College 101 Getting Connected to the College Application Process

Important People Principal Dr. Chris Jackson Assistant Principals Jeri Hall (A – Fa) Mark McClure (Fe – Le) Rina Ramos (Li – Ri) Chad Van Winkle (Ro – Z) Principal Dr. Chris Jackson Assistant Principals Jeri Hall (A – Fa) Mark McClure (Fe – Le) Rina Ramos (Li – Ri) Chad Van Winkle (Ro – Z) Counselors Lyndie Conner (A – Fa) Tina Barnes (Fe – Le) Glenna Pollock (Li – Ri) Jennifer Cox (Ro-Z) Registrar Donna Rollins (transcripts) Senior class sponsor Pat McHargue

What are Colleges Looking For?  High School GPA/Class Rank  SAT/ACT scores  Insights from college essays  Community Service involvement  Well Rounded Student  High School GPA/Class Rank  SAT/ACT scores  Insights from college essays  Community Service involvement  Well Rounded Student

What if I Want to Check Out a College?  Schedule appointment with college  Obtain college visit form from counseling office  Return signed college visit form to attendance office  State allows 2 college visits per school year  Schedule appointment with college  Obtain college visit form from counseling office  Return signed college visit form to attendance office  State allows 2 college visits per school year

Where Do I Find College Applications?  Texas public colleges:  Many private colleges:  College’s website: Check for required supplements  (interviews, letters of recommendation, secondary school reports )  Texas public colleges:  Many private colleges:  College’s website: Check for required supplements  (interviews, letters of recommendation, secondary school reports )

What if I haven’t signed up to take the ACT & SAT?  Sign up ASAP! Colleges will determine admission based on ACT & SAT test scores  The last chance to send a college a test score for admissions consideration is December  SAT –  ACT –  Sign up ASAP! Colleges will determine admission based on ACT & SAT test scores  The last chance to send a college a test score for admissions consideration is December  SAT –  ACT –

SeptemberSeptember  Choose the colleges to which you’ll apply  Determine the application requirements and deadlines for each college  Take/ Re-take the ACT & SAT OR register for the Oct. tests  Start your applications and college essays  Choose the colleges to which you’ll apply  Determine the application requirements and deadlines for each college  Take/ Re-take the ACT & SAT OR register for the Oct. tests  Start your applications and college essays

Wait, what’s the college essay?  DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!  Use correct grammar and syntax  Get your drafts edited by a parent, teacher, peer, etc.  Use your voice – do not over use a thesaurus  Answer the question in the prompt  Use a reasonable progression of ideas  Focus on quality not quantity of words  Remember you are writing to an adult  Avoid excessive use of sarcasm  DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!  Use correct grammar and syntax  Get your drafts edited by a parent, teacher, peer, etc.  Use your voice – do not over use a thesaurus  Answer the question in the prompt  Use a reasonable progression of ideas  Focus on quality not quantity of words  Remember you are writing to an adult  Avoid excessive use of sarcasm

OctoberOctober  Ask teachers, coaches, etc. for recommendation letters  Not required for all schools  Ask if willing to write positive recommendation  Provide copy of resume and a stamped envelope  Allow 5 days  Follow up with thank you  Register for Nov & Dec ACT & SAT tests, if needed  Ask teachers, coaches, etc. for recommendation letters  Not required for all schools  Ask if willing to write positive recommendation  Provide copy of resume and a stamped envelope  Allow 5 days  Follow up with thank you  Register for Nov & Dec ACT & SAT tests, if needed

NovemberNovember  Ask the high school to send transcripts to the colleges to which you’ll apply  Registrar’s Office in Counseling Office  Include the school’s address  $2.00 per copy (1 st copy is free)  Allow adequate time!  Keep working on college applications  Some deadlines are the end of Nov.!  Ask the high school to send transcripts to the colleges to which you’ll apply  Registrar’s Office in Counseling Office  Include the school’s address  $2.00 per copy (1 st copy is free)  Allow adequate time!  Keep working on college applications  Some deadlines are the end of Nov.!

DecemberDecember  Submit your completed college applications!  LAST chance to take ACT & SAT tests for applications  Submit your completed college applications!  LAST chance to take ACT & SAT tests for applications

January/ February  Submit any remaining applications  Complete the FAFSA  Submit any remaining applications  Complete the FAFSA

What is FAFSA & How Do I Complete it?  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  Based on family income in the year prior to college entrance  Tax information required  Complete FAFSA in January   Obtain a PIN number and/or FSA ID FAFSA nights: DATES, TIMES, & LOCATIONS FAFSA nights: DATES, TIMES, & LOCATIONS  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  Based on family income in the year prior to college entrance  Tax information required  Complete FAFSA in January   Obtain a PIN number and/or FSA ID FAFSA nights: DATES, TIMES, & LOCATIONS FAFSA nights: DATES, TIMES, & LOCATIONS

March/ April  Colleges will notify you about admissions status & financial aid awards  Choose a college!  Pay attention to housing deposit and orientation deadlines  Colleges will notify you about admissions status & financial aid awards  Choose a college!  Pay attention to housing deposit and orientation deadlines

MayMay  Get immunizations  Students must have received a meningitis immunization within the last five years  Schools require the immunization be given at least 10 days prior to arriving on the college campus  This is a new state requirement  Get immunizations  Students must have received a meningitis immunization within the last five years  Schools require the immunization be given at least 10 days prior to arriving on the college campus  This is a new state requirement

Dates to Remember ASVAB: tentatively October 14 SAT: Saturday, November 7 ACT: Saturday, April 9 College Day: Friday, October 30 FAFSA nights: Thursday, February 11 & Tuesday, April 19 ASVAB: tentatively October 14 SAT: Saturday, November 7 ACT: Saturday, April 9 College Day: Friday, October 30 FAFSA nights: Thursday, February 11 & Tuesday, April 19