11th Grade Information

Welcome Juniors!

Hello, Juniors! You are encouraged you to visit guidance to discuss your junior year. It is our goal to assist you in making your junior year a success and chart your planning for senior year without a hitch.

Please refer to the links provided below so that you can be aware, informed and smart about the decisions you make and need to make regarding your choices and career. Our door is always open; feel free to stop or you may make an appointment. Much success to you.

Click if you need to email your guidance counselor, Mrs. Brazell-Smith.

Almost a Senior!

Graduation Requirements

Planning Ahead for the Senior Year; College Info and Advice...

2012 State University Systems Tour and College Information

Students choosing to transfer into a university after 2 years at a JUCO or community college must meet all the appropriate pre-requisites and coursework to be admitted directly into the college/school major program of study.
Some colleges offer “My Major Match” via their website as an online interest survey to help determine the best major for you.
Majority of all of our state universities are doing all online applications and notifications for the acceptance process. Only acceptances will be followed up with written notification. All denials will be posted online.
Ensure that all FLVS coursework is documented with the school counselor so that it can be added to your final transcripts in a timely fashion.
Go to each school’s website to research programs of study to determine which university has the program to meet your interest. Many new programs have been added. I.e.- FAMU- Physical Therapy, USF- Pharmacy, UCF-Dental.
All universities stressed the fact of consistency with grades and coursework throughout the senior year. If you are taking honors and /or AP classes and either change your schedule or fail…. they will RESCIND their decision and take back your fall eligibility. They receive midyear and final transcripts of your senior year.
All schools also reported that the rigor of your course load was extremely important. They would rather see a “B” or “C” in an honors class than an “A” in a regular class.
Most colleges have you apply in the fall of your senior year from August until December. Your GPA was last brought up to date in the spring of the junior year unless you added online courses over the summer. Colleges will hold off on choosing you if you do not have a high enough ACT or SAT test score. It is very important to sign up for these tests early so that your scores will be made available to the colleges in enough time to include you in their decision making process. If you wait, they will pick the kid with their scores in as long as they meet the criteria and once they are full, they will not choose anyone else.
It is suggested to take one of each test at the end of your junior year and two at the beginning of your senior year. All colleges have included the writing score in their requirements for both the SAT and ACT. The writing is part of the SAT automatically, but it is a separate request and fee on the ACT. Please use the SUS Matrix also found on FACTS.ORG to see what the entrance requirements are for each university to help you to determine where you should apply and if you need to retake any standardized test to increase your scores to meet the standards.
Bright Futures requirements have changed dramatically also this year. There are now community service requirements for all 3-award levels. Higher test scores and specific coursework for each award level. Please familiarize yourself with these and make an appointment with your counselor to make a plan to meet these specific goals for you in a timely fashion.
Do not apply in a choice order waiting to hear from one college before applying to the next. You may not hear back in enough time and miss other schools deadlines and end up with nothing. Many schools will also require a deposit for your spot. This is often nonrefundable.
Fall and summer enrollment has the same requirements. It will not help you to get in “easier” by applying for a summer enrollment.
AP- would rather see a “D” as opposed to quitting it. Especially Calculus.
In order for any student to receive Bright Futures money, all students must submit a completed FASFA. This is only done in the 2^nd half of your senior year. LWHS will have a spokesperson from the financial aid department come and host a parent informational night. This is very important to attend as it contains very detailed information and tips for a very difficult process. Then in January/February of your senior year. Then your parents will begin the FASFA application online. This is a NEW requirement this year that this must be completed in order to receive the BF award. This is the STUDENTS AND PARENT’S RESPONSIBILTY. Counselors are not skilled in the specific process nor do we have access to your family’s personal tax information that is needed to complete the application. We can guide you to the right people should you encounter a problem with the process.
Junior year is the year to increase your core GPA, add honors to your schedule if you are FCAT proficient, include activities and sports, and prepare for SAT/ACT testing via prep books and or classes.
Last chance to clean up your transcripts for the fall 2012 college application process.
Suggest replacing informal geometry and liberal arts math if you are planning on going to directly to a university.
2 years of a foreign language is not required to graduate, but it is required to go to a 4 year university and the top 2 Bright Future awards. If you are planning to go to community college first, then it can be taken there instead.
College is expensive even if you do get Bright Futures. Books, housing, food and transportation all add up. Start a financial plan now.
Bright Futures for IB kids is only if IB diploma is awarded. Therefore, try to meet the regular BF requirements as a backup.
Mr. Costner is available to help you to sign up for the SAT/ACT. Fee waivers are issued if you qualify for free or reduced lunch. You can only be issued 2 per each test in a lifetime. Even if you don’t show up for the test you have used up that waiver opportunity and will not be allotted extra. Don’t waste them.
Create a graduation plan and stick to it. Get help and assistance to help you to stay on track. Other post-secondary plans include vocational programs, military, work, community college, JUCO colleges and technical training. Prepare now the best meet those goals. Information on any program listed is also available here in the career lab.
Check yourself. Know your credits, GPA and what you need to get done to meet these goals. Most importantly, stay focused and come to school regularly.