Planning for Graduation and Beyond Senior Workshop Planning for Graduation and Beyond 2017-2018

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

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!

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 24 Science Texas Uniform Admission Policy

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: https://www.schoollunchapp.com/Terms.aspx?host=cfbisd.schoollunchapp.com&apply=1

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!

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!

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)

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

Recommendation Letters Requesting a letter of recommendation etiquette: http://www.surfturk.com/advancedcomp/etiquette.html

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.

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

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.)

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

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

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.

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.

Be Professional! Have a generic email address for college admissions process. Example: john.doe@gmail.com 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 voicemail message. It is not just your friends and relatives calling anymore.

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.

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

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 Follow us on Social Media FB – Newman Smith High School Counselors Twitter - @nshscounselors Instagram - @nshscounselors