GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

 

 11TH GRADE

 

1.  We have an orientation day for our junior parents in the first quarter.  We prepare a packet that is given to the parents. The topics of discussion include:  standardized tests, grade point average, college admission requirements, financial aid, awards/recognition, and study habits.

 

2.  The counselor meets with each student once per semester to discuss classes, grades, and career interests.  She speaks with students who fail classes to offer suggestions on getting help.

 

3.  The counselor takes the students to the computer lab to encourage their use of the GCIS Program.  This is a program the school purchases that provides information on work personalities, careers, colleges and financial aid.  This is available to our students at home on the Internet.  They must obtain the user name and password from a counselor and promise not to share them with non-SCPS students.  (This is our agreement with the state.)  Juniors are required to print at least one letter to mail to a college to obtain admission and financial aid information.

 

4.  The juniors are required to take the PSAT.  SCPS covers the cost for this group. The counselor goes into the English classes to explain the results when they arrive.

 

5.  Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT at least twice before the senior year.  Those who wait until the senior year miss application deadlines for college admission and scholarships that require a score.  Also, those who need to take an SAT prep course do not make this discovery if they wait until their senior year.  

 

6.  Both counselors provide study skills sessions at lunch and after school.  The students may choose the time that is convenient for them.  Some of the topics include:  test-taking tactics, efficient time management, conquering text anxiety, how to read a textbook and making good grades.

 

7.  Representatives from different colleges are invited to campus to meet with students before school and during lunch.  Parents are welcomed to attend.  Juniors are encouraged to attend the PROBE Fair at Oglethorpe Mall.  At least 50 college reps are present.  Juniors are encouraged to investigate and visit colleges and narrow their lists to 3 or 4 choices by the senior year.

 

8.  The counselor provides information on summer programs offered by various colleges and organizations.

 

9.  The counselor is the coordinator for the Governor’s Honors Program.  She also submits names of students who qualify for Who’s Who Among American High School Students, the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit, Furman Scholar, Presbyterian Junior Fellow, and Erskine Scholars.

 

10.  Upon request, the counselor provides personal guidance for students having trouble.

 

11.  The counselor coordinates parent/teacher conferences.

 

 

 

 

12TH GRADE

 

1.  We have an orientation day for our senior parents in August.  The topics of discussion include:  standardized tests, grade point average, college admission requirements, financial aid, awards/recognition, and study habits.  A packet given to each family includes an SAT and an ACT registration bulletin, a brochure entitled A Survival Kit for College Bound Parents and Students, and information on completing college applications, preparing resumes, and obtaining letters of recommendation. 

 

2.  The counselor meets with each student a minimum of once per semester to discuss classes, grades, and career interests.  She speaks with students who fail classes to offer suggestions on getting help to make certain that everyone marches in May.

 

3.  The counselor takes the students to the computer lab to encourage their use of the GCIS Program.  This is a program the school purchases that provides information on work personalities, careers, colleges and financial aid.  This is available to our students at home on the Internet.  They must obtain the user name and password from a counselor and promise not to share them with non-SCPS students.  (This is our agreement with the state.)  Seniors are required to print at least two letters to request scholarship information.

 

4.  The seniors are required to take the SAT and/or ACT.  They are encouraged to take these tests their junior year because of early deadlines for applications for admission to college and for scholarships. Those who wait until the senior year miss application deadlines that require a score.  Also, those who need to take an SAT prep course do not make this discovery if they wait until their senior year.  

 

5.  The counselor assists Mrs. Patricio with SAT prep material for her class.  They alternate days.  Mrs. Patricio will work on the verbal portion one Friday and Mrs. Rowland will work on the math portion the next Friday.  They do this for the first semester.

 

6.  Both counselors provide study skills sessions at lunch and after school.  The students may choose the time that is convenient for them.  Some of the topics include:  test-taking tactics, efficient time management, conquering text anxiety, how to read a textbook and making good grades.

 

7.  Representatives from different colleges are invited to campus to meet with students before school and during lunch.  Parents are welcomed to attend.  Seniors are encouraged to attend the PROBE Fair at Oglethorpe Mall.  At least 50 college reps are present.  Seniors are encouraged to investigate and visit colleges and narrow their lists to 3 or 4 choices.  All seniors are encouraged to have applications completed by Thanksgiving.

 

8.  The counselor invites a representative from the Georgia Student Finance Commission to present a financial aid workshop in October.  Mrs. Joyce Paul lectures on the different types of financial aid available and the forms necessary to obtain that aid. 

 

9.  The counselor provides information on summer programs offered by various colleges and organizations.

 

10.  The counselor is the coordinator for most of the scholarship information sent to SCPS.  She prepares an Information Update sheet for each senior that contains information on visits by college reps, scholarships, application deadlines and changes in admissions. 

 

11.  The counselor prepares and mails transcripts for college applications.  Students are asked to prepare the application, attach a check made payable to the college for the application fee, and give the application in its entirety to her.  If they apply online, they give her a written request for a transcript to be mailed.   If needed, she types letters of recommendation for teachers and essays for the students.  She mails them as well.

 

12.  The counselor provides copies of items received online and orders booklets that are deemed informative to help the students and their parents make good choices for college.

 

13.  The counselor visits colleges that our students are interested in attending to help them make good choices.  Most recently, she has visited Vanderbilt University, University of Miami and five colleges in Virginia.

 

14.  Upon request, the counselor provides personal guidance for students having trouble.

 

15.  The counselor coordinates parent/teacher conferences.