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“Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to ... · are going to spend the rest...
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1 Manvel High School Code: 444463 “Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to spend the rest of your life.” ~ Mark Twain ~
Transcript of “Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to ... · are going to spend the rest...
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Manvel High School Code: 444463
“Plan for the future because that’s where you are going to spend the rest of your life.”
~ Mark Twain ~
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MANVEL HIGH SCHOOL Office of Guidance and Counseling
19601 Highway 6
Manvel, TX 77578
(281) 245-2228 FAX (281) 245-2268
December 2012
Dear Class of 2014:
Congratulations on reaching your goals thus far!! You should be PROUD of your
accomplishments and look forward to a bright and positive future. You have a lot of work ahead
of you.
Senior year is one of the most important years of your life. You need to be fully prepared for the
experiences. There are a number of activities you must complete before beginning your senior
year. One is meeting with your school counselor to make sure your graduation credits and state
testing requirements have all been met. It is your responsibility to keep up with your
grades/credits in order to ensure graduation.
These are suggested activities you should complete before August 2013:
Discuss after graduation options with your parents/guardians, teachers, relatives, and
friends.
Research requirements for each of your options (4-year college, 2-year college,
Trade/Vocational school, or Military)
Sign up to take the SAT or ACT at the May or June administration
Make appointments to visit colleges
Complete NCAA Clearinghouse applications by July 2013
Collect admission applications (apply to at least three (3) colleges)
Begin to write your college essay (get help from your English teachers)
Collect financial aid resources (scholarships, grants, and loans)
Take charge of your FUTURE!! The more prepared you are, the less stress and more FUN you
will have during your senior year. Good luck and best wishes.
Sincerely,
Chenda Moore, M.Ed.
Lead Counselor
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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
Although this junior conference book was prepared on the basis of the best information available at the time of publication, all information included herein is subject to change without notice or obligation.
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Table of Contents
ADMINISTORATORS/COUNSELORS CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................................................... 6
STUDENT’S TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION........................................................................................................... 7
DUAL CREDIT/CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT ................................................................................................................ 8-12
TOP 10 PERCENT RULE ............................................................................................................................................................ 13
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM (SAT OR ACT) ................................................................................................................. 14-15
MAY 2012 AP EXAMINATION SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................................ 15
TEN MOST COMMON ERRORS ON COLLEGE APPLICATIONS ..................................................................................... 16
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS/APPLICATIONS INFORMATION ............................................................................................... 17
SCHOLARSHIPS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
E-SCHOLARSHIPS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 19
TEXAS GRANTS PROGRAM & B-ON TIME LOAN PROGRAM ........................................................................................ 20
GENERAL WEB ADDRESSES ................................................................................................................................................... 21
NAVIANCE (COLLEGE & CAREER PLANNING) ................................................................................................................. 22
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING AT COLLEGES ...................................................................................... 23-25
CHOOSING A COLLEGE ...................................................................................................................................................... 26-27
ESSAY WRITING TIPS .......................................................................................................................................................... 28-29
COLLEGE VISITS ................................................................................................................................................................... 30-31
COLLEGE EVALUATION SHEET ............................................................................................................................................ 32
COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHEET ..................................................................................................................................... 33
COLLEGE APPLICATION WORKSHEET .............................................................................................................................. 34
COMMON ADMISSION DECISIONS DEFINITION ............................................................................................................... 35
COLLEGE OPTIONS (starting at a junior college and then transfer) ................................................................................ 36-38
FINANCIAL AID ...................................................................................................................................................................... 39-43
MILITARY INFORMATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 44
RESUME BUILDER ................................................................................................................................................................ 45-46
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TEXAS COLLEGES & COLLEGE COSTS ....................................................... 47-72
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ADMINSTRATORS
(by student’s last name and/or grade level)
Darrell Alexander Principal 281/245-2232
Charlotte Liptack Associate Principal 281/245-2275
Eric Landgrebe 9th
grade Asst. Principal 281/245-3109
Donald Brown A-E (10-12) Asst. Principal 281/245-2266
Davon Ruiz F-L (10-12) Asst. Principal 281/245-2227
Tiffany Mathews M-R (10-12) Asst. Principal 281/245-2313
Raymond Root S-Z (10-12) Asst. Principal 281/245-3058
COUNSELORS
(by student’s last name and/or grade level)
Chenda Moore Lead Counselor 281/245-2241
Jamie McRae 9th
grade 281/245-2114
Brenell Young A-E (10-12) 281/245-3108
Enitsha Allen-Cooper F-L (10-12) 281/245-2218
Joy Helton M-R (10-12) 281/245-2875
Alfredia Foster S-Z (10-12) 281/245-2921
Kushana Collier College and Career Counselor 281/245-2242
Monica Silvas ACC Dual Credit Academic Advisor 281/245-2928
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STUDENT’S TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION
JUNIOR YEAR (2012/2013)
SPRING Research colleges and careers
January - March Parent and student attend academic conference with counselor
May - June Take first SAT I (Reasoning) or ACT (include the Writing as well)
SAT Test Center available at Alvin HS (June 2013)
ACT Test Center available at Manvel HS (June 2013)
June Complete NCAA Clearinghouse by July 1, 2013 (eligible for athletic
recruitment)
SUMMER BETWEEN 11TH
& 12TH
GRADE:
SEND FOR APPLICATION- GET ORGANIZED!
