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Navigating College Applications: Tips and Strategies

Learn about the college application process, essay tips, financial aid, and scholarship resources. Understand admission criteria and application portals. Take charge of your future education!

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Navigating College Applications: Tips and Strategies

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

  2. Tonight’s Agenda • Welcome • College Application Overview • ApplyTexas/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

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

  4. 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.

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

  6. 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

  7. 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)

  8. 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

  9. Assured Admission Criteria—Texas State

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

  11. ApplyTexas 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.

  12. 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!!

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

  14. 2013-14 Estimated Average COA’s (Cost of AttendanceSource: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Sept. 2013

  15. Scholarships on NavianceUnder “Colleges” tab, click on “Scholarship List”

  16. 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

  17. 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.”

  18. 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

  19. 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)

  20. 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

  21. Letters of Recommendation • Not all colleges/universities require them (Common App schools DO, ApplyTexas 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

  22. 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!

  23. 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

  24. General Information • James Bowie High School • 4103 W. Slaughter Lane • Austin, TX 78749 • School Code: 440331 • 10th-12th 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 • 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

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

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