1. College Planning Information Night Birdville High School

2. Introduction Meet your Birdville High School Counseling Staff Mrs. Jacqueline Travis: A-D Ms. Terri Ramsey: E-HE and special services Mrs. Debbie Conaway: Hi-M Ms. Stephanie Stevenson: N-Sh Mrs. Cindy Larson: Si-Z Mrs. Nancy Allen: Student Assistance

3. BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Code….

4. Important Dates to remember!

5. GRADUATION May 28 @ 4:00 Tarrant County Convention Center

6. ASVAB TEST DATE—November 8 FREE TESTING Register in Counselor’s Office. No Obligation to Military Great Resource for Career Exploration.

7. AGENDA 1) Senior year 2) TCC Scholarship Foundation 3) FAFSA

8. Almost a Senior….Now what? Check Credits 26 Credits for Recommended Plan Counselors are completing 1:1 meetings this week with your senior Pass EOC’s ELA 1 and 2 Algebra 1 Biology U.S. History Pass all classes!

10. Take care of anything that would prevent you from getting into college. Denied credits due to attendance Failed classes Behavior incidents Parents monitor your student’s social media! Social Media- Colleges and potential employers are using Facebook, Instagram, twitter and other social media to check on your student. College admissions officers check them and can use positive or negative posts for acceptance or denials.

11. First, get organized! Gather all documents & information before starting the online application. Narrow and Categorize your choices 1.More than likely schools (1 or 2) 2.Good Match schools (2 to 4) 3.Reach schools (1 or 2) 1) Common Application - Complete this application online at: www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org 2) Other Texas schools – If you are applying to a Texas school, then apply through Apply Texas at : www.applytexas.org www.applytexas.org 3) All other schools - they will have their own application that will need to be completed. Keep a chart of all ID #’s & passwords assigned for quick access to Apply TX, Common App, College Board, ACT as well as ID #’s assigned by the college itself. APPLICATION PROCESS

12. College Exploration What to consider Size and diversity of student body Location Academic programs Campus life – athletics, activities, housing Graduation and retention rates Financial aid and scholarship opportunities Overall, think about where you will be the most successful in your college life and what feels right and at home?

13. College Exploration VISIT CAMPUSES Take a campus tour- two excused absences Speak with an admissions counselor during lunch visits Ask about financial aid opportunities Sit in on a class of interest Read the student newspaper Talk to students and faculty Virtual tour of school

19. Update Personal File/Resumé  Be sure to update your personal file/resumé with any activities, community service and awards you have received.  If you have NOT started a resumé, there’s no time like the present! A resumé will make it easier to fill out applications and will help your teachers, coaches and your counselor write correct recommendation letters for you. (scholarships)  You may list your awards by year or by activity. Many applications want items listed by type (sport, extra-curricular, etc.) and then by year.

20. Letters of Recommendation Counselor Letters of Recommendation Counselors write a letter of recommendation for any school that requires it - Common Application schools often require letter(s). Larger public institutions usually do not require a letter. Acceptance at these institutions is based upon the student’s application which includes their essay(s), ACT/SAT test scores and the student’s transcript which shows strength of schedule and grades earned. Student should check the college website to see if they will need a letter of recommendation. If you are applying to a school or for a scholarship that requires a counselor letter of recommendation, counselors must have the “Letter of Recommendation Form” received at least two weeks prior to your first deadline.

21. Apply: Essays  Some schools will require that you write certain essays. For example, Apply Texas has Essay “A,” Essay “B,” and Essay “C.” Some schools will require 2 of the 3 or require A and B, and so on.  If a school “suggests” doing an extra essay DO IT!! Don’t even THINK about NOT doing it.  REVIEW your essays before you send them in.  Admissions personnel want to see individuality and want something that stands out.  If you have overcome adversity or have a special situation, tell them about it!  If you are writing about someone who is your role model talk about how you are like them, not just about the person – they will want to admit that person and not you.

22. After applications are submitted RELAX!!! Don’t catch senioritis – stay healthy and do well. Check the status of your application on the college website to make sure your application is complete. Be patient…it may take 2-4 weeks for your application status to be complete. *Junior year gets you in, senior year keeps you in!*

23. Get Organized!  Keep all of your college information together! A great idea is to get a crate, a folder, a bin, a desk drawer and dedicate it to college stuff! Keep it in the same place in your house so you can find it easily!  Remember to keep all of your emails from the college – they may have important messages or phone numbers you may need.  Be sure to CHECK your email/college portal – this is how they will communicate with you! Make sure your email is appropriate!

24. Acceptances As soon as you have made a decision on which school you will attend, send a deposit right away. Inform the schools whose offers you are declining. This helps for admission of waitlisted students sooner. Turn your acceptance letters and scholarship $ to Mrs. Travis

26. 2016-2017 ACT Test Dates School Code: 445137 Test DateRegistration Deadline(Late Fee Required) September 10, 2016August 7, 2016August 8-19, 2016 October 22, 2016September 16, 2016September 17-30, 2016 December 10, 2016November 4, 2016November 5-18, 2016 February 11, 2017*January 13, 2017January 14-20, 2017 April 8, 2017March 3, 2017March 4-17, 2017 June 10, 2017May 5, 2017May 6-19, 2017 www.act.org

27. 2016-2017 SAT Test Dates School Code: 445137 Test DateNormal DeadlineLate Registration* Online Score Release October 1, 2016September 1, 2016Sept 20, 2016October 27, 2016 November 5, 2016October 7, 2016October 25, 2016November 29, 2016 December 3, 2016November 3, 2016November 22, 2016December 23, 2016 January 21, 2017December 21, 2016January 10, 2017February 16, 2017 March 11, 2017February 10, 2017February 28, 2017March 28, 2017 May 6, 2017April 7, 2017April 25, 2017May 23, 2017 June 3, 2017May 9, 2017May 24, 2017June 20, 2017 *The late registration deadline is one week earlier if you are registering by mail.

28. Apply: SAT/ACT Scores  Students must arrange for the scores be sent straight from the testing company. You can request scores be sent from: SAT: www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com ACT: www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org  If you have not taken either exam, please schedule one AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If attending TCC, you don’t have to take the ACT/SAT.  You may take them again and some schools “superscore” your best scores together.

29. Scholarships  You can apply at any time – START NOW!  All scholarships are listed on:  Counseling website  Remind 101  Scholarship board  Facebook page – like the BHS facebook page  Most of the big scholarships come from the university you attend.  Remember, you can still get scholarships WHILE attending college, so you do NOT have to have all of your money up front.  Most scholarship awards will be sent directly to the college – make sure they know where to send the money!  Write THANK YOU NOTES!

30. Counseling Remind Text Stay up to date on college information and events and sign up for Remind texts! (phone number(s) kept confidential) Text: 81010 @bhsstud

31. College and Career Night BISD College and Career Night When: November 2nd 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Where: BCTAL 7020 Mid-Cities North Richland Hills, TX 76180

32. Final Remarks Enjoy senior year! Begin applying and watch deadlines! College admissions offices are very helpful. Visit them during lunch! Ask colleges about other avenues of admission if denied.

33. Mrs. Brittni Hollis TCC Coordinator TCC Foundation Scholarship

34. Joe Rodriguez Financial Aid Specialist FAFSA

35. Questions?

36. Thank you for joining us!