28
Preparing parents and students for senior year and post- secondary planning Wagner High School Junior Parent Night
Preparing parents and students for senior year and post-secondary
planning
Wagner High SchoolJunior Parent Night
Identify the challenges seniors face in balancing the senior year
Understand the post-secondary planning processSimplify college search and application process
Assist parents in becoming an informed support for your son or daughter in planning for the senior year and the year following graduation
Provide resources for parent questions
Junior Parent Night Goals
Help your student plan for next year’s commitments nowReach out to your academic counselor to find out graduation
plan, scheduling, class rank, etc.Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming changeReassure students that parents, administrators, counselors, and
teachers are there to help provide support
A Well-balanced
Senior yearStudent responsibilities are split between planning their futures and working on high school demands:
Begin the college search process with parent support
Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning process
Survive and thrive throughout the senior year
8 Steps To Good College Planning
The following 8 steps will help your student:
Visit the WHS College Center Explore college search websites—ie: www.college.govWrite a resumeLook for schools with a good range of programs in an
area of interest
1. Match aptitudes and career goals with schools and programs
Core academic coursesCoursework beyond minimum college entrance
requirementsAdvanced classes/course studiesElective classes in areas of interest
2. Register for a rigorous and balanced senior course schedule
SAT Reasoning Test - www.collegeboard.org (February 18th-20th SAT Registration Drive during ENG III class)
ACT with optional writing test - www.act.org Both are tests of college readiness (Junior took PSAT in October; results are available) Recommended Spring of Junior year Last testing opportunity Fall of Senior year
3. Sign up for College Entrance Exams
ACT25% English25% Mathematics25% Reading25% Science Optional Writing Test
Subtests range from 1-36Composite of 4 test scores
(1-36)No penalty for guessing
SAT 33% Critical Reading33% Mathematics33% Writing
Subtest range from 300-800Sum of 3 test scores
(600-2400)Score adjusted for wrong answers
SAT/ACT Registration
Test Score ComparisonOld New
ACT SAT
SAT36…1600
240035…1580
234034…1520
226033…1470
219032…1420
213031…1380
204030…1340
198029…1300
192028…1260
1860
Old New
ACT SAT SAT
27…1220 1820
26…1180 1760
25…1140 1700
24…1110 1650
23…1070 1590
22…1030 1530
21….990 150020….950 141019….910 1350
Old New
ACT SAT SAT
18….870 129017….830 121016….780 114015….740 106014….680 100013….620 90012….560 78011….500 750
4. Build a list of schools/programs to research
Gather information about:
• Location• Size• Admissions Requirements – test scores/GPA/rank• Academic Offerings – majors/programs• Expenses – tuition, travel to/from school• Financial Aid• Housing• Campus Visits
Assured Admission Standards TX State University
Class Rank SAT I* ACT
Top 10% Required, but no minimum
First Quartile 920 20
Second Quartile 1010 22
Third Quartile 1180 26Fourth
Quartile 1270 29
Walk around campusAttend a class Interview admissions officers Spend a night in the dormTalk with other university studentsUse campus comparison form as a tool
5. Plan school visits
Discuss the college comparison data and get feedback from others
Students should talk with parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, and friends
Help your son or daughter examine their goals, thoughts and feelings so that they may choose schools for application
Build a well-considered, reasonable list of schools for application
6. Build a list of schools for application
Completed Application: www.applytexas.org (CAN BE SUBMITTED AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER OF SENIOR YEAR)
Official Transcript Test scores (SAT or ACT) Application Fee Waiver (student can receive up to four waivers) Teacher recommendation (if applicable)
7. Submit applications
Application elements:
Ask someone who knows them wellChoose teachers of classes where they were most engaged
intellectually, showed creativity, or completed a special project or independent work
REMEMBER: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED IF STUDENT GOES UNDER REVIEW
Letters of recommendation
To receive letters that add depth and excitement to an application students should:
Match between college needs and student characteristics
Colleges provide admissions statistics range of GPA and test scores
Holistic review process
College admission decisions
Opportunity for lower tuition costs while exploring academic interests Small setting to solidify academic record or learn a trade Admissions consist primarily of biographical information and proof of high school
equivalency
Community Colleges
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS profile
Factors that determine a families financial strength
Schools determine distribution of funds as financial aid packages
Research independent sources of scholarship funding
Athletes should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
8. Financial aid and Scholarship
Do learn about the college admission processDo discuss restrictions up frontDon’t limit choices based on feesDo remind your child of deadlinesDo listen and offer advice when askedDon’t make decisions for your son or daughterDo encourage and celebrate
NACAC tips for parents: Do’s and don’ts for college
admissions
Academic Counselor Contact Info
***Kellye Jackson—A-CArturo Cano– D—G
Tiffany Thompson H—McAnnette Benavidez—Me—R
Betty Osborne—S—Z
***Lead Counselor
Tiffany Patterson, College Counselor [email protected]
Carol Faragher, Career Counselor [email protected]
Turkesha Ganey, College/Career Facilitator [email protected]
Contact Informatio
n
Q & ASession
