JUNIOR PRESENTATION COUNSELORS Brad Cunningham A-F
Transcription
JUNIOR PRESENTATION COUNSELORS Brad Cunningham A-F
JUNIOR PRESENTATION COUNSELORS Brad Cunningham A-F Jennifer Marquez G-O Mona Clark P-Z Tonight’s Key Topics Junior Timeline Career Planning Testing Calendar College Graduation Requirements Selection/Admissions SAT/ACT/THEA Financial Aid College Information for Texas Public Universities Choices after Graduation Graduation Requirements 26-Credit Katy Advanced (RHSP) 26-Credit Distinguished Achievement (DAP) Graduation Course Requirements KATY ISD PROGRAMS FOR COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Course Katy ISD 26-Credit Recommended High School (RHSP)* English Language Arts* Mathematics* Science* Social Studies* Economics* Physical Education Health Education Lang. Other Than English Fine Arts* Communication Applications Electives/Additional Components* Total Program 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.5 .5 1.0 .5 2.0 1.0 .5 5.0 26.0 Katy ISD 26-Credit Distinguished Achievement(DAP)** 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.5 .5 1.0 .5 3.0 1.0 .5 4.0 26.0 Class Rank Class Rank is based on the cumulative grade point average for all high school credit courses. A student’s grade point average is derived by dividing the total number of grade points by the number of semester courses attempted. The first official class rank is determined during the spring semester of the junior year and is updated after each subsequent semester. Junior class rank and GPAs will be distributed during lunches in February 2015. Correspondence/Online Courses Deadline December, 2015 This means students must have completed the course lessons and the final exam by Dec.1, 2010. This insures that OTHS will have the course grade by the beginning of 2nd semester. ALL students who do not complete their correspondence course by the deadline will be placed in the necessary course 2nd semester. No exceptions! Honor/High Honor and Top Ten Graduates Calculation for Graduation High Honor Grads = GPA 4.0 and above Honor Grads = GPA of 3.5 to 3.9 All points attempted and courses attempted for high school courses taken in grades 7-11 and the first five, six-weeks grading periods of the senior year are calculated to obtain the GPA for Honor/High Honor and Top Ten graduates. For purposes of class rank, a tie will be broken in accordance with District policy. Testing Requirements S.A.T./A.C.T./ S.A.T. II 2014-2015 Test School Code: 443726 Register on-line or by mail http://sat.collegeboard.org http://www.act.org ACT Test Dates: 12/3, 2/7, 4/18, 6/13 SAT Test Dates : 10/11, 11/9, 12/6, 3/14, 5/2, 6/2 WATCH DEADLINES AND LATE REGISTRATION FEES Recommendation – Take both ACT and SAT SAT II 1 Hour Subject Matter Tests Check Catalog Requirements- many universities do not require SAT II is used primarily for placement purposes Most Juniors take the SAT and/or ACT during the spring. Test Preparation Products and Services www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org Books/workbooks Computer programs Review Services – Katy ISD Test Prep Courses (available in the Counselors’ office) – Princeton Review (offered on weekends at Tompkins High School) – Kaplan – Sylvan Learning Centers – Test Masters Educational Services – SCORE Prep College Selection College Selection A. Factors to consider College Information Work Sheet Student Profile Packets– available online or in the main counselor’s office. Please elaborate! B. Campus Visits C. College “Reps” at Tompkins during lunches D. College Seminars E. Counselors’ Office F. Library G. OTHS Counselor’s Website OTHS College Visit Procedure Students pick up the form in the attendance office. The absence will initially be coded as Unexcused. Students take form home, complete it, and bring to AP office. Please submit form at least seven school days before you go. AP office verifies and signs off. The student will be responsible for checking with the AP office to pick up form. They should pick it up 2 days prior to visit. It is up to the student to take care of this. The student takes the form to the college and brings it back signed by college personnel. The student takes the form to the Attendance office. At this time, the absence will be excused. Excused Absences for College Visits As the parent/guardian of the above-named student or as the adult student, I understand that only those students who meet the following criteria will be allowed to make two (2) college visits during their junior year and two(2) college visits during their senior year: 1. The student must have passed the required parts of the TAKS/STAAR test for the previous year. 2. The student must be on track to graduate on time. 3. The student is classified as a junior or senior based upon credits earned. 