Lake Highlands High School Countdown to College Junior Parent Meeting Class of 2020 April 10, 2019

This presentation will available on the LHHS Counseling Web Site. The following QR code and link are for the Junior Parent Handbook. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gyIn_eh1MHC_3NosUE1AtNKWtejV_rRZ/view?usp=sharing

Senior Project-(forms given to students during Junior Conferences) Part One- Section for student to complete attached Resume’ Part Two - Section for parent to complete Part Three - Transcript request forms (require student and parent signatures) Completed project should be turned in to the counseling office by April 26.

Resume Academic Information Honors Activities Community Service Example Only Make yours to reflect the wonderfulness that is you!! Honors Activities Community Service Work Experience Interests/Skills/Talents

SAT & ACT -Most colleges accept either test Tip Free practice tests are available on the ACT and College Board websites. (act.org or collegeboard.org) -Most colleges accept either test -All LHHS Juniors took ACT on April 2. -Key Differences in the Exams -ACT has a Science Reasoning Section -SAT has two math sections, one does not allow the use of a calculator (ACT has one math section w/calculator)

How much to they cost? SAT ACT $50.50 67.00 (w/essay) $47.50 $64.50 (w/essay) $13.00 to send scores later ACT $50.50 67.00 (w/essay) $12.00 to send scores later Students on the free/reduced lunch program can qualify for a fee waiver for boths tests. See Mrs. Finklea in the College and Career Center

Does the school sign my student up for these tests? Not usually. These tests are given by independent companies. Students must use the ACT/CollegeBoard websites to register for the tests. RISD offers the ACT during the school day to Juniors. For this school-based test administration, students do not have to register on the website. Even though the test is school-based, the scores are college reportable.

Upcoming Test Dates Act.org Collegeboard.org (SAT) Test Date June 8 July 13 Registration Deadline May 3 June 14 August 16 September 14 Collegeboard.org (SAT) Test Date May 4 June 2 Registration Deadline April 6 May 3 July 24 August 24

Location Factors to Consider: Weather Travel Expenses Homesickness Emergency Plans Out of State Tuition

There are 187 Colleges and Universities in Texas THAT’S MORE THAN OKLAHOMA, NEW MEXICO, ARKANSAS, AND LOUISIANA COMBINED UT System University A&M System University

Top Ten Percent Rule Students in the top 10% of their graduating class are automatically accepted at Texas public colleges and universities (with one exception). Exception: The University of Texas will automatically accept students in the top 6% of their graduating class in 2020.

Public Private Many choices for Majors Diversity Cost of Attendance for One Year: $19,000-$27,000 (in Texas) Small classes Fewer choices for Majors Religious Affiliation Cost of Attendance for One Year: $38,000-$61,000

Student Populations Texas A & M = 62,000 Baylor = 17,000 Prairie View = 6,925 Texas Southern= 7967 Texas A & M = 62,000 Baylor = 17,000 Midwestern St = 6,000 Trinity = 2,250 UT Austin =51,000 Tarleton = 13,000 Sul Ross St = 2,000 U of Houston = 45,000 SFA = 12,000 Southwestern = 1,500 Texas State = 38,000 SMU = 11,700 Austin College = 1,200 UNT = 38,000 TCU = 10,400

COLLEGE VISITATION GUIDELINES A maximum of four (4) college visitation days are available to students to be taken between the beginning of their junior year and the end of their senior year, as determined by the student. A student may take no more than 2 days a year (per TEC §25.087 and the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook). Approved college visitations taken during the senior year will not be counted against senior final exam exemptions. To obtain approval for designated college visitations (excused absence), a student must: 1) submit a note from parent/guardian prior to planned college visit(s) indicating college location(s) and absence date(s); and 2) upon return submit documentation of visit(s) submitted on college letterhead that must include student’s name and date of visit. Students who do not provide the necessary documents for absences for college visits will receive an unexcused absence. Students are responsible for making up any work missed during the absences.

RISD College Fair 2019 September Location: TBA Time: TBA

College Application Process Common Application Commonapp.org Used most frequently by private and out of state colleges College Website Only use a college website application if Apply Texas or the Common App are not alternatives. We do not have electronic data transfer ability with College Websites. Apply Texas www.applytexas.com All Texas public colleges use Apply Texas

These are the prompts for Fall 2019

Common Application

Common Application Prompts Fall 2019

You’ve chosen a few colleges, now what? June-August Visit Campus, Begin Application, Write Essays October Complete FAFSA, complete applications Fall September November Summer Meet with counselor, request transcripts, prepare for FAFSA, complete applications Relax and enjoy the holiday season without the stress of unfinished applications

What is FAFSA?????? (Free application for federal student aid)

www.fafsa.gov The application will open on October 1, for Fall enrollment in 2020. VERY IMPORTANT! Even if you do not think you qualify for financial aid, you must fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for scholarships at the college or university of your choice.

Requesting a copy of your Transcript 1. Complete Senior Project Forms (electronic transcript permission form is included) Requesting a copy of your Transcript Pick up an individual school Transcript Request form and fill out completely, including signatures. Come by the counseling office and see Mrs. Badger, our registrar, to submit your requests. The first two(2) official transcripts are free. After that there is a one time fee of $10 ($5 for students on free/reduced lunch) for all future transcript requests.

Know your application DEADLINES!!!! Fall 2019 -Students sign up to meet with their counselor to discuss college applications and required documentation (recommendations, etc) Know your application DEADLINES!!!!