College Visits

Some college thoughts…..sorry….little longer than usual….

 

My wife and I did something summer before last that we had not done in 11 years….we sold and bought a house.  We loved our previous house but with a 3^rd child on the way; it was time to move on.  Our first house will always be home, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts.  We had some great memories of that place and shared it with some wonderful family and friends.  We actually ride by it often and reflect on the blessings God gave us in that house.  In thinking about my seniors, our old house reminds me of FPD.  For many of you, it is home.  For some, it has been home for as long as you have been in school and for others of you, it has been home for just a little while.  Hopefully, no matter how long you have been here we will always hold a special place in your hearts.  We hope you have had some great memories and will have more to come.  But like our old house, it is getting closer to time to move on.  We wish we could keep you longer, but we know God has bigger plans for you.  Where do you go to next?  Just like buying a house, you need to seek out lots of advice when thinking of college.  You will need to seek out the wise counsel of others such as your parents and teachers, you will also want to take the advice of your friends, you will need to look at the financial situation of paying for college, you will need to be patient and wait yet also know when to be aggressive, and you will need to pray and seek God’s direction.

 

While house shopping, I often thought about my seniors and what it is like for you to visit colleges.  There were some houses that looked great online but were not for us when we set our foot in the door.  There were some that didn’t look so good online but were even better in person.  There were some our kids liked that we did not like.  There were some Katherine liked that I did not like and there were some I liked that she did not like.  We had to trust each other’s opinions and be patient on the “right” house.  We also had to weigh the financial costs and needs for our family.  There were some houses outside our range that would not come down into our range so we had to be wise in our decision.  We had to be realistic about what we needed and wanted.  The day our house came online we saw the pictures, and we were interested.  The next day when we visited it felt “right”, and we were sold although we still had a long process to go through.  It is now home.  It is reaffirming that God led us to the right house, at the right time and for the right price.  Our kids even agree!  The college visit process can be similar.   They can all look great online, but that does not mean they are for you.  Others may like them, but that does not mean it is for you.  There can be something special about visiting the college and knowing it is the right fit.  Some will say that it will just feel right.  True.  However, I credit that more to the prompting of the spirit than to just a feeling. I will have kids come back on the Monday after a college visit and tell me that they did not like their visit, and they are often surprised when I tell them that is a good thing.   Wouldn’t you rather know that now rather than later?  I also have some who are not real excited about a certain college but love that college upon a visit.  The key is the visit.

 

Please go visit and please trust the overall process.  Seek wise counsel and pray! God will be in as much control as you allow as you find your next home!

 

This Tuesday/Wednesday I blocked my calendar and went and visited 5 colleges….Agnes Scott, U. of North Georgia, Truett-McConnell, Piedmont College and UGA.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time at each place and love thinking of all the similarities and differences of even just those 5 colleges. 

 

Go visit!  Have fun and enjoy the process! 

 

Coach Thompson

College Visits Next Week

Here is the list of those coming to FPD: 

 

Monday              9:00       Georgia Tech

Tuesday              9:15       South Carolina

                              10:30     Auburn

                              11:30     Presbyterian

Wednesday        11:00     Birmingham Southern

                              2:00       Georgia Regents (Augusta State)

                              2:30       Covenant College

Thursday             9:00       Samford

                              10:00     Middle Georgia State (Macon State)

                              11:00     LSU

                              1:30       Coastal Georgia

Friday                   11:30     U. of Alabama-Huntsville

AP Information

AP students and Parents…

There is a big change this year with getting AP scores.  I am telling students about this change when they do the pre-administration sessions with me. 

 

Score reports will be available online in July.  They will no longer be mailed; they will only be online.

 

Please be reminded that they have to have a College Board account number to access their scores in July.  They can go on to www.apscore.org to sign up for a College Board account.  They would already have one if they have registered or taken an SAT.  Most juniors and seniors will have done this.  Sophomores may or may not have done this.  Remind them to keep username and password somewhere they can access later.  Students also need to provide email address to receive a notification when AP scores are available (they can provide this on answer sheet during pre-administration sessions).  They will also need to provide their AP number.  This number is given during pre-administration sessions with me and is in their student pack they keep after last AP exam. 

 

***All AP students must do a pre-administration session with me.  There will be one tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3:10 and another on Thursday at 3:10.  Sessions last 30 minutes.  You must attend only one of these sessions.  Teachers have been reminding them for a couple of weeks and there have been 3 prior sessions. 

A couple of thoughts…

 

Career Day…

 

Next Tuesday we will be having Career Day.  It will only affect 1^st, 2^nd periods and Chapel on this day.  All seniors are to report to the lunchroom at 8:15.  It is expected that you report at 8:15 even if you have 1^st period free.  We will be providing breakfast at 8:15.  Then you will break into small groups.  We will be done in time for 3^rd period.  We are bringing in about 8-9 guests on that day.  Please arrive on time and be appreciative of our guests taking time out of their day for us.

