2. Class of 2017 EIGHT MONTHS until GRADUATION!

3. Tonight’s Agenda Title 1 Schools – Dr. Billye Smith College & Career Center HS Graduation Choices after HS Community College and Technical Schools The SAT and/or ACT exam Top 10% Law in Texas

4. Tonight’s Agenda- continued Applying to college Financial Aid Scholarships Naviance Family Connections Program College Visits Senior Year Calendar Top websites

5. DHS College & Career Center Janet Lopez (DHS College/Career/Scholarships) Lionel DeLuna (College of the Mainland Liaison) Location – D101 List of available scholarships 6 computers for student use Help signing up for SAT/ACT/TSI (fee waivers) Help search for colleges

6. College and Career Center Help completing college applications (any college) Help completing the FAFSA Help with military recruitment Career Exploration/Interest Inventory/Aptitude Testing Help with Skyward/Naviance logins Open during lunch (and before and after school)

7. College Acceptance Letters/Scholarships/Awards Please personally hand a copy of the letter or name to Ms. Lopez. If it is handwritten, please make sure it is legible. Senior Awards Night - May 18, 2017

8. To graduate from Dickinson High School, seniors must 1. Complete all credits needed for the Recommended or Distinguished Graduation Plan (26). See counselor for other options 2. Pass all of the 5 STAAR EOC exams – English1, English2, Algebra1, Biology, US History 3. Attend school at least 90% of time to receive credit for course

9. Graduation Plans 4 years of English 4 Years of Math 4 Years of Science 4 Years of Social Studies 2 Years of Foreign Language 1 Year Fine Art 1 Year PE.5 Speech + 5.5 Electives = 26 credits Recommended Distinguished 4 years of English 4 Years of Math 4 Years of Science 4 Years of Social Studies 3 Years of Foreign Language 1 Year Fine Art 1 Year PE.5 Speech 4.5 Electives = 26 credits + 4 Advanced Measures

10. Skyward Parent and Student Access What students and parents have access to in Skyward: Attendance Transcript Grades GPA/Rank And Much More! Student Skyward login is the same as their student computer login. Students and parents needing help with their login may see Ms. Lopez in D-101

12. Choices after HS Straight to work Military ________________________________ Certification or Licensure (6-18 months) Associate Degree (2-3 years) ________________________________ Bachelor Degree (4 years) Master Degree (6 years) Doctorate Degree (8+ years)

13. Community Colleges They usually offer: * Continuing Education for adult students (non-credit) * Certifications * Licenses * Associate Degrees…that lead toward a Bachelors degree * Honors Programs * Typically lower costs than a university or private school

14. Local Community Colleges College of the Mainland (COM) – in district Alvin Community College San Jacinto College Houston Community College * The colleges many times have multiple campus’ that offer different programs. Find a campus that offers a program that leads to your career choice.

15. Technical Schools  Can receive great paying career in less than 2 years  Many provide job placement  Attention: Many are private and so can be costly  Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – a top public technical school. Since it’s public, the price is usually more affordable  Many community colleges offer the same certifications and licenses as technical schools but technical schools may be more specialized

16. SAT and ACT Standardized tests used for most 4 year colleges and universities in the admission process (along with other factors)  Good predictor of college success (HS grades better)  Most colleges will accept either one (more alike now than they used to be…since redesigned)  Often used as a factor for scholarships  DHS students are more familiar with the SAT because have taken PSAT and other CollegeBoard-made exams  Seniors who meet income guidelines (F/R lunch)and use a fee waiver for the SAT may use up to 4 college application fee waivers (same for ACT)  October 19 – All seniors will take the SAT for free at DHS during school

17. SAT No penalty for guessing Practice at Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/sat https://www.khanacademy.org/sat Send your scores to the colleges that you are applying to Check for approved calculators list

18. Top 10% Law A student that attends a Texas public high school and graduates in the top 10% of their class are automatically admitted to any public 4-year university in Texas. (exception - University of Texas at Austin, top 7%) Public universities in Texas: University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, Texas State University, and many more!

