CARY HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2026

Stay in the loop next year as we celebrate and share information about all things Senior year.

Mantengase informado sobre los eventos de los "Seniors" y información importante.

Join the Class of 2026 Parent Email & Remind!

Join the Email List!

bit.ly/CHS2026Seniors

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Join the Email List!

bit.ly/CHSSeniors2026

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Join the Senior Remind!

Text @Cary2026 to 81010

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Escanea

el código qr para unirte!

Scan the QR Code to join!

COUNSELORS

COUNSELORS

COUNSELORS

COUNSELORS

COUNSELORS

COUNSELORS

COUNSELORS

Career Development Coordinator

FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR

MS. MAYO

Assists with:

• Completing the FAFSA Senior year
• General Financial Aid Questions
• Complicated NC Residency cases

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Contact to Schedule Appointment

• Email: memayo@wcpss.net

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FINANCIAL AID INFO NIGHT

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November 13th @ 6pm in Auditorium

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• Valuable information on FAFSA completion and financial aid

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STAY INFORMED!

• CHS STUDENT SERVICES WEBSITE
• CLICK ON STUDENTS, THEN STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
• CHS CLASS OF 2026 CANVAS
• ACCEPT YOUR INVITATION
• EMAIL YOUR COUNSELOR TO ADD YOU
• PRINCIPAL’S WEEKLY MESSAGES: HTTPS://WWW.WCPSS.NET/DOMAIN/12367
• WCPSS STUDENT EMAIL

SCHEDULE CONSIDERATIONS

• MID-YEAR GRADUATION FORMS
• DUE BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH
• EARLY RELEASE / LATE ARRIVAL FORMS
• DUE BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

SENIOR CONFERENCES

SEPT 15 – OCT 10

• SIGN UP FOR A SENIOR CONFERENCE ON THE CHS STUDENT SERVICES WEBSITE BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 8
• REVIEW YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CREDITS
• DISCUSS POSTSECONDARY PLANS (COLLEGE, MILITARY, ETC.)
• FINALIZE COURSE SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 2026
• ASK QUESTIONS! :)

CAREER AND COLLEGE PROMISE

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

• CARY HIGH OFFERS 25 AP COURSES
• AP EXAMS HELD MAY 4TH-15TH
• DEADLINE TO ENROLL FOR FALL AND YEARLONG AP EXAMS - NOVEMBER 14TH
• JOIN AP CLASSROOM
• DEADLINE TO ENROLL FOR SPRING AP EXAMS - MARCH 13TH
• COLLEGE BOARD ASSESSED LATE AND UNUSED TEST FEES $40

How many credits do you need to graduate from Cary High?

22 credits

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

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• FUTURE READY CORE COURSE OF STUDY
• 4 MATH (MATH 1, MATH 2, MATH 3, ADVANCED MATH COURSE)
• 4 ENGLISH
• 4 SOCIAL STUDIES: WORLD HISTORY, CIVIC LITERACY, AMERICAN HISTORY, ECONOMICS & PERSONAL FINANCE
• 3 SCIENCE: EARTH/ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, BIOLOGY, AND A PHYSICAL SCIENCE (PHYSICAL SCIENCE, CHEMISTRY, OR PHYSICS)
• 1 HEALTHFUL LIVING
• 2 ELECTIVE CREDITS IN WORLD LANGUAGES, CTE, OR FINE ARTS
• 4 ADDITIONAL ELECTIVE CREDITS

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NC ACADEMIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM

HONOR GRADUATES

Senior Information Packet

www.CFNC.org

• Send your transcript to ALL North Carolina colleges and universities
• Submit online applications for some colleges
• Explore careers
• Take a virtual tour of NC colleges
• Research all North Carolina schools
• Use the free test prep materials

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College Application Help

• College Boot Camp Sessions: Tuesdays and Thursdays in October leading up to College Application Week (Oct 20^th-26^th)
• These sessions will assist with:
• Getting started
• Completing the NC Residency Determination Form
• Responding to application questions

CFNC College Application Week

• October 20-26, 2025
• Assistance with applications will be provided in the BOP during lunch
• Apply to SOME NC colleges for free this week (by using CFNC.org)
• For list of participating NC colleges, go to https://nccountdowntocollege.org
• Note: This list will be available at the beginning of October

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TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS

• FOR IN-STATE SCHOOLS, TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE REQUESTED FROM CFNC.ORG

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• FOR OUT OF STATE SCHOOLS, TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE REQUESTED FROM WCPSS.NET/TRANSCRIPTS

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• SOME COLLEGES MAY REQUIRE STUDENTS TO UPLOAD AN UNOFFICIAL COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPT.

