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.

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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.

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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

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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

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Assured Admission Criteria—Texas State

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The Holistic Application Review Process

Course curriculumGPATest optionRecommendationsActivitiesPersonal statement/essay

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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: veronica.castillo@austinisd.org

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 ISDveronica.castillo@austinisd.org