|
There are several options students have after high school graduation:
4-year college, 2-year college, technical school,
the military, and
work. Depending on the option you choose, the following
suggestions will hopefully make the transition a little easier.
******
If you plan to attend a 4-year college
immediately after high school graduation you should:
I. Register for the ACT and
SAT.
- Take both tests, you’ll do better on one than the other.
- Click on
ACT or
SAT to get
a schedule of test dates and registration deadlines. Notice that the
deadline to register for either test is usually more that a month earlier than
the actual test date. Don't miss the deadline!
- You can register for the tests online or if you'd prefer to send in the hard
copy, we have registration materials in the Counseling Office.
- One
other thing to know about the ACT and SAT - they aren't free! The ACT
costs $44.50 and the SAT costs $43.00. Fee waivers are available for
students with financial need.
II.
Visit colleges and narrow your choices to 3 schools.
- Dream School - admissions
standards are high. You may not get in.
- 50/50 - You have a
reasonably good chance of getting in.
- Sure Thing - You know
you can get in.
(The
50/50 or Sure Thing might be a college in this area – if there is a reason you
need to be close to home)
Use the
College Worksheet to research
colleges.
III.
In the
fall of your senior year, begin applying
to those colleges. Use this website to link to the website of the college
of your choice and/or the ApplyTexas Application (both found under College
Information). Apply early!
******
If you plan to attend a 2-year college immediately after high school graduation,
remember:
I.
It
never hurts to take the ACT or SAT but 2-year colleges and technical/trade
schools usually don’t require either.
II. 2-year
schools are a great start to a college education. They offer Associates Degrees
and are a good transition to a
4-year university.
III. The Dallas Community Colleges offer free
tuition, fees and books for two years through the "Rising Star Program".
There is an
academic and financial
requirement to qualify for this program.
IV. Sometime before you graduate, pick up an application in the Counseling Office or
complete it online and take it to the Admissions
Office at the community college
or technical school you plan to attend. They'll take it from there!
*****
Here
are some more things that have to do with applying or attending college that are
good to know…
Top 10% rule.
By
the end of your junior year in high school, if you rank within the top 10% of
your class, you are guaranteed admission to any
public college/university in
Texas if you apply on time and meet requirements for admissions
Teacher
Recommendations
You
may need to ask teachers to write letters of recommendation. Guidelines to keep
in mind:
1. Request the letter at least 2 weeks before the deadline.
2. Request the letter from someone who knows you well and has positive comments to
make about you.
3. Complete the
Extra-Curricular
Sheet and
Senior Profile and save or
e-mail to teachers.
In
Senior VISTAS, you’ll be getting information on scholarships and financial aid.
Counseling
Resource Center
1. Stop by.
2. Get to know your counselor better - when
you have questions, don't be bashful about asking.
3. Get your counselor to show you the
software available - you can research colleges, careers, and much more
| 
