Pickens High School Counseling Department
College & Career Coordinator
Daniel Bell
danielbell@pickenscountyschools.org
Click HERE to access the Dual Enrollment website.
Important Information for Students
Class Change Requests
The Fall 2023 Class Change form was available July 26th through August 9th on the PHS Counseling Webpage. If there is an extenuating situation in which a student might need a class changed for the Fall 2023 semester after August 9th, then the student will need to come by the PHS Counseling Suite and pick up an Administrative Class Change Form. After completing the necessary steps outlined on the Admin. Class Change Form, then a PHS Administrator will make the decision if the class change request will be permitted or not.
Please know that class change requests will not take place if they are for one or more of the following reasons:
1) Teacher preference.
2) Peer preference (because you have a friend in that class).
3) Lunch time preference.
PHS Tutoring Schedule
Students are encouraged to speak with the teacher of whom they need tutoring for to schedule a time when they can come in to get extra assistance with their work.
Work-Based Learning (WBL)
The WBL program allows students the opportunity to earn high school elective credit(s) for their work experience. Interested students must apply to the program and be approved by the WBL Coordinator and CTAE Director, Ms. Carissa Parker, before WBL will be added to a student's schedule. If you are interested in applying to potentially participate in the WBL program, then please click on the electronic application link below and complete the form using your student Gmail account:
2023-24 WBL Program Application
2023-24 Student Parking Permits
Click HERE to access the 2023-24 PHS Student Parking Permit Form. Please know that you will also need to provide a copy your driver's license and vehicle insurance when you turn in your parking permit. Parking permits will be sold during lunch by Coach Grant Myers. ALL student drivers must have a current parking permit to park their vehicle on the PHS campus.
PHS Bell Schedule and School Hours
PHS is open from 7:00 AM to 2:15 PM. Students report to 1st period by 7:40 AM and are released at 2:15 PM. Click HERE to view the bell schedules.
Technology and IC Help
All students are issued a PCSD chromebook. If you have questions or concerns regarding chromebooks, chargers, etc., then please email your requests and/or concerns to:
If you need assistance with logging into your Infinite Campus (IC) student account, student email account, and/or your Parent IC account, then please click HERE to see how you need to proceed and who you can contact if you need assistance.
Accessing an Unofficial Transcript in IC as a Student
Many students need access to their unofficial transcript to check their class rank, weighted and unweighted GPA's, GPA's on both a 100 point scale and 4.0 scale, etc. Click HERE to access the directions on how a student can view his/her unofficial transcript in his/her IC account.
Enrolling a Student to Attend PHS
If you want to enroll your student to attend PHS, then please first complete registration and enrollment via the Registration Department at the PCSD Central Office. Click HERE to access the PCSD Registration webpage.
Once you have completed registration, then our school will be notified and you will be contacted by the counseling secretary about setting up a new student appointment with your PHS Counselor.
Please know that you will have to first complete the registration process, registration notifies PHS once it is complete and they have processed your application, and PHS will have to receive a copy of the student's records before we will schedule a new student meeting.
Withdrawing a Student from PHS
If your student will be leaving PHS to transfer to another school, then you will need to reach out to our registrar, Ms. Candy DiPrima, to withdraw your student. You will need to do the following:
1) Set up an appointment with the registrar, Ms. DiPrima, to withdraw your student by either coming in person, calling PHS at 706-253-1800, or by emailing her at candydiprima@
2) Come in to withdraw your student, sign the appropriate paperwork, and turn in your student's chromebook, charger, and case.
3) Before you leave from your student withdrawal appointment, the registrar will give you a document that contains your student's transfer grades (if student moves within the semester and does not complete the semester with PHS) or a copy of the student's final transcript if the student finished the semester at PHS and earned his/her credits. Please know that final grades will not be available on transcripts until report cards go out (which is typically a week into each new semester. Ex. 1st week of January and 1st week of June).
Attendance and Records Assistance
1) Sick/Doctor's Notes - If you are out of school for any reason, then please bring a doctor's note or sick note to the front desk. Doctor's notes and/or sick notes are not accepted after five days of returning to school. You can also email your sick note or doctor's note to phsattendance@
2) Records Requests - If you need to request records and/or update your information in Infinite Campus (such as phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, etc.), then please contact the PHS Registrar, Ms. Candy DiPrima. Her email address is candydiprima@
Information Regarding Graduation Requirements, Grade Promotions, Classes Offered at PHS, and Student Organizations/Clubs
Click HERE to access the document that provides detailed descriptions regarding the following information:
-Graduation Requirements for PHS students.
