JUNIOR
PRESENTATION
COUNSELORS
Brad Cunningham A-F
Jennifer Marquez G-O
Mona Clark P-Z
Tonight’s Key Topics
 Junior Timeline
 Career Planning
 Testing Calendar
 College
 Graduation Requirements
Selection/Admissions
 SAT/ACT/THEA
 Financial Aid
 College Information for
Texas Public Universities
 Choices after Graduation
Graduation Requirements
 26-Credit Katy
Advanced (RHSP)
 26-Credit
Distinguished
Achievement (DAP)
Graduation Course Requirements

KATY ISD PROGRAMS FOR COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Course
Katy ISD 26-Credit
Recommended High School (RHSP)*
English Language Arts*
Mathematics*
Science*
Social Studies*
Economics*
Physical Education
Health Education
Lang. Other Than English
Fine Arts*
Communication Applications
Electives/Additional Components*
Total Program
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.5
.5
1.0
.5
2.0
1.0
.5
5.0
26.0

Katy ISD 26-Credit
Distinguished Achievement(DAP)**
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4.0
4.0
4.0
3.5
.5
1.0
.5
3.0
1.0
.5
4.0
26.0
Class Rank
 Class Rank is based on the cumulative grade point average for all high
school credit courses. A student’s grade point average is derived by
dividing the total number of grade points by the number of semester
courses attempted. The first official class rank is determined during the
spring semester of the junior year and is updated after each subsequent
semester.
 Junior class rank and GPAs will be distributed during lunches in
February 2015.
Correspondence/Online Courses
Deadline
December, 2015
This means students must have completed
the course lessons and the final exam by
Dec.1, 2010. This insures that OTHS will
have the course grade by the beginning of
2nd semester. ALL students who do not
complete their correspondence course by
the deadline will be placed in the necessary
course 2nd semester. No exceptions!
Honor/High Honor and Top Ten
Graduates Calculation for Graduation
 High Honor Grads = GPA 4.0 and above
 Honor Grads = GPA of 3.5 to 3.9
 All points attempted and courses attempted
for high school courses taken in grades 7-11
and the first five, six-weeks grading periods
of the senior year are calculated to obtain
the GPA for Honor/High Honor and Top
Ten graduates. For purposes of class rank,
a tie will be broken in accordance with
District policy.
Testing Requirements
S.A.T./A.C.T./ S.A.T. II
2014-2015 Test
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School Code: 443726
Register on-line or by mail
http://sat.collegeboard.org
http://www.act.org
 ACT Test Dates: 12/3, 2/7,
4/18, 6/13
 SAT Test Dates : 10/11,
 11/9, 12/6, 3/14, 5/2, 6/2
 WATCH DEADLINES AND
LATE REGISTRATION FEES
 Recommendation – Take both
ACT and SAT
SAT II
 1 Hour Subject Matter Tests
 Check Catalog Requirements-
many universities do not require
 SAT II is used primarily for
placement purposes
Most Juniors take the SAT and/or
ACT during the spring.
Test Preparation Products and
Services
 www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org
 Books/workbooks
 Computer programs
 Review Services
– Katy ISD Test Prep Courses (available in the Counselors’
office)
– Princeton Review (offered on weekends at Tompkins High
School)
– Kaplan
– Sylvan Learning Centers
– Test Masters Educational Services
– SCORE Prep
College Selection
College Selection
A. Factors to consider
College Information Work Sheet
Student Profile Packets– available online or in the main
counselor’s office. Please elaborate!
B. Campus Visits
C. College “Reps” at Tompkins during lunches
D. College Seminars
E. Counselors’ Office
F. Library
G. OTHS Counselor’s Website
OTHS College Visit Procedure
 Students pick up the form in the attendance office. The absence will
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initially be coded as Unexcused.
Students take form home, complete it, and bring to AP office. Please
submit form at least seven school days before you go.
AP office verifies and signs off.
The student will be responsible for checking with the AP office to pick
up form. They should pick it up 2 days prior to visit. It is up to the
student to take care of this.
The student takes the form to the college and brings it back signed by
college personnel.
The student takes the form to the Attendance office. At this time, the
absence will be excused.
Excused Absences for
College Visits As the parent/guardian of the above-named student or as the adult student, I understand that only those students
who meet the following criteria will be allowed to make two (2) college visits during their junior year and two(2)
college visits during their senior year:
1. The student must have passed the required parts of the TAKS/STAAR test for the previous year.
2. The student must be on track to graduate on time.
3. The student is classified as a junior or senior based upon credits earned.
4. The student is passing all course work.
5. The student has no truancy or other attendance problems.
6. The student is not in a DAEP placement or assigned to a JJAEP.
I understand that:
1. Prior approval is required for an excused absence to be granted and that approval will not be granted when
major exams are scheduled.
2. If approval is granted, verification of the visit (Part III of this form) must be returned in order for the absence to
be recorded as excused and to not be counted against exam exemptions.
3. If the college visit cannot be made on the date specified above, a new form must be submitted for approval.
What College would I like to
attend?
DREAM SCHOOL?
REALITY SCHOOL?
Select a college that may be a “stretch” for you.
Select at least one “reality” school.
Select 2 or 3 schools between “dream” and “reality”
school.
The College must fit you:
ACADEMICALLY
PERSONALLY
SOCIALLY
BE REALISTIC!
The college you choose should NOT be one that will
overwhelm you (look at the average SAT/ACT scores).
COLLEGE INFORMATION ON
THE INTERNET
“Our Top 5 Websites”
www.collegename.edu (College Website)
www.collegeboard.com
www.applytexas.org
www.commonapplication.org
www.kuder.com
KUDER

