1. College Readiness Continued

2. Where to apply? Public vs. Private Public
Accommodate residents of the state
Cost
Proximity to home
Comprehensiveness (career training as wells as liberal arts)
Can be easier to get into
School Spirit

3. Where to Apply? Private Prestige Factor
Class size & Student/ Teacher Ratio
Emphasis of curriculum
Networking Value

4. Differences to consider
Size Differences
Curriculum differences
Church affiliation
Unique programs or academic calendars
Cost vs. Best Environment for a student (The Match)

5. The Applications Texas Common Application –Texas Public
The Common Application – Most Private Schools

6. Applications Start in September of your senior year.
Have a spreadsheet with deadlines, required documents, etc… for each of your college choices.
Set personal goals for certain parts of the application process. (General info by???, essay done by ???, etc…)
A good date to shoot for total completion is December 1st.
Fill it out on paper first to know what you are going to need and then fill it in online.
Interview?

7. College Essays
Apply Texas – Describe a setting in which you have collaborated or interacted with people whose experiences and/or beliefs differ from yours. Address your initial feelings, and how those feelings were or were not changed by this experience.
Apply Texas -Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills and resources you used to resolve it. Did it change you? If so, how?

8. College Essays
Apply Texas – Considering your lifetime goals, discuss how your current and future academic and extra-curricular activities might help you achieve your goals.

9. College Essays – The Common App

10. College Essays Provide NEW information!!!!!!!
Write about something you KNOW!!!
Narrow your focus
Avoid gimmicks
Consider your audience – Who is reading your essay?
Keep it real. Be yourself
Ask parents for help (Parents – YOU CANNOT WRITE THIS FOR THEM!!!)
Stick to the past 2 – 4 years of your life
Read sample essays
Consider how your education will fit your needs and lead you to a fulfilling life? Not just for a career.
Don’t “Thesaurize” your essay

11. ACT and SAT
Please see my web site.

12. Scholarships and Financial Aid Packages
Scholarships – Money that does not have to be paid back.
Make sure to inquire about all institution awards you can apply for and the ones that receive automatic consideration upon admission.
Apply for all you meet the requirements for.
Begin scholarship apps when you begin apps for admission.

13. Scholarships Fastweb.com Collegeboard.org Scholarships.com
Others on my website
Local competitions
Athletic Scholarships? – D1, D2, D3
Don’t reuse essays at the same school even if the topics are similar!

14. Financial Aid
Financial Aid helps to fill the gaps left by lack of scholarship dollars.
Everyone should apply for FA. (Yes, even if you make “Too much money.”)
Types of financial aid
Don’t pay back
Grants
Work Study
Pay Back
Loans
Subsidized – Interest doesn’t accrue until 6 weeks after graduation
Unsubsidized – Interest accrues once you use the funds

15. Financial Aid Reported to you in the form of the SAR
Student Aid Report
The only way to get a student aid report is to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Free to apply for all US citizens or permanent residents.
Does not take scholarship money into consideration.
Awards given based on level of need.

16. FAFSA
Request your official FSA ID in the fall of your senior year (parents too).
Apply after January of your Senior year using your most recent taxes. You can use last years taxes but will have to make corrections before you can receive funds.
Help you make your college decision by adding:
Scholarships + Grants + Work Study + Loans