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GUIDANCE TIPS PLUS HELPFUL WEBSITES Forest Park High School CEEB Code: 151-035 CEEB stands for College Entrance Examination Board (now known as College Board), a nonprofit examination board that manages standardized tests such as the SAT, PSAT, and NMSQT. The “American College Test” or “ACT” is another common college entrance exam. Both the SAT and ACT are the most common admission tests used in the United States today as part of the college entrance procedure. A student uses the CEEB code when registering to take either the SAT or ACT to ensure that his or her test scores are sent to their high school and any colleges, universities, or sports organizations (NCAA or NAIA). NOTE: The Forest Park CEEB Code (151-035) is required when registering to take either the SAT or ACT. FOUR-YEAR PLAN of STUDY As in-coming freshmen, all students develop a four-year plan of study in conjunction with their future plans and goals. The four-year plan is to help guide the student in their class choices for the future as well as to help assure that their diploma requirements are satisfactorily met. The four-year plan is a continual work-in- progress. Each year, during the early part of the second semester, the guidance department distributes scheduling packets to all students, grades 8 through 11. At this point, when planning their courses for the upcoming school year, each student has the opportunity to review/revise their four-plan. The Indiana State Board of Education has adopted the following diploma types as the options for students earning a high school diploma. *The four diploma types are: General Core 40 Core 40 with Academic Honors Core 40 with Technical Honors ^The Forest Park “Advanced Diploma” is an additional diploma option for Forest Park students who complete a minimum of 6 credits concentrated in a career cluster out of a total of 46 required credits. NOTE: The Indiana General Assembly has made completion of Core 40 a graduation requirement for all students. The legislation does include an opt-out provision for parents who determine that their student could benefit more from the General Diploma. To graduate with less than Core 40, a student must complete a formal opt-out process involving parental consent. Parents should contact their students high school guidance counselor for complete details. The legislation also makes Core 40 a minimum college admission requirement for the state public four-year universities beginning in fall 2011; therefore for those students who plan to continue their high school education by attending a four-year college or university in the state of Indiana must enroll in and successfully complete certain courses in very specific areas of study. The same courses are strongly suggested for admission to a two-year public college and even for entry into the workforce. To succeed in college-level work, students need to complete Core 40 in high school. Anything less may mean taking remedial (high school) coursework in college, which means it will take longer to finish and will cost more in college tuition. It also means there will be a greater chance of the student dropping out of college before getting their degree. That’s why Core 40 is a college admissions requirement: In fall 2011 you won’t be able to start at a four-year public Indiana college without Core 40 (or a documented equivalent). Most private colleges require students to have at least this level of high school academic preparation. *Please refer to the “Diploma Requirements” tab on the Forest Park Guidance website for a complete listing of all diploma types offered by the State of Indiana and Forest Park High School along with the required course requirements

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GUIDANCE TIPS PLUS HELPFUL WEBSITES

Forest Park High School CEEB Code: 151-035

CEEB stands for College Entrance Examination Board (now known as College Board), a nonprofit examination board that manages standardized tests such as the SAT, PSAT, and NMSQT. The “American College Test” or “ACT” is another common college entrance exam. Both the SAT and ACT are the most common admission tests used in the United States today as part of the college entrance procedure. A student uses the CEEB code when registering to take either the SAT or ACT to ensure that his or her test scores are sent to their high school and any colleges, universities, or sports organizations (NCAA or NAIA). NOTE: The Forest Park CEEB Code (151-035) is required when registering to take either the SAT or ACT.

FOUR-YEAR PLAN of STUDY As in-coming freshmen, all students develop a four-year plan of study in conjunction with their future plans and goals. The four-year plan is to help guide the student in their class choices for the future as well as to help assure that their diploma requirements are satisfactorily met. The four-year plan is a continual work-in-progress. Each year, during the early part of the second semester, the guidance department distributes scheduling packets to all students, grades 8 through 11. At this point, when planning their courses for the upcoming school year, each student has the opportunity to review/revise their four-plan. The Indiana State Board of Education has adopted the following diploma types as the options for students

earning a high school diploma. *The four diploma types are:

