Grand Prairie High School College Planning

1. Grand Prairie High School College Planning Understanding the College Planning Process

2. Career and Technical education counselor – danitapeterman • Dallas Baptist University • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education • Master of Education (M. Ed.) in School Counseling • Master of Education (M. Ed.) in Educational Leadership

3. Contact information danita.peterman@gpisd.org 972-809-5880 College and Career Center 972-809-5881

4. CTE CounselorGrand Prairie High School • To prepare students to enter the workforce with the academic and vocational skills needed to compete successfully in the job market. • To educate, inspire and motivate students to prepare for higher education/post-secondary education. • To enhance and rise awareness about the steps to preparing for college and what to consider when selecting a college. • To educate and help students with their college and career planning. • To educate students and parents about higher education/post-secondary education. • To enhance students and parents knowledge and understanding about college readiness.

5. Advise TX advisorms. Laura keating • Texas A&M University • Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in Political Science Provides assistance with the following: • Financial aid application • College application assistance • Scholarship searches • College/university searches • Registering for the ACT/SAT • Assistance with college essays (editing, etc.)

6. College and career center services • College and career counseling/planning • Career interest inventories • SAT/ACT registration • SAT/ACT fee waivers (must meet criteria) • College application fee waivers (must meet criteria) • Accuplacer/TSI information • College and career planning workshops for parents and students • Financial aid workshops • Scholarship information • FAFSA/TAFSA information • College search/selection • College admission information • College application process assistance • Common Application assistance (out-of-state, if applicable) • Apply Texas Application assistance • Assistance with setting up Apply Texas, ACT, SAT accounts

7. Helping your child achieve success • Encourage and help them to be organized • Encourage and help; them to be responsible • Encourage and help them to be punctual • Help them get things done early and in a timely manner • Help them meet all deadlines • Encourage them to keep a calendar/planner • Encourage them to listen to announcements • Encourage them to read and be aware of announcements posted at the Center and around the school

8. Helping your child achieve success • Start and keep a college planning file • Make and keep copies of EVERYTHING • Encourage them to meet with college reps when they come to GPHS • Encourage them to keep good grades • Understand and obtain a copy of their transcript from their counselor • Keep your address and phone number updated • Encourage them to practice writing their college and scholarship essays • Encourage them to visit the College and Career Center often • YOU visit the College and Career Center if and when you have questions • Encourage them to ask questions • Email or call me anytime

9. Your child’s pathway to college • Meet with college reps when they come to the school • Choose and visit top 5 schools of choice • Work on their admission/scholarship essay • Take the ACT/SAT • Complete the Apply Texas Application or Common Application • Submit their college application by November 1, no later than November 15 • Complete the NCAA profile, if applicable

10. Steps to your child’s pathway to college Step 1: Research colleges and universities Step 2: Start working on college/scholarship essays Step 3: Choose the top five schools of choice Step 4: Prepare and plan to take the ACT/SAT Step 5: Create an ACT/SAT profile Step 6: Register and take the ACT and SAT Step 7: Create an Apply Texas profile at www.applytexas.org Step 8: Complete and submit the Apply Texas college application online by November 1 and no later than November 15 Step 9: Research and apply for available scholarships Step 10: Research and apply for local scholarships Step 11: Wait on acceptance letters Step 12: Complete and apply for financial aid between January-February Step 13: Wait on acceptance letters Step 14: Submit letters of college acceptance and scholarship awards to the College and Career Center

11. Senior calendar checklist • September • Visit the College and Career Center • Register for the ACT/SAT • Attend College Night • Choose your 5 colleges you would like to attend • Come to all college representative sessions • Search for scholarships online • Work on/complete college applications • Watch the GO-4 news • Visit the college of your choice • Visit the College ad Career Center for scholarship information • Attend and encourage your parents to attend GPHS workshops

12. Senior calendar checklist • October • Visit the college of your choice • Search for scholarships online • Ask for letters of recommendations • Meet with college representatives • Watch GO-4 News • Complete college applications • Visit the College and Career Center for scholarship information • Take the ACT/ACT test • Attend and encourage your parents to attend GPHS workshops

13. Senior calendar checklist • November • Submit or mail all college applications by November 1 and no later than November 15 to those schools who have early deadlines • Check all college application deadlines • Look for scholarships online • Visit the College and Career Center for scholarship information • Attend and encourage your parents to attend GPHS workshops

14. Senior calendar checklist • December • Start reviewing and become familiar with the FAFSA • Visit the College and Career Center for assistance with FAFSA TAFSA, college applications, registering for the ACT/SAT, scholarship information, financial aid information, etc. (very important) Bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to the College and Career Center.

