What High School Seniors Need to Know to Plan for the Road Ahead

Senior year brings many special memories: senior prom, senior pictures, signing the year books and finally graduation. Then what? Maybe off to a career, but for lots of seniors it’s off to college.

Planning for the future is an important first step; and the immediate future for a high school seniors is getting that diploma. s head school counselor Brent Henderson explains that it’s important for students to stay on track with all of their testing and class requirements in the beginning of their senior year. He encourages all students to make sure they see their counselor as soon as possible. 

For college bound students the next step is researching the colleges that might be of interest. One way to accomplish this is by going to college (PROBE) fairs which will be held at a variety of locations throughout Gwinnett county this fall. For all students, regardless of the school, in the Norcross area there will be a PROBE fair held at Norcross High School on Tuesday Nov. 15 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. where 70 institutions will be represented.

If possible, visiting a college of interest is a great experience. As Henderson points out, “There’s nothing like putting feet on a campus, getting a feel for it and seeing if it might be a fit."

SAT and ACT exams are a very important part of the college prep. agenda. Henderson says that students should take their first of these tests some time during their junior year. After that a second and even third test can be taken as desired. 

Early decision/registration is a popular option for many students. Individual students should evaluate themselves against the requirements of the specific school to which they’re applying. For students who are highly academically prepared (have a good GPA and good SAT/ACT scores) early decision may be a good option. Keep in mind that in any case the student can be accepted, denied or deferred. 

Community and volunteer activities, although by no means a requirement for college acceptance, always look good on a students resume. As Henderson puts it, “It makes their resume shine. It allows the college to see that they are more than just a student in the class.”

Another important thing for college bound students and their parents to check on are the most current requirements for the HOPE Scholarship which may have changed since you last looked into it. For all pertinent information on that go to www.gacollege411.org. This website is filled with great information for college bound students.

Looking into scholarships can be of significant benefit to most students. There is a wealth of information available and Norcross High School goes to great lengths to provide it for their students. 

There is also much scholarship information online, at the library and in bookstores. Parents might check with their employer for scholarships offered there and various religious organizations may offer scholarships.

Henderson also reminds parents and students to get taxes in order soon after the first of the year so that the FAFSA requirements can be met. Again, all that you need to know about that can be found at www.gacollege411.org.

There is much to look forward to for seniors as they move through their last year of high school and beyond. Take steps now to prepare for a great future.