Senior Workshop

1. Senior Workshop Planning for Graduation and College

2. 3 Simple Steps to Apply for College • Take the ACT or SAT • Fill out Application(s) • Send Transcript

3. Road Map to College • Fall: research/visit colleges and take a final SAT/ACT if needed • September/October: apply to colleges and apply for college awarded scholarships • December-February: apply for Local Scholarships • January-March: file FAFSA for financial aid • Late Spring: GRADUATE! • Helpful sites: • http://casnr.okstate.edu/pdf/get-real-sheets/roadmaptocollege.pdf • your college roadmap - college.gov

4. College Readiness Standards • Successfully complete the Recommended or Distinguished graduation plan OR • Satisfy College Readiness Benchmarks • SAT—1500+ out of 2400 (500+ Math AND 500+ Verbal AND 500+ Writing) • ACT—18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Math, and 24 Science • Texas Uniform Admission Policy

5. Graduation Plans • Distinguished Achievement Plan (DAP) • Recommended Plan (Texas Scholars—requires 2 College standards) • Texas Recommended and Distinguished Program : Welcome to Undergraduate Admissions : Texas State University • Minimum High School Plan

6. SAT and ACT • Take ASAP if you have not already tested with SAT or ACT. • SAT registration: SAT Registration - Register for the SAT • ACT registration: ACT, Inc. : A Student Site for ACT Test Takers • Fee waivers—see your counselor • F/R Lunch: https://www.schoollunchapp.com/Terms.aspx?host=cfbisd.schoollunchapp.com&apply=1

7. College Applications • Know the deadlines, and get application in EARLY! (By November of senior year!) • December 1st deadline for UT: Deadlines | Be a Longhorn • Texas Common App: ApplyTexas • Common App: Welcome to the Common App!

8. Senior Profile • Available from Mrs. Chamberlain in the counselor’s office or online: Smith High School | Counseling • Used for recommendation letters (college and scholarship letters) • Parent and student portions need to be completed • Fill out the Senior Profile before working on College Apps to make the process easier!

9. Recommendation Letters • All recommendation letters need to be requested by November 1st for colleges. • Give at LEAST 3 weeks notice for teacher and counselor recommendations. • Supply the Senior Profile and an ADDRESSED and STAMPED envelope to teachers and counselors for recommendations (Common App recommendations are online, so no envelope needed)

10. Recommendation Letters • Search application website to see if recommendations are needed…do not wait until the end of the process to ask for recommendations. • Who will ask for letters? • All Common App schools • SMU • TCU • Many private universities

11. Recommendation Letters • Requesting a letter of recommendation etiquette: • Request an appointment to ask for the recommendation face to face. Do not request a rec through email. • Be polite if the person asked says no. • Send a thank you note after the recommendation has been sent. It is appreciated, and good practice for the future. • Other helpful hints: http://www.surfturk.com/advancedcomp/etiquette.html

12. Transcripts • Common App: counselors upload transcript • In State schools: TREx • See Ms. Gillespie in the counseling office to request transcripts for In State schools • Out of State (non Common App) schools: order transcripts from parchment.com • $5 per transcript • Parchment | Parchment Inc.

13. Local Scholarships Available online in December: Smith High School | Counseling Deadline—February Scholarships announced at Senior Walk!

14. FAFSA • The FAFSA must be filled out for Financial Aid. • Register for pin numbers NOW! One for parent and student required. • Home - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid • Keep all logins and passwords in an organized place. • FAFSA needed for 4 year schools, Community Colleges and sports scholarships.

15. FAFSA • Apply starting January 1st-- Taxes need to be done EARLY. • Deadline for FAFSA: March 1st • Applicable for many larger Universities • Check your school’s FAFSA deadlines • Must be done as early possible for sports scholarships • All Colleges/Community Colleges have Financial Aid offices that can help you and your family fill out the FAFSA forms (no matter what school you plan to attend).

16. TASFA • The financial aid website for students who are not US Citizens • AIE - TASFA Application • Student I-20 number will be needed for registration. • All students can register for financial aid. • All Colleges/Community Colleges have Financial Aid offices that can help you and your family fill out the TAFSA forms (no matter what school you plan to attend).

17. Can one become disqualified from receiving Financial Aid? • Yes! If you commit a felony, you cannot file the FAFSA and you will not qualify for Financial Aid. • A felony means a LIFETIME of ineligibility for Financial Aid. • Be careful that ‘Senior Pranks’ don’t become a permanent liability for your future education!

18. Community College • Dallas County Community College District: DCCCD Home • Apply online in March of senior year • Why Community College? • Community College’s accept the Minimum Graduation Plan • No SAT or ACT required (TSI, TAKS—2200+ Math and ELA plus a 3+ on writing, SAT/ACT) • Can transfer to a 4 year college • Technical Degree/Training • Less Expensive • Can take basics during the summer if attending a 4 year school (saves $$) • AP Test scores: Be sure to get them put on your Brookhaven Transcript! (You must be an ACTIVELY ENROLLED student for Brookhaven to transfer AP Test scores into College Credit.)

19. ASVAB Military Interest/Career Inventory Sign up to test Testing Date: October 1st ASVAB Career Exploration Program ::

20. Selective Service Gentlemen must register at age 18—federal law. Must register before filling out the FAFSA and prior to college admittance. Selective Service System: Welcome

21. Other Information • There will be a Financial Aid Workshop for your parents in November. Listen to announcements for more information. • Request GPA and class rank from Ms. Gillespie in the counseling office. • Listen to announcements for visiting colleges. • Listen to announcements for local scholarship deadlines.

22. Other Information • When accepted to a college, inform Ms. Chamberlain in the counseling office. Your name and college will be posted to the TV announcements in the lobby. • College Visits: • Allowed 2 days • Form from attendance clerk (prior to visit) • Must provide verification of visit (upon return) • Make sure you are taking care of business and passing all of your classes.

23. Be Professional! • Have a generic email address for college admissions process. Example: john.doe@gmail.com • Be aware that some colleges look at Facebook and other social networking sites. If it is not something you want Grandma to see, it is probably not something you want your prospective colleges to see. • Cell Phones • No music as a ringtone! College reps, scholarship representatives and prospective employers do not need to be subjected to your music choice when they call. Music as a ring tone may cause a lost opportunity ($$$) when representatives or potential employers hang up to avoid it! • Have a mature, professional, BRIEF voicemail message. It is not just your friends and relatives calling anymore.

24. Additional Thoughts… • Keep up with colleges of interest through Facebook, Twitter, and smart phone apps. • Have an organized method to maintain passwords, deadlines, etc. during the college and scholarship application process. • Don’t procrastinate. Deadlines are firm for admissions, financial aid, scholarships, etc.

25. College Night • September 16th • @Creekview • 6-8pm • Register for a barcode

26. Helpful Websites • College For All Texans: Home • Bridges Transitions Inc. • Portfolio Name: cfb_(ID# here) • Password: (birthdate) • Web Sites - College Admissions Counseling • NCAA Eligibility Center