General Core 40 Core 40 with Academic Honors Core 40 with Technical Honors ^The Forest Park “Advanced Diploma” is an additional diploma option for Forest Park students who complete a minimum of 6 credits concentrated in a career cluster out of a total of 46 required credits. NOTE: The Indiana General Assembly has made completion of Core 40 a graduation requirement for all students. The legislation does include an opt-out provision for parents who determine that their student could benefit more from the General Diploma. To graduate with less than Core 40, a student must complete a formal opt-out process involving parental consent. Parents should contact their student’s high school guidance counselor for complete details. The legislation also makes Core 40 a minimum college admission requirement for the state public four-year universities beginning in fall 2011; therefore for those students who plan to continue their high school education by attending a four-year college or university in the state of Indiana must enroll in and successfully complete certain courses in very specific areas of study. The same courses are strongly suggested for admission to a two-year public college and even for entry into the workforce. To succeed in college-level work, students need to complete Core 40 in high school. Anything less may mean taking remedial (high school) coursework in college, which means it will take longer to finish and will cost more in college tuition. It also means there will be a greater chance of the student dropping out of college before getting their degree. That’s why Core 40 is a college admissions requirement: In fall 2011 you won’t be able to start at a four-year public Indiana college without Core 40 (or a documented equivalent). Most private colleges require students to have at least this level of high school academic preparation.

*Please refer to the “Diploma Requirements” tab on the Forest Park Guidance website for a complete listing

of all diploma types offered by the State of Indiana and Forest Park High School along with the required course requirements

Core 40 End-of-Course Assessment: As part of Indiana’s school accountability system, Core 40 End-of-Course Assessments (ECAs) are designed to ensure the quality, consistency, and rigor of Core 40 courses across the state of Indiana. Beginning with the Class of 2012, students are required to pass Core 40 End-of-Course Assessments (ECAs) in Algebra I and English 10 in order to receive a high school diploma. These assessments are designed to measure what students know and are able to do upon completion of targeted Core 40 courses, and have replaced the ISTEP+ Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) as Indiana’s testing requirements for graduation from high school. These tests will be given in the late spring of the school year the student is taking the class. Also, every student who takes Biology I must take the Core 40 End-of-Course Assessments (ECAs) for Biology I. If a student does not pass the tests in Algebra I and English 10 the first time they take it, they will have other opportunities during their high school career to re-test along with some type of remediation. Also, there will be some form of a waiver process for students who have not passed the tests by the end of their high school career.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS The SAT and ACT are college entrance exams that are required by most colleges and universities as part of their admissions process. PSAT/NMSQT PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It’s a standardized test that provides a good firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also functions as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship programs. The PSAT is given each year at Forest Park in mid October to those sophomores and juniors who are interested in taking it. All students are encouraged to take the PSAT their sophomore year.

SAT and ACT The ACT and SAT are different tests that measure similar but distinct knowledge. The ACT is an achievement test related to high school curricula, measuring what a student has learned in school. The Sat is more of an aptitude test that examines quantitative reasoning and verbal skills. Students may take either test as many times as they would like – colleges will accept the better scores. Check with the admissions office at your college of interest to see which test is preferred for admittance and also if the ACT writing portion is required. Usually either the ACT or SAT is fine for admission to an Indiana college or university. Students are encouraged to take the SAT and/or ACT at least twice during their JUNIOR year. Students can apply to college prior to taking these tests; however if they do, when they are registering for the SAT/ACT, the students must list all college codes so that the scores are sent directly to the colleges they have applied to. Many colleges are now requiring that SAT/ACT scores come directly from Collegeboard. When registering for the SAT, students should register for the SAT Reasoning Test (sometimes also called the SAT I test). This is the test that covers Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. The SAT Subject Tests (sometimes called SAT II) are exams that cover specific subjects (e.g., Biology, foreign language, etc.). Only a select few schools require subject tests, the overwhelming majority do not. Be sure to choose carefully when registering! CollegeBoard will not refund your money or allow you to change if you register for the wrong test. Study materials and registration packets are available in guidance, or students may register on-line at www.sat.collegeboard.com (SAT) or www.actstudent.org (ACT). If the SAT/ACT registration is sent through the mail, be sure to have the envelope postmarked on or before the regular registration deadline. Students with an IEP may request testing accommodations, and 21

st Century Scholars may request a fee waiver from

their local 21st Century Scholar representative.

Test Location Directory: SAT go to http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat/materials, in middle of page locate “Materials for paper registrants and students with limited online access:”, then click on “SAT Code List, U. S. version” and find “Indiana”. Test locations will be listed alphabetically. ACT go to www.actstudent.org, select “Registration” from top bar, then “Test Centers – U.S. and Canada” choose Indiana in the “State” drop-down box and click search

Both SAT and ACT test and registration dates plus testing center schedules are subject to

change; therefore always visit www.sat.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org for the latest

information or call 86/756-7346 (SAT) or 319/337-1270 (ACT). Testing Fees: SAT View all fees at http://www.sat.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees/fees.html ACT View all fees at http://www.actstudent.org/regist/actfees.html The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry), Reading, Science (multiple-choice tests), and an optional Writing Test.

