Junior Meeting Grapevine High School Post-Secondary Preparation

Preparation for your Junior Meeting Your Junior Meeting with your counselor will be much more productive, if you do some planning ahead of time. Go through the 10 questions on Big Future and do some introspection about what you like and don’t like. Research colleges on the internet that you are interested in and that fit your requirements. Visit the GO Center and do an interest inventory. Look through the program of studies and determine what classes you still need to graduate and others that you want to take to help you with your career goals.

Review Transcript It is VERY important that you double check that all the information is correct and that everything that you have taken, including summer school is on the transcript. This will include your gpa and if you are in the top ten percent, you will receive a certificate with your rank. You will receive another transcript in January of your junior year that will include fall semester. You will receive a transcript in October of your Senior year that includes all spring and summer courses along with your gpa. This is the transcript that you will be sending to colleges.

Transcript Check GPA on a 5.0 weighted scale State Credits Graduation Plan

Double check that you have the required credits for graduation or have a plan of when you will take them.

Have you signed up for the ACT/SAT?  Prep for ACT or SAT, and review winter/spring test dates.  Register for ACT or SAT or both. (Good to take both to determine which test you do better on.

SAT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines

ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines

SAT/ ACT Fee Waivers If you qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, you may be eligible for fee waivers to take the SAT and/ or ACT. See your counselor for more information

Planning for your Future  Your future begins with you- it’s your journey.  Asking yourself questions can help you figure out who you are and where you want to go.  The more preparation you do before applying to colleges, the better decisions you can make.  Start researching colleges, majors, and careers

Tools for Research Check out the GO Center GO Center !

What is the Go Center We help students with college and career planning Some things that we do: Help you get started with your applications Guide you to resources for college admissions Help you register for your ACT/SAT Help you find scholarships Help you fill out financial aid forms Research careers Find certifications for careers Build resumes Show you tips and tricks… and so much more! Visit our website –

Follow us on Why should you follow us? We tweet about college visits on your campus Application deadlines, and other need to know information about college and careers And, we do NOT follow you back.

How to make an Appointment with the GO Center If you would like help on a specific item, or just need some individual help, come by the Go Center office and make an appointment. We are here from 8:00 – 4:00 every day, and would love to help you. We have resources just for you to help you with the college and career process, come by and check it out! We help all grade levels, it is never to early to start planning for life after high school.

PSAT You may have taken the PSAT during Freshmen or Sophomore year, but Junior year is really important! National Merit Scholarship qualifying exam Good predictor test for the SAT. May assist in helping determine whether to take the SAT or ACT Provides an access code to set up “My College Quickstart” Use My Road to plan your future.

Collegeboard.com Register to start your account – FREE CollegeQuickStart- use the code from PSAT My SAT Study Plan My Online Score Report My College Matches My Major and Career Matches

Time Table Fall 2014 College and Career Search using My College QuickStart Use your access code from your PSAT results to set up your own personal planning page. Sign up for the ACT/SAT Work through Big Future and explore all the different possibilities and take the personality test on My Road. Start looking at college websites Visit the GO CENTER!

Time Table Spring 2015 Register for appropriate classes Double check transcripts for accuracy Visit possible college web sites for entrance information Take the SAT and/or the ACT Take AP exams Begin working on essay and resume Start writing down all that you have since freshmen year. (Awards, Community Service, Leadership, etc.)

GHS Ambassador Program COMMUNITY SCHOLAR AMBASSADOR REQUIREMENTS Community Service Mandate: The student must complete 100 hours of approved community service by the end of March of their senior year. Academic Mandate: The student must also achieve four credits in both math AND science, three credits in the same foreign language, and maintain a 70% or higher semester average in every course taken. COMMUNITY SERVICE AMBASSADOR REQUIREMENTS The student must earn a total of 100 hours of approved community service hours by the end of March of their senior year. There is no academic mandate associated with the Community Service Ambassador designation

