Applying to UT Austin? Read this!

ALL members of the Class of 2015 (yes, EVERYONE… including those applying in Mexico) must have their college lists finalized in Naviance by October 29. For more details, see page

College Notes November 2014 Class of 2015

In This Edition…

5

ATTENTION ALL SENIORS!

BIG DEADLINE APPROCHING!!!

November Calendar

Coming Soon…

There are some unusual procedures that you need to know about for your UT Austin application.

Applying in México We are incredibly fortunate to have wonderful options for higher education right in our own city, and throughout all of México. The majority of ASFM students attend Mexican universities after graduation. What do you need to know for the application process?

On September 23rd, we were delighted to host fourteen universities from all over México at our annual College Fair! Most ASFM students who apply to universities in México tend to apply to two of our great local options: the TEC de Monterrey and the Universidad de Monterrey (UdeM). Because of the large

Continued on Page 2-3

3

Now’s the time to get organized and make your plans to get everything done on time. (Parents – here’s your big opportunity to get involved in this process too!)

4

Applying Abroad? Here’s what you should be doing now

5

2

November 2014 Class of 2015

(Continued from Page 1) numbers of students applying to these two schools, we offer specialized events and added support for these two universities. The application processes for TEC and UdeM are detailed in the chart below:

In 2014, approximately 68.5% of ASFM Graduates went on to study at universities in México.

Applying in México

Application Process Steps

1. Complete the Application

Application is almost entirely online on the TEC website (google search - “ITESM admisiones”)

Application packets were distributed at application workshop (see below)

Admissions representatives presented to students at the TEC/UdeM application workshop on September 17th. This workshop was mandatory for all seniors applying to TEC and/or UdeM.

(Missed it? Contact TEC and/or UdeM for more information.)

2. Come to Information Night

Monday, Nov. 10 at 6:00 PM in the ASFM Auditorium

After a general presentation, admissions representatives and career directors will be

available to answer your questions.

Students should try to complete the application before this event. Applying later

increases the risk that the program of choice may become full, or that the admissions process will not be complete in time for the student to participate in the "Exámenes de Ubicación" on our campus in May.

Monday, Nov. 3 at 6:00 PM in the UdeM Rectoria

After a general presentation, admissions representatives and career directors will be

available to answer your questions.

Students should complete the application before this event, and bring the completed application and all supporting documents (including birth certificate,

CURP, photos, etc.) Representatives will collect and check in application materials from students as they

arrive.

3. Submit standardized test scores OR take the PAA exam

TEC representatives will administer the PAA (their admissions test) at ASFM on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 3:45 PM. However, most ASFM students submit SAT or ACT scores instead,

because the TEC gives a substantial "bump" for testing in English. For more information about revalidating SAT/ACT scores, students can log into Naviance and the link is on the home page.

SEND SAT/ACT scores to TEC: Code 0843

TEC representatives will administer the PAA (their admissions test) at ASFM on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 3:45 PM. However, most ASFM

students submit SAT scores instead (sorry – no ACT), because UdeM gives a substantial "bump"

for testing in English. For more information about revalidating SAT scores, students can log into Naviance and the link is on the home page.

SEND SAT SCORES TO UDEM: Code 6591

4. Campus Visits

May Half Day February Half Day

Students will have the option to attend a campus visit on half days in the spring, if they are interested. Sign ups will be available online a couple of weeks before each visit.

Other Information

Financial information will be given at Info Night.

"Exámenes de Ubicación" will be given at ASFM during review week in late May. Only students

who have been admitted to the TEC can take these exams. The exams are for placement

purposes; if a student fails one or more, they will have to take the corresponding "Remediales" courses during their first semester at the TEC.

Financial information will be given

at UDEM Information Night.

Admissions Contact

Claudia Marcela Mora Ramírez <marcela.mora@itesm.mx>

Eva Karina Martínez Rodríguez <eva.karina.martinez@udem.edu.mx>

For more information about applying to other universities in México, this article continues on Page 3.

3

November 2014 Class of 2015

Applying to Representatives from ITAM will be coming to ASFM for a visit during HS Lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 11. They will administer their admissions exam on Thursday, November 13 at 3:45 PM. You must apply to ITAM before the exam if you wish to take the exam here on that date. To apply to ITAM, go to copal.itam.mx/RegistroAdmisiones.

The 3-hour exam tests verbal and mathematical reasoning. Applicants must attain a score of at least 1320 points for admission (1400 points for joint programs). The test is free for students with an average of 80 or higher. Those with a lower average may take the exam for $550.00 pesos (make your payment to the ITAM representative of the test day).

Questions? Please contact Karla Presbítero at kpresbite@itam.mx.

Applying to UT Austin It’s important for students to be aware that UT Austin has some unusual requirements and procedures that applicants need to follow. The college counseling office wants to make things as easy as possible for you, so please read the following information AND the UT Admissions website (http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu) very carefully. Please contact Ms. Loring if you have any questions or concerns. • THE APPLICATION PROCESS - The deadline to apply is December 1. HOWEVER, this DOES NOT

mean that you should wait until Thanksgiving break to complete the application! Here are the steps that have to be completed by December 1

o Complete and submit the application at www.applytexas.org - I recommend doing this by Nov. 13. o Wait approximately 2 business days to receive a UT EID (electronic ID number). o NOVEMBER 18-25: Once you have your UT EID, schedule an appointment with Ms. Monica

Martinez (counseling secretary) so that she can upload your transcript(s) and recommendation(s). You’ll log into your account from her computer, she’ll upload the documents, and you’ll log out.

