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VETERANS MEMORIAL EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL4550 US Military Hwy 281Brownsville, TX 78520School Code: 440903MY COLLEGE PREP WORKBOOK 2018College Questions Answered in One SpotYour nameYour ID#Keep this packet in a safe place. You will use it to navigate through thecollege application experience.Do not procrastinate! Keep up with DEADLINES!Kathy Schwartz, Senior CounselorCelina Barrera-Scott, College CounselorBriana Arteaga, IDEA/LEP CounselorCecilia Hobbs, Youth Advisory 5931956-574-5634956-574-5621BISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or geneticinformation in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.
TABLE OF CONTENTSYour Options After High School . 1My College Checklist 2Entrance Exams: SAT or ACT?. 3SAT / ACT Testing Dates . 4TSI – Texas Success I itiati e . 5The Applicatio & Essays . 6My College Access – Usernames & Pass ords . 7College Application Tracking Form . 8Scholarship I for atio . 9FAFSA Information . 10Letters of Recoe datio 11A ard Letters . 11Tips for Success . 11Helpful College Resources . 12Graduatio Regalia .1Se ior Year Cale dar .1
YOUR OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOLCommunity CollegesThey offer two-year programs that will earn you an associate’s degree and the curriculumoften includes specialized career training and certification. The tuition is usually lower andyou can transfer to a university if you want to continue your education.Career Colleges and Vocational/Technical SchoolsThese institutions offer specialized programs that prepare students for a specific trade orindustry. Be sure to check that the college is accredited and which classes and credits will transfer to publiccolleges and universities in case you decide to go on to earn a degree later.Public Colleges / UniversitiesYou can earn a 4-year bachelor’s Degree and post-graduate opportunities are also available through master’sand doctoral degree programs.Private Colleges / UniversitiesPrivate institutions are funded primarily by organizational endowments and alumni contributions. The cost ofattending private universities is usually much higher than public colleges or universities. However, althoughtuition may cost more, they tend to offer more financial aid and scholarships to offset the price.The MilitaryFor those inclined to serve our country, the military is definitely an option and our local recruiters can offermore explanation of requirements and benefits.In Our Neighborhood We are fortunate to have three higher education institutions nearby – UTRGV, TSC, and TSTC. UTRGV is auniversity that offers bachelor’s and advanced degrees. TSC and TSTC (Harlingen) are both communitycolleges that offer associate degrees and certification programs that can be completed within one to twoyears. Listed below are some of the many certification programs they offer:Accounting TechnologyAgriculture TechnologyAir Traffic ControllerAircraft Pilot TrainingAuto Body RepairAutomotive TechnologyChild Care and DevelopmentComputer Maintenance TechnologyConstruction TechnologyCulinary ArtsDental HygieneDiagnostic Medical SonographyDigital Media DesignDrafting and DesignEmergency Medical ScienceHeating Ventilation & Air Conditioning TechMedical Laboratory TechnologyNursingParalegal StudiesPharmacy TechnicianPlumbing and Pipefitting TechnologyRadiologic TechnologySoftware DevelopmentSolar Energy TechnologyTelecommunications TechnologyTool and Die TechnologyVisual Communication TechnologyWeb Design and TechnologyWelding TechnologyWind Energy Technology1
MY COLLEGE CHECKLISTCollege Application You must create an account and keep account information. ApplyTexas: www.applytexas.org The Common Application: www.commonapp.com The Coalition for Access: www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org Keep a tab on school’s admission deadlines and their scholarship deadlines. Be sure to enter ALL of your activities and work experience. Everything counts! Is an essay required? A B CCollege Scholarship Deadlines Some colleges will have them on ApplyTexas, along with their admissions application. Otherswill have different websites for scholarship application(s). Be sure to see Ms. Barrera-Scott whois our College Counselor and scholarship specialist! ADHERE TO DEADLINES!SAT / ACT Scores You must register ONE MONTH before the test date. When registering, sign up to have your scores sent automatically sent to universities. Sendingthem after you test?. 12 per college. Send your scores to every school receiving an application. Look under SEND MY SCORES.High School Transcript Create a Parchment account