommended to narrow your list of colleges to around five. Meet with your school counselor about them, and if you’ve not yet done so, review the college applications and financial aid forms for the specific colleges of your interest and note which ones require essays as well as their application deadline dates and special testing requirements. Plan to visit as many of these college campuses as soon as possible.

Write scholarship and college application essays early. Edit, proofread, and rewrite. Save them to a flash drive and to another source for back-up.

Explore ways you can pay for college. With your family, learn about financial aid. Use the financial aid calculator at www.collegeboard.org or www.cfnc.org to estimate how much aid you might receive.

Become familiar with the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Being prepared for this process is invaluable! Prepare to apply for financial aid in October.

Check with college financial aid offices for school-specific scholarship information, costs, and additional financial aid forms required.

Get a highlighter and start reviewing the Scholarship List. A scholarship list can be emailed to you or found on the school counseling website. See page 5 for individual school counseling websites addresses. Highlight scholarships you qualify for and apply for each of them prior to their deadline.

Apply for the scholarships that are due in September and October now.

Attend Senior Parent Night at your local high school on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. October

Try to finalize your college choices.

Ask for school counselor or teacher recommendations, if you need them.

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Sign up in the Counseling Department to participate in College Application Month.

FAFSA application opens up on October 1. Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov using your 2015 tax information. Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1. The earlier you apply for financial aid money, the more money you are eligible to get. Need help?

Attend Lenoir County’s Annual College Night at Woodmen Community Center on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Attend LCPS Financial Aid Night at LCC on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

Apply for the scholarships that are due in November. November

Take the ASVAB. Any senior with even the slightest interest in the military or who is still unsure about your job interests should take the ASVAB. The test is not just a military entrance requirement, but it also serves as a career interest inventory.

Participate in College Application Month where you will have assistance preparing online college applications for NC schools at www.cfnc.org.

High school transcripts can be sent to NC colleges online through www.cfnc.org. It is easiest if they are sent electronically. If you apply to NC colleges online, be sure to indicate on the last page of the application that you want your transcript sent electronically. However, if you missed this part, you can also go back to the Application Hub in cfnc.org and send it or the school can send a paper copy of your transcript to colleges.

If you have taken any LCC courses, you will need to have your LCC transcript sent to the colleges in which you apply. To request to have your LCC transcript sent anywhere, go to http://www.lenoircc.edu/ps/psregtranscripts/. See page 5 for detailed instructions.

Student athletes should electronically send or request that their transcript be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse for eligibility certification.

Apply for the scholarships that are due in December. December

Apply for the scholarships that are due in January. January

Apply for the scholarships that are due in February. February

If your college wants to see first semester grades, be sure to submit them.

Make sure you are staying on track with your current courses as accepting colleges do look at second semester senior grades.

Apply for the scholarships that are due in March. March

Keep active in school. If you are wait-listed, the college will want to know what you have accomplished between the time you applied and the time you learned of its decision.

Inform your counselor of all scholarships you are offered, even if you do not accept the award.

Apply for the scholarships that are due in April. April

Compare acceptance letters and financial aid packages.

Submit your enrollment deposit to hold your spot at the college you choose. Send your deposit to one college only.

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You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. If you’ve not yet done so, visit your final college before accepting.

Notify all other colleges in which you have applied for admission of your decision not to attend their institution.

If you have questions about housing offers, call the college.

If you were not accepted by your college of choice, submit your name to the College Redirection Pool at www.cfnc.org for colleges to contact you. Click PLAN, click FOR COLLEGE, and then click COLLEGE REDIRECTION.

Apply for scholarships that are due in May. Let your school counselor know of any scholarships you have been awarded, even if you are not planning to accept them.

May

Colleges cannot require a deposit or commitment to attend before May 1. By that postmarked date, you must inform every college of your acceptance or rejection of the offer of admission and/or financial aid.

Wait-listed by a college? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admissions director your intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Need financial aid? Ask whether funds will be available if you’re accepted.

Work with a counselor to resolve any admissions or financial aid problems.

During your “Final Senior Interview,” let your school counselor know which college you will be attending. Inform your counselor of all scholarships you are offered.

Apply for the scholarships that are due in June or July. June

Make sure your school counselor knows which college (1) your final transcript should be sent to. One final transcript will be sent to the college of your choice. You should notify your counselor if your post-graduation plans change.