GREAT TIME TO COMBINE FAMILY VACATION & COLLEGE VISITS
SENIOR YEAR (2013/2014)
FALL Complete and mail college admission applications
Visit the College and Career Center (Mrs. Hernandez) for scholarship
information on a regular basis
Attend College Night and contact individual colleges/universities
Sept. – Nov. RE-TAKE SAT I (Reasoning) or ACT (with Writing) if necessary
December Take SAT II (depending on major) if required by your college
January Complete financial aid form (FAFSA). Parent/guardian must complete
Federal Income Tax first
February Get list of local scholarships from the College and Career Counselor
March Return completed local scholarship applications to the College and Career
Counselor
Spring semester Apply for local scholarships
Take THEA (if not exempt, in order to attend a public college in Texas)
April Take the THEA, if not exempt, if you did not take it at the end of your junior
year for Texas public college/university only.
Reserve a dorm room at the college.
*It is important to review daily announcements and ask questions.
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DUAL CREDIT COURSES AND CORRESPONDING NUMBERS
Alvin ISD has a Dual Credit agreement with Alvin Community College to offer college courses to students at both
Alvin and Manvel High School. Students should visit with their AISD Academic Advisor to determine which courses
are available on their campus. Dual Credit courses are $25.00 per credit hour, and students must complete the ACC
admission procedures to take any Dual Credit courses.
Dual Credit Academic Core Courses-refers to academic courses that are transferrable to Texas colleges and
universities.
AISD # AISD Course Name ACC Course Name/Number High School
Credit 8082 Accounting I ACCT 2301-Financial Accounting 1
8083 Accounting II ACCT 2302-Managerial Accounting 1
American Sign Language I SGNL 1301 Beginning American Sign 1
American Sign Language II SGNL 1302 Beginning American Sign II 1
American Sign Language III SNGL 2301 Intermediate American Sign I 1
American Sign Language IV SNGL 2302 Intermediate American Sign II 1
8851D Anatomy & Physiology BIOL 2401 & 2402 – A & P I & II 1
6081 Art History I ARTS 1303 - Art History I .5
6082 Art History II ARTS 1304 – Art History II .5
Biology I BIO 1406 & BIO 1407-General Biology I/II 1
7012 Business Information Management (BIM) BCIS 1405–Business Computer Applications 1
Chemistry I CHEM 1411 & 1412 – Chemistry 1
Chinese I CHIN 1411-Chinese I 1
Chinese II CHIN 1412-Chinese II 1
Chinese III CHIN 2311-Chinese III 1
Chinese IV CHIN 2312-Chinese IV 1
1580 Communication Applications SPCH 1315-Public Speaking .5
6024 Digital Arts (Electronic Media II) ARTS 2348 - Digital Art I 1
6023 Drawing III ARTS 1316 – Drawing I 1
Drawing IV ARTS 1317 – Drawing II 1
4580 Economics ECON 2301 – Principles of Economics I .5
1481 English IV A & B ENGL 1301 & 1302 – Composition & Rhetoric 1
5081 French I FREN 1411 – Elementary French I 1
5082 French II FREN 1412 – Elementary French II 1
5083 French III FREN 2311 – Intermediate French III 1
5084 French IV FREN 2312 – Intermediate French IV 1
German I GERM 1411-Elementary German I 1
German II GERM 1412-Elementary German II 1
German III GERM 2311-Intermediate German I
German IV GERM 2312-Intermediate German II 1
4480 Government GOVT 2305 - American Nat’l & State Gov’t I .5
4481 Government II (Elective) GOVT 2306 - American Nat’l & State Gov’t II .5
2681 Independent Math Studies (College Algebra) MATH 1314 - College Algebra .5
2451D Independent Math Studies (Pre-Cal) MATH 2412-Pre Calculus .5
2691D Independent Math Studies (Statistics) MATH 1342 – Statistics .5
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8084 Independent Studies in Math (Business/Social Science) MATH 1324-Math for Business & Social Science .5
2591D Independent Studies in Math (Calculus) MATH 2413 – Calculus I .5
Music Theory I MUSI 1211-Music Theory 1
Music Theory II Music 1212-Music Theory II 1
6052 Painting III ARTS 2316 – Painting I 1
Painting IV ARTS 2326-Painting II 1
Physics PHYSICS 1401 & 1402 1
4783 Psychology PSYC 2301 – General Psychology .5
Sculpture II ARTS 2326-Sculpture I 1
4720D Sociology SOCI 1301 – Principles of Sociology .5
5281 Spanish I SPAN 1411 – Elementary Spanish I 1
5282 Spanish II SPAN 1412 – Elementary Spanish II 1
5283 Spanish III SPAN 2311 – Intermediate Spanish I 1
5284 Spanish IV SPAN 2312 – Intermediate Spanish II 1
6181/6182 Theater Arts I DRAM 1310 & 1351-Intro to Theater & Intro to
Acting 1
Theater Production I DRAM 1220 & 1221-Rehearsal & Performance 1
4381/4382 U.S. History HIST 1301 & 1302-U.S. to 1877 & U.S. Since 1877 1
Dual Credit Technical Courses- refers to highly specialized coursework for the workforce that are not guaranteed to
transfer to four year institutions. Students should verify transferability with their college of choice.
AISD # AISD COURSE NAME ACC COURSE NAME/NUMBER High School
Credit
Accounting I ACNT 1303-Intro. To Accounting 1
Architectural Blueprints & Specifications DFTG 1215 Architectural Blueprint Reading 1
8161 Audio/Video Production RTVB 2337 – TV Production Workshop I 1
7012 Business Information Management (BIM) BCIS 1405–Business Computer Applications 1
Business Law BUSI 2301-Business Law 1
8060 Business Management BMGT 1327-Principles of Management 1
Computer Programming BCIS 1420-Introductory C Programming 1
8434 Engineering Design & Presentation Advanced DFTG 2419-Intermediate Computer-Aided Drafting 1
8433 Engineering Design & Presentation I DFTG 1409–Basic Computer Aided Drafting 1
8050D Entrepreneurship BUSG 2309-Small Business Management 1
Keyboarding/Word Processing POFT 1329-Beginning Keyboarding I .5
8091 Keyboarding POFT 1429 - Beginning Keyboarding II .5
8561 Manufacturing Engineering (Fall) PTAC 1302-Introduction to Process Technology 1
8562 Manufacturing Engineering Advanced (Spring) PTAC 1308-Safety, Health, & Environment in Process
Industry 1
8841D Medical Terminology HITT 1305-Medical Terminology .5
8831 Practicum in Med Science/EMT EMSP 1160/1501 – EMT Basic/Clinical 2
8832D Practicum in Med Science/Pharmacy Technician PHRA 1301/1309 and PHRA 1313/1205 2
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Dual Credit
Alvin ISD and Alvin Community College
(Note: Information provided by Alvin Community College)
The Alvin Independent School District and Alvin Community College have entered into an agreement which offers qualified students the opportunity to earn college credits while attending high school.
A. Benefits
Students maximize their high school years by selecting courses which will count as credit for both Alvin ISD and college.
Parents receive huge savings by paying lower college tuition at the $25.00per credit rate, as well as waived fees.
Parents appreciate the additional savings by not incurring charges for college room and board.
Students have the benefits of college and career counseling from the ACC Academic Advisor for the Dual Credit Program on the high school campus.
Students can graduate with their Bachelor’s degree up to two years ahead of their peers, putting them in the job market earlier.
Students qualify to participate in all college activities and organizations and have full use of campus facilities such as the Academic Enhancement Center, Fitness Center, Library, and Computer Labs.
B. Student Expectations The Dual Credit program is a rigorous program that will require extra time and dedication to academic studies.
The successful Dual Credit candidate should make above average grades, be highly motivated, possess good
study skills, be goal oriented, and not be afraid to ask for assistance. Students are expected to be emotionally
and intellectually mature and ready for rigorous work, much of which is done outside of class. Students should
have a strong work ethic, a positive attitude toward learning, excellent time management, and organizational
skills.
C. Application Process Visit www.alvincollege.edu/highschool for up to date information.
1. Apply to Alvin Community College - https://app.alvincollege.edu/Admissions/Intent/Index
2. Take the THEA / COMPASS— 9th
& 10th
graders must take all 3 sections of the exam, and pass the
Reading & Writing sections to qualify for Dual Credit Classes. If taking just Spanish or French, only the
Reading section must be passed. Junior/Senior students may file for an exemption with one of the
following test scores:
TAKS Scores (11th grade) - Minimum Score 2200 - Math and Writing and Writing Sub-score - 3
(English/Language Arts)
Currently the state has not set exemptions based on EOC/STARR testing.
ACT Scores – Minimum score 23 – Composite and 19 – Math and English
3. SAT Scores – Minimum score 1070 – Total (Critical Reading & Math) and 500 – Critical Reading and
Math
Complete an Early Admissions Contract with ACC Advisor. Parent signature is required.
4. Complete the admissions process with ACC Dual Credit Advisor at the high school.
5. Attend Dual Credit Orientation—Visit www.alvincollege.edu/highschool for dates & times.
6. All dual credit courses require payment of tuition to Alvin Community College at www.alvincollege.edu by posted DEADLINE.
7. Purchase the required college textbooks which are available at ACC College Store or www.alvincollege.edu/collegestore. (It is recommended by most college instructors to attend class the first day before purchasing the college textbook.)
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D. Testing Requirements Some students are required to take tests prior to entering into Dual Credit courses. The tests listed below might be required and meeting their standard will exempt the student from THEA testing. Meet with the ACC Advisor on the high school campus to determine specific testing requirements. These scores must be provided to the college Admissions Office directly from the testing company or must be identified on the official high school transcript at the initial time of admission to the college in order to qualify for the THEA exemption.
Exit Level (11th
grade) TAKS scores (public school students) Minimum score 2200 Math and Writing, Writing Sub-score 3 (English/Language Arts). A mathematics score of 2400 is required to enroll in College Algebra.
Texas has not determined exemptions based on the STAAR exam.
SAT Composite score of 1070 or higher with Verbal and Math scores of no less than 500 each. A mathematics score of 550 or higher is required to enroll in College Algebra.
ACT Composite score of 23 or higher with individual Math and English scores of 19 or higher. A mathematics score of 21 or higher is required to enroll in College Algebra.
THEA Test To enroll in Dual Credit courses, high school students who have not taken or who cannot claim exemption with TAKS, SAT, or ACT scores must take the THEA, Accuplacer, or COMPASS exam and meet the college readiness standard .
SECTION THEA
Reading 230
Writing 220
Math 230/270 College Algebra
Since college level math is not taken until the 11th grade, students will not have had the benefit of high school geometry and Algebra II for the math THEA. Therefore, the math portion of the placement test can be retaken if the required score is not made on the first attempt.
E. College Algebra Placement
To qualify for placement in Math 1314 – College Algebra, a student must have one of the following:
11th grade EXIT TAKS Math score – 2400
ACT Math score – 21
SAT Math score – 520
High School Pre-Calculus with a yearly average of A or B
F. Tuition and Fees
The parents / students of the dual credit program are responsible for college tuition and textbooks.
G. Dual Degree Program/Dual Diploma
Some highly motivated dual credit students may pursue a Dual Degree while in high school. These students will receive an Associate in Arts Degree in General Studies and a high school diploma at the same time. The Dual Degree Program will allow participating high school graduates to potentially enter a Texas state supported university as a college junior. Review attached spreadsheet for an overview of the program.
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H. State Testing
Students taking Dual Credit courses are still required to take and pass all required state testing as mandated by their graduation plan. Taking a core course as a Dual Credit class will not take the place of STAAR EOC testing for high school graduation.
I. Alvin ISD Dual Credit Grade Conversion Chart Dual Credit courses are college courses taken by students to earn college credit while simultaneously earning high school credit. These courses are graded as they would be on the ACC college campus. Grades reported for high school purposes are done so to meet the need of reporting progress to parents through progress reports and report cards; but are not aligned with the high school grading policies. The grade reported is what the student currently has in the college course, which may be drastically different from what the student may earn as their final grade. To learn more about how grades are being calculated in the Dual Credit course, students/parents should refer to the Course Syllabus. Course Syllabi may be found online at www.alvincollege.edu underneath the Quick Link section.
This chart has been put in place to ensure that if a student earns a C or D in the college course, it is likewise recorded as such on their high school transcript. According to the ACC grading policy 60-69 is a D; 70-79 is a C.
ACC AISD 60 & 61-D =70-D
62 & 63-D =71-D
64 & 65-D =72-D
66 & 67-D =73-D
68 & 69-D =74-D
70 & 71-C =75-C
72 & 73-C =76-C
74 & 75-C =77-C
76 & 77-C =78-C
78 & 79-C =79-C
J. Verification of Numerical Grade AISD students taking courses at ACC during the summer, fall, and spring semesters will receive the standard alpha grade assigned by the college. To receive high school credit, students must complete and submit a Verification of Numerical Grade form and an ACC transcript, to the high school Registrar no later than 10 days after grades have been posted for the semester in which the course was taken. Alpha grades will no longer be sufficient for high school transcription. See your high school counselor or ACC Advisor for any questions.
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TOP 10 PERCENT RULE FOR
AUTOMATIC ADMISSIONS
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §51.803, a student is eligible for automatic
admission to a college or university as an undergraduate student if the applicant earned a grade
point average in the top 10 percent of the student's high school graduating class, or the top 7
percent of eligible 2013 summer/fall freshman applicants for admission to the University of Texas
at Austin, and the applicant
1) Successfully completed the requirements for the Recommended High School Program
(RHSP) of the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP); or
2) Satisfied ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT assessment or earned on the
SAT assessment a score of at least 1,500 out of 2,400 or the equivalent.
In accordance with Title 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §5.5(e), high school rank for
students seeking automatic admission to a general academic teaching institution on the basis of
class rank is determined and reported as follows.
1) Class rank shall be based on the end of the 11th
grade, middle of the 12th
grade, or at high
school graduation, whichever is most recent at the application deadline.
2) The top 10 percent of a high school class shall not contain more than 10 percent of the total
class size.
3) The student’s rank shall be reported by the applicant’s high school or school district as a
specific number out of a specific number total class size.
4) Class rank shall be determined by the school or school district from which the student
graduated or is expected to graduate.
An applicant who does not satisfy the course requirements is considered to have satisfied those
requirements if the student completed the portion of the RHSP or the DAP that was available to the
student but was unable to complete the remainder of the coursework solely because courses were
unavailable to the student at the appropriate times in the student’s high school career as a result of
circumstances not within the student’s control.
To qualify for automatic admission an applicant must:
1) Submit an application before the deadline established by the college or university to which
the student seeks admission; and
2) Provide a high school transcript or diploma that indicates whether the student has satisfied
or is on schedule to satisfy the requirements of the RHSP or DAP or the portion of the
RHSP or DAP that was available to the student.
Colleges and universities are required to admit an applicant for admission as an undergraduate
student if the applicant is the child of a public servant who was killed or sustained a fatal injury in
the line of duty and meets the minimum requirements, if any, established by the governing board of
the college or university for high school or prior college-level grade point average and performance
on standardized tests.
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THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM (SAT or ACT)
Students should take the SAT or ACT at the end of their junior year (May or June).
This will ensure the following:
a test score available before fall 2013
a chance to re-test fall 2013 (if scores are not high enough for the college of choice)
Colleges will learn of your interest in them
Start to receive information from colleges will assist you in your college search
ACT – American College Testing (www.actstudent.org)
Curriculum-based ―achievement‖ tests in the areas of English, Mathematics, Reading, and
Science reasoning
Offer assistance with educational and career planning based upon the results of the ACT
Interest Inventory
Lasts approximately three hours and 45 minutes
$50.50 (includes Writing)
An additional $22 late fee is charged if you register after the regular deadline.
SAT-Scholastic Aptitude Test (www.collegeboard.org)
Test of standard written English, verbal skills, and Mathematics
Collects demographic information about you to share with colleges
Takes approximately three hours and 45 minutes
$50.00 (includes Writing)
An additional $27 late fee is charged if you register after the regular deadline.
SAT II (www.collegeboard.org)
Some colleges require students to take the SAT II Tests (i.e. UT, Austin, Rice). These are subject
tests given on specific SAT test dates. Check with the college you plan to attend to verify whether
this is required.
Fee waivers are available for eligible students. See Mrs. Moore (A104)
Your counselor or teachers can be a good resource in helping you choose the test that will better
demonstrate your achievement; talk it over with your parents as well. Remember that an entrance
exam score is only ONE piece of information a college considers. Your class rank, grade point
average, school/community activities and job (if applicable) will also be factored in.
MHS offers SAT and ACT Prep Classes prior to some exams. Check with your counselor for more
details.
