Class of 2019 College Preparation

Naviance Web-based resource for students and parents that assists with post high school career and college planning. Family Connection is specific to Mayde Creek High School and all students in Katy ISD starting in 6th grade have access.  Available on MyKaty Could Allows students and parents to: Research Colleges and Careers Search for Scholarships Create a Resume Complete Career Interest Surveys Develop a Prospective College List Apply to Colleges Request Recommendations from Teachers Communicate with your Counselor Submit Recommendation Letters Links to Select Third Party Resources (i.e. College Board, Financial Aid, NCAA, Careers, College Websites, etc.) Track deadlines Updates are coming for the 2018—2019 school year.

What Do You Want? What career/occupation do you want to pursue? Do your research Use Career Interest Inventories: Naviance - Career Interest Profiler www.mymajors.com Talk with professionals in related field Students’ should asses themselves What subject are your strong/weak in? Look into employment opportunities, internships, shadowing You can change your major as a freshman/sophomore Varying difficulty

What school is the best fit for you? University, Junior/Community College, or Trade School? Research Naviance www.collegenavigator.com www.collegeboard.org Filters school by major, location, cost, environment, demographics, and more. College Fairs National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) Fair April 12th 9:00am- 12:30pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm NRG Center Houston Area Recruiting Network (HARN) April 16th during all lunches Main Commons Submit specific requests to me Schedule a meeting with me. VISIT THE SCHOOLS 11th & 12th Graders– 2 College Days/Year MCHS Attendance Office Go when classes are in session Visit During Open Houses Check out Summer Opportunities

SAT/ACT Test once as a junior and if necessary again early senior year (August-October) Why take both? Different Tests Similar but ACT has a Science portion that the SAT does not. SAT - www.sat.org Test Date: May 5th Registration Deadline April 6th Test Date June 2nd – Registration Deadline May 3rd Study with Khan Academy ACT - www.act.org Test Date June 9th – Registration Deadline May 4th Test Date July 14th – Registration Deadline June 15th

SAT/ACT Test Fee Waivers Students Receiving Free/Reduced Lunch Send Your Scores to Colleges Preselect colleges after registration Select colleges after you receive scores 4 free score sends (expire after 2 weeks?) If used a fee waiver 4 additional free sends Free sends expire after 2 weeks $12/send Test Fee Waivers Students Receiving Free/Reduced Lunch 2 for SAT and 2 ACT College Application Fee Waivers 4 for each SAT taken with a testing fee waiver “Unlimited” for ACT Always check with the college’s admission office before using an application fee waiver Most Junior/Community Colleges applications are free

College Applications In State: Apply Texas www.applytexas.org Private/Out of State: Common App www.commonapp.org Coalition Application www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org Websites Allow you to Copy/Paste Applications Some Schools Use Their Own Application Available on School’s Admissions Website APPLY EARLY (Open July/August) Improves chances of admission Choice of Major Automatic Admits Take it Seriously Early Scholarship Deadlines

College Applications Once you apply Submit Official Transcripts Request form in Registrars Office 1100 Must be 18 to request Electronic for in state/mail out of state Up to 3 weeks for admissions to process Send SAT/ACT Scores Online at either test website Submit FAFSA or TASFA Submit proof of Bacterial Meningitis Shots Monitor your progress Check Your Prospective Student Account Communicate with Admissions Adviser If you are denied some schools allow you to appeal the decision if you have: Significant academic change that was not seen on your original application: Rank/GPA change, higher SAT/ACT must be taken before decision Or a tragedy/situation that might have negatively affected you during the application process.

Resume START NOW Save a running list of all (9th-12th): Extracurricular Activities Volunteer Hours Honors/Awards/Leadership Positions Any important achievements Necessary for: College Applications Scholarship Applications Letters of Recommendation

Admissions Essays Take your time and take it seriously Student’s chance to brag or explain their The essays are already up Save, edit, and reuse for multiple schools and scholarships

Letters of Recommendation Find recommenders relatable to your major Ask early (3 weeks prior) Use for multiple schools and/or scholarship applications If you want to use the same person for scholarships ask for both at once Submit the maximum allowed (typically 3)

FAFSA/TASFA Both open October 1st Submit ASAP Funding is Limited First Come First Serve Require Parents/Guardians’ 2017 Tax Returns and W-2’s Submitted Annually FAFSA US Citizens and Permanent Residents Submit Online at www.fafsa.gov Requires: Students and Parents Social Security Numbers IRS Data Retrieval Tool TASFA Non-Citizens that are Texas Residents Paper Application Requires Additional Documentation: Notarized Affidavit of Intent Copy of Parents Tax Transcripts Males over 18 Must Register for Selective Service Available in the College Advising Office Significant Changes in Income (Job Loss, significant medical expenses) that are not reflected by your FAFSA/TASFA: Contact the Office of Financial Aid

Scholarships Most Applications Require the same things: Essays-Usually topics related to Why do you deserve this scholarship? Why do you want to pursue your major/career? Describe a time you overcame adversity. Who is a person that inspires you? Why? Letter/s of Recommendation Transcript SAT/ACT Scores Save Everything for Multiple Applications Where to search: Naviance Colleges Tab Scholarship List (Local Houston/Katy) National Scholarship Search Websites www.collegeboard.org www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com Other Sources of Aid: Work Study Part time job Eligibility – FAFSA Student Loans

Prepare Now and In Summer Determine your major Make a list of 5 to 10 schools Take your SAT/ACT Study for both Create your résume Prepare Your college Applications Create Apply Texas, Common App, or Coalition App accounts Prepare Admissions Essays Search for Scholarships

Zachary Lawrence I’m here to help you every step of the way!!! To schedule a meeting Students stop by my office Parents email or call me Office Location: 1100B Office Phone: (281) 237-1323 Email: ZacharyLawrence@katyisd.org College Advising Remind: Text @a8664e to 81010