Grand Prairie High School Senior College Guide

1. Grand Prairie High School Senior College Guide Beyond High School

2. Career and Technical Education Counselor – Danita Peterman Dallas Baptist University • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education • Master of Education (M. Ed.) in School Counseling • Master of Education (M. Ed.) in Educational Leadership danita.peterman@gpisd.org 972-809-5880

3. Advise TX AdvisorMs. Laura Keating • Texas A&M University • Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in Political Science Provides assistance with the following: • Financial aid application • College application assistance • Scholarship searches • College/university searches • Registering for the ACT/SAT • Assistance with college essays (editing, etc.)

4. College and Career Center Hours Monday – Friday 7:30-3:30 Students may come to the Center before school, after school or during lunch without a pass. Students must have a pass from their teacher to come at any other time during the day.

5. Purpose of the College and Career Center • Create and promote a college going culture • Encourage students to consider higher education after graduation • Help parents and students prepare and plan for college • Spread the word about college and career opportunities • Liaison between students, academic counselors, and institutions of higher education

6. Who We Serve • EVERYONE! • High school students • Parents • Colleges and universities • Community colleges • Teachers • Current college students • Community members

7. Services • TSI information (for community colleges) • SAT/ACT information • Testing strategies • College and career planning workshops for parents and students • Financial aid workshops • Scholarship information • FAFSA/TASFA information • College search/selection • Admission information • Application process • College visitation forms • Apply Texas and Common application assistance AND MUCH MORE!!

8. Three Keys to a Successful Senior Year 1. Be organized Be responsible 3. Be punctual

9. How to Achieve Success • Get things done early • Meet all deadlines • Keep a calendar • Listen to announcements • Keep a file • Make and keep copies of everything • Meet with college representatives when they come to GPHS • Keep good grades • Understand and know your transcript • Keep your address and phone number updated • Practice writing your college essay • Visit the College and Career Center often • Ask questions – no question is a dumb question • Use your College Guide often

10. Your child’s pathway to college • Meet with college reps when they come to the school • Choose and visit top 5 schools of choice • Work on their admission/scholarship essay • Take the ACT/SAT • Complete the Apply Texas Application or Common Application • Submit their college application by November 1, no later than November 15 • Complete the NCAA profile, if applicable

11. Steps to your child’s pathway to college Step 1: Research colleges and universities Step 2: Start working on college/scholarship essays Step 3: Choose the top five schools of choice Step 4: Prepare and plan to take the ACT/SAT Step 5: Create an ACT/SAT profile Step 6: Register and take the ACT and SAT Step 7: Create an Apply Texas profile at www.applytexas.org Step 8: Complete and submit the Apply Texas college application online by November 1 and no later than November 15 Step 9: Research and apply for available scholarships Step 10: Research and apply for local scholarships Step 11: Wait on acceptance letters Step 12: Complete and apply for financial aid between January-February Step 13: Wait on acceptance letters Step 14: Submit letters of college acceptance and scholarship awards to the College and Career Center

12. SAT Register at: www.collegeboard.com

13. ACT Register at: www.actstudent.org

15. Dual Credit for Qualified Juniors and Seniors • Offered at Mountain View, North Lake and Tarrant County College • What is dual credit? • Opportunity to earn college credit while in high school • Courses offered in English, economics, history, government, PE, and some technical courses • Courses are taught by college faculty • Dual credit academic courses are transferable to all Texas public colleges and universities and some private and out-of-state institutions (check with college) • Benefits of taking dual credit courses • Save money on college tuition • Opportunity to complete college faster • Enjoy an easier transition to college level course work

16. Dual Credit for Qualified Juniors and Seniors • Qualifications • 11th or 12th grade • Approval from counselor • Fulfill the appropriate admissions criteria for the college • Have an acceptable score on the SAT, ACT, TSI, Accuplacer or THEA in at least one area as applicable to the course/s • Minimum Test Scores • TAKS (exit level) – 22 in math and 22 in ELA with a writing score of 3 or higher • SAT – 500+ verbal, 500+ math; 1070 composite • ACT – 19+ verbal, 19+ math; 23 composite • Accuplacer – 78 reading, 80+ verbal with 6+ pm essay, 69/64 math (current 12th graders only); Juniors will have to score 351+ on reading and 350+ on math – the new TSI assessment • THEA – 230 reading, 220 writing, 270 math

17. The Rising Star Program -- DCCCD • Provides qualified high school seniors with academic support services and up to $4,000 for tuition and books, if there is a financial need • Qualifications • Graduate from a Dallas county public high school • Meet the financial need guidelines established by DCCCD • Meet one of the following: graduate in the top 40% of your class or graduate with a B average or pass the required DCCCD assessment test for admission

18. Scholarships www.fastweb.com www.collegeforalltexans.com www.scholarships.com www.collegeboard.com www.collegenet.com www.scholarshipmonkey.com www.zinch.com www.scholarshippoints.com www.cappex.com www.nextstudent.com www.studentscholarships.org www.scholarshipexperts.com www.supercollege.com Visit the College and Career Center for more information and to pick up local scholarships.

19. College research websites • This website lists every college in the United States in alphabetical order. Click on the college of your choice; the college website with all the college information will be available. Check applications dates, required test score, cost, programs or degrees the college offers. www.utexas.edu/world/univ/alpha • Compare College TX is an online, mobile-friendly, interactive website targeted to parents, students and high school advisors to help answer questions that matter most to prospective students like: how much will this college cost, what percentage of students does this college accept, and how likely will I graduate on time from this college?  Compare College TX enhances an existing suite of online tools designed to help Texas students and their parents plan for college in three stages: inspiration, exploration, information, and application. http://comparecollegetx.com/

20. College research and important websites • www.collegeboard.com • www.actstudent.org • www.gentx.org • www.careersandcolleges.com • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.pin.ed.gov • http://studentaid.ed.gov • www.collegeforalltexans.com

21. Reminders • Visit the College and Career Center – often • Complete your college application by November 1 • Take the ACT and/or SAT • Apply for scholarships • Complete your FAFSA or TAFSA by February • Research scholarships • Visit with college representatives when they are on campus Bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to the College and Career Center.