If you have taken any LCC courses, you will need to have your final transcript sent to the college in which you plan to attend. To request to have your final LCC transcript sent, go to http://www.lenoircc.edu/ps/psregtranscripts/.

What Do Admissions Offices Consider When Reviewing A College Application?

Primary Factors:

Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses - Difficulty of course work (did you take the most challenging course load you could have at your school?)

Academic Performance - Grades (GPA both weighted & unweighted)

Class rank

Test Scores (SAT and/or ACT scores)

Secondary Factors:

Extracurricular Activities/Community Service

Essay(s) – not required by all schools

Letter of Recommendation

Demonstrated Interest

Interview - not required by all schools

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NC Private College/University Information (Obtained from www.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/print-college-profile & www.collegedata.com)

Undergrad Enrollment

GPA SAT

(M+R) ACT

Composite Tuition/Fees

(In State) Room & Board

Other Expenses

Total Cost

Barton 1051 3.1 980 20 $27,536 $9,856 $5,000 $42,392

Bennett 400 2.4 n/a n/a $18,513 $8,389 $5,000 $31,902

Campbell 4,560 3.8 1100 22 $29,990 $10,840 $5,000 $45,830

Catawba 1,297 3.75 1040 21 $29,920 $10,488 $5,000 $45,408

Chowan 1,525 2.75 880 16 $23,930 $8,950 $5,000 $37,880

Davidson 1,796 Top10% 1445 32 $49,949 $13,954 $5,000 $68,903

Duke 6,609 Top1% 1540 33 $53,744 $15,292 $5,000 $74,036

Elon 6,008 4.03 1265 27 $34,273 $11,869 $5,000 $51,142

Gardner-Webb 2,615 3.78 980 21 $29,420 $9,780 $5,000 $44,200

Greensboro 1,117 3.3 880 19 $28,440 $10,700 $5,000 $44,140

Guilford 1,917 3.19 1038 22 $35,688 $10,600 $5,000 $51,288

High Point 4,546 3.25 1175 24 $34,005 $13,350 $5,000 $52,355

Johnson C. Smith

1,375 3.0 850 17 $18,236 $7,100 $5,000 $30,336

Johnson/Wales 1,467 3.19 900 20 $30,396 $13,464 $5,000 $48,860

Livingstone 1,175 2.32 744 15 $17,763 $6,596 $5,000 $29,359

Meredith 1,679 3.35 1025 22 $35,916 $10,718 $5,000 $51,634

Methodist 2,225 3.3 920 18 $32,500 $12,295 $5,000 $49,795

Mount Olive 3,855 2.85 1000 19 $19,700 $8,150 $5,000 $32,850

Pfeiffer 1,089 3.2 937 20 $28,995 $10,700 $5,000 $44,695

Queens 1,641 3.71 1053 23 $32,730 $11,538 $5,000 $47,608

Salem 938 3.8 1103 24 $27,406 $11,500 $5,000 $41,791

Shaw 1,509 2.45 1080 15 $16,480 $8,158 $5,000 $28,972

St. Andrews 688 2.83 1020 19 $25,874 $10,396 $5,000 $42,770

Wake Forest 4,871 Top10 1410 33 $49,308 $13,404 $5,000 $66,512

Wesleyan 900 2.5 850 15 $29,750 $4,650 $5,000 $40,200

William Peace 1,038 3.2 990 19 $27,080 $10,350 $5,000 $41,960

Wingate 2,023 3.41 1019 23 $29,170 $10,780 $5,000 $44,950

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NC Public College/University Attendance Cost by Institution Based on 2016 data & obtained from https://www.collegeboard.org/

Tuition & Fees (In State)

Tuition & Fees (Out Of State)

Room & Board

*Other Expenses

Total (In State)

