Senior Announcements
|
- Bookmark the All Things Class of 2026 page. Here you will find important dates for our senior events, and information and deadlines for senior requirements (photos, yearbook quotes, ordering caps and gowns, and much more).
- Senior Parent Night was held on Wednesday, September 10. For a preview, here is a copy of the slides from last year's presentation. This year's slides are coming soon. - NC College Connect has launched a groundbreaking initiative offering Direct Admission to eligible high school seniors across the state for the 2025–2026 school year! Open to public and charter school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher who meet course requirements, students will be matched with colleges where they already qualify—no traditional application needed. The program now includes more UNC System schools, NC Independent Colleges and Universities, and NC Community Colleges. Eligible students will be notified this fall and will be able to accept their offers by completing a short form at CFNC.org. The deadline to accept offers through NC College Connect is January 2. |
Graduation: June 12, 2026 4:00 pm
Midyear Graduation: January 22, 2026 6:00 pm
|
- NC Countdown to College (C2C) kicks off in October; it’s a year-long initiative where we encourage you to complete the following three steps in college enrollment: residency, financial aid, and college applications. Many North Carolina colleges and universities are waiving application fees during College Application Week, October 20-26, 2025, when you apply on the CFNC portal. Seniors can also stop by Student Services during lunch during the week to get additional help on the applications.
- Find information about upcoming college fairs and tours, meetings with college admissions representatives, and other college information sessions and senior application workshops on our College Fairs & Visits page. Includes college rep visits that are happening at Leesville.
- In general, the Admissions Blog from GA Tech is full of great admissions advice for everyone (not just GA Tech candidates) as well as the College Admission Brief and College Application Hub.
- Find information about upcoming college fairs and tours, meetings with college admissions representatives, and other college information sessions and senior application workshops on our College Fairs & Visits page. Includes college rep visits that are happening at Leesville.
- In general, the Admissions Blog from GA Tech is full of great admissions advice for everyone (not just GA Tech candidates) as well as the College Admission Brief and College Application Hub.
College Admissions Deadlines and Application Checklist
Stay on top of dates and the steps you need for each application with these references:
North Carolina College Admissions Deadlines and Open House Dates
College Application Checklist
North Carolina College Admissions Deadlines and Open House Dates
College Application Checklist
Typically, colleges consider a student’s application “on time” if the applicant portion (YOUR PART), is submitted by the application deadline. Often supporting documentation, such as counselor/teacher recommendations/test scores/transcripts, are collected 2-3 weeks after the student deadline.
To view average GPAs and test scores for NC colleges, check out the NC College Admissions Statistics.
To view average GPAs and test scores for NC colleges, check out the NC College Admissions Statistics.
Testing Requirements
Please refer to individual college websites and admissions offices to determine if the college you are applying to requires test scores.
UNC System updated minimum admissions requirements to apply to any of the UNC System constituent institutions: (updated May 2024)
If you are unsure whether to submit your test score to a college, contact the college admissions office and ask what role it will play in admissions.
UNC System updated minimum admissions requirements to apply to any of the UNC System constituent institutions: (updated May 2024)
- For students applying for the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond, students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above (on a 4.0 scale) are not required to submit a test score. Students with a weighted GPA below 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) are required to submit either an ACT score of 17 or higher or an SAT score of 930 or higher.
If you are unsure whether to submit your test score to a college, contact the college admissions office and ask what role it will play in admissions.
Sending Test Scores to Colleges
If you are sending scores, all colleges require SAT, ACT, and AP test scores to be sent directly from the College Board (SAT) or ACT. The Student Services office is unable to send test scores. If you are unsure whether to submit your test score to a college, contact them and ask what role it will play in admissions.
Residency Determination Service (RDS)
All students planning to apply to colleges in North Carolina MUST complete the Residency Determination process through RDS (Residency Determination Service). This service will determine eligibility for in-state tuition and state grant awards. To learn more about RDS, and how it relates to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), read the Navigating RDS and the FAFSA tip sheet. After you complete this process, RDS will assign you a Residency Certification Number (RCN) that you will report to the NC colleges that you are applying to.
Students who use the Common Application Program to Apply to CollegeMany colleges offer students the option of using the Common Application. The Common Application allows the student to complete one application online which then submits the same information to all the schools the student designates. Some colleges may require supplemental information in addition to the Common Application.
|
|
1. Click here to access the Common Application.
2. Invite your counselor and assign recommenders (if required). Make sure you submit the correct email addresses of your counselor and
recommenders.
3. The counselor will receive an email requesting that a counselor statement be completed and sent.
4. The counselor will complete the Secondary School Report, submit a recommendation, and upload the student's transcript. No separate
request for any of these materials is required.
5. Allow two weeks for the request to be processed and submitted electronically.
6. An Authorization for Release of Records form is not required for the Common Application program.
7. Go to the Explore Colleges page to see all of the colleges who use the common app.
8. If you have any questions, refer to the Common App Toolkit and Common App FAQ page, or ask your counselor.
2. Invite your counselor and assign recommenders (if required). Make sure you submit the correct email addresses of your counselor and
recommenders.
