James Bowie High School The College Application Process September 24, 2015.
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Transcript of James Bowie High School The College Application Process September 24, 2015.
James Bowie High School
The College Application Process
September 24, 2015
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
•2
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
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.
•4
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 SchoolsSafety Schools
You are in the top 10% You are in the top 10% of applicantsof applicants
At least 1 schoolAt 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)
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
•8
Assured Admission Criteria—Texas State
•9
The Holistic Application Review Process
Course curriculumGPATest optionRecommendationsActivitiesPersonal statement/essay
•10
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.
•11
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!!•12
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
2013-14 Estimated Average COA’s (Cost of Attendance
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Sept. 2013
•14
Public 2-year
Public 4-year
Private 4-year
Tuition/Fees $2,340 $7,642 $23,664
Books/Supplies
$1,525 $1,176 $1,118
Room/Board $6, 827 $8,582 $7,720
Transportation
$2,145 $2,031 $1,512
Misc./Personal
$2,007 $2,035 $1,701
Scholarships on NavianceUnder “Colleges” tab, click on “Scholarship List”
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
•16
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.”
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
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)
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
•20
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
•21
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!
•22
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
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: [email protected]
Phone: (512) 841-4107
Registrars: Genette Sageser &
Sherri Smith
Phone: (512) 414-3828,
(512) 414-7316
Thank you for your time!
Veronica CastilloProject Advance Facilitator/College Advisor
Bowie High School-Austin [email protected]