Appalachian State Univ. $7,136 $21,652 $8,100 $5,000 $20,236

East Carolina Univ. $6,916 $22,874 $9,471 $5,000 $21,387

Elizabeth City State Univ. $7,472 $20,444 $7,681 $5,000 $20,153

Fayetteville State Univ. $7,830 $19,438 $7,996 $5,000 $20,826

NC A&T State Univ. $6,526 $19,416 $7,258 $5,000 $18,784

NC Central Univ. $8,354 $20,812 $11,412 $5,000 $24,766

NC State Univ. $9,057 $27,404 $10,635 $5,000 $24,692

UNC Asheville $7,145 $23,868 $9,106 $5,000 $21,251

UNC-Chapel Hill $8,989 $34,588 $11,556 $5,000 $25,545

UNC Charlotte $6,763 $19,934 $10,470 $5,000 $22,233

UNC Greensboro $7,029 $21,891 $8,580 $5,000 $20,609

UNC Pembroke $5,955 $17,546 $8,781 $5,000 $19,736

UNC Wilmington $7,048 $21,064 $10,490 $5,000 $22,538

UNC School of the Arts $9,211 $25,081 $8,977 $5,000 $23,188

Western Carolina Univ. $9,731 $20,124 $8,726 $5,000 $23,457

Winston-Salem State Univ. $5,804 $15,915 $8,792 $5,000 $19,596

*Other Expenses: This varies depending on the campus you choose to attend. $5,000 is an estimate. Expenses may include books, supplies, health insurance, transportation, and miscellaneous.

NC Public College/University Total Enrollment & Residency by Institution Based on 2016 data & obtained from https://www.collegeboard.org/

In State Out Of State Undergraduate Graduate Total Enrollment

Appalachian State Univ. 15,268 1,327 16,442 1,700 16,595

East Carolina Univ. 25,487 3,475 22,969 5,993 28,962

Elizabeth City State Univ. 2,080 256 2,276 60 2,336

Fayetteville State Univ. 6,036 187 5,543 680 6,223

NC A&T State Univ. 7,734 1,934 9,668 -- 9,668

NC Central Univ. 7,368 728 6,285 1,811 8,096

NC State Univ. 30,042 3,713 23,847 9,908 33,755

UNC Asheville 3,409 421 3,806 24 3,830

UNC-Chapel Hill 24,459 5,010 18,523 10,946 29,469

UNC Charlotte 27,285 1,436 23,404 5,317 28,721

UNC Greensboro 18,474 1,179 16,281 3,372 19,653

UNC Pembroke 6,080 188 5,514 754 6,268

UNC Wilmington 13,694 2,046 13,914 1,826 15,740

UNC School of the Arts 541 499 907 133 1,040

Western Carolina Univ. 10,157 648 9,171 1,634 10,805

Winston-Salem State Univ. 5,977 450 5,960 467 6,427

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Community Colleges of North Carolina http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/pr/get_the_facts/

FACTS: There are 58 community colleges across the state of North Carolina.

Historically, N.C. has had the lowest tuition in the Southeast Region — one of the lowest in the nation, therefore it is much less expensive to attend than a 4-year college/university.

An estimated cost to attend Lenoir Community College (LCC), Pitt Community College (PCC), or Wayne Community College (WCC) per year is a total of $4,298 (including books).

Students DO NOT have to take the SAT or ACT to be accepted at a community college!

Students DO NOT have to take a world language (Spanish/French) in high school to be accepted at a community college!

Students who receive a high school diploma are automatically accepted into the NC Community College System, but you must apply for admission.

TWO TYPES OF DEGREES:

Associate Degree o NC Community Colleges have many programs and opportunities. Many jobs don’t

need a 4-year degree. The degree earned at a community college is an Associate’s Degree.

o There is a high demand for community college graduates to fill positions that often require a minimum of an associate's degree, such as lab technicians, teachers in early childhood programs, computer engineers, draftsmen, radiation therapists, paralegals, and machinists.

o With a two-year community college degree, air traffic controllers can make $113,547, radiation therapists $76,627, dental hygienists $70,408, nuclear medicine technologists $69,638, nuclear technicians $68,037, registered nurses $65,853, and fashion designers $63,170, CareerBuilder.com reported in January. http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/26/pf/college/community-college-earnings/index.html

Transfer Associate Degree (2+2 Plan) o Community colleges are a great first step to a four-year college/university. o If you don’t have the GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and/or other requirements to get into a

college/university when graduating from high school, you can go to the community college on the transfer program (aka: 2+2 Plan or Comprehensive Articulation Agreement).

o Completion of a Transfer Associate Degree guarantees you a seat at one of the 16 NC major universities as a Junior.

EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATION:

Community colleges also offer certificates and diplomas in various vocations. Some examples are certification in: Automotive, Welding, Cosmetology, Pharmacy Technician, HVAC Technician, Criminal Justice Technology, Business Administration, Gunsmithing, etc. For more information, please visit the community college websites or contact Carlos Cotto at (252) 527-6223 ext. 716.

