WHS Counselors Lynn Hundley, M.Ed. and Sheri Pelham, M.Ed. College planning WHS Counselors Lynn Hundley, M.Ed. and Sheri Pelham, M.Ed.

Post Secondary Options Junior College or community College (Open, can transfer to university, more affordable) Public University or 4 year college (ACT/SAT based admission, More expensive) Private University or 4 year college (ACT/SAT based admission, most expensive) Technical or Vocational School (can transfer to University or get certification for work) Military

9th grade planning Meet counselor Get involved in school activities Make good grades Explore interests and careers (see counselor webpage for resources – Big future) Consider a college savings plan Begin Community service Keep binder or folder of important documentation

10th grade planning Take PSAT Continue making good grades Explore careers and interests (see counselor or Counselor webpage for resources – Big Future) Begin looking at different colleges and options Summer job or community service

11th grade planning TAKE PSAT in fall Take sat/act in spring Evaluate your options after high school (military, Tech or Vocational School, Jr. or Community College, Public or Private University) Make a list of colleges to begin narrowing choices Make a testing plan for taking your SAT/ACT Visit your top college choices – Note admission deadlines Keep your grades up Meet with counselor

12th grade planning Finalize college choices Keep grades up Retake SAT/ACT Make a deadline calendar Letters of recommendation Meet with counselor Complete applications (Be aware of Admission deadlines)

12th grade planning (cont.) Search for and complete scholarship applications Submit the FAFSA (October 1st opens) Compare Financial Aid Packages from colleges Make final decision Contact all colleges involved Complete enrollment paperwork Contact College Financial Aid office

Meeting with Counselors Ask teacher to visit counselor Fill out pass for appointment Stop by between classes (counselor will contact teacher) Stop in before or after school Counselor may call you out of class Parents are welcome to meet by appointment Counselors will help with any part of the planning process

What to look for in a college Program – Do they offer the degree plan for your career choice? Place – is the location good for you? Weather? Rural, urban, suburban? Size? People – ethnicity and religion? Activities and organizations? Diversity? personality? Price – will it fit in with your financial position? Can you afford it?

Step by step Step 1: graduation requirements - your counselors will verify your courses, but if you have a question, please ask them HB 5 (Foundation with Endorsement) plan

STEP by step Step 2: college admissions exams Sat – College board.org Act – act.org Tsi – texas success initiative for Jr and community colleges (may be exempt depending on staar eoc scores)

Step by step Step 3: apply to colleges Reach schools : most selective – might be a long shot but not impossible – might need more financial assistance Target schools: more that 50/50 chance to get in, more in the “ballpark” Safety schools: little problem being admitted and better financial fit

Step by step Step 4: send transcript – transcripts must be requested via a transcript request form which may be filled out at the office or accessed on the school webpage Final transcript will be sent after graduation Current student transcripts are sent free of charge Official and unofficial Dual Credit College Transcripts must be sent

Step by step Step 5: resume: A resume should be created outlining all extracurricular activities, honors, clubs, awards and the years of participation Document hours per week and hours per year Include information on community service (volunteer) hours Community service can come through churches, after school clubs, community organizations, or personal service projects

Step by step Step 6: scholarships Search for scholarships – scholarships 360, fastweb, scholly (app), unigo, JLV Local scholarships usually open in the spring Listen for announcements/Follow Whitney High Counselors FB page Check WHS counselor webpage often for added scholarships Different types and differing criteria Put forth the time and effort Each institution has its own application for scholarships – see institution webpage

Step by step Step 7: Letters of Recommendation Plan ahead – do not request at the last minute – this is not respectful to the person writing your letter Provide your list of accomplishments with your request Provide the purpose and institution or group to whom it is being written (scholarship, application, other) Use appropriate form for requesting (if one is required)

Step by step Step 8: fill out the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) fill out in October – Opens October 1st Have parent tax return information available (2016 finances) Unless there are special circumstances, parent financial information must be used Use FAFSA4caster to get an estimated award amount

Types of financial aid

What are colleges looking for? Program – how challenging was the coursework? Performance – how well has the student done? Potential – indicated by standardized test scores Participation – what commitments outside the classroom? Job? Activities? Community service? Personality – essay and teacher/counselor recommendations. May require an interview.

Parents should… Listen and be supportive Advocate Advise of deadlines Organize college trips Research Encourage – but be realistic Career counsel Enjoy your time, it will go fast Be open to options other than the first plan

Parents should not…. Call school other than for financial reasons Complete applications Write essays Encourage application to colleges you can’t afford Be Be naïve about what financial aid really means Forget this isn’t about you (except for the money part)

Social media implications for admission College admissions officers are looking at social media accounts to get a better idea about you “Clean Up” your social media pages Use the “grandma rule” – don’t post something you wouldn’t show your grandma Even if they love your GPA, they may hate your twitter/facebook/insta…etc.

Thank you for coming!! Please let us know how we can assist you on your college planning journey!! Mrs. Hundley, M.Ed. and Mrs. Pelham, M.Ed.