and all transcript requests can be done electronically. Be sure to send your final transcript ( wait for grades ) to the one college/university you decideto attend Fall 2018.College Application Fee Waiver Did you take Dual or Concurrent Enrollment classes through TSTC, TSC, or UTRGV while in highschool? If so, you must send every college you are applying to your college transcript. Request from theappropriate institutions (TSTC, TSC, and/or UTRGV).College Application Fee Waiver If you used an ACT and/or SAT fee waiver, you are eligible for application fee waivers. YourSAT fee waivers (4) are available through your College Board account. You can get your 4 ACTwaivers from your counselor. UTSA, Texas State, and UNT usually require additional proof of financial need.Financial Aid Application Beginning in October, you need to fill out an application to get financial aid. This application iscalled the FAFSA. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Even if you don’t think you will be eligible for government aid, complete the applicationbecause colleges usually require it when deciding on grants and scholarships.2
Entrance ExamsSAT or ACT: What's the difference?SATACTTest StructureMath, Reading, Writing & Language,Essay is optionalMath, Reading, English, Science,Essay is optionalLength3 hours (without essay)3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)Reading5 reading passages4 reading passagesScienceNone1 sectionMathArithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry,Trigonometry, Data AnalysisArithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry,TrigonometryToolsSome math questions will not allowcalculator useCalculator can be used on all questions.EssayWill test your comprehensionof a source textWill test how well you evaluate andanalyze complex issuesScoreScale of 400 - 1600Scale of 1 - 36Information taken from The Princeton Review3
SAT / ACT Testing DatesSAT REGISTRATION: www.collegeboard.orgACT REGISTRATION: www.actstudent.orgRegistration and practice are both available at the websites for each test. Our school code is 440903.For assistance, stop by the Go Center.Date of TestTestRegister byAugust 26, 2017SAT & SAT SubjectJuly 28, 2017September 9, 2017ACTAugust 4, 2017October 7, 2017SAT & SAT SubjectSeptember 8, 2017October 28, 2017ACTSeptember 22, 2017November 4, 2017SAT & SAT SubjectOctober 5, 2017December 2, 2017SAT & SAT SubjectNovember 2, 2017December 9, 2017ACTNovember 3, 2017February 10, 2018ACTJanuary 12, 2018March 10, 2018SAT (no Subject)February 9, 2018April 14, 2018ACTMarch 9, 2018May 5, 2018SAT & SAT SubjectApril 6, 2018June 2, 2018SAT & SAT SubjectMay 3, 2018June 9, 2018ACTMay 4, 2018July 14, 2018ACTJune 15, 2018The College Board has a very useful app called CollegeGo. It is free to download and offersinformation under five general areas: Prepare for College, Discover Careers, Find Colleges, AffordCollege, and Apply & Go.4
– TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVEWhat is the TSI Assessment?The TSI Assessment is a program designed to help your institution determine if you are readyfor college-level course work in the general areas of reading, writing, and math. This programalso will help determine what type of course or intervention will best meet your need to helpyou become better prepared for college-level course work if you are not ready. If you are anincoming college student in Texas, you are required to take the TSI Assessment – unless you areexempt (see below) – to determine your readiness for college-level work. Based on how youperform, you may either be enrolled in a college-level course that matches your skill level or beplaced in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to improve your skills andprepare you for success in college-level courses.PASSING SCORES:Math –350Reading – 351Writing – Essay 6Essay 5, Multiple Choice 350Essay 5, Multiple Choice less than 340, ABE Diagnostic 4Essay 4, Multiple Choice 340THESE ARE UP-DATED SCORES AS OF 8/18/17!EXEMPTIONS:ACT - Composite score of 23 and a minimum of 19 on both English andMath testsSAT - Math 530, Reading/Writing 4805
