Alvin High School 3

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1...... Table of Contents 2...... Who to Contact at Alvin High School 3...... College and Career Center 4...... ACC “Steps to Enroll for New Dual Credit Students” 5...... ACC “Testing Information- Dual Credit” 6...... Student’s Timeline for College Admission 7...... Top 10 Percent Rule for Automatic Admissions 8...... The College Entrance Exam: A Junior Year Test 9...... SAT vs ACT 10...... 2016 - 2017 ACT and SAT Test Dates 11...... AP Exam Dates – May, 2017 and May, 2018 12...... Questions to Ask College Representatives 13...... Choosing a College 14...... Making the Most of Your College Visit 15...... Texas Four-Year Colleges/Universities Median SAT/ACT Scores 16...... College Costs - College Student 9 Month Budget 2016-2017 22...... Ten Most Common Errors on the Application for Admission 23...... ApplyTexas: Freshman General Application Information and Deadlines 29...... Scholarships 30...... 30 Fastest Growing Occupations 31...... Letters of Recommendation 32...... Student Profile Packet for College and Scholarship Recommendations 33...... Academic Resume 34...... Sample Essay Questions 35...... NOTES

WHO TO CONTACT AT ALVIN HIGH SCHOOL

802 S. Johnson Street Phone: 281/245-3000 Alvin, Texas 77511 FAX: 281/331-3053

Dr. Johnny Briseño, Principal Heather Heil, Asst. Principal, T-B Robert Ford, Asst. Principal, P-S Glencora Rodgers, Associate Principal Ashley Marquez, Asst. Principal L-O Tonya Patterson, Asst. Principal G-K Karen Taylor, Asst. Principal, C-F

Kim Eixman, Asst. Principal

LEAD COUNSELOR ALPHA GROUP

Carlene Leal I - K – all grade levels 281/245-2693 [email protected]

COUNSELORS

Dani Gilcrease Wh - Can all grade levels 281/245-3627 [email protected]

Karen Daly Car - Fo all grade levels 281/245-2733 [email protected]

Donna Ruby Fr- H all grade levels 281/245-2713 [email protected]

Ashley Miller L – M all grade levels 281/245-2683 [email protected]

Vicki Cleland N – R all grade levels 281/245-2663 [email protected]

Ronald Fitzwater S- We all grade levels 281/245-2694 [email protected]

Shannon Geletka Special Services – all students/ 281/245-2753 all grade levels [email protected]

Michelle Deleon Advanced Academic Specialist/GT 281/245-6354 [email protected]

ACC ACADEMIC ADVISOR

Kennon Henry 281/245-2726 [email protected]

For more information go to the AISD Web Site at www.alvinisd.net 2

ALVIN HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome to the College and Career Center!

The College and Career Center is located on the Alvin High School campus in B 102.

This facility has 5 computers for students to use throughout the school day and after 3 p.m. by appointment. The College and Career Center is linked to the high school library; this gives students the opportunity to check out college and career materials directly from the center and search online the library holdings to see the selection of books that are available here in B 102. Colleges, universities, trade schools, and military organizations also schedule their visits through this center. Students can check in at the center to view the schedule to find out when their prospective school might visit our campus.

Students can utilize the College and Career Center to explore possible career choices, qualification for various jobs, salary possibilities and educational preparation needed for each career and various free materials. In addition, many colleges and universities have sent materials for students to view while in the center. ACT and SAT materials and study guides are available for students to pick up.

The College Board website now has new tools to help students begin and/or fine tune their postsecondary plans. They are launching a career interest inventory that in conjunction with students’ PSAT and SAT scores can help students choose a pathway. This tool considers both their interests and their demonstrated testing aptitude. You can visit the College Board interest inventory at MyRoad.CollegeBoard.com. In addition to the College and Career Center in B102, the Alvin High School library is open from 3:00 PM until 7:30 on Monday – Thursday to provide students additional opportunities to utilize this tool and for researching their suggested fields. Students and their parents are also encouraged to visit with their student’s counselor for additional guidance and assistance. Counselors are available for parent conferences by appointment.

With the wealth of information available to students and parents in the College and Career Center, no student should leave high school without a goal in sight for his/her educational and career future. You are encouraged to make use of this center as often as you like.

______802 S Johnson St 281.245-3000 Alvin, TX 77511 281.331-3053 (fax)

If you are a Dual Degree student or are interested in obtaining your Dual Degree (Associates of Arts in General Studies), please visit directly with your ACC Dual Credit Advisor, Ms. Kennon Henry ([email protected]) 281-245-2726, room B-109

STUDENT’S TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION

JUNIOR YEAR

SPRING Begin researching colleges and careers

Dec. - March Parent and student attend academic conference with counselor

April - June Take first SAT I or ACT

Take the TSI Assessment if you are completing your last high school math course

SUMMER BETWEEN 11TH & 12TH GRADE: SEND FOR APPLICATIONS - GET ORGANIZED! GREAT TIME TO COMBINE FAMILY VACATION & COLLEGE VISITS

SENIOR YEAR

FALL Complete online or mail college applications, for Texas public institutions, apply at www.applytexas.org, if applicable.

Complete and return student profile packet to your counselor, if needed

Check on a regular basis for scholarship information. Go to www.alvinisd.net, AHS page, Counselor section then Current Scholarships.

Local Scholarship Package will be available online

Attend College & Career Day/Night at AHS, MHS or SCHS

October 1st Complete FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Parents use prior year’s tax information to complete the forms and can take advantage of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Aug. – Nov. Take second SAT or ACT if necessary

December Take SAT II if required by your college

January Local Scholarship Package Due

Spring Continue to check regularly for scholarship information

April Take the TSI Assessment, if not exempt, if you did not take it at the end of your junior year

May Senior awards night – local scholarships awarded

TOP 10 PERCENT RULE FOR AUTOMATIC ADMISSIONS Texas Education Code (TEC), §51.803

Students who are in the top 10 percent of their graduating class are eligible for automatic admission to any public university in Texas with the exception of the UT Campus in Austin. Summer/fall 2017 and spring 2018 (current high school seniors) UT applicants must rank in the top 7% of their class to be automatically admitted. Summer/fall 2018 and spring 2019 (current high school juniors) UT applicants must rank in the top 7% of their class. The 10% rule remains in place for the other public schools in Texas.

To be eligible for automatic admission, a student must:

 Graduate in the top 10 percent of his or her class at a public or private high school in Texas

 Enroll in college no more than two years after graduating from high school; and

 Submit an application to a Texas public university for admission before the application deadline. (Check with the university for specific deadlines).

Students admitted to college through the Top 10% Rule, may still be required to provide SAT or ACT scores, although these scores are not used for admissions purposes. Students must also take the TSI Assessment, unless exempt from the test requirement. Be sure to check with the school’s admissions office regarding TSI Assessment, SAT, and ACT requirements.

After a student is admitted, the university may review the student's high school records to determine if the student is prepared for college-level work. A student who needs additional preparation may be required to take a developmental, enrichment, or orientation course prior to their first semester of college. Please keep in mind that admission to a university does not guarantee acceptance into a particular program of study or academic department.

You should be aware that students who ARE NOT in the top 10 percent of their class may also be favorably considered for college admission under other criteria. University admission officers may consider a student’s academic record, socio-economic background, work and family responsibilities, admission to a comparable out-of-state institution, performance on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, community activities, and proficiency in more than one language.

Each university is required to publish in its catalog, the alternate factors it considers in making admission decisions. Consult the university you are interested in for details about admissions criteria for students who are not in the top 10 percent.

THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM

A JUNIOR Year Test

The fall arrival of applications in the guidance office signals the beginning of the college application process for many seniors; however, one integral piece of information can (and should) be taken care of months before – the college entrance exam. You must have EITHER (not necessarily both) an ACT or SAT score before your file can be considered, and postponing taking the test can delay the entire process.

Waiting until the senior year to test can also put unnecessary pressure upon you, for several reasons. Testing opportunities are somewhat limited, with only five to seven test dates per year for each test (August – June). Since it takes several weeks to receive your scores, waiting until September or October to test may mean your college application goes unprocessed until December. This may be too late for some deadlines (for certain programs or scholarships) or put you on a waiting list if the school has reached its enrollment goal. Also, if for some reason you don’t take the test on that date (illness, car trouble, etc.) you will have to reschedule for the next date and everything is even later. Another consideration is the possibility that you might want to take the test a second time, in hopes of raising your score – if you waited until your senior year to take the first test; it may be January or February by this time.

To avoid all these conflicts, many students choose to test in the spring of their junior year. In addition to ensuring that they have a test score when they are ready to apply, there are other benefits to spring testing as well. For example, you may decide to take an additional class in an area in which your test score was low. You may decide you want to retest. A big advantage is that colleges will learn of your interest in them, and will send you information about admissions, advanced placement, scholarships, and special programs. Receiving information from them will assist you in your college search, and you can utilize it as you begin to make campus visits. Trying to decide which college is right for you can be stressful, too, so the earlier you can begin your search, the better.

Remember, there is never a penalty for taking a test early or taking one over, so do what best prepares you to find and be admitted to the college that best suits you.

SAT vs. ACT SAT or ACT? Do you know which test is right for you? Colleges accept both tests equally, so the choice is up to you! Here's what you need to know to compare the exams.

SAT - $57.00 ACT - $58.50

Why Take It Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. merit-based scholarships.

 Math  Math

 Reading  Reading Test  Writing and Language  English Structure   Science Essay (Optional) Essay (Optional)

 3 hours (without essay)  2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) Length  3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)  3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)

Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages

None 1 science section testing your critical thinking Science skills (not your specific science knowledge)

Covers: Covers:  Arithmetic  Arithmetic

Math  Algebra I & II  Algebra I & II  Geometry, Trigonometry and Data  Geometry and Trigonometry Analysis

Some math questions don't allow you to use a You can use a calculator on all math questions. Tools calculator.

Optional. The essay will test your Optional. The essay will test how well you Essays comprehension of a source text. evaluate and analyze complex issues.

How It's Scored on a scale of 400–1600 Scored on a scale of 1–36 Scored (www.princetonreview.com)

Need help deciding between the ACT and the SAT? Try a free practice test for each and see how you score!

ACT/SAT 2016-2017 TEST DATES

ALVIN HIGH SCHOOL AHS CODE - 440-115

Hopefully, you took the PSAT in October of your junior year. If you didn’t, it will not be offered again. If you did take it, we recommend that you use your score report to prepare for the SAT.

It is recommended that you register on-line but there are a limited number of registration booklets available in the College and Career Center and the counseling office. SAT and ACT Fee Waivers are available for students that qualify. See your counselor for more information.

ACT COST: $58.50 on line registration www.actstudent.org/start

ACT EXAM Test Date Regular Registration Late Registration * Testing Deadline Deadline (+$25.00) Location September 10, 2016 August 5, 2016 August 19, 2016 October 22, 2016 September 16, 2016 September 30,2016 MHS December 10, 2016 November 4, 2016 November 18, 2016 February 11, 2017 January 13, 2017 January 20, 2017 MHS April 8, 2017 March 3, 2017 March 17, 2017 June 10, 2017 May 5, 2017 May 19, 2017 MHS

SAT COST: $57.00 on-line registration www.collegeboard.org/register

SAT EXAM Test Date Regular Registration Late Registration * Testing Deadline Deadline (+$28.00) Location October 1, 2016 September 1, 2016 September 20, 2016 AHS November 5, 2016 October 7, 2016 October 25, 2016 AHS/MHS December 3, 2016 November 3, 2016 November 22, 2016 AHS/MHS January 21, 2017 December 21, 2016 January 10, 2017 AHS/MHS March 11, 2017 February 10, 2017 February 28, 2017 MHS May 6, 2017 April 7, 2017 April 25, 2017 AHS June 3, 2017 May 9, 2017 May 24, 2017 MHS * Exam is administered at this location SAT will offer an August test date starting in 2017, date and campus testing centers will be announced soon.

Alvin High School and Manvel High School offer Prep Classes prior to some ACT and SAT exams. Check with your counselor for more details.

2017 AP EXAM SCHEDULE (www.collegeboard.org)

WEEK 1

Test Date Morning (8 AM) Afternoon (12 PM)

Monday AP Chemistry AP Psychology May 1 AP Environmental Science

Tuesday AP Computer Science A AP Art History May 2 AP Spanish Language and Culture AP Physics 1: Algebra-based

Wednesday AP English Literature and AP Japanese Language and Culture May 3 Composition AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based

Thursday AP United States Government and Politics AP Chinese Language and Culture May 4 AP Seminar

Friday AP German Language and Culture AP Computer Science Principles May 5 AP United States History WEEK 2

Monday AP Biology AP Physics C: Mechanics May 8 AP Music Theory 2pm: AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

Tuesday AP Calculus AB AP French Language and Culture May 9 AP Calculus BC AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Wednesday AP English Language and Composition AP Italian Language and Culture May 10 AP Macroeconomics

Thursday AP Comparative Gov’t & Politics AP Statistics May 11 AP World History

Friday AP Human Geography AP European History May 12 AP Microeconomics AP Latin

2018 AP EXAM SCHEDULE Not available at this time 11

QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

Whether you meet them at a college fair or on a campus visit, college representatives genuinely enjoy talking to high school students and answering questions about their college. The following questions will help start a good dialogue.

 What makes your college unique?

 For what academic programs is your college known?

 Will this school give credit for Advanced Placement tests and/or dual credit courses taken in high school?

 Will this school accept my credits if I start out at a two-year community or technical college?

 What are the housing options for freshmen? (Where you live affects how much college will cost.)

 Are fraternities and sororities a big part of campus life?

 What’s the security like on campus?

 What’s the surrounding area like? Is it easy to get around?

 How would you describe the academic pressure and workload?

 Do I need to bring my own computer?

 Are there opportunities for internships?

 Is there job placement help for graduates?

 Are there any big changes in the works that I should know about?

CHOOSING A COLLEGE

It is never too early to start looking for the “perfect” college; making a campus visit is probably the most important component of the college search process. It is also probably the LAST component, as you can (and should) do a lot of the initial “leg work” without leaving your home and school.

Consider the factors that will ultimately make your decision- while a college on the beach SOUNDS wonderful, the “real world” issues such as distance from home, size, cost, and field of study will probably be those most important to you. Visiting college websites simplifies and expedites the college comparison process. If you don’t have a home computer, check out access to your school’s computers, or visit your public library. Resources in your school counseling office or college and career center can help you “narrow the field” by determining which meet the criteria you have established. Attend a college fair or the presentations of visiting college admission representatives.

All of this takes time, so start evaluating schools and yourself, early. Many students make the mistake of waiting until their senior year to really start thinking about what they are going to do after high school. For those who plan or hope to attend college, this may be too late, as many schools have specific admission requirements, early deadlines, or other prerequisites that students need to know about in order to be prepared to meet them.

Narrow your focus to three to five schools. Spending time your junior year learning more about yourself, what you want, and what schools meet your needs, should enable you to narrow your search. Once these are identified, it will be time to actually make campus visits, and the summer before your senior year is the perfect time. Save your “college visit day” during your senior year for a SECOND confirming visit to your top-choice school. Remember there are attendance rules regarding a college visit day on a school day, so please check with your attendance clerk ahead of time.

