1. SENIOR STAMPEDE St. Edward's University Austin College

2. Finding Your Fit: Consider the following: Type of School Admission Requirements Academics/Majors offered Campus location Total cost of attendance Size of college Campus Appeal Average high school GPA, test scores, etc. of students admitted last year (can be found on college website)

3. OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL College Choices – 4 yr University or College – 2 yr Community College – Associate Degree – Bachelors/Master Degree – Service Academies Trade Schools – Private trade – Technical – Business – Vocational Schools Going into the Military – Can provide career skills training – Can provide funding for college Going Immediately to Work – Research job outlook and future marketability

4. Types of Degrees Trade Certification-short term training in specific field Associate’s degree-two year program consisting of prerequisite courses leading to a bachelor’s degree Bachelor’s or baccalaureate degrees-are obtained at four year colleges or universities. The bachelor of arts (B.A.) and the bachelor of science (B.S.) are the most common. Advanced/Professional Degrees-Master’s degrees and doctorate degrees are obtained after a bachelor’s degree--- lawyer, doctor, pharmacist, physical therapist, principal, school counselor

5. MAKING COLLEGE CHOICES Visit schools— 2 college visit days in 11 th and 12 th grades Meet with and connect with admissions reps On campuses, during lunch visits, and College Fair Take Free Virtual Tours www.collegeweeklive.com Live chat with admissions reps, current students, get advice about essays, choosing a university, and more. Be sure to choose Reach, Range, and Safety schools for your short list that you would be happy to attend Treat them with equal importance if you hope to receive an offer of admission from each school.

6. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS The Common Application www.commonapp.org Accepted by hundreds of private and public colleges and universities nationwide – Online Counselor Forms School Report Mid-year Report Final Year Report Please use this in lieu of the Universal App Apply Texas www.applytexas.org Accepted by every Texas Public University, plus some private and two-year schools. REMINDERS : *Check websites of individual schools for deadlines & specific information regarding scholarships, housing, etc. *Application fees apply for each school

7. Admissions Information 1.Texas A&M University… 1.Mays School of Business and the College of Architecture is first come first serve until full 2.Dwight Look College of Engineering 75% first come, 25% reserved for review 2.University of Texas 1.Be sure to submit ALL OPTIONAL ITEMS, including the expanded resume 2.Majors are selected in review process regardless of class rank (Academic Fit is highly considered) 3.Do not wait until the last minute

8. Terms To Know 1.Demonstrated Interest and admissions 2.Early Decision-Oct/Nov deadline Binding agreement and should be used when applying to your top choice school if you are a good academic match and will attend if accepted 3.Restrictive Early Action-Oct/Nov Non-Binding Restricted from applying to other schools EA and ED 4.Early Action-Oct/Nov Non-binding 5.Regular Admissions- Dec/Jan Regular application pool 6.Rolling Admissions-no deadline Applications processed when received Beware of all admissions deadlines!

9. What Colleges Are Assessing 1.Courses taken in high school 2.Grades 3.Class Rank 4.SAT/ACT Test Scores and Subject Tests if applicable 5.Personal Statements and essays 6.Letters of recommendation 7.Extracurricular Activities/Employment/community service 8.Interview, audition, portfolio (if applicable) 9.What stands out about an applicant/what the student will bring to the university. What makes you unique? 10.Universities want a well-rounded freshman class

10. SUBMIT APPLICATIONS APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Submit applications/pay application fees online by deadlines 2. Then request transcripts 3. Request official test scores from ACT/SAT to be sent directly to colleges 4. Request letters of recommendation as needed 1. Refer to the LOR packet in the CHS Counseling office 5. Include essays if required Applications are incomplete until all parts are received by the admissions office. Check your application status with the college prior to deadlines!

11. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION When requesting letters of recommendation (LOR):  Complete a recommendation packet available in counseling office when a letter from a counselor is needed  Choose teachers who know you best and will ADD VALUE  Allow THREE+ weeks advance notice  Provide a stamped, addressed envelope and application deadlines for teacher recommendation letters that are not completed online  Always write thank you notes to those who provided a LOR…it is proper etiquette and it serves as a reminder

12. In Counseling Office/Online 1st 3 transcripts are free Allow 3 days for processing $2.00 for additional copies $5.00 for rush copies Addressed #10 envelope required for transcripts that must be mailed – stamp and return address not needed REQUEST TRANSCRIPTS

13. Other items to consider: What AP scores will my school accept? – See the College Board link on CHS Counseling website Expect to take some placement exams Register for an orientation as early as possible… before May 1! Send housing deposit as soon as allowed. Contact the University for housing policies and recommendations.

14. Scholarship and Financial Aid “Getting scholarships should be considered a part-time job senior year.” 1.Check CHS Counseling web page for upcoming scholarships 2.Mobile app Scholly for an easy way to manage scholarship applications 3.Consider ROTC Scholarships-commitment required 4.www.fastweb.com 5.www.cappex.com 6.The FAFSA is your key to getting financial aid. 7.Get an estimate on your financial aid package at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

15. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The FAFSA is your key to getting financial aid. Here are some things you should know in order to be ready! After January 1 st : Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov March 1 st : Priority Deadline to be considered for financial aid Fill out a FAFSA even if you think you won’t qualify for federal aid. Some schools won’t consider a student for merit scholarships until the student has submitted a FAFSA! Most school scholarships require you to fill out a FAFSA! Get a Federal Student Aid PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Write it down! You need this to “sign” your online FAFSA. Keep it safe!

16. 2015-2016 Estimated Costs Texas A & M University *Based on 30 hours = 1 yearCost Tuition and Fees* $9,428 Room and Board 10,338 Books and Supplies 1,194 Travel 622 Loan Fees 64 Personal Expenses 2,378 TOTAL $24,024

17. Regional Office Contacts Visit Regional Offices: Texas A & M210-212-7016 Univ. of Texas512-475-7323 Texas Tech (Austin)512-345-4888

18. FINAL DECISION Making a final decision in the Spring:  Review financial aid letters and decide which college to attend by May 1st  Make one final visit if necessary  Confirm housing arrangements  Inform the college of your choice that you accept!!!!!!  Inform the others that you’re not attending  Finally, DO NOT FORGET TO ORDER YOUR FINAL TRANSCRIPT in May.

19. Beware of the following: What you include in your social networking websites i.e. Instagram, Face Book, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. E-mail addresses…1 st impressions!!! Felony convictions will eliminate federally funded financial aid options Credit card offers Academic probation-GPA is tied to financial aid

20. What does this mean? Senioritis is the term used to describe the slacking off of some high school seniors during their spring semester or upon being accepted to college. SENIORITIS

21. Senior Year Reminders  Know your college application instructions & deadlines  Attend BISD College Fair on Thursday, November 5 th @ 6:30 at CHS  Request test scores from testing agency  Attend the Financial Aid Information Session on Monday, December 3 rd @ 6:30 at BHS Know your financial aid application requirements & complete your FAFSA after January 1 st  Request transcripts  Request letters of recommendation in a timely manner  Complete scholarship applications

22. Resources Café College-free workshops in San Antonio and website resources Big Future- College Board resource on careers, majors, etc. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ NCAA Eligibility Center for potential college student- athletes CHS Counseling Website

23. Connect with Counseling! The counseling office will be sending important dates such as College Rep visits, reminders about College Fair, approaching deadlines and more through Remind101, which we will send as a text messages. Join our senior distribution list by texting the message: @chs-co2016 to the phone number 210-441-6167