Junior Parent awareness night April 7, 2016

Information from the current senior class sponsor

Our website   Select the high school  Select departments  Select College and Career or counselors

Register for and take your ACT and SAT ASAP! ActSAT 9/12 (register by 8/7)10/3 (register by 9/3) 10/24 (register by 9/18)11/7 (register by 10/9) 12/12 (register by 11/6)12/5 (register by 11/5) 2/6 (register by 1/8)1/23 (register by 12/28) 4/9 (register by 3/4)3/5 (register by 2/5) 6/11 (register by 5/6)5/7 (register by 4/8) 6/4 (register by 5/5) COST: $54.50COST: $52.50

Senior year SAT/ACT testing  The goal is to register and take the exam junior year so that students can hone in on and improve their score senior year

Fee Waivers and testing accommodations!  See Mrs. Edmonds for details  Waivers are available for students who meet certain criteria (such as free or reduced lunch)  Waivers are available for:  SAT  ACT  NCAA  SAT II/Subject tests  College application fees to many locations  Accommodations are available on such exams for students that meet the requirements of ACT or the College Board

For potential college athletes: 1. Must apply through NCAA Clearinghouse at eligibilitycenter.org 2. Must submit transcripts 3. Must submit test scores (through College Board or ACT) 4. Must pay $65 fee (fee waivers available if qualify) 5. FYI- Ideally this will be completed junior year

Apply Texas versus Common App  Apply Texas is for public Texas universities  Common App is for Ivy League and private schools  We will have two Apply Texas dates to accommodate busy schedules  Be sure you check with individual schools as they may require additional applications and paperwork  Check your s frequently because colleges WILL RARELY contact the school; they will usually communicate with you and your students via

Apply Texas essays  Essay A: What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person.  Essay B: Some students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. If you are one of these students, then tell us about yourself.  Essay C: You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Building a resume  Students should consider resume building activities during the summer such as:  Employment  Community service  Learning new skills  Resumes should be updated regularly

Letters of Recommendation  WHO to ask- someone who fits specific requirements AND knows you  NUMBER to ask- 3 to 5  WHEN- ask early. Ask now! A writer needs a MINIMUM of three weeks!  WHAT to give writer- resume, forms needed, and stamped/addressed envelope  WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE!

Counselor recommendations 1. Meet with your counselor at least THREE weeks prior to the deadline. 2. Submit to counselor your resume and the counselor forms with stamped and addressed envelopes. 3. Provide counselor with additional information. 4. Determine mailing date. Write the date it must be mailed on the envelope or on the information. 5. Counselors will mail to college IF a stamped and addressed envelope are provided.

Additional testing  SAT II  Some colleges require  Some colleges view it as increased marketability  AP testing  Will occur in May  The schedule is available already  Students will be able to attempt to acquire college credit  Students DO NOT need to be enrolled in an AP class to challenge the exam  TSI testing  May be required for college admission  Can be taken by appointment on campus  ASVAB  For students pursuing a career in the military  Must reserve a spot with Mrs. Edmonds  Will occur in November

COLLEGE CREDIT OPTIONS  AP  Dual Credit

Transcripts/Test scores 1. Request a transcript from Mrs. Bleiker - Registrar. 2. Fill out transcript request form. 3. Transcripts require a MINIMUM of 24 hours to process. 4. Scholarship applications usually require a transcript. 5. Transcripts will be either mailed or sent electronically. 6. Test scores need to be submitted through College Board or ACT not on the transcript. 7. TSI scores must be requested from Mrs. Edmonds on the official request form. Please note it takes approximately 5 business days for a college to receive test scores. 8. Make sure you request transcripts from previous colleges, too. They must be sent directly from one college to another. 9. ***Unofficial transcripts for personal use must also be requested for Ms. Bleiker.

Scholarships and Financial Aid  Universities offer academic/sports/arts/merit scholarships  PLEASE NOTE DUE DATES  Federal- national merit/national achievement  Private- agencies, companies, organizations  Local scholarships due in March  We will have a financial aid night  CBC Foundation (another set of local scholarships for us and surrounding counties)

Best College Tools  Websites  College and University catalogs  Campus visits and interviews  College representatives  Former students

College visits  Prior to attending a trip, students will need to acquire a College Day form from the Counselor or College and Career Coordinator.  Submit the form to Mrs. Randall in advance before you leave for your trip.  Call in advance and visit when school is in session  Ask to meet with faculty and financial aid  Take a campus tour  Arrive ON TIME!  Allow time for exploration  Students are allowed two college visits in their junior and senior years (outside of fieldtrips with the school)

DON’T FORGET!  If you’re male and 18, you must sign up for the selective service!! 

FAFSA  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  Cannot file before 1/1  Don’t forget to do your taxes early  We will have two workshops  1/28 from 10-2  2/24 from 4-7  MAKE SURE YOU USE THE CORRECT WEBSITE!

Top 10%: What does that mean?  Automatic admission into many state schools and possibly available scholarship funding

Make sure you…  Make decisions for yourself  Don’t procrastinate  Apply and try!  Avoid senioritis- you can lose admission or scholarships!

Other things to investigate  Honors programs  Housing information  Early action versus early decision  Early admissions

Eligibility for Early Release/Late Arrival  Seniors who are on track for graduation are eligible  Parent permission is required  Late Arrival/Early Release periods do not award credit  The scheduling of these classes will depend on the availability of the other courses in which the student is enrolling

Course Schedule and Schedule Changes  Schedule change requests should be submitted by May 31, Only necessary schedule changes (for graduation purposes) will be made after that date.

Paperwork available  Transcript request forms  College fieldtrip request forms  Early release/Late arrival paperwork  Dual credit contract  AP contracts

Need help?  We are here to help! The best way to reach us is via !  Kristine Kilgour, Counselor A-L,  Rhonda Mieth, Counselor M-Z,  Amanda Edmonds, College and Career Coordinator,