Welcome to Senior Year Newsletter

Welcome Class of 2027!

Your senior year is officially here, and we could not be more excited to celebrate this unforgettable journey with you! This newsletter will be your go-to source for important senior updates, graduation information, college & career opportunities, scholarships, events, deadlines, and all the moments that will make this year one to remember.

Get ready for a year filled with memories, milestones, growth, and celebration. Let’s make your final year at McClure Health Science High School your best year yet — the countdown to graduation starts now!

Senior year is almost here! Use your summer wisely to prepare for college applications, scholarships, and postsecondary planning before the school year begins.

Finalize Your College List

Identify 3–5 colleges/universities, trade schools, military branches, or career pathways you plan to pursue after graduation.

Visit each school's website and review:

• Admission requirements
• Available majors and programs
• Tuition and fees
• Scholarships and financial aid
• Application deadlines

Visit Colleges This Summer

Schedule virtual or in-person college tours to get a feel for campuses, student life, housing, academics, and more.

How to Schedule a College Tour:

1. Visit the college’s official admissions website
2. Click “Visit,” “Campus Tour,” or “Admissions Events”
3. Select a date and complete the registration form
4. Check your email for tour confirmations and details

Tip: Visit a variety of schools to compare your options!

Use These Helpful Resources

SchooLinks

• College, career, and interest assessments
• College search and application tracking
• Career exploration tools

GAfutures: https://www.gafutures.org

• Explore Georgia colleges and technical schools
• Check HOPE and Zell Miller eligibility
• Search scholarships
• Learn about career pathways

BigFuture by College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

• Search colleges nationwide
• Compare colleges
• Explore majors and careers
• Learn about financial aid and scholarships

Occupational Outlook Handbook:https://www.bls.gov/ooh

• Research careers
• Review salary information
• Learn about education requirements
• Explore job outlook projections

CareerOneStop: https://www.careeronestop.org

• Career assessments
• Occupation profiles
• Training and certification information

ACT Preparation

1. Create an account on www.act.org.
2. Click "Test Prep".

SAT Preparation:

1. Create an account on www.collegeboard.org.
2. Click on the following link for instructions on how to connect your Khan Academy and College Board accounts to begin taking personalized practice SAT tests based on your previous PSAT or SAT scores.

Linking Khan Academy and College Board Student Accounts

3. Click on the following link for SAT practice test:

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation

Begin preparing your Brag Sheet before school starts so you are ready to upload it into SchooLinks when the school year begins.

What Should Be Included on Your Brag Sheet?

• Academic achievements and honors
• Extracurricular activities and clubs
• Leadership positions held
• Volunteer and community service experiences
• Work experience or internships
• Certifications or special programs completed
• Athletics, fine arts, or special talents
• Awards and recognitions
• Career interests and future goals
• Colleges, universities, trade schools, military, or career pathways of interest
• • Personal challenges, growth experiences, or accomplishments you are proud of
• • Any additional information that helps others better understand who you are beyond the classroom

This information helps your school counselor and teachers write stronger, more detailed recommendation letters that highlight your unique strengths and accomplishments. Taking time to thoughtfully complete your Brag Sheet can make a significant difference in the quality of your recommendations and college applications. View Brag Sheet Template Below

Magic Moment Photography will be on campus at McClure Health Science High School for the official 2026/2027 Senior Portrait Sessions on:

Wednesday, July 22 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Thursday, July 23 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday, July 24 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

These portraits will be used for the official 2026/2027 yearbook, so it is important that all seniors schedule and attend a session this summer. Don’t wait until the school year begins — take your portraits early to avoid limited appointment availability and ensure your senior picture is completed on time.

Students will have the opportunity to take formal and casual portraits, and families are encouraged to book appointments early to secure their preferred time slot. Please review the flyer carefully for sitting options, pricing, dress tips, and booking information.

Don’t miss this opportunity to capture this important senior milestone!

1. Click on button: Book Your Senior Portrait

2. Click “Seniors”

3. Select “Senior Year”

4. Choose the event: “Prepay Your Senior Portrait Sitting Fee”

5. Select your preferred date and appointment time

Appointments fill quickly, so seniors are strongly encouraged to schedule early and complete portraits before the school year begins.

HOPE and Zell Miller are merit based scholarship programs available to students who have met the University System of Georgia and the GSFC residency requirements and are enrolled in an undergraduate degree seeking program.

If you’re a high school student who’s undocumented — that is, you were born outside the United States and you’re not a U.S. citizen or legal resident — you probably have a lot of questions about going to college. Here are some important facts.

1. You Can Go to College

You should know that no federal law prevents U.S. colleges from admitting undocumented students. And only a few states — including Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama — have placed any kind of restrictions on undocumented students attending public colleges and universities.* In most cases, colleges set their own rules on admitting undocumented students, so you should research the policies of colleges you are interested in attending.

You should also know that undocumented students cannot receive federal financial aid for college — the type of aid that many college students rely on. However, undocumented students can get financial aid or scholarships for college in other ways. Your undocumented status might limit your choices — but college is still an option if you have a plan. Your best strategy is to start planning early, do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions.

2. You Are Not Alone

You’re the one who will have to put in the work it takes to get to college — but building a support network is key.

Start with your family. Make sure they know you want to go to college. Talk with them about your options for choosing a college and paying for your education.

You can also seek advice from trusted teachers and counselors at your high school. Along with giving you guidance, they might be able to put you in touch with other undocumented students who have successfully enrolled in college or with college admission counselors who can help you.

If you’re worried about telling teachers and counselors that you’re undocumented, be aware that, by law, school officials cannot disclose personal information about students — including their immigration status.

3. You Can Find a College That Fits You

As you look for colleges that match your wants and needs, you might want to find out if the colleges you’re interested in have programs, student organizations or centers that support first-generation immigrant students. Checking out college websites and publications is a good place to start.

Here are some things to remember when looking at colleges:

• Different colleges have different policies on admitting undocumented students.
• Different colleges have different policies on awarding nonfederal financial aid to undocumented students.
• Public colleges must follow their state’s laws on issues such as whether undocumented students who live in the state can pay in-state tuition or must pay out-of-state tuition.and resources for several states.

4. You’ll Apply Like Any Other Student

The college application process is usually the same for all students. You’ll need to find out colleges’ admission requirements regarding testing, grades and the high school classes you need to take. Most likely, you’ll be asked to write a personal essay and get letters of recommendation, among other application requirements.

The best way for any student to prepare for college is to work hard in high school. Colleges look at your grades and the kinds of classes you take, so it's a great idea to take college-level courses such as Advanced Placement® classes. Many colleges award credit based on scores on AP Exams, which can save students money on tuition.

5. Your Options May Change

Laws and regulations regarding undocumented students change. It’s important to keep up with the news about how these changes may affect your college plans.

For more information on changes to policies affecting undocumented students visit the US Department of Homeland Security or the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

6. You Can Find Resources to Help You

Here are some additional websites with helpful information:

• The Dream. US
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• National Immigration Law Center
• Immigration Equality
• Scholarship Resources on the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund website