Junior and Senior Information A presentation brought to you by the Calallen High School Counseling Department

Graduation Plans O Recommended High School Program (26 credits including CISD requirements of a technology and health course) O Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) (26 credits including 3 foreign language credits, 4 advanced measures over RHSP)

Rank and GPA O Honor Graduates O Cum Laude (White Cord) O Magana Cum Laude (Silver Cord) O Summa Cum Laude- 5.0 or higher (Gold Cord) O Senior Ranking O Early Admission- 6 semester transcript O Regular Admission- 6 or 7 semester transcript O Senior Awards Ceremony/cords- at the end of the 3 rd 9 th week. O Final Transcript- 8 semester transcript

Calallen High School is now an official testing center for SAT O October 5 th 2013 O November 2 nd 2013 O December 7 th 2013 O January 25 th 2014 O March 8 th 2014 O May 3 rd 2014 O June 7 th 2014 ACT O October 26 th 2013 O February 8 th 2014 O June 14 th 2014

Testing Dates TAKS Exit Level October March 3-6 April July 7-10 EOC US. History May 7

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) O Assessment/Exemptions varies by colleges/universities -Del Mar College (dual credit) -TAMUK (dual credit)

HELPFUL HINTS IN CHOOSING A COLLEGE O Students are allowed 2 days for college visits O listen to announcements for tours and reps on campus O Consider actual cost of tuition, housing, meal plans, etc O Contact an Enrolled Student O Get Answers to Key Questions O Trust Your Instincts O Check and Stick to Deadlines O Visit with College reps in the Fall

ADMISSION PROCESS O O O Essays O Application Fees O Submit Test Scores directly from ACT and SAT O Deadline Dates O Submit Official Transcript O Optional Scholarship Section

EARLY ADMISSION O Early Action/Early Decision (end of November) Larger, competitive schools admit a percentage of their freshman class early and scholarships are generally tied to these early applications. In order to apply early you will need to have: O A completed application (including essays) O A transcript from the 6 th Semester O SAT or ACT scores

FINANCIAL AID O Access a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Pin Number O Complete the FAFSA as soon as your parents have completed their tax information (ASAP during your senior year. We recommend applying by March 15 th File electronically at (FAFSA) List the 1-6 colleges you like, so they can receive the results when your FAFSA is processed. Utilize the CHS counseling office for assistance.

FINANCIAL AID GRANTS O Federal Pell Grants O Texas Grant—who can compete? Any student who: Graduated from a Texas public high school. Graduated on the distinguished or recommended plan. Enrolls at least ¾ time in a college. Has completed the FAFSA LOANS O Stafford/subsidized and unsubsidized-student loan FAFSA required O Parent loans FAFSA required

TOP 10% O Ranked in the top 10% of graduating class O Guaranteed college admission in state supported colleges and universities O UT Austin will enroll top 7% for the class of 2013

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

TOP 10% Scholarship Top 10% scholarship eligibility: 1. Texas Resident 2. Demonstrate financial need ($1.00) 3. Complete a FAFSA by March 1 st, Rank in the top 10% as of the 6 th or 7 th semester 5. Graduate from an accredited high school in Texas. 6. Enroll full time in a Texas public 2-year or 4- year college or university in the fall of 2014

What does it take to get a scholarship? O Class Rank/GPA O Competitive ACT/SAT Scores O Resume O Letters of recommendation

RESUMES O Resumes are important for all students to develop O Resumes show case your activities and involvement information during your high school O Resumes should include things such as: School Activities Honors/Awards Volunteer Work/Part-time job Community/Church Activity Unique Experiences O Resume items are not included on your transcript. O Resumes should be updated regularly throughout your college and/or working career.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION O Submit your resume to your teacher or counselor 2 to 3 weeks before the deadline O Be specific: O Name of college, university or scholarship to whom the letter is being written. O Intent of letter (admissions, scholarship, honors program, etc.)

Where can I find Scholarships? O Calallen ISD Website O Parent and Student Skyward O Employers O Church O Specific College Websites O Local Clubs and Organizations O Announcements O Internet—Career Cruising, Apply Texas, Fastweb O Libraries and Book Stores O Athletic Scholarship -NCAA Clearing House (

Additional requirements for Athletic Scholarships O All Athletes must: O Register with the NCAA Clearing House O Send SAT or ACT scores directly from College Board or ACT website O Send transcript from Calallen High School pay a fee. ($2.00)

FOR MORE INFORMATION O Calallen High School web site O Contact financial aid offices at the college/ universities you plan to attend O Surf to explore colleges, careers, and financial aid

WHAT TO DO NOW JUNIORS O PSAT (National Merit Scholarship) O Resume O College Searches O College Night O Scholarship searches O Entrance Exams (SAT/ ACT) SENIORS O Resume O College Essays O College Searches O College Visit O College Field Trips O Entrance Exams O Apply, Apply, Apply Download applications, watch deadlines O Scholarship applications O Private/out of state admission applications O Working/draft copy of the common application

Reminders O Maintain high academic standards all year. O Keep up with your attendance. You are only allowed 8 absences 1st semester and 9 absences 2 nd semester. O Pay your fines. Diplomas will not be issued until these are paid. O Check with your counselor to be sure you have the courses necessary for graduation and/or college entrance.

More Reminders O Apply early, meet all deadlines, especially with SAT/ACT, college and scholarship applications O The SAT or ACT should only be taken if you are planning to enter a 4- year college immediately after high school graduation and you have taken or are enrolled in Algebra II. Statistics show much better scores are earned once a student has completed Algebra II and English II. The SAT does not need to be taken if you are planning to attend a community college after graduation, even if you plan to transfer to a 4-year college from a 2-year college. O The SAT Boot camp will be offered at CHS on October 3 rd for $45 O Have SAT and ACT scores sent to the 4-year colleges you are applying to for admission. If applying to NCAA, have SAT/ACT scores sent to clearinghouse. O Talk with armed service representatives. Get all promises in writing Apply for employment opportunities early O Use resources collected at College Night

CLASS OF 2014 GRADUATION DATE American Bank Center June 6 th 2014, 10:00 A.M

Counselors Information O Cindy Bammert A-Ga Ext O Larissa Duke Gb-Pa Ext O Sherry Johnson Pb-Z Ext. 7045

Class of 2014 HAVE A GREAT YEAR! -