-The number of credits required to be promoted to the next grade level.
-Academic class offerings and their sequences of how they should be taken at PHS.
-Elective class offerings and their pathway sequences of how they should be taken at PHS.
-Students Organizations and Clubs at PHS.
PHS Cafeteria Information
Mrs. Andrea Wood is the PHS Cafeteria Manager. Students can either pay for meals/snacks with cash or add money to their student accounts by using the My Payments Plus website. Click HERE to access the My Payments Plus website. The prices for meals can be seen below:
Families that are eligible for free or reduced-price meals must apply to receive them, and all other students must pay full price for their meals. All families are encouraged to complete the free/reduced lunch application if you believe your student(s) may be eligible. You can use your cell phone camera and scan the QR code below to access the online application. Paper copies are also available at the school. Please click HERE for an important news flyer regrading free and reduced-priced meals from the PCSD Nutrition Department:
Transcript Requests and Attendance Verifications
Need a copy of your transcript, an education verification, and/or attendance verification (ex. for military purposes, Social Security benefits, insurance purposes, etc.) completed? Then please send your transcript request to phstranscripts@pickenscountyschools.org . For all transcript requests please include the following information:
1) Your first and last name (please provide your maiden name when necessary).
2) The year you graduated. If you are currently a PHS student, then please identify what grade you are in.
3) Your date of birth (Month/Day/Year).
4) The last 4 digits of your social security number (SSN).
5) Where you need your transcript to be sent to.
The counseling secretary will process your request within 72 hrs. If you would like to pick the transcript up in person or have it emailed to yourself, then please indicate so in your transcript request email. For previously graduated PHS students, the cost for a transcript request to be processed is $5.00. Please know that "official transcripts" will show your 100 point scale weighted and unweighted GPA's. If you would like to see your 4.0 scale GPA, then you will need to request an "unofficial" copy of your transcript.
Please remember that your HOPE GPA is calculated by GA Futures, not by PHS; thus, to view your HOPE GPA, then you will need access your GA Futures account.
ADAP Test and Attendance Certificates for Licenses
If you need a copy of your attendance verification and/or your ADAP report for your learners or drivers licenses, then please email your request to:
Once your request has been processed, then the student and/or parent can pick up the items from the PHS Front Office Secretary.
For the 2022-23 school year the ADAP presentation and test were given on 10/12/2022 to all 9th grade students. If you were not at PHS on 10/12/22, then you missed both the presentation and test. The ADAP (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program) is a requirement in Georgia for anyone under the age of 18 to complete in order to obtain his/her drivers license. The presentation and test are given only once each school year at PHS and for the 2022-23 school year, the presentation and test were given on 10/12/22.
Click HERE to register for the eADAP (electronic version of the ADAP) if you missed the test on 10/12/2022. When registering for the eADAP, under "reason for enrollment" you will need to choose "other" and you will also need to use a personal email account instead of your student Gmail email address.
The ADAP presentation and test will not be administered at PHS again until October of 2023.
ACT & SAT Dates for Pickens High School
Almost all colleges and universities, and some scholarships, will require you to have either a SAT or ACT score to submit. In order to take the SAT and/or ACT you will need to create an account with their websites (links included on the document link above), register to take the test, and then utilize their website to have your scores sent to the school of your choice. Once you have created an account, then you will be able to access your scores through the SAT and/or ACT websites. Click HERE to access the SAT/ACT schedule for test dates at PHS. Click HERE to access the "ACT Test Guide" and look below for more resources about the SAT.
PHS School Code 111695
SAT Resources
Listed below are multiple SAT resources provided by College Board:
1) Click HERE to access the "Getting Ready to Take the SAT" document that lists the steps you need to take during the process of registering for the test, how to send your scores, and how to access your scores.
2) Click HERE to view the "Benefits of Taking the SAT" document.
3) Click HERE to access the "SAT Student Guide" document that provides important information about the SAT, tips and advice on taking the test, and also contains practice questions to try.
4) Click HERE to view the "SAT Quick Reference Guide" that contains contact information for various departments within College Board such as the SAT, AP Testing, PSAT, and Services for Students with Disabilities.
