Preparing parents and students for senior year and post-secondary

planning

Wagner High SchoolJunior Parent Night

Identify the challenges seniors face in balancing the senior year

Understand the post-secondary planning processSimplify college search and application process

Assist parents in becoming an informed support for your son or daughter in planning for the senior year and the year following graduation

Provide resources for parent questions

Junior Parent Night Goals

Help your student plan for next year’s commitments nowReach out to your academic counselor to find out graduation

plan, scheduling, class rank, etc.Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming changeReassure students that parents, administrators, counselors, and

teachers are there to help provide support

A Well-balanced

Senior yearStudent responsibilities are split between planning their futures and working on high school demands:

Begin the college search process with parent support

Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning process

Survive and thrive throughout the senior year

8 Steps To Good College Planning

The following 8 steps will help your student:

Visit the WHS College Center Explore college search websites—ie: www.college.govWrite a resumeLook for schools with a good range of programs in an

area of interest

1. Match aptitudes and career goals with schools and programs

Core academic coursesCoursework beyond minimum college entrance

requirementsAdvanced classes/course studiesElective classes in areas of interest

2. Register for a rigorous and balanced senior course

schedule

SAT Reasoning Test - www.collegeboard.org (February 18th-20th SAT Registration Drive during ENG III class)

ACT with optional writing test - www.act.org Both are tests of college readiness (Junior took PSAT in October; results are available) Recommended Spring of Junior year Last testing opportunity Fall of Senior year

3. Sign up for College Entrance Exams

ACT25% English25% Mathematics25% Reading25% Science Optional Writing Test

Subtests range from 1-36Composite of 4 test scores

(1-36)No penalty for guessing

SAT 33% Critical Reading33% Mathematics33% Writing

Subtest range from 300-800Sum of 3 test scores

(600-2400)Score adjusted for wrong answers

SAT/ACT Registration

Test Score ComparisonOld New

ACT SAT

SAT

36…1600 2400

35…1580 2340

34…1520 2260

33…1470 2190

32…1420 2130

31…1380 2040

30…1340 1980

29…1300 1920

28…1260 1860

Old New

ACT SAT SAT

27…1220 1820

26…1180 1760

25…1140 1700

24…1110 1650

23…1070 1590

22…1030 1530

21….990 150020….950 141019….910 1350

Old New

ACT SAT SAT

18….870 129017….830 121016….780 114015….740 106014….680 100013….620 90012….560 78011….500 750

4. Build a list of schools/programs to research

Gather information about:

• Location• Size• Admissions Requirements – test scores/GPA/rank• Academic Offerings – majors/programs• Expenses – tuition, travel to/from school• Financial Aid• Housing• Campus Visits

Assured Admission Standards TX State University

Class Rank SAT I* ACT

Top 10% Required, but no minimum

First Quartile 920 20

Second Quartile 1010 22

Third Quartile 1180 26

Fourth Quartile 1270 29

Walk around campusAttend a class Interview admissions officers Spend a night in the dormTalk with other university studentsUse campus comparison form as a tool

5. Plan school visits

Discuss the college comparison data and get feedback from others

Students should talk with parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, and friends

Help your son or daughter examine their goals, thoughts and feelings so that they may choose schools for application

Build a well-considered, reasonable list of schools for application

6. Build a list of schools for application

Completed Application: www.applytexas.org (CAN BE SUBMITTED AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER OF SENIOR YEAR)

Official Transcript Test scores (SAT or ACT) Application Fee Waiver (student can receive up to four waivers) Teacher recommendation (if applicable)

7. Submit applications

Application elements:

Ask someone who knows them wellChoose teachers of classes where they were most engaged

intellectually, showed creativity, or completed a special project or independent work

REMEMBER: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED IF STUDENT GOES UNDER REVIEW

Letters of recommendation

To receive letters that add depth and excitement to an application students should:

Match between college needs and student characteristics

Colleges provide admissions statistics range of GPA and test scores

Holistic review process

College admission decisions

Opportunity for lower tuition costs while exploring academic interests Small setting to solidify academic record or learn a trade Admissions consist primarily of biographical information and proof of high school

equivalency

Community Colleges

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS profile

Factors that determine a families financial strength

Schools determine distribution of funds as financial aid packages

Research independent sources of scholarship funding

Athletes should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

8. Financial aid and Scholarship

Do learn about the college admission processDo discuss restrictions up frontDon’t limit choices based on feesDo remind your child of deadlinesDo listen and offer advice when askedDon’t make decisions for your son or daughterDo encourage and celebrate

NACAC tips for parents: Do’s and don’ts for college

admissions

Academic Counselor Contact Info

***Kellye Jackson—A-CArturo Cano– D—G

Tiffany Thompson H—McAnnette Benavidez—Me—R

Betty Osborne—S—Z

***Lead Counselor

Tiffany Patterson, College Counselor tpatterson@judsonisd.org

Carol Faragher, Career Counselor cfaragher@judsonisd.org

Turkesha Ganey, College/Career Facilitator tganey@judsonisd.org

Contact Informatio

n

Q & ASession