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Spring 2013 Test Dates
ACT EXAM
www.actstudent.org Test Date Registration Postmark
Deadline
February 9, 2013 January 11, 2013
April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013
June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013
SAT EXAM
www.collegeboard.org January 26, 2013 December 28, 2012
March 9, 2013 February 8, 2013
May 4, 2013 April 5, 2013
June 1, 2013 May 2, 2013
2014 AP EXAM SCHEDULE
(www.collegeboard.com)
2013 Exam Calendar - Week 1
Morning - 8 a.m. Afternoon - 12 p.m.
Monday, May 6 Chemistry Environmental Science
Psychology
Tuesday, May 7 Computer Science A
Spanish Language
Wednesday, May 8 Calculus AB Calculus BC
Thursday, May 9 English Literature and Composition
Friday, May 10 English Language and Composition
Art (portfolios due) Statistics
2012 Exam Calendar - Week 2
Morning - 8 a.m. Afternoon - 12 p.m.
Monday, May 13 Biology
Music Theory
Physics B
Physics C: Mechanics
Tuesday, May 14 US Government
Wednesday, May 15 United States History
Thursday, May 16 Macroeconomics World History
Friday, May 17 Human Geography
Late testing: May 22-24, 2013
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TEN MOST COMMON ERRORS ON THE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
There are several errors that reoccur among applicants using the State of Texas Common Application for
Admission. Some errors are specific to the electronic application, while others occur on both the paper and
electronic applications. Below is a list of common errors that students should avoid when applying to a state
of Texas university.
1. Applicants fail to meet the deadline. Students should apply early! Competition continues to get
tougher and open spots in the colleges decrease rapidly. Students should get all application materials
submitted as soon as reasonably possible.
2. SAT and/or ACT scores are not sent directly from the testing agency. Often applicants assume
that the scores recorded on their high school and/or college transcript are considered official. They
are not. Test scores must be reported by the testing agency in order to be considered by reviewers.
3. Unofficial transcripts are mailed with the application. High school and college transcripts must
be sent directly from the high school and/or college to be considered official.
4. Official transcripts are not sent until after the deadline. Often, students wait until after the end of
their first or second senior semester (for freshman) or the end of their current college semester (for
transfers) to request their transcripts be sent to the university to which they are applying. It is best to
send their current transcript as soon as possible in order for their application to be considered
complete. Their final transcript, which for freshmen includes the final rank, may be sent at a later
date.
5. Transcripts are sent without a designated class rank. Because of House Bill 588 (the Top 10%
Bill), it is imperative that colleges receive a freshman applicant’s class rank or notice that his/her
school does not rank.
6. Freshmen who rank in the top ten percent of their class do not complete the application and/or
send in all required documents. Even if a student ranks in the top ten percent, he or she is still
required to fulfill all application requirements in order to be considered for admission. This includes
the required essays.
7. Questions on the application are left blank. It is crucial that ALL questions be answered except
where optional.
8. Failure to hit “submit” when applicants finish their electronic application. This is an error that
both students and admissions staff find frustrating. SUBMIT your application after you have
answered ALL of the questions.
9. Students use acronyms when describing extracurricular activities. Admissions staff cannot
possibly be familiar with all clubs and organizations, and find the full name of an organization and a
brief description helpful when evaluating applications.
10. Students mark the wrong college code on their SAT/ACT tests. It’s a common mistake, but one
that takes many applicants by surprise. Remember to double-check the codes of the colleges and/or
universities where you request your scores to be sent.
Mistakes are bound to happen. Students should check the status of their applications well before the
deadline. The earlier a student discovers that test scores have not been received or that transcripts never
arrived, the better the chance of rectifying the situation before it’s too late.
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TEXAS COLLEGE APPLICATION
All four-year state universities and colleges are using the common application for Texas. You can go to the web site at www.applytexas.org . This web site has links to all the Texas public universities. Be sure to go to "Frequently Asked Questions" and you'll find out a tremendous amount of information. The code book that is needed for completing the application is also available on-line.
