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Student Services Staff

Counselors

Joshua Carnelley A-Cri
Julie Kotler Cro-Hep
Crystal Loesch Her-Mec
Mackenzie Barker Med-Sal
Jennifer Mouney Sam-Z

Social Worker

Kimberly Francum

Registrar

Denise Simpson (transcripts - except Common App. Counselors will do college application transcripts.)

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Additional Resource Staff Who Are Helpful for Senior Year

Sheryl Coston, CTE Coordinator

Mary Lillge, IB Coordinator

Jennifer Crudeli, AIG Coordinator

Lauren Goalder, CFCC Liaison

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School Counselors are for ALL students:

Academic
Career
Personal Social

In meeting with our seniors this fall and working with you throughout this school year our goal is to be of assistance in helping you have a productive and enjoyable senior year and to prepare you for your next journey.

Our role is to show you the tools to use, the places to look, the people you need to talk to, and to prepare you to advocate for yourselves as you transition out of the high school setting.

Each counselor has a large caseload, and meeting with our students is essential (and required), but we have to be cognizant of our time so we are meeting the needs of all of our students.

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Graduation Requirements

NHCS encourages students to explore course options and recommends obtaining 28 credits for graduation, however a minimum of 22 credits is required per the state of NC and NHCS.

Those credits must generally include the following:

4 English
4 Math
4 Social Studies
3 Science
1 Health/PE
Electives
CPR (hands only)

Counselors will review requirements with students during meetings this fall.

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Post-Secondary Options

Approximately 90% of our students attend post-secondary schools:

seeking undergraduate (four-year studies)
community college/technical schools (two-year studies).
Some start at community college and transfer to four-year studies after one to two years.

Other options include military, employment, and gap years.

The individual’s decision is based on the needs and goals of each adolescent and family.
What is the return on the investment of time, money, preparation?

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Four-Year College: Navigating the Process

The application process can be stressful for our students and families. Applying to schools requires attention, organization, and adherence to individual colleges’ submission expectations and deadlines.

Factors in the Process:

School selection - Where? Why?
Applying - How? Deadlines?
Fees - Why? How Much?
Test scores - Which ones? How to Send?
Transcripts - What is needed and how to have them sent?
Letters of recommendation - From whom and how to get a helpful letter?
Financial planning - What is the Expected Family Contribution?

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Breaking Down the Process

Where should I apply? It’s very important to research schools.

Majors, campus life, location/setting, size, cost, demographics.
Investigate individual college profiles. A good approach for categorizing choices is to divide into:

Reach or dream schools

Match schools

Safety schools

After narrowing list, visit your top schools in each category.

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Virtual Exploration

CFNC: Great information specific to NC

https://www.cfnc.org/

College Board: More great information on a national level

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

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The Application Process

Each school website will note how you can apply.

Main ways to apply to a college are:

The Common App

http://www.commonapp.org/how-apply#component-wrapper-10

The Coalition App

https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/

The college website (example)

https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/undergraduate_admissions/apply_now/index.php

CFNC https://www1.cfnc.org/Apply/To_College/College_Applications/_default.aspx
Application must be submitted and fees paid for the application to be complete.

***Be sure to complete NC residency form, required by all NC schools***

Application should direct you to the NC Residency Determination Site

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The NC Residency Form

Be sure to complete NC residency form, required by all NC schools.

https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/

NC applications should direct you to the NC Residency Determination Site as listed above.

This is required to be filled out to pay instate tuition costs vs. out of state tuition
Personal information must be entered in correctly
You as a family will only have to fill this out one time if done correctly

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Application Due Dates Are Real Due Dates.

There are firm deadlines for application submission (four-year colleges), with a few exceptions:

Early Action (non binding)
Restrictive Early Action
Early Decision (binding)
Regular Decision
Rolling Admissions

Web article that discusses the differences when it comes to application submission:

https://www.niche.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-early-action-restrictive-early-action-and-early-decision/#:~:text=Restrictive%20Early%20Action%20(sometimes%20Restricted,schools%20in%20the%20early%20rounds

Deadlines for application submission to community colleges can vary slightly so pay attention!

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Test Scores

Many colleges want test scores.

SAT versus ACT-Which is preferable?

Most colleges accept either

SAT Subject Tests-When to take them?