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College Foundation of North Carolina “Helping you plan, apply, and pay for college.”

www.cfnc.org CFNC Help Line: 1-866-866-CFNC (2362)

College Foundation of North Carolina is a non-profit partnership between Pathways of North Carolina, College Foundation Inc., and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

ALL high school students should open an account in preparation for their senior year. ALL students are encouraged to keep their account up-to-date. Log-ins and passwords can be obtained by calling 1-866-866-CFNC (2362).

Log onto this website and you will find the following tabs across the top and the information under each tab:

My CFNC: 1. Your Profile - Personalize your portfolio by recording your future goals, experiences, extra-

curricular activities, etc. 2. High School Planning – Update your plan of study and high school results. 3. College Planning – Update your future educational plans and college preparation. 4. Career Planning – Review your saved careers and assessment results and describe your work

experiences. 5. Financial Portfolio – Access your financial portfolio information.

PLAN: 1. For High School – Choose and plan your high school courses. 2. For College - Find programs and majors of interest. Explore various colleges and universities and

apply online. 3. For a Career – Explore and plan for a career. Learn more about yourself with various assessments

and compare careers that match your interests.

APPLY: To College & For Financial Aid 1. To College - Apply to NC college(s), track your college applications, submit transcripts, and get

recruited!

HOW DO YOU APPLY TO COLLEGE ?

1. Go to www.cfnc.org 2. Click APPLY 3. Click TO COLLEGE 4. Click APPLICATION HUB 5. Click START AN APPLICATION and follow the directions

Be sure to click the box to send your transcript electronically and be sure to print out a copy of your submitted application. Don’t forget to print out the signature page, the NC residential statement, counselor or teacher recommendation pages, etc. Read every application carefully and mail in the pages requested.

HOW DO YOU SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT TO COLLEGES?

Go to www.cfnc.org

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Click APPLY Click TO COLLEGE Click APPLICATION HUB Click REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT (You will need your school ID #.)

2. For Financial Aid - Learn about Grants, Scholarships, Loans, and other options that help you pay for college.

PAY: 1. Savings Plan – helps you take the first step in saving for college 2. Grants & Scholarships - NC has more than $600 million a year available for students and there's

federal and college or university "gift aid" too. 3. Part Time Work - Consider part-time work. 4. Loans - Loans are a good resource to help with college costs; however, they must be paid back

with interest. Compare loan types, interest rates, and fees carefully and borrow only what you really need.

5. Installment Payment Plans - Dividing your college expenses over a period of time can make it easier to pay out of current income. See if your college or university offers an installment payment plan.

6. Repayment - Make an online payment, check your account information, get help with repayment questions and debt management, and find the forms you need.

College Application Month (October 30 – November 30)

ALL students must have their CFNC login information to participate. To obtain your login information, call 1-866-866-CFNC (2362).

Week 1 (Oct. 30-Nov. 3) – Sign up in the Counseling Department to participate.

Week 2 (Nov. 6-10) – Prepare to Apply.

Week 3 (Nov. 13-17) – APPLY! This is your chance to apply to NC colleges at www.cfnc.org with the help of your counselors. This is also the actual week that many (not all) NC colleges/universities waive their application fee for all NC graduating high school seniors.

Week 4 (Nov 20-24) – Follow up.

College Redirection Pool (Opens April 1, 2018)

The College Redirection Pool is a service provided during the later months of the application season to connect denied applicants who have not been accepted into their school of choice or seniors that have not applied anywhere to be recruited by colleges they may not have considered. The “pool” is open from April 1 - August 31. All community colleges and many of NC’s four-year colleges and universities participate. If you choose to participate, sign up at CFNC.org/redirection. Once you put in your name and academic information, two- and four-year colleges across NC with available spaces for students will contact you. If you are interested, you can ask for more details and apply for admission. Participation is voluntary and is advantageous for both denied applicants and schools.

www.cfnc.org/redirection CFNC Help Line: 1-866-866-CFNC (2362)

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College Admissions Options

1. EARLY ACTION is an admissions procedure to notify student of early admissions to the college. Students are not obligated to accept the college’s offer of admission and may file applications at other universities. Note: early action candidates can be denied or deferred and put in the regular applicant pool.

2. EARLY DECISION is a plan under which candidates may submit credentials early to one college, usually by early October of the senior year. Applicants are notified of their admissions status by December. As part of an early decision plan, students are required to sign a statement agreeing to accept the college’s offer of admission and to not apply to any other college. If you apply under EARLY DECISION and you are accepted, then you will be enrolled as a freshman at that college/university and required to pay the tuition.