Description of the ACT Test Content

English 75 questions 45 minutes Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.

Mathematics 60 questions 60 minutes Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.

Reading 40 questions 35 minutes Measures reading comprehension.

Science 40 questions 35 minutes Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.

Optional Writing Test

1 prompt 30 minutes Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, (Reading Comprehension, sentence

completion, and vocabulary), Mathematics (Basic Geometry and Algebra II), and a required Writing

Test. The SAT does not include a section on science. Description of the SAT The Critical Reading Section Time Content Item Types Score

70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section)

Critical reading and sentence-level reading

Reading comprehension, sentence completions, and paragraph-length critical reading

200-800

The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, includes short as well as long reading passages. Questions can be based on one, or sometimes two, reading passages. Some questions are not based on reading passages, but ask you to complete sentences. The critical reading section measures: Sentence Completions Passage-based Reading

The Mathematics Section Time Content Item Types Score 70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section)

Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis

Five-choice multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses

200-800

The SAT includes mathematics topics from up through a third-year college preparatory course, such as exponential growth, absolute value, and functional notation. It also places emphasis on such topics as linear functions, manipulations with exponents, and properties of tangent lines. Important skills such as estimation and number sense are measured through the multiple-choice and student response (grid-in) questions. Students may use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. The College Board recommends that students use a graphing (or at least a scientific) calculator for the SAT, although it's still possible to solve every question without a calculator. The mathematics section has two types of questions: Multiple Choice Student-Produced Response Questions The Writing Section Time Content Item Types Score 60 min.

Grammar, usage, and word choice

Multiple choice questions (35 min.) and student-written essay (25 min.)

200-800

The writing section includes both multiple-choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay. The short essay measures your ability to: Organize and express ideas clearly Develop and support the main idea Use appropriate word choice and sentence structure You'll be asked to develop a point of a view on an issue, using reasoning and evidence — based on your own experiences, readings, or observations — to support your ideas. The essay will be scored by trained high school and college teachers. Each reader will give the essay a score from 1 to 6 (6 is the highest score) based on the overall quality of the essay and your demonstration of writing competence. Multiple-Choice The multiple-choice writing questions measure your ability to: Improve sentences and paragraphs Identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness) The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. There is a penalty of ¼ point for each incorrect answer (except for the math grid questions), but you do not lose or gain points if you do not answer a question. You don’t have to answer every question correctly to get a good score. For the SAT there is a possible total score of 2400, 3 scores (one for each test section) within a range of 200 to 800 per score, plus a score of 20 to 80 for the multiple choice questions and 0-12 for the essay. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing. For the ACT there is a total composite score ranging from 1 to 36. Each test section also receives a score ranging from 1 to 36 and 0 to 12 for the essay. The essay is optional and is not part of the composite score.

NOTE: Many Indiana Colleges and Universities now offer Automatic Academic/Merit Scholarships for

enrolling freshmen who have high GPA’s and score 1170 or higher on SAT (Critical Reading and Math scores combine) or 26 or higher ACT Composite score. Qualification scores vary by each institution and by scholarship level. With the number of students applying to college at an all-time high, colleges are now able to be more selective and demanding of their student population; therefore the reality is that admissions test scores are

more a factor than they have ever been before. Preparing for these tests is crucial and should be a priority for every college-bound student. It just makes sense to spend some serious time preparing for these tests. On Test Day Be well-rested and ready to go. Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test. Eat breakfast. Since the test will last for approximately 3-4 hours, you’re likely to get hungry. Bring acceptable Photo ID and your SAT/ACT Admission Ticket Bring two No.2 pencils and a good/soft eraser. Mechanical pencils are not allowed because they may have the wrong type of lead or punch through the answer sheet. Pens are not allowed. Bring a calculator with fresh batteries Bring snacks. There will be a short break at the end of each hour of testing time. Snacks that students bring with them may be eaten during these breaks. A healthy snack can go a long way toward staying alert during the entire test.

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) The ASVAB test is administered (The Program is administered by civilian Education Services Specialists who have no

recruiting function as a service to Forest Park) once a year during January/February at Forest Park to the entire junior class. It is a test designed to help determine strengths and skills in math, language, auto, shop, electronics, science and mechanical comprehension. Students also receive an outstanding interest inventory and explanation of results. It is simply a career tool that will benefit students and does not result in students being contacted by the military.

