Welcome to TCHS Senior Summit Class of 2016

When I grow Up I want to be

Counseling Staff M arissa Diaz A-Caro Abby Scanlon Carp-Fa Michelle Arnold Fe-Hi Cherie Gopffarth Ho-Mars Randy Colvin Mart-Pa Jamie Mays Pe-Sha Jackie Swinney She-Wa Dana Benton - Lead Counselor We-Z

I’m a Senior….Now what?  Check Credits  26 Credits for Recommended Plan  Home Access Center (HAC) you can see your transcript.  Check current schedule  Pass EOC’s  ELA 1 and 2  Algebra 1  Biology  U.S. History  Complete Current Classes!

Required for recommended plan  English I, II, III, IV  Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4 th Math (Choice)  Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4 th Science (Choice)  World Geography, World History, US History, Government/Economics  P.E. or Equivalent (1 Credit)  Fine Arts (1 Credit)  Other Language (2 Credits)  Speech (.5 Credit)  Electives (5.5 Credits)

Take care of anything that would prevent you from getting into college.  Denied credits due to attendance  Parents monitor your student’s social media!  Social Media- Colleges and potential employers are using Facebook, Instagram, twitter. and other social media to check on prospects. College admissions officers check them and can use positive or negative posts for acceptance or denials.

Review your options

NorTex College Fair When: Monday, September 14, :30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Where: Golden Triangle Mall 2201 Interstate 35E Denton, TX  Students register online at

Places to get information  Visit the College or University in person or go to their website  The TCHS “Flight Zone”- Catalogues  During your Junior Conference you would have received a copy of the “Guide to Life After High School” by . This is a valuable source for information.

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW?  ASVAB  Sign up for this military interest inventory offered on campus free of charge  October 14, 2015  Sign up with Ms. Blackwell in the counseling office.

Great Sorting Game PARENT PARTICIPATION PORTION OF THE NIGHT!

It’s Time!!! 1. Create / Update your personal file/resumé 2. Get organized! 3. Research Colleges- Where to get information 4. Apply to Colleges 5. Order Transcripts and get them sent to top 3-5 choices 6. Apply for FINANCIAL AID

Update Personal File/Resumé  Be sure to update your personal file/resumé with any activities, community service and awards you have received.  If you have NOT started a resumé, there’s no time like the present! A resumé will make it easier to fill out applications and will help your teachers, coaches and your counselor write correct recommendation letters for you.  You may list your awards by year or by activity. Many applications want items listed by type (sport, extra- curricular, etc.) and then by year.

Get Organized!  Keep all of your college information together! A great idea is to get a crate, a folder, a bin, a desk drawer and dedicate it to college stuff! Keep it in the same place in your house so you can find it easily!  Remember to keep all of your s from the college – they may have important messages or phone numbers you may need.  Be sure to CHECK your /college portal – this is how they will communicate with you!

College Exploration  What to consider  Size and diversity of student body  Location  Academic programs  Campus life – athletics, activities, housing  Graduation and retention rates  Financial aid and scholarship opportunities Overall think about where you will be the most successful in your college life.

College Exploration  VISIT CAMPUSES  Take a campus tour  Speak with an admissions counselor  Ask about financial aid opportunities  Sit in on a class of interest  Read the student newspaper  Talk to students and faculty.

Websites about college options College Navigator by nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator BigFuture by collegeboard.com College Websites— ”Prospective Students”

Application Overview In order to apply, you will need the following items:  Application  Application Fee  Official Transcript  SAT/ACT Scores  Essays Some colleges will also want:  Recommendation Letters

Application Process  Follow the directions carefully, be sure you are entering the information the application is asking for. Letters of Recommendation (# required) Resume Essay (always do if optional)  Verify your schedule, your classes must be listed accurately. If you change your classes after your application is sent, you MUST contact the college to inform them.

Application Process  First, get organized! Gather all documents & information before starting the online application.  College Applications 1) Common Application - Complete this application online at  2) Other Texas schools – If you are applying to a Texas school, then apply through Apply Texas at  3) All other schools - they will have their own application that will need to be completed. Both the Common Application and Apply Texas are available beginning August 1.  Keep a chart of all ID #’s & passwords assigned for quick access to Apply TX, Common App, College Board, ACT as well as ID #’s assigned by the college itself.