3. REGULAR ADMISSION is the plan under which candidates submit credentials during November to February, depending on school deadlines. Check the deadlines for each individual school.

4. ROLLING ADMISSION is the plan under which candidates may apply until a final deadline, usually in late spring. Students will receive a reply of acceptance or denial within four to six weeks.

5. ONSITE ADMISSION is an admissions option in which colleges visit students at the high school and make an admission determination during a scheduled appointment with the student.

College Admissions Keywords

1. ACCEPTANCE means you have been accepted to attend this college/university. Students should read their acceptance letter carefully and ensure all required materials and fees have been submitted. Students should inform the college if they choose not to attend by May 1.

2. OFFER OF CONDITIONAL ADMITTANCE is acceptance to a college provided candidates maintain academic performance throughout the year. A college can withdraw its offer if grades fall significantly or if a student is involved in an activity that results in disciplinary action by the school or law enforcement.

3. WAITLISTING occurs after the regular admissions process is complete. There is no guarantee a college will refer to the waitlist. Students on a waitlist for one college should plan to attend another college and then reconsider if offered admission at a later time.

4. DEFERMENT is a delay of admissions decision until a later time. Many competitive schools will defer fall applications to the spring in order to receive additional grades and other information. Admissions is just not sure about you. Deferred students usually end up on the waitlist.

5. DENIAL is a final decision by the college to not offer admission. Students who are denied can apply again after completing at least a semester of college coursework.

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NC Public College/University Freshmen Applications Acceptance Rate (based on 2016 data)

Obtained from https://www.collegeboard.org/

# of Applications #Accepted #Denied Rate

Appalachian State Univ. 13,202 9,020 4,182 68%

East Carolina Univ. 17,135 12,049 5,086 70%

Elizabeth City State Uni 5,370 3,413 1,957 64%

Fayetteville State Univ. 4,594 2,620 1,974 57%

NC A&T State Univ. 7,491 4,345 3,146 58%

NC Central Univ. 8,614 5,745 2,869 67%

NC State Univ. 25,929 12,034 13,895 46%

UNC Asheville 3,433 2,676 757 78%

UNC-Chapel Hill 35,875 9,398 26,633 26%

UNC Charlotte 17,475 10,868 6,607 62%

UNC Greensboro 9,035 6,680 2,355 74%

UNC Pembroke 4,544 3,345 1,199 74%

UNC Wilmington 10,419 7,470 2,949 72%

UNC School of the Arts 946 361 585 38%

Western Carolina Univ. 18,297 7,444 10,853 41%

Winston-Salem State Univ. 4,478 2,621 1,857 59%

Did you know? College Admissions Officers will log on to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Kik, Snapchat, Tumblr, Vine, and other social networking sites to view profiles of applicants. Make sure that if your profile is viewed by a college admissions officer that it would not negatively impact your chance of being admitted. Check your digital trail and keep it clean. Limit your profile search ability. Filter your friends and pictures. College Admissions Officers can also see your profile even if your settings are set as private. Also, make sure you use a professional sounding email address. Don’t use high school email!

Athletic Eligibility/NCAA Information www.ncaaclearinghouse.org or 1-877-262-1492

In order to be considered for eligibility for college athletics, you must register through the NCAA Clearinghouse. Note that there is a fee to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse, but fee waivers are only available if you have used an SAT/ACT fee waiver. Additionally, they have detailed information regarding high school courses, GPA, and SAT/ACT scores necessary for college athletics eligibility. Students should apply in the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year.

When signing up to take the ACT or the SAT, not only should you send your scores to the college/universities to which you have applied, but you must also send them to the NCAA for athletic eligibility consideration (Code: 9999). The NCAA requires an official high school transcript. Please go to the counseling department to request a transcript.

Also remember to be eligible to play sports in high school; you must pass 3 subjects the previous semester and 6 subjects for the year. The state guidelines for a minimum of 85% attendance in the previous semester must also be met (76.5 days out of 90).

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College Visit Information Perhaps the most influential factor in college selection is the campus visit. A visit allows you to get a feel for the campus and to see how you might feel living there for the next four years. It is tremendously important to visit the campus and see the students, meet professors, see the residence halls, etc. The best time to visit schools is when classes are in session. If you can’t visit during this time, keep in mind that a campus is not the same in the summer or on breaks as they are when students are around. To plan a campus visit, you should call the college’s Admissions Office well in advance for an appointment and let your school counselor know.