SENIOR YEAR Applying To College: Each college or university has their own specific application along with their own procedures and criteria. Each student is responsible for obtaining all applications for their selected colleges and universities. Most applications can be completed online, or a printable PDF version is available. A few paper applications are usually available in the Guidance Office. When applying online, the application fee must be paid with a credit card. Paper applications require the enclosure of a check made payable to the specific college or university. Fee waivers for 21

st Century

Scholars may be noted on the application. Whether applying online or by paper application, read all instructions carefully prior to completing the application. Complete all sections of the applications accurately and neatly. The student must pay attention to deadlines…some are received by and some are postmarked by! The student is responsible for meeting all deadlines. Once the student has submitted their application, they need to go online at www.sedubois.k12.in.us/schools/forest-park-jrsr-high-school or go to www.sedubois.k12.in.us and select SCHOOLS, FOREST PARK JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL (from top bar gold bar), Guidance (from left column) and scrolling to the middle of the page. Look for the “E-Transcripts” icon to go online to Parchment.com. There is a “Parchment Student Registration Tutorial” and it is best that it is viewed in its entirety prior to setting up a Parchment account.

Indiana e-Transcripts provide Docufide by Parchment Secure Transcripts as a service to Indiana students and families by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana Department of Education. Indiana e-Transcripts save time and money and also makes the college admissions process easier for Hoosier high school students. This statewide initiative provides free delivery of high school transcripts to both Indiana and out-of-state colleges and universities. Colleges and universities have clearly indicated that Indiana e-Transcript is their preferred method for delivery of official transcripts. The electronic transcript delivery makes it easier for admissions offices to process applications in a much quicker turn-around time. The Indiana Department of Education’s goal is for all transcripts from Indiana high schools to be sent electronically in a standardized format to colleges and universities by fall 2012.

If a letter of recommendation is to be included with the application, please be considerate of the person writing your letter or recommendation, it is best to allow them at least 3 weeks notice in advance of needing the letter. Decision letters regarding acceptance/admittance are mailed by the college to the student usually within 4 to 6 weeks of their receipt of the student’s application. Students may also check online to see if the college/university they’ve applied to notifies the student online via email. Senior Transcript: Seniors will receive one copy of their seventh semester transcript in mid January for their use in applying for scholarships. Each student is responsible to keep their transcript and make additional copies as needed. College Campus Visits: Vincennes University Jasper Center (VUJC) annually hosts a College Fair on the first Monday of October. Representatives from public and private 2-year, 4-year, and technical schools are available to answer questions and provide admissions information. This is a good opportunity to talk to college representatives and get information from over 30 colleges and universities. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. All seniors should be sure to familiarize themselves with the rules associated with attending college campus visits and college representative presentations. Seniors are allowed two college campus visits during their senior year. Prior to a college visit, each senior must pick-up a College Visitation Form from the Guidance Office to read and review with their parent/s. When ready to take a college visit, the student should arrange an appointment by contacting the admissions office at the intended college or university. Completed College Visitation Forms must be turned into the Guidance Office AT LEAST 2 SCHOOL DAYS IN ADVANCE of the visit. Included with the College Visitation Form is a page for the student to take with them to have signed by the college admissions representative they meet with. The signed form MUST BE returned to the Guidance Office the day after the college visit. Seniors are also encouraged to attend college preview/open house days, or visit colleges on weekends or vacation days. Representatives from colleges and universities often schedule yearly visits to Forest Park. In order for seniors to meet with a college representative, they MUST get a pass from Guidance and check-with their teacher about their absence for that period prior to attending the session. (This must be done at least 1 day in advance.) Each representative visit is listed on the daily school announcements, the School Calendar in Harmony and is posted in the Guidance Office windows in advance of each visit. Military representatives also frequently make lunchroom visits to Forest Park for students to talk with them.

Scholarships: Usually, the greatest part of scholarship money comes directly from colleges or universities themselves. Students need to always be sure to check college websites for their online scholarship information in order to become familiar with their deadlines and minimum requirements especially for colleges and universities of interest. All scholarship applications received at Forest Park are announced and distributed in each senior English class by Ms. Shobe. Students need to pay close attention to all scholarship announcements. The “Local Plus Scholarships” tab located under Guidance Info on the Forest Park website (http://www.sedubois.k12.in.us/fphs/scholar.htm) contains a listing of various scholarship opportunities. For local scholarships that require completion of the “Dubois County Common Scholarship Form”, those forms can be accessed by students at Forest Park through the Student Shared file - “Scholarships” on the Common drive or on the Forest Park website under Guidance Info and the “Dubois County Common Scholarship Form” tab (http://www.sedubois.k12.in.us/fphs/dccsa.pdf). Students must pay attention to deadlines…some are received by and some are postmarked by! The student is responsible for meeting all deadlines. A

parent/student financial aid night is held annually in January at Forest Park where important information about

the FAFSA is presented. NOTE: Seniors who are 21st Century Scholars must file the FAFSA form in order to be eligible for their

scholarship.