15. Senior calendar checklist • December • Start reviewing and become familiar with the FAFSA • Visit the College and Career Center for assistance with FAFSA TAFSA, college applications, registering for the ACT/SAT, scholarship information, financial aid information, etc. (very important) Bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to the College and Career Center.

16. Senior calendar checklist • January • Apply for FAFSA pin • Begin working on FAFSA application • Search scholarships online • Visit the College and Career Center for assistance with FAFSA TAFSA, college applications, registering for the ACT/SAT, scholarship information, financial aid information, etc. (very important) Bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to the College and Career Center.

17. Senior calendar checklist • February • Attend financial aid night, if available, at GPHS; and/or at local community colleges • Complete FAFSA application • Continue to apply for scholarships • Watch for important deadlines Bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to the College and Career Center.

18. Senior calendar checklist • March - May • Complete FAFSA application, if not yet done so • Continue to apply for scholarships • Watch for important deadlines • Watch for acceptance letters and financial aid award letters Bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to the College and Career Center.

19. Different types of colleges • Community Colleges – 2-year colleges • 4-year University • Private Universities • For-profit/Proprietary Schools

20. College testing and fee waivers • ACT – www.actstudent.org • Fee waiver available (2) for qualified students • Needed for 4-year universities • SAT – www.collegeboard.com • Fee waiver available (2) for qualified students • Needed for 4-year universities If a fee waiver is used to take the ACT and/or SAT then you will qualify for 4 college application fee waivers. If a fee waiver is used to take the ACT and/or SAT then you will qualify for a fee waiver for the NCAA application. • TSI (formerly Accuplacer) • Needed for 2-year community colleges

21. Sat Register at: www.collegeboard.com

22. act Register at: www.actstudent.org

24. The best fit: which school is right? And every student is different! • Location • Proximity – how close the students are from home. • Big city or small town • In-state or out-of-state • Size • Small university – offers smaller classrooms, less students, and easier to navigate the campus • Large university – offers more organizations and activities, more diverse in study abroad, internships; larger classes

25. The best fit: which school is right? And every student is different! • Money! • You may get more money from a particular school. This is one of the largest reasons students choose where they go. • Area of Study • Base your decision on your desired major • Is the university well-known for your particular area of study? • Example: UT has the best accounting program; UNT is known for their music program

26. The best fit: which school is right? And every student is different! • Student Life • Do you want to be in Greek life? • Do you have a big interest in sports? • Are there certain organizations on that campus that you would be most interested in, i.e., music, service, etc. • Does the campus offer many on-campus events? Speakers? Concerts?

27. scholarships • www.fastweb.com • www.collegeforalltexans.com • www.scholarships.com • www.collegeboard.com • www.collegenet.com • www.scholarshipmonkey.com • www.zinch.com • www.scholarshippoints.com • www.cappex.com • www.nextstudent.com • www.studentscholarships.org • www.scholarshipexperts.com • www.supercollege.com Visit the College and Career Center for more information and to pick up local scholarships.

28. College research websites • This website lists every college in the United States in alphabetical order. Click on the college of your choice; the college website with all the college information will be available. Check applications dates, required test score, cost, programs or degrees the college offers. www.utexas.edu/world/univ/alpha • Compare College TX is an online, mobile-friendly, interactive website targeted to parents, students and high school advisors to help answer questions that matter most to prospective students like: how much will this college cost, what percentage of students does this college accept, and how likely will I graduate on time from this college?  Compare College TX enhances an existing suite of online tools designed to help Texas students and their parents plan for college in three stages: inspiration, exploration, information, and application. http://comparecollegetx.com/

29. Websites for applying to college • ApplyTexas Application – www.applytexas.org --can accomplish a multitude of tasks including: apply for admission to any Texas public university, as well as to participating community and private colleges; apply for undergraduate, international and graduate admission; copy a submitted application to another institution; submit your application essays online; apply for scholarships from participating universities; apply for housing with participating universities; search for and view both general and university specific information. • The Common Application – www.commonapp.org -- There are now over 500 Common Application members in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. While they represent tremendous diversity in size, mission, location, and selectivity, they all share a commitment of promoting access through holistic admission.

30. College research and important websites • www.collegeboard.com • www.actstudent.org • www.gentx.org • www.careersandcolleges.com • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.pin.ed.gov • http://studentaid.ed.gov • www.collegeforalltexans.com

31. reminders • Visit the College and Career Center – often • Complete your college application by November 1 • Take the ACT and/or SAT • Apply for scholarships • Complete your FAFSA or TAFSA by February • Research scholarships • Visit with college representatives when they are on campus Bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to the College and Career Center.