Timing your visit is a very important factor when planning your college visit. The absolute worst time to go is anytime classes are not in session.

Make sure to SCHEDULE your campus visit with the college. Most colleges and universities have an online form on their website to complete for scheduling a campus visit. Other options include contacting the admissions office or the campus visit center prior to your trip.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR COLLEGE VISIT

Call ahead and make arrangements with the campus visit coordinator. Avoid campus visit during holidays or breaks and finals week - visit when classes are in session. Remember there are attendance rules regarding a college visit day taken on a school day, so please check with your attendance clerk ahead of time.

Take a thorough campus tour and ask lots of questions. Then, venture out on your own. If there are any facilities important to you, find them and have a look for yourself.

Eat in the dining hall. At most colleges, visitors can pay to eat in the dining hall. Sometimes the admissions office provides passes. In addition to allowing you to sample the cuisine, it also lets you see whether students feel comfortable enough to linger or study there.

Visit general education type classes while on campus. Colleges may not “offer” this, but they will be happy to arrange the visit if you call in advance. If they offer the very large lecture classes, ask to sit in on one to see how you feel about being one of 300 in a classroom.

If you have a particular area of interest in which you want to pursue your degree, ask to meet with a professor in your field of interest. This will give you a chance to evaluate the quality of education you will be receiving. Don’t just walk in cold, ask your admission’s representative to set this up in advance of your visit. Have questions written – be prepared to discuss the curriculum and your possible course options.

Meet with a financial aid counselor. Make sure you get their name – and send a thank you note. Few candidates do this. In addition to just being good manners, it will leave them with a favorable impression of you. When it comes time to determine money disbursement, this could be critical.

Check out the following while you are visiting: Access to computers, campus security issues, on and off campus medical/health facilities, nearest mall, movie theatre, restaurants, religious institutions and public transportation.

Dress neatly. Do not wear tattered jeans, cut-offs, tank tops or sweatshirts – you will look irresponsible. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. You walk a lot when you visit a college campus.

Scan the school newspaper and check the bulletin boards around campus. The stories will give you a sense of what’s important to students and how the university is responding. The newspaper will also tell you which arts are strong on campus – and what types of entertainment and speakers the school attracts. Bulletin boards show what is really happening on campus on a daily basis. Everything will be there – plays, parties, where to buy used textbooks, etc. They’ll also indicate what the students do on the weekends.

Keep a notebook. Since you will probably visit anywhere from three to ten campuses, it’s easy to forget the good and bad points of each, particularly if it comes down to a choice between two alternatives.

Texas Four-Year Colleges/Universities Median SAT/ACT Scores

SCHOOL S A T A C T Abilene Christian University 1400 - 1750 22 - 27 Angelo State University 1250 1540 18 - 23 Austin College 1580 - 1920 22 - 28 Baylor University 1670 - 1960 25 - 30 Concordia University – Irvine, TX 1340 - 1680 20 - 25 Dallas Baptist University *1030 - 1210 19 - 24 East Texas Baptist University *910 - 1100 18 - 23 Hardin-Simmons University 1350 - 1680 19 - 25 Houston Baptist University 1400 - 1710 21 - 26 Howard Payne University *850 - 1060 18 - 23 Huston-Tillotson College *680 - 900 14 - 18 Lamar University – Beaumont 1260 - 1570 18 - 23 LeTourneau University 1480 - 1880 22 - 29 Lubbock Christian University 1290 - 1660 19 - 25 McMurry University 1160 - 1430 16 - 21 Midwestern State University 1320 - 1600 19 - 24 **Northwood University 1210 - 1520 17 - 22 Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio *840 - 1020 18 - 21 Prairie View A&M University 1130 - 1370 16 - 20 **Rice University 2060 - 2320 31 - 34 St. Edward’s University 1540 - 1820 23 - 27 St. Mary’s University 1370 - 1670 20 - 25 Sam Houston State University *880 - 1090 18 - 23 Southern Methodist University 1820 - 2100 28 - 32 Southwestern University *1040 - 1270 23 - 29 Stephen F. Austin State University 1310 - 1630 19 - 24 Sul Ross State University 1100 - 1370 15 - 20 Tarleton State University 1250 - 1550 18 - 23 Texas A&M University 1560 - 1920 25 - 30 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 1280 - 1580 17 - 23 **Texas A&M University-Galveston 1480 - 1760 22 - 26 Texas A&M University-Kingsville 1220 - 1530 17 - 22 Texas Christian University 1610 - 1920 25 - 30 Texas Lutheran University 1350 - 1640 19 - 23 Texas Tech University 1500 - 1790 23 - 27 Texas Wesleyan University 1350 - 1600 19 - 23 Texas Woman’s University *830 - 1050 17 - 23 Trinity University 1720 - 2030 27 - 32 University of Dallas 1610 - 1990 24 - 30 University of Houston *1050 - 1250 23 - 28 University of the Incarnate Word 1270 - 1570 18 - 23 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 1360 - 1660 20 - 26 University of North Texas 1450 - 1770 20 - 26 University of Texas-Arlington 1350 - 1750 20 - 26 University of Texas-Austin 1730 - 2070 26 - 31 University of Texas-Dallas 1680 - 2020 25 - 31 **University of Texas-El Paso *820 - 1050 17 - 23 University of Texas-San Antonio 1360 - 1690 20 - 25 **West Texas A&M University *860 - 1080 18 - 23 Resource: www.collegeboard.org * Does NOT include Writing ** No update reported 15

COLLEGE COSTS 2016-2017 (Information is based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 credit hours in both fall and spring) PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES Tuition & Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost Fees Supplies Board portation Expense - Resident Angelo State University $8,038 $1,200 $7,666 $1,900 $1,580 $20,384 Lamar University $9,716 $1,000 $7,550 $2,400 $1,800 $22,466 Midwestern State University $8,620 $1,350 $8,012 $1,986 $1,830 $21,798 Prairie View A & M University $9,979 $1,302 $7,355 $1,532 $2,555 $22,723 Sam Houston State University $9,514 $1,372 $8,720 $2,004 $1,862 $23,472 Stephen F. Austin State University $9,538 $1,192 $8,868 $1,600 $1,854 $23,052 Sul Ross State University $7,818 $1,366 $8,802 $2,490 $1,552 $22,028 Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College $5,184 $1,366 $7,695 $1,896 $1,552 $17,693 Tarleton State University $8,286 $1,207 $10,126 $1,135 $1,839 $22,593 Texas A&M International University $8,446 $1,820 $6,910 $1,040 $1,532 $19,748 Texas A&M University $9,707 $1,054 $10,368 $2,282 $3,474 $26,885 Texas A&M University at Galveston $10,752 $1,054 $11,728 $2,070 $3,474 $29,078 Texas A&M University - Central Texas $6,260 $1,080 $9,135 $1,440 $1,800 $19,715 Texas A&M University - Commerce $7,750 $1,400 $8,855 $2,070 $1,868 $21,943 Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi $9,105 $1,260 $9,196 $2,029 $1,807 $23,397 Texas A&M University - Kingsville $8,050 $1,344 $7,466 $2,296 $2,472 $21,628 Texas A&M University -San Antonio $8,070 $1,328 $7,833 $2,548 $2,922 $22,701 Texas A&M University - Texarkana $6,649 $1,400 $9,532 $1,037 $1,000 $19,618 Texas Southern University $9,162 $1,569 $13,713 $2,356 $2,509 $29,309 Texas State University $10,200 $820 $7,260 $2,140 $1,770 $22,190 Texas Tech University $10,622 $1,200 $9,384 $2,300 $2,120 $25,626 Texas Woman’s University $8,790 $1,050 $6,885 $1,269 $2,439 $20,433 The University of Texas at Arlington $9,616 $1,206 $8,410 $2,852 $1,660 $23,744 The University of Texas at Austin $9,810 $662 $10,070 $1,490 $2,820 $24,852 The University of Texas at Brownsville $7,292 $1,194 $6,946 $3,186 $2,036 $20,654 The University of Texas at Dallas $12,162 $1,200 $10,190 $2,140 $2,040 $27,732 The University of Texas at El Paso $7,348 $1,485 $12,116 $2,400 $1,892 $25,241 The University of Texas at San Antonio $9,677 $1,000 $9,558 $2,760 $1,836 $24,831 16

