Presented by the CHHS Counseling Department

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Senior Forum A Parents Guide for College and
Career

• Presented by the CHHS Counseling Department

2014-2015
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Transcripts and Graduation
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Recommended Graduation Program Information in
the Program of Studies (online)

• English 4.0
• Math 4.0
• Science 4.0
• Social Studies 4.0
• Health 0.5
• PE 1.5
• Technology 1.0
• Speech 0.5
• Foreign Language 2.0
• Fine Arts 1.0

26 state credits
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When will my child get a transcript with class
rank and GPA?

• Updated transcripts will be handed out in English
  classes the week of October 6th
• Transcripts and GPA are confidential
• Rank is gone- letters will be sent to schools to
  inform them of this practice
• Review transcript information to make sure it is
  correct see your counselor if any information
  is not accurate

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My child is taking correspondence courses, when
do those need to be completed?

• All Correspondence courses and exams must be
  completed by the end of the 1st semester.
• Courses not completed by the end of the 1st
  semester will be added to their schedule
• Dont let unfinished courses eliminate
• your student from being considered for
• top 20 or participating in graduation
• exercises,
• Get them done now!

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Getting Started
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How do I sign up for college entrance exams?

• THEA Texas Higher Education Assessment. Must
  be taken before enrolling unless you are exempt.
• www.thea.nesinc.com
• ACT College entrance exam
• www.actstudent.org
• SAT 1 College entrance exam
• www.collegeboard.com

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Does my child need to take these exams?

• SAT II Subject tests required by SOME
  universities.
• AP Ask your college or university about scores
  and transfer of grades. Colleges and
  universities accept grades and credits
  differently.
• You can also refer to the counseling website for
  information
• CLEP Measures a students
• level of mastery. Given on college
• campuses. Refer to college/university

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College Admissions what you need to know
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What is automatic admission -Top Ten Percent?

• For automatic admission
• Graduate in the top 10 (7 for UT) of his or her
  class at a public or private Texas high school.
• Submit an application to a Texas public college
  or university before the application deadline.
• Enroll in college no more than 2 years after
  graduation.

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So what if my child is not in the top 10, how
will he/she get in?

• Academic Review 7 factors colleges consider
• Academic record
• Test scores
• Extracurricular activities and community service
• Recommendations
• Children of alumni
• Work experience and leadership
• Interviews
• Correspondence

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Applications

• Each application sent to a different school does
  require an application fee and a separate
  transcript.
• Individual Campus websites freshman admissions
  link
• Universities prefer that you apply on line
  instead of a paper copy. COPY and SAVE all
  information sent to colleges. Saves up to a
  month of processing time.
• Counselor forms can be completed on line or
  mailed.

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How does my child apply on-line?

• Fill out on line at www.applytexas.org
• Use one form to send to multiple colleges
• in the state of Texas.
• Fill out on line at www.commonapp.org for schools
  in and outside of Texas.
• School specific

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What are the types of Admission?

• Rolling colleges make decisions about the
  applicant as information is received
• Early Decision Great for students that are
  serious about their first choice school. Does
  require commitment to follow the rules set up by
  that college.
• Early Action Students can file many of these
  but should consider only if junior grades and
  tests are highly competitive.

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Do you need a counselor recommendation?

• Make sure you fill out the Senior Information
  Sheet online. This form MUST be filled out for
  counselors to write your recommendation letter.

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Does your child need a teacher recommendation
letter?

• Can the teacher add information about your
  learning that is not in your application?
• Plan ahead. A hurried letter will not be as
  helpful as a well thought out and complete
  recommendation.
• Give teachers anaddressed envelope of where to
  send the letters.

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Counselor Forms

• Transcript Request Form online request, free
• Recommendation Letter Request online, please
  fill out if you will be needing a letter for
  anything.
• Allow up to two weeks for this process. We want
  to write the best possible letter but perfection
  takes time!

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How important are college essays?

• VERY!
• The IMPORTANCE of a quality essay
• Checks written skills
• Shows that you are serious about application
• Allows for glimpses of your personality
• May share obstacles or special talents
• Leadership or history of work ethic
• May hurt or help bubble applicants

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Hints for admittance

• Have your child make several contacts with the
  school(s) of your choice. The more email
  admissions, calls, visits, the more interest you
  show. When visiting the school, dress to impress
  and have questions ready. Visit more than once
  if possible.
• Proofread everything you send to the college.
  Paperwork is all the admissions office knows you
  by at this point.
• Set a timetable and follow as closely as
  possible.
• Use long weekends and holidays to finish
  applications.
• Once you have submitted all of your applications
  you
• should feel a huge sense of relief
  celebrate!!!

