James Bowie High School The College Application Process

James Bowie High School The College Application Process September 24, 2015

Tonight’s Agenda Welcome College Application Overview Apply. Texas/Common Application Portals Assured Admission/Holistic Review Process College Essays Tips FAFSA/Scholarships/Scams College Search Engines College Visits/Letters of Recommendation Counselor/Parent Roles • 2

Anatomy of a College Application Ø Completed Application Ø Official High School Transcript Ø SAT/ACT or Other Standardized Test (i. e. TSI) Ø Application Fee Ø Essay(s) Ø Letter(s) of Recommendation

List of Priorities Register and study for the SAT and/or ACT (check on SAT subject tests as well) Create a list of 4 -8 schools that range from Safety to Reach (use web search engines, meet with college reps, go on college visits) Visit as many schools on the list as possible including preview days, rep visits to Bowie, etc. APPLY Request transcripts on Naviance and bring $2 to the registrar for each transcript If required, ask two individuals (ie. Teacher, Counselor, Employer) who know you well for letters of recommendation. Remember to give at least two weeks notice prior to application deadline. • 4

College Application Portals www. Apply. Texas. org ¡ all Texas public (2 yr & 4 yr) and some private universities/colleges ¡ Student profile is first created ¡ Application pasted can be copied and www. commonapp. org ¡ Over 400 Common Application members ¡ Additional forms required ¡ Electronic format form submission ¡ Common App must be synced in Naviance by student Colleges/Universities may have individual online application if not using applytexas or commonapp.

Reach Schools 25% chance or less of acceptance 1 -2 schools Target Schools You are in the middle 50% of applicants 3 -4 schools Safety Schools You are in the top 10% of applicants At least 1 school • 6

Top 5 Factors Influencing Admission Decisions NACAC Admission Trends Survey, www. nacacnet. org • Grades in College Prep Courses (73. 9%) • Standardized Admission Tests (59. 3%) • Grades in all Courses (53. 7%) • Class Rank (31. 2%) • Essay/Writing Sample (23. 3%) (% of college admission officers rating the factor to be of considerable importance in the admission decision process) • 7

Assured Admission Criteria GPA/Rank and SAT/ACT test scores (inquire about “Superscore”) are used Used for Texas public colleges/universities Reviewed Admissions is used if not in assured admissions Students are encouraged to apply even if not in assured admissions Colleges/universities may offer “Alternative Pathways” to future admissions • 8

Assured Admission Criteria—Texas State • 9

The Holistic Application Review Process Course curriculum GPA Test option Recommendations Activities Personal statement/essay • 10

Apply. Texas Essay Prompts A, B and C For U. S. Freshman and International Freshman Applications Essay A: Describe a setting in which you have collaborated or interacted with people whose experiences and/or beliefs differ from yours. Address your initial feelings, and how those feelings were or were not changed by this experience. Essay B: Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills and resources you used to resolve it. Did it change you? If so, how? Essay C: Considering your lifetime goals, discuss how your current and future academic and extra-curricular activities might help you achieve your goals. • 11

College Essay Tips No more than 1 ½ pages Tell a story—could be an “Ah-ha moment”, experience in a class/camp/vacation, conversation with a teacher, personal perseverance Opportunity to say something other than what’s stated on the high school transcript Not a research paper Leave out college/university names/logos Avoid hot button topics—religion, abortion, immigration Answer the prompt PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD AND PROOFREAD AGAIN!! • 12

Financial Aid What is Financial Aid? Merit Based Need Based (grants, loans, work study) FAFSA Process (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)— Opens January 1, 2016 FAFSA Processor = SAR (EFC) School evaluates Application Mails Aid Package to Student School

2013 -14 Estimated Average COA’s (Cost of Attendance Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Sept. 2013 Public 2 -year Public 4 -year Private 4 -year Tuition/Fees $2, 340 $7, 642 $23, 664 Books/Supplies $1, 525 $1, 176 $1, 118 Room/Board $6, 827 $8, 582 $7, 720 Transportation $2, 145 $2, 031 $1, 512 Misc. /Personal $2, 007 $2, 035 $1, 701 • 14

Scholarships on Naviance Under “Colleges” tab, click on “Scholarship List”

Scholarship Resources www. fastweb. com www. bigfuture. org www. myredkite. com www. zinch. com www. raise. me www. collegenet. com www. scholarships. com www. scholarshipmonkey. com Don’t forget to look at individual university/colleges websites for their scholarship info—some may require a separate scholarship application • 16

Beware of Scholarship Scams Watch out for the following claims: “For a fee, we provide a comprehensive list of scholarships. ” “Millions of dollars of award monies going unclaimed. ” “We have a money-back guarantee. ” “We need your credit card or bank account number. ” “We will do all the work. ”

College Search Websites • http: //succeed. naviance. com/bowie Naviance/Family Connection—Your free account with AISD for college readiness tools. • www. bigfuture. org • cappex. com • www. nces. ed. gov/collegenavigator/ • mymajors. com • campustours. com • uscollegesearch. org • education. org

Reminders Use Family Connection/Naviance ¡ Submit college housing applications ASAP (check college policies) ¡ Submit college applications by Halloween- “No Trick or Treat Until You Complete!” ¡ Scholarship & Honors deadlines are often different than application deadlines. ¡ Make sure you send your SAT/ACT scores from College Board/ACT directly to the college/university. ¡ Sign up for college/university newsletters to receive updates, reminders, and campus event information. ¡ Sign up for google alerts (College Admission & Tuition)

College Field Trip Form • • • Can have two excused absences per school year Available in the College and Career Center and Counseling area. MUST have permission from teachers PRIOR to visit. MUST bring back an official letter on college/university letterhead MUST turn in College Field Trip form and the college letter in within 2 days of returning to school • 20

Letters of Recommendation • • Not all colleges/universities require them (Common App schools DO, Apply. Texas schools DO NOT) REQUIRED/OPTIONAL Complete Senior Brag Sheet in Naviance first (lives in About Me tab, link located on left) Ask teacher/counselor in person Other individuals may be good to ask (employer, church youth leader, coach, volunteer director) MUST allow a minimum of 14 working days to write letter on student’s behalf Student must talk in person to counselor about letters of recommendations. If using Common App, letters of rec will be sent via Naviance; Apply Texas (if sending), check with specific school on sending instructions • 21

Our counselors are great at… • • • Lending a listening ear Helping to clarify priorities for problem solving and decision-making Credit checks and graduation requirements Recommendation Letters/Counselor Evaluation Forms for Common Application Helping with personal issues/stress/anxiety All of the above! • 22

How Can Parents Help in the College Application Process? Teach “student empowerment to your child” Stop saying "we" when you mean your child. Help children solve problems rather than doing it for them. Have your child research information. Encourage respectful communication. Foster autonomy and independence in your child. Parenting a child/raising a young adult Listen and support

General Information James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin, TX 78749 School Code: 440331 College Advisor, Project ADVANCE: Veronica Castillo Email: veronica. castillo@austinisd. org Phone: (512) 841 -4107 Registrars: Genette Sageser & Sherri Smith Phone: (512) 414 -3828, (512) 414 -7316 10 th-12 th Grade Counselors: A-Ep Kristen Williamson Eq-K Lisa Saunders La-Ram Nona May Ran-Z Kate Kopke Counseling/Guidance Office Phone: (512) 414 -7318 Fax: (512) 414 -0529

Thank you for your time! Veronica Castillo Project Advance Facilitator/College Advisor Bowie High School-Austin ISD veronica. castillo@austinisd. org