Presentation Transcript

1. Senior Parent Presentation

   Debbie Cogan College Counselor, St. Thomas High School
2. Tonight’s Topics What Seniors Should Be Doing Now -Schedule Remaining SAT/ACT tests -Visit Colleges -Narrow down your list of schools Overview of the College Process Submission of -Applications -Transcripts -Recommendations Evaluation Process Decision Plans Financial Aid/Scholarships
3. TESTING SAT-register online at www.collegeboard.com Test DateRegister By Oct. 6 Sept. 21 (late registration) Nov. 3 Oct. 4 Dec. 1 Nov. 1
4. ACT-register online at www.act.org Test DateRegister By Oct. 27 Sept. 21 Dec. 8 Nov. 2 THEA (if needed) - register online at www.thea.nesinc.com
5. NCAA Eligibility for College Bound Athleteswww.eligibilitycenter.orgRegister on websiteSend SAT/ACT scores-9999Send high school transcript
6. State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy Texas law requires applicants to four year public institutions to meet college readiness standards through… Completion of RHSP or DAP OR SAT/ACT benchmarks ACT-18 Eng, 21 Reading, 22 Math, 24 Science or SAT-1500 out of 2400 (500 each)
7. College Selection Process It is a joint process among parent(s), student, and counselor…main emphasis is on the STUDENT!!! It is important to make a decision independent of peers/friends. College is a match-making process.
8. Size of school Location Distance from home Activities/Athletics Public/Private Coed/Single Sex Entrance Requirements Facilities Honors program Reputation Faculty/Class size Majors available Support services Cost Diversity Campus personality Choosing A College
9. How Do Colleges Choose? Admission officers review student files and make selections based on the standards and needs of the individual college. They look for students who are: Varied in terms of demographics & diversity Outstanding based on academics & scores Special Admits (legacy, athletes, special talent) Previously underrepresented students “Good” kids
10. How Colleges Evaluate… Factors with the most weight: 1. Curriculum 2. Grades/GPA 3. SAT/ACT Scores
11. How Colleges Evaluate… Leadership Activities: Sports, Clubs, Community Service, Part-time Jobs, Summer Opportunities Essays Recommendations (teacher & counselor) when required Interview when required
12. The College List A final college list will contain approximately 3 to 6 schools. Each college can be classified as Reach, Probable, or Likely. The list will contain colleges from EACH classification. Each college on the list is a college the student would happily attend.
13. Completing the Application for Admission Apply on-line whenever possible -Common Application www.commonapp.org -Apply Texas www.applytexas.org -Institution Specific Application www.collegeXYX.edu
14. Completing the Application for Scholarships Once you have completed the application for admission, you may then submit the application for scholarships. For some schools, one application does both. For others it is a separate application (check each school). On ApplyTexas, there is a separate application for scholarships. Be sure to complete it!
15. Decision Plans Early Decision: admit, deny, defer Apply by Nov. 1 or Nov. 15 Decision by mid Dec. Binding if admitted Early Action: admit, deny, defer Same as above, but non binding
16. Decision Plans Regular Decision: admit, deny, WL Deadline depends on school As early as Dec. 1 Decision in Spring Rolling Admission: admit, deny, or Evaluate and respond continuously
17. College Acceptance Deadline Student must notify the ONE college that he chooses to attend by MAY 1st Submit ONE deposit to school of choice. Notify the others schools that he won’t be accepting their offers.
18. Other things to consider… Housing – Submit your housing deposit as soon as possible. fills quickly at some schools may or may not be refundable Waitlists unpredictable make other arrangements no guarantees
19. Flagship Campus Updates University of Texas Auto Admit: top 8% This does NOT guarantee you in to highly selective programs. business: top 2% nursing: top 4% kinesiology: top 5% communication: top 6% engineering: top 2-9%
20. UTContinued “Expanded” resume is recommended or upload your own All test scores must be received by Dec 1stDec SAT accepted if sent directly to UT Non Auto Admits: Spring Notification Questions- Houston Admissions Center in Greenway Plaza 713-500-3517
21. Alternate Admission to UT Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) Denied admission to UT-Austin Offered admission to another UT campus, chosen by UT If student successfully*completes freshman year at alternate campus, he may enroll at UT-Austin as a sophomore. *3.2 GPA and 30 credit hours
22. TEXAS A&M Auto Admit: Top 10% Rolling admission for non auto admit from late Oct.– Mid March Dec. 1 deadline for scholarship consideration Complete essays A, B & C*
23. A&M Continued Alternative Admission Plans A&M Galveston Transfer from another school Articulation agreement with a community college Blinn Team* Summer Gateway* *by invitation only Houston Admissions Office-713-454-1990
24. FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS
25. Financial Aid STEP ONE: FAFSA Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in January of the senior year (www.fafsa.ed.gov) Parents & Students must have a PIN for the FAFSA (www.pin.ed.gov)
26. Financial Aid (Continued) The federal government will determine your eligibility to pay and will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) showing your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC will be forwarded to colleges who will then determine a financial aid package
27. Financial Aid (Continued) Some colleges and universities will also require that you complete the more detailed CSS Profile.(Rice and SMU in Texas) https://profileonline.collegeboard.com
28. Financial Aid (Continued) Financial Aid is distributed in the following three forms: Grants Loans Work Study EFC is the same regardless of the cost of the college, but the packages received will vary from college to college.
29. Types of Federal Loans Stafford: low, fixed rate & grace period after school before repay Subsidized-need based; no interest accrues until 6 months after graduation Unsubsidized-non need based; interest accrues during school Perkins: for the neediest families Parent Plus: higher rate, can cover entire cost of education. Previous loans preferred Private Loans: vary greatly
30. College X Cost of attendance is $15,000 EFC = $20,000 Not eligible for financial aid College Y Cost of attendance is $40,000 EFC = $20,000 A financial aid package will be determined by college Financial Aid (Continued)
31. Scholarships Scholarships are competitive and are usually awarded based on academic merit, athletic ability, and for special talent. The majority of scholarship money will come directly from the colleges to which you apply. Outside scholarships are available through community organizations, clubs, and employers.
32. Timeframe FAFSA becomes available on Jan.1 (can apply for PIN before). CSS Profile through College Board is available October 1. Each college has its own deadline for submission. Try to get everything in by the Priority Date, which can be as early as Feb, but is typically in March.
33. Notification of Aid Your SAR (Student Aid Report) from each college will typically arrive in April. Analyze and compare offers from each school. Decide which offer, and which parts of the offer, you will accept by May 1. Note that you may only have a couple of weeks in April to make this very important decision.
34. QUESTIONS??? Post questions relating to “All Things Senior” to: http://www.todaysmeet.com/RPSeniors The post will remain open for one week for you to ask questions and view answers. An FAQ page will be posted in the Counselors’ Corner on the RPHS website.