2014/15 Junior Parent Night

1. 2014/15 Junior Parent Night

2. Counseling Department Counselors: • Marcos Esquivel (A-K) • Tracy Reinen (L-Z) • Craig Schraub (Counselor) • Dede Braun (Dual Credit) • Priscilla Schier (Secretary)

3. Graduation is right around the corner… What should I be doing to get ready for life after high school??

4. Post High School Options • Technical or Trade School • Military Service, Military Academies, ROTC Programs • Junior/Community College • 4 Year Colleges and Universities

5. Trade School, Technical School, Vocational Programs • Visit http://www.trade-schools.net • This site will allow you to search by trade/area/interest. • Now is the time to begin visiting the trade schools in which you are interested and talking to the admissions counselors about requirements.

6. Career Cruising • Visit www.careercruising.com. • The Career Cruising site: • Allows you to take interest inventories to pinpoint career interests; • Allows you to explore colleges and universities; • Allows you to find information about the cost of tuition, room and board, books, etc. at the colleges in which you are interested; • Provides information to help you write your resume. • All juniors have already created their Career Cruising account.

7. If you plan to attend a 2 year college….. • Apply during Spring 2014. • Visit the college website for admission details. • Plan a college visit.

8. If you plan on attending a 4 year college or university… Admissions deadlines are usually December 1. If applying to a Texas Public School, complete the application onwww.applytexas.org. If applying to a U.S. Private School, complete the application onwww.commonapp.org. Check college websites for specific admissions information, applications, and deadlines.

9. College Visitations • You are allowed to be absent 2 days a year for college visitations. • Obtain a pre-arranged absence form from Mrs. Burns in the Attendance Office. • You must provide the required proof of your visitation to Mrs. Burns the day you return to school.

10. College Admission Automatic: • Based on rank/test scores. • You still need to apply by deadline. • UT Austin – top 8%. • All other Texas public schools-top 10%. If you are Under Review: • Submit letters of recommendation. • Submit optional essays. • Make a phone call!

11. Resume Tips • Make your resume easy to read. • Use a chronological format (12th-9th grade). • List school- related activities and leadership positions: • community service and activities; • volunteer work /work experience /internships; • summer activities & special programs. • List the most significant leadership roles first. • Include awards, honors, GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT scores.

12. AP Exams • AP Exams are administered between the end of April and the beginning of May. • The score range on an AP exam is 1-5 with 5 the highest. • Colleges may award credit based on your AP score. • To check AP scores / College credit awarded: 1. Go to www.collegeboard.org; 2. Click “For Students” at top of site; 3. Click on AP in “College Tests”; 4. Click on “AP Credit Policy Info” (on the left); 5. Enter the college name; 6. Click there for the institution’s AP credit and placement policy. • You will be able to see what score is required on an AP exam to receive credit. You will also be able to see the course for which the credit will substitute.

13. Dual Credit Courses • Dual Credit (DC) allows eligible high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit for certain high school courses in which they are enrolled while completing their high school requirements. Dual Credit services are provided through St. Philip’s College (SPC) which is a member of the Alamo Community Colleges (ACC). In accordance with Texas regulations and ACC policy, students are limited to two (2) DC courses in each of the Fall and Spring semesters only. DC is not offered in the summer. • DC grades count! Grades earned in DC course affect both the high school and college GPA. Students earning a grade lower than a “C” will be permanently dropped from the DC program as soon as the grade is recorded. Students who do not pass DC courses carry that grade to college and are subject to starting college on ACADEMIC PROBATION. • DC grades are recorded as weighted grades in calculating the numeric grade average (NGA). Eight (8) points are added to the numerical grade only when calculating the NGA; the points will not be reflected on the transcript grade. The NGA is used to determine rank in class. DC grades will be converted to the following numeric grades on the transcript: A=95 B=85 C=75 D=70 F=50

14. Requesting Official Transcripts • Mrs. Schier in the Counseling Office processes all transcript requests. • Transcripts are free. • All official transcripts must be sent electronically or must be directly mailed by La Vernia High school. • Allow at least 3 working days for the processing of your transcript request. • Transcripts cannot be mailed via overnight services. • SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly from collegeboard.org or act.org. • PLAN AHEAD SO THAT YOUR TRANSCRIPTS ARRIVE BY THE PUBLISHED DEADLINE.

15. Requesting Recommendation Letters • Students - Be sure you have filled out the “Senior Information Sheet” available in the Counseling Office. The information sheet provides the best information possible for your counselor and/or teacher to write your letter. • When you request a recommendation letter from your counselor and/or teacher, be sure to indicate the purpose and destination of the letter. • Allow at least 2 weeks for recommendation letters to be written.

16. Financial AidFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • You must complete and submit a FAFSA to apply for federal student financial aid. • Apply on-line for a Federal Student Aid PIN Number –www.pin.ed.gov before January 1. You can apply for your PIN now. • Apply online with FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov starting Jan. 1, 2015. ***You cannot fill out FAFSA until January 1, 2015*** Every college/university bound student must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal college money. Complete the FAFSA even if you do not think you qualify.

17. Scholarships Be sure to check once a month with the Counseling Office as well as the Counseling website http://hs.lvisd.org to locate valuable scholarship information. Information is also announced daily during 3rd period. BEFORE YOU LEAVE PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GIVEN MR. ESQUIVEL YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS. Some websites you can check out: www.tuitionfundingsources.com www.everychanceeverytexan.org www.fastweb.com www.scholarshipexperts.com

18. 12th Grade Checklist • Determine the types of college to which you want to apply. • Choose at least 5 colleges. Always include at least one “safety” school on your list. A “safety” school is a college at which you know you will meet the requirements for admission. • Take SAT and ACT exams during the fall semester. Retake if you want to improve your scores. • Research and apply for scholarships. • Earn strong grades. • Take advantage of opportunities for leadership and responsibility to help round out your college applications. • Submit the FAFSA in January. • Obtain letters of recommendation. • Write your essay(s). • Submit college applications and scholarship applications on time. • Send your transcripts.

19. Essay Questions • 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.

20. QUESTIONS?