What completes the application?  All four-year colleges require: 1) an application, 2) an official transcript 3) SAT or ACT scores sent from the testing agency. Some colleges also require letters of recommendation 1. Online portion of the application requires: - choice of major (if required - some schools request a 1 st & 2 nd choice major)  biographical information  educational background  residency information  testing information –CEEB code is  extra-curricular activities  volunteer, community service  talents, awards, honors  employment, internships, summer activities  essays (if required)  scholarship essays and short answer questions (if applying for general university scholarships)  resume (if required)  acknowledgement that applicant information is accurate  fee for application to be processed (if required)

What completes the application? (continued) 2. Transcript- request from KISD homepage. 3. SAT/ACT Scores Colleges require an official score report sent directly from the testing agency. When you register for either test, enter Timber Creek’s CEEB code Scores can be sent to 4 schools at no charge as part of test registration or an applicant can wait on scores and pay a fee to SAT/ACT to send scores.  Plan early for requesting transcripts and test scores to be sent to meet deadlines.  AP scores are not required for application, but must be requested from College Board and reported by them to the attending college to receive college credit. College differ in what AP score they require to earn credit.  Dual Credit coursework: the college you attend will require a transcript from TCC to determine if college credit has been earned. You must order this through TCC once TCC has posted credit on TCC transcript.

Recommendation Letter  If your school requires a recommendation letter:  Choose someone who knows you well enough to write the letter for you. This may be a teacher, coach, employer or friend of the family.  If your school specifically asks for the school counselor to write the letter, you will need to fill out the recommendation packet which you pick up from the counseling office.  Please allow 2 weeks from the date you turn in the profile for the letter to be completed.  Recommendation letters are mailed directly to the school. If the letter is not required, it will not be considered for acceptance.

Letters of Recommendation Counselor Letters of Recommendation  Counselors write a letter of recommendation for any school that requires it - Common Application schools often require letter(s).  Larger public institutions usually do not require a letter. Acceptance at these institutions is based upon the student’s application which includes their essay(s), ACT/SAT test scores and the student’s transcript which shows strength of schedule and grades earned. Student should check the college website to see if they will need a letter of recommendation.  If you are applying to a school or for a scholarship that requires a counselor letter of recommendation, counselors must have the “Letter of Recommendation Form” received at least three weeks prior to your first deadline and by November 25 for any applications with a January deadline.

Apply: Essays  Some schools will require that you write certain essays. For example, Apply Texas has Essay “A,” Essay “B,” and Essay “C.” Some schools will require 2 of the 3 or require A and B, and so on.  If a school “suggests” doing an extra essay DO IT!! Don’t even THINK about NOT doing it.  REVIEW your essays before you send them in.  Admissions personnel want to see individuality and want something that stands out.  If you have overcome adversity or have a special situation, tell them about it!  If you are writing about someone who is your role model talk about how you are like them, not just about the person – they will want to admit that person and not you.

Apply: Application Fee  Each university will require a one-time application fee ranging from $25 to $75 (many are about $40).  You can pay your application fees online with Apply Texas and the private school Common Application. You may also pay by check through the mail; using the mail system will mean that your application takes longer to process.  Remember postmark dates!!

Regular Decision, Early Action, and Early Decision Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines!  Rolling Admission or Regular Decision: The vast majority of students who apply to a given institution will do so through Regular Decision. While the application submission deadlines will vary between institutions, Regular Decision deadlines typically fall in early January, and offers of admission are sent out in late March or early April. These students will have until May 1 to either accept or decline their offers.  Early Action: Students will submit their applications before the regular deadline and will be informed of their admissions decision soon after (typically in January or February). Although the students apply and may be accepted, they are not committed to their Early Action school, and have until May 1 to either accept or decline their offers of admission.  Early Decision : Similar to Early Action, students will submit their applications before the Regular Decision deadline and receive their admissions decisions soon after. The most significant difference is that Early Decision is binding, which means that any student who applies and is admitted to a school through Early Decision is expected to enroll. Early Decision applicants typically require some type of signed form that indicates the intention to enroll upon admission.

