1. Welcome to TCHS Senior Summit Class of 2017
Mr. Bartlet, Ms. Williams, Dana

2. When I grow up I want to be
Dana

3. Dana Benton - Lead Counselor
Counseling Staff
Marissa Diaz
Randy Colvin
A-Car
Mart-Pa
Abby Scanlon
Jamie Ortega
Cas-Fe
Pe-Se
Michelle Arnold
Jackie Swinney
Fi-Hi
Sh-Wa
Cherie Gopffarth
Dana Benton - Lead Counselor
Ho-Mars
We-Z
Dana

4. I’m a Senior….Now what? Check Credits Pass EOC’s
26 Credits for Recommended Plan
Home Access Center (HAC) you can see your transcript.
Check current schedule
Pass EOC’s
ELA 1 and 2
Algebra 1
Biology
U.S. History
Complete Current Classes!
Abby

5. Abby

6. Abby

7. Abby

8. Required for recommended plan
English I, II, III, IV
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th Math (Choice)
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4th Science (Choice)
World Geography, World History, US History, Government/Economics
P.E. or Equivalent (1 Credit)
Fine Arts (1 Credit)
Other Language (2 Credits)
Speech (.5 Credit)
Electives (5.5 Credits)
Abby

9. Take care of anything that would prevent you from getting into college.
Denied credits due to attendance
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 prospects. College admissions officers check them and can use positive or negative posts for acceptance or denials.
Abby

10. Review your options
Michelle

11. NorTex College Fair NorTex College Fair
When: Monday, September 12, :30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Golden Triangle Mall Interstate 35E Denton, TX 76205
Students register online at
Michelle

12. KISD College Fair hosted by AVID
When: Monday, November 14, :30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Timber Creek High School
Cafeteria
Michelle

13. Places to get information
Visit the College or University in person or go to their website
The TCHS “Flight Zone”- Catalogues and Posters
Your counselor and teachers! We can point you in the direction of resources. Ask!
Michelle

14. Big Future: collegeboard.org ASVAB
WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW?
Big Future: collegeboard.org
ASVAB
Sign up for this military interest inventory offered on campus free of charge
October 25, 2016
Michelle

15. Parent participation portion of the night!
Great Sorting Game
Marissa
Parent participation portion of the night!

16. It’s Time!!!
1. Create / Update your personal file/resumé 2. Get organized! 3. Research Colleges- Where to get information 4. Apply to Colleges 5. Order Transcripts and get them sent to top 3-5 choices 6. Apply for FINANCIAL AID
Cherie

17. 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.
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.
Cherie

18. 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 s from the college – they may have important messages or phone numbers you may need.
Be sure to CHECK your /college portal – this is how they will communicate with you!
Cherie

19. 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.
Cherie

20. College Exploration VISIT CAMPUSES Take a campus tour
Speak with an admissions counselor
Ask about financial aid opportunities
Sit in on a class of interest
Read the student newspaper
Talk to students and faculty.
Cherie

21. Websites about college options
College Navigator by nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator BigFuture by collegeboard.com College Websites— ”Prospective Students”
Cherie

22. Application Overview
In order to apply, you will need the following items:
Application
Application Fee
Official Transcript
SAT/ACT Scores
Essays
Some colleges will also want:
Recommendation Letters
Jackie

23. Application Process Follow the directions carefully, be sure you are
entering the information the application is asking for.
Letters of Recommendation (# required)
Resume
Essay (always do if optional)
Verify your schedule, your classes must be listed accurately.
If you change your classes after your application is sent, you MUST contact the college to inform them.
Jackie

24. Application Process
First, get organized! Gather all documents & information before starting the online application.
College Applications 1) Common Application - Complete this application online at
 2) Other Texas schools – If you are applying to a Texas school, then apply through Apply Texas at
3) All other schools - they will have their own application that will need to be completed. 
 Both the Common Application and Apply Texas are available beginning August 1.
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.
Jackie

25. What completes the application?
All four-year colleges require: 1) an application, 2) an official transcript  3) SAT or ACT scores sent from the testing agency. Some colleges also require letters of recommendation
Online portion of the application requires:
- choice of major (if required - some schools request a 1st & 2nd choice major)
biographical information
educational background
residency information
testing information –CEEB code is
extra-curricular activities
volunteer, community service
talents, awards, honors
employment, internships, summer activities
essays (if required)
scholarship essays and short answer questions (if applying for general university scholarships)
resume (if required)
acknowledgement that applicant information is accurate
fee for application to be processed (if required)
Jackie

26. What completes the application? (continued)
2. Transcript- request from KISD homepage.
3. SAT/ACT Scores
Colleges require an official score report sent directly from the testing agency.
When you register for either test, enter Timber Creek’s CEEB code
Scores can be sent to 4 schools at no charge as part of test registration or an applicant can wait on scores and pay a fee to SAT/ACT to send scores.
Plan early for requesting transcripts and test scores to be sent to meet deadlines.
AP scores are not required for application, but must be requested from College Board and reported by them to the attending college to receive college credit. College differ in what AP score they require to earn credit.
Dual Credit coursework: the college you attend will require a transcript from TCC to determine if college credit has been earned. You must order this through TCC once TCC has posted credit on TCC transcript.
Jackie