5) Click HERE to view the "SAT Registration and Test Day Quick Guide" flyer.
6) Click HERE to access the "SAT Student Guide to Practice and Scores" document.
7) Click HERE to download a SAT practice test provided by College Board. College Board also encourages student to utilize Khan Academy to do online test practicing. Click HERE to access the Khan Academy website.
8) Click HERE to download the Student ID Form that you can use if you do not have proper identification to use for the day of your test.
9) Click HERE to access the "Parent's Guide to Getting Your Teen Ready for the SAT" flyer.
GSFC Grade Level Checklists
Below are helpful "grade level checklists" provided by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) to help you make sure that you are taking the necessary steps during your high school career to pursue your post-secondary goals:
PSAT and PSAT Score Instructions
For the 2022-23 school year, the PSAT was administered to all PHS 10th grade students on Wednesday, October 12th. The school automatically registered all PHS 10th grade students for the test. PSAT scores were released on 12/6/2022 via www.collegeboard.org . You can access your PSAT scores one of two ways:
1) Your scores were sent to the email address you provided on your PSAT.
2) If you did not receive your scores via email, then you will need to create a www.collegeboard.org account. When creating your account, please identify Pickens High School as your current school and use the CEEB Code of 111695.
Please visit the following website for more information on how to access your PSAT scores:
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/getting-scores/your-scores
The PSAT will not be offered again at PHS until October of 2023. Homeschool students interested in taking the PSAT test at PHS in October of 2023 will need to please email our PHS Testing Coordinator, Mr. Rick Goble, to inquire about this option at richardgoble@pickenscountyschools.org beginning August of 2023.
Senior Related Information
Fall Senior Info Letters
During the Fall semester, all PHS seniors and their families were sent a "Fall Senior Info Letter" that included a copy of the senior's class schedule, transcript, and status check document. This letter contains very helpful information to help you navigate your senior year. Click HERE to view/access a copy of the "Fall Senior Info Letter."
Senior Important Dates
Click HERE to access the "Senior Important Dates" document that lists important dates that all seniors and their families should keep in mind for the upcoming school year.
PHS School Profile
Please click HERE to view and/or access the PHS 2023-24 School Profile document. Some college and scholarship applications will ask you to provide a copy of your high school profile.
All seniors who plan on walking in the May graduation ceremony must purchase their cap & gown package through Jostens. It is highly encouraged that all orders be placed no later than when students leave from Christmas break in December. Cap & gown orders will be delivered to the seniors at PHS the last week in March before Spring break.. Click HERE to access the link where you only purchase the "cap & gown" for $67.29 before taxes and fees.
Click on the picture below to use the QR code or view the website address to place your order and view all packages offered by Jostens:
Senior Pictures
Please know that in order for a senior to appear in the PHS Draca yearbook, he/she must have a photo made with Cady Studios. Cady Studios will be at PHS on 9/12/23 and 10/24/23 to do senior pictures. Dates and times are available at other locations. If you have any questions regarding your senior photos, then please reach out to Cady Studios at 678-722-3449. Please click HERE to access the Cady Studios Senior Booking Guide and HERE to access the Cady Studios website for more information.
This Senior Information Packet (click on the link above) will assist you and your family with getting prepared to apply for college, scholarships, jobs, and creating professional relationships with your teachers and counselors. Access to this packet is available to everyone who can download a pdf file.
Please click HERE to access a Word copy of the PHS Senior Information Sheet that you can type in or you can print it and write on it. Many use this document to help them build a resume.
Please know that some scholarships may ask for you to complete a "senior profile." THIS "PHS SENIOR INFO" DOCUMENT CAN BE USED TO ASSIST YOU WITH SCHOLARSHIPS; however, please know that this document will not always suffice for a "senior profile" requested by some scholarship applications (an example of this is the Big Canoe Chapel Scholarship as they have their own senior profile document to be completed).
Your school counselors are here to assist you as needed and wish you the best of luck this year!
Please click on the link above to download the senior Power-Point presentation. The Power-Point will open as a "Google Slides" presentation first; however, this will not allow you to listen to the audio that accompanies each slide. Once the presentation opens as a "Google Slides Presentation," then please go to "FILE," then click on "DOWNLOAD," and choose to download as a Microsoft Power-Point Presentation. This will then allow the presentation to download as a true Power-Point presentation to your computer. After the Power-Point presentation downloads to your device, then please click on the "audio" icon in the lower right hand corner of each slide to listen to the presentation information recorded for you on each slide.