COMMON APPLICATION FOR TEXAS PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
Many private universities in Texas offer this on-line application for admissions. Keep a paper copy of your application. The website is www.commonapp.org.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS QUICK GUIDE Basic requirements for admission:
Complete the application and email to your college or university and keep a copy for your records
Application fee paid
Official transcript sent to university
Required test scores sent to university directly from testing company
All deadlines met appropriately (admissions application/financial aid application/housing)
There are two ways to be admitted to most four-year universities. One is automatic admission to any Texas university because of ranking in the top 10% of your graduating class. The above information must be turned in within the university-specified deadline. The second way to be admitted is through admissions review. This is how the majority of students are admitted. Students not ranked in the top 10% must complete all the above items as well as submit to the admissions office letters of recommendation from adults (not 18 year old friends and not family members) who know you well, a resume of activities, honors, jobs, etc., and an essay that is written to convince the university that you are a worthy student capable of completing the work in a timely, successful manner leading to completion of your bachelor’s degree. Include in this essay any extenuating circumstances that have caused your grades to be low.
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
Some colleges and scholarships will require teacher and counselor recommendations. Please give teachers and counselors one to two weeks to write these. Attached is a form helpful in writing the most favorable recommendation possible. Please complete this as a request for a recommendation letter. REMEMBER – bad planning on your part does not constitute an emergency for counselors.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are the most talked about form of financial aid. Parents and students often hear that
scholarships are difficult to get and they also hear that ―millions of scholarship dollars go unclaimed each
year‖. Both statements may be true. However, unclaimed scholarships are most often those which have very
specific eligibility criteria. For example, there is one which has the following eligibility criteria: 1) 3.5 GPA
2) 18 years old 3) going into a medical field 4) involved in volunteer activities 5) relative of a veteran 6)
resident of one of the original 13 states. There is also a scholarship which is based on specific academic
achievement and dairy goat experience. So, the message is that all scholarships have eligibility criteria.
There is not one single form for scholarships, but applications take many forms and designs. Each senior
needs to evaluate his/her academic credentials, talents, and school and community involvement in
order to determine which scholarships to apply for.
When looking for scholarships, students/parents need to keep in mind:
1. Colleges award most of the scholarships
2. Private colleges generally award more scholarships than public colleges.
3. You will not be considered for specific college scholarships until you have completed the admission
process at that college.
4. Smaller, local scholarships are often easier to obtain than those nation-wide sponsored by large
businesses or organizations.
5. Make sure your application is complete; neatly done; uses correct spelling and grammar; meets all
deadlines.
6. Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements which will be considered by that scholarship
committee or organization. If not, you will be wasting time that could be spent on other more
appropriate applications.
Most scholarships fall into one of the following categories: Academic, Athletic, Talent, Minority, and Local.
Academic Scholarships - eligibility criteria is usually based on grade point average, class rank, and test
scores. In addition scholarship committees often look for involvement in school, community, and volunteer
activities.
Athletic Scholarships – Outstanding athletes are often offered large scholarships but there are a limited
number of these scholarships and competition is very tough.
Talent Scholarships (music, drama, art, dance, etc.) – In order to receive this type of scholarship, the student
needs to be truly outstanding as there is much competition for scholarships of this type.
Minority Scholarships – Many colleges offer minority scholarships in order to attract qualified minority
students to their campuses. Interested students should ask the colleges they are considering for information
on their minority scholarships as well as take advantage of announced opportunities from the Guidance
Office.
Local Scholarships – Local organizations, clubs, and individuals provide numerous scholarships for seniors
in our community. The list of possibilities is usually published the end of February and applications are
available in the College and Career Center. Seniors usually have the month of March to apply for these local
scholarships. An Awards Night Program is held in early May to announce recipients.
A list of local scholarships awarded to past senior classes is available in the College and Career Center.
APPLY for EVERYTHING!!!!
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E-Scholarships USA
www.collegeguidanceconsultants.com
User Name – manvel
Password – manvel
Click on the “Download to Excel” link above the table
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T.E.X.A.S. GRANTS PROGRAM www.collegefortexans.com or toll-free 1-877-782-7322
The Texas Legislature established the TEXAS (Towards EXcellence, Access and Success) Grant to make
sure that deserving high school graduates with financial need could go to college.
The TEXAS Grant, in combination with other aid, pays tuition and fees at the state's public colleges and
universities.
You apply for the TEXAS Grant when you complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) or other application as required by your college's financial aid office. Funding is limited, so
you need to submit your application as soon as possible after January 1 of your senior year.
Because they are using funds from a number of sources to help as many students as possible, the financial aid
office at each college and university will determine if TEXAS Grant is part of the aid package that is offered
to you. Consequently, you may qualify for a TEXAS Grant but receive other types of financial aid such as
the federal Pell Grant, instead. Aid packages will vary among institutions.
Among the eligibility requirements for an initial award, students must:
Complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program in high school.
Enroll in a non-profit public college or university in Texas within 16 months of graduation from a
public or accredited private high school in Texas.
