1.  If you haven’t done so already, please complete the senior survey for your counselor as we wait for the presentation to begin http://goo.gl/forms/n8XwHBZbZK

2.  Wylie East Raiders Class of 2016 This is your year!

3. Your Counselor:  Mrs. Nuss: A-C  Mrs. Andrews: D-Ho  Ms. Strickland: Hu-Mi  Mrs. Paul: Mo-Se  Mrs. Whittle: Sh-Z

4. The Myths of your Senior Year  Senioritis is REAL and can be FATAL  Colleges DO care about your grades and look at the classes you are taking.  There is NO such thing as “An Easy Senior Year”

5. Get Connected  The counselors will be putting lots of information and all forms on our Facebook, Twitter and webpage.  Webpage : www.wylieisd.net/domain/459www.wylieisd.net/domain/459  Twitter: @EASTCounseling  Facebook: Wylie East Counseling  Remind: Text 81010 with message--@we2016

6. Graduation Requirements (Recommended Plan)

7. EOC Testing  Along with credits, you must successfully pass the following End of Course tests:  Algebra I  English I  Biology  English II  US History

8. All About Testing  Sign up to take the ACT and SAT ASAP!  Plan to take them BOTH (WEHS code: 447699)  Colleges accept scores from either test.  ACT website: actstudent.org  SAT website: collegeboard.com

9. Tips about your tests  You must have College Board and ACT send your scores directly to each school you apply to. Try to put each school down when you are registering. If you send scores after your test, it will cost you money.  Take each test at least once. Some schools super-score!

10. Do your research!  Research the schools you’re interested in applying for and know their entrance requirements:  What score do I need to make on the SAT/ACT?  What does my GPA need to be for acceptance?  Do I need to write an essay?  Do I need recommendation letters?  When is the deadline?  Big vs. Small  Do they have your intended major (s)?  How far is it from home?

11. College Applications  Each student should plan to apply to 3-5 schools  1 Reach School: You may be just outside of the entrance requirements, but you’d like to go  2-3 Ideal Schools: You have all the requirements for admission and you’d be happy to attend any of them  1 Safety School: This is your Plan B or school you may end up going to. Could be a school close to home &/or Collin College. You are guaranteed admission to a community college.

12. Research Schools Take a virtual tour. Attend campus preview days. Explore scholarship opportunities. Find out about housing. Clubs and organizations to get you involved on campus.

13. Apply Texas www.applytexas.org www.applytexas.org

14. Set up an account

15. Common Application www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org

16. Stay Organized! The schools on the Common App require a lengthy amount of steps! It is the student’s responsibility to stay organized and turn everything in on time!

17. Sending your Transcripts  Transcripts must be requested to be sent directly from WEHS to the College or University!  A student or parent may NOT hand deliver an official transcript.  Forms are across from Ms. Ragsdale’s desk in the counseling office.  Transcripts may take up to 72 hours to be sent so plan accordingly!  Don’t request to send a transcript until you have fully applied to the college/university. They need an account to match your transcript to and it causes issues when you send your transcript prematurely!

18. Requesting Your Rank/GPA  You must fill out a request slip with Mrs. Ragsdale in the counselor’s office.  She will return it to you within 24 hours.  Plan accordingly!  Rank and GPA are not updated until June  You may request this information over the summer using the online requests under the Registrar Tab  Per district guidelines, gpa and rank may not be given through email, fax or over the phone

19. Recommendation Letters  Not all schools require rec letters. Make sure you check.  If they strongly recommend them….then send one!  If they ask for 2 letters, don’t send 3….they will not read them.  Ask someone who knows you well to write one.  Teacher, coach, counselor, youth group leader, mentor etc.

20. Recommendation Letter (cont)  When you request a letter from your counselor or teacher make sure to attach a resume and an addressed envelope, if necessary, for us to send your letter.  Please allow 2 weeks for letter to be written and sent  So plan accordingly!

21. Time to Brag!  Get your resume together!  Write down everything you’ve done from 9 th -12 th grade year  Include:  School activities (sports, clubs, awards etc.)  Church activities and involvement  Part time job  Volunteer hours  Any leadership positions you’ve held

22. Resume  Upload to your application if requested.  Keep a copy for scholarship applications.  Use to give to teacher, counselor or mentor to write a recommendation letter on your behalf.  Keep for your freshman year in college. Many clubs/organizations will ask for them before you join/rush.

23. Essays  Check to make sure schools require  Be honest and truthful.  Colleges Admissions read ever single one.  Edit them! Read aloud and hear your mistakes.  Spell Check!  Ask an adult or peer to look over.

24. Early Decision vs. Early Action  Early Decision (binding)  If you apply for early decision, you promise to go there if you are accepted. Don’t take this lightly.  You may only apply for early decision to ONE school.  Early Action (non-binding)  Early notification of acceptance.  Both deadlines are very early (usually around Nov 1 st )

25. Regular vs. Rolling Admission  Regular admission deadlines: date when everything must be turned in. Many Texas schools have these (UT, A&M). They will get all applications and then make decisions in the next few months.  Rolling Admissions: These deadlines are usually later in the year and they will make decisions as they receive applications.  The earlier you send in your application, the earlier you will find out.

26. College Visits  You can take up to 2 days your senior year to go and visit a college or university.  Request approval for a college visit in the attendance office or in the counseling office.  Fill out form and return to the attendance office BEFORE your visit.  Schedule your tour and make sure you get a letter from the college with your name on it with the date of your visit.  Return letter and note from your parent into the attendance office to for absence to be excused.

27. NCAA Clearinghouse  If you are an athlete and have the intentions of playing your sport in college, you must be cleared through the NCAA Clearinghouse.  www.eligibilitycenter.org www.eligibilitycenter.org  You must create an account and send a transcript from schools attended to NCAA.  Work with your coach &/or counselor with any questions.

28. Scholarships  This is money given to you to pay for college that you do NOT have to pay back.  Usually involves an application, essay, resume and sometimes an interview.  Do not pay anyone to help you find scholarships. It is a scam. Do the work yourself.  Check out the counselor’s webpage for scholarships and the popular website handout.  Make sure your counselor has your email address so we can forward you any we receive.

29. Grants  This is money given to you either from the schools or government to pay for college.  In most cases you do not have to pay it back.  There may be specific guidelines to receive grant or renew annually.

30. Loans  This is money you borrow to pay for college.  You have to pay this money back.  There is usually interest added that you have to pay with.  Don’t take out more money than you need for school.

31. FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov/  You will fill one out every year you are in school.  Start application after January 1 st.  Even if you don’t intend to use financial aid, you should fill out.  We will have a Financial Aid meeting December 1st at 7pm.

32. FAFSA (continued)  You’ll send your FAFSA reports to each college you have applied to/been accepted to.  Their financial aid department will send you a report with the scholarships, grants and loans offered from their school.  Look over carefully before you decide what school you will go to.

33. Raiders Are Going Places!  When you receive your acceptance letters, bring them to the counselor’s office.  We will blow them up poster size and hang them up for everyone to see.  You should be proud of your acceptances. You have EARNED them!  You will get to wear a spirit shirt and jeans on the 16 th of every month!

34. Graduation  Saturday, June 4, 2016!