CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF

2012

CORE 40 WITH ACADEMIC HONORS

• For the Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, students must:• Complete all requirements for Core 40.• Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits. • Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits.• Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits.• Earn a grade of a “C” or better in courses that will count

toward the diploma.• Have a grade point average of a “B” or better.• Complete one of the following:

– Complete AP courses (4 credits) and corresponding AP exams– Earn a combined score of 1200 or higher on the SAT critical

reading and mathematics– Score a 26 or higher composite on the ACT– Complete dual high school/college credit courses

(6 transferable college credits)– Complete a combination of AP course (2 credits) and

corresponding AP exams and dual high school/college credit course(s) (3 transferable college credits)

CORE 40• Language Arts 8 credits • Mathematics 6 credits• 2 credits: Algebra I 2 credits: Geometry 2 credits: Algebra II• Students are required to take a math or physics course during their

junior or senior year.• Science 6 credits• 2 credits: Biology 2 credits: Chemistry I or Physics I or

Integrated Chemistry-Physics 2 credits: any Core 40 science course

• Social Studies 6 credits• 2 credits: U.S. History 1 credit: U.S. Government 1 credit: • Economics 2 credits: World History/Civilization • Physical Education 2 credits• Health 1 credit• 40 total credits

JUNIOR YEAR

• JANUARY:• CHECK COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS.• REGISTER ON ConnectEd• FEBRUARY - MARCH:• SELECT SENIOR COURSES.• REVIEW CHOICES WITH PARENTS.• PREPARE WELL FOR COLLEGE.

JUNIOR YEAR, CONT.

FEB / MARCH:REGISTER FOR ACT OR SAT.www.collegeboard.com/mysatwww.act.org FINALIZE CLASSES FOR SENIOR YEAR.

APRIL:STUDY PRACTICE TESTS FOR ACT AND SAT.www.March2Success.comTAKE ACT OR SAT.

JUNIOR YEAR, CONT.

• MAY AND JUNE:• TAKE ACT OR SAT.• VISIT COLLEGES.• WORK ON COLLEGE ESSAYS.• GET LETTERS OF REFERENCE.• FINISH SEMESTER WITH BEST GRADES

POSSIBLE.

• JUNE AND JULY:• ATTEND SUMMER COLLEGE PROGRAM.• www.TripToCollege.org

SENIOR YEAR

• AUGUST / SEPTEMBER:

• REVIEW COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

• DECIDE WHERE TO APPLY.

• DETERMINE WHETHER YOU NEED TO RE-TAKE SAT/ACT.

• MEET WITH COLLEGE REPS.

SENIOR YEAR, CONT.

• OCTOBER:

• ATTEND COLLEGE FAIR.

• COMPLETE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS.

• MEET COLLEGE REPS.

• RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS.

• RE-TAKE SAT/ACT IF NECESSARY.

SENIOR YEAR, CONT.

• NOVEMBER:

• CONTINUE TO COMPLETE APPLICATIONS – CHECK DEADLINES.

• MAKE COLLEGE VISITS.

• COMPLETE EARLY APPLICATIONS

• DECEMBER:

• COMPLETE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS.

SENIOR YEAR, CONT.

• JANUARY:

• ATTEND FINANCIAL AID NIGHT.

• COMPLETE FAFSA FORM.

• CHECK THAT LETTERS OF REC. HAVE BEEN SENT.

• APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.

SENIOR YEAR, CONT.

• FEBRUARY:• MAKE SURE MID-YEAR GRADES ARE

SENT TO COLLEGES THAT REQUIRE THEM.

• ATTEND COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY.• MAIL OR SUBMIT FAFSA FORM BY

MARCH 1ST (earlier for some colleges)• COMPLETE AND SUBMIT

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS.

SENIOR YEAR, CONT.

• MARCH - APRIL:• FINALIZE COLLEGE CHOICE – KEEP

COUNSELOR INFORMED.• CONTINUE APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.• APPLY FOR DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS

SCHOLARSHIP.

• MAY - JUNE:• ARRANGE FOR YOUR FINAL TRANSCRIPT

TO BE SENT TO THE COLLEGE YOU PLAN TO ATTEND.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR STUDENTS

When making a college visit:

Dress Appropriately.

Be prepared before meeting with admissions.

