“The College Thing” Tips and Information For Seniors Self Assessment For College Occupational Outlook Handbook (US Dept of Labor career profiles)

Keys to Success Apply Early – Get it out of the way: Most schools begin taking applications in early September. Apply Early – Get it out of the way: Most schools begin taking applications in early September. Be Truthful (they do check) Be Truthful (they do check) Extracurricular, Volunteer work, Awards & Honors: NEVER exclude by underestimating the power of a seemingly un-important fact. Admissions counselors DO look at the details, everything. Extracurricular, Volunteer work, Awards & Honors: NEVER exclude by underestimating the power of a seemingly un-important fact. Admissions counselors DO look at the details, everything. Use the INTERNET to apply (its EASY). For most Texas schools do it at ( Able to copy, then edit & forward to other schools. Use the INTERNET to apply (its EASY). For most Texas schools do it at ( Able to copy, then edit & forward to other schools.

More Keys to Success KEEP YOUR GRADES HIGH THIS YEAR In the fall for college admission and in the spring for scholarships (steady, increasing trends favored by admissions counselors). Keep taking SAT, and ACT to improve ACT : September, October, December, February, April, June SAT : October, November, December, January, March, May, June- Apply to THREE or more schools Local, in-state, out-of-state (keep your options open)

Things to Remember Quickly identify the name and phone number of the admissions counselor in charge of your file at each University. Quickly identify the name and phone number of the admissions counselor in charge of your file at each University. –Understand the admissions requirements (they differ by school) –STAY IN TOUCH - CALL OR GO ON-LINE TO CHECK STATUS Letters of recommendation Have your references “lined-up”. Provide a list of activates youhave participated in. Letters of recommendation Have your references “lined-up”. Provide a list of activates youhave participated in. Senior-level fall-semester coursework is IMPORTANT, especially for majors heavy in Math and Science subjects. Send Mid-term grades to your college admissions counselors. Senior-level fall-semester coursework is IMPORTANT, especially for majors heavy in Math and Science subjects. Send Mid-term grades to your college admissions counselors. Those not in top 10% will go into review at competitive schools. Those not in top 10% will go into review at competitive schools.

Complete Applications Include: ApplyTexas Application (or other, if applicable) ApplyTexas Application (or other, if applicable) Essays Essays Official H. S. Transcript (fill out request form) Official H. S. Transcript (fill out request form) Rank: unless you are top 10% or 25% Rank: unless you are top 10% or 25% Test Scores (directly from SAT/ACT for some schools) Test Scores (directly from SAT/ACT for some schools) Application Fee Application Fee Senior Year Schedule (on applytexas) Senior Year Schedule (on applytexas) Expanded resume (if applicable – see sample on bealonghorn.com) Expanded resume (if applicable – see sample on bealonghorn.com) Major Specific items (if required) Major Specific items (if required)

A college with holistic admissions is trying to evaluate the whole applicant rather than reduce the applicant to a few pieces of empirical data such as test scores and GPA. Holistic admissions are the reason why a student with a 4.0 GPA might get rejected from Yale, but a student with a 3.6 who has other impressive accomplishments might get accepted. When colleges say they are looking for well-rounded students and students with leadership potential, they are signaling that they have a holistic admissions process. College Admissions

Tips to Help TSI (Accuplacer) –Math/English placement test – can be exempt based on SAT/ACT scores (1070 SAT w/ 500 R & M; 23 ACT w/ 19 E & M) TSI (Accuplacer) –Math/English placement test – can be exempt based on SAT/ACT scores (1070 SAT w/ 500 R & M; 23 ACT w/ 19 E & M) Essays – students should be creative and insightful - tell a story. They want to know who you are, not what you’ve done. Essays – students should be creative and insightful - tell a story. They want to know who you are, not what you’ve done. –Students should brainstorm for topics – I have examples of what the colleges are looking for –Review essay’s with someone before submitting the application (grammar, spelling, substantive, to-the-point, complete)

Essay A Personal Essay 1 (if applying for summer/fall 2008 & beyond) Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.

Essay B Personal Essay 2 (if applying for summer/fall 2008 & beyond) Choose an issue of importance to you—the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope—and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.

Optional Essay C There may be personal information that you want considered as part of your admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment.

Your Online Access Code If you took the PSAT, Look at the Score Report Create a free collegeboard.com account to access MyCollege QuickStart at Create a free collegeboard.com account to access MyCollege QuickStart at

Free, personalized resources: My SAT Study Plan My Online Score Report My College Matches My Major & Career Matches gh-cp

Financial Aid & Scholarships FAFSA FAFSA - submit after January 1 st. Need tax return information in order to complete the FAFSA - submit after January 1 st. Need tax return information in order to complete the FAFSA - Get PIN now for students & parents: Applying for aid at the college – is there a separate application? Applying for aid at the college – is there a separate application? Importance of deadlines and deposits! Importance of deadlines and deposits! Scholarship search begins now! (see websites) Scholarship search begins now! (see websites)

Contact me with any questions: Other important websites: Other important websites: – – – – – (our college code is: ) – (for athletes wanting to pursue Division I or II)