1. Flower Mound High School COUNSELING CENTER
Life After High School:
Finding the Best Match
(This power point will be posted on the FMHS website)

2. FMHS Counselors Connie Maloney A – B Celeste Boggs C - F
Lead Counselor
Celeste Boggs C - F
Jennifer Todd G - KOL
Leanne Cottrell KOM - N
Chasity Lansdell O - SMA
Amy Berry SMB – Z
Shelly Gloyna Student Assistance Counselor

3. Step 1: Consider your options
Four Year University
Two year Community College
Military
Enlistment/ROTC Scholarship/Academies
Career/Technical School
Workforce
Gap Year
TSTC
Opportunities at each community college
Workforce – may need to take a little break
Spring of junior year need to get with congressman
Not necessarily a combat situation could be extensive careers in medical, engineering. Funding is great. If parents did not finish their GI bill, the kids can use their $$. Contact military….on campus all the time. Also, free medical and dental care
Not everyone needs to go to a 4 year school….not necessarily going to have a job just because you went to a four year school.

4. Step 2: Discover Your Resources and Start your Research
FMHS Website:
Junior/Senior Handbook
CHOICES360
Consider Military Academies
(pg –Jr/Sr Handbook)
FMHS College Forum
Thursday, May 2nd 5:30-7:30 pm
@ Marcus High School Arena
Access website show them career cruising. Log in is jaguars, fmhslisd. You do not need to log all the way in to show them examples.Go to each tab and show what is available. Explain how English teachers use this program. They got it in 8th with four year plan, then in 10th grade with a college comparison and a resume writing assignment.

5. Step 3: Take advantage of…
College admissions representatives on the FMHS campus during lunches
College Forum – May 2nd
Check the counseling website for participating universities.
CHOICES360

6. Step 4: Make your senior year count
Senior year – an opportunity to strengthen skills and broaden experiences – in school and out
Colleges pay particular attention to the senior schedule and performance
Attendance – clean up any absence fails
Review your transcript and make sure you have met all graduation requirements and there are no errors.

7. Top Factors that Influence Admissions
The top factors in the admission decision:
grades in college preparatory courses, strength of curriculum, standardized test scores, and overall high school GPA.
Among the next most important factors:
the essay, teacher and counselor recommendations (when required by the school), class rank, and the student’s demonstrated interest.

8. How does FHSP impact admissions?
For a Texas university, you need:
● FHSP, ONE Endorsement and DLA. (Algebra 2)
● The Number of Endorsements you earn will not influence you being admitted to a university.
Outside of Texas, you need:
● A valid high school diploma and to know that you have met their admission requirements.

9. What Else Are Colleges Looking For?
Extracurricular Activities
Community service or volunteer work
Be careful with Social Media

10. How To Select The Right College For You
Think about your interests
Do your homework
Consider geography and size
Visit the campus
Don’t be swayed by a school’s reputation or status
Do not go to a school because of your friends
Use the college searches available on web (CHOICES360)
Talk to your school counselor   
COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING CENTER
HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT COLLEGE
FOR YOU
Think about who you are and what your interests are. You do NOT have to go in for a heavy-duty analysis, but be honest with yourself. Choose a college that caters to your needs.
Do your homework. Do not base a decision on any one source--especially the materials from a college. Schools spend as much as half a million dollars to produce slick brochures and videos to entice you.
Consider geography and size. Location is something students often forget to think about. A rural setting is very different from an urban one, just as a large college is from a small one. Have you considered a cost of a car or plane trips home in your budget?
Visit the campus. Talk to the students. Find out about the academic programs. Make sure the college offers courses in the area you want to pursue.
Do not be swayed by a school's reputation or status. Try to picture yourself as a student at any school you are considering. If you have doubts…continue looking.
Do not go to a school because YOUR FRIENDS are going there and BE careful about choosing your BEST FRIEND as a roommate. Too much togetherness may not be a good thing.
Use the College searches that are available on the web.
Talk to your school counselor. He (She) can be your best friend in your selection process. They KNOW people and may have some good pointers.
TIPS FOR THE COLLEGE APPLICATION
Read all instructions carefully and thoroughly. Look for key phrases such as "in order of importance to you".
Pick up your recommendation packets from the counseling center early. Make sure your teachers and counselors have ample time to write your recommendation (s).
Practice first on a COPY (draft) of the application.
Ask someone you trust to review the draft version and provide feedback before completing the real thing.
Use the COMMON APPLICATION. This can be done electronically or by paper. Most colleges now prefer it be submitted electronically. The database will get you a faster response.
Public universities in Texas have the same COMMON APPLICATION.
U of Dallas, Southern Methodist also have a COMMON APPLICATION, as well as other profile private universities-see your counselor
·        Most private universities have their own applications. Check on the web site.
On the common application, under residence, most students claim their residence according to the parents’ residence. In order to be independent, a student cannot be claimed on their income tax for a full tax year.
Do not make the reader assume anything. Do not use abbreviations for club names and do not leave items blank without an explanation or N/A.
Proofread the entire application before submitting it. Check for spelling errors, typos, and incomplete answers. Remember that all they know about you is what they read on the application.
Spend significant time on personal statements and essays. Content and presentation are important. If the application states that these items are “optional”, it is better to do them if it is a high profile university.
Pay close attention to the application fee. An application will not be processed unless the application process is complete.
Make sure your application and any accompanying documentation are there by the deadline. The only exception to this is a postmarked deadline.
Use your social security number on accompanying documentation, especially essays and checks.
Transcripts have to be sent from the school in a sealed envelope. Recommendations from teachers should also be sealed. SAT or ACT scores should be ordered and sent directly from the companies, instead of having the school put it on the transcript. The exception to this would be permission granted from an admissions officer. If this is the case, send the transcript to the ATTN: of the officer.

