1. Planning for Graduation and Beyond
Senior Workshop
Planning for Graduation and Beyond

2. Graduation Plans Foundation Plan with Endorsement – 26 Credits
Distinguished Level of Achievement – 26 Credits
Algebra II must be one of the math credits
Performance Acknowledgements
Dual Credit – 12 Credit hours with 3.0 or higher OR
Complete all ELA with a min average 80
AND
3 credits same World Language with min 80
Pass level 4 or higher World Language with min 80
AP World Language score 3 or higher AP
Score 4 or 5 on AP Exam
College Entrance Exam
PSAT score of commended or higher
SAT 1250 – Reading / Math combined
ACT score of 28 w/o Writing OR
Business Industry/Certification
Obtain a business or industry certification

3. 3 Simple Steps to Apply for College
Take the ACT or SAT
Fill out Application(s)
College Entrance Essay
Send Transcripts

4. Road Map to College
Fall: research/visit colleges and take a final SAT/ACT if needed
September/October: apply to colleges and apply for college awarded scholarships
December-February: apply for Local Scholarships
October-March: file FAFSA for financial aid
Late Spring: GRADUATE!

5. College Readiness Standards
Successfully complete the Foundation Plan with Endorsements or Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan OR
Satisfy College Readiness Benchmarks
SAT— Reading/Writing 480
Math 530
ACT—18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Math, and Science
Texas Uniform Admission Policy

6. SAT & ACT Take ASAP if you have not already tested with SAT or ACT.
SAT registration: SAT Registration - Register for the SAT
ACT registration: ACT, Inc. : A Student Site for ACT Test Takers
Fee waivers—see your counselor
F/R Lunch:

7. College Applications
Know the deadlines, and get application in EARLY! (By November of senior year!)
December 1st deadline for UT: Deadlines | Be a Longhorn
Texas Common App: ApplyTexas
Common App: Welcome to the Common App!

8. Senior Profile
Available from Ms. Langley in the counselor’s office or online: Senior Profile used for recommendation letters (college and scholarship letters)
Parent and student portions need to be completed
Fill out the Senior Profile before working on College Apps to make the process easier!

9. Recommendation Letters
All recommendation letters need to be requested by November 1st for colleges.
Give at LEAST 3 weeks notice for teacher and counselor recommendations.
Supply the Senior Profile and an ADDRESSED and STAMPED envelope to teachers and counselors for recommendations (Common App recommendations are online, so no envelope needed)

10. Recommendation Letters
Search application website to see if recommendations are needed…do not wait until the end of the process to ask for recommendations.
Who will ask for letters?
All Common App schools
SMU
TCU
Many private universities

11. Recommendation Letters
Requesting a letter of recommendation etiquette:

12. Transcripts
Common App: counselors upload transcripts
In State schools: TREx
See Ms. Almazan in the counseling office to request transcripts for In State schools
Out of State (non Common App) schools: order transcripts from parchment.com
$5 per transcript
Parchment | Parchment Inc.

13. LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Available online in December: Continue to check the Counseling website for updates
Deadline—February
Scholarships announced at Senior Walk!

14. FAFSA The FAFSA must be filled out for Financial Aid.
Register for pin numbers NOW! One for parent and student required.
Home - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid
Keep all logins and passwords in an organized place.
FAFSA needed for 4 year schools, Community Colleges and sports scholarships.

15. FAFSA Taxes from prior year are accepted. Apply starting October 1st--
Deadline for FAFSA: March 1st
Applicable for many larger Universities
Check your school’s FAFSA deadlines
Must be done as early possible for sports scholarships
All Colleges/Community Colleges have Financial Aid offices that can help you and your family fill out the FAFSA forms (no matter what school you plan to attend).

16. TASFA The financial aid website for students who are not US Citizens
AIE - TASFA Application
Student I-20 number will be needed for registration.
All students can register for financial aid.
All Colleges/Community Colleges have Financial Aid offices that can help you and your family fill out the TAFSA forms (no matter what school you plan to attend).

17. Can one become disqualified from receiving Financial Aid?
Yes! If you commit a felony, you cannot file the FAFSA and you will not qualify for Financial Aid.
A felony means a LIFETIME of ineligibility for Financial Aid.
Be careful that ‘Senior Pranks’ don’t become a permanent liability for your future education!
Not meeting GPA requirements will put you on academic probation and may disqualify you after a semester.

18. Community College Dallas County Community College District: DCCCD Home
Apply online in March of senior year
Why Community College?
Community College’s accept the Minimum Graduation Plan
No SAT or ACT required (TSI required)
Can transfer to a 4 year college
Technical Degree/Training
Less Expensive
Can take basics during the summer if attending a 4 year school (saves $$)
AP Test scores: Be sure to get them put on your Brookhaven Transcript! (You must be an ACTIVELY ENROLLED student for Brookhaven to transfer AP Test scores into College Credit.)

19. ASVAB Military Interest/Career Inventory Sign up to test
Testing Date: TBD
ASVAB Career Exploration Program ::
See Mrs. Schneider

20. SELECTIVE SERVICE Gentlemen must register at age 18—federal law.
Must register before filling out the FAFSA and prior to college admittance.
Selective Service System: Welcome

21. Other Information
There will be a Financial Aid Workshop for your parents. Listen to announcements for more information.
Request GPA and class rank from Rosa Almazan in the counseling office.
Listen to announcements for visiting colleges.
Listen to announcements for local scholarship deadlines.

22. Other Information
When accepted to a college, inform Ms. Langley in the counseling office. Your name and college will be posted to the TV announcements in the lobby.
College Visits:
Allowed 2 days
Form from attendance clerk (prior to visit)
Must provide verification of visit (upon return)
Make sure you are taking care of business and passing all of your classes.

23. Be Professional!
Have a generic address for college admissions process. Example:
Be aware that some colleges look at Facebook and other social networking sites. If it is not something you want Grandma to see, it is probably not something you want your prospective colleges to see.
Cell Phones
Have a mature, professional, BRIEF voic message. It is not just your friends and relatives calling anymore.

24. Additional Thoughts…
Keep up with colleges of interest through Facebook, Twitter, and smart phone apps.
Have an organized method to maintain passwords, deadlines, etc. during the college and scholarship application process.
Don’t procrastinate. Deadlines are firm for admissions, financial aid, scholarships, etc.

25. Tuesday, September 12th @ Creekview HS 6-8pm
College Night
Tuesday, September Creekview HS 6-8pm

26. Things to Do… Review Counseling Website
Complete Senior Interest Senior Interest Form
Complete Graduation Card
Complete Pink Transcript Request Form
Download Apps
CollegeGo 1.3
SAT Practice
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