Junior Choices

This is the last year Florida will offer two different ways to win full scholarships to state colleges. And that means beginning with the Class of 2000, it is going to be a lot tougher..

Right now, many Florida high school students are signing up for next year's classes .
In Assignment: Education.. Bill Ratliff takes a look at how the choices they make could affect their chances of getting a full ride.

It's decision time for some Juniors in high school.. time to sign up for next year's courses. The choices are important since they could affect which students get full state scholarships to Florida colleges. Beginning with the Class of 2000.. it will be harder to win a full ride.

To receive 100% tuition and fees and 600-dollars in cash... students will need to graduate with a weighted-grade point average of at least a three-point-five.. and score 1270 or higher on the S-A-T or 28 and higher on the A-C-T. So, what should Juniors.. like these four with high g-p-a's.. do? Should they sign up for tough courses to help prepare them for college, or take easier classes to protect their G-P-A's?
According to Gaither High School Guidance Counselor Sue Powell.. taking tougher courses in their Senior year will help them score points with college admissions offices.. literally.

--((Guidance Counselor Sue Powell says:)) ".. for any Honors/A.P. course they are going to give them another point or half a point for that grade. So, a "C" becomes a "B", or a "B" becomes an "A".--

These four are taking the tougher route - signing up for Honors and Advanced Placement courses. So, are they worried?

--((Kristen O'Rear says:) "It's not that big of a risk. I mean I'll have to study a lot more, but it's just one year."--

--((Heather Wickes says:)) "If I like study hard enough, or if I like do my work to the best of my ability.. I can maintain it or raise it."--

--((Bonnie Sample says:)) "I figured that if I can pass those and do well in those classes and if my G.P.A. suffers a little bit.. I mean it's not going to be drastic I don't think."--

--((Adrian Porrata says:)) "It's a pressure on you. It's a hard decision, but I'm willing to take the challenge."--

Bill Ratliff, Newschannel Eight.



There are two other state scholarships available.. That have -lower- requirements.. But they offer only 75-percent tuition and fees.

This article was brought to you
straight from the desk of

in the Newsroom of