11. College Admission Procedures
Start a college planning folder to get organized
Apply using Common Application or Apply Texas
Write, Re-write Essays— topics available now
Take SAT or ACT (Have official scores sent)
College Visits – Schedule with admissions and financial offices (2 days/junior and senior year)
Update resume of all activities, awards, and jobs
Obtain a summer job that might be related to your career interests
Apply and search for scholarships
Beat deadlines

12. College Admission Testing Information
SAT & ACT tests require pre-registration
SAT – May 4th and June 1st
ACT – April 13th, June 8th and July 13th
Registration website online

13. Tips for the College Application
Read instructions carefully - If you are given an option of electronic or paper, choose electronic.
Use Common Application or Apply Texas
(If given a choice, choose Common App.)
Practice first on a COPY of the application
Ask someone to review the draft
FMHS School Code:

14. How to Order Transcripts
Official transcripts are sent electronically from the FMHS registrar’s office.
Request official transcripts by going to the Counseling page of the FMHS website. Go to the Transcript Requests tab. Students are allowed 5 free and 1 Final transcript at no charge. Any requests beyond the first 5 will require a one time processing charge and a $5.00 fee for each transcript. (Common App are free)
SAT/ACT scores are not included on your transcript. You will need to have OFFICIAL scores sent directly from testing agency.

15. Recommendation Letters
Choose someone carefully.
Give person writing letter at least a 2 week notice (Aug./Sept. will need more time).
Fill out the Counselor Recommendation Packet (available in the counseling office or online) before requesting a letter from your counselor.
Follow up with a

16. How to Pay for College
Fill out the FAFSA form whether you will qualify or not. The FAFSA opens Oct. 1st – we will have a workshop to help with completing the application.
This is used for college scholarships and even NCAA purposes.
Talk to a financial aid officer at the university.
Check on when applications are due for scholarships. Not all admissions and scholarship applications have same deadlines.
Check the FMHS website and CHOICES360 for additional scholarship information.

17. Scholarship Success Search for scholarships weekly – CHOICES360
Check the counseling portion of the FMHS web site for scholarship information
Apply, Apply, Apply- The more you apply for the better your chances of receiving one
Plan ahead- it takes time to get transcripts and letters of recommendation
Be organized- Keep your resume’ up to date and meet deadlines
Follow directions- Correctly Fill Out Forms!
Proofread
Beat deadlines

18. Other Summer Activities
Take a class at community college
Do community service, internship, apprenticeship, look for a leadership position. FMHS website – Counseling – Summer Opportunities
Attend a Summer Program at a university (Pg /12th Handbook)
Get a paid job
Visit colleges
Research, research, research!
Link to summer activities and scroll through

19. Rank Opt-out
● As a junior, you will have the opportunity to opt out of having your class rank posted to your transcript. ● This only applies to students outside of the top 10%. ● There are two windows of time in which you can choose to opt out: May and September

20. What can Parents do to Help?
Be a weekly visitor to our website
Talk with your child about what they may be thinking about doing after graduation. Be open to all options.
Offer support and encouragement
Educate yourself about the college process
Help keep track of important dates and deadlines
Attend Parent Nights, College Nights, Financial Aid Nights
Monitor your child’s stress level
Ask Questions