getting ready for life after phs! - pflugerville high...
TRANSCRIPT
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 1
Getting Ready for Life after PHS!
Tanesha BazemoreCollege & Career [email protected]
What I plan to cover… Career Exploration Post Secondary Options Where you stand… 4 year college admissions 2 year college admissions Military Financial Aid & Scholarships
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 2
Career Exploration Use online career tools to find careers that match your
passions Visit http://www.texascareercheck.com/ and take the
Interest Profiler that will allow students to view careers that match their interest
Explore careers first hand Contact local professionals directly and inquire about the
opportunity to shadow and/or interview Visit the local Chamber of Commerce websites to view
Business/Chamber Member directories to view contact information for local professionals Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce
(http://www.pfchamber.com/www) Austin Chamber of Commerce
(https://www.austinchamber.com/) Round Rock Chamber of Commerce
(http://roundrockchamber.org/)
Texas Career Check Interest Profiler
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 3
Post Secondary Options4 year College/University
Must submit an application for admission. Must be admitted to attend.
Seeking a Bachelors Degree Consist of Core Curriculum/General
Education courses (42 – 45 credit hours) Consist of coursework specific to a declared
major (75 – 78 credit hours)
Example: Texas State University
Junior/Community College Must submit an application for admission, but is
open enrollment… meaning simply complete steps for enrollment to attend.
Seeking a…• Certificate degree• Associates degree• Credits for transfer
• Earn 30 credit hours and apply for transfer to a 4 year college/university
• Colleges look at application, college transcript, and essays to make their decision.
Example: Austin Community College, Temple College
Trade/Technical School Must submit an application for admission, but is open enrollment… meaning simply
complete steps for enrollment to attend. Seeking a…
• License • Certification• Associate degree• Career Focused and short term
Example: Baldwin Beauty School, Texas State Technical College
Transcript Review…
School Year - Course Title
Look here to find..• GPA• Class Rank/Size• Quartile
Semester GradesCredit Earned
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 4
Assured Admission – TX Public
Thinking Private/Out of State
• Find colleges by doing College Search or search by College Name
• Click on Applying• Click the SAT & ACT
Scores Tab• Scroll down to view SAT
Mid-Range Test Scores
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 5
As you consider your post secondary plans…
Don’t get discouraged and don’t rule out college… Use the Assured Admission chart and Average scores
as a guide and a goal. If you don’t meet that mark you can still apply, you will be reviewed holistically.
Most jobs require more than a high school education If you are not looking forward to another 4 years of
school, think about a certificate or associates degree program ( 6 months – 2 years) ACC and Texas State Technical College are great places for those
Plan to apply to a variety of colleges… Choose at least 3 to 4 (especially if a 4 year college is your goal)
Dream College Good Matches (I like them, and I know I can get in) Fall Back (I know I can get, and it could be a good place to transition
from ex. Austin Community College, Temple College, Blinn College)
Where to find College Applications… Most online applications will open between
July 1st -August 1st! Apply Texas (public Texas 2 & 4 year colleges) Public & Private colleges/universities nationwide
Common App Universal College App Coalition App
College Specific Online Applications (ex. UMHB)
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 6
Its more than the application (4yr)! In addition to the online application you must
submit Official Transcript SAT/ACT test scores Fee or Fee Waiver (if you registered for the SAT/ACT with a
waiver) Essay (if required or if you are not an Assured Admit)
Optional items Letter of Recommendation Resume
Transcripts Will be updated and ready to request by mid
August You must complete a Transcript Request Form
and submit a payment of $2 for each transcript
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 7
SAT & ACT Scores Colleges nationwide will accept both test, and will
use the highest scores to help your application Juniors should take the SAT and ACT before the
school year ends, then follow up with a Fall test after summer reflection & practice… SAT – August 26th visit www.collegeboard.org ACT – September 9th visit www.actstudent.org
SAT & ACT Essay Optional Some colleges will allow additional test to be taken
without writing, but not all (ex. UT Austin). Check with the admission office to be sure.
