Counselor's Desk

Did you know?? Not all colleges and universities need a paper transcript! If you apply to a school that uses SENDedu or the Common Application, you do not need to request a transcript; your counselor will be asked to send an electronic transcript, at no cost to you, when you submit their email address.

The following schools use SENDedu*:

• Coastal Carolina University
• Lenoir-Rhyne University
• North Carolina Central University
• UNC Pembroke
• Western Carolina University
• Wingate University

The following schools use the Common Application*:

• Davidson College
• Duke University
• Furman University
• Guilford College
• High Point University
• Johnson & Wales University
• Meredith College
• NC State University
• Queens University
• Salem College
• UNC Asheville
• UNC Chapel Hill
• UNC Wilmington
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Wake Forest University
• Warren Wilson College
• Wofford College

*This is not an exhaustive list of participating colleges and universities.

Students can send transcripts to N.C. Colleges and Universities FREE through the Transcript Manager on the CFNC.org website. Here's how: · Visit http://www.cfnc.org/index.jsp and log into your account in the upper left hand corner

· Click on the 'Apply' tab at the top, then on 'Application Hub' in the center.

· On the right-hand side click 'Request a Transcript'

· Once you are on the Request my Transcript page, make sure all of your information is correct. Your 1st and last name MUST match your PowerSchool information, you MUST include your School ID#, and you must enter your email address, gender, and date of birth. Also, make sure your account is linked to CATA. **Your School ID# is your login #.

· Once all of the above information is entered, you can choose up to 5 schools at a time to send your transcript to at the bottom of the page.

Freshman Year To-Do List:

Ask most seniors what they wish they could do over to get ready for college, and they would likely respond with two statements:

• Make better grades in my 9th and 10th grade years.
• Be more active in community service and extracurricular activities.

Hopefully, you won't make those same mistakes!

Here’s a list of things you should focus on this year to prepare for college admissions and scholarships:

• Aim for the Best Grades Possible: Colleges only consider your final grades from 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, not your report card grades.

• Get Involved! While extracurricular activities might not directly influence college admissions, they can be critical for securing scholarships.

• Log Community Service Hours: Keep a calendar to record every hour you spend helping others without payment. This documentation will be important for college applications.

• Conduct Research: Start exploring colleges and scholarships now. Visit www.cfnc.org  for information on North Carolina colleges. For out-of-state schools, simply Google the college’s name. Utilize www.bigfuture.org, a resource from College Board.

• Prepare for Standardized Tests: If you’re not confident in your test-taking skills, start preparing for the SAT and ACT now. Visit www.collegeboard.org for study questions, and talk to your school counselor for additional resources.

• Be Mindful of Your Actions: Avoid any behavior that could negatively impact your college recommendations. Follow the rules!

• Need Help? If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor.

Important Information:

Colleges evaluate your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, class rank, and the rigor of your coursework for admissions. For merit scholarships, they also consider how you’ve spent your time, including extracurricular activities.

REaCH will ensure you are enrolled in the required North Carolina admission classes, but how you manage your classes and time is entirely up to you. Remember, big dreams require determination, a positive attitude, and hard work!

Driver Education: Classes are available for students aged 14½ years. A session is offered in the fall and again in the spring, with two sessions available during the summer.

Sophomore Year To-Do List:

• Continue Improving Your GPA:

  Grading Scale:

  • The transcript we send for college applications, scholarships, and NCAA Clearinghouse will reflect your grades through the end of your junior year.
  • To calculate your GPA, add your quality points and divide by the number of classes. Quality points are assigned based on the grade you received in each class, as follows:
  • A: 90-100
  • B: 80-89
  • C: 70-79
  • D: 60-69
  • F: 59 and below

• Take the PreACT:

  • All sophomores are given the PreACT, which is a good predictor of how you will perform on the ACT.
  • The test includes four multiple-choice sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Your results will help identify your strengths and weaknesses, aiding your study efforts for the ACT.

• Look for Scholarships:

  • While you will apply for scholarships in your senior year, it’s important to start researching them now. Some scholarships are available for students in grades 9-12.
  • Below are some websites to help you find scholarships. Remember, most scholarship funding comes from colleges, and you must meet their criteria to apply.
  • Your SAT/ACT scores are crucial when applying for scholarships, and many also consider your character, leadership, community service, and extracurricular activities. Keep a calendar to track your community service, noting what you did and how long you participated.