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES (continued) Tuition & Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost Fees Supplies Board portation Expense - Resident The University of Texas at Tyler $7,602 $1,292 $9,970 $2,360 $1,624 $22,848 The University of Texas of the Permian Basin $6,850 $1,000 $10,800 $1,670 $1,960 $22,280 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,448 $1,210 $7,670 $2,126 $2,044 $20,498 University of Houston $11,078 $1,300 $11,067 $2,804 $2,704 $28,953 University of Houston - Clear Lake $7,931 $1,064 $9,704 $3,234 $3,666 $25,599 University of Houston - Downtown $7,181 $1,210 $8,720 $2,906 $4,012 $24,029 University of Houston - Victoria $7,368 $1,200 $7,996 $2,102 $2,076 $20,742 University of North Texas $10,910 $1,000 $7,960 $2,260 $2,116 $24,246 University of North Texas at Dallas $7,848 $1,200 $7,592 $2,470 $2,160 $21,270 West Texas A&M University $7,666 $1,000 $7,196 $2,392 $2,150 $20,404 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AVERAGE $8,669 $1,210 $8,975 $2,102 $2,172 $23,128

PUBLIC STATE COLLEGES Lamar Institute of Technology $5,440 $864 $5,054 $2,524 $2,368 $16,250 Lamar State College - Orange $5,020 $800 $3,522 $3,380 $2,050 $14,772 Lamar State College - Port Arthur $5,698 $1,000 $9,693 $2,592 $1,848 $20,831 PUBLIC STATE COLLEGES AVERAGE $5,386 $888 $6,090 $2,832 $2,089 $17,284

PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED INSTITUTIONS Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center $10,022 $1,500 $9,964 $3,628 $7,120 $32,234 The Univ. of Texas Health Science Center at Houston $9,498 $2,936 $14,607 $1,890 $2,340 $31,271 The Univ. of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio $8,246 $1,060 $16,109 $3,960 $2,196 $31,571 The Univ. of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center $5,165 $750 $14,607 $1,890 $2,340 $24,752 The Univ. of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston $7,132 $0 $10,818 $2,700 $7,425 $28,075 PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED INSTITUTIONS AVERAGE $8,013 $1,249 $13,221 $2,814 $4,284 $29,581

PUBLIC TECHNICAL SCHOOLS Tuition & Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost Fees Supplies Board portation Expense - Resident Texas State Technical College - Harlingen $4,066 $1,536 $7,807 $1,562 $2,515 $17,486 Texas State Technical College - Marshall $4,200 $1,564 $7,295 $1,765 $1,721 $16,545 Texas State Technical College - Waco $4,155 $1,082 $7,510 $1,813 $1,764 $16,324 Texas State Technical College - West Texas $4,290 $1,192 $6,710 $2,116 $684 $14,992 $4,178 $1,344 $7,331 $1,814 $1,671 $16,337 PUBLIC TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AVERAGE

PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES Alamo Community College - NW Vista College $2,108 $2,078 $8,369 $2,367 $3,062 $17,984 Alamo Community College - Palo Alto College $2,108 $2,078 $8,369 $2,367 $3,062 $17,984 Alamo Community College - San Antonio College $2,108 $2,078 $8,369 $2,367 $3,062 $17,984 Alamo Community College - St. Philip's College $2,108 $2,078 $8,369 $2,367 $3,062 $17,984 Alvin Community College $1,874 $1,778 $2,805 $2,549 $1,898 $10,904 Amarillo College $2,512 $1,656 $6,450 $2,410 $1,514 $14,542 Angelina College $2,400 $1,500 $6,700 $2,800 $2,200 $15,600 Austin Community College $2,550 $1,200 $9,468 $1,600 $2,208 $17,026 Blinn College $3,114 $1,620 $10,240 $3,396 $2,584 $20,954 Brazosport College $2,505 $1,500 $3,667 $2,737 $2,865 $13,274 Central Texas College $2,280 $1,980 $5,306 $947 $2,350 $12,863 Cisco College $3,810 $0 $4,438 $1,982 $3,794 $14,024 Clarendon College $3,030 $1,600 $6,297 $1,982 $2,400 $15,309 Coastal Bend College $2,646 $2,000 $6,658 $737 $1,430 $13,471 College of the Mainland Community College district $1,773 $1,700 $5,665 $1,340 $1,132 $11,610 Collin County Community College District $1,310 $1,500 $9,683 $2,666 $1,929 $17,088 Dallas County Community College District $1,770 $2,000 $9,747 $1,530 $1,881 $16,928 Del Mar College $2,914 $1,215 $6,000 $2,500 $1,600 $14,229 El Paso Community College District $3,420 $1,049 $8,273 $2,316 $1,881 $16,939 Frank Phillips College $2,800 $1,050 $6,753 $1,916 $1,393 $13,912 Galveston College $2,050 $910 $5,963 $1,776 $2,108 $12,807 Grayson College $2,454 $1,480 $12,694 $894 $2,463 $19,985 Hill College $2,690 $2,000 $7,924 $3,650 $1,825 $18,089 18

PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES Tuition & Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost (continued) Fees Supplies Board portation Expense - Resident Houston Community College System $1,278 $0 $5,800 $1,800 $2,200 $11,078 Howard College $2,560 $1,219 $6,050 $1,108 $3,569 $14,506 Kilgore College $2,040 $2,495 $6,110 $2,685 $3,105 $16,435 Laredo Community College $4,080 $1,800 $5,514 $2,521 $2,789 $16,704 Lee College $2,062 $1,502 $7,456 $3,072 $2,016 $16,108 Lone Star College System District $1,924 $0 $9,257 $2,296 $1,853 $15,330 McLennan Community College $3,450 $1,260 $7,065 $2,502 $1,890 $16,167 Midland College $2,580 $1,486 $11,333 $1,517 $1,982 $18,898 Navarro College $2,400 $1,584 $6,621 $4,345 $2,562 $17,512 North Central Texas College $2,280 $1,500 $5,758 $2,232 $1,828 $13,598 Northeast Texas Community College $2,682 $1,275 $6,055 $3,456 $2,398 $15,866 Odessa College $2,580 $1,284 $11,673 $1,339 $1,372 $18,248 Panola College $2,280 $1,964 $5,451 $3,437 $3,185 $16,317 Paris Junior College $2,250 $1,500 $7,695 $1,760 $3,087 $16,292 Ranger College $2,590 $0 $6,911 $1,928 $1,432 $12,861 San Jacinto College Central Campus - San Jac College Distr $1,860 $1,550 $7,814 $1,934 $2,597 $15,755 South Plains College $2,918 $1,350 $6,450 $4,309 $2,181 $17,208 South Texas College $3,590 $1,200 $5,686 $1,294 $1,400 $13,170 Southwest Texas Junior College $2,738 $1,839 $6,000 $2,895 $2,625 $16,097 Tarrant County College District $1,770 $1,740 $8,924 $2,496 $2,018 $16,948 Temple College $2,670 $1,280 $8,021 $1,428 $1,172 $14,571 Texarkana College $2,620 $1,521 $6,704 $3,490 $1,370 $15,705 Texas Southmost College $3,900 $950 $6,516 $1,773 $2,259 $15,398 Trinity Valley Community College $2,460 $1,698 $6,461 $2,910 $1,733 $15,262 Tyler Junior College $2,634 $1,800 $7,300 $2,406 $2,167 $16,307 Vernon College $3,150 $1,600 $5,985 $1,957 $1,473 $14,165 Victoria College $2,640 $1,600 $8,236 $2,118 $1,356 $15,950 Weatherford College $2,440 $1,800 $5,832 $2,721 $1,666 $14,459 Western Texas College $2,520 $1,501 $5,916 $2,003 $1,764 $13,704 Wharton County Junior College $3,110 $1,245 $6,080 $2,440 $1,925 $14,800 PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES AVERAGE $2,587 $1,437 $7,099 $2,284 $2,194 $15,551 19

