1. DO NOT SUBMIT your application until you have Ms. Stanley, Ms. Casio (One Goal0, or Ms. W (our college advisor) go over the application with you. It is very difficult to correct mistakes once you submit and it is very easy to save your application as you go.
2. Most of you will apply through ApplyTexas (Texas schools only) or the Common App (schools across the country). Once you apply to one school through these applications, there is a button to cut and paste your information to a new application. Sometimes universities will ask a few different questions, but most of the applications are the same.
3. Take some time to write down all the summer programs, clubs, extracurricular, after-school activities, volunteer work, jobs, and sports you've been a part of from 9th grade until now. Keep a Word document with all this information. You will need it for college applications and scholarship applications. Sometimes it can be hard to remember it all when you are filling out your application.
4. If the application asks about your graduation plan, you are all graduating under the Distinguished Level of Acheivement. This is the highest high school graduation level in Texas. Be sure to select this option.
5. Always pick your first choice major. Most schools will attempt to put in you in that major first and then accept you under your second or third choice if you don't meet their requirements for your first major. Some majors are difficult to transfer into when you've already started school.
6. Always answer all of the questions and do all of the essays on your application even if you qualify for automatic admission. Many schools use these same applications to determine who gets scholarships and they will want to know more information about you. Spend time writing and rewriting your essays and short answer questions. Keep them in a Word document on your computer so you can edit them easily and use them for scholarship applications.
7. Once you submit your application, you still have to do a few things:
- Pay fee or send fee waiver. (Each school has their own way of doing this. Check their website to see what they require and then go to Ms. Stanley, if necessary.)
- Send your SAT scores. Most schools require you to send your SAT scores through the College Board website. You will need to log in and send the scores to all the schools where you are applying. Talk to Mrs. Stanley if you need help.
- Send your transcript. Dr. Beronque is in charge of official transcripts. Use the school website to order a transcript and specify which university it needs to go to. Most are sent electronically, which is the fastest way.
- Apply for financial aid. You will do this through the FAFSA website if you are a U.S. citizen. You will need your parents' tax information, so you want to ask them about it now. The FAFSA application opens up at the beginning of October. Try to have yours finished by the end of October. Be sure to indicate all the schools where you are submitting an application. If you are not a citizen, see Mrs. Stanley to talk about TASFA.