• Visit CFNC.org:

  • Open or update your CFNC.org account to find out what North Carolina colleges require for admission:
    • Go to CFNC.org.
    • Click on the 'Apply' tab.
    • Under 'Quick Links' on the right, click on 'Explore Postsecondary Schools.'
    • Click on the letter of the school (e.g., "U" for UNC schools).
    • Select the name of the college.
    • Click on 'Admissions' on the left side and scroll down to find admission requirements.
    • Click on 'Academics' to check if the school offers your intended major.
    • Click on 'Student Life' to see if they have a sport you’re interested in.
    • Click on 'Cost and Financial Aid' to explore how to finance your education.

Useful Web Sites:

• www.campustours.com
• www.collegenet.com
• www.collegeboard.org
• www.fastweb.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.gocollege.com
• www.ncssm.edu

 

Junior Year To-Do List:

• Continue exploring colleges by narrowing down your extensive list to about five institutions, considering the following factors:

  • Does it offer your desired major?
  • Is it the right size for you?
  • Location: How far is it from home? What is the weather like? How does the campus appear?
  • Have you visited any colleges or universities?
  • Most colleges host Open Houses for juniors in the spring, so take advantage of these opportunities!
  • Can you afford it?

• Take College Entrance Exams (SAT and ACT):

  • It’s a good idea to take the SAT in the spring semester.
  • The SAT and ACT will be offered at Richmond Senior High School (RSHS) and other nearby locations. Check with your school counselor for dates and details. Don’t miss it!
  • Consider taking either the SAT or ACT a second time during the spring semester or the summer between your junior and senior years. Focus on the test you scored better on during your first attempt.
  • If you have questions about fee waivers, consult your counselor.
  • You can register online for the SAT at College Board and for the ACT at ACT Student.

• Improve Your GPA:

  • Colleges will review your grades from 9th, 10th, and 11th grades.
  • Your final GPA from junior year is crucial for admissions decisions, so focus on improving it.

• Create a Resume:

  • Your resume should include extracurricular activities (both in and out of school), honors received, leadership positions, and community service details.
  • Include grades 9-11 for now, and be sure to update it with new information as it becomes available.

• CFNC.org:

  • If you don’t already have an account, create one. You’ll use CFNC to apply for college next year, so familiarize yourself with the website. Be sure to use your personal email address, not your school email address, when creating your CFNC account.
  • The 'Plan' tab offers valuable information to help you prepare for your senior year and college applications.
  • Use the 'Learn About Yourself' page to take surveys, interest profilers, and skills assessments to identify suitable career paths.

Seniors & Super Seniors Year To-do List:

• Have your CFNC.org account ID and password ready.
• Take the SAT or ACT (check the average scores for your chosen colleges).
• Register to retake the SAT or ACT if needed.
• If you have questions about fee waivers, consult your school counselor.
• Research colleges you’re interested in: look up application deadlines, available majors, and costs.
• Visit the colleges you’re considering.
• Apply to at least two reach schools, two safe schools, and two target schools.
• Conduct a scholarship search using resources like CFNC.org and Peterson’s.
• Discuss scholarship opportunities with your school counselor.
• Update and complete your resume.

Key Questions to Ask When Choosing a College:

• Does the college offer my intended major?
• Is the college’s location suitable for me? For example, consider factors like ASU’s cold weather, snow, and hilly terrain.
• Does the college match my preferences? Think about size, location, campus atmosphere, etc.
• What percentage of freshmen continue to their second year?
• What percentage of graduates gain admission to graduate, medical, or law school?
• What is the average class size, and how much personalized attention can I expect?
• Are there opportunities for internships or study abroad programs?
• Does the college have an active Career Center to assist with job searches after graduation?

How Do I Apply for College?

Colleges and universities prefer that you apply online. You can either visit the college's Admissions website directly or use CFNC.org to submit your application. Another option to consider is the Common Application website, which allows you to apply to multiple colleges across different states with a single application. This site will request your transcript.

During College Application Month in October, you can apply to many North Carolina colleges and have your application fee waived through CFNC.

Please click on the link below for a tabular version of the college checklist.

College Checklist

Click on the following links below for great information for seniors.

List of four-year colleges and Universities in N.C.

List of N.C. Community Colleges

5 Questions to Consider When Visiting Prospective Colleges

10 Tips to Make Your Final College Choice