1. Not a Senior…
…but will be soon!

2. Administrators & Counselors
Administration
Counseling Staff
Kimberley James, Principal
Bryan Davis, College & Career
Lisa Trevino (A-C)
Vilma Mosier (A-C)
Rolando Gonzales (D-G)
Angela Arredondo (D-G)
Scott Walker, AP (H-Me)
Dr. Lia Rosales (H-Me)
Stephanie Contreras (Mi-Ro)
Robin Huff (Mi-Ro)
Chris Hall (Ru-Z)
Marsha Hutchens (Ru-Z)

3. Overview What are colleges looking for? Freshman Year Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Summer (Jr/Sr)
Senior Year

4. What does my college want to see?
Not just grades, but the rigor of courses in addition to your grades.
SAT or ACT scores
AP Exams
Extracurricular activities
Recommendations
Essays
Interviews
Rank/GPA (not what you might think)

5. Freshman Year Adapt to high school Establish your GPA
Create your resume (you will be adding to this year by year)
Participate in extra-curricular activities
Participate in community service or volunteer work
Plan your future high school courses
Explore areas of interest
Career Cruising

6. Sophomore Year Continue establishing your GPA
Take more challenging courses (if able)
PreAP, AP, Dual Credit
Continue extra curriculars, community service, etc.
Update your resume
Take the PSAT (offered in October; VMHS tests all sophomores)
Take the ASVAB
Military
Career Research

7. Sophomore year (cont.) Register for NCAA
Only if interested in college level athletics
Begin Exploring College Options
The College Fair
Available on the app store
Create a shortlist of schools
Explore by interests
Save colleges to your favorites
Chat with a “coach” to assist your search
College Board Search

8. Junior Year Continue everything from sophomore/freshman year
Update your resume
Consider signing up for SAT/ACT prep course
Register for NCAA or NAIA (if not already done)
Take PSAT
Junior year PSAT could have you qualify for National Merit Scholar Awards
Access Khan Academy’s SAT preparation online
Military
Begin speaking with recruiters
Take (or retake) the ASVAB
Take SAT or ACT (or both)
Typically best to do during the 2nd semester

9. Junior year (cont.) Narrow down college options (5-10)
Become aware of their current admissions requirements
Automatic Admissions vs. Holistic Review
Visit with college recruiters and/or visit campuses
Begin requesting letters of recommendation
Sponsors, teachers, counselors, administrators, etc.
Always present the recommender with a copy of your resume and a deadline.
Begin working on college application essays (end of the year)
Research scholarships and create profiles on scholarship databases

10. Summer: Jr/Sr Year
Most college applications open on July 1st (for the fall semester of the next year)
Learn application deadlines for your schools of interest:
Early Decision (usually binding)
Early Action
Priority Deadline
Final Deadline
Complete your application essays (if not already finished)

11. Senior Year Continue everything from previous years
Update your resume
Retake SAT/ACT (if needed)
Apply for admissions
Reach schools
Safety schools
Submit:
Transcript
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Application fee
Any other requested documents
Meningitis vaccine, fee waiver, etc.

12. Senior Year (Cont.) FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Opens October 1st for fall of the next year
Will be based on your income taxes from the “prior prior” year
Ex: Students completing FAFSA for fall of 2018 admission are using 2016 Tax returns
This is how students qualify for grants and loans
Apply for scholarships
Some are connected to admissions app
College & Career Center Website
Can be based on need, academics, service, leadership, choice of major, etc.
BE SURE TO CHECK DEADLINES!

13. What’s next? Various college recruiter visits
(juniors/seniors only – sign up on College & Career Center Website)
November 14 – ASVAB test on VMHS Campus
(sign up on College & Career Center Website)
SAT & ACT tests in the spring (Juniors)
Sign up at (SAT)
Sign up at (ACT)
Mr. Davis to meet w/ all Juniors in February
Mr. Davis to meet w/ all Sophomores in April