INDEPENDENT JUNIOR/COMMUNITY Tuition & Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost COLLEGES Fees Supplies Board portation Expense - Resident Jacksonville College $7,900 $1,000 $4,768 $1,026 $1,504 $16,198 INDEPENDENT JR./COMM. COLLEGES $7,900 $1,000 $4,768 $1,026 $1,504 $16,198 AVERAGE

INDEPENDENT COLLEGES Abilene Christian University $32,070 $1,250 $9,730 $1,450 $1,830 $46,330 Amberton University $7,500 $1,600 $0 $0 $0 $9,100 Austin College $37,315 $1,250 $3,830 $525 $850 $43,770 Baylor University $42,206 $1,444 $10,576 $1,876 $2,554 $58,656 Concordia University Texas $29,460 $1,274 $7,204 $1,656 $1,484 $41,078 Dallas Baptist College $26,306 $1,260 $10,692 $2,961 $2,007 $43,226 East Texas Baptist University $24,700 $958 $4,968 $914 $1,544 $33,084 Hardin-Simmons University $25,830 $800 $8,138 $1,200 $1,976 $37,944 Houston Baptist University $30,800 $1,000 $8,973 $2,992 $2,542 $46,307 Howard Payne University $26,630 $1,200 $5,600 $1,200 $1,770 $36,400 Huston-Tillotson University $14,346 $1,040 $7,514 $2,650 $2,782 $28,332 Jarvis Christian College $11,720 $1,000 $6,400 $1,800 $1,200 $22,120 LeTourneau University $29,130 $1,550 $10,332 $1,354 $1,782 $44,148 Lubbock Christian University $21,166 $1,100 $7,260 $2,198 $2,460 $34,184 McMurry University $26,275 $1,200 $5,452 $2,027 $3,028 $37,982 Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio $27,140 $1,200 $7,872 $1,450 $1,850 $39,512 Rice University $43,918 $800 $13,750 $600 $2,050 $61,118 Schreiner University $25,750 $100 $9,830 $1,000 $1,000 $37,680 Southern Methodist University $50,358 $800 $8,700 $1,000 $1,676 $62,534 Southwestern Adventist University $20,276 $1,500 $7,306 $1,196 $1,370 $31,648 Southwestern Assemblies of God University $19,480 $1,298 $13,694 $2,022 $2,742 $39,236 Southwestern Christian College $8,208 $1,050 $4,329 $800 $600 $14,574 Southwestern University $39,060 $1,300 $10,920 $900 $950 $53,130 St. Edward's University $40,828 $1,050 $11,122 $910 $1,890 $55,800

INDEPENDENT COLLEGES (continued) Tuition & Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost Fees Supplies Board portation Expense - Resident St. Mary’s University $27,160 $1,300 $4,000 $1,000 $2,000 $35,460 Texas Christian University $40,720 $1,050 $11,800 $1,200 $3,500 $58,270 Texas College $10,008 $2,400 $8,000 $3,000 $1,900 $25,308 Texas Lutheran University $27,900 $950 $8,446 $1,025 $1,100 $39,421 Texas Wesleyan University $24,454 $1,600 $8,600 $1,850 $2,800 $39,304 Trinity University $37,856 $1,000 $9,576 $500 $900 $49,832 University of Dallas $35,800 $1,200 $8,500 $1,800 $1,400 $48,700 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor $26,100 $1,300 $7,300 $1,748 $1,282 $37,730 University of St. Thomas $30,310 $1,094 $10,090 $2,694 $2,068 $46,256 University of the Incarnate Word $27,798 $1,200 $9,700 $1,320 $1,788 $41,806 Wayland Baptist University $16,980 $1,650 $11,000 $1,850 $2,234 $33,714 Wiley College $11,482 $1,400 $6,430 $1,320 $1,428 $22,060 $26,510 $1,146 $8,183 $1,478 $1,779 $39,096 INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AVERAGE

Resource: www.collegeforalltexans.com>college costs

TEN MOST COMMON ERRORS ON THE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

There are several errors that reoccur among applicants using the ApplyTexas Application for Admissions. Some errors are specific to the electronic application, while others occur on both the paper and electronic applications. Below is a list of common errors that students should avoid when applying to colleges and universities.

1. Applicants fail to meet the deadline. Students should apply early! Competition continues to get tougher and open spots in the colleges decrease rapidly. Students should get all application materials submitted as soon as reasonably possible.

2. SAT and/or ACT scores are not sent directly from the testing agency. Often applicants assume that the scores recorded on their high school and/or college transcript are considered official. They are not. Test scores must be reported by the testing agency in order to be considered by reviewers.

3. Unofficial transcripts are mailed with the application. High school and college transcripts must be sent directly from the high school and/or college to be considered official.

4. Official transcripts are not sent until after the deadline. Often, students wait until after the end of their first or second senior semester (for freshman) or the end of their current college semester (for transfers) to request their transcripts are sent to the university to which they are applying. It is best to send their current transcript as soon as possible in order for their application to be considered complete. Their final transcript, which for freshmen includes the final rank, may be sent at a later date.

5. Transcripts are sent without a designated class rank. Because of House Bill 588 (the Top 10% Bill), it is imperative that colleges receive a freshman applicant’s class rank or notice that his/her school does not rank.

6. Freshmen who rank in the top ten percent of their class fail to complete the application and/or send in all required documents. Even if a student ranks in the top ten percent, he or she is still required to fulfill all application requirements in order to be considered for admission. This includes the required essays.

7. Questions on the application are left blank. It is crucial that ALL questions be answered except where optional.

8. Failure to hit “submit” when applicants finish their electronic application. This is an error that both students and admissions staff find frustrating. SUBMIT your application after you have answered ALL of the questions.

9. Students use acronyms when describing extracurricular activities. Admissions staff cannot possibly be familiar with all clubs and organizations, and find the full name of an organization and a brief description helpful when evaluating applications.

10. Students mark the wrong college code on their SAT/ACT tests. It’s a common mistake, but one that takes many applicants by surprise. Remember to double-check the codes of the colleges and/or universities where you request your scores to be sent.

Mistakes are bound to happen. Students should check the status of their applications well before the deadline. The earlier a student discovers that test scores have not been received or that transcripts never arrived, the better the chance of rectifying the situation before it’s too late.

The freshman Apply Texas Application for Admissions was created to help make applying to a Texas institution of higher education easier. You may apply to more than one college or university by completing an electronic application or with copies of the paper application.