Summer 2015 Visit college, technical schools or community colleges (You have 2 college visit days this year to use) Make an appointment Admissions, financial aid and academic departments Be prepared and bring questions, a transcript with test scores and financial aid information See a dorm room and cafeteria Begin college applications Time Table

applytexas.org – Texas Schools commonapp.org – over 450 private and public schools Online College Application

Time Table Counselors meet with Seniors in October, You will get your new gpa and a copy of your transcript. Complete college applications The first application deadline is November 1. Fill out Student Information Form and turn in to counselor Letters of recommendation Transcripts Fall 2015

Time Table Spring 2016 Make final decision about post-secondary choice. Complete FAFSA (in January) Submit scholarship applications Take AP tests

Scholarships Web search for scholarships- Many sites are listed on the GHS Counseling website and facebook. Takes time so start early! Listen to the announcements and review the GHS Counseling website and facebook. Check with your parents’ work place for scholarship opportunities.

Your Path When you set out on a trip, what do you have to know first? It takes planning to determine where we want to go on your vacation, just as it take planning to determine where we want to go in life. What is most important to you in life? What type of personality do you have? What types of activities give you energy to get up in the morning? What do you like to do? If you can determine who you are and what you are passionate about, then it is much easier to plan a way to get where you want to be.

Many Paths Now that you know where you are going, it is easier to plan out your path. We can all take different roads to get to the same destination. Sometimes we experience obstacles that make it appear like we can not reach our destination, but there are many alternate routes to get around construction. Some will hit all green lights and are not faced with the same obstacles, but for those who face obstacles, you have to be a little creative, determined, and focused on your goals. Keep your eye on the goal!

What are my options? Apprenticeships Military Technical Schools Community College 4 Year University

Apprenticeships E5 APPRENTICESHIP The E5 Electrical Contractors provide scholarships to team oriented high school graduates! Education and training is provided, all while making money in a hands-on, fast paced environment. This year, E5 and a specific E5 member company are proud to announce the offering of two scholarships to two deserving High School Graduates into our Electrical Apprenticeship Program. With employment and schooling, this scholarship is valued at $125,000 over the 4-year program FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER APPRENTICESHIPS, VISIT: ACT.ORG TARRANT COUNTY WORKFORCE COMMISSION

Military GI Bill provides financial assistance for college Training in any job that will also benefit the private sector after discharge from military Recruiters are always on campus. Make sure you discuss this option with parents.

Technical Schools Texas State Technical College UTI Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute of America Dallas Art Institute PCI Health Training Center Iverson Business School ITT Technical Institute Everest College Court Reporting Institute of Dallas CCI Training Center Anthem College -Irving Concorde Career Institute-Arlington

Community/ Junior College TCC Cornerstone Program (Honors College) TCC Bridges Program Earn an Associate’s Degree or Certification Gateway into a 4 year college/ university Less Expensive Can provide testing and career counseling

College or University More options of degrees Can pursue many different careers with degrees of study for each May continue your education by earning a Master’s or Doctoral degree Internship programs sometimes lead to career opportunities

A Word About College Visits Many colleges have set visit days where they have everything open and available to see. Check their websites Set an appointment with an admissions counselor and get their name and business card. Let them know who you are and why you want to attend their college. Meet with a financial aid counselor

A Word About College Visits Visit the dorms and see college life. Visit a classroom and a professor in your chosen field of study. Make sure you also see the town where the college is. Remember, you may be there for 4 years or more. Get proof of attendance of the visit to turn in to the attendance office.

Get Organized Secure a large binder or file box Organize: test scores, transcripts, college information… Do your research: Counseling Center Career Links GO Center Internet/Big Future/My Road/Cappex Make sure your course selections match what the college requires. Set up profiles with matching institutions that are free: Collegeweeklive.com Cappex.com More on High School Websites

Next Steps Stay on top of your studies Register for appropriate senior classes Visits college campuses Get organized Start applications this summer Review possible choices and finances with parents Set realistic goals

Stay informed and take responsibility for your education. Join the Counseling Facebook page, follow us on and keep up with new things happening on the website