Post-High School Planning

1
Post-High School Planning

• Colleyville Heritage High School
• Junior Student/Parent Meeting

2
Post Secondary Options

• College
• University
• 2 Year College
• Community College or Technical school
• Specialized Schools
• Military Academies
• Military Service
• Apprenticeship Training

3
College Admissions At a Glance

• Take entrance exams
• Gather information
• Narrow your choices
• Apply for admission
• Apply for money
• Accept offer of admission
• Apply for housing
• Register for courses

4
Admission Terminology

• Rolling admission candidates are invited to
  submit their applications to the university
  anytime within a large window. Usually notified
  within 2-3 weeks.
• Regular decision applications should be filed
  by a set deadline. The deadlines usually run
  between January 1st and March 1st. Decisions are
  usually made by April 1st.
• Early decision plans are binding. Students
  must attend the college. Receive admission well
  in advance of the usual notification date
  (usually by Dec. 1st)
• Early action nonbinding students receive an
  early response to their applications but do not
  have to commit to the college.
• Restricted Early Action same as Early Action
  except that the students may apply to only one
  Early Action school (similar to early decision
  except this process is not binding). Very few
  school use this.

5
Applying To College

• Strategy
• Apply to schools of varying selectivity. Do not
  put all your energy and efforts in to one level
  of school. Give yourself some options when it
  comes time to make a decision.
• Consider applying early if applying to selective
  schools. Some studies have shown that applying
  early is the same as adding 100 points to your
  SAT score. By applying early, you will have a
  decision on that school or schools in December.
  This strategy is the norm, not the exception for
  most private secondary schools in the northeast.
• Apply early to rolling admission schools. You may
  apply any time to most schools in this category,
  but they will still have financial aid and/or
  housing deadlines. They may also have priority
  deadlines this means that you will receive first
  consideration for housing and/or money.

6
Winter Junior year

• Sign up to take the college admission tests in
  the spring.
• When you apply for either the ACT or the SAT, you
  must indicate your high school code.
  Colleyvilles code is 441408. This has to be on
  the registration form in order for CHHS to
  receive your scores.
• It is strongly recommended that students take
  both the ACT and SAT. All colleges will accept
  either and use a conversion chart to compare the
  two test score results.

7
ACT

• What is Tested
• Always take the ACT plus Writing as opposed to
  just the ACT. If you do not take the writing
  portion and later apply to a school that requires
  it, you will have to re-take the entire test. The
  ACT consists of an English, math, reading and
  science test. You will receive a score for each
  area plus a composite score.
• Scoring
• Students and colleges will still receive your ACT
  score based upon the 1-36 point scale for the ACT
  whether or not you take the writing test. If you
  also take the writing test, it will be reported
  as a separate score on a 1-12 scale but on the
  same score report form. There is no deduction for
  wrong answers (no penalty for guessing).
• When to Take
• The April and June tests offer the Test
  Information Release (TIF) (an additional 18)
  which, in addition to your scores, will provide
  you with the questions and answers from the test
  which can be used for future preparation.
• How to Register
• Go to www.actstudent.org. If you are on free or
  reduced lunch, you may take the ACT twice for
  free. Your counselor can provide you with a fee
  waiver form.

8
SAT

• What is Tested
• The SAT tests include Critical Reading, Math and
  Writing. Unlike the ACT, the writing test is not
  optional. The writing test has a 35 minute
  multiple choice test on grammar usage and word
  choice questions and a 25 minute essay. The SAT
  Critical Reading test has eliminated analogies
  and added short reading passages. The SAT Math
  test has eliminated quantitative comparison
  questions but will now go through Algebra II
  instead of just through Algebra 1..
• Scoring
• All three tests are scored on 200-800 scale with
  a top score of 2400, though many colleges still
  just look at the Critical Writing and Math parts
  which would have a top score of 1600.There is a
  correction factor of ¼ a point for each wrong
  answer.
• When to Take
• The January and May tests offer their Question
  Answer services (an additional 18) which will
  send you the questions/answers for this test to
  help you study if you retake the test. If you
  need to take a subject area test for college
  admissions (small group of selective schools) the
  best time is June, right when you have completed
  the courses the tests will assess.
• How to Register
• Go to www.collegeboard.org. If you are on free or
  reduced lunch, you may take the SAT once for
  free. Your counselor can provide you with a fee
  waiver form.

