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Harker Heights Counseling Staff
Patricia White, House 1 (A-Cr)Leah Rudasill, House 2 (Cs-Hem)Cassie Scott, House 3 ( Hen-Mc)Michelle M. Taylor, House 4 (Md-
Sam)Candy Thompson, House 5 (San-Z)
Daniel Stovall, Transition Counselor
Gayle Wilson, Guidance secretary
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!
Must pass all 4 sections of the exit level TAKS in order to graduate
Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD degrees -a requirement for most
professional jobs -Usually a greater earning
potential
4 Year College
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
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
MilitaryFive branches 1. Each offering college credit courses
on bases.2. Educational benefits for higher
education. Benefits transferable to family members.
3. On-the-job training4. Valuable work experience – on-
going benefits after retirement
Join the Work Force
Immediate monetary benefits
TESTING COUNTSBefore college, you may
need these tests.TAKS – required for
graduationCollege entrance tests-
THEAACT and or SAT (go online
to register now)ASVAB - military
Next TAKS Re-test DatesOctober 19 – English Language
ArtsOctober 20 – Mathematics
October 21 – Social SciencesOctober 22 - Science
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
Contact the CollegesCheck out the college websites
NOW!!!!E-mail college admissions offices
with any questions NOW!!!Complete the applications and return
them with application fee. You will NOT be committed to the school until you accept financial aid!
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!
Completing Applications APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY! APPLY EARLY!
GET STARTED NOW!!!!!!! Get organized! For Texas schools, go 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 - 3 are free for admissions; after that $5 each Take your entire packet to the Registrar if you
wish. They will mail it all for you.
Letters of RecommendationIdentify 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 letterProvide the writer with a stamped, addressed
envelope.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.
Essay WritingBe 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.
Applying to NCAA$65.00 fee to applyYou need a transcript from every high
school you have attendedNo actual deadline on applying but
should apply by beginning of senior year to be considered by athletic recruiters
Athletes - Go to the website www.ncaaclearinghouse.net to apply
FINANCIAL AIDFive types: Federal Grants – FREE money! Scholarships – Free money! Private/federal Loans – must be
repaid! Work/Study programs at colleges Your Own Pocket – OUCH!
The FAFSAFree Application Federal for Student
Aid – every student every year must file the FAFSA online - www.fafsa.ed.gov
File after Jan 1 – financial aid is first come, first served so don’t be last! File ASAP!
Visit our website for links to several financial aid websites for help with the FAFSA or to apply on-line
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!!!!!!!!!
Sources for scholarships:1.Guidance Office2.Websites, such as www.fastweb.com www.bridges.com
3.Local Organizations4.Churches5.Colleges
After School SPECIALCome to the computer lab in room
1102 for counselor assistance for completing scholarships, writing essays, or doing college applications online.
Date – Sept. 29th, Wednesday 4:15 to 5:30
Contact the College Financial Aid Office EARLY!!!!!
File the FAFSA in FebruaryCheck with each college’s financial
aid office often.Be persistent , ask questions of the
colleges. Contact their financial aid offices
Don’t forget to attend the College Night at the Bell County Expo Center - September 27th 7:00
Good online resourceVisit 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. It is now updated for this year.
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!
Remember…We are here to help!E-mail your counselor if needed– see our website for our
addressesCall in advance for parent
appointment if needed w/counselor
Student sign-up sheet with Guidance secretary for senior conferences
Beware of “Senioritis”What is it? Poor attitude, skipping
classes, failing grades, dropping out!DON’T let this be you! Only you can
cure senioritis!Monitor your grades, attend school,
impress your teachers, attend tutoring, know your credits, work on future plans NOW!!!!
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!!!