Institutions prefer that you apply online at www.applytexas.org. However, you may download the application by going to http://www.collegeforalltexans.com>Helpful Info>Materials for Parents and Students.

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017 - FRESHMAN

Parts of Application to Complete Application Fall Admissions Office Telephone, Fax Web Site Address (www…) I* II** Essays Fee Deadline * Abilene Christian University Phone: 800/460-6228 Office of Admissions, ACU Box 29000, Abilene, TX 79699 Fax: 325/674-2130 acu.edu/admissions/ Yes Yes n/a $50 5/1/2016 Angelo State University Phone: 800/946-8627 angelo.edu/dept/admissions/ Yes n/a $35 8/29/2016 Office of Admissions, ASU Sta. 11014, San Angelo, TX 76909-1014 Fax: 325/942-2078

Austin College Phone: 800/526-4276 A, B or C (all www.austincollege.edu/admission Yes Yes $0 3/1/2016 Office of Admission, 900 N. Grand Ave, Ste 6N, Sherman, TX 75090 Fax: 903/813-3198 optional)

Baylor University Phone: 800/BAYLORU www.baylor.edu/admissions Yes Yes n/a $0 2/1/2016 One Bear Place #97056, Waco, TX 76798-7056 Fax: 254/710-3436

Concordia University Texas Phone: 512/313-3000 www.discover.concordia.edu n/a 11400 Concordia Univ. Dr., Austin, TX 78726 Fax: 512/313-4639 Yes Yes $25 8/1/2016

Dallas Baptist University Phone: 214/333-5360 Undergraduate Adm., 3000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211 Fax: 214/333-5447 www.dbu.edu Yes Yes n/a $25 9/2/2016

Houston Baptist University Phone: 281-649-3211 www.hbu.edu/admissions Yes Yes n/a $0 8/1/2016 7502 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77074-3298 Fax: 281-649-3217 Huston-Tillotson University Phone: 877/505-3026 www.htu.edu/admission Yes Yes A (required) $25 8/24/2016 Office of Enrl. Mgt., 900 Chicon St., Austin, TX 78702 Fax: 512/505-3192

Jarvis Christian College Not yet updated for 2016-17 P.O. Box 1470; Hawkins, Texas 75765 Lamar University Phone: 409/880-8888 Office of Admissions, P. O. Box 10009, Beaumont, TX 77710 Fax: 409/880-7419 www.lamar.edu Yes Yes n/a $25 8/8/2016

LeTourneau University Phone: 800/759-8811 P.O. Box 7001, Longview, TX 75607 Fax: 903/233-4301 www.letu.edu/apply Yes Yes n/a $0 8/15/2016

McMurry University Phone: 325/793-4700 A, B, C, or D, www.admissions.mcm.edu Yes Yes $25 5/21/2016 1 McMurry Station Box 278, Abilene, TX 79697 Fax: 325/793-4701 (all optional)

Midwestern State University Phone: 940/397-4334

Admissions Office, 3410 Taft Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308-2099 800/842-1922 24

Admissions Office Parts of Application to Complete Application Telephone, Fax Web Site Address (www..) Fall Deadline * I* II** Essays Fee Our Lady of the Lake University 411 SW 24th St., San Antonio, TX 78707 Phone: 210/431-3961 or www.ollusa.edu Yes Yes n/a $0 5/1/2016 Fax: 210/431-4036

Prairie View A&M University Phone: 936/261-1000 P. O. Box 519, Mail Stop 1009, Prairie View, TX 77446 Fax: 936/261-1079 www.pvamu.edu Yes Yes n/a $25 6/1/2016

Sam Houston State University Phone: 866/232-7528 Box 2418, Huntsville, TX 77341-2418 936/294-1828 www.shsu.edu/admissions Yes n/a $45 8/1/2016 Fax: 936/294-3758 Schreiner University Phone: 800/343-4919 Office of Admissions & FA, 2100 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville, TX 78028 Fax: 830/792-7226 www.schreiner.edu Yes Yes C (optional) $25 8/1/2016

Southern Methodist University Phone: 214/768-2058 A (required) www.smu.edu/admission Yes Yes $60 1/15/2016 Office of Undergraduate Adm., 6185 Airline Dr., Dallas TX 75205 Fax: 214/768-5048 B (optional)

Southwestern University Phone: 800/252-3166 A (required) 1001 E. University Ave., Office of Admissions, Georgetown, TX 78626 Fax: 512/863-9601 www.southwestern.edu/admission/ Yes Yes $0 2/1/2016 B , C or D (optional) St. Edward’s University A (required) B Waiver: 12/15/15 , C (optional) 3001 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704-6489 Priority: 2/1/2016 Phone: 512/448-8500 www.stedwards.edu Yes Yes $0 Regular: 5/1/2016 St. Mary’s University Phone: 800/367-7868 A (required) B Undergraduate Admissions, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX , C (optional) Fax: 210/431-8020 www.stmarytx.edu/admission/ Yes Yes $0 3/1/2016 78228-8503 Stephen F. Austin State University Phone: 936/468-2504 www.sfasu.edu/admissions/ Yes Yes n/a $45 8/25/2016 Admissions, Box 13051, SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3051 Fax: 936/468-3149

Sul Ross State University Phone: 432/837-8050 SRSU Box C-2, Alpine, TX 79832 Fax: 432/837-8431 www.sulross.edu Yes Yes n/a $25 8/26/2016 Sul Ross State University- Rio Grande College Phone: 830/758-5006 Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College www.sulross.edu Route 3, Box 1200, Eagle Pass, TX 78852 Fax: 830/758-5001 is an upper-level center.

Parts of Application to Complete Application Fall Admissions Office Telephone, Fax Web Site Address (www…) I* II** Essays Fee Deadline *

Tarleton State University Phone: 254/968-9125 Undergraduate Admissions, Box T-0030, Stephenville, TX 76402 800/687-8236 www.tarleton.edu/admissions Yes n/a $45 7/15/2016 Fax: 254/968-9951 Texas A&M Health Science Center Phone: 979/862-3325 www.tamhsc.edu Not accepting applications for Fall 153 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843 Fax: 979/862-3347 Texas A&M International University Phone: 956/326-2200 Office of Admissions, 5201 University Blvd., Laredo, TX 78041-1900 Fax: 956/326-2199 www.tamiu.edu/admissions Yes n/a $0 7/1/2016

Texas A&M University-College Station Phone: 979/845-1060 A , B (required) Admissions Processing, 0200 TAMU, 750 Agronomy Rd. Suite www.admissions.tamu.edu Fax: 979/458-1808 Yes Yes C (optional) $75 12/1/2015 1601,College Station, TX 77843-0200

Texas A&M University-Central Texas Phone: 254/501-5438 www.tamuct.edu/departments/ Texas A&M University-Central Texas accepts transfer/transient/former student Founder's Hall, 1001 Leadership Place, Killeen, TX 76549 Fax: 254/501-5808 admissions/admissions.php applications only -- no freshman applications)

Texas A&M University-Commerce Phone: 903/886-5000 www.tamuc.edu/admissions/oneStop Yes Yes $0 8/20/2016 Shop/undergraduate admissions P. O. Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429-3011 Fax: 903/468-8685