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• YOU (NOT YOUR COUNSELOR) ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING YOUR TRANSCRIPT ELECTRONICALLY.

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• TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE FINALIZED UNTIL AFTER SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
• PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS BEFORE THIS DATE

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SAT/ACT - IS IT OPTIONAL?

• UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS POLICY 700.1.1 REVISED TEST SCORE REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSIONS
• FOR STUDENTS ENTERING FALL 2026 SEMESTER AND BEYOND:
• MINIMUM WEIGHTED GPA 2.5
• TEST SCORES: STUDENTS WITH A WEIGHTED GPA GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 2.50 AND LESS THAN 2.80 ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A STANDARDIZED TEST SCORE OF A 17 OR HIGHER ON THE ACT OR A 930 OR HIGHER ON THE SAT
• CHECK THE COLLEGE’S MIDDLE 50% RANGE OF ACT/SAT SCORES
• IS YOUR SCORE WITHIN THIS RANGE?
• IS YOUR SCORE ABOVE THIS RANGE?
• MOST COLLEGES ONLY WANT SCORES THAT WILL HELP STRENGTHEN YOUR APPLICATION.

• SEE SENIOR INFO PACKET FOR SAT TEST DATES
• REGISTER FOR THE SAT
• CREATE A MY COLLEGE QUICK START ACCOUNT FOR FREE INDIVIDUALIZED SAT PRACTICE
• USE BIG FUTURE TO FIND COLLEGES, EXPLORE MAJORS, AND PLAN HOW TO PAY
• REQUEST ADDITIONAL SCORE REPORTS

WWW.ACTSTUDENT.ORG

• SEE SENIOR INFO PACKET FOR TEST DATES
• REGISTER FOR THE ACT
• FREE PRACTICE FOR THE ACT
• RECEIVE AND SEND YOUR ACT SCORES ONLINE

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FEE WAIVERS

• IF STUDENT IS ELIGIBLE, FEE WAIVERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOTH SAT AND ACT. ELIGIBILITY IS BASED UPON ENROLLMENT IN WCPSS FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS PROGRAM.
• COMPLETE SAT/ACT WAIVER FORM
• COPIES IN STUDENT SERVICES
• ONLINE ON THE STUDENT SERVICES WEBSITE UNDER “FORMS AND RESOURCES”
• IF SAT WAIVER IS USED, STUDENT ALSO QUALIFIES FOR UP TO 4 COLLEGE APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS.
• COLLEGE APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS MAY BE AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON FAMILY INCOME; PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNSELOR FOR MORE INFORMATION

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• Monthly Scholarship Bulletin on Cary HS Student Services website
• WCPSS Scholarship Plus (www.scholarshipplus.com/wake)
• Individual college/university financial aid websites
• Additional resources on page 6 of Senior Information Packet
• The FAFSA is open!

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Morehead-Cain nomination applications were due in May and school nominees were selected in June. STUDENTS CAN SELF-NOMINATE and do not have to be school nominees. Deadline to submit scholarship application: Oct. 1
• The NC State Park scholarship does not have school endorsements as part of the selection process anymore. Deadline: Nov 1
• Students can self-nominate for the UNC-Charlotte Levine Scholars Program by October 15th

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Park / Morehead-Cain / Levine Scholars

The College Board recommends �applying to

four colleges. Use your best judgement.

How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

HOW DO I APPLY TO COLLEGE?

• THE COLLEGE’S WEBSITE
• CFNC.ORG
• COMMONAPP.ORG
• NCCOLLEGECONNECT.ORG

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NC COLLEGE CONNECT

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Program that allows eligible seniors a simplified process to apply to participating UNC system schools, independent colleges, and all NC community colleges.

Direct admissions!