If you qualify for Free/Reduced lunch you qualify for a waivers to take the ACT and SAT for FREE
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 8
February ACT Scores Students should have received their scores. Be sure to visit www.actstudent.org to create an
account. With an account, you will then be able to…
view your scores online send additional reports register for future test
Application Fees and Fee Waivers Application fees range from $0 – $75
- You can visit the college admission site for that info
App Fee Waivers If you qualify for Free/Reduced lunch then you
also qualify for app fee waivers from SAT and ACT As a senior, please be sure to re apply for
Free/Reduced lunch, don’t miss out on eligibility for future waivers(application, test waivers, and AP) because you plan to eat lunch off campus
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 9
Waivers continued… SAT Application Waivers are available to students via
their College Board accounts on the Scores page starting August 2017 if they took a spring 2017 or earlier test
ACT Application Waivers, visit Ms. Bazemore to pick up Not all colleges accept SAT/ACT app waivers, you must
visit their admission site for their college specific form Texas State Texas Tech UTSA This list seems to grow each year, so be sure to follow up
after submitting an app waiver to see if it has been accepted
Essay Essays are a way for students to share their
beliefs, values, interest, personality, and voice with a college. Be sure when answering a prompt, that the REAL YOU comes through. Essay prompts differ between college application websites, and you can see the packet to view various prompts from major app sites.
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 10
Essay Tips Fill in the Gaps Make it Personal Be Yourself Leave a Vivid Impression Avoid Arrogance and Inappropriate topics Be Concise, Specific, and Proofread
Visit the PAW Center (PHS Writing Lab) to have your essay reviewed. Open before and after school Monday – Thursday.
Once you submit, follow up ! Do not assume that an admission office has
received anything you have sent or requested to be sent
Each college has their own process for relaying the receipt of required materials Mail notifications Email notifications Online Portal
Be sure to check, and follow up if necessary
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 11
It’s more than an application (2yr)! The application may be simpler, but the
admission process for community or junior college requires follow up too! Activate Online Tools TSI Testing
SAT/ACT is not required, but can be used to demonstrate College Readiness
FAFSA Submit Proof of Meningitis Advising/Orientation Submit Final Transcript Registration for Fall courses
TSI All students that plan to attend a Texas public
college or university (including all community and junior colleges) must be assessed in reading, writing, and math prior to taking any college credit classes (ex. English Composition or College Algebra).
I will look at SAT and ACT scores to determine which seniors need to take the TSI to show College Readiness. Students will receive a notice making them aware of
their standing and future test dates.
College Readiness Testing Exemptions:TSI: Reading – 355; Math – 356; Writing 5+ on Essay or 4/363ACT: Composite 23; 19 English, 19 Math New SAT (beginning March 2016): 480 or +Evidence Based RW, 530 or + Math
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 12
TSI cont’d Keep in mind this if for registration purposes not
enrollment. So students can be admitted and enroll into a college and/or university without meeting College Readiness standards. What it means…
You are not permitted to register for college level courses until you can present SAT/ACT exemption scores or proof that you have taken and completed the TSI.
No matter the result, you will be able to request those scores to be sent to the college/university for enrollment purposes.
Money for College FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1ST 2017
You complete FAFSA to qualify for grants, scholarships, work study, and loans… you can’t qualify if you don’t apply
Scholarships Be sure to create an account on www.fastweb.com,
www.scholarships.com, and/or www.zinch.com to start finding scholarships
District Scholarship list of nationwide, statewide, and local awards will be available and updated through out the 2017 – 2018 school year.
Scholarships is an all year process. Stay vigilant and apply to as many as you qualify for!
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 13
Military Enlistment out of High School Reserve Officer Training Corp
(ROTC) Complete 4 year degree Participate in on campus training Commissioned as a military officer
upon graduation Reserve
Weekend requirements Call to serve in time of war
College Financial Benefits Hazelwood Act Post 9/11 GI Bill
Military cont’d Students interested in the military should begin contacting
recruiters NOW to learn more about the process for enlistment Be sure to ask questions about…
Bonuses for early enlistment GI Bill (FREE money for college) Hazelwood ( Tuition waiver for Public TX colleges/universities) Type of jobs available within the branch
Look for jobs that will give you transferrable skills that you can use when you complete your service
Target ASVAB/PICAT score The ASVAB test is required for enlistment there is a
minimum cutoff for each branch and there are additional cut offs for specific jobs within each branch The ASVAB test is offered at PHS at least twice a year.
