College Preparation Seminar

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(No Transcript)
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How to get started

• Think about YOUR goal
• Keep your grades up and continue to participate
  in extracurricular and volunteer activities
• Pass TAKS
• GRADUATE!!!

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Course Change Information

• November 1, 2010 Last day to change a level
  and/or drop for a study hall, off campus (12th
  grade only) or office aide (12th grade only).
  Also this is the last opportunity to drop a full
  year course.
• Level changes are made only if room is available
  and grades transfer to the new course.

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Options

• 4 year college or university
• 2 year junior college, technical school
• Community college
• Apprenticeship programs
• Military Service
• Gap year-public service or work

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Where to find information

• High School Counselor-GO Center
• Internet
• College visits
• Career Websites
• Military Recruiters
• Teachers, parents, college students, clergy, and
  friends

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Preparing for ACT and SAT

• September 25th-unofficial practice offered
  through English department
• October 13th-PSAT
• Coming later this fall-more practice
  opportunities for juniors
• Juniors should take ACT and/or SAT during the
  spring semester

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• SAT
• November 6 register by Oct. 8
• December 4 register by Nov. 5
• www.collegeboard.com
• ACT
• December 11 register by Nov. 5
• www.act.org
• Fee waivers available for AVID and free and
  reduced lunch recipients

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Need Practice?

• Free materials on-line at www.collegeboard.com
  and www.act.org
• FBISD Prep Class for SAT
• Printed materials-EHS Library
• Private test preparation companies

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What Colleges Look For

• 75 Grades in college prep. classes
• 62 Strength of curriculum
• 54 Admission Test Scores
• 52 Grades in all courses
• 27 Essay or writing sample
• Source Admission Trends Survey 2008, NACAC

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Less Preparation means more remediation

• Up to 40 of students are forced to take at least
  one remedial class in college. This costs money,
  slows progress and increases the dropout rate.

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College Applications

• ApplyTexas-NOW available
• www.applytexas.org
• Complete the entire application to avoid delaying
  your admission decision.
• Military dependents have a special section to
  complete.
• Scholarship and Housing applications are included
  for many schools. Check with your particular
  school to determine the method of application.

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ApplyTexas (cont.)

• Check college websites for priority application
  dates and deadlines.
• Application fees vary and fee waivers are
  available to those who qualify.
• Do not miss deadlines! Be aware that some
  scholarship deadlines may be earlier than
  application deadlines.

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State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy

• Successfully Complete the Recommended or
  Distinguished graduation plan (26 credits)
• Or
• Satisfy College Benchmarks
• -SAT- 1500 out of 2400 (VMW)
• -ACT-18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Math, and 24
  Science
• Or
• Submit the THECB Exemption form

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Athletes

• NCAA Clearinghouse
• www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
• Register during Junior Year for Division 1 or
  Division 2 consideration
• Request test scores directly from testing
  agencies-College Board (SAT) and ACT 9999 is
  the NCAA code
• Usually Recommended High School Plan is required
  (26 credits)
• Submit transcripts through registrar

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Financial Aid

• Scholarships-GO Center, Knightwire
• Merit and Need based
• Special talents
• Local scholarships
• Grants, Loans, Work study
• After January 1st - FAFSA

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Juniors - Things You Should Be Doing This Year

• Work at bringing up your GPA
• 3 year GPA is what colleges look at
• As and Bs bring up GPA
• As and Bs in honors courses bring up rank.
• Research and visit colleges-look beyond the brand
  name
• Websites
• Mini-college fair-Sept. 22nd Lunch
• FBISD College Night-Oct. 5th-600 p.m.

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Juniors.

• Practice for the ACT and SAT
• Use MyCollegeQuickStart from
• www.collegeboard.com
• Take an interest test
• COIN3
• ASVAB
• Search for scholarships
• Volunteer

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Seniors What to do NOW!

• Check credits-make up deficiencies
• Sign up for ACT and/or SAT
• Research and visit colleges
• Sign up for PIN at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Search for scholarships
• Develop a college resume
• Work on college essays
• APPLY! Goal (Be done by Thanksgiving)

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• Questions
• ?