Senior information Night

• Welcome• Guidance Time Line

– October 10: College Fair– October 16: Senior Day

• Job Shadow• College Visit• College stuff with Mrs. B. in

Library

– TBA: LSC Tomball Visit– November 11: Fin. Aid Night

• Senior Handbook– (On Guidance Website—listed

under Senior Year)

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10 Tips for Parents1. Help your student understand the college search

process2. Be realistic and non-judgmental3. Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the

college search process4. Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions5. Be aware of deadlines and fees due6. Know that things have changed since your college

days7. Don’t over-emphasize your own alma maters8. Don’t compare your student with others9. Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter10.Celebrate successes!

In-Depth Look at the College Application Process

1. College Checklist

2. Application Deadlines– Application– Scholarship– Financial Aid– Housing

3. On-Line Applications– www.applytexas.org– Www.commonapp.org– www.lonestar.edu– www.blinn.edu– Each university’s own web page

• Essays• Helpful hints given to seniors in Junior

Conference Handbook• Same hints are in Senior Handbook

• Résumé

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In-Depth Look at the College Application Process

4. Recommendation Letters (if nec.)– Allow minimum of two

weeks for teachers/counselor to complete letters

– Thank you notes, cookies, etc. are appropriate for teacher’s time

* Information found in Senior Handbook on how to request them in Family Connection

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In-Depth Look at the College Application Process

5. Transcript Requests– All requests are processed

through Family Connection– Every college must receive

an official transcript– Official transcripts are not

given to parents/students—must be mailed directly or sent electronically

– The first four transcript requests are free – after that they will be $5 each

– Extra transcript fees will be billed to the account after May 1st if necessary

– See Senior Handbook for more information.

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In-Depth Look at the College Application Process

6. SAT/ACT Test Scores– www.collegeboard.co

m– www.actstudent.org– Test scores must be sent

directly from the testing agencies to each college

• Is your student applying to a Texas public college/university?– Does your student’s SAT

or ACT test scores exempt him from taking a required entrance exam?

– State made changes to testing requirements. Will give parents/students information soon.

7. College Interviews

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In-Depth Look at the College Application Process

8. Financial Aid• Financial Aid Night at CLHS--

7 PM on Monday, November 11th

• CSS/Financial Aid Profile (if req.)– Complete this application at

www.collegeboard.com • In December:

– Parents gather tax information

– Parents/Students get PIN numbers

– Fill out rough draft of FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov

• In January:– Get taxes done

• By Mid-February:– Finish the online FAFSA – Money goes very quickly

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Mrs. Brennan’s Communication

• Website• Emails• Announcements• Classroom Visits• Senior Handbook

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Things to Know• CLHS is a non-ranking school—we do rank the top 10%

• GPA – updated in Family Connection

• What if my student is in the first quartile and could get automatic acceptance if we ranked him/her?

– Student MUST see Mrs. Brennan to request a letter to be sent with official transcript stating that if CLHS did rank, the student would be in the first quartile.

• Write “Thank You” notes to anyone who helped you on your college visit

• Senior Conferences – not req’d but highly encouraged—for students only