Usually November and April. You can also contact a recruiter to set up an ASVAB test
at MEPs or take the new PICAT.
Junior College Admission Talk Presentation 4/13/2017
Tanesha Bazemore ‐ College & Career Counselor ‐ [email protected] 14
Final thoughts… SENIOR YEAR IS NOT EASY!
You have class, clubs, sports, college applications, work, scholarships, home responsibilities, oh and you still want to have a social life…
Make your life easier by getting a plan in place for these post secondary tasks and getting as much done as possible before August 28th!
Sign Up for the CCC Remind
For testing deadline reminders, scholarship info, college rep visiting PHS, and other college and career announcements!
Assured Admission Criteria 2016-2017
CLASS RANK Top 7% Top 9-10% Top 11-15% Top 16-25% Top 26-33% Top 33-50% Top 51-75% Top 76-100% UNIVERSITY SAT ACT SAT ACT SAT ACT SAT ACT SAT ACT SAT ACT Angelo State University No Min No Min 820/900 17 820/900 17 820/900 17 820/900 17 Rw Admn Rw Admn Concordia University Texas Min 2.5 GPA* / ACT 22 / SAT 1020 *Rank not used; below 2.5 GPA RW Admin
Lamar No Min No Min 850/930 18 850/930 18 930/1010 20 930/1010 20 1000/1080 21 1000/1080 21 Midwestern State No Min No Min 990/1070 21 990/1070 21 990/1070 21 990/1070 21 1070/1140 23 1110/1180 24 Sam Houston State No Min No Min No Min No Min 960/1040 20 960/1040 20 1060/1130 23 Indv Rw Stephen F. Austin No Min No Min 850/930 17 850/930 17 950/1030 20 950/1030 20 1100/1170 24 Indv Rw Sul Ross No Min No Min No Min No Min No Min No Min 920/1000 20 920/1000 20 Tarleton No Min No Min No Min No Min No Min 800/880 16 800/880 16 Indv Rw Texas A&M No Min No Min 1300/1360 30 1300/1360 30 Rw Admn Rw Admn Rw Admn Rw Admn *min 620M 660R (SAT)/27 M E (ACT)
Texas A&M Commerce No Min No Min No Min No Min 980 21 980 21 980 21 980 21 Texas A&M Corpus Christi No Min No Min No Min No Min 1000/1080 21 1000/1080 21 1100/1170 23 1200/1270 27 Texas A&M Galveston No Min No Min 920 19 920 20 1050 23 1050 24 1180 26 1180 27 Texas A&M International No Min No Min No Min No Min No Min No Min 900 19 900 19 *Top 40% no Min; Bottom 60% 900 or 19
Texas A&M Kingsville No Min No Min 740/830 15 740/830 15 830/910 17 830/910 17 950/1030 20 1070/1140 23 Prairie View A&M No Min No Min 710/800 15 710/800 15 710/800 15 710/800 15 710/800 15 710/800 15 minimum GPA of 2.5
Texas Southern University No Min No Min 820/900 17 820/900 17 820/900 17 820/900 17 820/900 17 820/900 17 minimum GPA of 2.5
Texas State No Min No Min 920/1000 20 920/1000 20 1010/1090 22 1010/1090 22 1180/1250 26 1270/1330 29 Texas Tech No Min No Min 1180 24 1180 24 1260 26 1260 26 1290 27 Indv Rw Texas Woman's University No Min No Min No Min No Min 1000/1080 21 1000/1080 21 Indvl Rw Indvl Rw minimum GPA of 2.0
University of Houston No Min No Min 1000/1080 21 1000/1080 21 1100/1170 24 1100/1170 24 Indvl Rw Indvl Rw All apps after 12/1 are indvl rw
University of Houston-Victoria No Min No Min 860/940 18 860/940 18 860/940 18 860/940 18 860/940* 18* 860/940* 18* *minimum GPA of 2.0
University of North Texas No Min No Min 950/1030 20 950/1030 20 1050/1130 23 1050/1130 23 1180/1250 26 Indvl Rw UT-Arlington No Min No Min No Min No Min 1050/1130 22 1050/1130 22 Indvl Rw Indvl Rw UT-Austin No Min Rw Admn Rw Admn Rw Admn Rw Admn Rw Admn Rw Admn Rw Admn Top 7% Fall 2017
UT-Brownsville No Min No Min No Min No Min 830 17 830 17 870 18 910 19 UT-Dallas No Min No Min No Min 1200/1270 26 1200/1270 26 1200/1270 26 1200/1270 26 1200/1270 26 UT-El Paso No Min No Min No Min No Min 920 19 920 19 970 20 1010 21 UT-Pan American No Min No Min 770 16 770 16 820 17 860 18 860 18 860 18 UT-Permian Basin No Min No Min 950 19 950 19 1000 20 1000 20 1150 24 1250 27 UT-San Antonio No Min No Min No Min No Min 1100 24 1100 24 Indvl Rw* Indvl Rw* *must meet min to be reviewed
*UT-Tyler No Min No Min 1030 20 1030 20 1070 21 1070 21 1110 22 1140 23 *West Texas A&M No Min No Min No Min No Min 820 17 820 17 940 20 980 21 *Min.GPA2.0
