1. Preparing for College

2. Where to begin? Begins in Junior year Begins in Junior year Taking challenging courses Taking challenging courses Attending college fairs humble college night in October Attending college fairs humble college night in October Taking SAT/ACT tests Taking SAT/ACT tests Researching colleges/college visit Researching colleges/college visit

3. This is the time to make important Decisions Decide: What are your interests? What are your goals? What are your favorite subjects? What careers are available in certain fields? Where do I want to be 2..5..10 years from now?

4. Selecting a College One of the best things you can do is: Visit a College!

5. Be sure to apply to more than one college: #1- College should be your “Oh My Gosh” college. #2- Should be your “Maybe/Probably” college. #3- Should be your “No Problem” College.

6. College Days 2 for junior year 2 for senior year. 2 for junior year 2 for senior year. Take before Spring Break. Take before Spring Break. Prior approval needed for: Prior approval needed for: -2 consecutive days (1 college per day) -2 consecutive days (1 college per day) -2 days to the same college -2 days to the same college -any day after Spring Break -any day after Spring Break

7. Colleges look primarily at: GPA & Class rank Entrance Exams Then they consider: H.S. course load, community service, extracurricular involvement, projects, letters of recommendation College Admissions

8. (ACT) www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org Tests reading, English, math, science Writing is optional (depending on university) No penalty for guessing. Answer every question! Perfect score: 36 (SAT) www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com Tests critical reading, math, and writing Some colleges only look at verbal, math Penalizes for guessing. Don’t answer unless you know! Perfect score: 2400 (800 + 800 + 800) College Admissions Testing School Code 443603 99% of colleges will accept either/or

9. College Admission Tests SAT- www.collegeboard.org SAT- www.collegeboard.org upcoming tests: 11/2, 12/7*,1/25/14 *at KHS upcoming tests: 11/2, 12/7*,1/25/14 *at KHS ACT- www.act.org ACT- www.act.orgwww.act.org upcoming tests: 10/26, 12/14, 2/8/14 upcoming tests: 10/26, 12/14, 2/8/14 *all at LSC-Kingwood *all at LSC-Kingwood SAT prep classes offered at Lonestar College Oct. 21-31, Feb 24-March 6, April 21-May 1 Mon- Thurs, 5:30pm-9:30pm $167.00

10. SAT/ACT/TSI scores are not on your high school transcript. You will need to request that the testing agency send your official scores to the colleges.

11. Ask yourself realistically…… What program can I Start and Finish? Certificate/License Program Military Career College: * 2+ years (Associate’s Degree) * 4+ years (Bachelor’s Degree) * 6+ years (Master’s /PhD

12. Can you get accepted? Do you meet the requirements to get into the college to which you want to apply? GPA Class Rank SAT/ACT Score Recommended Courses Can check for qualifications: www.theharn.orgwww.theharn.org

13. College Application Steps

14. Step 1: Complete Online Applications Texas Common Application: Texas Common Application: www.applytexas.org www.applytexas.orgwww.applytexas.org National Common Application: National Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org https://www.commonapp.orghttps://www.commonapp.org

15. Requesting Transcripts See Mrs. Phelps the registrar to: Order transcript(s) - $2 if out of state. Order transcript(s) - $2 if out of state.transcript(s) Turn in senior information sheet/resume’/ portfolio for your counselor, if necessary. Turn in senior information sheet/resume’/ portfolio for your counselor, if necessary. Turn in any forms that your counselor must complete. Turn in any forms that your counselor must complete. *We recommend that you waive your rights to confidentiality on the application.

16. Counselor Deadlines Two weeks are required for counselors to complete our portion. We need a “senior information sheet” in order to complete the forms and/or write your recommendation. Two weeks are required for counselors to complete our portion. We need a “senior information sheet” in order to complete the forms and/or write your recommendation. * Your failure to pay attention to deadlines does not decrease our timeline for completing our portion of the application or recommendation.

17. College Deadlines Pay attention to deadlines for: Admission Applications Admission Applications Housing Applications Housing Applications Scholarship Applications Scholarship Applications *Your entire file must be complete by the application deadline!

18. Teacher Recommendations If needed – arrange with teachers. If needed – arrange with teachers. Teachers need: Teachers need: 2 weeks 2 weeks addressed envelope with stamp if mailed addressed envelope with stamp if mailed your info sheet your info sheet a THANK YOU note! a THANK YOU note!

19. Useful Information College Resources link under Our School tab – College and Career Section- links, sites, and more! College Resources link under Our School tab – College and Career Section- links, sites, and more! Ms. Williamson-Lowery will be here Tuesdays from 8:30-2 in the College and Career Room and at lunches. Ms. Williamson-Lowery will be here Tuesdays from 8:30-2 in the College and Career Room and at lunches. Bridges Planner/Explorer (www.bridges.com) – prep for SAT/ACT, find majors, scholarship search, and much more! Bridges Planner/Explorer (www.bridges.com) – prep for SAT/ACT, find majors, scholarship search, and much more!www.bridges.com

20. Important Dates Oct. 18: Oct. 18: 9-week level change forms due 9-week level change forms due Nov. 15: Pass/Fail forms due. Pass/Fail forms due. Dec. 13 : Dec. 13 : Schedule changes due for 2 nd semester. Schedule changes due for 2 nd semester. Correspondence Courses/CBEs complete with final grade to SCHS. Correspondence Courses/CBEs complete with final grade to SCHS.

21. For more information be sure to visit the: College and Career Coordinator (Mrs. Goree) College and Career Coordinator (Mrs. Goree) College & Career room (1221) College & Career room (1221) SCHS College & Career website – for scholarships SCHS College & Career website – for scholarships SCHS Counseling website: Our School>Counselors. SCHS Counseling website: Our School>Counselors.