The Application and EssaysAre you staying in TEXAS? Then it’s Apply Texas for most of your application needs.www.applytexas.orgESSAYSEssay A:What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, andexplain how it has shaped you as a person.Essay B:Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.Essay C:You’ve got a ticket in your hand – where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?Are you applying OUT-OF-STATE? Try the Common Application for private,Ivy League, and out-of-state universities.www.commonapp.org1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their applicationwould be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when youfaced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was theoutcome?4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a researchquery, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to youand what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understandingof yourself or others.6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivateyou? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a differentprompt, or one of your own design.A New Option for select colleges/universities:The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Successwww.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org6
TOP SECRET / MY COLLEGE ACCESSWEBSITEUsernamePasswordAPPLICATIONSApply Texaswww.applytexas.orgCommon Applicationwww.commonapp.orgApplication used to apply to public andsome private colleges in TEXAS.Application used to apply to most private collegesin the United States.COLLEGE PLACEMENT EXAMSSAT College Boardwww.collegeboard.comACTThe SAT / ACT are standardized tests for most college admissions inthe United States; either test is acceptable. If necessary, the phonecontact numbers are SAT 866-756-7346 and ACT mScholarships ExpertsFree online scholarship search service: Create youraccount, fill out your profile and receive scholarshipsthrough your email.www.scholarshipexperts.comFINANCIAL AIDFAFSAwww.fafsa.ed.govThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the form used by the USDepartment of Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)by conducting a need analysis based on financial information, such asincome,assets, and other information, which you will be asked to provide.FSA IDwww.pin.ed.govYour FSA ID can be used each year to electroncially apply for federal student aid& to access your Federal Student Aid records online. It serves as your electronicsignature & provides access to your personal records, so never give your FSA IDto anyone.ATHLETICwww.ncaaeligibilitycenter.orgThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is an organization dedicated tosafeguarding student athlete well-being and equipping them with the skills tosucceed on the playing field, in the classroom, and throughout life.NAIAwww.naia.orgThe National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is a governing body of smallathletic programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiateathletics.NCAAKeep all your account information on this page and in a safe place. DO NO LOSE YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION - YOU WILL NEED IT.7
COLLEGE APPLICATION TRACKING FORMCOLLEGE/UNIVERSITYAPPLICATION STATUSList date of completion undereach section.COLLEGE 1COLLEGE 2COLLEGE 3COLLEGE 4COLLEGE 5application deadlineapplication deadlineapplication deadlineapplication deadlineapplication deadlinescholarship deadlinescholarship deadlinescholarship deadlinescholarship deadlinescholarship deadlineApplication Submitted - includingrequired essaysScholarship Application Submitted college scholarshipACT/SAT Scores Submitted - SAT SubjectScores, if applicableAppliction Fee Submitted - or waiver ifaccepptedOfficial High School TranscriptSubmitted - after 6th semester rankCollege/University TranscriptsSubmitted - Dual or ConcurrentenrollmentTSI Scores Submitted - for Texas collegesonlyFAFSA Submitted - Free Application forFederal Student AidHousing Application Submitted - withfeeFinal Transcript Submitted - throughParchment, wait for grades8
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONSYour VMECHS Scholarship Specialist is Ms. Celina Barrera-Scott.You should start NOW! Where can you look?VMECHS Scholarship Bulletin On the school website at / Get a hard copy at the Go CenterOutside Resources: Fastweb at www.fastweb.comScholarships.com at www.scholarships.comCollege Financial Advice at http://www.college-financial-aid-advice.comCollege Green Light at https://www.collegegreenlight.comPopular Mega Scholarships: Terry Scholars at www.terryfoundation.orgCoca-Cola Scholars at www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.orgDell Scholarship at www.dellscholars.orgHispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarships at www.hsf.netVAMOS at www.vamosscholars.orgSTARS at www.starsscholarship.orgRemember to avoid scams;you should NEVER pay for scholarship help.9
