Summer Creek High School Seniors

This is the time to make important Decisions!

Decide:• What are your interests?• What are your goals?• What are your favorite subjects?• What careers are available in certain fields?• Where do I want to be 2..5..10 years from now?

Bridges Choices Explorer and Planner

Choices Planner• Choices Planner is an

online career information delivery system that helps students compare, connect and choose from a vast network of education and career options, effortlessly building a meaningful plan for college and beyond.

Choices Explorer•Choices Explorer is a career exploration system which motivates students to achieve academic success by helping them determine their best education and career options. Connecting students to traditional and non-traditional careers.

Bridges for Students1. Go to www.bridges.com. 2. In the Student Sign In section, enter humble + student ID (without any spaces, all lowercase; ie. humble123456). The password is your student ID (6 digits). 3. Select Choices Explorer from the Your Tools box.

• Start Planning Now! Here are some of the cool features you’ll find in Choices Explorer….

• Work • • Explore over 900 unique careers in the Career Clusters. • • Use the Career Finder to narrow down hundreds of careers to those matching your skills and interests. • • Explore careers related to Your School Subjects that you enjoy the most. • • Get to Work with info on job hunting, career planning, apprenticeships and more. • n• Learn • • Create a 4 year high school course plan in the Course Plan Builder. • • Choose an interest-based cluster on the Learn page to check out the numerous education programs available. • • Take the Major Finder to see which majors match your interests. • • Find great homework helpers and study tips in Succeeding in High School. • • Use The Student Planner to make sure you have your bases covered planning for high school and college. • • Get ready, choose courses and apply for financial aid in Preparing for College.

• Life • • Discover new ways for spending your free time, like volunteering and recreation. • • Read questions and answers from recreation experts.

• Your Portfolio • • Save Your Plans and information All About You, such as your skills, interests, resumes, and courses you’ve taken. • • Check out Your Activities to see which assignments and tasks you’ve completed and what’s left to do. • • Record your ideas and questions in Your Journal as you figure out what to do after high school.

• Search • Choices Explorer’s comprehensive search engine finds anything and everything you need to know about career exploration and

education planning. Just type in a key word and GO!

• Certificate/License Program

• Military Career

• College: * 2+ years (Associate’s Degree) * 4+ years (Bachelor’s Degree) * 6+ years (Master’s /PhD)

Ask yourself realistically… What program can I Start and

Finish?

Do you meet the requirements to get into the college to which you want to apply?

• GPA• Class Rank• SAT/ACT Scores• Recommended Courses

Can you get accepted?

What if “Time is runningout” and you still don’t know?

• You can always begin college and major in “General Studies” or as “Undecided.”

• Work toward getting your “basics” or “core classes” out of the way.

• Meet often with your college counselor.

• Compare each college’s range of tuition and fees, including books, housing, transportation and meals.

• Be sure to think long range about your costs. Realize the costs involved are not only per semester, but until the completion of your certificate or degree program.

Do you know the costs involved?

Be sure to apply to more thanone college:

#1- College should be your “Oh My Gosh” college. #2- Should be your “Maybe/Probably” college. #3- Should be your “No Problem” College.

College Application Process

1. Determine when the college of your choice will begin accepting applications.

2. Submit applications in a timely manner.3. Submit SAT/ACT scores.4. When writing application essays, use your best

writing skills. Consider having someone proof and critique the essay before submitting.

5. Request transcripts and letters of recommendation well ahead of the deadline.

6. Maintain copies of all applications.7. Be sure to apply to more than

one college.

Decide Whether to apply Early Action or

Early Decision • Early decision plans are

binding. You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges through the regular admission process. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications.

Application Type

Binding Can Apply Early to Other Colleges

Can Apply to Other Colleges Under Regular Admission

Early Decision Yes No Yes

Early Action No Yes Yes

•Early action plans are similar to early decision plans, but are not binding. If you’ve been accepted, you can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring. Under these plans, you may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, you have until the late spring to let the college know your decision.

College Application CompletionChecklist

• ACT/SAT Scores

• Official High School Transcript

• Application & Application Fee

• Include any necessary essay(s) or optional resume/letters of

recommendation.

College Application Websites•Students can use one application to apply to more than one public Four-Year University by using the following applications:

•THE COMMON APPLICATION The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to ANY of the associated Universities. www.commonapp.org

•THE APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION Apply Texas offers a centralized means for both Texas and non-Texas students to apply to the many outstanding postsecondary institutions available in the state of Texas. www.applytexas.org

Requesting Transcripts• Students must see Ms. Nancy Young in the Registrar’s office to complete and sign a

“Request for Transcript” form. Electronic transcripts are free within the state

of Texas, but a fee of $2.00 per transcript is charged for out-of-state transcripts. Cash only!

• Please allow adequate time to process and mail your transcript directly to the university organization of your choice.

• All non-electronic official transcripts will begiven to the students in sealed envelopes for the students to mail to the university or organization of their choice.

Letters of Recommendation• Should be written by someone who knows you very well.

• Provide a copy of your resume or submit an autobiography to the person writing the letter.

• Give that person 2-3 weeks notice.

• Letter should accurately validate or certify leadership, talents, community service, and extra curricular activities.

• You may need at least 2-3 letters of recommendation.

SAT – ACTTHEA

College Admission Testing

The first step in the college application process is to take either the SAT Reasoning Test or the

ACT.