3. The counselor will receive an email requesting that a counselor statement be completed and sent.
4. The counselor will complete the Secondary School Report, submit a recommendation, and upload the student's transcript. No separate
request for any of these materials is required.
5. Allow two weeks for the request to be processed and submitted electronically.
6. An Authorization for Release of Records form is not required for the Common Application program.
7. Go to the Explore Colleges page to see all of the colleges who use the common app.
8. If you have any questions, refer to the Common App Toolkit and Common App FAQ page, or ask your counselor.
Students who use the Coalition for College Access Program to Apply to College
1. Click here to access the Coalition for College Access Program. It is very similar to the Common Application Program.
2. Approximately 100 colleges across the country also utilize this program for students to apply to college.
3. Schools in North Carolina that use this program are: Davidson, Duke, High Point, NC State, UNC-Charlotte, and Wake Forest, and Western
Carolina.
2. Approximately 100 colleges across the country also utilize this program for students to apply to college.
3. Schools in North Carolina that use this program are: Davidson, Duke, High Point, NC State, UNC-Charlotte, and Wake Forest, and Western
Carolina.
Students who use Common Black College Application
1. Click here to access the Common Black College Application.
2. This link lets you apply to up to 55 universities that participate, including our local Shaw University and Saint Augustine's University.
3. Complete the application, and pay a nonrefundable fee of $20. Payment will take up to 7 days to process.
4. Request your transcript as outlined in the instructions on our Transcripts page.
5. Recommendations and essays must be sent directly to all colleges students are interested in attending.
2. This link lets you apply to up to 55 universities that participate, including our local Shaw University and Saint Augustine's University.
3. Complete the application, and pay a nonrefundable fee of $20. Payment will take up to 7 days to process.
4. Request your transcript as outlined in the instructions on our Transcripts page.
5. Recommendations and essays must be sent directly to all colleges students are interested in attending.
Sending Counselor Statements and Recommendations
Most colleges do not require or ask for a counselor recommendation. It is the student’s responsibility to provide this information for the counselor. However, if one or more of your schools does require this, you need to complete the Senior Personal Profile.
Please allow at least two weeks for the counselor to complete the recommendation. Most of these statements are online and are completed through an email sent to the counselor that you provide to the college or via the Common Application program. Please make sure that you are providing the correct email address of your counselor.
Please allow at least two weeks for the counselor to complete the recommendation. Most of these statements are online and are completed through an email sent to the counselor that you provide to the college or via the Common Application program. Please make sure that you are providing the correct email address of your counselor.
Transcripts are NOT sent with Counselor Statements. Students must request transcripts as outlined on the Transcripts page of this website.
Teacher Recommendations
Some of the more selective colleges may require students to submit letters of recommendation from teachers along with their application. Choose a teacher, coach, counselor, club sponsor etc. that knows you well and can supply specific details about what make you unique. Don’t choose a teacher just because you made an A in their class. Here are some tips on who to ask for your letters of recommendation, as well as some myths and truths about the process.
Recommendation etiquette:
Recommendation etiquette:
- Acquire teacher permission before linking them into your application.
- Allow at least two weeks for the teacher to write the recommendation.
- Fill out the Senior Personal Profile. This will help your teachers learn more about you, so they are able to write a well-informed recommendation for you.
- Thank your teacher for their time and support!
College Essay Tips
- College Essay Editing Guidelines (written by our very own English teacher, Ms. Wedge) - How to Tell a Unique Story to Admissions
- Admissions Essay Videos from Khan Academy
- How to Write a College Essay
- Tips for Creating a Stellar College Essay
- Tips for Crafting Your Best College Essay
- Personal Statement Resources from the College Essay Guy
- How to Tell a Unique Story to Admissions
- The College Essay: How to Present Your Best Self
Your teachers can also help, especially an English teacher you have had that you connected with at LRHS.
- College Essay Prompts: Common App Essay Prompts for 2025-26 UNC Short Answer Prompts
- Admissions Essay Videos from Khan Academy
- How to Write a College Essay
- Tips for Creating a Stellar College Essay
- Tips for Crafting Your Best College Essay
- Personal Statement Resources from the College Essay Guy
- How to Tell a Unique Story to Admissions
- The College Essay: How to Present Your Best Self
Your teachers can also help, especially an English teacher you have had that you connected with at LRHS.
- College Essay Prompts: Common App Essay Prompts for 2025-26 UNC Short Answer Prompts
University of North Carolina System Admission Requirements
While these are minimum requirements for the 16 Public Universities, some campuses require a more competitive transcript for final admission.
- Students admitted to the UNC system will have to show a minimum of 2.5 high school grade point average and at least 880 on
the SAT or 17 on the ACT.
- Read the UNC Minimum Course Requirements publication from CFNC for further information.
- Private colleges may have different admission requirements. Students should consult their school counselors and college websites for
further information.