**SAT scores are listed as : Old SAT/New Redesigned SAT Scores***
*** Redesigned SAT Scores - SAT taken after March 2016
Compiled by V. Quach-Vu, Connally High School, 2016
* Please make sure you double-check the admission criteria on the University website*
**SAT scores are the combined scores of your verbal and math sections only***
No Min - No minimum
Rw Admn - Review Admission
Indvl Rw - Individiual Review
Visit www.applytexas.org for all public and most of the private TX University applications. Other apps can be found on www.commonapp.org or a link can be found on the University Admission webpage.
Application Checklist Answer/Check/Date
College/ University Name →
Essays
Draft and proofread essays
Have at least two people read your essays & revise
Resume
Complete an Activity Log and/or write a resume
Applications
What is the early/scholarship/priority deadline?
What is the regular admission deadline?
How much is the application fee?
Submit Online Application
Date Completed: Date Completed: Date Completed:
Pay Application Fee or send Fee Waiver
Track your application status by logging into the Admission Online Portal (e.g. MyUH or MyStatus)
Transcripts
Request high school transcript Date Completed:
Date Completed: Date Completed:
Request midyear grade reports sent (if required) Date Completed:
Date Completed: Date Completed:
Test Scores
Take required test (e.g. SAT, ACT, SAT Subject or TSI)
Send Test scores (i.e. SAT, ACT, TSI, and/or AP) Date Completed: Date Completed: Date Completed:
Letters of Recommendation
Request recommendations **Recommendation letters need to be requested 2 week in advance.**
Send thank-you notes to recommenders
Financial Aid
Submit FAFSA by Priority Deadline! Date Completed: Date Completed: Date Completed:
Accept or Decline Financial Aid Awards Date Completed: Date Completed: Date Completed:
Complete and return the CCC Survey with Fin Aid & Scholarship Info!
Once Accepted
Visit the CCC to fill out a pennant!
Sign up for Housing
Sign up for Orientation
Send in proof of Meningitis shot
College Admission Essays 2017-2018
Essays are a way for students to share their beliefs, values, interest, personality, and voice with a college. Be sure
when answering a prompt, that the REAL YOU comes through. Essay prompts differ between college application
websites, and you can see below for the various prompts from major app sites.
Apply Texas (www.applytexas.org) - - 120 line limit - - Rep suggestion is no more than 2 pages double spaced
Essay A: What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community,
and explain how it has shaped you as a person.
Essay B: Some students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. If you are one of
these students, then tell us about yourself.
Essay C: You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?
Common Application (www.commonapp.org ) - - 650 word limit
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or
talent that is so meaningful they believe their
application would be incomplete without it. If this
sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can
be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when
you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it
affect you, and what did you learn from the
experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a
belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What
was the outcome? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to
solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an
ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no
matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what
steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that
sparked a period of personal growth and a new
understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging
that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it
captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you
want to learn more?
7. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a
belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What
was the outcome?
8. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be
one you've already written, one that responds to a
different prompt, or one of your own design.
Universal College Application (www.universalcollegeapp.com) - - 650 word limit
Personal Statement: Please write an essay that demonstrates your ability to develop and
communicate your thoughts. Some ideas include: a person you admire; a life-changing experience; or
your viewpoint on a particular current event.
Coalition Application (http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/) - - 550 word limit
1. Tell a story from your life, describing an
experience that either demonstrates your
character or helped to shape it.
2. Describe a time when you made a meaningful
contribution to others in which the greater good
was your focus. Discuss the challenges and
rewards of making your contribution.
3. Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-
cherished or accepted belief challenged? How
did you respond? How did the challenge affect
your beliefs?
4. What is the hardest part of being a teenager
now? What’s the best part? What advice would
you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming
they would listen to you)?
5. Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.
College Essay Writing Tips
This handout includes information found in The College Application Essay, by Sarah Myers McGinty and tips from Charles McGonigal, former UT Scholarship Reader.
Essays are going to play different roles for different applications. Sometimes they’ll be tiebreakers, sometimes only the best/worst will matter, and for some scholarships especially, they are the key element. But essays are always important because of the opportunity they give YOU.
Application essays are your chance to demonstrate your own style, the part of you the rest of the application can’t show. They can give the reader a picture that they will remember more clearly than your activities or transcripts. Spend time building the picture you want – here’s some tips to help.
CONTENT Fill the Gaps Read the rest of your application. What’s missing? This is the chance to explain what you did with your leadership positions, or how you helped someone with your efforts, or how you pushed your boundaries above and beyond an assignment. Make sure the essay tells the reader something they won’t find otherwise.
Make It Personal Everyone has made a model for a class project. Everyone has read a book. What about YOUR project, or YOUR reading experience, tells the reader something unique about you?
Be Yourself Your readers have probably been reading applications since before you were in high school. They can tell when you are revealing your thoughts, or playing to an audience. You also don’t always know the audience, so it is best to just be yourself.
Focus on One Point Each essay must prove a single point. The reader should be able to identify and follow your main idea from beginning to end. Have someone read just the introduction to see what she thinks your essay is about.
Leave a Vivid Impression
If you’re explaining the fundraiser you organized, describe the signs or money-buckets you created, describe the long weekend of putting everything together, and the look on everyone’s faces when you reached your goal. When a reader sees you or your work in their mind, they’re much more likely to remember you.
Avoid Arrogance You have to promote yourself in your essay, but be careful not to get arrogant – your readers have also accomplished a lot. If you’re not sure, most parents or teachers will be happy to identify any problems for you.
TECHNICAL Be Concise Yes.
Be Specific Avoid clichéd, generic, and predictable writing by using vivid and specific details.
Proofread Have at least one person proofread each essay – computers don’t catch everything and neither do you.
Athletic/Club
Name of Athletic or Club
Years of Participation (circle all that apply)
Position Describe
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
Work
Employer Position Hours per week Start/End Date Describe
Community Service
Name of Activity Hours Start/End Date Describe
Awards
Name of Award Year Received Describe
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12
Sample Expanded Resume
Bevo Longhorn 123 Guadalupe St.