1. Request a college day form from your school counselor one week in advance. 2. Take the form to all of your teachers to be initialed. 3. Take the form home to get it signed by your parent. 4. Return the form to your school counselor. 5. Students must bring back evidence (a signed statement by college admissions personnel

on official stationary) promptly upon returning from the visit. The signed statement must include the date of the visit.

NOTE: If officially approved, two college visits will not count against your attendance. However, you are still required to make-up all missed assignments and/or tests. The campus tour is a very important part of every campus visit. Be sure to ask questions about the academic rigor, social environment, extracurricular activities, class sizes, housing situation, etc. A quick note about dress: be neat and comfortable, yet don’t create an issue with your appearance. Wear comfortable shoes as you will probably be doing a lot of walking. SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR VISIT: 1. If possible, sit in on some classes that interest you. You must get permission for this. 2. Pick up a copy of the school newspaper. 3. Read the course catalog and check out the list of faculty, their degrees, and the courses they

teach. Investigate your chosen academic program by meeting with the professors. 4. If you are interested in playing a sport, request a meeting with the coach. The same goes for any

activity of interest. 5. Find out about the quality of the Career Services Office/Placement Services. 6. Verify admission requirements and discuss your chances for successful admission. 7. Ask about scholarships and financial aid. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CAMPUS TOUR GUIDE: 1. Tell me about housing. Are some residence halls better than others? Do many students live off

campus? 2. What technology is required and how do I access technology support services? 3. How accessible are professors? 4. Are certain courses harder to get into? If so, which ones in particular? 5. Why did you choose this particular college? Do you still feel the same way about it? 6. What kinds of students are most happy here? Least happy?

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NC Residency Determination Services (RDS) Residency Determination Services (RDS) Help Line: 1-844-896-2411

NEW this year: NC Residency Determination Services (RDS) is a new process for all students applying to college in the fall of 2017.

PURPOSE: The purpose of RDS is to streamline the process of determining residency in accordance with NC residency laws and applicable federal statutes. RDS is a centralized residency service for all students seeking admission to, and in-state tuition rate at, a NC public college or university. Students will now use “one” residency determination for all NC colleges. For more information on residency for tuition purposes contact RDS at www.NCresidency.org, 844-896-2411 (phone), or 919-835-2427 (fax).

ARE YOU A RESIDENT?: A NC resident for tuition purposes (and for State financial aid consideration) is a person, or a dependent person (dependent according to IRS tax code – not the FAFSA definition of dependency), whose parent or legal guardian has established and maintained legal residence in NC for at least 12 months. Residence in NC must be legitimate and be a permanent situation rather than just for the purpose of maintaining a residence prior to enrollment at an institution of higher education. Under NC law, to qualify for in-state residency, you must show that:

You have established your legal residence (domicile) in NC. You have maintained that domicile for at least twelve (12) consecutive months before the

beginning of the term. You have a residentiary presence in the state. You intend to make NC your permanent home indefinitely (rather than being in NC solely to

attend college). Persons not meeting the 12-month legal residence requirement may be classified as NC residents for tuition purposes only if they fall within one of the limited categories authorized by the NC Legislature. All other persons are ineligible for classification as a NC “resident for tuition purposes” and will be charged out-of-state tuition and not given consideration for State financial aid.

REQUESTS FOR RESIDENT STATUS: For many students, the residency classification process is simple and occurs around the time of your application for admission to college. If you were born in NC and have lived in NC all your life, you will probably be one of many students who are classified as NC residents. If you lived in another state at the time of application, still have strong ties to another state, or have lived in NC for only a short period of time, the process may be more complicated. RDS may require more in-depth information or documentation to determine whether you are a legal resident of NC. The information that you submit will be validated against federal and NC state agency databases. Please keep a copy of all application materials for your records.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN USING RDS: Applicants can complete the RDS process before, during, or after completing the admissions application. You will only have to complete the process once, no matter how many NC college or university admissions applications you complete. The RDS application is simply an online interview and you may be asked to provide documentation afterward. It is a good idea to have identifying information easily available at the time you complete the RDS application. If you do not, RDS will save any confirmed information and allow you to re-enter the application process where you left off. Required information to complete the RDS application will include identification numbers for you and your parents, such as you might provide for the Free Application

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for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Information you may need include student and parent social security numbers, residence information, federal/state tax return information, vehicle registration, and driver’s license numbers. Active duty military families should have LES and duty station orders information. Non-citizens should have alien registration numbers, US citizenship and Immigration service, ITIN identifiers, permanent resident card, EAD with approved category code, I-485 receipt notice & approved I-130/140/360, and federal tax form to confirm dependent status. Please note that DACA students are, by law, not NC residents for tuition purposes.

