1. Class of 2020 College Preparation

2. What’s the right career path?
Research Now
Career Interest Inventories:
Naviance:
Career Interest Profiler
Do What you Are
Strengths Assessor
Students should asses themselves
Strengths and weaknesses?
Talk with professionals in related field
Do more for your major
Part time job
Internships
Shadow
Majors can change

3. What school is the best fit for you?
What type of school?
University
Junior/Community College
Trade School
Where?
What’s the best environment?
Research
Naviance
Filters school by major, location, cost, environment, demographics, and more.
VISIT THE SCHOOLS
11th & 12th Graders– 2 College Days/Year
MCHS Attendance Office
Go when classes are in session
Open Houses
Check out Summer Opportunities
Make a list of at least 5 schools

4. SAT/ACT TAKE BOTH TESTS! End of junior year
Beginning of senior year (August-October)
Different tests
ACT Science
SAT -
Study with Khan Academy:
ACT -
Study with ACT Academy:
Library has study material for both

5. Test Dates

6. SAT/ACT Send Your Scores to Colleges Test Fee Waivers
Select colleges during registration for ACT or after registration for SAT
Select colleges after you receive scores
4 free score sends (expire after roughly 2 weeks)
Free sends expire after 2 weeks $12/send
If used a fee waiver unlimited free sends
Test Fee Waivers
Students Receiving Free/Reduced Lunch
2 for SAT and 2 for ACT
College Application Fee Waivers
4 for SAT
“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 and major
Automatic admits take it seriously
Early scholarship deadlines

8. College Applications Once you apply Submit Official Transcripts
Request form in Registrars Office 1100
18+ to request without parent signature
Electronic for in state (free)
Mail out of state ($2 charge)
Admissions mailing address
Up to 3 weeks for transcript 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.

10. 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

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

12. Letters of Recommendation
Not all schools require them
Find at least one recommender relatable to your major
Ask early (3 weeks prior)
Let them know if you may need multiple
Typically letters should remain sealed or unread by student
Submit the maximum allowed (typically 3)

13. FAFSA/TASFA Both open October 1st TASFA
Submit ASAP Funding is Limited
First Come First Serve
Require Parents/Guardians’ 2018 Tax Returns and W-2’s (students included if they filed taxes)
Submitted Annually
Males over 18 Must Register for Selective Service
FAFSA
US Citizens and Permanent Residents
Submit online at
Requires student’s 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
Available in the College Advising Office
Financial Aid Appeal
Significant Changes in Income
(Job Loss, significant medical expenses)
Not reflected by FAFSA/TASFA:
Contact the Office of Financial Aid

14. 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:
Veterans and their dependents:
Hazelwood Act:
Post 9/11 GI Bill: sp
Work Study
Part time job
Eligibility – FAFSA
Student Loans

15. Prepare Now 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

16. 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