 

Caps and Gowns…

 

Herff Jones will be back on campus on that same day (Tuesday, April 9^th) during the lunch period to hand out caps and gowns.  We will probably set them up in HS Lobby.  They should have contacted you regarding the price.  I think the price they sent to you is $34.00.  This is the rental cost of gown (turn in on graduation day) and purchase (you keep) of hat and tassel.  Please see their instructions for payment. 

 

College Updates…

 

Upon reviewing my lists, I know that a lot of you have made up your mind about next year.  For many of you, things are still up in the air.  Many of you just haven’t decided or are waiting on some schools.  Please keep me posted if you hear from a school or if you make a decision.  Your acceptances and decisions are important to us.  As a school, we like to keep up with all acceptances and, of course, decisions.  There are many of you who have not told me of your acceptances or decisions. 

 

Keep in mind that May 1^st is considered the deadline to let a college know your decision. 

 

Next Week…

 

I will be off campus next Wednesday-Friday (April 10-12^th).  I will be at a conference and visiting colleges in Boston.  If you need something at this time, you can contact me by email. 

 

SCAD in the area

Meet with SCAD representatives to learn more about academic programs, art and design career opportunities, and admission requirements.

 

Where: Cox Capitol Theatre

When: Wednesday, March 13^th at 7:00

 

Register at scad.edu/yourarea

 

A SCAD representative will also be on campus Monday, March 11^th at 9:00.  Come by my office if interested…

 

FAFSA and HOPE Change

NEW FAFSA REQUIREMENT FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID
(Including HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships)

 
Beginning summer term 2013, a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be required in order to receive any state financial aid.*  The 2012-13 or 2013-14 FAFSA may be used for summer term 2013. Please check with the financial aid office for any college-specific application policies and deadlines. Please note that effective June 8, 2013, GSFAPPS will no longer be available as an application for any state financial aid.

A 2013-14 FAFSA will be required for fall term 2013 and will be applicable through summer term 2014. A current year FAFSA is required for each year that you seek state financial aid. To complete the FAFSA, please click here http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

If you have questions about the new requirement or if you are unsure whether you are receiving any state financial aid, please contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission at (770)724-9000 or (800)505-GSFC (4732) or your school’s financial aid office.  They will be able to assist you with any FASFA processing questions.

Sincerely,

Georgia Student Finance Commission

Rising 11^th and 12^th Grade Parent/Student Meeting on February 11^th at 6:30 in the Auditorium.  Information on community service and class scheduling to be discussed.  A panel of college reps will be on hand to answer questions about the college process.  Mercer, Georgia College, Auburn, Samford and Georgia Southern will be in the foyer at 6:00 if you want to come see them before the meeting.

 

College Visits This Week

We have a few visits this week….

 

Georgia Southwestern will be here on Tuesday at 9:15.

Andrew College will be here on Thursday at 9:00.

 

An Army recruiter will be on campus on Thursday during Activity Period to discuss military options now and while in college. 

Please come by my office if you are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities.

 

Thanks,
Coach Thompson

January Senior Thoughts

Just some late January thoughts.  Right now, students tend to be at all different places in the college admissions process.  Here are some groups:

#1        There are still a few of you who need to apply to college and there are some who might need to apply to another college or two.  It is not too late.  Please don’t wait any longer.  If you need assistance, come see me.

#2        Some of you have been accepted by the college of your choice, and you are not waiting on another school.  What now?  Please consider all financial aid opportunities.  Look at the private scholarship list.  Also, check (have your parents check) with the college and their Financial Aid Office.  It is their job to help students find money.  They are the experts.  If it is a private school, make sure you talk to them.  They have more flexibility in what they can do with their money.  You never know until you look at the possibilities.  Also, go ahead and sign up for housing.  The best housing can go quickly at some schools.  Even if you have another school in the mix, you can put a deposit down to secure the housing.  You may lose the deposit, but you could be safe to get the best housing.  Another thing students forget to do is to let the other schools know that you are not coming there.  This frees up other opportunities for other students and some of those could even be some of your classmates.

 

#3        The next group are those that have been accepted to one or some, but you may still be waiting on another.  Or you have heard from all but now are trying to make your decision.  Try your best to be patient until you have all the information such as hearing acceptance/denials from all schools and comparing all the costs.  Be in prayer for God to give you guidance.  Seek others advice such as parents, youth ministers, teachers, and myself.  Also, check private scholarship list.  Also, check (have your parents check) with the Financial Aid Office at the college to see what else you need to do on the financial side.  They are the experts!  It will all work out.  Just do the work and trust God’s lead.

Jer. 29:11….”for I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”

 

Coach Thompson