Harker Heights Counseling Staff

Daniel Stovall, House 1 (A-Cl, TBI)Laura Dunnells, House 2 (Cm-Gh)

Cassie Scott, House 3 (Gi-K)Michelle M. Taylor, House 4 (L-O)

Mary Galeana, House 5 (P-Sn)Kimberly Shultz, House 6 (So-Z)

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! See your counselor

regarding other plans.

Must pass all 5 sections of the exit level STAARS in order to graduate

Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD degrees -a requirement for most

professional jobs

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 –check with the 4 year school to make sure

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

-Skills are necessary for higher paying jobs

TESTING COUNTS!Before college, you may

need these tests:STAARS – required for high

school graduationCollege entrance tests:

TSI, ACT, and or SAT (go online to register now)

ASVAB - military

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 of school

Contact the Colleges

Check out the college websites NOW!!!! E-mail college admissions offices with any

questions NOW!!! Complete the applications and return them

with application fee ASAP. You will NOT be committed to the school until you accept financial aid!

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! Don’t wait until deadlines to do applications

MID-Tex Col l ege Night

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

BELL COUNTY EXPO CENTER 6:30 – 8:30pm

Over 100 Colleges and Universities

Represented

Interest Sessions:

The Admissions Process The Texas Common Application: 6:30 – 7:00pm – Assembly Hall

Financial Aid 7:00pm – 7:30pm – Assembly Hall

Completing Applications

APPLY EARLY!! APPLY EARLY! APPLY EARLY! GET STARTED NOW!!!!!!! Get organized!

For Texas schools, go now 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 – Take your entire packet to the Registrar if you

wish. They will mail it all for you.

Letters of Recommendation

Identify 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 and a resume.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

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.ncaa.org to apply

FINANCIAL AID

Five types: Federal Grants – FREE money! Scholarships – FREE money! Private/federal Loans – must be

repaid! Work/Study programs at colleges Your Own Pocket – OUCH!

The FAFSA

Free Application Federal for Student Aid – every student every year must file the FAFSA online - www.fafsa.ed.gov

Financial aid is first come, first served so don’t be last! File after Jan. 1 – can file estimated taxes based on last year and correct later.

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 Office/Website2.Websites, such as www.fastweb.com www.bridges.com

3.Local Organizations4.Churches5.Colleges, etc.

Contact the College Financial Aid Office EARLY!!!!!

File the FAFSA after Jan. 1Check with each college’s financial

aid office often.Be persistent , ask questions of the

colleges. Contact their financial aid offices with your specific questions. Don’t be shy.

Good online resource

Visit 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.

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 with Guidance secretary for senior conferences

College Mentor

ARE YOU LOST? DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO?????

Mr. David in our guidance office is a great resource for researching colleges, college applications and financial aid. He can help you with the entire process.

Stop by and sign up for an appointment with the College Mentor.

Beware of “Senioritis”

What is it? Poor attitude, skipping classes, failing grades, dropping out!

DON’T let this be you! Only you can avoid 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!!!