Austin, Texas 78713 [email protected]
UT EID: HOOKEM EDUCATION 8/23/03-5/20/06
Longhorn Central High School
Austin, Texas
WORK EXPERIENCE 2/01/03-5/15/04
McBevo’s (Austin, Texas) Cashier
• Took customer orders and prepared feed bags for drive-thru • Managed day-shift herd and prepared weekly schedules
3 hrs/week
6/11/05-8/01/05
Angus, Holstein and Angus, L.L.P. (Dallas, Texas) Intern
• Assisted with preparation of civil rights motions related to the banning of cattle branding and sheep sheering practices
15 hrs/week
ACTIVITIES 10th-12th
(Includes extracurricular, community, religious and volunteer activities) Longhorn Central High School Student Council Member (10th-11th), Lead Horn (12th—Elected)
• Organized special movement of Longhorns to tutor horses, goats and sheep
• Represented the elder cattle in a “Eat More Chicken” leadership consortium
3 hrs/week 36 weeks/year
9th-12th Longhorn Football Team Water Bearer (9th-11th), Senior Water Bearer (12th—Elected)
• Provided crystal clear water for fellow steers
10 hrs/week 18 weeks/year
10th-12th Save Our Skins Foundation Member
• Organized an anti-skinning rally involving 250 cows • Picketed a local leather manufacturer for 24 hours
1 hr/week 12 weeks/year
HONORS & AWARDS 9th
Texas’ Shiniest Horns Award
• Selected from more than 850 longhorns in Central Texas
10th All-District Horse Shoe Pitching Team
12th Eagle Scout SKILLS, TALENTS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Languages
• Fluent in mooing, huffing and stomping Musical Instruments
• Played various horns since 3rd grade Communication Skills
• Extensive experience mooing to large herds
Test Prep Options SAT Prep from Khan Academy Students have access to this FREE study tool to prepare for the SAT. Complete one of three options to receive a personalized study plan. They simply visit https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat.
UT Outreach Offering FREE SAT and ACT prep. Students will need to complete an UT Outreach application to participate. Applications are available in the College and Career Center. Email for more info and to [email protected] register.
More Than a Teacher Offers PSAT/SAT/ACT courses at area high schools. The cost is $499 for PISD students. Parent or students should call 512-453-7272 to register. Visit http://www.morethanateacher.com/programs/sat/ for more information.
Kaplan FREE Prep from Kaplan, just follow these steps:
Visit kaplanatschool.com/pflugervilleisd, you will see in the top right corner “Click here for your free promo code”, click on link.
Copy Promo Code and click on SAT/ACT. Paste Promo Code in box and click Apply Coupon.
Log In or Create an Account Click Save & Continue, once the Order Confirmation has been received you will be able to log
into the prep.
Kaplan also offers PSAT/SAT/ACT prep courses online and at various locations you can visit http://www.kaptest.com/index.jhtml to explore different prep opportunities. Their course cost range from $199- $1000.
Sylvan Offer onsite SAT courses at a group (at least 3 students) and individual rate. Group is $895 and individual is $1500. Visit http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/roundrocktutoring/index.cfm for more info.
Princeton Review Offers a variety of PSAT/SAT/ACT prep options including one on one tutoring, small classroom instruction, crash course, and more. Program cost ranges from $599 - 6600. Visit http://www.princetonreview.com/ for more info.
House or Tutors Offers PSAT/SAT classes and tutoring. Cost is $899. Visit www.houseoftutors.com to register and for more info.
Catalyst Offers SAT/ACT prep individually, small group, or boot camps. Cost is from $165 – 3,499. Call 800.235.0056 or email [email protected] for more info.
Unfortunately, money does not grow on trees, and families that have not saved for college must find other routes to financing the ever increasing cost of a college education.
There are various ways to pay for college: scholarships, grants, and other aid.
Scholarships are free money, meaning that you do not have to pay it back, but there may be a few strings attached (e.g. good academic standing). In the end, the benefits of scholarships far outweigh any negatives you might attribute to the process in obtaining and maintaining the award. The application process depends on the benefactor.
Grants are free money from the federal or state government or university that is awarded according to criteria set by the awarding entity (e.g. need based grants are awarded to those that have demonstrated financial need). Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) to apply.
Other aids, such as loans, are obtained through the Federal Stafford Loan program or private entities that must be repaid after graduation. Complete FAFSA to apply for Federal aid, private entities have their own application process.
Searching and applying for scholarships and financial aid can feel like a daunting process, if you let it overwhelm you, but anyone can do it! Read on to learn more!
1. GET A PIC Some scholarships require a photo. Get them now for scholarships that will be listed throughout the year. 2. FIND SCHOLARSHIPS A variety of scholarship listings, databases, websites exist. See below to get started with your search:
The College and Career Center (CCC) advertises national, statewide, and local scholarship throughout the year, visit the http://pfisdscholarshiplist.weebly.com/ for the listing.
