1. WELCOME PARENTS of the CLASS OF 2016

2. Standardized Testing SAT and Subject Tests SAT and Subject Tests www.collegeboard.org ACT ACT www.actstudent.org We recommend taking both tests at the end of the junior year.

3. Some Characteristics of Colleges to Consider School Size School Size Type of School Type of School Urban, Suburban, Small Town, Rural Urban, Suburban, Small Town, Rural Distance from home Distance from home Cost / Scholarships/ Financial Aid Cost / Scholarships/ Financial Aid Student Population Student Population Ethnic Diversity Ethnic Diversity Religious Affiliation Religious Affiliation Campus Atmosphere Campus Atmosphere Majors and Requirements Majors and Requirements Faculty Faculty Academic Rigor Academic Rigor Study Abroad and/or Other Special Programs Study Abroad and/or Other Special Programs Housing Housing Athletics Athletics Social Activities Social Activities Organizations Organizations YOUR GUT FEELING! YOUR GUT FEELING!

4. Narrow Your College List College Websites College Websites Talking to Students Who Attend that College Talking to Students Who Attend that College College visits College visits Academic offering and degree plans Academic offering and degree plans Cost of attendance Cost of attendance Location Location

5. College Visits It’s impossible to evaluate some characteristics of a university without actually seeing the campus. It’s impossible to evaluate some characteristics of a university without actually seeing the campus. Seniors are allowed two excused days that do not count against final exam exemptions. Seniors are allowed two excused days that do not count against final exam exemptions. Prior approval required. Prior approval required. College Visit forms are in the counselors’ office College Visit forms are in the counselors’ office

6. Factors in Admissions SAT and ACT scores SAT and ACT scores High school course selection High school course selection GPA and class rank GPA and class rank Essay Essay

7. Applications www.applytexas.org www.applytexas.org www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org Check college websites or contact admission offices. Check college websites or contact admission offices.

8. Sending Transcripts The STUDENT must sign the transcript request form in order to release their information. The STUDENT must sign the transcript request form in order to release their information. Transcript request form is located in the counselors’ office at the secretary’s desk. Transcript request form is located in the counselors’ office at the secretary’s desk.

9. Meet Deadlines Read each application carefully. Some schools have different deadlines for applications, scholarships, and housing. Read each application carefully. Some schools have different deadlines for applications, scholarships, and housing. A few universities have very early admission deadlines (TAMU and UT) A few universities have very early admission deadlines (TAMU and UT) It is very important to contact the specific university you are applying to for the latest updates. It is very important to contact the specific university you are applying to for the latest updates.

10. Apply for Scholarships and Financial Aid WHS website WHS website WHS announcements WHS announcements www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov www.collegeanswer.com www.collegeanswer.com College financial aid office College financial aid office Parents’ or student’s employer Parents’ or student’s employer Local scholarships Local scholarships

11. Scholarship Scam ALERTS Scholarship Scam ALERTS 1. Fees 2. Credit card or bank account information needed 3. Scholarship guarantee 4. No parent or student work involved 5. No contact information for the scholarship company 6. Unsolicited scholarships 7. Pressure tactics 8. Claims of “exclusive” scholarships 9. An official-sounding name or endorsement doesn’t automatically mean legitimacy 10. Your questions aren’t answered directly

12. NCAA www.eligibilitycenter.org www.eligibilitycenter.org www.eligibilitycenter.org Fee waiver (if qualified) Fee waiver (if qualified) Completed junior transcript is required Completed junior transcript is required ACT or SAT score is required ACT or SAT score is required This summer is a good time to get this done. This summer is a good time to get this done.

13. Career Choices Explore career options before making college decisions Explore career options before making college decisions Career Cruising is available for all WHS students Career Cruising is available for all WHS students Access through the WHS website Click on “student” tab Select “Career Cruising” from drop down menu User name is “Wy-” + student id (ex. Wy-123456) Password is first 3 letters of last name, first 3 letters of your first name, birth year (ex. Blajul1960)

14. Community College and Technical School  Open admissions  Financial Aid available  Cost effective  Transfer options to 4 year universities  Associate degrees, certifications and job preparation

15. WHS Website ACT and SAT links ACT and SAT links Scholarship info Scholarship info Test prep info Test prep info Information and resources for students and parents Information and resources for students and parents