…College…

							Kick Off to College

Education IS valuable
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According to College for Texans data, a bachelor’s degree yields an increase in lifetime earning potential of nearly $1,000,000 over having a high school diploma. Interest rates on federal student loans dispersed after July 1, 2006 are a fixed 6.8%. All adds up to a great return on your investment

College Application Process
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Finalize SAT/ACT scores Visit colleges Complete college applications Prepare résumé Write essay Request recommendations

College Application Process
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Request transcripts Schedule interviews Submit NCAA form Apply for scholarships/grants Submit FAFSA

Testing…
 SAT  SAT  ACT  THEA

II

What to consider…
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Size Location Cost Academic majors available Reputation Make-up of the student body Campus life

Where to get information…
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Internet  School Websites  Sites listed on p. 25 of College/Career booklet  www.collegefortexans.com Campus visits Printed guides

Where to get information…
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College Fairs  NACAC National Fair—Sept. 30, 1 to 4 p.m., Austin Convention Center  LISD Fair—Oct. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. College representatives

Applications…

how many should I send?
…this varies with the individual student…
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Your dream school (but you may not be admitted) A great school for you, and you’ll probably get in A sure bet, and you would be happy there

Application Options…
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ApplyTexas Application
www.applytexas.org

Private School Common Application
www.commonapp.org

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Single School Application

Application tips…
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Apply early Spend time on the essays Submit a detailed resume Take it seriously and package it well Beat the deadlines

Some notes about Recommendation Letters
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Complete the Recommendation Packets available from guidance office Make an appointment with the person who will write the recommendation Allow two weeks for that person to complete your recommendation before it needs to be mailed.

When to apply…
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Admission varies
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University of Texas – Received by Feb. 1st Texas A&M – Received by Feb. 1st Texas State Univ. – March 15th or May 1st, per major Texas Tech – Received by May 1st Baylor – Oct. 15th through Feb. 1st , per type of admit West Texas A&M – rolling admission Austin Community College – no deadline

Types of Admissions
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Early decision

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Rolling admissions

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Regular decision

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Early action

Colleges consider…
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High School Record
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Strength of chosen curriculum Class rank/GPA

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SAT/ACT Scores Personal Achievement
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Leadership, activities, awards, honors, work experience, special circumstances Community Service

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Essays Recommendations

Top 10% Rule
Texas 75th Legislature House Bill 588
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Any Texas public college or university must automatically admit a student IF:
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Their GPA places them in top 10% of their HS class. They submit completed application by the deadline They apply within two years of HS graduation

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financial Aid
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Money given, paid, or loaned to help pay for college Categories:
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Need-based
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Aid based on your financial situation Aid based on your grades, test scores, or special talents

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Merit-based
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Types
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Grants, scholarships (free money) Work Study (job opportunity) Loans (must be paid back)

Financial Aid

Money given, paid, or loaned to help pay for college

Do you believe that there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unclaimed each year that anyone could have received?

Financial Aid Myths
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The students with the highest GPAs get all the aid Our income is too high, so I won’t bother My sibling did not qualify; neither will I I must attend the college that offers the most aid Cost is the only way to compare colleges

Finding information…
Inquire at college office of financial aid  CPHS Scholarship Bulletin  Inquire at place of employment
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Another great source of information…search the internet!
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Some favorite sites:
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www.collegefortexans.com www.adventuresineducation.org www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.com The back of the Post Secondary Planning book has other URLs you might visit.

Aid Deadlines
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Scholarships – Fall and Spring of Senior year. Many different deadlines! Financial Aid – January through April of Senior year.

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Beware of Scholarship Search Scams
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Several warning signs of a possible scam  ―Guaranteed‖ winnings  ―Free Seminars‖ on financial aid  1-900 telephone numbers  Helpful website:  www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship

Where do we go from here?
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Visit colleges. Seniors are allowed two days that do not count as absences. Register for SAT and ACT – take them soon! Fill out appropriate applications Perfect your essay Send everything in as close to Thanksgiving as possible!