Attention all seniors

Lacy Stevens, Charger Staff

With the second half of this term underway, many seniors have begun to feel the pressure of graduation and post-graduate planning.

Many are scrambling to complete college and scholarship applications, as well as keep up with homework and senior activities.

But what, exactly, should seniors be doing to better prepare themselves for college and graduation?

During November and December, seniors should:

• request application materials for admissions and financial aid from the colleges you want to attend;
• apply to those schools (be mindful of the deadlines);
• prepare a budget for your freshman year with your parents;
• take or retake the ACT or SAT;
• be sure to meet the deadlines for admissions, finanicial aid and scholarships;
• keep a record of everything you submit; and
• give recommendation forms to teachers, counselors and other persons from whom you would like references at least two weeks before the reference forms are due.

In January and February, seniors should:

• apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible after January 1. (Students will be able to pick up FAFSA's from the guidance counseloror from your college's financial aid office.);
• request that a copy of your high school transcript be sent to the school(s) where you have applied;
• confirm with the schools they applied to that they have received your application forms, recommendations and housing applications.

Class rankings will be announced two to three weeks after the end of the first semester, which could be as late as January 28.

If seniors are in a position where they need to provide their class rank for a college application, Mrs. Pam Blair, the senior counselor, will personally call that school's admissions office; students need to see Mrs. Blair.

When class ranks are announced, students will be given three grades: their grade average, their GPA, and their QPA. In order to be invited to the Honors banquet held before graduation, students must need at least a 90% grade average. The GPA is a grade point average based on a 4.0 scale; students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in order to earn an Honors diploma. The QPA, or quality point average, is based on a 6.0 scale. It is with this scale that seniors are ranked.

Students wishing to take a school day and visit a college must first follow certain procedures. Two to three days before the visit, a student must give a parent note to Mrs. Profant in the attendance office, and she will verify the parent note.

When a student returns, he must provide proof from the school that a visit was made.

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