RESIDENCY CERTIFICATION NUMBER (RCN): Once a student completes the RDS application, RDS discloses residency classification to the student and the student receives a Residency Certification Number (RCN). You will need to enter your RCN on every college application you complete. Residency determination and applying for admission via www.cfnc.org is a seamless process. A student’s RCN is automatically entered in all college applications through CFNC if a student has already completed the RDS application. A student’s CFNC log-in and password information are the same for RDS. Students not using CFNC to apply to college have a simple link to RDS on the college admission application.

RECONSIDERATION PROCESS: If a student’s status results in “non-resident”, then the information entered in the RDS application could not be validated or the required documentation did not validate NC residency. A student may request reconsideration and must submit required documentation within 25 days of the request. RDS reconsideration is for students who . . .

need to correct certain errors in the data submitted on the RDS application have had a change in personal circumstances since completing their current determination did not submit the required documentation within the initial consideration timelines are requested by a college to complete a new determination.

APPEAL PROCESS: RDS appeal process is for students who need to provide additional information and documentation to their claim of residency. Students have 10 calendar days from the date of the determination they are appealing, or status change due to failed validation, to submit Notification of Appeal. Some students, depending on the status of their appeal process, will have the ability for a face-to-face appeal hearing with RDS.

RDS vs. FAFSA: RDS is not the FAFSA. RDS is for residency determination for in-state vs. out-of-state tuition. FAFSA is for financial aid. All students planning to go to college in NC must complete the RDS application. Students planning to receive financial aid assistance (including scholarships) must complete the FAFSA. Please note, both applications have to be completed every year a student plans to attend college in NC.

1. Go to www.NCresidency.org. Create an account or log-in using your CFNC account information. Complete the remainder of the application per the instructions.

2. RCN: Every student will receive a residency certification number (RCN) and will need this number for every NC college application.

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Financial Aid Financial Aid Help Line: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

The Federal government mandated the creation and use of one form (FAFSA) to apply for federal financial aid. However, individual states and colleges may also require the completion of supplemental forms. Every college will specify which forms they require. Every senior & parent should be aware that the FAFSA should be submitted at the earliest possible date after October 1. Detailed information on financial aid and resources are available through the United States Department of Education and are available at www.ed.gov/finaid/. The FAFSA must be completed by all students, regardless of residency, in order to qualify for aid/scholarships. You won’t receive any financial support if you don’t apply!

NOTE: The FAFSA will become available on October 1. Families will be asked to report income from their 2015 tax information.

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov): All students applying for any federal financial aid must file this form. The FAFSA is the only application students must complete to be considered for all federal financial aid including: Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Work-Study, and other federal financial aid programs. Students will not be charged a fee when filing this form and the data can be sent to 10 colleges. Make sure you list all of the colleges in which you have or will submit an application. If you wish to have the data sent to additional institutions, the instructions are on the Student Aid Report (SAR). Aid applicants should expect to receive the SAR within 2 to 6 weeks following application. Many scholarships require submission of the FAFSA.

1. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to access the FAFSA online. Paper copies can be downloaded from this site, as well. However, online FAFSA forms are processed 7-14 days faster than paper forms.

2. FSA ID: Every student and one parent will be prompted to create an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID). The FSA ID consists of a user-created username and password to electronically access personal information on Federal Student Aid websites, including FAFSA on the web. You can use your FSA ID immediately to sign your FAFSA, but must wait for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify your information before you can use the FSA ID to create a renewal FAFSA, make corrections to your FAFSA, or view your SAR (Student Aid Report). If you have questions about the FSA ID, call 1-800-557-7394.

3. Go to www.cfnc.org/fafsaday to register for FAFSA Day. FAFSA Day is Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Lenoir Community College. This is an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a financial aid advisor for assistance in completing your financial aid forms. We strongly encourage senior parents and students to attend these important sessions as the professionals are there to address questions and individual situations.

CSS Profile: In addition to the FAFSA, many colleges request additional information with their own institutional form. A commonly used form is the CSS Profile, which you can access at www.collegeboard.org/profile. The CSS Profile is a supplemental financial aid resource, often used by private colleges. The profile is also a required documentation for some scholarship programs.