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Phone: 361/825-7024 Recruitment and Admissions, 6300 Ocean Dr., Unit 5774, Corpus Christi, www.tamucc.edu Fax: 361/825-5887 Yes Yes $40 8/19/2016 TX 78412-5774 Texas A&M University at Galveston Phone: 409/740-4414 P. O. Box 1675, Galveston, TX 77553 A, B (required) 877/322-4443 www.tamug.edu Yes Yes $75 6/1/2016 C (optional) Fax: 409/740-4731 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Phone: 361/593-2315 www.tamuk.edu Yes Yes $25 8/1/2016 Office of Admissions, MSC 128, 700 Univ, Blvd., Kingsville, TX 78363 Fax: 361/593-5509 Texas A&M University-San Antonio Phone: 210/784-1000 www.tamusa.tamus.edu Yes Yes $15 3/15/2016 One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224 Fax: 210/784-1492 Texas A&M University-Texarkana Phone: 903/223-3069 www.tamut.edu Yes $30 3/1/2016 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503 Fax: 903/223-3140

Parts of Application to Complete Application Fall Admissions Office Telephone, Fax Web Site Address (www…) I* II** Essays Fee Deadline * Texas Christian University Phone: 817/257-7490 A, B, C, or D, Office of Admissions, TCU Box 297013, 3301 Bellaire Drive North, Ft. www.admissions.tcu.edu Fax: 817/257-5334 Yes Yes $40 2/15/2016 Worth, TX 76129 (all optional) Texas Lutheran University Phone: 800/771-8521 Early Dec.: 11/1/2015 A, B, C, or D Early Actn: 12/15/2015; Office of Admissions, 1000 West Court Street, Seguin, TX 78155 www.tlu.edu/admissions Yes Yes Fax: 830/372-8096 (all optional) $0 Regular: 2/1/2016 Texas Southern University Phone: 713/313-7071 Undergraduate Admissions, 3100 Cleburne St.-TSU Box 1855, Houston, www.tsu.edu n/a Fax: 713/313-7471 Yes Yes $42 7/14/2016 TX 77004-1855 Texas State University-San Marcos Phone: 512/245-2364 A, B, C, Undergraduate Admissions Center, 429 N. Guadalupe, San Marcos, TX www.admissions.txstate.edu Fax: 512/245-9020 Yes Yes $75 3/1/2016 78666-5709 (all optional) Texas Tech University Phone: 806/742-1480 A, B, C, www.admissions.ttu.du Yes Yes $60 8/1/2016 Box 45005, Lubbock, TX 79409-5005 Fax: 806/742-0062 (all optional) Texas Wesleyan University Phone: 817/531-4422 1201 Wesleyan St., Ft. Worth, TX 76105-1536 B and C 800/580-8980 www.txwes.edu Yes Yes $0 8/17/2016 (both optional) Fax: 817/531-7515

Texas Woman's University Phone: 866/809-6130 www.twu.edu Yes Yes n/a $50 8/19/2016 Admissions Processing, P. O. Box 425649, Denton, TX 76204-5649 Fax: 940/898-3079

The University of Texas at Arlington Phone: 817/272-MAVS Office of Admissions, P. O. Box 19114, Arlington, TX 76019-0114 Fax: 817/272-3435 www.uta.edu/admissions/ask Yes Yes n/a $60 6/1/2016

University of Houston-Main Campus Admissions, 4400 University Drive, Houston, TX 77204-2023 Phone: 713/743-1010, 4 www.uh.edu/admissions Yes Yes n/a $50 6/1/2016 University of Houston-Clear Lake Phone: 281/283-2500 www.uhcl.edu/admissions Yes Yes $45 6/1/2016 Box 13, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058-1098 Fax: 281/283-2522

University of Houston-Downtown Phone: 713/221-8522 Admissions, One Main Street, S-350, 350 South, Houston, TX 77002- Fax: 713/223-7468 www.uhd.edu/admissions/ Yes Yes C (optional) $35 6/1/2016 1001

University of Houston-Victoria Phone: 361/570-4110 www.uhv.edu Yes Yes n/a $0 8/18/2016 Admissions, 3007 N. Ben Wilson, Victoria, TX 77901-5731 Fax: 361/580-5500 University of North Texas Phone: 940/565-2681 Admissions, 1155 Union Circle #311277, Denton, TX 76203-5017 Fax: 940/565-2408 www.unt.edu Yes Yes C (optional) $75 3/1/2016

Admissions Office Telephone, Fax Web Site Address Parts of Application to Complete Application Fall (www…) I* II** Essays Fee Deadline *

University of North Texas at Dallas Phone: 972/780-3642 7300 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX 75241-4605 Fax: 972/780-3694 www.untdallas.edu Yes Yes n/a $40 8/10/2016

University of St. Thomas Phone: 713/525-3500 A, B, C, D, Undergraduate Admissions, 3800 Montrose Blvd, Box 4, Houston, TX www.stthom.edu/admissions Fax: 713/525-3558 Yes $0 8/1/2016 77006 (all optional) University of the Incarnate Word Phone: 210/829-6005 4301 Broadway Street, CPO 285, San Antonio, TX 78209 Fax: 210/829-3921 www.uiw.edu/admissions/ Yes Yes n/a $0 8/22/2016

West Texas A&M University Phone: 800/99WTAMU www.wtamu.edu/admissions Yes Yes n/a $40 8/19/2016 Admissions, WT Box 60907, Canyon, TX 79016-0001 Fax: 806/651-5285

* Part I = Biographical, educational, and residency portions of the application * Part II = Extracurricular/volunteer/employment portions of the application

Please Visit www.applytexas.org/universities for additional information

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are the most talked about form of financial aid. Parents and students often hear that scholarships are difficult to get and they also hear that “millions of scholarship dollars go unclaimed each year”. Both statements may be true. However, unclaimed scholarships are most often those which have very specific eligibility criteria. For example, there is one which has the following eligibility criteria: (1) 3.5 GPA, (2) 18 years old, (3) going into a medical field, (4) involved in volunteer activities, (5) relative of a veteran, (6) resident of one of the original 13 states. There is also a scholarship which is based on specific academic achievement and dairy goat experience. So, the message is that all scholarships have eligibility criteria. There is not one single form for scholarships, but applications take many forms and designs. Each senior needs to evaluate his/her academic credentials, talents, and school and community involvement in order to determine which scholarships to apply for.

When looking for scholarships, students/parents need to keep in mind:

1. Colleges award most of the scholarships

2. Private colleges generally award more scholarships than public colleges.

3. You will not be considered for specific college scholarships until you have completed the admission process at that college.

4. Smaller, local scholarships are often easier to obtain than those nation-wide sponsored by large businesses or organizations.

5. Make sure your application is complete; neatly done; uses correct spelling and grammar; meets all deadlines.

6. Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements which will be considered by that scholarship committee or organization. If not, you will be wasting time that could be spent on other more appropriate applications.

Most scholarships fall into one of the following categories: Academic, Athletic, Talent, Minority, and Local.

Academic Scholarships - eligibility criteria is usually based on grade point average, class rank, and test scores. In addition scholarship committees often look for involvement in school, community, and volunteer activities.

Athletic Scholarships – Outstanding athletes are often offered large scholarships but there are a limited number of these scholarships and competition is very tough.

Talent Scholarships (music, drama, art, dance, etc.) – In order to receive this type of scholarship, the student needs to be truly outstanding as there is much competition for scholarships of this type.

Minority Scholarships – Many colleges offer minority scholarships in order to attract qualified minority students to their campuses. Interested students should ask the colleges they are considering for information on their minority scholarships as well as take advantage of announced opportunities from the Guidance Office.

