1. Class of 2019 College Preparation

2. Naviance
Web-based resource for students and parents that assists with post high school career and college planning.
Family Connection is specific to Mayde Creek High School and all students in Katy ISD starting in 6th grade have access. 
Available on MyKaty Could
Allows students and parents to:
Research Colleges and Careers
Search for Scholarships
Create a Resume
Complete Career Interest Surveys
Develop a Prospective College List
Apply to Colleges
Request Recommendations from Teachers
Communicate with your Counselor
Submit Recommendation Letters
Links to Select Third Party Resources
(i.e. College Board, Financial Aid, NCAA, Careers, College Websites, etc.)
Track deadlines
Updates are coming for the 2018—2019 school year.

3. What Do You Want? What career/occupation do you want to pursue?
Do your research
Use Career Interest Inventories:
Naviance - Career Interest Profiler
Talk with professionals in related field
Students’ should asses themselves
What subject are your strong/weak in?
Look into employment opportunities, internships, shadowing
You can change your major as a freshman/sophomore
Varying difficulty

4. What school is the best fit for you?
University, Junior/Community College, or Trade School?
Research
Naviance
Filters school by major, location, cost, environment, demographics, and more.
College Fairs
National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) Fair
April 12th 9:00am- 12:30pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm NRG Center
Houston Area Recruiting Network (HARN)
April 16th during all lunches Main Commons
Submit specific requests to me
Schedule a meeting with me.
VISIT THE SCHOOLS
11th & 12th Graders– 2 College Days/Year
MCHS Attendance Office
Go when classes are in session
Visit During Open Houses
Check out Summer Opportunities

5. SAT/ACT
Test once as a junior and if necessary again early senior year (August-October)
Why take both? Different Tests
Similar but ACT has a Science portion that the SAT does not.
SAT -
Test Date: May 5th Registration Deadline April 6th
Test Date June 2nd – Registration Deadline May 3rd
Study with Khan Academy
ACT -
Test Date June 9th – Registration Deadline May 4th
Test Date July 14th – Registration Deadline June 15th

6. SAT/ACT Test Fee Waivers Students Receiving Free/Reduced Lunch
Send Your Scores to Colleges
Preselect colleges after registration
Select colleges after you receive scores
4 free score sends (expire after 2 weeks?)
If used a fee waiver 4 additional free sends
Free sends expire after 2 weeks $12/send
Test Fee Waivers
Students Receiving Free/Reduced Lunch
2 for SAT and 2 ACT
College Application Fee Waivers
4 for each SAT taken with a testing fee waiver
“Unlimited” for ACT
Always check with the college’s admission office before using an application fee waiver
Most Junior/Community Colleges applications are free

7. College Applications In State: Apply Texas www.applytexas.org
Private/Out of State:
Common App
Coalition Application
Websites Allow you to Copy/Paste Applications
Some Schools Use Their Own Application
Available on School’s Admissions Website
APPLY EARLY (Open July/August)
Improves chances of admission
Choice of Major
Automatic Admits Take it Seriously
Early Scholarship Deadlines

8. College Applications Once you apply Submit Official Transcripts
Request form in Registrars Office 1100
Must be 18 to request
Electronic for in state/mail out of state
Up to 3 weeks for admissions to process
Send SAT/ACT Scores
Online at either test website
Submit FAFSA or TASFA
Submit proof of Bacterial Meningitis Shots
Monitor your progress
Check Your Prospective Student Account
Communicate with Admissions Adviser
If you are denied some schools allow you to appeal the decision if you have:
Significant academic change that was not seen on your original application:
Rank/GPA change, higher SAT/ACT must be taken before decision
Or a tragedy/situation that might have negatively affected you during the application process.

9. Resume START NOW Save a running list of all (9th-12th):
Extracurricular Activities
Volunteer Hours
Honors/Awards/Leadership Positions
Any important achievements
Necessary for:
College Applications
Scholarship Applications
Letters of Recommendation

10. Admissions Essays Take your time and take it seriously
Student’s chance to brag or explain their
The essays are already up
Save, edit, and reuse for multiple schools and scholarships

11. Letters of Recommendation
Find recommenders relatable to your major
Ask early (3 weeks prior)
Use for multiple schools and/or scholarship applications
If you want to use the same person for scholarships ask for both at once
Submit the maximum allowed (typically 3)

12. FAFSA/TASFA Both open October 1st Submit ASAP Funding is Limited
First Come First Serve
Require Parents/Guardians’ 2017 Tax Returns and W-2’s
Submitted Annually
FAFSA
US Citizens and Permanent Residents
Submit Online at
Requires:
Students and Parents Social Security Numbers
IRS Data Retrieval Tool
TASFA
Non-Citizens that are Texas Residents
Paper Application
Requires Additional Documentation:
Notarized Affidavit of Intent
Copy of Parents Tax Transcripts
Males over 18 Must Register for Selective Service
Available in the College Advising Office
Significant Changes in Income (Job Loss, significant medical expenses) that are not reflected by your FAFSA/TASFA:
Contact the Office of Financial Aid

13. Scholarships Most Applications Require the same things:
Essays-Usually topics related to
Why do you deserve this scholarship?
Why do you want to pursue your major/career?
Describe a time you overcame adversity.
Who is a person that inspires you? Why?
Letter/s of Recommendation
Transcript
SAT/ACT Scores
Save Everything for Multiple Applications
Where to search:
Naviance
Colleges Tab
Scholarship List (Local Houston/Katy)
National Scholarship Search
Websites
Other Sources of Aid:
Work Study
Part time job
Eligibility – FAFSA
Student Loans

14. Prepare Now and In Summer
Determine your major
Make a list of 5 to 10 schools
Take your SAT/ACT
Study for both
Create your résume
Prepare Your college Applications
Create Apply Texas, Common App, or Coalition App accounts
Prepare Admissions Essays
Search for Scholarships

15. Zachary Lawrence I’m here to help you every step of the way!!!
To schedule a meeting
Students stop by my office
Parents or call me
Office Location: 1100B
Office Phone: (281)
College Advising Remind: to 81010