When applying to college, be sure the following represents you well:

Facebook Page

Email Address

Cell Phone Ring

FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT:

• Mrs. Sandra Mellis, Senior Counselor

• 858-3408

• smellis@warrick.k12.in.us

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

• YOU CAN APPLY TO COLLEGE WITH A PAPER APPLICATION OR ONLINE.

• MOST COLLEGES PREFER ONLINE APPLICATIONS, BUT PAPER APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE COLLEGE’S WEBSITE.

HOW DO I APPLY TO COLLEGE?

HOW DO I COMPLETE A PAPER APPLICATION?

COMPLETE YOUR PORTION OF THE PAPER APPLICATION.

WRITE A CHECK FOR THE APPLICATION FEE.

GET RECOMMENDATION LETTERS IF NEEDED.

COMPLETE ESSAYS OR PERSONAL STATEMENTS NEEDED.

HOW DO I COMPLETE A PAPER APPLICATION, CONT.

• BRING COMPLETED APPLICATION, FEE, ANY ADDITIONAL PAPERS, AND $1.00 TRANSCRIPT FEE TO THE GUIDANCE OFFICE.

• MRS. ELAMAN WILL COMPLETE THE APPLICATION, ATTACH THE TRANSCRIPT AND MAIL ALL PAPERWORK TO THE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY FOR YOU.

HOW DO I COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION?

• COMPLETE THE ENTIRE APPLICATION ONLINE.

• PAY APPLICATION FEE ONLINE BY CREDIT CARD.

• PRINT OUT THE COUNSELOR PORTION OF THE APPLICATION.

• GET RECOMMENDATIONS, PERSONAL STATEMENTS OR ESSAYS TOGETHER.

HOW DO I COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION, CONT.

• BRING THE COUNSELOR PORTION OF THE APPLICATION, ANY ADDITIONAL PAPERS AND $1.00 TRANSCRIPT FEE TO MRS. ELAMAN IN THE GUIDANCE OFFICE.

• MRS. ELAMAN WILL COMPLETE THE COUNSELOR PORTION, ATTACH THE TRANSCRIPT AND MAIL ALL PAPERWORK TO THE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY FOR YOU.

WHAT ARE THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH

APPLYING?

$1.00 FOR TRANSCRIPT

$25.00 - $55.00 FOR APPLICATON FEE

THE

SCHOLARSHIP

PROCESS

• WHAT MAKES A STUDENT A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?

• WHAT CAN A STUDENT DO TO IMPROVE HIS OR HER CHANCES OF RECEIVING A SCHOLARSHIP?

WHERE CAN A STUDENT FIND SCHOLARSHIPS?

• COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

• PARENT’S EMPLOYERS

• WWW.CASTLEHS.COM FOR THE GUIDANCE NEWSLETTER AND PREP HQ

• SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES

What can parents do to help in the scholarship search process?

• Ask the college/university what scholarships are offered.

• Check to see if your employer offers scholarships.

• Access ConnectEd and the Guidance Newsletter often at castlehs.com under Guidance.

• Check scholarship websites.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES

• The deadline is the last possible day for submission. Avoid turning applications in at 3:00 P.M. on the deadline date.

• Postmarked or received by

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

• Apply for financial aid beginning in January of senior year.

• Admission applications serve as initial merit scholarship applications.

• Need-based & merit scholarships are found:

• www.fastweb.com , www.SchoolSoup.com

www.discovercolleges.com

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS,CONT.

• FAFSA online: www.fafsa.ed.gov• March 10th is FAFSA deadline for ALL

Indiana colleges.• Colleges out of state have earlier FAFSA

deadlines.• 21st Century Scholars MUST apply to

receive aid.• Colleges encourage everyone to file the

FAFSA

WHERE CAN I LOOK FOR SPECIFIC HELP?

www.ncaa.org – athleteswww.blackexcel.org – African Americanwww.hsf.net – Hispanicwww.bls.gov/oco - Occupational Outlookwww.commonapp.org – The Common Applicationwww.fastweb.com – Scholarshipswww.finaid.org – Financial Aidwww.in.gov/ssaci/ - Indiana Financial Aidwww.careersandcolleges.com – Helpful Hints for

parents and students

FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT• Mrs. Saran Elaman, College and Scholarship • Coordinator• 858-3408• selaman@warrick.k12.in.us

• Coordinator• 858-3408• selaman@warrick.k12.in.us