3. Principal J. Ivey Dean of Accountability & Instruction Dr. C. Kirkland Assistant Principals D. Baker, S. Drummond, T. Sikes Counselors 9-10 th Tammy Hathcock C114 11 th Jamie DurhamC213 12 th Thelma GriffinC210 Registrar Leslie BellFront office AHS ADMINISTRATION

4. AHS Counseling Services Graduation Graduation Career Planning Career Planning Financial Aid Financial Aid College Admission College Admission Testing registration Testing registration Scholarship Scholarship Forms and documents Forms and documents Personal & academic guidance Personal & academic guidance

5. Graduation Plans-4x4 Graduation Plans-4x4 Recommended Plan –adjusted August 09 by House Bill 3 (HB3) for all students Recommended Plan –adjusted August 09 by House Bill 3 (HB3) for all students – 26 state credits 1. 1.0 credit (not 1.5) of PE is required with no maximum number of credits 2. Health is not required 3. Technology is not required Distinguished Achievement Plan Distinguished Achievement Plan – 26 state credits (see above) plus 4 advanced measures

6. District Graduation Policy! Beginning with the class of 2008, students must complete all required coursework and pass all parts of the TAKS in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Beginning with the class of 2008, students must complete all required coursework and pass all parts of the TAKS in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. TAKS Test dates: October 21-24

7. Senior Contracts 10-day requirement for letters 10-day requirement for letters Financial Aid Financial Aid Transcript Evaluation Transcript Evaluation TAKS status TAKS status State credits earned State credits earned Credits needed Credits needed Graduation Plan Graduation Plan GPA and rank GPA and rank College Application Process College Application Process College Choices College Choices Major/Career Choice Major/Career Choice Ways to contact you Ways to contact you Websites Websites

8. Off to college….where to go? what to do? Apply to 3 – 5 colleges. Apply to 3 – 5 colleges. Select a “dream” school that may be a stretch. Select a “dream” school that may be a stretch. Select at least one “sure thing”. Select at least one “sure thing”. Select 2 – 3 schools in between. Select 2 – 3 schools in between. A college should fit YOU A college should fit YOU academically academically personally personally socially socially

9. College Admission Terms  Early Decision – a binding commitment to attend the college if you are accepted  Early Action/Notification – simply applying early so you will receive acceptance notification early – no commitment to attend  Rolling Admission – apply and usually receive an admission decision within four to six weeks

10. College Application Process College Application Process Every college requires: An application sent electronically or by mail An application sent electronically or by mail An official transcript sent by high school An official transcript sent by high school Most colleges require: SAT or ACT scores (sent by testing agency) SAT or ACT scores (sent by testing agency) Many colleges & scholarships require: Letters of recommendation, essay(s), resume, Letters of recommendation, essay(s), resume, counselor report counselor report

11. What Influences the Admission Decision? Top 10% Top 10% Class rank/G.P.A. Class rank/G.P.A. SAT or ACT scores SAT or ACT scores Choice of courses Choice of courses Recommendation letters Recommendation letters Application essay Application essay Extra-curricular activities Extra-curricular activities Leadership experiences Leadership experiences Special interests/talents Special interests/talents Community involvement Community involvement Service to the school Service to the school Special circumstances Special circumstances Interviews Interviews Completion of “optional” Completion of “optional”

12. Application Tips 1. Follow instructions carefully (many applicants do not!)!! 2. Pay attention to deadlines. Don’t meet the deadline; beat the deadline! 3. Don’t be humble! Include and describe all of your accomplishments (no acronyms).

13. Apply Texas Application www.ApplyTexas.org www.ApplyTexas.org Used by all Texas public four-year colleges and most community colleges Used by all Texas public four-year colleges and most community colleges On-line applications can be submitted beginning August 1 st On-line applications can be submitted beginning August 1 st www.ApplyTexas.org

14. Top Ten Percent Bill Students ranking in the top 10% of their class are automatically admitted to any public university in Texas Exception: 2014 UT Austin-Top 7%; Exception: 2014 UT Austin-Top 7%; 2015 – Top 7% Complete application requirements Complete application requirements by the university’s deadline Enroll in college no more than two years after graduating from high school Enroll in college no more than two years after graduating from high school

15. Surprise!!!! Non-Top Ten Percenters Can Get In! At UT Austin, 87% of Texas residents admitted for Fall 2010 ranked in the top ten percent. At UT Austin, 87% of Texas residents admitted for Fall 2010 ranked in the top ten percent. At Texas A&M, 50% of students admitted for Fall 2010 ranked in the top ten percent. At Texas A&M, 50% of students admitted for Fall 2010 ranked in the top ten percent.