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Prepare and Finish Early

• Students should begin writing essays now. Many
  colleges utilize the same type of questions and
  essays. Keep copies!
• Create a file for each college you apply to.
  Keep copies of every letter and application that
  you submit along with any information they send
  you.
• If essays or extra opportunities are offered
  through the application as optional, do them.

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How do I know which colleges offer a specific
degree program?

• Narrow your choices by using the Internet
• Great sites on the Web
• www.collegeview.com
• www.collegefortexans.com
• www.petersons.com
• www.usnews.com
• www.collegeboard.com/collegesearch

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Scholarships and Financial Aid
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Does this apply to you?

• If you qualify for free or reduced lunches, check
  with the college or university for fee waivers on
  application fees, housing and orientation.
• You may also be eligible for fee waivers to take
  the SAT and ACT. See your counselor for this
  form.

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How do I calculate the cost for a year of college?

• Cost is per credit hour
• Tuition, room and board
• Application fees and other fees
• Deposits
• Travel expenses
• Resident vs. Non resident
• Personal expenses

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What Types of Aid are there?

• Free Money
• Grants based on financial need
• Scholarships based on talent/merit
• Loans
• Subsidized government pays the interest
• Unsubsidized student pays the interest
• College Work Study
• Part-time jobs provided by the college

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How does my child get Financial Aid?

• Attend the financial aid programs at GHS or the
  College Fair at CHHS.
• Sign up NOW for a Pin number for FAFSA.
• Complete the FAFSA form after Jan 1 at
  www.fafsa.ed.gov Applying for financial aid
  is FREE, do NOT pay to complete this form!
• Want to know what your projected aid will be?
  Log onto www.fafsa.ed.gov and click on
  fafsa4caster

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Financial Aid Websites

• www.thecb.state.tx.us
• www.collegeboard.com
• www.studentloan.com
• www.collegefundingco.com
• www.collegefortexans.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.fastweb.com

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Where can my child find scholarships?

• There is a scholarship tab on the counseling
  website with applications all online!!
• Each college has their own scholarships be sure
  to note those application deadlines!
• Sign up for national scholarships through search
  engines like www.fastweb.com

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SoWhat do I do first?

• Create a master list or calendar that includes
• Tests you need to take, fees, and registration
  deadlines
• Dates that College reps are at CHHS
• College application due dates
• Scholarship application due dates
• Financial aid application forms required and
  deadline dates

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Things for students to doAugust SeptemberGo
to

• Collegeboard.com and register for SAT if needed.
  This web site is full of excellent information
  for students and parents
• Actstudent.org to register for ACT
• Make a College Action plan

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Things to doSeptember December

• Complete college applications
• Fill out the senior self assessment
• Contact individuals for letters of recommendation
• Contact institutions about scholarship process
• Continue to work hard in classes.

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Things to doJanuary - May

• Receive letters of admittance from colleges and
  universities
• Fill out scholarship applications
• Study for AP exams
• Make final decision about college choice

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What to expect

• The Fall is VERY busy
• Applications (3-5), letter of recommendations,
  deadlines, testing
• Try to complete all applications by Thanksgiving.
  A huge load will be lifted
• Winter
• Submit mid-term grades in February
• Look for Scholarships
• Make final decisions apply for housing (depends
  on college)
• Spring
• Make contact with chosen school
• Decline other offers
• AP tests!
• Summer
• Send final transcript
• Attend orientation
• PACK!

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Other Important Information
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What is Counselors Corner?www.gcisd-chhs.org

• Scholarship Information
• Transcript forms
• Presentation material
• Powerpoints, handouts, flyers
• Upcoming events
• Registration information
• Care Team forms
• Community Scholar Ambassador forms

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What is the Community Scholar Ambassador Program?

• 3 years of the same foreign language
• 100 hours of community service and no failed
  courses. All hours due at the end of March.
• Information and cards in
• counseling office and on
• line.

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ASVAB
October 15th Information will be coming soon.
Students may sign up in the counseling office.
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FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP

• Trudy Conner, TCU
• Where CHHS Auditorium
• When Nov. 3rd 630 PM 800

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College Night

• Tuesday, October 21st at the PDEC
• Financial Aid presentation
• Many local, state and national colleges and
  universities attend
• Military representatives attend

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Parent Support

• Struggling with your students Senior year?
• Stressed about all that the future holds?
• Join Counselor, Lindsey Hopkins, and other senior
  parents for our very 2nd year of Senior Parent
  support group.
• 1st Thursday of the Month

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Please remember to Join the Colleyville Heritage
Counseling Center Facebook Page.Check out the
Counselors Web pages for more important
information.Update your email address in
Skyward for the Principals Panther Pause email.