WAGNER T-BIRDS CLASS OF 2013

COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER T 129 We are here to help - interest inventories career searches college applications scholarship information SAT/ACT registration NCAA Clearing House

College & Career Center Open before school, at lunch, and after school Can come anytime during the day with a pass from your teacher When you come to the office – make sure you SIGN IN and OUT

SENIOR YEAR Take challenging courses Get college credit if possible Improve GPA and rank

GPA & RANK GPA – average of all semester grades throughout high school Rank – your average compared to the other students in your senior class –Determines what kind of SAT/ACT score you must have to be admitted to college

Senior To Do List Take test/s Create resumé Apply to schools Apply for scholarships Request letters of recommendation Request transcripts (at least 2 wks) Complete FAFSA –(available after Jan. 1)

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TESTING: SAT – Math, Reading, Writing Scores from ACT – English, Reading, Math, Science Scores from THEA – Math, Reading, Writing Shows college readiness Not required if TAKS scores are high enough

Test Dates and Deadlines SAT –Oct. 6Late deadline – Sept. 21 $$ –Nov. 3Deadline – Oct. 4 ACT –Oct. 27Deadline – Sept. 21

FEE WAIVERS For students who qualify for free or reduced lunch Allowed 2 waivers for each test If used for tests, may also receive for college applications and NCAA Clearinghouse

TEST PREPARATION SAT Boot Camp – Oct. 2 –$25 – deadline to register Wed. 9/26 –Workbook and test prep book Websites – –MyQuickStart –SAT and ACT websites

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW CREATE YOUR RESUMÉ May list on Apply Texas and other application websites Some colleges/scholarships prefer a detailed paper copy List all activities, honors, work experience, community service

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS: Start now if you plan to go to a major college. Be sure to complete both the admissions application and the scholarship application if available.

COLLEGE SEARCHES JISD College & Career Fair Tuesday, October 30, 6 – 8 p.m. Sign up at GotoCollegeFairs.com to get bar code for college representativesGotoCollegeFairs.com

APPLY TEXAS FOR MOST TEXAS COLLEGES:

COMMON APPLICATION FOR MANY SELECTIVE UNIVERSITIES (Ivy League, Trinity, Rice, etc.)

UNIVERSITY SITES For many smaller and/or private colleges

Application Deadlines if you want to be considered for scholarships University of Texas – Dec. 1 Texas A & M – Dec. 1 Texas State – Dec. 15 UTSA – March 1 for general Incarnate Word – Feb. 1 University of Houston – Dec. 1 UH Victoria – April 15

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS – list – complete lavender form –College & Career website –Office notebook in T129 –Apply Texas –Individual school applications

SCHOLARSHIP BULLETINS /scarlton/ /scarlton/

Scholarships, continued… –Scholarship search sites EducationConnection Zinch.com Scholarships.com –NCAA (16 core, at least a 2.0) –NCSA, BeRecruited.com, etc.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TRANSCRIPTS –Colleges and scholarship committees will ask for an official transcript –This is a record of all your high school courses and grades –Must be sent directly from the school to be “official” –Costs $2 – you must request from Mrs. Mendoza in the counseling office & can take up to two weeks –If you are under 18, you must get a parent signature

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Many colleges and scholarship committees will also request letters of recommendation –Academic teachers –Administrators/counselors –Coaches/sponsors –Pastor/youth minister/employer –Family friend (not a relative)

FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid – based on FAFSA –Federal grants and loans –State grants –School grants –Work study –Assistance to military Scholarships – based on merit, talent, academic ability, test scores, contests, affiliations, and/or income College/University Organizations

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Must submit in order to receive federal and state grants and loans. Based on income. Parents must file tax return and link to IRS Cannot be done until after Jan. 1 but should be completed ASAP after that.

More to do... Bring in letters of acceptance Bring in scholarship offers & financial aid letters

Class of 2013: Let’s have a great year! Keep your grades up! Take your SAT/ACT! Apply early! Watch deadlines! Complete the FAFSA!