1. Sweeny High School Class of 2016 This is your passport to the future.

2. 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?

3. 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) Full-time work after graduation Trade and Technical Schools

4. Are you taking the right steps? Do you know what steps to take? Are you walking in circles? Are you forging ahead?

5. Do you know what is required to reach your career aspirations? Amount of Education? Type of Education? Time required?

6. Military Enlistment Military Checklist Contact local recruiter (check with several branches of the military) Take the ASVAB test. Earn your high school diploma. The Military will be at some of our lunches during the school year and also at our College Day November 18 th.

7. What if “Time is running out” and you don’t know? You can always begin college and major in “General Studies” or “Undecided”. Work towards getting your “basics” or “core classes” out of the way. Meet often with your college counselor.

8. Can you get accepted? Do you have the required GPA/Class Rank/SAT Score/ACT Score/Course Requirements to get into the college to which you want to apply? You can find out by researching the college on- line (under Freshman Admissions) or checking in the Counselor’s Office.

9. Do you know the costs involved? Compare each college’s range of tuition and fees, including books, housing, transportation, and meals. Be sure to think long range about your costs. Realize the costs involved are not only per semester, but until the completion of your certificate or degree program.

10. Who goes to Brazosport College or Wharton County Jr. College? Some students go here for their Freshman/Sophomore years and then transfer. Some students go away to a university, but attend one of these in the summer. Some students start and finish their education at one of these colleges.

11. Attention Brazosport College bound students: Many of you are already taking college classes thru Brazosport College now. Mrs. Blanks is our college counselor and will help however she can. ASK questions. The counselors and financial aid representatives are very good at working with students.

12. Community/Junior College Benefits of attending a community/junior college: Smaller classes More affordable One-on-one teacher-student contact Many academic student supportive programs Offer certificate, two year degrees, and the ability to transfer to a four year university

13. Community/Junior College Checklist Application—Apply Texas TSI FAFSA Transcript Meet with Mrs. Blanks—college counselor Contact Financial Aid Office

14. Four Year Colleges Texas Common Application All public universities (and some private) in Texas require students to complete the Texas Common Application. It may be obtained on-line at www.applytexas.org. Most schools prefer that you apply on-line. www.applytexas.org This same application can be sent to any school in Texas that you are applying to. Most colleges are also wanting students to fill out the FAFSA. Check with your college to find out if they want that as part of your application.

15. Am I describing you? Are you telling yourself/your friends/your family that you are a university bound student next fall… - But, you have not taken your SAT/ACT? -But, you have not begun filling out applications? -But, you have not started looking at housing options? -But, you have no idea how you will pay for it?

16. What are the differences between the SAT and ACT tests? ACT-English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional) Assessment. ACT tests a student’s acquired skills. SAT I-Critical Reading, writing, and Math Assessment. SAT tests how well students reason. SAT II- Subject tests (the more selective & competitive colleges require/recommend one or more).

17. New SAT test coming in March 2016 One of the biggest goals in changing the SAT is to make sure it’s highly relevant to your future success. The new test will be more focused on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. It will measure: What you learn in high school What you need to succeed in college

18. SAT test dates: November 7 th (October 9 th deadline) SHS December 5 th ( November 5 th deadline) SHS January 23 rd (December 28 th deadline) March 5 th (February 5 th deadline)*** May 7 th (April 8 th deadline) SHS*** June 4 th (May 5 th deadline)*** *** New SAT test

19. ACT test dates: October 24 th (September 18 th deadline) December 12 th (November 6 th deadline) SHS February 6 th (January 8 th deadline) April 9 th (March 4 th deadline) SHS June 11 th (May 6 th deadline)

20. Decide which test is for you. Most colleges and scholarships will accept either! Next……PREPARE! - Information in counselor’s office - www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com - www.actstudent.org -Prep books (book store, on-line, library)

21. Remember… You have to register on-line for the SAT and ACT.  ACT www.actstudent.org  SAT www.collegeboard.com

22. College Application Apply Texas Application Good for all public university in Texas Schools prefer it to be sent online at: www.applytexas.org

23. Application Completion Checklist ACT/SAT Scores (sent directly by the testing institution) Official High School Transcript Application Application Fee Included any necessary essay(s) or optional resume/letters of recommendation TSI College Transcript if child has taken college classes FAFSA

24. Colleges expect your Applications to come one “piece” at a time! Apply on-line Take care of the application fee immediately. Sweeny will send an official transcript but you must ask for one to be sent and check up on it to make sure they receive it. SAT/ACT send your test scores to the colleges you want them to be sent to.

25. Requesting Transcripts SHS official transcripts are sent or can be mailed directly to the universities. Please allow 2-3 days to process. Complete and sign the “Request for Transcript” form in the counselor’s office. It is very important to “follow up” to make sure the college received your transcript.

26. Letters of Recommendation Someone who knows you well. Give that person 2-3 weeks notice. Letter should validate or certify leadership, talents, or individual circumstances. You need 2-3 letters of recommendation to some colleges. Check and KNOW what you need.