Applying to College
You can apply directly through the college of your choice for admittance to a college or you can use the Common App Tool. When applying for admission directly through your chosen post-secondary school, please visit the college's "admission" page and follow the directions provided for that school. Most schools require similar requirements but some may differ. You will need to check your chosen college's application requirements to ensure you are submitting a complete application.
Common App is another common method of applying to a variety of schools in both Georgia (examples are UGA and Georgia State University) and nationwide. Common App is a non-profit member organization that represents nearly 900 diverse colleges. This tool connects students to a variety of public and private colleges and universities across all 50 U.S. states and 20 different countries.
-Click HERE to to be directed the Common App website and start your application process.
-Parents/Guardians/Families can click HERE to be directed to the family resources page on Common App to get information on Financial Aid and how to support your student as he/she applies to colleges.
-Students can click HERE to access important documents/resources to assist in your Common App process.
Currently Available Scholarship Information
If you would like to view/reference a list of all the scholarships that were posted on the PHS Counseling webpage during the 2022-23 school year, then please click HERE. If you are interested in offering a scholarship opportunity to students at PHS, then please contact PHS Counselor Jana Champion (contact info is listed at the top of this webpage) with a copy of your scholarship application, the amount that will be awarded, and when your scholarship deadline will be.
We encourage all students and their families to check the PHS Counseling Webpage weekly to view any and all scholarship opportunities that are presented to PHS students. Please know that all scholarships that are made available to PHS students from local organizations are posted on this webpage so that all students, their families, staff, and the community can access this information at any time. Below are mostly local, state, and some national scholarships that are currently available for students to apply to:
1) Please click HERE to access the studentscholarships.org September 2023 Newsletter listing multiple national scholarships that are currently available.
2) Coca-Cola Scholars Program (posted on 8/29/23)
-The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their senior year at high school. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.
-Click HERE to view the eligibility requirements for this scholarship.
-Click HERE to access the online scholarship application.
-The deadline to submit this online scholarship application is 5pm on October 2nd, 2023.
3) Heisman High School Scholarship (posted on 9/17/23)
-The Heisman High School Scholarship gives out multiple scholarships to eligible male and female scholar-athletes ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 each year. Students must be a senior to apply, have a 3.0 GPA, and play an approved sport to be eligible for this national scholarship opportunity.
-Please know that scholarship money is awarded only to students who make it to the “State Winner” level although “School Winners” will be recognized with a certificate at all schools who have students apply for this scholarship opportunity.
-The Heisman High School Scholarship program recognizes students at the following levels: School Winners (one male and one female recognized with a certificate for each school that has students apply for the scholarship opportunity), State Winners (one male and one female for each state, where 88 of these 100 students receive a $1000 scholarship award), National Finalists (six males and six females are selected from the pool of 100 State Winners and 10 of these students will receive a $2,000 scholarship), and National Winners (one male and one female selected from the pool of 12 National Finalists will receive a $10,000 scholarship award).
-The “School Winner” representatives will be recognized with a certificate at the PHS Senior Honors Night in May 2024.
-Click HERE to learn more about this scholarship opportunity and how it works.
-Click HERE to access the online scholarship application.
-The online application and all required criteria are due by October 20th.
4) UNG Georgia Military Service Scholarship (posted on 9/17/23)
-The Georgia Military Service Scholarship is worth $85,000+ over the course of four years. The state of Georgia will offer 42 scholarships per year to Georgia high school seniors who attend the University of North Georgia (UNG) and commission as officers in the Georgia Army National Guard after graduating with their bachelor’s degree.
-Please click HERE to view more information about this scholarship opportunity as well as all of its requirements.
-Please click HERE to view the application instructions and apply for the scholarship.
-The first consideration deadline for this online application is November 15th and the final deadline will be February 1st, 2023.
Scholarship Opportunities that were posted on the PHS Counseling Webpage and the deadlines have since passed:
1) Vivek Ramaswamy American Identity Scholarship (posted on 7/27/23 and was due on 9/18/23).