16. Demonstrate interest in colleges Visit the university (not just for football games!) Attend an orientation session. Visit the university (not just for football games!) Attend an orientation session. Meet with representatives at school Meet with representatives at school Contact admissions representatives Contact admissions representatives Use websites to compare schools Use websites to compare schools

17. Important Websites  www.collegeboard.com -SAT www.collegeboard.com  www.act.org- ACT www.act.org- www.act.org-  www.thea.nesinc.com- THEA www.thea.nesinc.com  www.applytexas.org- Texas applications www.applytexas.org- www.applytexas.org-  www.commonapp.org- national applications  www.ncaaclearinghouse.net- athletic scholarships www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

18. Show me the Money! Tips on Financial Aid Apply for your PIN number early: www.pin.ed.gov Apply for your PIN number early: www.pin.ed.gov Complete the FAFSA (or TASFA) form on- line after January 1st during your senior year Complete the FAFSA (or TASFA) form on- line after January 1st during your senior year Visit the following websites for more information: Visit the following websites for more information: www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov www.collegeforalltexans.com www.collegeforalltexans.com

19. Types of Financial Aid Money that does NOT have to be repaid Money that does NOT have to be repaid Scholarships – award based on merit Scholarships – award based on merit  Senior newsletter Beyond the Buzz  Search the internet  Free scholarship search websites  Beat the deadline Grant – award based on financial need Grant – award based on financial need Money that DOES have to be repaid Money that DOES have to be repaid Loan Loan

20. Texas Grant Program Requirements High school diploma High school diploma Enrollment within 16 months of graduation and 3/4 time Enrollment within 16 months of graduation and 3/4 time Completion of Recommended or Distinguished Achievement high school curriculum Completion of Recommended or Distinguished Achievement high school curriculum Financial need determined by FAFSA Financial need determined by FAFSA Texas resident Texas resident No conviction of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance No conviction of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance

21. New TSI Assessment Texas Success Initiative New TSI Assessment Texas Success Initiative Required by all Texas public colleges unless exempt Required by all Texas public colleges unless exempt Exemptions: Exemptions: * TAKS (exit-level): 2200 in math and/or 2200 in English/Language Arts with a writing score of 3-4 * TAKS (exit-level): 2200 in math and/or 2200 in English/Language Arts with a writing score of 3-4 * STAAR end of course (EOC): Level 2+ on English III EOC, Level 2+ on Algebra II EOC * STAAR end of course (EOC): Level 2+ on English III EOC, Level 2+ on Algebra II EOC * SAT: combined score of 1070 with 500 on math and verbal sections * SAT: combined score of 1070 with 500 on math and verbal sections * ACT: a composite score of 23 with a 19 on the math and English sections * ACT: a composite score of 23 with a 19 on the math and English sections

22. TSI Assessment Texas Success Initiative Offered at TVCC, 1 st Monday Offered at TVCC, 1 st Monday of most months of most months $35.00 $35.00 Details Details Computer based Computer based 3 areas: reading, writing, math 3 areas: reading, writing, math 2 parts 2 parts PAA-Pre-Assessment Activity PAA-Pre-Assessment Activity TSI Assessment TSI Assessment Takes up to 4 hours Takes up to 4 hours Student will receive a score sheet with diagnostic information Student will receive a score sheet with diagnostic information

23. Important Notes! Only 1 final transcript will be sent to the college of your choice after May 1 Only 1 final transcript will be sent to the college of your choice after May 1 AHS cannot release an official transcript to a parent or student. It can be mailed. AHS cannot release an official transcript to a parent or student. It can be mailed.

24. AHS Senior 2014 Motto No until Apps are Complete! Trick or Treat at AHS on October 31 if you Complete a new college application Complete a new college application Bring copy of your submitted ApplyTexas confirmation to C210 prior to Friday, October 25 Bring copy of your submitted ApplyTexas confirmation to C210 prior to Friday, October 25