Transcript Document
Post-High School Planning
Liberty High School
Class of 2015
Options after High School
Four-year college
Two-year college
Trade/Technical school
Hands on experience
Job placement
Military
Free education (college and technical)
Employment
Double Check Your
Graduation Requirements!
Total of twenty-five (25) credits
Including 4 credits senior year
Four years of attendance after grade 8
Seventy five (75) service learning hours
55 hours by the end of this year
Pass all of the HSA’s
Algebra, English, Biology
Check the letter you receive in June!
Specific Graduation Requirements
Academic Area
English
Social Studies
Credits
4
3
Govt., U.S. Hist., World Hist.
Science
3
Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Mathematics
4
Algebra, Intermediate Alg,
Geometry, Algebra II
(unless you did a completer
program- then you need 2
credits of Algebra and 1 credit of
Geometry)
Academic Area
Fine Arts
Technology Education
Physical Education
Health
World Language
(AND Algebra II)
OR
Advanced Technology
(AND Algebra II)
OR
Completer Program
Financial Literacy
Credits
1
1
1
½
2
2
4–9
½
College Planning:
To Do During Your Junior Year
Senior year courses should be rigorous.
Keep your grades up. Although senior year courses (and
sometimes quarter grades) appear on your transcript, this
semester is the last to factor into your cumulative GPA before
January 2015.
Use websites to explore colleges, majors, and careers.
Register with NCAA Clearinghouse and Service Academies
(if applicable).
Think about application essays and who to ask for letters of
recommendation.
Take the tests!
SAT, SAT II (Subject Tests), ACT, ASVAB, AP
SAT vs. ACT
ACT
SAT
An achievement test, measuring what a
student has learned in school.
An aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal
abilities.
5 components: English, Mathematics,
Reading, Science, and an optional Writing
Test.
Tests more advanced math concepts- basic
arithmetic, algebra I, II, geometry & trig.
The ACT is scored based on the number of
correct answers with no penalty for guessing.
3 components: Critical Reasoning,
Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.
Each section and composite score max is 36.
National average is 20-21, a “good” score
depends on the college.
Each section max score is 800, 2400 total.
National average is 1500, a “good” score
depends on the college.
Math through Algebra II. Stronger emphasis
on vocabulary.
The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is,
they take off for wrong answers.
How To Get More
Information About Colleges
Online Searches
www.collegeboard.com
Use your PSAT code for My College Quickstart
www.getin2college.com
(password protected, access from School Counseling section of
LHS website or your Blue Handbook)
College Visits & Open Houses (excused absence for 3
days with pre-approval)
College Information Sessions at LHS during PAWSsign up in counseling office
College Fairs- Carroll County college fair in October
Montgomery County Ag Center, Thursday, April 10th 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex, Friday, April 11th 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
For more information and to view the most current list of participating colleges, go to
http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/SpringNCF/Pages/default.aspx
Things to Consider
When Looking at Colleges
Size
Small: under 3,000
Medium: 3,000 - 10,000
Large: 10,000 - 20,000
Largest: over 20,000
Location (city, state,
distance from home)
Public or Private
Cost
Majors offered
Academic and Social
Atmosphere
Teacher to Student ratio
Campus Setting
Urban, Suburb, Rural
What Colleges are Looking For
Academic Record: GPA, class rank, consistency,
improvement, difficulty of classes
Testing: SAT, SAT II, ACT, AP
Extracurricular Activities: Sports, clubs, leadership roles
Letters of Recommendation: At least one person who has
background knowledge of your academic ability
Honors and Awards: Special recognition for skill or talent
Essay/Personal Statement: How are you unique?
The Common Application Essay topics are in the LHS April
Newsletter.
Interview: Personal presentation, questions to demonstrate
knowledge of the college
Starting Your College SearchKnow your GPA and SAT scores
College
Average GPA
SAT range
ACT range
Applied/ Accepted
(math and reading only)
Frostburg
3.25
970-1070
18-22
3951/ 2340
James Madison
3.75
1050-1230
23-27
22,648/ 14,392
McDaniel
3.25
990-1220
20-27
3650/ 2283
Salisbury
3.59
1070-1230
22-26
8866/ 4676
St. Mary’s of MD
3.8
1110-1320
25-30
1985/ 1430
Stevenson
3.39
880-1090
19-24
5739/ 3267
Towson
3.61
990-1180
22-25
18,128/ 9462
UMBC
3.71
1130-1320
24-29
8514/ 5138
UMD- College Park
3.75
1190-1410
28-32
25,255/ 11,825
West Virginia
3.36
930-1140
21-26
16, 521/ 14,060
Is Community College Right for
Me?
Provides time to explore options and improve your
GPA
Offers significant cost savings
Simple application process
Begin a bachelor’s and prepare to transfer credits
If your GPA is competitive, consider the Hill Scholar’s
program at Carroll.
Planning For Your Senior Year
Get organized with your list of schools and what is
necessary for applications and to track deadlines.
Create a spreadsheet, whiteboard or dedicated notebook
Internships – see Ms. Linfield ASAP (you must be working
on a completer or career major to do an internship)
Dual Enrollment – see your counselor ASAP
FAQ on the LHS School Counseling Website
Parent meeting required
Senior Year Timeline
Junior Year Spring/ Summer
Visit Colleges
Narrow your choices
Finish your college essay/personal statement
Look at applications and deadlines
Schedule senior meeting with your counselor
Fall
Take SAT and/or ACT one last time
Start sending out your applications (early deadlines begin in
October)
Request Official Transcripts from School Counseling Office
Ask for Teacher/Counselor recommendations
Keep your grades up. Colleges will still review quarter
one and mid year grades.
Need More Information?
Upcoming Paws Sessions
College search resources
Career search resources
Testing information : SAT v. ACT, SAT II, AP
College Application Process
Please sign up!
During the senior year, we like to email students important
information, such as upcoming college visits and college
deadlines and scholarship information. We asked students
to provide their or their parents’ email address.
Questions?
Counselors presented this
information during Advisory.
Students received a copy of The
Get in 2 College Handbook.
Counselors have or will be
meeting individually with all
juniors to discuss senior year and
post secondary plans.
Visit the LHS School
Counseling Website
We recommend having a senior
meeting over the summer if you
are looking at schools with early
deadlines. We are also hoping to
offer “summer bootcamp”
sessions for more individualized
application assistance.