Complete and submit the FAFSA.
By the end of your first year in the program, you must meet academic standards set by your institution in
order to receive a TEXAS Grant the following year. Financial need IS a criteria.
B-ON-TIME LOAN PROGRAM
The purpose of the B-On-Time Loan program is to provide eligible Texas students no-interest loans to attend
colleges and universities in Texas. If the student meets specified goals, the entire loan amount can be
forgiven upon graduation.
Your institution's financial aid office will determine if you are eligible. In many cases the amount of federal
aid for which the student is eligible must be deducted from the cost of attendance in determining the B-On-
Time loan amount. If this loan is offered to you, the financial aid office will instruct you to complete an
application/promissory note on-line.
Among the eligibility requirements, students must:
Successfully complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program in high school
Complete a FAFSA and be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Financial need IS a criteria.
Be enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible institution in
Texas.
There are stringent requirements to maintain eligibility for future disbursements and/or to receive
forgiveness of the loan.
Resources: www.collegefortexans.com
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General Web Addresses
Name Category Web Addresses
SAT
Testing
www.collegeboard.org
ACT
Testing
www.actstudent.org
THEA
Testing (Texas)
www.thea.nesinc.com
FASTWEB
Scholarships
www.fastweb.com
Minnie Stevens Piper
Foundation
Compendium of Texas
Colleges & Financial Aid
Calendar
www.window.state.tx.us/scholars
NCAA Clearinghouse
Athletics
www.ncaaclearinghouse.com
Texas Association for
College Admission
Counseling (TACAC)
24/7 College Information
Hotline
www.asktacac.com
1-877-275-7007
Texas Common Application
College Application
www.applytexas.org
Universal Common
Application
College Application
www.commonapp.org
Universities
College Search
www.universities.com
FAFSA
Financial Aid
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board
Financial Aid
www.collegefortexans.com
Scholarship search
Financial Aid
www.cashe.com
College Essays
Essay writing
www.essayedge.com
State Grants
Financial Aid
www.thecb.state.tx.us
National Aid
Financial Aid
www.finaid.org
Minority Scholarship
Financial Aid
www.rspfunding.com
Private Sector
Financial Aid
www.salliemae.com
College Net
College Search
www.collegenet.com
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Naviance is a web based program
that can be used from home or school to:
Create 4-year plans
Sign up to visit college reps
Sign up for Career Fair choices
College & Career Searches
Plan your future!
YOU will use this to manage your college applications! The more you use it, the easier it will become.
The website address is: http://connection.naviance.com/manvelhs
Your username is: Your student ID number
Your Password is: First initial of first name, First initial of last name,
and 4 digit year of birth (I.e. KF1994)
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Resume Builder
Name______________________________ ID#__________________ Cell________________________ Email __________________________
Academic Achievements/Awards (High School Honor Societies, Academic Competitions, Awards, etc.)
Honors/Awards School Year ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Academic and School Leadership (Elected Positions, Athletics, Clubs, Committees, etc.)
Organization Position School Year
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Non-Academic Achievements and Awards
(Community Service, Church, Community Service, Volunteer Work, etc.)
Activity School Year ___________________________________________________________ __________
___________________________________________________________ __________
___________________________________________________________ __________
___________________________________________________________ __________
___________________________________________________________ __________
___________________________________________________________ __________
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NAME: ______________________________________ NICKNAME: _________________________
CLASS RANK: ___________________________ GPA: _____________________________________
PSAT Selection Index: ____________ Verbal: ___________ Math: _____________ Science:
_______________
SATI (Composite): _____ Writing: _____Critical
Reading:______Math:________DateTaken:___________
ACT (Composite): _____ Verbal: ____ Math: ____
Reading:______ScienceReasoning:_____DateTaken: _____
FOREIGN LANGUAGE: _________________ Years Taken? _______ Fluent Speaker? __________
DUAL CREDIT/AP CLASSES: __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL/UNIQUE HOBBIES: __________________________________________________________
1st
College Choice: __________________________________________________________________
2nd
College Choice: __________________________________________________________________
College Major: _________________________________Minor: ________________________________
Are you the first in your family to pursue a college education? Yes_________No____________
FUTURE GOALS (education, career, social, etc.)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
If You Were Writing a Letter of Recommendation About Yourself, What Would You
Say?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
WORK HISTORY
Place of Employment Responsibilities Dates Employed
___________________________ __________________________ _____________
___________________________ __________________________ _____________
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Admission
requirements for
Texas Colleges
&
College Costs