Additional National Scholarship Databases
There is a world of scholarship opportunity out there waiting to be taken advantage of. The PHS Counseling team works diligently to ensure as many local and state, and some national, scholarships are specifically posted on the PHS Counseling Webpage. Unfortunately, it is not possible to review every opportunity out there so more information has been provided below for students to inquire about. We hope that our PHS students and their families will take some time to view the below websites that both identify and provide multiple nationwide scholarships and grants that all students can possibly apply to:
-GA Futures Scholarship Search
-University of GA Scholarships
-Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
-College Board Big Future Scholarships
-Horatio Alger Assoc. Scholarships
-NSHSS Foundation Scholarships
-Thurgood Marshall College Fund
-Reagan Foundation Scholarships
-UNCF
-Universal Technical Institute
-US Veterans Magazine Military Scholarship List for Service Members, Spouses, and Dependents
FAFSA Information and How to Apply
Please make sure to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial aid for college. Completion of the FAFSA is required to receive any financial aid for college and is the first step in moving forward with applying for the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships/grants. Students and parents will have to complete this application together. All seniors planning to attend college will have to complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is open each year from October 1st until June 30th.
Click HERE to access an article on the, "10 Common FAFSA Mistakes Not to Make."
Click HERE to access the "FAFSA Checklist" made specifically for Georgia students by the GSFC.
Georgia Students Paying for College
After Georgia students have finished applying for college and completing the FAFSA, then their next step is to create/access their GA Futures account to complete the GSFAPP (the application required to get the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships/grants), track their HOPE GPA (different than their high school GPA), send their high school transcript to colleges in Georgia, review and apply for scholarships, apply to some colleges in Georgia, etc. Below are some helpful documents/checklists from the GSFC to assist you in your plan to finance your post-secondary education:
-Click HERE to view the "HOPE Program Summary" document.
-Click HERE to view the "Paying for College" document.
Additional College and Financial Aid Websites to Explore and Help You Plan/Prepare to Apply for College and Scholarships
-GA Futures Federal Aid and Scholarships Webpage
College Visits
In lieu of on campus college visits, some colleges are hosting virtual information sessions this school year. Below are some upcoming college meetings (in-person and/or virtual) that you may want to attend:
1) 2023 Peach State Tour
-The 2023 Peach State Tour will offer information session both in-person and via Zoom webinars for students and their families to learn more about Augusta University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and UGA. These events are FREE and open to ALL high school students and their families.
-Register HERE to secure your spot today and view when the sessions are (the last session will be on 9/28/23).
The University System of Georgia just rolled out a new website, Georgia Degrees Pay, available for Georgia parents and students making major college decisions. This tool allows users to compare all 26 public universities and colleges in the University System (USG). Many features allow users to compare up to two schools at a time and include categories like the cost of attendance, future earnings, and student success rates. Click HERE to visit the website.
The GAtracs website offers multiple college credit tools to students who are interested in exploring a variety of opportunities at the colleges and universities in Georgia. Below are just a few of the tools that GAtracs offers on their website:
-Find Exam Score Transfer Credit (such as college credits for certain scores on AP and CLEP exams)
YouScience
Click HERE to view the YouScience Power Point Presentation. This is a large file due to the videos on the presentation; thus, when you click on the link you will then need to click on the "power-point" download option.
Click HERE to download the YouScience Workbook.
Click HERE to access the instructions for activating and logging into your YouScience account.
How to Create a GA Futures Account
Click HERE to use this document to help create your GA Futures Account. This is a necessary step in the Dual Enrollment process, tracking your HOPE GPA (which is different than your overall high school GPA), and will also help you keep track of various tasks in your college application journey.
Military Information
Have you ever considered joining the military? Below are some links to help best assist you in making this decision and how to contact a recruiter. For more information, then please schedule an appointment with your school counselor or local military recruiter.
U.S. Army
Please click HERE for information on joining the US Army.
Please click HERE to view a short video about joining the US Army National Guard.
Please click HERE to access a presentation and guidebook on the benefits and scholarships opportunities available to those who enlist with the National Guard.
Air Force
Click HERE to view the recruitment requirements for joining the Air Force.
US Navy
Please click HERE to view the requirements for enlisting in the US Navy.
If you find yourself in a crisis situation, then please know that the below resources are available to you 24/7:
GA Crisis and Access Line - 1-800-715-4225
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255 or text/dail 9-8-8
Pickens Sheriff Department – 706-253-8901
For any emergency situation, please call 911