• TESTING – Testing requirements can be found on the UT Admissions website. Please be aware:

o Official ACT and SAT test scores that arrive in the admissions office by December 31 will be considered on time. That means you CAN submit December SAT/ACT test scores, but you can’t wait and see your scores – you need to send them directly, without seeing them!

o TOEFL scores must arrive in the office of admission by December 1 or they will not be considered.

• In the spring, UT Austin will release admissions decisions by school as soon as they are available. If you start to hear that “someone got in,” but you haven’t heard a result yet, don’t panic. It is not a school that releases all their decisions at the same time. Just be patient… your result will come!

The college counseling office aims to support the needs of every student in the seniors class, as they make their plans for life after high school.

If you plan to apply to any other university in México (besides those specifically outlined here), please know that we will do all we can to assist you with gathering the necessary documents and completing the process.

Here are a few more key contacts to help you:

• Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey: Claudia Gabriela Garza Cervantes gabriela.garza@fldm.edu.mx

• Instituto Culinario de México, Campus Monterrey icummty@gmail.com

• Ctro. de Est. Sup. de Diseño de Mty. (CEDIM) Karla Iveth Pérez Villarreal kperez@cedim.edu.mx

Other universities in México

November 2014 Class of 2015

Hopefully, you’ve already…

registered for and/or taken SAT, ACT, & TOEFL.

met with Ms. Loring (or you will by Oct. 27!)

matched your Naviance & Common App accounts

gotten a good start on a great application essay

Now what???

Finalize your college list. (DEADLINE – OCTOBER 29)

o For most students, this will be approximately 6-8 colleges outside of Mexico.

o You should have at least two “safety” schools (as identified by Ms. Loring) on your list.

Make a plan. (Parents – here is a great place for you to help out!)

o I recommend making a “tracker” – a google spreadsheet might be a good place to do this? You set it up, and then fill it in (or get your parents to help you fill it in). For an example, you can go to http://spreadsheetsolving.com/2013/09/21/college-app-tracker/. (I would add columns for financial aid application form types and deadlines, and also “certification of finances” deadlines.)

o Read the college websites – The college website should be your #1 source of information about how to apply. Be sure that you understand the application process and timeline.

o Double check the deadlines you see in Naviance. Naviance isn’t perfect, and Ms. Loring definitely isn’t either… so it’s up to you to make sure those deadlines are right (and tell Ms. L if they aren’t).

o Tests – Make sure that you’re taking all of the tests you need for admission, sending official score reports through the testing agencies directly to the universities, and getting the results there on time!

o Financial information – Even if you’re not applying for financial aid, if you’re an international student you will probably need to submit some financial documents. Be sure to look for this on the university’s website. Follow the directions carefully for this, and for financial aid as well.

o Set up a system of reminders for all deadlines - Create your own “tasks” in Naviance, or set up alarms on an online calendar. Do whatever you have to do to ensure that you don’t miss deadlines!

Confirm – how will the school send your transcript(s), recommendations, and school profile?

o Do you see a computer screen next to the college’s name on your Naviance list? That means that the counseling office can submit all the documents electronically. You have nothing to worry about!

o If you see a little orange postage stamp instead, you MAY need to pay for UPS shipping. If so, you’ll receive a UPS invoice from Ms. Monica Martinez with instructions for how to make payments and complete waybills. Follow the instructions carefully so that we can submit your documents on time.

Don’t miss deadlines – not for the college, not for Ms. Loring. Just don’t. Enough said. Thank you.

Thank your recommenders.

o Be sure to take a little time to write a nice note, and it is even appropriate to give a small token of appreciation to the teacher(s) who are writing letters of recommendation for you. Writing a letter of recommendation for a student is a joy, but it’s time consuming and your teachers are busy. Be sure to show your gratitude for their efforts.

Applying Abroad? What to do now

Hopefully your application process does not look like this:

November 2014 Class of 2015

EVERY STUDENT in the Class of 2015 must have their

FINAL COLLEGE LIST posted in Naviance by

Wednesday, October 29 at 4:00 PM.

1. Log into Naviance –

www.tinyurl.com/NavianceASFM 2. Click on the “colleges” tab

3. Click on “Colleges I’m Applying To” 4. Add all of your schools to your list (including

universities in Mexico!!!) 5. Go to “About Me” and complete the “Final

College List” survey.

College Calendar November 2014

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3

UPS Invoice Distribution

UDEM Info Night (6:30PM-UDEM)

4

UDEM PAA (3:45 PM-Classrooms TBA)

5

6 UBC Visit @ HS Break

Registration Deadline for

Dec. 6 SAT

7 Registration Deadline for

Dec. 13 ACT

Deadline to sign up for TEC PAA

10 UPS Payment Receipts Due

TEC Info Night (6:30PM-Aud.)

11 ITAM Visit @ HS Lunch

TEC PAA

(3:45 PM-Classrooms TBA)

12 UPS Waybills Due

(filled out with all info)

13 PCC App. work day

(3:20-4:30PM – Library)

ITAM PAA (3:45 PM-Classrooms TBA)

14

17 NO SCHOOL Mexican Revolution

18

Upload Appointments for UT Austin with Ms. Monica

19

20 PCC App. work day

(3:20-4:30PM – Library)

21

24

Upload Appointments for UT Austin with Ms. Monica

25 26 NO SCHOOL

27 NO SCHOOL

Thanksgiving

28 NO SCHOOL