Grand Prairie High School Junior College Guide

1. Grand Prairie High School Junior College Guide Beyond High School

2. Career and Technical Education Counselor – Danita Peterman 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 danita.peterman@gpisd.org 972-809-5880

3. 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.)

4. College and Career Center Hours Monday – Friday 7:30-3:30 Students may come to the Center before school, after school or during lunch without a pass. Students must have a pass from their teacher to come at any other time during the day.

5. Purpose of the College and Career Center • Create and promote a college going culture • Encourage students to consider higher education after graduation • Help parents and students prepare and plan for college • Spread the word about college and career opportunities • Liaison between students, academic counselors, and institutions of higher education

6. Who We Serve • EVERYONE! • High school students • Parents • Colleges and universities • Community colleges • Teachers • Current college students • Community members

7. Services • TSI information (for community colleges) • SAT/ACT information • Testing strategies • College and career planning workshops for parents and students • Financial aid workshops • Scholarship information • FAFSA/TASFA information • College search/selection • Admission information • Application process • College visitation forms • Apply Texas and Common application assistance AND MUCH MORE!!

8. Three Keys to a Successful Junior Year 1. Be organized Be responsible 3. Be punctual

9. How to Achieve Success • Get things done early • Meet all deadlines • Keep a calendar • Listen to announcements • Keep a file • Make and keep copies of everything • Meet with college representatives when they come to GPHS • Keep good grades • Understand and know your transcript • Keep your address and phone number updated • Visit the College and Career Center often • Ask questions – no question is a dumb question • Use your College Guide often

10. Steps to your child’s pathway to college Step 1: Research colleges and universities Step 2: Prepare and plan to take the ACT/SAT Step 3: Create an ACT/SAT profile Step 4: Register and take the ACT and SAT Step 5: Research colleges and universities Step 6: Take a career interest inventory Step 7: Research scholarship web sites

11. SAT Register at: www.collegeboard.com

12. ACT Register at: www.actstudent.org

14. Dual Credit for Qualified Juniors and Seniors • Offered at Mountain View, North Lake and Tarrant County College • What is dual credit? • Opportunity to earn college credit while in high school • Courses offered in English, economics, history, government, PE, and some technical courses • Courses are taught by college faculty • Dual credit academic courses are transferable to all Texas public colleges and universities and some private and out-of-state institutions (check with college) • Benefits of taking dual credit courses • Save money on college tuition • Opportunity to complete college faster • Enjoy an easier transition to college level course work

15. Dual Credit for Qualified Juniors and Seniors • Qualifications • 11th or 12th grade • Approval from counselor • Fulfill the appropriate admissions criteria for the college • Have an acceptable score on the SAT, ACT, TSI, Accuplacer or THEA in at least one area as applicable to the course/s • Minimum Test Scores • TAKS (exit level) – 22 in math and 22 in ELA with a writing score of 3 or higher • SAT – 500+ verbal, 500+ math; 1070 composite • ACT – 19+ verbal, 19+ math; 23 composite • Accuplacer – 78 reading, 80+ verbal with 6+ pm essay, 69/64 math (current 12th graders only); Juniors will have to score 351+ on reading and 350+ on math – the new TSI assessment • THEA – 230 reading, 220 writing, 270 math

16. 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.

17. 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/

18. 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

19. Reminders • Visit the College and Career Center – often • Take the ACT and/or SAT • Research colleges and universities • Research scholarships • Visit with college representatives when they are on campus