19. “I AM NOT IN TOP 10%. CAN I STILL ATTEND A UNIVERSITY AS A FRESHMAN?” Yes! Each university has their own guidelines as to how they accept new students. Always apply to your first choice….and more. Remember: Apply to “4 or more” colleges 1. Dream school 2. Fall-back school 3. Middle of the road school 4. A different middle of the road school

20. UNIVERSITY ADMISSTIONS Examples: University of Houston – freshman admissions http://www.uh.edu/admissions/ Sam Houston State University – freshman admissions http://www.shsu.edu/admissions/

21. Applying to College When should seniors apply? Check individual college deadlines. Many are in the fall, especially if you plan to do early decision or early action. What is early decision vs. early action? http://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/early- action-vs-early-decision How do I begin? Go to the college or university website and begin application. Public colleges in Texas – www.applytexas.org. Also, many private schools use The Common Application or their own application. www.applytexas.org

22. Applying to College – cont. How many colleges should I apply to? Community colleges are open enrollment and so you will only need to apply to that college. For 4-year universities, CollegeBoard has recommended “4 or more” while some websites suggest 5-8. Should I apply early? Maybe. However, some colleges may require you to commit early. You may want to keep your options open. Check with the individual college. * Make sure to meet the college application deadline!

23. Applying to College – cont. Is it ok to re-use an essay or answers to open-ended questions on different college applications? Definitely. If you have already written a well-thought out essay or other response, why do it again? Just make sure your response applies and is appropriate for the new application. Should I bother to apply to colleges I think I can’t afford? Absolutely. Most colleges are more affordable than the listed price. You don’t know if you can afford it until after you apply and find out how much aid the college will offer you (if you are accepted).

24. Fall 2017 College application deadlines www.ApplyTexas.org University of Houston – Scholarship priority – November 15, 2016 University of Texas – December 1, 2016 Texas A&M University – Early Action/October 15, 2016, closes December 1, 2016 Sam Houston State Univ. – August 1 (2017?) Texas State Univ. – March 1, 2017

25. Financial Aid 4 Types – Grants, Scholarships, Loans and Work Study Where does it come from? ◦Federal Aid – grants, loans, work-study ◦State Aid – grants, loans, work-study, etc. ◦Institutional Aid – scholarships, grants, work- study ◦Private Aid – mostly scholarships and loans come from corporations, companies, local businesses, individuals

26. Financial Aid - continued How can I get Financial Aid? 1. Submit the FAFSA 2. Check with college(s) if other forms are needed 3. Search and apply for private scholarships https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for- college/financial-aid/3-steps-to-getting-financial-aid

27. Financial Aid - Continued What is the FAFSA? Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s FREE. Do not pay for someone to submit the FAFSA. Part of the FAFSA uses the student’s family’s previous year’s annual income to help determine the aid amount. What’s new with FAFSA this year? 1.Students are required to use the 2015 Income Tax Information for Fall 2017 semester (instead of 2016) 2.Students may now apply October 1 st or later for the Fall 2017 semester Website - https://fafsa.ed.gov/https://fafsa.ed.gov/

28. Financial Aid - Continued What does DHS offer in regards to scholarships? The College and Career Center (Ms.Lopez) keeps track of all scholarships that are sent to the school (not every scholarship that is out there is sent to the school).She communicates with the students through the Naviance program scholarships that are available along with their deadlines and other information needed…and she keeps a list in the College and Career Center. Students can use that information to apply to scholarships in which they are interested. Local business/companies/individuals also offer “local” scholarships. This means these scholarships are for local students either in DISD or in the surrounding area. Students are able to complete one local scholarship application for various local scholarships that they qualify for. Ms. Lopez and I will be speaking with the seniors on November 17, 2017 with instructions on how to complete the local scholarship packet.

29. Naviance Family Connections What can seniors do in Naviance? * Research colleges and careers * Complete career interest survey * Receive Scholarship information and more from Ms. Lopez * Receive emails & updates from Mr. Herbert * Order official transcripts * Complete senior surveys

30. Naviance - continued * Complete a resume + ask for rec. letter * Final senior checkout + Final transcript How do students login? From the DHS campus site (see link below). If a student has difficulty logging in, they need to see Ms. Lopez or Mr. Herbert. http://schools.dickinsonisd.org/page/10.homepage Parents can use Naviance as “Read Only.” Ms. Lopez has the Parent login information.

31. College Visits Seniors may make up to 2 college visits Pick dates that do not fall on important academic days Must be approved by Mr. Rodriguez Bring back from college documentation

32. Senior Year Calendar Sept 29-30 Naviance Training for Seniors Oct 7 Senior Assembly (Alumni Presentation) Oct 17Homecoming Parade Oct 19 SAT exam for all seniors Nov 9 College Fair Nov 17 Panoramic Picture for seniors Nov 17 Local Scholarship Packet to seniors April 8 Senior Prom May 18 Senior Awards Night May 30Graduation of Class of 2017!

33. Top Websites (English & Spanish) www.schools.dickinsonisd.org/page/10.CollegeRe sources www.schools.dickinsonisd.org/page/10.CollegeRe sources www.collegeforalltexans.com www.everychanceeverytexan.org www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in