Check each school you are applying to. Do they require subject tests?

AP Scores-How are they helpful in the admissions process?

Can gain college credit for some AP classes you take. Each school will have different requirements.
Example: https://uncw.edu/reg/transfercredit-examAP.html
Same goes for IB scores: example: https://uncw.edu/reg/transfercredit-examHLIB.html

Placement test at the Community Colleges

If applying to CFCC, you can send previous test scores to see if they qualify. If not, you may have to take a placement test at CFCC.

How to send test scores:

Electronically through testing sites such as College Board or ACT (log in to your account)

Counselors cannot send these.
Make sure students merge school ACT with ACT exams they have taken on their own by calling ACT

Fees (four free scores with purchase of exam)

Early deadlines (November SAT is the latest for most colleges, NOT ALL) vs. rolling admissions (match your SAT to the timeframe for consideration).

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Test Scores

Many schools went to a test optional policy post-Covid 19. Some are still test-optional and some have reverted back to requiring them.

Please read up on the new testing policy for NC System Universities

For NC public universities, tests scores are optional (for now) if the student has above a 2.8 weighted GPA.

However, we truly ask that you do your homework when it comes to the application process and which schools require standardized test scores and which do not. Even if they do not require a test score they may require supplemental materials as a part of your application process in place of standardized testing.

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Transcripts

Colleges want the transcript as a definitive piece of the application.
What does a transcript show? Past, present, and future courses, rigor of courses, weighted and unweighted GPA, numerical averages, academic history. Your transcript shows the courses you are enrolled in for the entire year. Be sure to check with your counselor that your 2nd semester schedule is as accurate as possible.
2nd semester dual enrollment classes will not appear on the transcript sent to colleges

You can note the classes you plan to take a UNCW/CFCC on your applications when it asks what your senior year schedule is.

If a student is applying to schools on The Common Application, Send Edu, or Coalition, you DO NOT have to request that a transcript be sent. Counselors automatically upload your transcript to these accounts if you have correctly put in our contact information and email addresses. Check with your counselor to ensure they have received these requests.

CHECK YOUR COMMON APP ACCOUNT TO SEE IF YOUR TRANSCRIPT WAS UPLOADED!

You only need to request a transcript if you are applying to a school not on the Common App, Coalition or Send.edu (on a school’s website) Please see information below on how this can be completed.

There are 2 ways to request a transcript be mailed if you are applying to schools not on the Common App/Send.edu/Coalition:

Fill out the Google Form found on our website
See Mrs. Simpson in the Student Services Office to fill out a form. DO NOT EMAIL HER. She will not accept transcript requests via email.

*Although some deadlines are as early as October 15th, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc. do not have to be in by that deadline. There is often a 2-4 week grace period for these documents to be sent in by counselors.

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Supplemental Materials

Colleges want supplemental materials, which can include:

Essays-Number of essays may vary by school if essay is needed.
AP test scores
Counselor Forms/Secondary School Report
School Profile-Available online and we provide if indicated.
Teacher Recommendations

FOLLOWING UP:

Colleges send automated email reminders to students to send transcripts, test scores, and other documents, often even after these items have been submitted. Please check your common app account before reaching out to your counselor to see if these documents have been uploaded.

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Letters of Recommendation

Many colleges require one or more letters of recommendation (read the admission requirements and know for sure who needs a letter/s of rec..)

For common app schools, these are uploaded directly to common app from your teacher once you input their email address (check that they received your request!)
Should be from academic teacher who knows you and can attest to your attitude, work ethic, accountability, and integrity.
Schools prefer a letter from an academic teacher, unless applying to arts or technical program - sometimes a community member letter is ok as secondary recommendation.
Ask teachers several weeks in advance - don’t just plug in their email.
Counselor recommendation usually pertains to transcript and school report. If a school requires an actual letter from a counselor, please discuss this with the counselor assigned to your alphabet. We do not do this automatically. You must discuss this with us.
Help recommenders remember you - tell them why you have chosen their recommendation.
Do not send more recommendations than the school requests.
Electronic letter (common app) or USPS (provide a stamped envelope)
Privacy - understand a teacher may not share their letter with you.
Allow a grace period and check for submission in your account.
Express gratitude - teachers spend their free time writing letters.