College or University scholarships are merit based and departmental. Merit is awarded based on your rank, GPA, and/or test scores and are offered by simply submitting your admission application prior to any scholarship deadlines set. Institutional, departmental, and/or need based awards can usually be found on the Financial Aid website. Visit the college Financial Aid page or use the search engine to query ‘scholarships’. There may be a general scholarship application or for many colleges/universities with an Apply Texas application they have a scholarship application in addition to
the admission application that needs to be completed for consideration.
Internet databases such as: www.scholarships.com, www.fastweb.com, www.zinch.com offer a variety of awards and narrow down your search when you create a profile.
The Minnie Stevens Piper Compendium is another great resource for statewide awards. Visit www.everychanceeverytexan.org.
3. MARK YOUR CALENDAR Scholarship deadlines vary by award; it is important to note the deadline to avoid missing out on free money!
FAFSA is available October 1st, and should be completed by March 15th for many colleges. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply.
Some schools may require the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA to determine your need and award. Visit https://profileonline.collegeboard.com to apply. Deadlines vary by college.
4. APPLY A scholarship application is your first and for most only interview. Be sure that it is neat, accurate, and appropriate.
DO NOT WRITE IN PENCIL. The submitted application should be typed or written in black or dark blue ink.
If you plan to write out the responses… be sure that your handwriting is legible.
Keep the audience in mind when responding to questions. Think… how would you respond if your grandmother or some other respected adult asked you these questions? Try to avoid offending the reader.
5. ACCEPT or DECLINE Generally, only selected recipients will receive a response from a scholarship, and all admitted students will receive a Financial Award letter after their FAFSA and verifying documentation is received.
With scholarships and financial aid award letter in hand you can determine which awards you would like to accept. Generally, students accept all scholarships and grants (free money). Federal loans must be repaid, but sometimes students have no choice but to accept those if no other financial resources are available.
If possible, avoid private loans, they are offered by outside (not state/federal) lenders at a higher interest rate and do not have safeguards that federal loans possess (e.g. forbearance of deferment due to hardship).
For other options to cover College Cost visit www.hhloans.com (CAL Loan) for Texas Colleges and Universities.
Have questions? Email [email protected].
Military
Navy Dennis Mitchell [email protected] 512.221.0002 2000 S. IH-35, Suite K-3 Round Rock, TX 78681
National Guard Heather Ellison [email protected] 512.568.9530 105 East Old Settlers Blvd. Ste. 110 Round Rock, TX 78664
Marines Paul Peralez
[email protected] 737.247.9815
13729 Research Blvd, Suite 870 Austin , TX 78741
Airforce Christopher Thiedig
[email protected] 512.525.6550
9900 S IH35 Svc Rd SB, Ste M600 Austin, TX 78748
Army Curles Montgomery [email protected]
Coast Guard 210.590.9760
[email protected] 512.779.1317 2000 S IH- 35 Suite M-2
River Oaks Plaza, 8347 Perrin Beitel Rd, San Antonio TX 78218
Round Rock, TX 78681
Prospective Military Enlistees now have two options for testing: - ASVAB - PICAT PICAT is an online version that can be taken anywhere. The recruiter provides the student with a passcode to access the test, that is untimed. After completion they have 72 hours to verify with MEPs (Camp Mabry), in which they must take a 30-minute verification test to rule out cheating. If they are unable to verify the student must take the ASVAB under the normal time constraints. No matter which form of the test they take, there is a 30-day wait period before they are able to retake.
ASVAB… most branches prefer a score of 50+, but Army & Marines can take 31+ and Navy 35+
Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) Programs in Texas
Airforce Angelo State Baylor University Texas A&M College Station Texas Christian University Texas State University Texas Tech University University of Houston – Main University of North Texas University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at San Antonio
Army Prairie View A&M University Saint Mary’s University Sam Houston State University Stephen F. Austin University Tarleton State University Texas A&M College Station Texas A&M Corpus Christi Texas A&M Kingsville Texas State University Texas Tech University University of Houston – Main University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at El Paso University of Texas at Pan American University of the Texas at San Antonio
Navy/Marines Prairie View A&M University Rice University Texas Southern University University of Houston- Main Texas A&M College Station Texas A&M Galveston University of Texas at Austin Huston Tillotson University