- Students admitted to the UNC system will have to show a minimum of 2.5 high school grade point average and at least 880 on
the SAT or 17 on the ACT.
- Read the UNC Minimum Course Requirements publication from CFNC for further information.
- Private colleges may have different admission requirements. Students should consult their school counselors and college websites for
further information.
Community College Options
Last June, around 150 members of the graduating class enrolled at a community college. Community colleges have both associate degree (2-year) and diploma programs as well as college transfer programs (transferring to a 4-year university after spending the first two years at a community college). There are 59 community colleges in North Carolina.
Many NC four-year colleges are working with local community colleges to help students earn their degrees. See the list of schools and programs:
Guaranteed Transfer and Co-Admission Programs between NC Community Colleges and Four Year Colleges
Wake Tech Information:
Prospective Student Information and Virtual Sessions from Wake Tech
Associate Degree and Diploma Programs at Wake Tech
College Transfer Programs at Wake Tech
Eagle Start Bridge Summer Program at Wake Tech
Many NC four-year colleges are working with local community colleges to help students earn their degrees. See the list of schools and programs:
Guaranteed Transfer and Co-Admission Programs between NC Community Colleges and Four Year Colleges
Wake Tech Information:
Prospective Student Information and Virtual Sessions from Wake Tech
Associate Degree and Diploma Programs at Wake Tech
College Transfer Programs at Wake Tech
Eagle Start Bridge Summer Program at Wake Tech
College Admissions Options
- Early Action is an admissions procedure to notify student of early admissions to the college. Students are not obligated to accept the college’s offer of admission.
- Early Decision is a plan under which candidates may submit credentials early to one college, usually by October 15 of the senior year. Applicants are notified of their status by December. As part of an early decision plan, students are required to sign a statement agreeing to accept the college’s offer of admission and must only apply to one school as Early Decision. Students must withdraw applications from other colleges if accepted under early decision.
- Regular Admission is the plan under which candidates submit credentials during November to February, depending on school deadlines. Check the deadlines for each individual school.
- Rolling Admission is the plan under which candidates submit credentials at their convenience through a certain date, usually late in the year. They receive an offer of acceptance or denial within four to six weeks.
- Onsite Admission is an admissions option in which colleges visit students at the high school and make admissions determination during a scheduled appointment with the student.
|
|
College Admissions Keywords
- Offer of Conditional Acceptance is acceptance to a college provided candidates maintain academic performance throughout the year. A college can withdraw its offer if grades fall significantly or if a student is involved in an activity that results in disciplinary action by the school or law enforcement.
- Denial is a final decision by the college to not offer admission. Students who are denied can apply again after completing at least a semester of college coursework.
- Deferment is a delay of admissions decision until a later time. Many competitive schools will defer fall applications to the spring in order to receive additional grades and other information.
- Waitlisting occurs after the regular admissions process is complete. There is no guarantee a college will go to the waitlist, or where students rank on the waitlist. Students on a waitlist for one college should plan to attend another college and then reconsider if offered admission at a later time.
Reporting Discipline Issues to College
Many colleges and businesses are requesting information regarding a student's suspension history. If a student received an out-of-school suspension while in high school, it is his or her responsibility to report these incidents to the college or university he or she plans to attend if this question appears on the admissions application. Leesville Road High School cannot supply the disciplinary record to colleges or businesses. That request must be made directly to the Student Due Process office. In addition, the Authorization for Release of Disciplinary Record form from the WCPSS Student Due Process office must be completed in order to release the suspension history to the college or business. Any questions can be directed to the Student Due Process office at 919-431-4303.
NC Scholars Requirements
If you meet the following requirements in addition to the standard graduation requirements, you will receive recognition as a NC Scholar:
- Physics or Chemistry
- 2 Credits of a World Language
- 3 Credits in Honors or AP classes taken in the Junior or Senior year
- Attain a 3.5 un-weighted GPA by the end of the 3rd quarter of the senior year
- Physics or Chemistry
- 2 Credits of a World Language
- 3 Credits in Honors or AP classes taken in the Junior or Senior year
- Attain a 3.5 un-weighted GPA by the end of the 3rd quarter of the senior year
Senior Honors
All high schools will determine senior honors using this system based on the GPA at the end of the 1st Semester of the graduating year for students graduating at the end of eight semesters.
- Students with a 3.75 - 3.99 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of cum laude
- Students with a 4.0 - 4.249 weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of magna cum laude
- Students with a 4.25 or higher weighted grade point average shall receive the distinction of summa cum laude
Senior Exam Exemptions
Students in Grade 12 may be exempt from exams based on the following criteria:
The principal has final authority to determine a student's exemption status.
- Students must have a projected final grade of B or higher.
- Students must have 10 or fewer absences in the course. Absences will all count equally when considering eligibility for exam exemptions. Absences may be excused or unexcused. College visitations will count as part of the 10 days.
- Students cannot be exempt from state testing (EOCs, CTE post-assessments), including field testing.
The principal has final authority to determine a student's exemption status.
