Senator David Shafer Scholarship

The Senator David Shafer Scholarship was created to encourage research and critical thinking about the character traits that make America great.  Applicants for this $1500 scholarship must write an essay about a person in American history who exemplified great character.  Seniors who wish to apply must do so no later than December 1st, 2016.

Senator David Shafer Essay Scholarship Information

Students Interested in ABAC

Students who are interested in attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) should make plans to attend their on-campus visit day that they call "Stallion Days."  The next one is Saturday, November 12th.  For more details and to register, click on this link:

http://www.abac.edu/future-students/visiting-campus/stallion-day

The Andrew Goldner Scholarship

Attorney, Andrew Goldner, has established a $1000 scholarship that he will award to the student of his choosing.  Applicants must be accepted to a university for the Fall of 1017 (proven by an acceptance letter) AND must write an essay with their plans for their college education.  Application is due not later than August 1, 2017.

The Andrew Goldner Scholarship Application

We had a great meeting tonight learning about Financial Aid and how to find money for college.  If you had to miss, here is the Powerpoint that was used.

Financial Aid Meeting Presentation

Not Sure What to Do with Your Life?

Here is a great resource for students who are not sure of what they would like to be when they grow up.  It is dedicated to educating students to opportunities found in trade industries.  Skilled trade workers can do very well financially!

http://www.gobuildgeorgia.com/

Who Needs Money for College?

Everyone, right?  One of the best places to find help with covering college expenses is from Federal Student Aid.  The only way to find out what help will be available to you and your student is to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), an application that requires tax information from 2015 be entered.  This process is not overly difficult, but can be a little confusing from time to time.

One thing that Social Circle Guidance is doing to help parents as they set out to complete this form is to bring in Ms. Emily Culbertson, an expert from the Office of Financial Aid from Emory at Oxford. They help families do these forms all the time and can be very helpful in guiding a parent through the process, which will open up on October 1st of this year.

On September 27th at 7 pm in the Cafeteria, we will hold this Financial Aid Parent Meeting.  This meeting is geared to parents of seniors, but all parents are welcomed to come and get a preview of what you will do in October of the senior year.  We will see you there!

So You Missed the UGA Admissions Meeting Held at SCHS?

There was a UGA Admissions presentation that was given by Mr. Kulp on Thursday, Sept. 22 during advisement.  Here is the Powerpoint that was used in case you were not able to make it.  There was a good bit of bonus material given that is not reflected on the Powerpoint.

SAT/ACT Test Prep Options

Over the years of working with students, I have heard many times that "my child is just not a good test-taker" like it is a genetic disposition.  This is simply not the case... Good test prep can train students to be better test takers and can in most cases raise scores.

Finding test prep options in the area can be a bit challenging, but here is one you won't even have to leave home to get.

UGA offers SAT and ACT preparation courses to help you apply proven principles for successful testing.  In eight live, on-line sessions, you'll interact with an expert instructor, just as you would in a classroom.  These classes will start either October 4th or November  1st and will meet virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

SAT/ACT Test Prep Class Information

If you are looking for FREE test prep, check out www.khanacademy.org.

Who Is Interested in Applying to UGA?

The State's flagship university, the University of Georgia, grows evermore difficult to gain admission to, and yet, with proper coaching and good decisions, the task is certainly not impossible.  As a guidance counselor, one of my great opportunities has been to serve on the School Counselor Advisory Board for the University of Georgia.  This experience taught me a lot about the admissions process at UGA and how to help students navigate the process and the application itself.

On Thursday, September 22nd during Redskin Advisement, I will provide some timely advice about this process and ways to help you plan your application strategy for the UGA application.  All grade levels are welcome.  It is never too early to learn about this process if you are interested in attending UGA.

If you want to come to this meeting, you HAVE TO REGISTER by clicking the link below and following the directions no later than Wednesday the 21st at 4 pm.

UGA Admissions Information Meeting

Students who register will receive a hall pass delivered to their first block class on Thursday the 22nd telling where the meeting will be held.  Can't wait to see all the Dawg-wannabes!

PSAT Will Be Given at SCHS on 10/19

The PSAT is a practice form of the SAT, which is a common entrance exam for college.  As with almost everything in life, to get better at the SAT, you have to practice the SAT.  On October 19th, we will give the PSAT.  Here is a break-down of how the day will work:

 9th and 10th Graders-  You are taking the PSAT.  You will take it the first half of the day on the 19th.  You are all already registered and no action on your part is required.

