college admissions 101. types of colleges four year university state schools and private schools,...
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College Admissions 101
Types of Colleges
Four Year University
State schools and private schools, offer a bachelors degree and graduate degrees in many choices of majorsEx. State schools: Texas A&M, UT, Texas Tech Private schools: Baylor, ACU, TCU
Types of Colleges
Community College
offers two-year associate degrees that prepare you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. They also offer other associate degrees and certificates that focus on preparing you for a certain career. Community colleges are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition.Ex. Temple College, Blinn College
Types of Colleges
Technical Schools
offer specialized training in a particular industry or career. Possible programs of study include the culinary arts, firefighting, dental hygiene and medical-records technology. These colleges usually offer certificates or associate degrees.Ex. Texas State Technical College
Which College is Right for YOU?
Picking a college is like picking a second family. What’s right for one senior may not be right for another. It’s about “FIT”.
Does the environment feel like a place you will be happy and grow?
Prioritize what factors are most important to you:
Top 10%
Texas Education Code (TEC), §51.803, • A student is eligible for undergraduate admission in
ranked in the top 10% of their class
• Top 7% for UT Fall 2015; Top 8% for UT Fall 2016
• Graduate on the Recommended or Distinguished plan
Parts of the College Application
The Application
ApplyTexas at www.applytexas.orgMost Texas schools use the ApplyTexas application
The Common App at www.commonap.org Many private schools and out of state schools use the Common Application
Individual college applications – many institutions have their own unique application available on their website
Parts of the College Application
The Application Fee
Amount varies – may use a fee waiver if you used a fee waiver on the SAT or ACT, or if a school official writes a letter for you. Some schools require a copy of parent’s tax return. Schools have the option to accept fee waivers or not.
Parts of the College Application
Test scores
Either SAT or ACT – many schools require these scores to come directly from Collegeboard or ACT
Students on free/reduced lunch may see Mrs. Stephens for a fee waiver to take both tests for free.
Note: Take ACT Plus Writing – most schools require the writing portion also
Parts of the College Application
Official High School Transcript
Fill out a Transcript Request Form in PEIMS
Office – see Mrs. Motl
Parts of the College Application
Essays
The college essay is your chance to make a personal statement. Trip Gabriel, in his article “The Almighty Essay” says, “The personal essay …. is the one element where a student’s own voice can be heard through the fog of quantitative data.”
Tell a story that reveals something uniquely about you. Could your parent pick your essay out of a stack?
Do you come across as an interesting person the admissions officer would like to know better?
Parts of the College Application
Letters of Recommendation
Not all colleges require or will read recommendation letters.
Generally, public universities do not require one; often private universities do.
Read the application thoroughly. Follow the directions implicitly. If they ask for two letters, don’t send more.
If you are a review candidate, it is a good idea to include a letter of recommendation.
Parts of the College Application
Letters of Recommendation
Counselor letters of recommendation describe the student holistically as a person.
When requesting a counselor letter of recommendation, please fill out the Counselor Recommendation Packet (available in the Counseling Center) and give to your counselor two weeks before letter is needed.
Parts of the College Application
Letters of Recommendation Teacher letters of recommendation describe the student as a learner in the classroom. Highly selective schools and some scholarships require two teacher recommendations.
One should come from a junior or senior core academic teacher, a teacher with whom they have developed rapport.
The second should come from someone who presents a different dimension (UIL sponsor, sports, band, church, employer, etc.).
Don’t forget to write a thank you note to anyone who writes you a letter of recommendation!
Parts of the College Application
This is the total application and your file will NOT be considered complete until all parts have been received.
The sum of these parts should provide a portrait of YOU!
Application Deadlines
Don’t Miss the Deadline
Application deadlines are non-negotiable. If one part of the application is not in by the deadline, the application will not be reviewed.
Helpful Hints
Visit the college campuses where you are applying.
Go to college preview days for those schools you are interested in.
Meet with college reps when they come to Belton High School. They are here to help you – ask questions.
Attend Mid-Tex College Night.
Attend Belton’s Best College Showcase.
Belton’s Best
Thursday, October 30
7:00 – 9:00pm
Belton High SchoolCommons
Come meet with reps from the schools where our studentsmost frequentlyattend.
Counselors
We are here to help!
Lead Counselor / A – C Beverly [email protected] / 215-2215
D – J Laura [email protected] / 215-2297
K – Q Holly [email protected] / 215-2217
R – Z Susan [email protected] / 215-2213