Local Scholarships – Local organizations, clubs, and individuals in our community provide numerous scholarships for seniors. The list of possibilities is usually published in February and applications will be available online on the College and Career Center’s web page. Check on the College and Career Center web page to see the date of this year’s Local Scholarship Package. An Awards Night Program is held in early May to announce recipients

30 FASTEST-GROWING OCCUPATIONS, 2014 and projected 2024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) (www.bls.gov)

Occupation Typical Education Needed for Entry

1. Wind turbine service technicians ...... Some college, no degree 2. Occupational therapy assistants ...... Associate’s degree 3. Physical therapist assistants ...... Associate’s degree 4. Physical therapist aides ...... High school diploma or equivalent 5. Home health aides ...... No formal educational credential 6. Commercial divers ...... Postsecondary non-degree award 7. Nurse practitioners ...... Master’s degree 8. Physical therapists ...... Doctoral or professional degree 9. Statisticians ...... Master’s degree 10. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians...... High school diploma or equivalent 11. Occupational therapy aides...... High school diploma or equivalent 12. Physician assistants ...... Master’s degree 13. Operations research analysts ...... Bachelor’s degree 14. Personal financial advisors ...... Bachelor’s degree 15. Cartographers and photogrammetrists ...... Bachelor’s degree 16. Genetic counselors ...... Master’s degree 17. Interpreters and translators ...... Bachelor’s degree 18. Audiologist ...... Doctoral or professional degree 19. Hearing aid specialist ...... 20. Optometrists ...... Doctoral or professional degree 21. Forensic science technicians...... Bachelor’s degree 22. Web developers ...... Associate’s degree 23. Occupational therapist ...... Master’s degree 24. Diagnostic medical sonographers ...... Associate’s degree 25. Personal care aides ...... No formal educational credential 26. Phlebotomists ...... Postsecondary non-degree award 27. Ophthalmic medical technicians ...... High school diploma or equivalent 28. Nurse midwives ...... Master’s degree 29. Solar photovoltaic installers ...... High school diploma or equivalent 30. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics ...... Postsecondary non-degree award

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Letters of Recommendation are usually required when applying to colleges and/or scholarships. You will want to choose someone who knows you well and has time to write about who you are as a student and an individual. Here are some tips for choosing and planning your letters of recommendation authors:

1. Ask someone who knows you well – You want someone who can speak on your behalf and introduce the true you. You want to use someone who is familiar with your strengths as well as your weaknesses. They should be able to discuss particular instances which show the level of knowledge they have with your work and level of perseverance. This does not have to be the teacher or employer for whom you have enjoyed the most as often some of the most compelling letters come from those who have watched you struggle and can testify to your stamina and endurance. You may be tempted to ask department heads and principals for letters of recommendation. Unless you have worked with these administrators in a class or on a project, a sincere letter from someone you have personally worked with goes a lot further than a lukewarm generic letter of recommendation from a prominent acquaintance.

2. Ask early – Don’t wait until the last minute. Many of the favorite teachers are flooded with requests when school starts and the requests increase as the admissions deadline looms closer. If you don’t want a quickly authored letter, then you need to ask early and give your recommender plenty of time to reflect on your performance and compose a letter that shows your work ethic and achievements. A gentle reminder to your recommender just prior to the deadline is also appropriate if needed.

3. Ask personally – It’s too your advantage to ask face – to – face because this shows how important this letter is to you. Don’t ask through email or voicemail. Make yourself available through email or a prescheduled meeting to answer any questions your recommender may have prior to the agreed upon deadline.

4. Provide all the necessary materials and information – Bring your academic résumé, a statement about your proposed course of study along with goals and plans, addresses, method of completing and submitting the letter of recommendation. State the purpose of the letter of recommendation i.e. is it for admission to a post-secondary institution, a specific program within your chosen institution, or for scholarship consideration.

5. Waive your right to read the letter – Federal law grants you access to your letters of recommendation, but many forms ask if you will waive your rights to this letter. It is highly recommended that you do so and thereby allowing your recommender to be candid about who you are. Studies have shown that these letters carry more weight with admissions committees. If you are worried about the information your recommender may present, then you may not be asking the correct person.

6. Write a thank you note - Don’t forget to pen a personal note of thanks about a week after you have received your recommendation. This goes a long way to show appreciation toward the person who took time out of their busy schedule to write far more about you.

ALVIN HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENT PROFILE PACKET FOR COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIP RECOMMENDATIONS

Student’s Full Name______ID#______

Date of Birth______Email Address______

Phone Number______

Complete Address______

______

All college recommendations are confidential in nature. Therefore, we ask that you sign below BEFORE asking your counselor, teacher, or coach to complete your college scholarship or recommendation letter. A parent/guardian signature is required if you are not yet 18 years of age.

______waive the right to see the recommendation submitted to the college(s) of my choosing.

______Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

Colleges you are applying to: ______

______

Intended major(s) ______

TO THE STUDENT

 This form does not replace any college, university or scholarship specific form(s). It is to provide the recommender with information prior to composing a letter or recommendation.

 Fill out all parts of this page. Be sure that your name, birthday, address, phone number and email address are complete and legible.

 Be specific in the information you use for each year. If you already have an active résumé, make sure you attach it to this form for your recommender to use. If you need help with your academic résumé, please see the next section for resources.

ACADEMIC RÉSUMÉ

An Academic Résumé will help each student highlight the accomplishments that will not show up on his or her high school transcript. A high school transcript reflects the course work in the classroom during school hours for the 180 calendar school days. But how does a college know all the other great things you do for the other 185 days in the year? This answer is in your academic résumé. Creating your academic résumé may seem scary, but really it’s just a matter of compiling all of your activities from your high school years in a logical format that will highlight your achievements.

You may not be able to use all of the following sections, but include the sections that apply:

 Heading – your name, address, phone number and email address  Academic profile – your school name, GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores  Academic honors and awards  Work experience (if you have any)  Volunteer activities  Specialized coursework  Specialized skills (languages, programming, etc.)  Summer programs (internships, Girls/Boys State, college programs, athletic camps, etc.)  Unique hobbies and travel experiences

Ten Don’t Dos for your Academic Résumé

1. “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” and other similar “awards” are not considered by colleges to be legitimate. 2. “Th” at the end of a grade is not necessary. Use 9, 10, 11, and 12 to designate grade level. 3. Do not restate your transcript. Unless the course is specific to your intended major or program and you feel it needs special attention by the admissions department, let your transcript do stand on its own. 4. Middle school does not need to be included. Colleges are interested in your accomplishments during high school. The only exception to this rule would be activities of long-standing involvement such as martial arts, girl/boy scouts, etc. that you have consistently participated in over a long period of time. 5. Do not include school contact information, mission statement, or other information about your high school. The résumé is about you. 6. Do not use abbreviations. Assume that your reader will NOT know what your acronyms stand for and spell them out. 7. Do not write a novel, but keep the information brief and concise. Expanding on this information is best saved for your essays. 8. Do not use multiple fonts and styles. Stay consistent in style and font to make it easier to read and makes it look cohesive and professional rather than a cut and paste, slapped-together document. 9. Do not lose your focus by jumping around from date to date and back again. Organize your information in sections and dates to show continual involvement and growth. 10. Do not plan to submit your first draft. Edit, revise, rewrite and seek advice from teachers about your proposed résumé.

Sample Résumés can be found by googling High School Academic Résumés or you can look at these examples: http://www.marquette.edu/explore/documents/extra-sample.pdf http://www.internationalstudent.com/resume_writing/sample-college-admissions-resume-for-student/ http://diversity.utexas.edu/schoolpartnerships/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Expanded-Resume.pdf 33

SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING (You may use additional paper or attach printout)

1. What are you looking forward to at college? How will the college or university meet your needs? (This could be an academic program, extra-curricular outlet or any other reason that helped you select the college). ______

2. What’s your passion? What intrigues you? ______

3. Which of your accomplishments or talents do you consider exceptional? ______4. In what areas are you a leader inside or outside of the classroom? ______

10.