Interest, skill, work values
assessments
 Educational and occupational
information
 Career Portfolio offers:
 Education Planner
 Resume Builder
 Career search
 College search
 College comparison
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Financial aid assistance
FAFSA application
Scholarship search
Job search
Kuder Face to Face Class
will be offered on
October 1st, October 15th
OR October 29th
Each class is limited to 20 students. Info
is in the counselors’ office. Time:
2:40-3:30pm
College Application Process
College Application Process
THINK TURKEY
NO PIE UNTIL YOU APPLY!
COLLEGE APPLICATION
PROCESS
1. Obtain Application (from the college or online)
Online Preferred
For Texas Public - www.applytexas.org.
For Most Private - www.commonapp.org.
2. Fill it out and SAVE until ready to submit
3. Keep a hard copy of the application.
4. Follow-up with college to confirm status of application.
www.applytexas.org – Texas Public Schools
3 Features:
 Explore - (Research your options – admission
info for every Texas University)
 Apply - (Online) – Admission and scholarship
applications
 Repeat - (No need to start from scratch, copy a
completed application and use it to apply to
another school.
It’s fast. It’s easy. It’s free.
College Application Process
1. Be prepared and organized
- Download copy of application
- Organize information needed in a folder before you start
2. Create a checklist or calendar of registration deadlines, fees, etc. (p. 15)
3. Distribute the appropriate parts of the application to the right people
(at least 3 weeks prior to deadline).
- Counselor page (if applicable) to counselor
- Recommendations (teachers/counselors)
- SAT/ACT – sent directly from the testing agency
- Transcripts – sent directly from Registrar’s office.
4. Write essay (if applicable)
5. Apply for Housing and Financial Aid
What do you need from OTHS?
Counselor’s Checklist
College Applications, Recommendations, Scholarships
(Applications need to be turned in no less than 14 working days prior to the deadline date. Applications received less than 14 working
days cannot be guaranteed they will be received by the institution on time.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
For Office Use Only
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 Fill out application
 Transcript
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 Write recommendation letter
 Profile
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 Electronic recommendation letter and/or application
 Schedule
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 Fill out application and write recommendation letter
 Counselor Rec/Evaluation
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 Other ________________________________________________
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Please check all that apply to the documentation you are turning in today:
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Yes
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1. Is a transcript to be mailed with this form?
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a. Is the Transcript Release Form and $1.00 enclosed?
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2. I waive the right to access or see any recommendations submitted on my behalf.
Signature (required) _______________________________________________
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3. Are any teacher recommendation letters to be included with this documentation?
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If yes please list teacher: __________________________________  enclosed
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_________________________________
 enclosed
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4. Have you included a pre-addressed, stamped envelope? The return address should be:

Tompkins High School, 4400 Falcon Landing Blvd, Katy TX 77494

To expedite your application, please make sure you do the following:
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 Make sure envelope is correctly addressed and large enough for all documents.
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Attach at least two (2) first class stamps to your envelope (more depending on weight)….make sure
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you have ample postage!