11th Graders- You have an option for that day.  If your student even thinks that they are going to college (2 year or 4 year) after he or she graduates, then the PSAT is what you need to register him or her for.  This is a National Merit Scholarship qualifier test.  The National Merit Scholarship is a big deal for a talented student and could be a big deal to your family financially as some colleges offer huge scholarships to winners.  The cost for registering for the PSAT is $15.  If your student is not interested in college, the ASVAB will be given as well.  This is a great test to take if you do not know what you want to be when you grow up.  It is also important if you think you might be interested in the military.  Any 11th Grader who does not register for the PSAT will automatically be registered for the ASVAB.  The link below will help you see all of your student's options and how to get registered.

Test Day Options for 11th Graders

12th Graders-  We are finalizing plans for seniors.  We are working on scheduling tours of various local industries, information sessions with Brad Shea (our Herff Jones rep.) and getting a class photo. Though plans are not finalized, this will certainly not be a wasted day.

October 19th will be a big day and students have so much to gain by doing their best on theses tests, like personalized SAT Test Prep from Khan Academy.  It is free and it is very good.  Check it out!

Love Your Community for It Has First Loved You...

The Clean-up Committee would like to encourage school clubs/groups to participate in the Community Clean-Up event in preparation for the Friendship Festival.  The details for the Clean-Up are as follows; Saturday, September 24, 2016, 8:00 a.m. – Kick off at Community Room in the Public Safety Building.

Half of Life's Successes Are Won in Just Showing Up

We love ya and we need ya at school every day. Miss a day, miss a lot. 

Individual Senior Meetings- Appointments Available

When people my age I meet find out that I am a school counselor, the thing that I always hear from them is "I don't ever remember talking with my school counselor."  Times are definitely different for student/counselor relationships, for today's students cannot afford to forgo meeting with their guidance counselor in navigating the complicated waters of high school and post secondary options.  It is my goal that no Social Circle High School student ever say in honesty that he or she did not know me.  One way that I do this is Senior and Junior Meetings.

These meetings (seniors in the fall, juniors in the spring) are a one on one time that affords a student and their parents to be able to have about an hour of my undivided attention to answer things like:

• What do I have left to take to graduate on time?
• What exam(s) do I need to take to be accepted into the school/program that I want to do after graduation?
• How am I sitting with HOPE eligibility?
• How do I handle applications for college and scholarships?

Seniors, I am ready for ya!  Let's get your meeting on the books by emailing me at mike.kulp@socialcircleschools.org.    I can meet before, after or during school.  Email me and let's get your appointment set.  I cannot wait to se what you end up doing with your life.  This meeting will be a great launchpad.  

Athens Area PROBE Fair

In archery, knowing where your target is is the essential first step to hitting the target.  Unless you know what you are shooting for, you cannot possibly ready yourself to take a shot.  College planning and admissions fall under the same principles. Finding schools where you and the college fit together well allows you to make important decisions about high school class and extracurricular choices.

A great way to find targets (colleges), is to attend the Athens Area PROBE Fair on September 14th, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Classic Center in downtown Athens.  There will be over one hundred colleges and tech schools in attendance at this event and is a great place to learn about options for your next chapter of education. This event is free and so is the parking.  A great way to top of the evening would be to grab some dinner as a family and talk about what your student liked and didn't like in the schools that you spoke to at the PROBE Fair.

A really easy way of participating fully in this event is to click on Georgia PROBE Fair and register your demographic information for the Athens Fair.  You will then print off a barcode and take it to the fair with you.  When you stop by a college's table, they will scan your code so that they have record of you stopping by (Demonstrated Interest- a good article about a lesser known concept of college admission factors) and can mail you more information.

I can't wait to see you there!

Good Resource for High School Students

If you are looking for a great website that has scholarships that are super organized and pertinent admissions advice- JLV College Counseling is a great resource.  This site sends out scholarships organized by the month that they are due and provides great insight as to what scholarship committees are looking for in candidates.  It is one that we follow closely in the guidance office- you might want to check it out.

https://jlvcollegecounseling.com/

Recently, a post was made in regards to social media.  Students are very naive and unaware of how easily their accounts can be accessed and reviewed.  This article provides great advice and cautions students to really think before they post.  This is a great read for students as they begin to navigate the world of admissions and eventual a professional job.

Think before you post online