9
Suggested ACT/SAT Time Line
October January April May June Fall Senior Year
PSAT SAT ACT SAT 2nd time if needed ACT 2nd time if needed _________ SAT Subject Tests If desired, take the test on which you scored better
10
Winter junior year

• Begin a search for financial aid sources. The
  CHHS counseling center website has a section
  dedicated to the scholarship search. Dont
  overlook local and state aid sources.

11
Winter Junior Year

• If youre in Advanced Placement Program (AP)
  classes, register for the AP Exams given in May.
• You can earn college credit for courses not given
  in the AP Program by taking CLEP tests at a
  college test center. Visit clep.collegeboard.org
  to learn more.

12
Spring Junior Year

• Visit some local colleges large, small, public
  and private. Get a feel for what works for you.
  Attend college fairs, too.
• Scan local newspapers to see which civic,
  cultural and service organizations in your area
  award financial aid to graduating seniors. Start
  a file.

13
Spring Junior Year

• Develop a list of 15 or 20 colleges that are of
  interest to you.
• Browse the school websites for information about
  financial aid and academic programs.
• Visit some colleges during your spring break.

14
Spring Junior Year

• If you are considering military academies or ROTC
  scholarships, contact your counselor before
  leaving school for the summer. If you want a
  four-year ROTC scholarship, you should begin the
  application process the summer before your senior
  year.

15
Summer Junior Year

• If you are an athlete planning to continue
  playing a sport in college, register with the
  National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
  Eligibility Center (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net).

16
Summer Junior Year

• Find a full-time or part-time job, or participate
  in a summer camp or summer college program.
• Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, at
  colleges youre serious about, make appointments
  to have interviews with admission counselors.
• Create a résumé a record of your
  accomplishments, activities and work experiences
  since you started high school.

17
Summer Junior Year

• Become familiar with the application process for
  the colleges to which youll apply. Check
  application dates large universities may have
  early dates or rolling admission.

18
College Application Types

• Applications Even if something says a part of
  an application is optional, it is notdo it all.
  Choose applications in the follow order
• 1. CommonApp.org Over 450 schools nationwide
  (including Austin College, Rice, SMU,
  Southwestern, TCU and Trinity College in Texas)
  use this one application. You complete his one
  application and send it to any school that uses
  the Common Application. This saves you, parents,
  teachers and counselors a lot time. Be sure to
  complete the on-line version (not the
  downloadable one). Schools that accept the Common
  Application do not give preference to this form
  or their own.
• 2. ApplyTexas.org - 35 public universities in
  Texas use this one application. Each school may
  have different supplements and/or scholarships
  that you will also complete. Three ApplyTexas
  schools also use the Common Application (TCU,
  SMU, and U of Dallas). For those schools, use the
  Common Application, as letters of recommendation
  cannot be sent hrough the ApplyTexas website.
• 3. School Application Applications for schools
  that do not use the Common Application or the
  ApplyTexas are typically on the schools website
  where you may fill them out and submit them
  electronically. At a minimum you will be able to
  order a hard copy on-line. Colleges prefer that
  you do an on-line version but will accept a hard
  copy instead do not do both a hard copy and the
  on-line version because it may slow the process.

19
College application checklist

• Check out this useful tool!
• College Application Checklist

20
September Senior Year

• Narrow your list of colleges to between five and
  10. Meet with a counselor about your college
  choices and, if youve not yet done so, download
  college applications and financial aid forms.
  Plan to visit as many of these colleges as
  possible.

21
September Senior Year

• Create a master list or calendar that includes
• Tests youll take and their fees, dates and
  registration deadlines
• College application due dates
• Required financial aid application forms and
  their deadlines (aid applications may be due
  before college applications)
• Other materials youll need (recommendations,
  transcripts, etc.)
• Your high schools application processing
  deadlines
• If you cant afford application or test fees, a
  counselor can help you request a fee waiver.
• Be sure to have your college admission test
  scores sent to the colleges to which you are
  applying.