Dual Credit Courses: Students may receive both high school and college credit for certain courses offered at Forest Park. Most colleges and universities will accept the credit earned from dual credit courses, but transferability cannot be guaranteed. Recognition of credit is always the right of the institution to which it is transferred. When transferring dual course credits, the receiving institution will determine the final transferability of any course. Only the receiving college or university can evaluate and determine what credits can be used at their respective school toward a certain degree. It is the student’s responsibility to research with the college or colleges of their choice the possible transferability of dual credits. It is always best to contact the college / university admission department to discuss and verify the transfer of dual credits. Also, The Indiana Core Transfer Library at http://www.transferin.net/CTL/Pages/ The Core Transfer Library (CTL) is an on-line listing of courses that will transfer to all Indiana public college and university campuses in one of two ways: 1) the CTL course will receive credit for the designated equivalent course at the transfer campus and meet the transfer campus degree program requirements in an equivalent manner, or 2) if there is no agreed- upon directly equivalent course, the CTL course will transfer as an elective requirement of the undergraduate degree program provided the program has room for elective credits. CTL transferability is contingent upon a student earning a C grade or higher in the transfer course. Credits earned through dual credit may be sent to any college or university at the student’s request via a transcript request form. Note: Some colleges and universities are very strict with dual credit transfer. The student’s major many times will determine what will transfer. A good rule is to always check with the college or university’s admission department to be sure. Students who sign-up for dual credit courses should always remember to keep the “payment receipt” issued them by their teacher for future reference of the course documentation. The “Dual Credit Courses” tab located under Guidance Info on the Forest Park website (http://www.sedubois.k12.in.us/fphs/) contains a listing of Forest Park’s dual credit courses along with the corresponding college course number. As passed by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. All postsecondary campuses shall establish limits for the number of credit hours a student can earn through dual credit courses offered in high schools; this number shall not exceed 15 semester hours, except: a) For postsecondary campuses and secondary schools that have developed articulation agreements involving associate or baccalaureate degree programs; b) For postsecondary campuses and secondary schools that have approved early or middle colleges; or c) On a case-by-case basis for students who have demonstrated superior academic talents and abilities, including, for example, meeting threshold SAT or ACT scores.

As a general rule, each semester qualifies as three credits; however note that U. S. History, Calculus

AP, Chemistry AP, and Biology AP are exceptions. Once the course is completed, the high school

instructor reports each grade to the applicable college or university and the grade goes on an official

transcript.

In order to actually transfer credits, the student must contact the Office of the Registrar from

where the dual credits were attained and submit a request for transcript form. To actually transfer

credits, students must obtain a certified statement of their academic record from the Office of the

Registrar where the dual credits were attained from. Use the links below to the appropriate

college/university in order to request a transcript.

For Oakland City University, Official transcripts are issued at a cost of $5 each (if faxed, $10 each)

and must be requested in writing by the student. Forms for requesting the transcripts are available

on-line at www.oak.edu/academics/request-transcript. Transcript requests may be mailed or faxed.

Mailed requests should include payment of fees for transcripts. Faxed requests should include a

billing address in order to be billed for the transcript fees. The registrar can be contacted with any

questions at:

Betty Burns, Registrar

[email protected]

Oakland City University

138 North Lucretia Street

Oakland City, IN 47660-1038

Phone (812)-749-1237

Fax (812)-749-1511

For Vincennes University, a student’s signature is required each time a transcript is requested. The

request must be in writing and may be sent by fax or by mail or requested in person. Any transcript

issued directly to the student will be stamped “issued to student” and will be considered unofficial.