• WHO’S ELIGIBLE?
• Seniors who had a weighted GPA of at least 2.8 at the end of junior year; must be maintained throughout senior year.
• Select colleges have requirements noted in the application form
• WHERE TO APPLY? NCCOLLEGECONNECT.ORG
• WHEN CAN I APPLY?
• Students are encouraged to apply during college application week to avoid application fees (most range from $20-$75)
• Students will not need to submit a traditional application for this program - ONLY the NC College Connect form

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WHEN TO APPLY

• CHECK COLLEGE ADMISSIONS DEADLINES
• SOME COLLEGES MAY GIVE PREFERENCE TO EARLY APPLICANTS; CHECK WITH YOUR COLLEGES OF INTEREST
• MANY COLLEGES WILL CONSIDER STUDENTS FOR CERTAIN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS IF THEY APPLY BY THE FIRST OR SECOND DEADLINE
• RECEIVING A DECISION BEFORE MARCH IS IDEAL FOR MOST STUDENTS
• THE FIRST ROUND OF ADMITTED STUDENTS MAY GET TO APPLY EARLIER FOR HOUSING AND FINANCIAL AID OPPORTUNITIES

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• See “College Application Tips” sheet in senior information packet
• If applying to NC colleges, complete the NC Residency Determination application first
• Check academic requirements for admission
• Minimum GPA? (Minimum 2.5 weighted is required for North Carolina public universities)
• Are SAT/ACT scores required? (yes, if GPA 2.5 – 2.799)
• Required courses? (fine arts, world language, etc.)

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General Tips for College Admission

• Determine if additional materials are needed [teacher recommendation, SAT Subject Test or CLEP, CSS Profile, interview, essay(s), resume, counselor statement, etc.]
• Plan to submit your application several days prior to the application deadline.
• Make sure YOU (the student) complete the application (not the parent).
• Ask multiple people (peers, parents, teachers) to review your application.
• Students should use PERSONAL email addresses with applications to maintain access after graduation.

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General Tips, continued

• Give recommenders at least two weeks notice!
• Recommendation Packet (see Student Services website)
• Student Info Sheet
• Parent Response Form (optional)
• Updated resume
• Honors, Activities, and Community Service
• Not all colleges require counselor recommendations - check each college’s application requirements!
• Counselors will NOT begin your recommendation until they receive a completed recommendation packet!

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Recommendation Letters

• Early Decision: usually binding (you must attend the college if you are admitted)
• Early Action/Admission: allows you to receive a decision more quickly
• Rolling Admission: the college accepts applications throughout the year
• Deferral: the college needs more information (first semester grades, test scores, etc.) before an admissions decision can be made
• Wait List: the student will be admitted IF there is room remaining in the freshman class
• January Admittance: the student can attend the college beginning in January of the next year
• Denial

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Admissions Terminology

• Seniors are allowed one college visit per semester. The educational absence form is located on the Cary HS website and in the Main Office. Advance paperwork must be completed.

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• Admissions Reps will be available in the gym lobby during lunch starting September 15. Make sure to stop by on your way heading to/from lunch.
• This is a great opportunity to speak with the rep who might read your application!

College Visits

WAKE TECH

• Earn an Associate Degree or Certificate or enroll in the College Transfer Program
• RISE Placement Program: Placement in some courses will be based upon unweighted HS GPA. An unweighted GPA below 2.8 may require transition/co-requisite courses that may not be covered by financial aid. Visit https://www.waketech.edu/student-services/advising/rise for more info.
• Remember to apply early to secure a spot! For Fall 2026, apply immediately after first semester.

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Wake Works Apprenticeship Program

• Military offers many educational opportunities
• Recruiters visit CHS throughout the year and set up info tables during lunch
• ASVAB Test is required for enlistment. The next one is November 14th; to sign up, please reach out to Ms. Ward (vward@wcpss.net)

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Military

ATTENTION SENIORS - MENINGOCOCCAL

IMMUNIZATION BOOSTERS

Due September 26th

For more information:

Glaudy Dudley (Data Manager)

gdudley@wcpss.net

Quick Reminder...

CAP/GOWN ORDERS

• OCTOBER 16TH: SENIOR CLASS MEETING AT 11:30AM IN AUDITORIUM; STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE CAP/GOWN ORDERING INFORMATION
• CLASS RING ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN ON THIS DATE DURING LUNCH AND FROM 4-6PM

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GRADUATION!

• JUNE 14TH AT 2:00 PM AT THE RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER
• MID-YEAR GRADS: JANUARY 29TH AT 5:00 PM IN THE CARY HS AUDITORIUM

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SUMMARY OF DATES

Student Services Events Calendar

Linked on Student Services Website (CLICK)

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SELF-CARE

• MAINTAIN BALANCE
• FOCUS ON PERSONAL WELLNESS (SLEEP, �PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, DIET, ETC.)
• TIME MANAGEMENT – DEVICE USAGE

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CONTACTING YOUR COUNSELOR

• EMAIL
• AVAILABLE AT LUNCH AND OFTEN BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL
• WE’RE HERE TO HELP!

Best of luck!

We look forward to working with you in �preparing for graduation and beyond!