Rising Senior Parent Night

Hoggard School Counselors

Mr. Carnelley………………………….joshua.carnelley@nhcs.net

Mrs. Barker…………………………..mackenzie.barker@nhcs.net

Ms. Kotler………………………………juliebelle.kotler@nhcs.net

Mrs. Loesch………………………….crystal.loesch@nhcs.net

Mrs. Mouney………………………….jennifer.mouney@nhcs.net

High School Graduation Requirements

Post-Secondary Options

• Employment
• Military
• College

Know your student information

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• GPA: weighted / unweighted
• Class Rank
• Test scores: ACT / SAT
• Community service
• Leadership experiences
• Employment

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You will meet with your counselor one-on-one in September/October to review your student information

How do I choose schools to apply?

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How many schools?

Factors to consider:

• Size
• Location
• Student Life
• Majors offered
• Campus Visit (this summer if you haven’t already)

Search engines: Big Future, Niche, & CollegeData

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5-7 Schools on average

1-2 “Dream” school(s)

3 “Good fit” schools

1-2 “Safety” school(s)

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You want to go to college… now what?

When to apply?

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Application terms to know

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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)

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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

• My first choice and I’ll go there no matter what
• It’s early action (not binding) and I will be happy to have at least one answer early
• Special programs/scholarships are often available only to early applicants

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NO

• It’s early decision (binding) and not my first choice
• My application is honestly not at it’s best which reduces my odds of admission. I need more time.

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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.

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Many schools use CommonApp.

• One application for several schools
• Will indicate necessary supplements for each school
• Recommendations loaded through a link
• Counselors and teachers have their own accounts to keep up with their students needs (transcripts, recommendations, etc)
• You can start today! Beware, don’t save any information in CommonApp until it rolls over to the new school year, August 1st.

Letters of Recommendations

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Interviews

General Advice:

• Choose 2 recommenders, generally core teachers who know you well.
• Choose someone who you believe can write a strong letter both in content and in skill.
• Ask if they will write a recommendation for you BEFORE entering their email into CommApp.
• Provide a resume that will tell them all the things you do. . . they probably don’t know all of it.
• Select your FERPA rights (waive or not waive)

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If a school offers an interview . . .TAKE IT!

The interview can make or break your application.

Resume / Brag Sheet

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• Community Service & Leadership

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• Honors & Awards

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• School based participation: clubs, sports, etc.

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• Employment

Tips:

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List the most important, most recent & longest running first

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Leadership doesn’t have to be a labeled position

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Doing a few things well can be better than just showing up to a ton

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Prepare your Brag Sheet/Resume over the summer so you have one less thing to do in the fall

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Reporting

Test Scores

Terms to know:

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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.

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UNC System Schools: For students applying for the 2027-2028 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.

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SAT - collegeboard.org

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ACT - act.org

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ASVAB - email your counselor to be sure you know what dates we are offering the test

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College Essay:

CommonApp prompts are currently available online:

2026-2027 Common App Essay Prompts

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A quick slideshow with College Essay Tips from our AIG Coordinator.

College Essay Tips

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Scholarships

• Scholarships we know about will be posted on the Scholarship Website.
• Always look a couple of months in advance the list is organized by deadline
• Focus on local choices - smaller applicant pool
• List out your personal connections, qualities, etc. and search with those as the parameter.
• Tall?
• Lacrosse player?
• Woman in STEM?
• Future nurse?
• Red hair?
• Parent/grandparent in the military?
• Restaurant worker?
• Apply to all the scholarships you qualify for even if they are small
• (4) $500 scholarships will add up!
• Every year there are scholarships with no applicants. APPLY!

Questions? Ask our Scholarship Coordinator - Mrs. Jennifer Crudeli

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

WHEN?

• Expected to open October 1, 2026.

WHO should fill it out?

• Recommended for all students who plan to attend a 2 or 4 year institution that want to seek financial assistance.

WHERE to find the application?

• fafsa.gov

Need assistance?

• UNCW and CFCC financial aid departments are always happy to help students (regardless if you plan to attend there) free of charge.
• Countywide FAFSA help events.

Financial Aid Basics

• Gift Aid – Grants & Scholarships

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• Self Help – Employment & loans

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• Merit-Based Aid – Academic, Music, Athletic Scholarship

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• Need-Based Aid – Pell Grant and Federal Stafford Loan

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Student’s family is primarily responsible for educational expenses.

NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)

WHO should complete the application?

• All students seeking admission to an in-state public college or university.

WHY fill it out?

• To receive in-state tuition rates.
• To seek eligibility for the North Carolina state grant as part of their state financial aid package.

WHERE?

• ncresidency.org

WHEN to complete?

• Before applying to NC colleges and universities.

Everyone in Student Services is ready to help you!

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Reach out for help if you have questions.

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Senior year is going to be a huge success!

Brittany Privott

NC College Connect

Thank you for joining us tonight!