27. Recommendation Letter
If your school requires a recommendation letter:
Choose someone who knows you well enough to write the letter for you. This may be a teacher, coach, employer or friend of the family.
If your school specifically asks for the school counselor to write the letter, you will need to fill out the recommendation packet which you pick up from the counseling office.
Please allow 2 weeks from the date you turn in the profile for the letter to be completed.
Recommendation letters are mailed directly to the school.
If the letter is not required, it will not be considered for acceptance.
Jackie

28. 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 three weeks prior to your first deadline and by November 25 for any applications with a January deadline.
Jackie

29. 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.
Jackie

30. Apply: Application Fee
Each university will require a one-time application fee ranging from $25 to $75 (many are about $40).
You can pay your application fees online with Apply Texas and Common Application. You may also pay by check through the mail; using the mail system will mean that your application takes longer to process.
Remember postmark dates!!
Jackie

31. Regular Decision, Early Action, and Early Decision
Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines!
Rolling Admission or Regular Decision: The vast majority of students who apply to a given institution will do so through Regular Decision. While the application submission deadlines will vary between institutions, Regular Decision deadlines typically fall in early January, and offers of admission are sent out in late March or early April. These students will have until May 1 to either accept or decline their offers.
Early Action: Students will submit their applications before the regular deadline and will be informed of their admissions decision soon after (typically in January or February). Although the students apply and may be accepted, they are not committed to their Early Action school, and have until May 1 to either accept or decline their offers of admission.
Early Decision: Similar to Early Action, students will submit their applications before the Regular Decision deadline and receive their admissions decisions soon after. The most significant difference is that Early Decision is binding, which means that any student who applies and is admitted to a school through Early Decision is expected to enroll. Early Decision applicants typically require some type of signed form that indicates the intention to enroll upon admission.
Jackie

32. Order Transcripts
Official transcripts must be requested through the Kellerisd website. Even if we get requests from SendEDU, student must still fill out a request through website
Check deadlines! It takes up to 3 days to get a transcript ready. AND, it gets crazy around deadlines!
Don’t forget, NCAA will require an official transcript. Also,they do NOT accept SAT/ACT test scores from anyone else but the testing company.
There is a $7 fee for each transcript
Dana

33. Dana

34. 2016-2017 SAT Test Dates School Code: 443752 Test Date Normal Deadline
Late Registration* 
Online Score Release
October 1, 2016
September 1, 2016
Sept 20, 2016
October 27, 2016
November 5, 2016
October 7, 2016
October 25, 2016
November 29, 2016
December 3, 2016
November 3, 2016
November 22, 2016
December 23, 2016
January 21, 2017
December 21, 2016
January 10, 2017
February 16, 2017
March 11, 2017
February 10, 2017
February 28, 2017
March 28, 2017
May 6, 2017
April 7, 2017
April 25, 2017
May 23, 2017
June 3, 2017
May 9, 2017
May 24, 2017
June 20, 2017
Jamie
*The late registration deadline is one week earlier if you are registering by mail.
School Code:

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

36. Jamie

37. 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:
ACT:
If you have not taken either exam, please schedule one AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
You may take them again and some schools “superscore” your best scores together.
Jamie

38. 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!*
Jamie

39. 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 in to Ms. Campbell for your Flight Card.
Jamie

40. APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
Go to for the application. YOU MUST FILL THIS OUT TO RECEIVE ANY FINANCIAL AID FROM ANY UNIVERSITY.
The application will not be available until October 1, 2016, and you will use your 2015 tax information. Be sure to have this document sent to the university of your choice.
FINANCIAL AID IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED, SO TURN IN YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
There will be a financial aid night soon.
Randy

41. Scholarships
Go to for up to date scholarships.
username: keller
password: keller
There will be local scholarships available this spring exclusively for our KISD and/or TCHS students. (Smaller pool of people applying = more chances at $$$$)
You can apply at any time – START NOW!
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!
Randy

42. Other Research Where to look for Scholarships and College Information
Zinch.com
Cappex
Fastweb
Local Scholarships Binder in the Flight Zone-in the Counseling office
CollegeBoard
Randy

43. College Application Timeline Review
April – October (Junior Year)– Explore and narrow college choice list. Take SAT/ACT.
Aug.- March– complete online applications and provide required additional documents. (Transcript, test scores, resume, letters of recommendation)
Oct. –June – Complete FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid & university scholarships.
By May 1- select school & schedule freshman orientation.
Now – Graduation – actively search & apply for scholarships
Randy

44. Thank you for joining us!
Randy

45. Questions?
All available