Welcome To Your Senior Year, Class of 2011!

1. Welcome To Your Senior Year, Class of 2011! • Erin Smith (A-Cos) ersmith@tuhsd.k12.az.us • Steve Mancuso (Cot-Hoe) smancuso @tuhsd.k12.az.us • Bryan Sabato (Hof-Mem) bsabato @tuhsd.k12.az.us • Sonia Flores (Men-Sala) sflores@tuhsd.k12.az.us • Fred Mann (Salb-Z) fmann@tuhsd.k12.az.us • Gwyn Schneck (All Gifted students of every alphabet) gschneck@tuhsd.k12.az.us • Deborah Perez, Assistant- dperez@tuhsd.k12.az.us • On Call Counselor ---- Ext 56108

2. Talk to your Counselor Q—HOW do I speak with my counselor? A—You may come to Guidance without an appointment before or after school or during lunch or you may make an appointment any time during the day that works well with your class schedule. We WANT to help you with graduation and the “after MTP” decisions and process.

3. 5 Options to Consider • University or 4 year degree • Selective University • State University • Community College or 2 year program • Associate Degree and transfer to University • Certification and go to work • Technical/Vocational School • Military • Straight to work or apprenticeship

4. Applying to College Q—WHEN do I apply to college? A—From August until January the application process is in full swing. Many colleges will be accepting applications until April. However, a good deadline to set for yourself is December 1-- prior to Finals Exams and the Holidays. Community Colleges are more flexible with deadline dates—but the sooner the better!

5. College Applications Q—HOW do I apply to college? A—All college applications are online. Very few colleges are still accepting paper applications. Visit the college website to see what is required of the application process. Come visit the Arizona University/College Representatives in person when they visit campus during lunch. They also are available at the Instate College Fair at Desert Vista on October 4 and at the NACAC Out of State Greater Phoenix College Fair and/or the Scottsdale College Fair –both on September 26.

6. University & Community College Q—What is the difference in a University and a Community College? A—A University offers a 4 year Bachelor Degree and a Community College offers a 2 year Associate Degree, along with many Certification Programs. The 2 year Associate Degree of the Community College is the first 2 years of the 4 year Bachelor Degree of the University. If planned well, you can save money at the Community College and transfer all of the 2 years of credits toward the 4 year degree. Many times the Community Colleges offer smaller classes and more academic assistance for the students, all for a lower fee. Many students are much more successful beginning at the community college. The University offers the traditional “4 year college experience”.

7. University Requirements Q—What is required to go to a University? A—Check with the University you are interested in. An Arizona University or any other State University requires: 4 years of English 4 years of Math 3 years of Science 2 Years of Social Studies 2 Years of Foreign Language 1 Fine Art W/ a SAT or ACT score on File and a 2.0 minimum GPA in each CORE area (3.0 for assured admission). There can be a maximum of 2 deficiencies, but they can not be in the same core area or in math and science.

8. Community College Requirements Q—What is required to go to the Community College? A—A high school diploma. Q—Do I need to take the SAT or ACT if I’m going to a Community College first? A—NO! Sign up at http://My.Maricopa.edu for a student account to apply and to take the placement tests.

9. College Application To-Do List Q—So exactly what is the College Application Process -- step by step? A—1. Check admission requirements to the college you’re interested in. 2. Check all deadline dates for application. 3. Apply online to the college. 4. Take any required tests for admission and send scores directly to schools. 5. Send an official MTP Transcript. 6. Send any required essays or letters of recommendation.

10. SAT and ACT Q—When do I take the SAT or ACT? A—ASAP—Hopefully you already took them at the end of your Junior year. If you did not, you need to take them as soon as you can. The testing schedule is online and in the back of the Guidance Center.

11. SAT and ACT Q—Which test should I take? A—Check with the schools you are applying to and see if they have a preference. Most schools accept either. The SAT is 1/3 Reasoning, (grammar and reading) 1/3 Math, and, 1/3 Writing. The ACT is ¼ Grammar, ¼ Reading , ¼ Math, and ¼ Science. Go online to take practice test to see which one you would prefer. You may want to take both if you’re going out of state, and there may be possible $ based on high scores!

12. More about SAT Q—Which SAT would I take—the Reasoning or the Subject tests? A– The Reasoning Test is the Test everyone would take. The Subject Tests would only be taken if the school specifically required them. Usually they are taken in groups of 3—maybe one or two required by the University and one or two of your choice. Don’t take the Subject Tests unless the school requires it; an admissions counselor could clarify for you if you need to take Subject Tests.

13. Register for SAT and ACT Q—How do I sign up for the SAT or ACT? A—ON LINE! We have a very few paper registration forms, online registration is much preferred. SAT is collegeboard.com and ACT is actstudent.org.

14. SENDING YOUR SCORES You, the student, must send your SAT or ACT scores directly from College Board or ACT. The scores are NOT on your transcript. You may send them to several schools for free upon registration. However, if you have not sent the score upon registration, you can go back to the website and look for “Send Scores”. . . For an extra fee, of course! Your counselor or school does not send scores.

15. Sending your Transcripts Q—How do I send my official transcript? A—Come to the back counter in the Guidance Office and fill out the Official Transcript Request Form. This must be signed by the student. You address the envelope where you want the transcript to be sent—a college or a scholarship, etc. Bring the address with you AND the correct postage. If you are applying on line, a transcript will only require one stamp. However, if you have an application to include with the transcript, please bring the right size envelope and the right number of stamps. We will be happy to mail it for you. We cannot hand you an official transcript. It must be mailed directly.

16. Recommendation Letters Q—What if I need a Recommendation Letter, what do I do to get a Counselor Recommendation? A—Complete a Counselor Recommendation Packet and make an appointment with your counselor to turn this in by November 1. (October 1 for earlier deadlines) At that time let us know when you need the recommendation and where you are applying to. ALWAYS give a teacher or counselor at least a 2 week notice for needed letters!!

17. Technical & Miliary Q—What about Technical Schools or the Military, how do I get connected with them? A—Come talk to your Counselor and we will be glad to help you connect with a military recruiter. We also have information regarding Technical Schools and we can compare those programs with the Community College certification programs. The Community College programs would be much less expensive!

18. College Visits College visits will be during the lunch periods, mostly by the cafeteria. Updated calendars of schools coming to campus will be in Guidance and posted in your Senior English classes. Bring your lunch and come talk to the college reps!

19. $$$$???? Q—How do I pay for college? A—We have lots of internet scholarship sites; check out the Scholarship Handout. The most helpful is our district site at www.tuhsd.k12.az.us. The process of paying for college is a process of seeing what monies are available for you from your family, the school you are applying to, work, and other scholarship, grant, or loan sources. It requires a lot of hard work on your part to apply for scholarships, but it is worth it if you win some free money. We recommend checking the sites each week to see if a new scholarship is posted.