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Counselors' Corner Home :: Calendar :: Resources :: Testing Information :: Scholarships :: Forms
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
WELCOME TO THE PFLUGERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER WEBSITE. ALL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CENTER WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE LIBRARY. HERE YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ON HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS AS YOU PREPARE TO APPLY TO COLLEGE; HOW TO CHOSE A COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL; AND HOW TO FUND YOUR COLLEGE/CAREER EDUCATION. I HOPE YOU FIND THE LINKS LISTED ON THIS PAGE USEFUL. CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR INFORMATION ON REPRESENTATIVE VISITS, COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES, AND SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS. IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, FEEL FREE TO CALL OR EMAIL ME USING THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW:
JULIE PETRUS
TRANSITION COUNSELOR
512-594-0533
PISD ANNUAL DISTRICT COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR IS SEPTEMBER 28 FROM 6-8 PM AT HENDRICKSON HIGH SCHOOL.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ATTENTION SENIORS: EMAIL MS. PETRUS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IN THE COMPUTER LABS ON SEPTEMBER 8 (AFTER SCHOOL) OR 18TH (SATURDAY, 10 AM) ALL SENIORS ARE REQUIRED TO COME. WE WILL BE WORKING ON APPLYTEXAS APPLICATIONS AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
THE COLLEGE AND CAREER OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED IN THE LIBRARY ON SEPTEMBER 9 IS CANCELED DUE TO A CONFLICT WITH THE PHS OPEN HOUSE. A NEW DATE WILL BE SET IN THE FUTURE.
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER FOR THE SAT PREP COURSE BEING OFFERED HERE ON CAMPUS. THE FIRST CLASS IS SEPTEMBER 9. CALL MORE THAN A TEACHER AT 512-453-7272 IF INTERESTED.
REPRESENTATIVE VISITS:
TEXAS A&M WILL BE PRESENTING IN THE LECTURE HALL SEPTEMBER 8 DURING 7TH PERIOD
RICE UNIVERSITY WILL BE IN THE LIBRARY SEPTEMBER 16 AT 12:45PM
NYU WILL BE IN THE LIBRARY SEPTEMBER 27 AT 10:00AM
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY WILL BE IN THE LIBRARY SEPTEMBER 30 AT 12:30 PM
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WILL BE IN THE LIBRARY AT 10:30 PM ON OCTOBER 5
UTSA WILL BE IN THE LIBRARY AT 10:00 AM ON OCTOBER 12
UT-ARLINGTON WILL BE IN THE LIBRARY IN THE AFTERNOON ON OCTOBER 5
RESOURCES:
www.schoolguides.com
OPPORTUNITIES:
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AGGIELAND DAY
February 19, 2011
9:00 am- 3:00 pm
www.tamu.edu/aggiesaturday
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
PANTHERLAND DAY
September 18
November 13
seniors only
www.pvamu.edu
University Tours
www.universitytours.com
DISCOVER DUKE
Renaissance Austin Hotel
9721 Arboretum Blvd
Austin, TX 78759
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
7:00 pm
register at www.admissions.duke.edu
TEXAS A&M INVESTIGATE GEOSCIENCES
IGEO WEEKEND
OCTOBER 14-16
ONLINE APPLICATION roadtodiscovery.tamu.edu/packing-your-bags/igeo
KAPLAN PSAT, SAT and ACT online Prep
Free
go to kaptest.com/kas or call 1-800-KAP-TEST for more information
REMEMBER: JUNIORS AND SENIORS GET TWO EXCUSED ABSENCES TO VISIT COLLEGES!
COLLEGE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Tulane comes to you
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
7:00 pm
Hyatt Regency
208 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
call 1-800-873-WAVE
MIT
information session
UT Austin/The commons Center
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
7:00 pm
visit http://web.mit.edu/admissions/falltravel/ for more information
Rice University information session
Sunday, August 29
7:00 pm
Renaissance Ausin Hoel
9721 Arboretum Boulevard
RSVP www.futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Your_Town.asp
UTSA Roadrunner Rundown
October 11th
10am-3 pm
contact visitor center for more information at 210-458-5145
UTSA Day
November 13
10 am-3 pm
contact visitor center for more information at 210-458-5145
Academy of Art University
Open House
Saturday, November 6
10 am to 5 pm (come and go)
Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol
701 East 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
RSVP at www.academyart.edu or call 800-544-2787
Pepperdine University
information session
Tuesday, September 21 7-9 pm
Omni Hotel downtown Austin
http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/rsvp/receptions-register.htm?event-131
follow this link to RSVP
ApplyTexas.org is open!!!
Huston-Tillotson University
PASS program-- office of the first year experience
call 512-505-3045 for more information
Explore Johns Hopkins University
go to apply.jhu.edu/visit/explorehopkins.html for full details
RSVP online at apply.jhu.edu/explorehopkins.rsvp
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Wendy's High School Heisman
Do you particpate in at least one sport?
