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

FMHS Counselors Connie MaloneyA – B  Lead Counselor Celeste BoggsC-F Michelle DerebeewG-KILL Greg RussellKIM-M Chasity LansdellN-SHE Amy BerrySHF-Z

Step 1: Consider your options Gap Year Workforce Career/Technical School Military  Enlistment/ROTC Scholarship/Academies Two year Community College Four Year University

Step 2: Discover Your Resources and Start your Research FMHS Website: Career Cruising Consider Military Academies North Texas US Service Academies Forum Saturday, April 2 8:00-12:00 Sam Houston High School, Arlington FMHS College Forum Thursday, May 5 th 6:-8:00 pm

Step 3: Take advantage of… College admissions representatives on the FMHS campus during lunches College Forum – May 5 th Including ACU, Austin College, Baylor, OSU, OU, TCU, A&M, Texas State, Alabama, Arkansas, UNT, UT Austin, UT Dallas plus many, many more.

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

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.

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

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 Talk to your school counselor

College Admission Procedures Start a college planning folder to get organized Take SAT or ACT College Visits – Schedule with admissions and financial offices 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

College Admission Testing Information SAT & ACT tests require pre-registration  SAT – May 7, June 4  ACT – April 9, June 11 Registration website online  

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 choice, choose Common App.) Practice first on a COPY of the application Ask someone to review the draft FMHS School Code:

How to Order Transcripts Official transcripts are sent electronically from the FMHS registrar’s office. Students are allowed 5 free and 1 Final transcript at no charge. Any requests beyond the first 5 will require a $3.00 fee. (Common App are free) Pick up a transcript request form in the registrar’s office or go to: SAT/ACT scores are not included on your transcript. You will need to have OFFICIAL scores sent directly from testing agency.

Recommendation Letters Choose someone carefully Give person writing letter at least a 2 week notice (Aug./Sept. will need more time) Fill out senior/parent information forms (available in the counseling office or online) before requesting a letter Follow up with a

How to Pay for College Fill out the FAFSA form whether you will qualify or not  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 for additional scholarship information.

Scholarship Success Search for scholarships weekly 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! Proof read Beat deadlines Check the counseling portion of the FMHS web site for scholarship information

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