22
October Senior Year

• Try to finalize your college choices.
• Prepare early decision/early action or rolling
  admission applications as soon as possible.
• Ask a counselor or teacher for recommendations if
  you need them. Give each teacher or counselor an
  outline of your academic record and your
  extracurricular activities. Complete the Senior
  Information sheet located on the counseling
  center website.
• For each teacher recommendation, provide a
  stamped, addressed envelope and any college forms
  required.
• If youre submitting essays, write first drafts
  and ask teachers and others to read them. If
  youre applying for early decision, finish the
  essays for that application now.
• Be sure to have your college admission test
  scores sent to the colleges to which you are
  applying.

23
November

• Nov. 1 For early decision admission, colleges
  may require test scores and applications between
  these dates.
• Complete at least one college application by
  Thanksgiving.
• Ask counselors to send your transcripts to
  colleges. Give counselors the proper forms at
  least two weeks before the colleges require them.

24
December

• As you finish and send your applications and
  essays, be sure to keep photocopies.
• If the college wants to see second-semester
  grades, be sure to give the form to your
  counselor.

25
January February

• If you apply online to colleges, be sure to have
  your high school send a transcript it is sent
  separately by mail to colleges.
• No senioritis, please! Accepting colleges do look
  at second-semester senior grades.

26
March April

• Keep active in school. If you are wait listed,
  the college will want to know what you have
  accomplished between the time you applied and the
  time you learned of its decision.
• You should receive acceptance letters and
  financial aid offers by mid-April. If youve not
  done so yet, visit your final college before
  accepting. As soon as you decide, notify your
  counselor of your choice.
• If you have questions about housing offers, talk
  to your counselor or call the college.

27
May

• Colleges cannot require your deposit or your
  commitment to attend before May 1. By that
  postmarked date, you must inform every college of
  your acceptance or rejection of the offer of
  admission and/or financial aid. (Questions? Talk
  to your counselor.)
• Send your deposit to one college only.
• Wait listed by a college? If you intend to enroll
  if you are accepted, tell the admission director
  your intent and ask how to strengthen your
  application. Need financial aid?
• Ask whether funds will be available if youre
  accepted.
• Work with a counselor to resolve any admission or
  financial aid problems.

28
June

• Ask your high school to send a final transcript
  to your college.

29
Financial Aid

• If you are in doubt as to whether or not to apply
  for aid, apply!
• Do not wait for college acceptance letters before
  filing for aid. File in January or February the
  earlier the better. You do not need to have
  completed your tax returns prior to filling out
  the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  (FAFSA) or the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
  (PROFILE). An estimate of income and/or income
  tax information is adequate. You cannot file the
  FAFSA until after Jan. 1, but complete it before
  Feb. 1 if at all possible.

30
Step 1

• Complete FAFSA on the Web. Get worksheets to fill
  out prior to filing the FAFSA at
  http//www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Filing online is much faster than by mail, and
  the website has prompts that help you avoid
  making mistakes. You and your parents will both
  need a PIN, or electronic password, before
  completing the form available at
  www.pin.ed.gov. Its a good idea to get your PIN
  in advance of the deadline, although PINs can
  still be obtained during the FAFSA sign-up
  process.

31
Step 2

• If you are applying to colleges that require
  PROFILE (mostly private schools), file that form
  as early as possible as soon as you can
  estimate your and your parents income tax
  information, keeping in mind your colleges
  deadline. If you are applying under an early
  decision plan, complete your PROFILE in late
  November or early December.

32
Step 3

• Complete income tax forms as soon as possible in
  order to provide accurate data on financial aid
  forms. Some colleges have early February
  deadlines.
• Make a list of the financial aid priority dates
  and deadlines at the colleges to which you are
  applying. Ask each college if it requires
  supplemental forms, and obtain them as needed.
• Apply for federal and state funds by answering
  the appropriate questions on the FAFSA.

33
Financial Aid

• Details to remember
• In all written communications to financial aid
  offices , put your name, address and date of
  birth on every page.
• Keep your financial aid worksheets. Always make
  photocopies of your financial aid forms for your
  records.
• If you have questions about an item, do not
  guess. See your counselor or speak with the
  college financial aid officer directly.
• Do not leave blank spaces on the forms. Use zeros
  instead.
• Proofread! And again, make photocopies of
  everything!

