1. WHS Counselors Lynn Hundley, M.Ed. and Sheri Pelham, M.Ed.
College planning
WHS Counselors Lynn Hundley, M.Ed. and Sheri Pelham, M.Ed.

2. Post Secondary Options
Junior College or community College (Open, can transfer to university, more affordable)
Public University or 4 year college (ACT/SAT based admission, More expensive)
Private University or 4 year college (ACT/SAT based admission, most expensive)
Technical or Vocational School (can transfer to University or get certification for work)
Military

3. 9th grade planning Meet counselor Get involved in school activities
Make good grades
Explore interests and careers (see counselor webpage for resources – Big future)
Consider a college savings plan
Begin Community service
Keep binder or folder of important documentation

4. 10th grade planning Take PSAT Continue making good grades
Explore careers and interests (see counselor or Counselor webpage for resources – Big Future)
Begin looking at different colleges and options
Summer job or community service

5. 11th grade planning TAKE PSAT in fall Take sat/act in spring
Evaluate your options after high school (military, Tech or Vocational School, Jr. or Community College, Public or Private University)
Make a list of colleges to begin narrowing choices
Make a testing plan for taking your SAT/ACT
Visit your top college choices – Note admission deadlines
Keep your grades up
Meet with counselor

6. 12th grade planning Finalize college choices Keep grades up
Retake SAT/ACT
Make a deadline calendar
Letters of recommendation
Meet with counselor
Complete applications (Be aware of Admission deadlines)

7. 12th grade planning (cont.)
Search for and complete scholarship applications
Submit the FAFSA (October 1st opens)
Compare Financial Aid Packages from colleges
Make final decision
Contact all colleges involved
Complete enrollment paperwork
Contact College Financial Aid office

8. Meeting with Counselors
Ask teacher to visit counselor
Fill out pass for appointment
Stop by between classes (counselor will contact teacher)
Stop in before or after school
Counselor may call you out of class
Parents are welcome to meet by appointment
Counselors will help with any part of the planning process

9. What to look for in a college
Program – Do they offer the degree plan for your career choice?
Place – is the location good for you? Weather? Rural, urban, suburban? Size?
People – ethnicity and religion? Activities and organizations? Diversity? personality?
Price – will it fit in with your financial position? Can you afford it?

10. Step by step
Step 1: graduation requirements - your counselors will verify your courses, but if you have a question, please ask them
HB 5 (Foundation with Endorsement) plan

11. STEP by step Step 2: college admissions exams Sat – College board.org
Act – act.org
Tsi – texas success initiative for Jr and community colleges (may be exempt depending on staar eoc scores)

12. Step by step Step 3: apply to colleges
Reach schools : most selective – might be a long shot but not impossible – might need more financial assistance
Target schools: more that 50/50 chance to get in, more in the “ballpark”
Safety schools: little problem being admitted and better financial fit

13. Step by step
Step 4: send transcript – transcripts must be requested via a transcript request form which may be filled out at the office or accessed on the school webpage
Final transcript will be sent after graduation
Current student transcripts are sent free of charge
Official and unofficial
Dual Credit College Transcripts must be sent

14. Step by step
Step 5: resume: A resume should be created outlining all extracurricular activities, honors, clubs, awards and the years of participation
Document hours per week and hours per year
Include information on community service (volunteer) hours
Community service can come through churches, after school clubs, community organizations, or personal service projects

15. Step by step Step 6: scholarships
Search for scholarships – scholarships 360, fastweb, scholly (app), unigo, JLV
Local scholarships usually open in the spring
Listen for announcements/Follow Whitney High Counselors FB page
Check WHS counselor webpage often for added scholarships
Different types and differing criteria
Put forth the time and effort
Each institution has its own application for scholarships – see institution webpage

16. Step by step Step 7: Letters of Recommendation
Plan ahead – do not request at the last minute – this is not respectful to the person writing your letter
Provide your list of accomplishments with your request
Provide the purpose and institution or group to whom it is being written (scholarship, application, other)
Use appropriate form for requesting (if one is required)

17. Step by step
Step 8: fill out the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA)
fill out in October – Opens October 1st
Have parent tax return information available (2016 finances)
Unless there are special circumstances, parent financial information must be used
Use FAFSA4caster to get an estimated award amount

18. Types of financial aid

19. What are colleges looking for?
Program – how challenging was the coursework?
Performance – how well has the student done?
Potential – indicated by standardized test scores
Participation – what commitments outside the classroom? Job? Activities? Community service?
Personality – essay and teacher/counselor recommendations. May require an interview.

20. Parents should… Listen and be supportive Advocate Advise of deadlines
Organize college trips
Research
Encourage – but be realistic
Career counsel
Enjoy your time, it will go fast
Be open to options other than the first plan

21. Parents should not…. Call school other than for financial reasons
Complete applications
Write essays
Encourage application to colleges you can’t afford
Be Be naïve about what financial aid really means
Forget this isn’t about you (except for the money part)

22. Social media implications for admission
College admissions officers are looking at social media accounts to get a better idea about you
“Clean Up” your social media pages
Use the “grandma rule” – don’t post something you wouldn’t show your grandma
Even if they love your GPA, they may hate your twitter/facebook/insta…etc.

23. Thank you for coming!!
Please let us know how we can assist you on your college planning journey!! Mrs. Hundley, M.Ed. and Mrs. Pelham, M.Ed.