There is no charge for a transcript; however, students must have met all financial obligations to the

University before transcripts will be released. To download a request form, go on-line at

www.vinu.edu/cms/opencms/student services/registrars office/regtrans.html

The registrar can be contacted with any questions at:

Vincennes University

Registrar’s Office

1002 North First Street

Vincennes, IN 47591

Phone (812)-888-4220

Fax (812)-888-4380

E-mail: [email protected]

For University of Evansville, a copy of the transfer credit request form must be printed

(www.evansville.edu/docs/TransferCreditRequestForm.pdf), completed, and submitted to the Office

of the Registrar located in Olmsted 106. An official transcript request form must be sent directly to:

Office of the Registrar University of Evansville 1800 Lincoln Avenue Evansville, IN 47722. Phone (812)-488-2600 Fax (812)-488-2609 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (M-F) UE accepts another college’s credit for which a grade of “C” or higher was earned, if an equivalent course is offered at UE. The number of credits accepted for entering freshmen is liberal, while the credits are limited to ten after the student has already matriculated at UE.

For Ivy Tech, an official Ivy Tech transcript may be requested in writing or in person. Each official

transcript will cost $5. Payment by check, money order, or credit card is accepted. Transcripts are

confidential and may only be ordered by the student whose record is being requested. Transcript

requests must include the full name used while attending Ivy Tech, birth date, Social Security

number, daytime phone number, dates of attendance, and degrees received at Ivy Tech. The

complete address must be provided to which the transcript will be sent. The Office of the Registrar

reserves the right to request proof of identification before processing. To order a transcript, use one

of the following methods:

Go on-line at www.ivytech.edu/registrar/TranscriptReleaseFormAug09.pdf to obtain the

request form. Mail the completed request form, including signature, to your campus to the

Attention of the Office of the Registrar;

Fax the completed request form, including signature, to your campus;

Complete a transcript request form in person. Forms are available from the registrar's office

at your local campus. Please allow one week to process transcript requests.

Athletes: NCAA Clearinghouse Basics Student athletes must register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse to be eligible to play NCAA Division I or Division II sports in college. (Athletes playing in NCAA Division III do not have to register.) Students in Division I or Division II who don't register will not be eligible to play or practice during their freshman year of college. Athletes basically have 5 "College years" to complete 4 years of athletic eligibility. Students who do not meet the minimum academic requirements or fail to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse will almost certainly lose one of those years. What is the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse? The NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse is the organization that determines whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or Division II institutions. It does this by reviewing the student athlete's academic record, SAT or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules. What are NCAA Divisions I, II, and III? The NCAA is the governing body of many intercollegiate sports. Each college and university regulated by the NCAA has established rules on eligibility, recruiting, and financial aid, and falls into one of the three membership divisions (Divisions I, II, and III). Divisions are based on school size and the scope of their athletic programs and scholarships. When should students register with the clearinghouse? The NCAA recommends that student athletes register with the clearinghouse at the beginning of their junior year in high school, but many students register after their junior year. There is no registration deadline, but students must be cleared by the clearinghouse before they receive athletic scholarships or compete at a Division I or Division II institution. How do students register with the clearinghouse? Students can register online at the NCAA Clearinghouse website www.eligibilitycenter.org or call their toll free number 877/262-1492. When registering online, the student will have to enter personal information, answer questions about their athletic participation, and pay a one-time fee registration fee or $50. The website will then prompt them to have their high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores sent to the clearinghouse. When they are registering, students must print-off and submit the NCAA Eligibility Center “Transcript Release Form” to their high school Guidance Office in order for their official transcript to be sent to the NCAA. Can students have the registration fee waived?

Students who have received a waiver for the SAT or ACT are eligible for a waiver of the clearinghouse registration fee. The student's counselor must submit confirmation of the student's test fee waiver. Go to the NCAA Clearinghouse's High School Administration page for more information. What records does the clearinghouse require? Students should arrange to have you send their high school transcript to the clearinghouse as soon as they have completed at least six semesters of high school. The transcript must be mailed directly from their high school. They must also arrange to have their ACT or SAT test scores reported directly by the testing company to the clearinghouse. Students can arrange this when they register for the ACT or SAT. When registering for the SAT and/or ACT, students must list code 9999 in order to have scores sent directly to the NCAA. Each student is responsible for notifying their high school guidance office to make sure their final transcript and proof of graduation is sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the student’s senior year. How often can students update their athletics participation information? Students can update the information on the athletics participation section online as often as they want (and should update it regularly), up to the time when they request a final certification of their status. At that point (usually three to four months before enrolling in college), students must finalize their information. What are the NCAA academic eligibility requirements? To play sports at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution, the student must: Complete a certain number of high school core courses (defined below) Earn a certain minimum grade point average in these core courses Earn a certain minimum score on the SAT or ACT (for Division I, this is scaled according to the student's core-course GPA) Graduate from high school

For more information, see the NCAA “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete”, available at the