Are you a leader in your school and your community?
Apply now for the 2010 Wendy's High School Heisman
visit www.wendysheisman.com for more information and to apply!
Financial aid and Scholarship sites:
www.schoolsoup.com
www.everychanceeverytexas.org
www.students.gov
www.back2college.com
www.collegexpress.com
www.collegeaid.com
www.college.com
www.fastweb.com
www.fastaid.com
www.finaid.org
www.saafdn.org
www.collegeboard.com
www.military.com
www.free-4u.com/minorities
www.hsf.net
www.blackexcel.org
www.aihec.org
www.ncaa.org
ACC INFORMATION:
For information on ACC connections, visit:
http://www.austincc.edu/isd/pflugerville_isd/phs.php
IMPORTANT TIMELINE
Junior Year
Start to think about your college choices. Make an appointment with your guidance counselor to talk about your options. Conduct a free college search online at www.fastweb.com.
Take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring. High scores increase your chance of winning scholarships, so you may want to take the tests again next fall if you are not pleased with your score.
Talk to your parents about college costs. Visit: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and www.finaid.org/calculators.
Request applications and brochures from your top college choices and visit their websites.
Visit prospective colleges over the summer. Ask college friends about their college experience.
Fall - Senior Year
Organize applications by creating files for each of your target schools. List all requirements and deadlines.
Retake the ACT and/or SAT if you are looking to improve your score.
Request letters of recommendation as soon as possible from teachers and community leaders (at least one month before the application due date).
Visit www.fastweb.com to find scholarships. Check out www.finaid.org to learn more about financial aid.
Winter - Senior Year
Work on those college applications. Many applications are due in early January.
Register for a PIN so you can complete and sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at: www.pin.ed.gov
File the FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov, ASAP after January 1st.
Check with your prospective schools about additional financial aid application forms and requirements.
Spring - Senior Year
Check email/mail regularly for admisisons decisions.
Compare your admissions offers. Ask your guidance counselor and parents to help you weigh your options.
Review your SAR for any mistakes and report them to your prospective school. Your SAR should arrive approx. 3-5 days after you submit the FAFSA online, or 10 days after your paper FAFSA is received.
Time for a decision! Most schools ask that you choose your school by May 1st.
Check deadlines for housing, financial aid, etc.
Financial Aid Question to Consider
What types of financial aid packages does the school offer?
Are any tuition increases planned in the next few years?
What kind of work opportunities are available on campus?
What are the deadlines for submitting financial aid forms?
How will outside scholarships affect my aid package?
What state financial aid programs do I qualify for?
Is there a payment installment plan?
Glossary: Key Terms You Will Encounter
Award Letter: A letter telling you what financial aid your college is offering to you (including types, amounts offered, specific program information, etc.). You may choose to accept some or all of what is offered.
Credit (or Credit Hour): A unit of measurement for fulfilling course requirements. Most colleges require that you complete a certain number in order to graduate.
Cost of Attendance: Includes all costs associated with attending college: tuition and fees, room/board, books and supplies, etc.
Enrollment Status: Indicates you attend school full-time or part-time. In general, you must attend at least part-time to qualify for financial aid.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC): Amount students and their family are expected to contribute financially toward cost of attendance.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Students must fill out the FAFSA each year to find out how much federal aid they are eligible to receive. www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Open Admissions: Students are admitted regardless of academic qualifications. Most community colleges have an open admissions policy.
Out-of-State Students: Generally applies to students attending a public university outside of their home state. Out-of-state students must pay a higher tuition rate unless they establish legal residency for the state where they attend school.
Rolling Admissions: There is no set admissions deadline date; qualified students are accepted until classes are filled.
Student Aid Report (SAR): This notifies you that your FAFSA has been processed. Your EFC also appears on the SAR.
What Are Colleges Looking For?
Application Dos and Don’ts
DOS
DO follow the rules- If an application asks you to choose one essay, do not answer them all. Read the application directions completely before answering any questions.
DO include everything- Verify all forms have been signed and that you have included all essays and recommendations. Double check that you have not left out anything important. Make copies for your records.
DO pay attention to deadlines- Submit your application with plenty of time to spare. You may want to send your application via certified mail or request an email recept if you applied online, for added assurance that it arrived on time.
DON’TS
DON’T procrastinate-Letting things wait until the last minute might mean leaving something out or making mistakes on the application. You want to take as much time as possible on your application.
DON’T leave anything out-Be careful to not treat an online application like an instant message (IM) or e-mail. An admissions office does not want to see smiley faces or IM slang. Treat an online application with the same seriousness as you would a paper one.
Highlight On Your Application:
Grades and test scores Obvious? Yes. But these marks are one of the first things colleges consider. Make sure you do what you can to get these as high as possible.
Extracurricular activities Have you taken a leadership role in your activities? What have you accomplished? Think: quality over quantity.
Rigorous course schedule Schools want to see challenging courses that will help you grow academically. Talk to your counselor about opportunities for advanced courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP) level.
