WELCOME TO THE

GUIDANCE
INFORMATIONAL SESSION
FOR STUDENTS AND
PARENTS
DOUGLAS ANDERSON
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

DA School Counseling Office

Kathy Anderson

Department Chair

Brooke Rimondi

School Counselor, GL-O

Shaneka Ferrell

School Counselor, P-Z

Dayle Mack

Office Clerk

School Counselor, A-GI

Loretta Nicholson Records Clerk

ph 904-346-5620
fax 904-346-5636
http://www.da-arts.org

NAVIANCE
Highschool and College Planning

Personalized account

College and career preparation and planning

Self-discovery assessments and inventories

Set goals

Create a resume

Utilize tools for time management, study skills,

decision making and more

PROMOTION CRITERIA
To Grade

Credit Requirement

Other

10

5 Credits: Including1 English or 1 Math

N/A

11

12 Credits: Including 2 English and any combination of 2 Math and/or

Science

N/A

12

18 Credits: Including 3 English and any combination of 4 Math and/or

Science

1.5 GPA or above

GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS
24 credits
2.0 overall unweighted gpa
Pass Grade 10 FSA ELA
Pass Algebra 1 EOC
Take one on-line high school course

Graduation Requirements

24 credits
4-English
4-Math (taken in middle or high school in 2007-2008 or thereafter) Algebra I,
Geometry, + 2
3-Science
Biology, 2 sciences
3-Social Studies
World History, American History, Economics, American Gov
2-Foreign Language
must be in same world language
1-Practical or Performing Fine Art*
1- HOPE
6-Electives*
*includes the 12 specific arts courses for DA arts seal

WHAT IS ON THE
TRANSCRIPT?
Biographical Information - check for accuracy
Official record of high school work

Cumulative: 9th - 12th grades (8th grade if HS

course); all courses and final averages count

Senior schedule
Weighted GPA and unweighted GPA ONLY
Rank in class
Community service hours only
Test results
Is reviewed by counselors yearly for accuracy

GRADE POINT AVERAGE

State, Unweighted, Graduation GPA (4.0 scale)
District, Weighted, Ranking GPA (5.0 scale)
Re-calculated, Academic GPA (includes half of an extra

quality point for each academic honors course, whole

extra point for AP, DE) State University Schools in
Florida

Florida Bright Futures GPA (uses specific courses and

includes half of an extra quality point for each honors,

AP, or DE course). Go to www.flvc.org

Junior Checklist

Study every year counts; good year to build GPA

View your Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility @

www.flvc.org
Take the SAT and ACT www.collegeboard.com, www.act.org
College ready! Know the post secondary readiness scores!
Meet with your counselor
NAVIANCE
Continue activities /community service and document
Know the steps for applying to college
write essays, prepare resume, letters of recommendations
EOC and AP exams

THE COLLEGE PORTFOLIO

Copy of Transcripts
College Application
College Entrance Essay
Letters of Recommendation
Resume
College Portfolio Rubric

PREPARE YOUR MATERIALS

Summer

Beginning of Senior Year

Write Essays

Decide on Letters of Recommendation

Create a Resume

Submit Admissions Applications

Request Letters of Rec

Submit Remaining Applications

Request Transcripts from

Guidance

2015-16 Test Dates

SAT TEST DATES

WWW.COLLEGEBOARD.ORG

*COST: $54.50 (Reading & Math and Essay)- October 2015-Januaary 2016

*COST $43.00 (NEW Redesigned SAT)- March 2016 and thereafter

Test Date

Registration Deadline

Oct 3, 2015 Sept 3, 2015

Sept 22 , 2015

Nov 7, 2015 Oct 9, 2015

Oct27, 2015

Dec 5, 2015 Nov 5, 2015

Nov 23, 2015

Jan 23, 2016

(Late Fee Required)

Dec 28, 2015 Jan 12, 2016

March 5, 2016 Feb 5, 2016

Feb 23, 2016

May 7, 2016

April 8, 2016 April 26, 2016

June 4, 2016

May 5, 2016 May 25, 2016

ACT TEST DATES

WWW.ACTSTUDENT.ORG

*COST: $39.50 (Reading & Math)/$56.50 with Writing Option

Test Date

Registration Deadline

Oct 24, 2015

Sept 18, 2015 Sept 19Oct 2, 2015

Dec 12, 2015

Nov 6, 2015

Feb 6, 2016 Jan 8, 2016

(Late Fee Required)

Nov 720, 2015

Jan 915, 2016

April 9, 2016

March 4, 2016

June 11, 2016

May 6, 2016

March 518, 2016

May 720, 2016

Community Service &

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities and community service are hot

items! Participation throughout grades 9-12 is most important
(includes summer before ninth grade)
submit all completed documentation to Ms. Cherry, Ms.
Swartz or guidance (make copies to keep for your records)
turn in each verification form for all service completed yearly
obtain pre-approval for current year/upcoming community
service from guidance (counselor corner lunch table)
What kind of activities are important?
Quality participation in one or few activities
Service to the community volunteering
Service and involvement in the school
Leadership and/or significant contributions

SIX STEPS TO THE

COLLEGE APPLICATION
PROCESS
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Know yourself and your reasons for attending

College
Consider College characteristics
List, compare, and visit Colleges
Apply for admission and observe deadlines
Develop a plan to finance your education
Review and finalize your plans

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO

BE
WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Interest Inventories
Aptitude Testing
Career Research
Matching Up the Results
This is an emotional and intuitive
decision, not just a numbers game!!!
You dont need all the answers right now

What is right for me?

