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 is here to help!

Choices Planner

Choices Planner is an online career information system that helps students compare, connect and choose from a vast network of education and career options.

Choices ExplorerChoices Explorer is a career exploration system which helps students determine their best education and career options.

www.Bridges.com

Bridges log-in 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.

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 Cosmetology Air Conditioning

• Military Career Army Navy

• 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/SAT 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 towards 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.

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 provides an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to ANY of the 400 nationwide 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 postsecondary institutions in the state of Texas. www.applytexas.org

Begin Applying

to College

Types of Admission

ROLLING – There are no deadlines, applications areaccepted throughout the year.

The ADVANTAGE: students can apply anytime. The DISADVANTAGE: once colleges have reached

theacceptance limit, additional applications from

RollingAdmission applicants will not be considered.

Students should remember the later they apply, the less

likely they will be accepted and the less likely they will

qualify for financial aid.

Types of AdmissionEARLY DECISION- Students are permitted to apply early to only one college oruniversity. If accepted, students are legally bound to attend that school and are forbidden to apply to any other school. Typically, Early Decision applications are due on November 1.

The ADVANTAGE: Students are more likely to be accepted due to higher

admission rates for Early Decision applicants. Students receive notice of

acceptance between Dec 1st -15th.The DISADVANTAGE: Students are under contract to attend the

college that accepts them even if they do not recover any financial aid. Also,

if students are rejected by the school they applied to under Early

Decision, they must then apply to other schools using the regular admission

process.

The early decision process should be used by highly qualified students

(students with superior grades, ST/ACT scores, and extra curricular activities) who are committed to attending their first choice college/University, regardless of financial aid consideration.

Types of AdmissionEarly Action-Students can apply to multiple schools and are notrequired to commit to attending a particular college

until May 1. Applications are typically due Nov 1st – 15th.

The ADVANTAGE: Students receive admission decisions from colleges early before the Christmas break, but do not have to commit to attend college before May1.

The DISADVANTAGE: Students will have a busy fall semester, all application documents are normally

due in early to mid-November.

Types of AdmissionREGULAR ADMISSION-Students can apply at a later date, applications are due to

most colleges between January 15 and February 1. The ADVANTAGES: students have additional months to

completeand submit their applications and they have no restrictions on

thenumber of schools they can apply to.

The DISADVANTAGES: students are less likely to be accepted

because colleges have lower admission rates for regular admission

applicants than for Early Decision and Early Application applicants.

In addition, students will not find out if they have been accepted

until April under the regular admission process.

Requesting Transcripts Students must see Mrs. Reta Brown, in the Registrar’s office to complete and sign a “Request for Transcript” form. Including the Organizations mailing address. The cost is $2.00 per transcript. Cash only!

Please allow 3-4 weeks to process and mail your transcript directly to the University or Organization of your choice.

All official transcripts will be mailed to the University or Organization designated by the student.

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

Provide a copy of your resume or submit and 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.

College Application CompletionChecklist

1. ACT/SAT Scores 2. Official High School Transcript3. Application & Application Fee4. Include any necessary essay(s) or optional resume/letters of

recommendation.5. Print and keep a copy of

EVERYTHING!!!6. Mail documents using U.S. Certified

Mail with a Return Receipt.

SAT – ACTTHEA

College Admission Testing

 SAT and 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 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.

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

* The Atascocita High School College Board Campus

code is  443583.

Difference between the SAT and ACTTests?

* ACT – The ACT tests a student’s acquired skills. English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing (optional) Assessment. Composite scores range from 1(low) to 36(high)

* SAT I – The SAT tests how well students reason. Critical Reading, Writing, and Math Assessment. Highest composite score is 2400.

* SAT II – Subject tests (The more selective & competitive colleges require/recommend one or more subject test). Highest composite score is 2400.

Colleges and Universities require an official score report.

You may not attend any four year college or university as an incoming freshman without taking the SAT or ACT!

There are only a few exceptions to this rule.

EXCEPTIONS!

* You may 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).

Fee Waiver

Don’t let registration fees stand in the way between you and going to college!!!

Please see your counselor to verify if you are eligibleto 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 Qualify)

What…Another Test?

* Required BEFORE enrolling in a TEXAS PUBLIC college-level class.

* Placement test only, does not affect admission. * Determines which courses students will be allowed to register

for during their freshmen year.

THEA Exemptions:

THEA – Texas Higher Education Assessment

TAKS Exemption: Score a 2200 Math & 2200 ELA with a 3 or higher in writing. ACT Exemption: Score a 23 or higher ( 19 English & 21 Math).

SAT Exemption: Score a 1070 or higher (500 Math & 500 CR).

Visit the website www.thea.nesinc.com to find study guides.

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

Scholarships may be awarded on the basis of: *Academic Merit *Financial need *Talent *Miscellaneous scholarship

criteria

Scholarships Where do I look?

* AHS scholarship website* Internet* College/University website* Local business advertisement * Parents place of employment* Research other available scholarships via the reference books, or private sources.* Watch the calendar closely for application deadlines.* Scholarship applications take time and effort but, it is well worth it!!!!!!!

APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!

Scholarship information for college

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. This will speed up the application process. Apply for a PIN now!

* It is highly recommended that parents have their 2012 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 they will send you an award letter identifying the aid for which you qualify.

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

TAFSA* TAFSA- Texas Application for Student Aid

* Allows non-citizen students to pay in-state tuition at a

Texas public university and to qualify for state financial aid.

* Fill out TASFA for m in January and submit directly to financial aid office at institution you will be attending.

* The TASFA form is available at www.collegefortexans.com

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 your senior…

Senior Meetings

Who: Senior and Counselor

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

Senior Meetings: How to maximize your face-to face time with your counselor

1. Come prepared to actively participate in the process… this is your future.

2. Do your research.

3. Come prepared with questions.

4. Refer to your Senior Newsletter for application deadlines and testing dates.

5. See your counselor for SAT/ACT fee waivers if you qualify.

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

achieve your goals, NOW…

What are YOU prepared to do for yourself and your future?

Don’t Let Yourself GetOverwhelmed!

* You can do it…

You can make it to Graduation…

And Beyond!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

* Thank you for attending tonight’s presentation.

* We encourage you to contact us with any questions regarding your senior.

* Please remember that deadlines are crucial.

* You can find a copy of this presentation on the AHS website.