Rising Senior Parent Night
Hoggard School Counselors
Mr. Carnelley…………………………….joshua.carnelley@nhcs.net
Ms. Ford…………………………………..mackenzie.ford@nhcs.net
Ms. Kotler…………………………………juliebelle.kotler@nhcs.net
Mrs. Loesch…………………………….crystal.loesch@nhcs.net
Mrs. Mouney…………………………….jennifer.mouney@nhcs.net
High School Graduation Requirements
English 4 total credits required | English I, English II, English III, and English IV Certain AP and community college classes can count as NC grad requirements. | |
Mathematics 4 total credits required | Math I, Math II, Math III, and a 4th Math Certain AP and community college classes can count as NC grad requirements. | |
Science 3 total credits required | Earth & Environmental, Biology, and a physical science (Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics) AP Environmental Science can count as the Earth & Environmental graduation requirement. | |
Social Studies 4 total credits required | Civic Literacy, World History, American History, Economics & Personal Finance Certain AP and community college classes can count as NC grad requirements. | |
Health & PE 1 credit required | 1 credit required for all students. Students should earn CPR graduation requirements during this course as well. | |
Elective Courses 12 total credits required | 2 elective credits must come from Career & Technical Education (CTE), Arts Education, and/or World Languages 10 additional elective courses of the student’s choosing: Hoggard or Dual Enrollment classes qualify. | |
World Language | Not required for HS graduation. A two-credit minimum in the same language may be required for admission to a university. Students should research what may be required by various colleges and universities. | |
Post-Secondary Options
Know your student information
You will meet with your counselor one-on-one in September/October to review your student information
How do I choose schools to apply?
How many schools?
Factors to consider:
Search engines: Big Future, Niche, & CollegeData
5-7 Schools on average
1-2 “Dream” school(s)
3 “Good fit” schools
1-2 “Safety” school(s)
You want to go to college… now what?
When to apply?
Application terms to know
Terms to know:
Rolling Admissions - decisions are made as the applications arrive until the class is full
Early Action - NOT binding, early application deadline
Early Decision - BINDING, early application deadline, if admitted you are expected to commit
Regular Decision - standard deadline decision (typically deadlines fall after January 1st)
Result terms:
Admit - You are IN!
Deny - This school isn’t the best fit for you
Defer - (1) You applied early and they are going to reconsider you with the regular decision applicants (2) You are choosing to wait a year after being admitted - not all schools offer this choice
Waitlist - you qualify but they had too many candidates, if enough so “no” you will be moved to the “admit” pile. You choose if you want to be on the list but there is no particular timeline guarantee
Should I apply early?
YES
NO
Apply early selectively, but it can be a tool to help you manage deadlines and your anxiety about admissions. Also applying early can sometimes improve your chances.
How do I apply?
Some schools will have their own applications through their school website.
Many schools use CommonApp.
Letters of Recommendations
&
Interviews
General Advice:
___________________________________________________
If a school offers an interview . . .TAKE IT!
The interview can make or break your application.
Resume / Brag Sheet
Tips:
List the most important, most recent & longest running first
Leadership doesn’t have to be a labeled position
Doing a few things well can be better than just showing up to a ton
Prepare your Brag Sheet/Resume over the summer so you have one less thing to do in the fall
Reporting
Test Scores
Terms to know:
Test Blind - even if you send them no one is going to look at them
Test Optional - if your scores are good- send them, if not- don’t send them.
UNC System Schools: For students applying for the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond, students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above (on a 4.0 scale) are not required to submit a test score. Students with a weighted GPA below 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) are required to submit either an ACT score of 17 or higher or an SAT score of 930 or higher.
SAT - collegeboard.org
ACT - act.org
ASVAB - email your counselor to be sure you know what dates we are offering the test
College Essay:
CommonApp prompts are currently available online:
2025-2026 Common App Essay Prompts
A quick slideshow with College Essay Tips from our AIG Coordinator.
Scholarships
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
WHEN?
WHO should fill it out?
WHERE to find the application?
Need assistance?
Financial Aid Basics
Student’s family is primarily responsible for educational expenses.
NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)
WHO should complete the application?
WHY fill it out?
WHERE?
WHEN to complete?
Everyone in Student Services is ready to help you!
Reach out for help if you have questions.
Senior year is going to be a huge success!
Q & A
Thank you for joining us tonight!