Prosper High School Senior Presentation September 2018 Why

Prosper High School Senior Presentation September 2018

Why do I need Post Secondary Education? § Six out of every ten (60%) jobs in our economy depend on workers with at least a two-year college degree. § At least 95% of the jobs in the marketplace require skills obtained outside of the high school classroom. § A shortage of 14 million college-educated workers is predicted by 2020. § More education, means a higher salary.

What are my options? Four-Year College Two-Year College Junior/Community College for 2 and 4 -year college for 2 years Technical Vocational School Apprenticeships Volunteer Internships Enter the Work Force U. S. Armed Forces

Where to Begin… v Texas Public Colleges/Universities Use Apply Texas - www. applytexas. org Ø 2 year colleges Ø 4 year colleges v Out of State/Private Colleges/Universities* Use Common Application - www. commonapp. org *Some private schools have their own application

College Fit Video http: //texasgearup. com/story/view/how-i-got-here-joseph

ACT Testing Dates Students should register for the ACT plus Writing Test Date Registration deadline October 27 September 28 December 1 November 2 February 9 January 11 April 13 March 8 June 8 May 3 July 13 June 14 Register on-line @ www. actstudent. org Test fee is $50. 50 (no writing) $67 (with writing)

SAT Testing Dates Students should register for the ACT plus Writing Test Date Registration Deadline October 6 September 7 November 3 October 5 December 1 November 2 March 9 February 8 May 4 April 5 June 1 May 3 Register on-line @ collegeboard. org/sat Test fee is $47. 50 (no writing) $64. 50 (with writing)

SAT/ACT Colleges require that the test scores be submitted electronically from the testing agency. Each test fee includes 4 score reports. *Most universities will accept either test.

College Admissions Testing cont. SAT Subject Tests • 40 -50 schools with highly competitive admission standards require for acceptance • Given on all test dates except March • Can take up to 3 Subject Tests each date • Colleges also use results for: • Applications to Honors or competitive programs • Placement in appropriate courses

College Essays – When all else is equal, a compelling essay can make the difference College admission officers – Look at the essay for evidence the student can write well and support their ideas with logical arguments.

Common College Essays Ø The “you” question – Tell us about yourself-things your transcript doesn’t convey Ø The “why us” question – Student’s choice of college or career Ø The “creative” question – Candidates ability to think and write **ALWAYS get someone to proofread your essay!!**

Letters of Recommendation • Not all colleges REQUIRE this – check before you request! • Letter of Recommendation Requestions are available on the Counseling Website under Senior Information. • It is respectful to give your writer a 2 – 3 weeks notice. • Provide your writer with recipient info for letter - admission, scholarship, etc. • Your writer should be someone who can provide insight about the student. • If the school requires the letter to be mailed separately, provide the author with an envelope complete with address and stamp. • Follow up with a thank you card.

Transcript Request • Order transcripts on Parchment. ü Go to the Counselor tab on the PHS website. ü Find the Parchment Icon and click on it. ü Create and account. ü Order your transcript. ü You can log back into your account and see when your transcript was sent.

Admission Requirements Each college or university will have unique entrance requirements. Standardized test scores combined with the student’s class rank can possibly guarantee admission. Students that graduate in the top 10% of their class are guaranteed admission in most Texas Public Universities and Colleges. University of Texas at Austin is top 6%

Admission Deadlines vary by institution – No exceptions. – All data must be completed. • Application, essay, test scores, transcript, and application fee must be received by deadline. – Could be “on-campus” deadline and not necessarily a postmark deadline. Scholarship Texas Deadlines are not same as Admission Deadlines. A & M has December 1 st GOAL: Apply to 3 – 5 schools by Thanksgiving

Individual Review Holistic review of application-often used when a student isn’t in top ½ to top ¾ of class. – Essay – Level of course work – Extra curricular activities – Leadership – Community Service/Employment – Letters of recommendation

Who should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center? A student who plans to attend an NCAA Division I or II institution and who wishes to participate in intercollegiate athletics. – This also applies to walk-on’s • www. eligibilitycenter. org Talk to your coach or Ms. Vinson for assistance.

Financial Aid Application Process Complete the FAFSA form online @ www. fafsa. ed. gov. Opens October 1 st. Remember to Check for Financial Aid Application Deadlines!!! Many Have a Feb. /March Deadline, so Begin Completing the Process as Early in January as Possible. PHS will host a Financial Aid Night in September.

Forms of Financial Aid is awarded on a “First-Come-First-Served Basis” to those who apply. Forms of Financial Aid include: – Scholarships – Do NOT have to be repaid – Grants/Awards – Awarded for specific reasons & do NOT have to be repaid – Jobs/Work-Study – On or off-campus employment – Educational Loans – Unions, Banks, Foundations also have loan programs & ALL must be repaid

“Show Me the Money!” Sources of $$$$$: – College/University Financial Aid Officer – Scholarships Specific to an Institution – Special Grants/Programs – Community Organizations – Unions/Business Firms/Ex-Military – Foundations – Advanced Placement (AP) & Credit – Educational Loans

Sources of Scholarships • Institution – In house – Alumni and Local Clubs • Local • Companies – Co. Serv, Campbell’s Soup, Target, Kohl’s, Tylenol • Foundations, Organizations, Associations, Etc. • Activities – Department Stores, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Bank, Church • Hobbies • Employers – Grandparents’, Parents’, Child’s Field of work as well as direct employer • Internet and Guides • Field of Study – Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation • Networking – Community Foundation of Texas (www. cftexas. org) • Scholarship Bulletin • Something Special – Italian, Tall, Female Engineer

General Information Ø Seniors are allowed to miss two days for college visits. Submit a note prior to absence to Mrs. Pruitt. Bring back confirmation from the college. **Most colleges will provide a letter if you pre-register for the visit. Ø G-Force is returning to PHS for the 2018 -19 school year. They will be here on Mondays from 8: 30 - 11: 30 Ø Emily Mc. Kinney - Collin College Counselor available on Tuesday, Wednesday and every other Friday.

Other Contact Information Prosper High School Counselors: 301 Eagle Dr. Prosper, TX. 75078 Penny Wiseman, Lead Counselor (A – Ba) 469 -2180 (phone) Cezanne Rowland (Be – Cor) 972 -346 -9246 (fax) Katie Wells (Cos – Gom) School Code: 445 -715 Michelle Roach (Gon-Kar) Gina Dale – Counseling Secretary Julie Cooper (Kas – Mill) Bobby Storey (Min – Rel) Jeff Strowe (Rem – S) Laura Foster (T-Z) Jolene Vinson, College & Career Counselor / Testing Coordinator