SAT Test Dates TEST DATEREGISTRATION DEADLINELATE REGISTRATION PERIOD (LATE FEE REQUIRED) October 3, 2015September 3, 2015September 18, 2015 November 7, 2015October 9, 2015October 23, 2015 December 5, 2015November 5, 2015November 20 January 23, 2016December 28, 2015January 8, 2016 March 5, 2016February 5, 2016February 19, 2016 May 7, 2016April 8, 2016April 22, 2016 June 4, 2016May 5, 2016May 20, 2016 RE-DESIGNED SAT FORMAT WILL TAKE EFFECT School Code:

ACT Test Dates TEST DATEREGISTRATION DEADLINELATE REGISTRATION PERIOD (LATE FEE REQUIRED) PHOTO UPLOAD DEADLINE September 12, 2015August 7August 8-21September 4 October 24, 2015September 18Sept. 19 – Oct. 2October 16 December 12, 2015November 6November 7 – 20December 4 February 6, 2016January 8January 9 – 15January 29 April 9, 2016March 45March 5 – 18April 1 June 11, 2016May 6May 7 – 20June 3 School Code:

STANDARDIZED TESTING ACT vs. SAT Questions are more straightforward. Stronger emphasis on vocabulary. Includes a Science section No Science section Tests more advanced math concepts Writing section is optional Broken up into more sections A “Big Picture” Exam

Apply: SAT/ACT Scores  Students must arrange for the scores be sent straight from the testing company. You can request scores be sent from: SAT: ACT:  If you have not taken either exam, please schedule one AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  You may take them again and some schools “superscore” your best scores together.

Order Transcripts  Official transcripts must be requested through the Kellerisd website. Even if we get requests from SendEDU, student must still fill out a request through website  Check deadlines! It takes up to 3 days to get a transcript ready. AND, it gets crazy around deadlines!  Don’t forget, NCAA will require an official transcript. Also,they do NOT accept SAT/ACT test scores from anyone else but the testing company.  There is a $7 fee for each transcript

After applications are submitted  RELAX!!!  Don’t catch senioritis – stay healthy and do well.  Check the status of your application on the college website to make sure your application is complete.  Be patient…it may take 2-4 weeks for your application status to be complete. *Junior year gets you in, senior year keeps you in!*

Acceptances  As soon as you have made a decision on which school you will attend, send a deposit right away.  Inform the schools whose offers you are declining.  This helps for admission of waitlisted students sooner.  Turn your acceptance letters in to Ms. Wimmer for your Flight Card.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL aide  Go to for the application. YOU MUST FILL THIS OUT TO RECEIVE ANY FINANCIAL AID FROM ANY UNIVERSITY.  The application will not be available until Jan. 1, 2015, but you can apply for a PIN number now.  Be sure to have this document sent to the university of your choice.  FINANCIAL AID IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED, SO TURN IN YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS YOU CAN!  There will be a financial aid night in January.

Scholarships  Go to for up to date scholarships.  Username: keller  password: keller  There will be local scholarships available this spring exclusively for our KISD and/or TCHS students. (Smaller pool of people applying = more chances at $$$$)  You can apply at any time – START NOW !  Most of the big scholarships come from the university you attend.  Remember, you can still get scholarships WHILE attending college, so you do NOT have to have all of your money up front.  Most scholarship awards will be sent directly to the college – make sure they know where to send the money!  Write THANK YOU NOTES!

Other Research  Zinch.com  Cappex  Fastweb  Local Scholarships Binder in the Flight Zone-in the Counseling office  CollegeBoard  Where to look for Scholarships and College Information

TCHS CLASS OF 2016 Use this code to sign up to get scholarship information Edmodo code: nkru77 Expires 9/23/2015 You only need to have done this one time.

College Application Timeline Review  April – October (Junior Year) – Explore and narrow college choice list. Take SAT/ACT.  Aug.- Nov. 1 – complete online applications and provide required additional documents. (Transcript, test scores, resume, letters of recommendation)  Jan. - March – Complete FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid & university scholarships.  By May 1- select school & schedule freshman orientation.  Now – Graduation – actively search & apply for scholarships

Thank you for joining us!

Questions?