27. Fee Waiver Don’t let registration fees stand in the way between you and going to college!! If you are eligible, you may get a fee waiver for: *SAT Registration *ACT Registration *College Application Fees Check with your counselor!! All students on the Free/Reduced Lunch program qualify for a fee waiver.

28. Athletes….Don’t forget…. You will need to complete the necessary NCAA Clearinghouse forms!! See Coach Olguin for details. You can apply on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

29. Financial Aid Family Assistance Students: How will YOU pay for YOUR education after you graduate from high school?

30. Sources of Financial Aid GRANTS—Need based; do not have to repay as long as you maintain a certain GPA. LOANS– Must repay once you finish college. WORK STUDY PROGRAM—Arranged by college; job on campus. SCHOLARSHIPS—FREE MONEY

31. FAFSA FAFSA—Financial Aid is a federal program. Forms are available on-line or go by the counselor’s office and get help. Parents have to report their Income Tax information. This information can be uploaded from the FAFSA web site. Many scholarships require you to complete a FAFSA. The deadline for MOST scholarships is March 15 th.

32. In addition to the FAFSA Most colleges are wanting students to fill out and submit the FAFSA. There may be additional financial aid forms to fill out. Call the Financial Aid Office at each university you have applied to.

33. What you can do to prepare: Starting NOW-Apply for admission to college(s) if you have not already! If you have not done a college visit—go to the college and talk to a counselor there. Complete the FAFSA on-line at: www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov

34. FREE MONEY Apply! Apply! APPLY! Scholarships: We have scholarships available in the counselor’s office. We like to call it FREE MONEY!!

35. Don’t give up…Hang in there Scholarship applications take time. Scholarship applications take effort. But, it is well worth it!!

36. Where do I look? Counselor’s office Internet College/University website Watch local businesses Parents, check place of employment

37. SHS Awards Ceremony As soon as you receive a scholarship, please bring a copy of the award letter to the counselor’s office. Even if you do not plan to accept a scholarship, please let us know about ALL of your offers. We would like to recognize every student at the AWARDS CEREMONY in May.

38. What…. Another TEST??? TSI– Texas Success Initiative –college placement test If you are not exempt, you must take this test to apply to any Texas college, including community/junior colleges.

39. TSI test dates at Brazosport College: ​Tuesday ​Oct. 6 ​1:00 p.m- 9:00 p.m.​ 5:00 p.m.​ Thursday Oct. 8 1:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.​ 5:00 p.m.​ ​Thursday ​Oct. 29 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.​ 5:00 p.m.​ ​Monday Nov. 2 1:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. ​5:00 p.m. ​Thursday ​Nov. 5 ​​​ 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.​ 2:00 p.m.​ Saturday ​Nov. 7 8:30 a.m 8:30 a.m.​ ​Thursday ​Nov. 12 1:00 p.m- 9:00 p.m.​​ ​5:00 p.m. ​Saturday ​Nov. 14 ​ 8:30 a.m.​ 8:30 a.m.​ Thursday ​Nov. 19 1:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.​ ​5:00 p.m.​ ​Saturday ​Dec. 5 8:30 a.m 8:30 a.m.​ Saturday ​Dec. 12 8:30 a.m. ​8:30 a.m.​

40. TSI Exemption Criteria : ACT*​ ​23 Composite with 19 English ​23 Composite with 19 Math ​SAT* ​1070 combine with 500 Verbal/Critical Reading ​ 1070 with 500 Math

41. How do you register? TSI at Brazosport College…call the counselor’s office at Brazosport or see Mrs. Blanks There is no fee unless you are a graduating senior. The fall semester is FREE….in the spring semester it will be $29.

42. Important Hint: Passing all areas of the test will save you time and possibly money. Take the test early enough so that you can re- take any portions that you don’t pass. You will have to take remedial classes for any area that you do not pass.

43. How can I study for the TSI? You can go to Brazosport College website, register, and check out the resources they have listed. Go to google and search TSI practice test Try www.college-placement-test.comwww.college-

44. Certificate/License Programs Students planning to earn a certificate or license (instead of a degree) may not have to take any/all of this test. Discuss this with the counselor at the college or Mrs. Blanks (Brazosport College Counselor).

45. College Visitation Day Seniors may have two college visits for the school year. You will need to see Mrs. Carder to get the information. You must bring the information back with a signature from the college.

46. Check for new information in the counselor’s office Important Senior information New Scholarships What you should be doing Keep a close watch on report cards and progress reports Contact teachers if you have questions Contact counselors if you have questions

47. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed! YOU CAN DO IT…. We are in the process of setting up a mentoring program for students going off to college. If you are interested, stop by and see me. I will be talking with all seniors to find out what their goals and plans are. We want to help….we are here for you!!

48. REMEMBER… There is no such thing as a stupid question!! The Counselor’s Office is open from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm. Call me at (979)491-8120/8122 or email me at: lrichard@sweenyisd.org

49. You can do this!! This is your passport to the future !!