Strengthen Your Application Essay
Show, do not tell Do not just list your attributes. Be specific! For example, saying that you are helpful is not as interesting as writing about your experiences volunteering.
Creativity counts Avoid standard essay topics. Try an original idea, something an admissions office has not read a million times before. The essay is your opportunity to show your prospective college what makes you you.
Check for spelling errors Make sure to proofread your writing, then ask a parent or teacher to look it over for spelling or grammar errors.
Prepare for Your Interview*
Know the logistics Find directions to where the interview will be held ahead of time so you do not arrive late. Call the college admissions office and ask what the appropriate dress code is for interviews.
Be natural Admissions officers want to know you as a person, so highlight your accomplishments in a meanignful way. Sounding like you are reading off of a cue card will not leave them with a strong memory of you. Remember that the interview should be a conversation. Be confident and optimistic about your future college career.
Ask questions Come prepared with questions or impressions you have about the college to demonstrate your interest in the school. Place less emphasis on your plans after graduation and more on what you want to learn and accomplish as a college student. Make sure to follow up your interview with a thank-you note.
*Not all colleges require an interview for admission. For those that do, a successful interview can help you (and your application) stand out from the applicant pool.
FastTip: Remember that college selection is all about matching. There are no “good” or “bad” schools, only schools that are “good for you” or “bad for you.” So be yourself!
FastTip: College admissions costs can include test fees for the ACT and/or SAT, non-refundable application fees (between $10 for community colleges to $75+ for some private colleges), and processing fees for additional copies of your high school transcripts
Seniors and Juniors: Be sure to visit our resources, and scholarship pages.
The following is a grade level checklist: (The following list does not take the place of one- on- one grade level counselor visits)
Senior Checklist
- Verify you have all courses required for graduation. Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that all graduation requirements have been met.
- Register for the SAT or ACT. (Fee Waivers available in Counselor’s office) www.act.org (ACT), www.collegeboard.com (SAT)
- Attend FAFSA workshops ( Income tax info. Needed)
- Apply for FAFSA pin # for financial aid www.fafsa.ed.gov
- APPLY! APPLY! APPLY! For scholarships local and national
- Attend College and Career Nights
- Research College websites and resources (See Ms. Petrus for help with this)
- Use web resources (Here on our website or in Counselor’s office)
- Visit college campuses
- Complete APPLY TEXAS application – applytexas.org (open August 1 this year)
- Recommendation letters need to requested with a 2 week turnaround (complete forms in Counselor’s office
- Request transcripts to send with applications
- Obtain a flash drive to download college essays, resume and financial aid and applications (See Ms. Petrus for guidance in this area)
- Retake SAT and/or ACT as needed
- In March and April – Make final plans for college
- MAY- You still have time….. see Ms. Petrus
- Please let Ms. Petrus know what colleges you have been accepted to and any scholarships you have received
- June – Congratulations
Junior Checklist
- Challenge yourself academically
- Try your hardest on the TAKS test. You have to pass it to graduate from high school
- Colleges look at your 6th semester grades very carefully.
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT – Visit collegeboard.com – Individualize SAT study guide
- Continue involvement in community and school extracurricular (Athletics & Clubs)
- Job Shadowing- discuss with adults in a variety of professions to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs, and what education is needed for each job
- Continue to develop a resume for future scholarships and college applications
- Attend College and Career Nights
- Work through bridges.com
- Visit with on campus College Representatives
- Reevaluate your classes, grade point average and class rank (Colleges look at your 6th semester grade very carefully)
- In the spring, take the SAT and ACT. (Fee waiver available through Counselor’s office)
- Visit colleges and technical schools you are interested during Spring Break and through the summer
- Participate in Summer Volunteer Opportunities ( see Ms. Laverne Scott or Ms. Petrus)
- Choose 12th grade courses which will enhance your career choice
Sophomore Checklist
- Challenge yourself academically
- Develop strong study skills and effective time management skills
- Become knowledgeable of grade point averages and class ranking
- Reevaluate your classes, grade point average and class rank
- Continue involvement in community and school extracurricular (Athletics & Clubs)
- Job Shadowing- discuss with adults in a variety of professions to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs, and what education is needed for each job
- Continue to develop a resume for future scholarships and college applications
- Take the PSAT, visit collegeboard.com (Use PSAT online study guide)
- Visit colleges online for possible summer camp opportunities
- Attend College and Career Nights
- Work through bridges.com
Freshman Checklist
- Challenge yourself academically
- Develop strong study skills and effective time management skills
- Become knowledgeable of grade point averages and class ranking (learn how to read your transcript)
- Get involved in community and school extracurricular (Athletics & Clubs)
- Review 4-year plan and decide on a graduation plan (Recommended or Distinguished)
- Begin a resume, keep awards, honors, school and community service records
- Attend College and Career Nights
- Work through bridges.com
- Start planning with your parents how your higher education will be financed
We wish you the very best!
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain
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