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student AidWhen?It will be available October 1st and the sooneryou submit the application, the better.What is FAFSA?Federal Student Aid, an office of the USDepartment of Education, ensures that alleligible individuals can benefit from federallyfunded assistance for education beyond highschool.How does it work?FAFSA calculates an Expected FamilyContribution (EFC) number for every familyand student. It is a number, used by yourcollege, to calculate the amount of federalaid you are eligible to receive. The lower the number, the less you are expected to be able to pay. Colleges anduniversities use this number to decide how much financial aid (grants, work-study, federal loans, scholarships) to awardyou.What do I need before completing my FAFSA?Before you file your FAFSA, you will need to apply for FSA ID number which you will use as an electronic signature. Bothparents and students need an FSA ID number to sign their FAFSA after completing it online. Students are required tohave a Social Security number to apply for FAFSA; parents do not need to be citizens.You will also need your parents’ most recent income taxes.How do I file my FAFSA?Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Begin your online application; submit your parents’ and your information. Select the schoolsyou want your FAFSA sent to because if they don’t get your FAFSA, they can’t give you financial aid. Have FAFSA getyour tax information directly from the IRS and sign your FAFSA with your PIN. Wait for your SAR (Student Aid Report)which gives you your EFC number.What is the TASFA?It is the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. This financial aid application is only for students who are not UScitizens or Legal Permanent Residents. The TAFSA application is available at ALL SENIORS SHOULD COMPLETE THEIR FAFSA / TASFAAPPLICATION REGARDLESS OF INCOME.10
Letters of RecommendationYou may need letters of recommendation for many reasons during yoursenior year – college applications, scholarship applications, and jobapplications. Remember: When requesting a letter of recommendation from either your teachers,your counselor, or your administrators, it is best to give them a resume. Give them AT LEAST one week’s notice before the letter ofrecommendation is due.Award LettersColleges and universities will send you letters announcing any awards (grants,scholarships, financial assistance) they may offer you. Read the letters carefullyand give a copy to your counselor. Whether or not youaccept the offers, you earned the award and your totalamount is announced graduation night. It also goes towardthe cumulative amount that will be announced as proudlyearned by the Class of 2018, Veterans Memorial EarlyCollege High School.Tips for Success Be responsible. Be proactive. Keep track of grades and attendance; all requirements must be met inorder to graduate. Do not procrastinate. When applying for scholarships, turn in your applications EARLY. Do notwait until the deadline date. Stay off of the Senior Slide . e ause we know what dire tion slides go!11
Helpful College ResourcesInformation about Financial AidGuide to Federal Student Aidwww.studentaid.ed.gov/guide/Occupational Handbookwww.bls.gov/ocoTexas Reality Checkhttps://texasrealitycheck.comMONEY College fastweb.comFinAidwww.finaid.orgCollege Goal Sundaywww.collegegoalsundayusa.orgMapping Your Futurewww.mappingyourfuture.orgFederal Student Aid for Studentswww.studentaid.ed.govFTC Project Scholarship Scamwww.ftc.gov/scholarshipscamsFinancial Aid Calculatorswww.finaid.org/calculatorsCollege Admissions & TestingACT (American College Testing)www.actstudent.orgAP (Advanced Placement)www.apcentral.collegeboard.comSAT (Scholastic Assessment)www.sat.collegeboard.orgCollege Searchwww.fastweb.com/college-searchSources of AidScholarship Searchwww.fastweb.comFinancial Aid ApplicationsCSS / Financial Aid a.ed.govFSA ID Registrationwww.pin.ed.govFAFSA 4Casterwww.fafsa4caster.ed.govStudent govGeneral InformationSocial Security Informationwww.ssa.govSelective Servicewww.sss.govChoosing a Major and CareerBureau of Labor Statisticswww.bls.govStudy Abroadwww.studyabroad.comUS Department of Educationwww.ed.gov12
GRADUATION REGALIAListed below are the cords, stoles, and collars that can be earned to wear ongraduation night:GOLD CORDStudents who are in the Top 5% of the graduating classSILVER CORDStudents who are in the Top 10% of the graduating classPURPLE CORDStudents who have earned 3 to 5 Performance AcknowledgementsLILAC CORDStudents who have earned 1 to 2 Performance AcknowledgementsTEAL CORDStudents who have completed a coherent sequence of
appropriate institutions (TSTC, TSC, and/or UTRGV). College Application Fee Waiver 9 If you used an ACT and/or SAT fee waiver, you are eligible for application fee w aivers. - Your SAT fee waivers (4) are available through your College Board acc
