Not a Senior… …but will be soon!

Administrators & Counselors Administration Counseling Staff Kimberley James, Principal Bryan Davis, College & Career Lisa Trevino (A-C) Vilma Mosier (A-C) Rolando Gonzales (D-G) Angela Arredondo (D-G) Scott Walker, AP (H-Me) Dr. Lia Rosales (H-Me) Stephanie Contreras (Mi-Ro) Robin Huff (Mi-Ro) Chris Hall (Ru-Z) Marsha Hutchens (Ru-Z)

Overview What are colleges looking for? Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Summer (Jr/Sr) Senior Year

What does my college want to see? Not just grades, but the rigor of courses in addition to your grades. SAT or ACT scores AP Exams Extracurricular activities Recommendations Essays Interviews Rank/GPA (not what you might think)

Freshman Year Adapt to high school Establish your GPA Create your resume (you will be adding to this year by year) Participate in extra-curricular activities Participate in community service or volunteer work Plan your future high school courses Explore areas of interest Career Cruising

Sophomore Year Continue establishing your GPA Take more challenging courses (if able) PreAP, AP, Dual Credit Continue extra curriculars, community service, etc. Update your resume Take the PSAT (offered in October; VMHS tests all sophomores) Take the ASVAB Military Career Research

Sophomore year (cont.) Register for NCAA Only if interested in college level athletics Begin Exploring College Options The College Fair Available on the app store Create a shortlist of schools Explore by interests Save colleges to your favorites Chat with a “coach” to assist your search College Board Search

Junior Year Continue everything from sophomore/freshman year Update your resume Consider signing up for SAT/ACT prep course Register for NCAA or NAIA (if not already done) Take PSAT Junior year PSAT could have you qualify for National Merit Scholar Awards Access Khan Academy’s SAT preparation online Military Begin speaking with recruiters Take (or retake) the ASVAB Take SAT or ACT (or both) Typically best to do during the 2nd semester

Junior year (cont.) Narrow down college options (5-10) Become aware of their current admissions requirements Automatic Admissions vs. Holistic Review Visit with college recruiters and/or visit campuses Begin requesting letters of recommendation Sponsors, teachers, counselors, administrators, etc. Always present the recommender with a copy of your resume and a deadline. Begin working on college application essays (end of the year) Research scholarships and create profiles on scholarship databases

Summer: Jr/Sr Year Most college applications open on July 1st (for the fall semester of the next year) Learn application deadlines for your schools of interest: Early Decision (usually binding) Early Action Priority Deadline Final Deadline Complete your application essays (if not already finished)

Senior Year Continue everything from previous years Update your resume Retake SAT/ACT (if needed) Apply for admissions Reach schools Safety schools Submit: Transcript Test scores (SAT/ACT) Application fee Any other requested documents Meningitis vaccine, fee waiver, etc.

Senior Year (Cont.) FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Opens October 1st for fall of the next year Will be based on your income taxes from the “prior prior” year Ex: Students completing FAFSA for fall of 2018 admission are using 2016 Tax returns This is how students qualify for grants and loans Apply for scholarships Some are connected to admissions app College & Career Center Website Can be based on need, academics, service, leadership, choice of major, etc. BE SURE TO CHECK DEADLINES!

What’s next? Various college recruiter visits (juniors/seniors only – sign up on College & Career Center Website) November 14 – ASVAB test on VMHS Campus (sign up on College & Career Center Website) SAT & ACT tests in the spring (Juniors) Sign up at www.collegeboard.org (SAT) Sign up at www.actstudent.org (ACT) Mr. Davis to meet w/ all Juniors in February Mr. Davis to meet w/ all Sophomores in April