Junior and Senior Information A presentation brought to you by the Calallen High School Counseling Department Calallen High School Counselors Wendy Batek A- Ga Robin Huff Gb – Pa Sherry Johnson Pb – Z College & Career Larissa Duke

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 Magna 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 May 2016 /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 3rd 2015 O November 7 th 2015 O December 5 th 2015 O January 23 th 2016 O March 5 th 2016 O June 4 th 2016 O Cost $52.50 ACT O September 12, 2015 O February 6 th 2016 O June 11 th 2016 O Cost $54.50 O Calallen HS will not be open for the Oct. or Dec. ACT Test and May 7th test for SAT

Testing Dates EOC Testing Dates December 7 th English I December 8 th US History December 9th English II December 10 th Algebra I December 11 th Biology

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) O Assessment/Exemptions varies by colleges/universities -Del Mar College (dual credit) -TAMUK (dual credit) TSI Testing – November 3, 2015 Location: Calallen High School

Be a competitive applicant O Plan to complete the required high school coursework O Challenge yourself by taking rigorous coursework O Get involved O Pick your top 3 majors and research the academic and career opportunities associated with them.

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, 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 O College Night CHS Cafeteria October 5th from 6:00 PM to 8:00

ADMISSION PROCESS O O O Essays: Are becoming just as important as your rank. Write your essays at the end of your junior year and have someone, like a counselor or teacher, review them. 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 Decision (Binding) / Early Action (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.

FINANCIAL AID GRANTS O Federal Pell Grants O Texas Grant—who can compete? Any student who: Graduated from a Texas public high school and enrolls in a public college/university Graduated on the distinguished or recommended plan. Apply by submitting 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 Automatic Admission for the UT Austin is top 7% for the Class of 2015 and top 8% for the Class of 2016.

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 fall of 2016

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

RESUMES O Resumes are important for all students to develop O Brag Form O Resumes showcase your activities and involvement during your high school years. 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 high school years 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 – send transcript – Pay Fee O Send SAT or ACT scores directly from College Board / SAT and ACT O Send transcript from Calallen High School pay a fee. ($2.00)

FOR MORE INFORMATION O Visit with Mrs. Duke in the College & Center Center 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) - October 14th O Resume O College Searches O College Night - October 6th O Scholarship searches O Entrance Exams (SAT/ ACT) O Take the TSI – SENIORS O Resume/Brag Form 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 O Take the TSI

Balfour Dates O Speaking in the auditorium at 10:15 AM O September 29 th O October 30 th O Balfour will also be here on the following dates during both lunch shifts: O November 4, 2015 O January 21, 2016

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. After 7 absences, students may not be eligible to attend student activities. 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 8th for $69.00 O Have SAT and ACT scores sent to the 4-year colleges/universities you are applying to for admission. If applying to NCAA, have SAT/ACT scores sent to NCAA clearinghouse. O Talk with armed service representatives. Get all promises in writing. O Apply for employment opportunities early. O Use resources collected at College Night

CLASS OF 2016 GRADUATION DATE American Bank Center May 28, 2016, 2:00 P.M

Questions

Class of 2016 HAVE A GREAT YEAR!