4. The student is passing all course work. 5. The student has no truancy or other attendance problems. 6. The student is not in a DAEP placement or assigned to a JJAEP. I understand that: 1. Prior approval is required for an excused absence to be granted and that approval will not be granted when major exams are scheduled. 2. If approval is granted, verification of the visit (Part III of this form) must be returned in order for the absence to be recorded as excused and to not be counted against exam exemptions. 3. If the college visit cannot be made on the date specified above, a new form must be submitted for approval. What College would I like to attend? DREAM SCHOOL? REALITY SCHOOL? Select a college that may be a “stretch” for you. Select at least one “reality” school. Select 2 or 3 schools between “dream” and “reality” school. The College must fit you: ACADEMICALLY PERSONALLY SOCIALLY BE REALISTIC! The college you choose should NOT be one that will overwhelm you (look at the average SAT/ACT scores). COLLEGE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET “Our Top 5 Websites” www.collegename.edu (College Website) www.collegeboard.com www.applytexas.org www.commonapplication.org www.kuder.com KUDER Interest, skill, work values assessments Educational and occupational information Career Portfolio offers: Education Planner Resume Builder Career search College search College comparison Financial aid assistance FAFSA application Scholarship search Job search Kuder Face to Face Class will be offered on October 1st, October 15th OR October 29th Each class is limited to 20 students. Info is in the counselors’ office. Time: 2:40-3:30pm College Application Process College Application Process THINK TURKEY NO PIE UNTIL YOU APPLY! COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Obtain Application (from the college or online) Online Preferred For Texas Public - www.applytexas.org. For Most Private - www.commonapp.org. 2. Fill it out and SAVE until ready to submit 3. Keep a hard copy of the application. 4. Follow-up with college to confirm status of application. www.applytexas.org – Texas Public Schools 3 Features: Explore - (Research your options – admission info for every Texas University) Apply - (Online) – Admission and scholarship applications Repeat - (No need to start from scratch, copy a completed application and use it to apply to another school. It’s fast. It’s easy. It’s free. College Application Process 1. Be prepared and organized - Download copy of application - Organize information needed in a folder before you start 2. Create a checklist or calendar of registration deadlines, fees, etc. (p. 15) 3. Distribute the appropriate parts of the application to the right people (at least 3 weeks prior to deadline). - Counselor page (if applicable) to counselor - Recommendations (teachers/counselors) - SAT/ACT – sent directly from the testing agency - Transcripts – sent directly from Registrar’s office. 4. Write essay (if applicable) 5. Apply for Housing and Financial Aid What do you need from OTHS? Counselor’s Checklist College Applications, Recommendations, Scholarships (Applications need to be turned in no less than 14 working days prior to the deadline date. Applications received less than 14 working days cannot be guaranteed they will be received by the institution on time.) _____________________________________________________________________________________ For Office Use Only Fill out application Transcript Write recommendation letter Profile Electronic recommendation letter and/or application Schedule Fill out application and write recommendation letter Counselor Rec/Evaluation Other ________________________________________________ Please check all that apply to the documentation you are turning in today: Yes 1. Is a transcript to be mailed with this form? a. Is the Transcript Release Form and $1.00 enclosed? 2. I waive the right to access or see any recommendations submitted on my behalf. Signature (required) _______________________________________________ 3. Are any teacher recommendation letters to be included with this documentation? If yes please list teacher: __________________________________ enclosed _________________________________ enclosed 4. Have you included a pre-addressed, stamped envelope? The return address should be: Tompkins High School, 4400 Falcon Landing Blvd, Katy TX 77494 To expedite your application, please make sure you do the following: Make sure envelope is correctly addressed and large enough for all documents. Attach at least two (2) first class stamps to your envelope (more depending on weight)….make sure you have ample postage! Transcript Release Form Request from the Registrar’s Office, room 1520 Personal Copy $1.00 per transcript Official Transcript $2.00 per transcript Please allow 14 school days for processing