34
Scholarships

• Check for scholarships for which you might be
  eligible
• Check with each college/postsecondary institution
  (your best source)
• Those posted on the counseling office website
• Local and state scholarships

35
How to Build A College List

• College List Worksheet

36
College Matters- For Life

• Individuals who have a college degree earn an
  average of 22,000 more per year than those with
  only a high school diploma.
• A college education gives a person more job
  security. People with a high school diploma are
  more than twice as likely to be unemployed.
• For most students who go to college, the increase
  in lifetime earnings far outweighs the cost of
  their education.
• College is more than just a classroom. Its an
  important time in life to learn and grow as a
  person while gaining independence and life
  skills.
• Statistics show that a college education impacts
  health, family and community involvement.
• Young adults with a college degree are much less
  likely to be obese than those with only a high
  school diploma.
• Children of parents with a college degree are
  much more likely to be read to every day than
  children of parents with only a high school
  diploma.
• Individuals with a college degree are more than
  twice as likely to volunteer as those with only a
  high school diploma.

37
College Essay

• When you apply to college, youll need to
  complete an essay as part of your application.
  This is your opportunity to show admission
  officers who you are and to provide information
  about yourself that didnt fit in other areas of
  your application. The essay also reveals what
  you can do when you have time to think and work
  on a writing project.
• https//bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays

38
College Representative Visits

• Many colleges will visit Colleyville Heritage on
  recruiting trips. These visits are an important
  way for you to discover information about a
  college and to establish a connection with
  someone at that campus. Often times, the school
  representative will be the person who will read
  your application and make admission decisions.
• Important Points
• Keep track of the colleges scheduled visits.
• The visits are for you to learn about the school
  and to demonstrate interest. Gather some
  information about the school prior to the visit,
  and ask a question showing that knowledge, i.e.,
  Ive heard good things about your business
  school. What kind of internships do you have
  available?
• If the school is one in which you have particular
  interest, make sure you introduce yourself and
  thank the representative for coming.
• You can sign up for a college visit on the
  counseling center website.

39
College Night

• Each October, GCISD hosts a college fair. Over
  200 colleges from throughout the country are
  represented. This is a great opportunity to pick
  up materials about those colleges.
• The person representing each school will be
  either an alumnus of the school or an admissions
  representative from the school.

40
College Campus Visits

• When you visit a college, take notes on your
  impressions immediately after the visit. Do not
  let weather conditions on the day of your visit
  affect your judgment. Pay attention to your
  feelings about the campus, but also do not judge
  the college solely on the basis of your visit,
  remember the information you found before your
  visit.
• Before you go, call the admissions office to
  arrange a campus tour, an interview (if
  available), and maybe an overnight stay. An
  overnight stay can be very beneficial in getting
  a feel for the campus. Get detailed directions to
  the campus and to the specific building where you
  will meet for the tour. It is best to go on a
  weekday during the school year so that you can
  see a campus full of people and possibly attend
  some classes. You may not be able to see all your
  schools under these conditions, but you will get
  a better feel for those that you can.
• While there, take the tour, but also visit
  several classes and meet some professors from an
  area in which you are interested (the admissions
  office will be able to set that up for you). Also
  visit the student center, library, computer
  centers, academic support center, etc., if not
  included on your tour. Most importantly, talk to
  as many students as possible. Get their opinions
  on campus life, classes, activities, what they
  like/dislike about the school.

41
College Campus Visit

• The following are possible areas through which to
  evaluate a school. Decide which are important to
  you prior to your visit(s) and make sure that you
  get answers and/or information about those items.
  
• Retention freshman orientation programs,
  percent of freshman returning for sophomore year
• Diversity diversity of the campus, what
  cross-cultural experiences are available
• Technology connections available in the dorms,
  what computer labs do they have
• Academic Challenge do students get to leave
  their comfort zone
• Active Learning when are majors selected, what
  internships are available
• Student-Faculty Interaction availability of
  faculty, opportunities for research with faculty,
  
• average class size of freshman classes
• Campus Environment what do students like about
  the campus, public transportation, academic
  support, weekend activities (a commuter campus?)
• Out-of-Class Experience community service,
  leadership opportunities, study abroad, student
  organizations
• Post-College career placement assistance, job
  placement percentages, will this school help you
  get to where you want to be

42
Tips

• Colleges may take 3-4 weeks to process your
  application. Do not be alarmed if their status
  check does not show them receiving your
  information immediately as they get thousands of
  pieces of information and update the status
  check manually.
• Check your e-mail. Many schools will use e-mail
  to inform you if parts to your application are
  missing and will also communicate other needed
  information. Use the same e-mail for all
  applications and check it regularly.
• Keep a copy of everything. On occasion, a school
  may lose part of what you have submitted. Also,
  you may be able to duplicate portions of one
  application to another.

