1. Lovejoy High School’s College 101 October 27, 7:00 p.m. October 28, 8:00 a.m. Presented by the LHS Counseling Department Courtney Harker, students last names A-KJenny McConaughy, students last names L-Z Courtney_harker@lovejoyisd.net Jennifer_mcconaughy@lovejoyisd.net 469.742.8711469.742.8713

2. Why College 101?  College choices, searches, and decisions are all a part of parenting – the next step in a long line of steps.  Will be followed by College 201, 301, & 401  Discuss basics of college planning and generic college choices

3. Freshman Year Fall  Meet your counselor; learn his/her name.  Determine academic/career plans and personal and academic strengths.  Review general college admission requirements.  Do your best in all classes.  Participate in extracurricular activities and community service.  Take the PSAT in October. Spring  Begin researching online the colleges which interest you.  Start a college file with information and important documents.  Do your best in all classes.  Meet with your counselor to review your schedule for next year; it should be challenging.  Review summer reading and summer enrichment opportunities.

4. Sophomore Year Fall  Continue extracurricular activities – quality not quantity.  Do your best in all classes. Spring  Meet with your counselor and parents to review your schedule for next year; it should be challenging and begin to reflect your particular interests while preparing you for your future.  Research which schools offer programs for your career plans.  Review summer reading and enrichment opportunities. Summer  Visit colleges if you’re able.  Potentially take the SAT Reasoning and/or SAT Subject Tests, depending on your course schedule – talk with your counselor.  READ – keep your mind sharp.

5. Junior Year Fall  Take the PSAT/NMSQT. This is the National Merit Qualifying year.  Potentially take SAT Subject Tests, depending on your courses – talk with your counselor. Fall/Winter  Meet with college admissions representatives who visit the school. Early Spring  Take the ACT test.  Develop a plan based on where you want to go after LHS. Spring  Visit colleges; attend prospective students days if able. Summer  Visit as many of your top choice schools as possible.

6. Senior Year Summer/Fall  We recommend you apply to 6-8 schools with on average: 2 reaches, 2 targets (meet all criteria), 2 solids (surpass criteria).  Determine your college deadlines.  Apply for scholarships as soon as you can. Late Fall / Early Winter  Keep copies of everything you send in.  Visit the schools to which you’ve applied if possible. Spring  Parents complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Aid) ASAP after January 1.  Maintain good grades and attendance – colleges see your final transcript and may make decisions based on it.  Send necessary documents & deposit to college of your choice.  Enjoy your graduation, your senior activities and prepare to move on to the next stage in your life!

7. Student A  3.69 GPA  4 AP classes  SAT 1380/1600, 2090/2400, ACT 31  Activities: Art Club, Showcased in local art exhibits, SADD, NHS College Decisions  Texas A&MAdmit  Baylor UniversityAdmit  Furman UniversityAdmit $2,500 art scholarship  VanderbiltWait List  U. of VirginiaDeny  Wake Forest U.Wait List  Washington & LeeAdmit Will Attend: Texas A&M University

8. Student B  3.05 GPA  3 AP classes  SAT 1260/1600, 1860/2400, ACT 25  Activities: Community Service, President of the Baptist Youth Group College Decisions  AmericanAdmit  U. of Colorado – BoulderAdmit  U. of TexasDeny  Texas TechAdmit  U. of GeorgiaWait List Will Attend: American

9. Student C  2.71 GPA  0 AP classes  SAT 1080/1600, 1560/2400, ACT 21  Activities: Lacrosse, Young Republicans, Gubernatorial Campaign volunteer College Decisions  U. of AlabamaAdmit  AuburnDeny  U. of North TexasAdmit – Summer  Texas TechDeny  Georgia Southern U.Admit  Collin CollegeAdmit Will Attend: Georgia Southern U.

10. Student D  4.40 GPA  7 AP classes  SAT 1540/1600, 2340/2400, ACT 33  Activities: NHS, captain of volleyball team, newspaper editor, founder of scrapbook club College Decisions  DartmouthAdmit  DukeAdmit  Emory U.Admit  U. of Texas (honors)Admit  HarvardWait List  TuftsAdmit  UNC-Chapel HillAdmitMorehead-Cain Scholar (full scholarship)  Washington U. (St. Louis)Admit$5,000 academic scholarship Will Attend: UNC- Chapel Hill

11. Student E  3.22 GPA  3 AP classes  SAT 1280/1600, 1920/2400, ACT 28  Activities: Student Council, football, Spanish club, NHS, summer camp counselor 2 years in a row College Decisions  Auburn U.Admit  EmoryDeny  U. of TexasDeny  U. of RichmondWait List  SMUAdmit Will Attend: SMU

12. Lovejoy High School’s College 101 It’s a process that’s all about the match.