Am I Really Applying To College Next Year?

Agenda

• Important Tests

• College Applications

• Financial Aid & Scholarships

El Paso High Webpage

https://elpaso.episd.org

College Webpageephscollege.weebly

EPHS Counseling Center

Facebook page

AnnouncementsJohns Hopkins Visit

June 17th at 6:00 pm

Auditorium

Important College Standardized Testing• PSAT 10th and 11th Grade Year

• National Merit Recognition Program• National Hispanic Recognition Program• National Achievement Scholarship Program

• ACT and SAT: • Should take after Algebra 2, or Spring of Junior Year, which ever comes first. • Recommend taking each one once-highest score take again by the end of Junior

year.• Counts for College Admissions and Scholarships.

• ASVAB: • Career Decision tool and can be used for Military Enlistment• 11th and 12th Grade Year • Test is being held October 28th at 8:00 am.

Prepare for SAT / ACTwww.collegeboard.org and www.act.org

• Princeton Review- www.princetonreview.com• Utilize www.number2.com to create study plans and improve current

scores. • Utilize www.march2success.com to prepare for SAT/ACT.

• At time of registration, student can request scores to be sent to 4 schools at no charge. After registration, each request is $12. SAT has Score Reporting Fee Waiver for students who qualify.

• Students on free or reduced lunch can receive 2 SAT and 2 ACT Fee Waivers, student should see their counselor.

SAT Subject Tests• Can increase college admission chances.• Students should take tests that correlate to AP courses.• SAT Subject test can provide colleges with a better picture of

applicant’s potential and improve admission chances. • Required by many Ivy League Schools as part of the admissions

process.• Can provide placement beyond freshmen level courses.

Note:

3 subject tests can be taken during one administration

Subject tests are not given on every SAT date

SAT and SAT Subject Tests cannot be taken on the same day.

College Applications

• Common Application• Ivy League, Private Colleges, and out of state

colleges• Fill in personal information and Letters of

Recommendation immediately• Apply Texas

• In State Public Schools• Independent Applications

• NMSU

• Put as many schools on one application type as possible!• Easier for you and easier for counselors and teachers• Keep all your usernames and passwords in one place!

What Do Colleges Look For?

HOW TO PREPARE FOR ADMISSIONS

Top Ten Strengths & Experiences

1. A rigorous high school curriculum with AP and Dual Credit.

Explain why you took Dual Credit classes

2. Grades that represent strong effort and an

upward trend.

3. Solid scores on SAT / ACT.

4. Passionate involvement in a few activities.

5. Letters of recommendation that give evidence of

differential.

6. Special Talent that will add to well-rounded

student body.

7. Demonstrated leadership activities.

8. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and vitality.

9. Demonstrated enthusiasm to attend, often demonstrated by Early Decision application.

10. A well-written essay that demonstrates student’s unique personality, values and goals. It also needs to enlighten the reader and give insight into something greater than yourself.

https://apply.jhu.edu/apply/essays-that-worked/

Extra Curricular Tips

• Consider you interests and abilities first.

• Go for depth, not breadth.

• Keep your balance.

• You don’t have to be a star: just contribute something significant.

• Working or volunteering counts too! (30 hours of community service per year is now suggested by EPISD prior to graduation. episd.org/service

Current Admission Requirements

University of Texas Austin

Baylor University University of Texas El Paso

50% GPA Top 8% Automatic Admissions

Top 10% Automatic Admissions

3.2

50% Range for SAT & ACT Scores

M: 580 – 710R: 540 – 670W: 540 – 680ACT: 25 – 31

M: 570 – 680R: 560 – 660W: 530 – 640ACT: 24 – 29

M: 420 – 530R: 390 – 490W: Not ListedACT: 17 – 22

Deadline October 15th February 1st November 1st

First Year Retention 92% 73% Not Listed

% of students receiving need-based financial aid

92% 60% 88%

Top 3 UndergradMajors

Biology/Biological Sciences, Business/Commerce and Science/Liberal Studies

Biology/Biological Sciences, Marketing/Marketing Management, Psychology

Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, Multi-disciplinary Studies, Psychology

Summer Programs“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.”

Auguste Rodin

Internships• El Paso Electric

• Congressman O’Rourke’s office

College Vists• Summer Vacations

• Virtual Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities• In field of interest• Create something

How Do I Pick a College?

Research!!

Major: Journalism Top Ranked Programs

Top Ranked Programs

Top Ranked Programs

Narrow College Choices

• Begin discussion early.• Location, Size, On campus living, Financial Aid,

Majors, Strong Application Candidate, look for rankings by majors

• Mutually agree between student and parent

• Build a mutual understanding of various expectations of student / parent

• Start conversation on realistic financial support / aid expectations

Financial Aid

WHAT TO EXPECT

WHERE TO START

Free & Reduced Lunch

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Free or Reduced LunchStudents on Free or Reduced Lunch receive the following: • 2 ACT Waivers ($102)• 2 SAT Waivers ($104)• 2 SAT Subject Test Waivers ($104)• 8 College Application Waivers ($240)

• 4 ACT & 4 SAT Waivers

• NCAA Clearinghouse Waiver ($65)• NAIA Clearinghouse Waiver ($70)• Apply for free and reduced lunch – it could save you

$685. Application at https://elpaso.episd.org/welcome/index and click on the Eat Smart application.

Financial Aid/Scholarships – Where to Apply?

Federal AidFAFSA

Pell GrantsWork-Study

College Foundation / Aid

Merit-BasedNeed-Based

CollegeDistribute Funds

for Federal & Foundation/Private Aid

Student

Community Scholarshipsi.e. Community

Foundation,Rotary Club,

EPHS Alumni, Athleta, etc.

National Scholarships

i.e. Gates, Dell, Coca Cola, etc.

How to Survive Fall Semester of Senior Year?

• Discuss college / university options with your parents and gain a better understanding of your plan vs. your parent’s plans.

• Work on essays and resume during the summer

• Keep a posted and highly visible calendar of deadlines to remind yourself of upcoming deadlines including testing, scholarship and important documents. Keep on track!

• Letters of Recommendation

• Stay up-to-date with information by visiting the EPHS website, EPHS Facebook.

• If you have questions, reach out to your counselor or Ms. Goldfarb.

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

• www.FAFSA4Caster.ed.gov. • Mimics the FAFSA

• Apply in January or February (March if Necessary) of senior year.

• Application is based on previous years’ taxes.

FAFSA: Free Application forFederal Student Aid• Single Application for federal grants, state grants and education loans.

• Complete Spring Semester of Graduating Year.

• A MUST DO for all seniors going to post-secondary education (trade school, college or university).

• It’s Free – don’t pay for it!

• Students will get funding based on federal guidelines.

• All Students should fill this out• many colleges and universities require it despite family income.

How Do I Keep Track Of All Of This?

Question & Answer