Attach addressed envelope with postage for each official transcript College Essays – Tips for Good Essays DO’s Keep your focus narrow and personal Prove it – Use examples Be specific Use creativity DON’Ts Don’t tell your readers what you think they want to hear Don’t write a resume Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do Don’t forget to proofread Junior Letter Recommendation free online classes will be offered in the spring and summer. Some Universities have Supplements to the Common Application Here are a few examples: - Columbia University -Rice University -University of Notre Dame -Stanford University SENIOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 1. Profile Packet will be available online by the end of October 2014. 2. This does not mean you should start requesting your recommendations now! 3. Give at least 14 school days. This does not include weekends or holidays. Requests for recommendation letters for applications due December 2016 need to be submitted to the counselor before Thanksgiving 2015. 4. Should tell or give NEW information. (Many applications do not require recommendations at all, especially for automatic admission). 5. Start thinking of which individuals you will ask for a letter of recommendation. 6. Thank you notes Financial Aid SCHOLARSHIPS GRANTS LOANS WORK STUDY APPLY EARLY FOR FINANCIAL AID Distributed on a need basis and first come, first serve basis. Watch deadlines. $ FINANCIAL AID $ 1. Types – Merit based vs. Need based 2. Finding financial aid requires initiative on the part of the student and parent. 3. Scholarships – Posted on the SLHS website, daily bulletin and in Govt./Eco/English classes. Check the file in the Counselors’ Office. 4. College Specific Scholarships – Check for types, deadlines and guidelines. 5. Free Scholarship Search- www.fastweb.com or www.salliemae.com, www.finaid.org ***www.kuder.com 6. Research Scholarships on the Internet, library, with your parents’ employers, and with the college to which you are applying. 7. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after January 1st 2016. It is available on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. As a Junior, you can complete a FAFSA4caster. Apply for a personal identification number (PIN) fall semester 2015. FAFSA FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID For help with completing forms www.fafsa.ed.gov College Financial Aid Offices *Must fill out forms every year OTHS will offer FAFSA night –Jan 2016. Additional Resources TEXAS FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION 1-877-782-7322 (TOLL FREE) TEXAS DIRECTORY OF FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES www.tgslc.org COLLEGE BOARD FINANCIAL AID PROFILE www.collegeboard.com • Financial Aid Seminars http://www.katycommunityeducation.com Upcoming Beginning in mid-February 2015, counselors will send home invitations to Junior Students and their parents. Students will be required to bring the invitation home which outlines your date and appointment time. This invitation is your personal appointment with the counselor to discuss college admissions and any questions you may have. Meetings will last approximately 20-25 minutes. Meetings will take place from 7:30-3:00pm, Monday-Friday. If you are unable to attend your assigned time, please let us know. We can place your appointment at a later time. All students will be met with by June 2015. Parents are not required to attend but are encouraged to do so. OTHS Lunch Representatives Please check the OTHS Counselor Calendar to see which colleges are scheduled during lunches. Students may discuss requirements and college life with college representatives. – This Wednesday: St. Edwards – Nov 4: LSU – Check the Counselor Webpage for more info Important Dates Oct. 1st College Night - Merrill Center 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct 15 PSAT Exam for 10th and 11th Graders Oct 28 Military Night, ESC-Boardroom Feb 7 Financial Information Academy, ESC 1200 STAAR Retakes: Dec 1: English I Dec 2: Algebra I Dec 3: English II Dec 4: Biology Spring STAAR: May 7, 2015 STAAR US History Advanced Placement Exams: May 5-May 16, 2015 Advanced Placement Exams First Graduating Class of 2016 Class Fundraiser – – – – – Project Prom/Project Graduation Write a Check Fundraiser All proceeds go directly to Class of 2016 Tax-deductible contribution For every $200.00 donated, a credit of $50.00 will be placed in your student’s prom account – Checks made out to OTHS Class of 2016 – Mailed to OTHS-Class of 2016, 4400 Falcon Landing, Katy TX 77494 OR dropped off at the front office. Conclusion Please drop the info sheets in the bins on your way out. Make sure you have one Junior-Seniors Survival Guide. Contact your child’s counselor if you have additional questions. Thank you.