Publications section of the NCAA website. Parents and students can go to the NCAA website at www.ncaa.org and select “Academics and Athletes” then “Eligibility & Recruiting” www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa? What are core courses? "Core courses" is the name that the NCAA gives to high school courses that meet certain academic criteria specified by the association. Students must complete a certain number of core courses for NCAA Division I and II eligibility. All participating high schools submit lists of the courses that they offer that meet NCAA core-course criteria. If approved, the courses are added to a database that the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse maintains. This database, or List of Approved Core Courses, can be checked by the student to see whether they are enrolled in courses that will count toward NCAA eligibility. Keep in mind The best way for students to prepare for a future in college athletics is to complete the approved core courses and earn appropriate grades in them. Indeed, more students fail to qualify to play NCAA sports because of lack of appropriate course work than for low test scores.

21st Century Scholar Program A web site for those students enrolled in this program as 8th graders. http://www.in.gov/ssaci/2345.htm The regional/local site for Dubois County students is on the Vincennes University website at www.vinu.edu/cms/opencms/academic_resources/twenty-first_century_scholars Karen Mundy is the local contact for all information and fee waivers. She can be reached at 812-482-7939 or [email protected] ALL seniors must complete the following steps to collect their Twenty-first Century Scholars Scholarship:

Sign and mail your Twenty-first Century Scholars pledge affirmation on time. This must be signed by both parent and student. To be considered on time, the Twenty-first Century Scholars Program must receive your completed Affirmation Form on or before March 10, 2012. This form will be available during senior exit interviews conducted between September 2011 and January 2012. Affirmation Forms will also be mailed to your home in February 2012 for students unable to complete an Affirmation Form during the exit interview timeframe (between September 2011 and January 2012). Each 21

st Century Scholar student must meet the required 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to be eligible to claim

their scholarship. They must also file for state and federal financial aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. To be considered on time, the federal processor must receive your completed FAFSA on or before March 10, 2012. Make all necessary corrections to your FAFSA on or before May 15, 2012.

Apply for admission and institutional financial aid at the Indiana college/university which they plan

to attend by the deadlines established by each college.

Enroll as a full-time college student and maintain Indiana residency. The Twenty-first Century

Scholarship is available only at eligible Indiana colleges.

SUGGESTED SENIOR TIMELINE

ALL YEAR: Colleges are interested in a rigorous senior year. Work hard all year – second semester transcripts can affect admissions and scholarships. Stay involved! FALL Narrow down ideas of careers and colleges Apply to colleges Create a personal profile (include involvement in clubs, sports, achievements, volunteering, etc.) Visit the schools that interest you, talk with admission counselors, recruiters, etc. Attend local college fairs or college visitation days. Compile your resume – awards, activities, job experiences – for references and applications. [Be sure to save copies of all your essays and resumes for use with future applications.] Start gathering college applications, search on-line. Remember to check Priority Application Deadlines. For most colleges in Indiana it is either Nov. 1

st or Dec.

1st.

Be sure to submit all application materials by the priority dates to guarantee maximum consideration for admission as well as merit scholarships. Register to take or retake the SAT and/or ACT. Find out application procedures. Follow instructions and pay close attention to deadlines.

Begin searching for scholarships. Letters of recommendation should be requested from teachers or employers on a timely basis. WINTER Attend the school’s financial aid night in January. Work with your parents on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The state of Indiana deadline is March 10

th!

Apply to a college program if you have not already done so. Verify that admissions offices have received all of the information that you’ve sent. Search for and apply for scholarships. SPRING Receive decision letters from the schools to which you’ve applied. Receive and review financial aid Award Letters, find out about loans. Notify the school you want to attend and submit any additional required paperwork. For colleges applied to, but not attending, be sure to notify them that you will not be attending their institution and decline their financial aid. SUMMER Request that your final transcript be sent to your college. Be sure to notify all colleges you’ve applied to, if you will NOT be attending their institution. Follow your college’s instructions about orientation meetings, scheduling sessions, etc. AS YOU ENTER THE WORKFORCE, - TOP 10 THINGS EMPLOYERS WANT FROM YOU!!! Dependability & Reliability Honesty & Integrity Work Ethic Positive Attitude Teamwork / People Skills A Job Well Done Adaptability Attendance & Promptness Customer Focus Communication (Oral & Written)