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Stafford Loan: There are two types of Stafford Loans – Subsidized and Unsubsidized.

Subsidized – This is a need based loan where the government pays the interest on the loan. It is for students who demonstrate financial need. The interest is paid by the Federal Government and you are not responsible for payments and interest until six months after you graduate from college

Unsubsidized – This is available to students who do not demonstrate financial need. As soon as the loan is accepted, you are responsible for the interest that accrues. Example – If you accept an unsubsidized loan your freshman year, or any year, your interest begins then and you are responsible for paying it from that point forward even though you are not responsible for making payments until six months after you graduate, your interest amount will be much higher. Even though the government does not pay interest on unsubsidized loans, this option is attractive because of the very favorable interest rate.

Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Grants: Pell Grants and SEOG’s are distributed to students based solely on need as determined by the FAFSA. The college financial aid office determines the amount received for Pell and SEOG.

Work-Study: Work-Study is a federally funded program that allows students to work on campus to help defray the costs of education. This program is organized by the school’s financial aid office. In most cases you receive a regular paycheck for this work and therefore it is imperative that you save this money to put toward tuition and books as most colleges do not automatically do this for you.

Perkins Loan: The Perkins Loan provides funds for students who demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA. Colleges have a restricted amount of funds available for Perkins Loans and allocate it accordingly. The interest rate is usually around 5% and repayment begins six months after graduation.

Parent Loan For Undergraduate Students (PLUS): Through this program, parents may borrow the entire cost of their students’ education, less financial aid. Repayment of PLUS loans must begin within 60 days of disbursement. Bank approval of a PLUS loan hinges on examination of the family’s credit history. The low interest rates on PLUS loans make these an attractive option for families who plan to finance educational costs. One parent applies for the loan and again, the parent must have good credit. Calendar for Applying for Financial Aid September

All colleges ask you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) not just for grants/scholarships, but also for college loans.

Research specific college financial aid websites to find out if they require any other forms like the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®. Get a PROFILE Registration Guide by clicking the “Pay for College” link at www.collegeboard.org and fill out the application online.

Check college websites to obtain financial aid contact information and office phone numbers. Call them if you need additional information.

October – FAFSA TIME SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER OCTOBER 1 – DON’T DELAY!!!!!!!!! The Free

Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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Attend LCPS College Night at Woodmen Community Center on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. to speak with college recruiters from over 50 colleges/universities.

Attend LCPS Financial Aid Night at LCC on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. FAFSA Day (Financial Aid Day) is on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Lenoir Community College.

Register at www.cfnc.org/fafsaday. Be sure to attend as many of these events as possible. These events may be your single best source of information.

November - March

As you receive letters of acceptance, check with financial aid offices to see if additional documentation must be submitted. Some colleges may request copies of your family’s income tax forms, W-2 forms, and other materials.

April

Compare financial aid award offers from the colleges where you are accepted. Talk with financial aid officers if you have questions. If you get no financial aid (or not enough), ask whether other financing plans are available.

May

If you’ve been offered aid from your chosen college, be sure to accept the offer as instructed in your award letter. (Note: You’ll need to reapply for financial aid every year.)

If you’ve received aid from other schools, let them know that you will not be attending.

Scholarship Process

There are a number of scholarship opportunities—the trick is finding which ones are applicable to you. Check your high school’s website and your high school’s counseling department once every two weeks for information regarding current scholarships and deadlines. Some scholarships will be sent directly to the school to be advertised. You may stop by and pick up a copy. Pay careful attention to scholarship dates and deadlines. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to do a professional job! Be forewarned—the application process for scholarships is often as detailed as applying for college, and sometimes the rewards are not large. Keep applying for scholarships throughout the year. The most important thing to remember is to never pay for a scholarship or for scholarship information. Individual colleges and universities also offer merit-based and need-based scholarship programs. It is the student’s responsibility to check with each college for specific scholarship information. Scholarship sponsors will notify you directly if you receive a scholarship award. Counselors will generally not be notified. Please remember that many scholarships require submission of the FAFSA. All students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA regardless of your family’s financial status. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Scholarship award announcement letters are usually sent to the recipients (i.e. the student). Inform your counselor of all scholarships you are offered. Please provide him/her with a copy of the award letter, even if you do not accept the award. NOTE: All scholarships/awards must be turned in to your counselor at least one week prior to Awards Day.

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