Harker Heights Counseling Staff

2. Harker Heights Counseling Staff • Daniel Stovall, House 1 (A-Cl, TBI) • Laura Dunnells, House 2 (Cm-Gh) • Cassie Scott, House 3 (Gi-K) • Michelle M. Taylor, House 4 (L-O) • Mary Galeana, House 5 (P-Sn) • Kimberly Shultz, House 6 (So-Z) • Gayle Wilson, Guidance secretary

3. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS- Recommended Plan • 4 English credits • 4 Science credits • 4 Math credits • 4 Social Studies credits • ½ Speech credit • 2 Foreign Language credits • 1 P.E. credit • 1 Fine Arts credit • 5 ½ Elective credits • A total of 26 credits are required for graduation – Know your credits! See your counselor regarding other plans. Must pass all 5 sections of the exit level STAARS in order to graduate

4. 4 Year College Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD degrees - a requirement for most professional jobs

5. 2 Year Community College • Public schools, open admission, flexible schedules, online courses • Cost saving – tuition is less than a public 4 year school • Courses usually transfer to 4 year schools –check with the 4 year school to make sure

6. Business, Technical, and Trade Schools • Certificates, diplomas may be earned • Programs of study two years or even less • Hands-on training/assistance with job placement • Approximately 85% of graduates get jobs

7. Military Five branches: • Each offering college credit courses on bases. • Educational benefits for higher education. Benefits transferable to family members. • On-the-job training • Valuable work experience – on-going benefits after retirement

8. Join the Work Force -Immediate monetary benefits -Skills are necessary for higher paying jobs

9. TESTING COUNTS! Before college, you may need these tests: STAARS – required for high school graduation College entrance tests: TSI, ACT, and or SAT (go online to register now) ASVAB - military

10. Choosing a College • Apply for your “Dream School” • Pick at least three other schools • Pick one “ Sure Bet” • Things to consider • How much does it cost $$$ • Degrees/majors offered • SAT/ACT requirements • Social Opportunities • Size of school

11. Contact the Colleges • Check out the college websites NOW!!!! • E-mail college admissions offices with any questions NOW!!! • Complete the applications and return them with application fee ASAP. You will NOT be committed to the school until you accept financial aid! • PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! Don’t wait until deadlines to do applications

14. Completing Applications • APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY! APPLY EARLY! GET STARTED NOW!!!!!!! Get organized! • For Texas schools, go now to www.applytexas.org to apply online – preferred by most schools • Remember letters of recommendation • Request an Official Transcript from the Registrar’s office next to the cafeteria – • Take your entire packet to the Registrar if you wish. They will mail it all for you.

15. Letters of Recommendation Identify people who can write a positive letter of recommendation for you, such as teachers, employers, school staff, ministers, family friends… Allow the writer 2 weeks to complete the letter Provide the writer with a stamped, addressed envelope and a resume. Politely verify with the writer before the deadline that they have sent the letter as you requested. Take the time to thank the writer for the letter, either in person or with a thank-you note.

16. Essay Writing • Be sure to actually address the topic asked for by the application!!! • Follow all the instructions! If it asks for a typed essay then TYPE THE ESSAY. • Spell checkers DO NOT catch all the errors. You must check it yourself! • Ask your English teacher or another teacher to look over your essay but be sure to give him/her time to do it.

17. Applying to NCAA • Fee to apply • You need a transcript from every high school you have attended • No actual deadline on applying but should apply by beginning of senior year to be considered by athletic recruiters • Athletes - Go to the website www.ncaa.org to apply

18. FINANCIAL AID Five types: • Federal Grants – FREE money! • Scholarships – FREE money! • Private/federal Loans – must be repaid! • Work/Study programs at colleges • Your Own Pocket – OUCH!

19. The FAFSA • Free Application Federal for Student Aid – every student every year must file the FAFSA online - www.fafsa.ed.gov • Financial aid is first come, first served so don’t be last! File after Jan. 1 – can file estimated taxes based on last year and correct later. • Visit our website for links to several financial aid websites for help with the FAFSA or to apply on-line

20. SCHOLARSHIPS • Get Scholarship information • Note every due date!!!! • Prioritize by due date and start working on applications ******Early***** • Apply for as many scholarships as possible!!!!!!!!!

21. Sources for scholarships: • Guidance Office/Website • Websites, such as www.fastweb.comwww.bridges.com • Local Organizations • Churches • Colleges, etc.

22. Contact the College Financial Aid Office EARLY!!!!! • File the FAFSAafter Jan. 1 • Check with each college’s financial aid office often. • Be persistent , ask questions of the colleges. Contact their financial aid offices with your specific questions. Don’t be shy.

23. Good online resource • Visit www.killeenisd.org and check out the “KISD Student Guide to the Future”. It can be found under “Departments” – “Guidance and Counseling”. This guide covers all kinds of info about high school, college, and career planning. Use it! Show it to your parents.

24. Scams are out there! • Beware of scams – avoid any “Services” that want you to pay money for them to find you money for college. Info about financial aid is FREE!!! --------------------------------------------------- • Notify the Guidance office secretary of all scholarships you receive – we want to brag on you at graduation!

25. Remember… • We are here to help! • E-mail your counselor if needed – see our website for our addresses • Call in advance for parent appointment if needed w/counselor • Student sign-up with Guidance secretary for senior conferences

26. College Mentor • ARE YOU LOST? DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO????? • Mr. David in our guidance office is a great resource for researching colleges, college applications and financial aid. He can help you with the entire process. • Stop by and sign up for an appointment with the College Mentor.

27. Beware of “Senioritis” • What is it? Poor attitude, skipping classes, failing grades, dropping out! • DON’T let this be you! Only you can avoid senioritis! • Monitor your grades, attend school, impress your teachers, attend tutoring, know your credits, work on future plans NOW!!!!

28. Last reminders… • Order your final transcript in May in the Registrar’s office to be sent to the school you will actually attend. • Your counselor can excuse 1 college visit – see the Guidance secretary for the College Visit form. • If you do not have a computer at home, you can use the Guidance office computers for college applications and scholarships. • This is all up to you! Get busy! Now!!!