A university/four-year college

Private or public
In-state or out-of-state

A community college

A vocational-technical school

A private technical college

CONSIDER COLLEGE
CHARACTERISTICS

Majors &
educational
programs
Type of school &
degrees offered
Admission policy

Location & size

Costs & financial
aid
College affiliation
& accreditation
Campus activities
Support services

FOUR YEAR COLLEGE

Primary focus is first

getting bachelors
degree.

Opportunities to
further education
beyond the bachelors
degree (4 year
degree).

Entrance
requirements vary
by school.

Attending school
fulltime = 12 credits
per semester (most
classes are 3 credits
each)

Universities offer a
wide variety of majors.

State College Community College

Associate in Science

Associate of Arts 2+2

A good fit for

students who want
to transfer to a
university or college
to pursue a
bachelors degree.
Guaranteed
acceptance to a
state university.

A good fit for

students who want
to enter a
professional or
technical field in
two years.

You can also

continue on to a
bachelors degree if
you choose.

LIST, COMPARE, AND

VISIT!

Compile information from several resources:

Internet/Websites
College catalogs, bulletins, videos, and computer-based
services
College representatives & college fairs
Counselors and teachers
Parents, students, and alumni

Prepare a college comparison checklist

Weigh advantages & disadvantages
Contact the office of admission
Schedule appointments for your campus visits

GENERAL TIPS

Establish Notebook with Dividers

Resume

Divider for Each School with check list

Create Folder System

Get the name of your Admission Rep and keep it

Establish a calendar of deadlines for each school

Maintain Senior Year Grades

COLLEGE VISIT PROCEDURE

If the visit causes you to miss class(es) at DA, the
absence will be excused if the following procedure is
followed:
For Juniors and Seniors only
Pick up an application in the Deans Office
Obtain work from teachers prior to leaving
Turn in the application to the Attendance Office at
least two weeks prior to the college visit
Approval will only be granted for formal invitations
and open houses
Upon return to school bring a note signed by both a
university representative and your parent/guardian

CHECKLIST FOR A CAMPUS VISIT

Meet with an Admission Counselor

Verify admission requirements
Determine actual college costs
Ask about financial aid opportunities
Take a campus tour

Investigate your academic program(s)

Attend a class
Talk with students and faculty
Discuss your chances for success:

admission, graduation, placement

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

The earlier you apply in your senior year
the better!
Most Florida State Universities have already
accepted a majority of their students by
December or their priority deadline has
passed.
By February some are still accepting
students.
Some colleges have rolling admissions.

Apply for Admission &

Observe Deadlines
Narrow your choices
Review college admission test requirements
Know application fees and deadlines
Know scholarship requirements
Submit application materials (paper/electronic)

Application for admission

High school transcript
Recommendations

Admission test results

DEVELOP A PLAN
TO FINANCE YOUR
EDUCATION

Determine

college costs

Investigate

ALL possible resources

Parents
Savings
Summer earnings
Financial aid: scholarships

(merit based and

need- based), grants, loans & work-study (need
based)
Other sources

Secure necessary forms and note deadlines

Apply for financial aid as early as possible

REVIEW AND FINALIZE

YOUR PLANS
Show initiative and be assertive
Talk with your parents and counselor
Select a college that meets your needs and
preferences
Follow up with colleges to which you have applied

MEETING COLLEGE EXPENSES

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

Based on talent or merit

Very competitive - national pool of applicants
High GPA and test scores
Academic
Artistic

Community service
Leadership
Essay competitions

MEETING COLLEGE EXPENSES

BRIGHT FUTURES
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Students must apply for Bright Futures and other state

scholarships at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org
during spring of senior year

Must meet minimum requirements for recalculated

GPA, SAT/ACT test scores, and community service

Must maintain GPA in college

BRIGHT FUTURES ELIGIBILITY

16 college-preparatory credits and up to 2

additional credits from courses in these academic
areas and/or AP fine arts courses
SAT/ACT test scores, and community service

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) - 3.5 weighted

Academic GPA (minimum 16 required academic
credits), 1290 SAT/29 ACT (excluding the writing
section), 100 hours community service
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) - 3.0 weighted
Academic GPA (minimum 16 required academic
credits), 1170 SAT/26 ACT (excluding the writing
section) 75 hours community service

MEETING COLLEGE
EXPENSES

NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID

GRANTS, LOANS and WORK STUDY

Many students and families receive need-based financial aid.

Federal Government: The Student Guide and Funding Your

Education www.ed.gov/finaid.html

Families complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student

Aid)
o www.fafsa.ed.gov

To estimate your eligibility for federal student aid. Visit the

FAFSA4caster https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate

OR https://

studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/next-steps/how-calculated to get
more information on the your EFC - Expected Family Contribution
-the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive

ADDITIONAL
IMPORTANT WEBSITES
www.da-arts.org
www.douglasandersonguidance.blogspot.com
www.douglasandersonseniors2016.blogspot.com
www.cyberguidance.net
www.finaid.org
www.scholaraid.com
www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
www.fastweb.com
www.zinch.com
www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org

THANK YOU!

Questions?
Phone : 904-346-5620
Fax: 904-346-5636
http://www.da-arts.org
www.douglasandersonguidance.blogspot.com