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS The following websites are believed to contain helpful information that may be of interest to students and parents. These resources offer interest inventories, numerous kinds of information on careers, college majors, colleges, technical schools, apprenticeships, scholarships and financial aid. Please note that some websites may also contain or promote fee-based services. It is recommended that users proceed with caution before purchasing any services. Financial Aid & College Savings Information College Board (Click on “For Students, then Pay for College”) www.collegeboard.com The National Center for College Costs www.collegecosts.com FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.ed.gov FAFSA PIN www.pin.ed.gov FastWeb www.fastweb.com Federal Student Aid www.studentaid.ed.gov Learn More Indiana

www.learnmoreindiana.org National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators www.nasfaa.org The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid www.finaid.org State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana www.in.gov/ssaci Student Gateway to the U.S. Government www.students.gov Off To College (Select Students) www.suntrusteducation.com The Internet Guide to 529 and Other College Savings Plans www.savingforcollege.com Expected Family Contribution Calculator (use “Federal Methodology”) www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml Trip To College www.triptocollege.org Wachovia College Planning (Select Personal, then Planning Guides) https://www.wachovia.com/personal U. S. Department of Education www.ed.gov/about/pubs College Applications and Information Resources XAP Student Center

www.xap.com Index of American Universities

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/au The National Center for College Costs

www.collegecosts.com College View www.collegeview.com National Association of College Admissions Counseling www.nacacnet.org Peterson’s Planner www.peterson.com The Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com The Collegiate Web Source www.gocollege.com Indiana College Answer www.indiana.collegeanswer.com American Education Services www.educationalplanner.com My College Guide www.mycollegeguide.org U.S. News and World Report Education Page www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm The College Answer Guy www.collegeanswerguy.com University and College Accountability Network www.ucan-network.org College Navigator www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator College Visits and Discounts www.college-visits.com College Parents of America

www.collegeparents.org My College Quick Start www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/quickstart College Is Possible www.collegeispossible.org College Confidential http://www.collegeconfidential.com Scholarship Searches Nelnet (National Education Loan Network)

www.nelnet.com SRN Express

www.srnexpress.com Federal Trade Commission Scholarship Scam Information www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/scholarship Broke Scholar www.brokscholar.com CollegeNET www.collegenet.com ScholarSite www.scholarsite.com Next Student www.nextstudent.com Scholarships.com www.scholarships.com College Board’s Fund Finder www.collegeboard.com Scholarship Scams www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml College Answer www.collegeanswer.com College Planning Network www.collegeplan.org College Tool Kit www.collegetoolkit.com Career Exploration America’s Career Info Net

www.acinet.org America’s Job Bank www.ajb.dni.us Campus Career Center Worldwide www.campuscareercenter.com Kiersey Temperament Sorter www.advisorteam.com/user/ktsintro.asp Planning A Career www.adventuresineducation.org Overview of College, Vocational Schools and Careers www.overview.com/colleges/ Exploring Career Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

www.bls.gov/k12 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov/oco Data on Indiana’s Labor Market www.hoosierdata.in.gov Quest

www.bsu.edu/careers/quest

Mapping Your Future www.mapping-your-future.org The Career Key www.careerkey.org Career One Stop www.careeronestop.org/Salariesbenefits Career Launch www.careerlaunch.net My Cool Career www.mycoolcareer.com Test Preparation Options College Board www.collegeboard.com ACT www.actstudent.org Number2 www.number2.com Smart Doodle www.smartdoodle.com Barron’s Test Prep www.barronstestprep.com Max the Test www.maxthetest.com Boston Test Prep www.bostontestprep.com Study Guide Zone www.studyguidezone.com My Student Edge www.mystudentedge.com Kaplan SAT Review www.kaptest.com Edu Prep

www.eduprep.com/SAT_ACT.asp SAT Method www.satmethod.com The SAT Test www.usentranceexams.com SAT I Test Tips and Techniques www.testinfo.net Take SAT www.takesat.com College Power Prep www.powerprep.com Triumph College Admissions www.testprep.com Inspire – Indiana Virtual Library (Select Links) www.inspire.net Resources for the Student Athlete National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) www.ncaa.org NCAA Eligibility Center

www.eligibilitycenter.org National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics www.naia.org

National Junior College Athletic Association www.njcaa.org Enrichment & Homework Help Links A Math Dictionary For Kids

http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/ (Animated, interactive dictionary for students which explains over 600 common mathematical terms in simple language.) Homework Spot

http://www.homeworkspot.com/ Homework Helper

http://www.refdesk.com/homework.html High School Ace

http://highschoolace.com/ace/ace.cfm Homework Hotline from Rose-Hulman

http://www.askrose.org/ My Student Edge www.mystudentedge.com