• The purpose of the college entrance exams is to provide the college admissions officers with a common measure of ability in order to understand and compare applicants from varying educational backgrounds. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) Program provide that common measure of ability. The admission office may use a formula that combines your SAT or ACT score with your high school grade point average (GPA) to determine your probability of success on the campus.

• You are encouraged to take either the ACT or SAT by the end of your junior year (advanced students may be ready earlier) and once again if higher scores are desired early in your senior year, usually by the October or November test date. 

• Register online (SAT - College Board Online www.collegeboard.org or ACT online www.act.org).

• The Summer Creek High School College Board Campus code

is  443603.

What are the differencesbetween the SAT and ACT

Tests?• ACT – English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional) Assessment. The ACT tests a student’s acquired skills.

• SAT I – Critical Reading, Writing, and Math Assessment. The SAT tests how well students reason.

• SAT II – Subject tests (The more selective & competitive colleges require/recommend one or more).

You may not attend any four year college or university as anincoming freshman without taking the SAT or ACT!• You many enter a community college without taking the SAT/ACT.

• You may transfer later to a university without taking the SAT/ACT (typically if you have enough credits to be considered a sophomore).

• Please be advised that many scholarship applications require an SAT/ACT score.

Fee WaiverDon’t let registration fees stand in the way

of you going to college!!!

Please see Ms. Young to verify if you are eligible to receive a fee waiver.

A limited number of fee waivers are available for:• SAT Registration (2 total)• ACT Registration (2 total)• College Application Fees (max 4) (All students on Free/Reduced Lunch Program

Qualify)

What…Another Test?

All students must take the THEA test or be exempted from the test BEFORE enrolling in any state of Texas college-level course work. Students may be exempted from the THEA test by making the following qualifying scores on the SAT, ACT, or TAKS:

THEA – Texas Higher Education Assessment

TAKS Exemption: If you score a 2200 on the ELA (with a 3 on the Writing Sample) and a 2200 on the Math. ACT Exemption: 23 or higher with English or Math no lower than 19.SAT Exemption: 1070 or higher with Critical Reading

If you are not exempt, you must take this test before registering at any Texas college, including community/junior colleges.

How can I study for the THEA?

• Website www.thea.nesinc.com• This website has both an online

practice test and a study guide which you may purchase.

Athletes…Don’t Forget…

•You will need to complete the necessary NCAA Clearinghouse forms!

•Student-athletes must be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse before receiving an athletics scholarship, practicing and competing at a division I or II institution.

•You can apply on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

•See your coach for details.

Scholarships: Where do I look?

• SCHS scholarship website• Internet• www.bridges.com• College/University website• Local business advertisement • Parents’ places of employment

• Scholarship applications take time and effort, butthe benefits are well worth it!!!!!!!

Don’t give up…Hang in there

Scholarships

1. Listen to SCHS announcements, read SCHS newsletters, and visit the SCHS scholarship website often for updates.

2. Watch the calendar closely for application deadlines.

3. Research other available scholarships via the internet, reference books, or private sources.

4. APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!

Financial Aid

FAFSA• FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid applications are

available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• How and when do I apply? Even if you haven’t been officially accepted for admission, you

should complete and submit the FAFSA during the spring semester of your senior year in high school. The FAFSA helps colleges and universities determine your eligibility for financial aid.

• Students and parents can sign applications electronically by applying for a PIN number. Apply for a PIN now! This will speed up the application process.

• It is highly recommended that parents have their 2011 Income Tax returns completed before attempting to complete this form.

• After your FAFSA is processed, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that summarizes the information you supplied on the FAFSA. The information from your FAFSA will be sent to the colleges you listed on the form, and the schools will send you an award letter identifying the aid for which you qualify.

Begin the FAFSA process @ www.fafsa.ed.gov

WARNING

• You must first apply to the College/University…

• Then: You may list that College/University on the FAFSA Application.

Sources of Financial Aid• Grants – Need-based; do not have to repay as long as you

maintain a certain GPA.• Loans – Must repay once you finish college.• Work Study Program – Job housed on campus arranged by college. • Scholarships- Free money

How can we help you?

Senior Meetings

Who: Senior and Counselor

When: Fall semester

Why: Evaluate transcript, discuss plans post-high school, answer any questions you might bring to the meeting for discussion.

Resources

*One of your greatest resources is the SCHS

website.

We are committed to providing you with the resources necessary to help

you achieve your goals, NOW…• What are YOU

prepared to dofor yourself

and your future?

Don’t Let Yourself GetOverwhelmed!

• You can do it…

You can make it to Graduation…

and beyond!!!

Other General Information

• Pass/Fail Option:APPROVAL FOR PASS/FAIL OPTION• To encourage more students to participate in upper level courses and to pursue

specific interests in a four-year strand of courses for which there is no Honors designation, the District will allow third and fourth year high school students to apply for a Pass/Fail grading option for any course above and beyond graduation requirements. Students may earn up to four credits (eight semesters). These courses will be excluded in the computation of grade point averages and class rank.

• Students who elect this option:• must conference with the counselor and obtain an application.• must submit the application with all appropriate signatures no later than one week

after receiving the progress report for the second and/or fifth marking period. Once the Pass/Fail option has been approved, students may not request a change back to a traditional numerical grade on the transcript.

• will receive numerical grades on progress reports and report cards for eligibility purposes

• will receive a P(Pass) or F(Fail) for the semester grade associated with that course(s) on the transcript.