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Missteps to Avoid

College admissions do NOT want:

Extra letters of recommendations
Copy and paste essays - don’t send a UNC essay to NC State!
Art portfolios, unless specifically requested
Music demos, unless specifically requested
Something “cute” or “memorable”
Social media recklessness

Be aware of what your students post
Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. . . Schools will check!

Parents reaching out – students should self-advocate

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Financial Planning

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid

website: https://studentaid.gov/

Federally-based scholarships, grants, loans, work studies

Below is a great link to learn more about the Fafsa and its benefits

https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid

Never pay for FAFSA
Have tax returns ready!

Below are some various options on how to get help when filling out the fafsa

CFNC- College Foundation of North Carolina- free and confidential service to families here in NC

https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/

There are usually local FAFSA days at local colleges where they will help you fill out the FAFSA.
Check with SECU about assistance with FAFSA

*****Your school counselor is not a trained FAFSA adviser

CSS Profile

Required by some schools for school-based and merit funds
Check with your schools to see if they require

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Scholarship hunting is a self-propelled process that requires a lot of work on the student’s and parent’s parts, but can be very rewarding.

When speaking to students about scholarship we focus on three key areas for scholarships

Colleges- Merit based, need based, and performance based (check with your colleges and their financial aid websites)

Early action – merit scholarship pool

By applying to those early deadlines, your are often automatically considered for merit based scholarships.

Local Scholarship- examples such as SECU, Kiwanis, local businesses, etc. (check the Hoggard student services website and local resources)

https://sites.google.com/nhcs.net/jthstudentservices/home?authuser=0

State and Nation wide scholarships- DAR, Coca-Cola Scholars, etc. (set up a scholarship profile with CFNC, and other large national scholarship search engines such as Fast web, Big Future that can also be found on our Student Services website)

https://sites.google.com/nhcs.net/jthstudentservices/scholarships/all-scholarships?authuser=0

***Never pay for a scholarship application or search engine, these should all be free of charge.

Scholarships

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Roles in the College Application Process

The Student:

Know your deadlines
Take virtual tours
Pay fees - application is not submitted until fee is paid!

(Fee waivers available based on need for some schools - see counselor)

Transcript Requests
Teacher Recommendations
Request Test Scores from testing company
Secondary or Supplemental forms

Teacher:

Teacher recommendation

Student Services Office:

Send Transcripts and school profile
Secondary School Reports (SSR) -- if required
Counselor recommendation -- if required

Parents:

Three roles for parents in the college application process, as suggested by College Times Magazine

Coach
Consultant
Executive Assistant

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Admissions Decisions

Generally your student will receive an email or a letter regarding a college’s admission decision.

Accepted

If accepted Early Decision your child needs to withdraw all other applications.
Most colleges don’t need commitment until late April or early May

Deferred

If early action or early decision, then basically you’ve gone into the regular admission candidate pool.
If deferred regular decision, they probably want more information to evaluate you.
Check and see if they specifically ask for new test scores or mid-year grades.

Waitlist

School has made offers of admission for all its spaces, but if people don’t accept, they will start pulling from the waitlist

Denied

Admission has not and will not been offered; if there is no back-up plan, your counselor can help you create one.

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Community College

Two-Year Schools

North Carolina Community College System (58 institutions)

Associate's Degree
Transfer Programs - UNC System Schools
Certificate/Licensure/Technical

Louisburg - on-campus housing
Miller Motte

Applications
Testing - SAT, ACT, Accuplacer
Registering for Classes

Pros

Tuition is less expensive
Student wants a job that doesn’t require a 4 year degree
Can live at home (no rent, save money)
Able to keep part-time jobs
Can continue with dual enrollment programs

Cons

No on-campus housing
Miss “going away” experience
Some credits may not transfer
Might still live at home
Student aid (if not “degree-seeking”)
Managing rent, bills, etc.

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Military Opportunities

Military recruiters from all armed services branches typically visit Hoggard. If you are interested in speaking to any of our area reps please reach out to them and include parents in these discussions.

High School Diploma is required
ASVAB required, typically offered at Hoggard and also individually with area recruiters
Benefit of joining (Leadership, training, education, travel, etc.)

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Helpful Websites

http://www.commonapp.org/
http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/

Visit these sites to apply to multiple colleges in one application.

http://www.cfnc.org

Helps you plan, apply, and pay for colleges in NC