43
The Work Option

• At some point, almost everyone ends up in the
  workplace. No matter when you plan to receive
  that first full-time paycheck, there are some
  things you will need to do to prepare yourself
  for the world of work. As you progress through
  high school, take courses that will prepare you
  for college as well as a career. It good idea to
  take college preparatory courses even if you are
  not planning on attending college right away
  because getting a good education always pays off
  no matter what you decide to do. Work training
  and work experience in high school will also pay
  off when attempting to seek employment after high
  school.

44
The Work Option

• There are five steps in preparing for a career or
  for college followed by a career
• Take an aptitude test The ASVAB (Armed Services
  Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a good test that
  can help with understanding your aptitudes and
  possible careers. You will have an opportunity
  during the school year to take this during the
  school day.
• Research various careers Career books in the
  library as well as internet websites are great
  resources for learning about careers.
• Job shadow when you get the chance to see
  first-hand what a job is really like.
• Do volunteer work in an area of interest to see
  if that occupation fits your talents and
  interests.
• Network Become familiar with people in the
  industry of interest to you. This can happened
  through research listed above, contacts through
  family and friends, and actual job experience.
• Create a portfolio Have on hand information
  that will help when seeking employment. This
  should include items such as a resume, writing
  samples, transcript, letters of recommendation
  and portfolio of work that you have done.
• Apply Once you have an occupation in mind, set
  up interviews and fill out applications while
  still in school. Have a plan set for after
  graduation

45
The Work Option

• Writing a letter to apply for a job
• Address it personally to a person (not To Whom
  It May Concern)
• Be brief
• Introduce yourself to the reader
• Indicate the position for which you are applying
• Mention how you found out about the position
  (friend, newspaper, etc.)
• Include something about yourself that will arouse
  interest about your experience and
  accomplishments
• Request an interview
• Sign and date

46
The Work Option

• The Interview
• Arrive early
• Look your best and dress professionally
• Be yourself you are both deciding if you and
  the job are a good match
• Speak up and furnish the interviewer with
  information needed to make an informed decision
• Practice with a friend by going over the
  following common questions
• Tell me a little bit about yourself
• Are you at your best when working alone or in a
  group
• What are your career goals
• What are your questions for me (always have some,
  show some knowledge of the position)

47
The Military Option

• The military is an option for a career and/or
  money for college. Thoroughly research the
  branches of the military in which you are most
  interested. Request brochures, talk to
  recruiters, and visit with family and friends
  with experience in the military.

48
U.S. Service Academies

• The service academies are four-year degree
  programs followed by a commitment of service.
  Acceptance to a service academy requires a
  congressional or executive nomination by one of
  your U.S. Senators or Representatives or the Vice
  President. Children of career or retired military
  personnel may seek a nomination through the
  Office of the President. You are encouraged to
  pursue any and all of the avenues to increase
  your chances of securing a nomination. Generally,
  the timeline to apply to an academy starts in the
  spring of your junior year. If you are interested
  in an appointment and have not begun process you
  need to begin immediately.
• You will need to apply to the academy in which
  you are interested and secure a nomination.

49
The College Career Search

• Go to Bigfuture.collegeboard.org
• Explore Careers
• Major and Career Search
• Begin exploring careers that might be of interest
  to you. You can read about the career, learn
  compensation information and determine the
  outlook of the field.
• On right hand side explore the related majors
• Begin exploring majors that might be of interest
  to you. You can read about the major and
  identify what skills you should build in high
  school.
• On the right had side explore colleges with this
  career
• You can then narrow your list of schools based on
  the criteria on the left.

50
Next Steps

• Complete Junior year activities
• Contact your counselor before you leave for
  summer if you have questions about next steps
• Big Future College Career search