Transcript Release Form
 Request from the Registrar’s Office, room
1520
 Personal Copy $1.00 per transcript
 Official Transcript $2.00 per transcript
 Please allow 14 school days for processing
 Attach addressed envelope with postage for
each official transcript
College Essays – Tips for Good
Essays
DO’s
 Keep your focus narrow and personal
 Prove it – Use examples
 Be specific
 Use creativity
DON’Ts
 Don’t tell your readers what you think they want to hear
 Don’t write a resume
 Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do
 Don’t forget to proofread
 Junior Letter Recommendation free online classes will be offered in
the spring and summer.
Some Universities have Supplements
to the Common Application
 Here are a few examples:
 - Columbia University
 -Rice University
 -University of Notre Dame
 -Stanford University
SENIOR LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION
1.
Profile Packet will be available online by the end of October 2014.
2.
This does not mean you should start requesting your
recommendations now!
3.
Give at least 14 school days. This does not include weekends or
holidays. Requests for recommendation letters for applications due
December 2016 need to be submitted to the counselor before
Thanksgiving 2015.
4.
Should tell or give NEW information. (Many applications do not
require recommendations at all, especially for automatic
admission).
5.
Start thinking of which individuals you will ask for a letter of
recommendation.
6.
Thank you notes
Financial Aid
SCHOLARSHIPS
GRANTS
LOANS
WORK STUDY
APPLY EARLY FOR
FINANCIAL AID

Distributed on a need basis and
first come, first serve basis.
 Watch deadlines.
$ FINANCIAL AID $
1.
Types – Merit based vs. Need based
2.
Finding financial aid requires initiative on the part of the student and parent.
3.
Scholarships – Posted on the SLHS website, daily bulletin and in
Govt./Eco/English classes. Check the file in the Counselors’ Office.
4.
College Specific Scholarships – Check for types, deadlines and guidelines.
5.
Free Scholarship Search- www.fastweb.com or www.salliemae.com,
www.finaid.org ***www.kuder.com
6.
Research Scholarships on the Internet, library, with your parents’ employers,
and with the college to which you are applying.
7.
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after
January 1st 2016. It is available on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. As a Junior, you
can complete a FAFSA4caster. Apply for a personal identification number
(PIN) fall semester 2015.
FAFSA
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
For help with completing forms
www.fafsa.ed.gov
College Financial Aid Offices
*Must fill out forms every year
OTHS will offer FAFSA night –Jan 2016.
Additional Resources
TEXAS FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
1-877-782-7322 (TOLL FREE)
TEXAS DIRECTORY OF FINANCIAL AID
RESOURCES
www.tgslc.org
COLLEGE BOARD FINANCIAL AID PROFILE
www.collegeboard.com
• Financial Aid Seminars
http://www.katycommunityeducation.com
Upcoming
 Beginning in mid-February 2015, counselors will send home
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invitations to Junior Students and their parents. Students will be
required to bring the invitation home which outlines your date and
appointment time.
This invitation is your personal appointment with the counselor to
discuss college admissions and any questions you may have.
Meetings will last approximately 20-25 minutes.
Meetings will take place from 7:30-3:00pm, Monday-Friday.
If you are unable to attend your assigned time, please let us know. We
can place your appointment at a later time.
All students will be met with by June 2015.
Parents are not required to attend but are encouraged to do so.
OTHS Lunch Representatives
 Please check the OTHS Counselor Calendar
to see which colleges are scheduled during
lunches.
 Students may discuss requirements and
college life with college representatives.
– This Wednesday: St. Edwards
– Nov 4: LSU
– Check the Counselor Webpage for more info
Important Dates
Oct. 1st College Night - Merrill Center 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oct 15
PSAT Exam for 10th and 11th Graders
Oct 28
Military Night, ESC-Boardroom
Feb 7
Financial Information Academy, ESC 1200
STAAR Retakes:
Dec 1: English I
Dec 2: Algebra I
Dec 3: English II Dec 4: Biology
Spring STAAR:
May 7, 2015 STAAR US History
Advanced Placement Exams:
May 5-May 16, 2015 Advanced Placement Exams
First Graduating Class of 2016
 Class Fundraiser
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–
–
–
–
Project Prom/Project Graduation
Write a Check Fundraiser
All proceeds go directly to Class of 2016
Tax-deductible contribution
For every $200.00 donated, a credit of $50.00 will be
placed in your student’s prom account
– Checks made out to OTHS Class of 2016
– Mailed to OTHS-Class of 2016, 4400 Falcon Landing,
Katy TX 77494 OR dropped off at the front office.
Conclusion
 Please drop the info sheets in the bins on
your way out.
 Make sure you have one Junior-Seniors
Survival Guide.
 Contact your child’s counselor if you have
additional questions.
 Thank you.