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...... 2017 - 2018 ACT and SAT Test Dates 11...... AP Exam Dates – 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 2017-2018 22...... Ten Most Common Errors on the Application for Admission 23...... ApplyTexas: Freshman General Application Information and Deadlines 28...... Scholarships 29...... 30 Fastest Growing Occupations 30...... Letters of Recommendation 31...... Student Profile Packet for College and Scholarship Recommendations 32...... Academic Resume 33...... Sample Essay Questions 34...... 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 Kim Eixman, Asst. Principal Karen Taylor, Asst. Principal C-F Tonya Patterson, Associate Principal Cavin Davis, Asst. Principal G-K Ashley Marquez, Asst. Principal L-O Robert Ford, Asst. Principal, P-S

Heather Heil, Asst. Principal, T-B

LEAD COUNSELOR ALPHA GROUP

Carlene Leal Lead Counselor 281/245-2693 [email protected]

COUNSELORS

Dani Gilcrease W - B all grade levels 281/245-3627 [email protected]

Karen Daly C - F all grade levels 281/245-2733 [email protected]

Donna Ruby G - J all grade levels 281/245-2713 [email protected]

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

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

Ronald Fitzwater S - V 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

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 4:00 pm 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

Steps to Enroll in Dual Credit Program for NEW Dual Credit Students www.alvincollege.edu/dualcredit

Dual Credit enrollment steps to be completed before course selection. Congratulations on getting a jump start on your college education!

_____ 1. Apply to ACC online at www.alvincollege.edu. Click Apply Now! TIPS: - Select Get Started if you have never used Apply Texas before. - Complete My Profile information and save profile. - Immediately verify profile through email that was sent to your email address. - Login and under My Application select “Start a New Blank Application” - Then select “create a new 2 year college admission application.” - Select Alvin Community College in both Target College drop down menus. - Select YES you are completing application for Dual Credit while still in high school. - Select Fall semester. - Select ASSOCIATE OF ARTS-GENERAL STUDIES (DUAL CREDIT HS) as your major. - You will fill out five areas of info, verify them and submit. (When it asks how long have your parents lived in Texas, you are getting close!) - When complete the status of the ACC application will read submitted under My Applications.

_____ 2. Take TSI Exam (Texas Success Initiative Assessment) or provide proof of exemption. $39.00 for entire exam or $15 per section if taken at ACC. If it is your first time testing, you must take the entire exam. See reverse side for exemption and testing information. If you require accommodations, contact the ACC Office of Disability Services office before registering for the TSI exam at 281.756.3533 or [email protected]. Check your high school’s website or contact them directly for their TSI dates and times.

**After you have met testing requirements, you can select Dual Credit course(s) during high school course selection.**

_____ 3. Complete Early Admissions Contract (EAC) and submit directly to your ACC Dual Credit Advisor. You can download the contract at www.alvincollege.edu/dualcredit and under Enrollment Information. Parent/ guardian signature is required.

_____ 4. Register for Dual Credit Orientation at www.alvincollege.edu/dualcredit.

Stay Informed: Text @dc20172018 to 81010 to receive texts about important dates and information.

Students taking classes at ACC campus will need to provide proof of Bacterial Meningitis vaccine. Not required for classes at high school campus. Contact your ACC Dual Credit Advisor for assistance:

PEARLAND HS / DAWSON HS ALVIN HS / DANBURY HS SHADOW CREEK HS TURNER CCHS MANVEL HS Christina Maartens Kennon Henry Dedrick Smith Gwendolyn Burgess Monica Silvas 281.412.1664 PHS 281.245.2726 281.245.3820 281.727.1611 281.245.2928 281.412.8898 DHS [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Alvin Community College is an Equal Opportunity Institution. If you have a disability, have questions about accessibility, need assistance or require special accommodations contact the Office of Disability Services at 281-756-3533 or [email protected]. Accommodations for Dual Credit classes will only be provided once the student has registered with the ACC Office of Disability Services. 17-18

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. Go to: www.alvinisd.net  Click on Departments  Click on College and Career Center  Click on College Planning o Click on Scholarship Central

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 2018 and spring 2019 (current high school seniors) UT applicants must rank in the top 7% of their class to be automatically admitted. Summer/fall 2019 and spring 2020 (current high school juniors) UT applicants must rank in the top 6% 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 - $60.00 ACT - $62.50

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  Essay (Optional)  Science Reasoning

 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

Calculator Some math questions don't allow you to use You can use a calculator on all math questions. Policy a 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 2017-2018 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: $62.50 on line registration www.actstudent.org/start

ACT EXAM Test Date Regular Registration Late Registration * Testing Deadline Deadline (+$29.50) Location September 9, 2017 August 4, 2017 August 18, 2017 MHS October 28, 2017 September 22, 2017 October 6, 2017 December 9, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 17, 2017 February 10, 2018 January 12, 2018 January 19, 2018 MHS April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 March 23, 2018 June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018 May 18, 2018 MHS July 14, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 22, 2018

SAT COST: $60.00 on-line registration www.collegeboard.org/register

SAT EXAM Test Date Regular Registration Late Registration * Testing Deadline Deadline (+$28.00) Location August 26, 2017 July 28, 2017 August 15, 2017 AHS/MHS October 7, 2017 September 8, 2017 September 27, 2017 AHS November 4, 2017 October 5, 2017 October 25, 2017 AHS/MHS December 2, 2017 November 2, 2017 November 21, 2017 AHS/MHS March 10, 2018 February 09, 2018 February 28, 2018 MHS May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 25, 2018 AHS June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 May 23, 2018 MHS * Exam is administered at this location

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

2018 AP EXAM SCHEDULE (www.collegeboard.org)

WEEK 1

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

Monday Chemistry Psychology May 7 Spanish Literature and Culture

Tuesday Seminar Art History May 8 Spanish Language and Culture Physics 1: Algebra-based

Wednesday English Literature and Japanese Language and Culture May 9 Composition Physics 2: Algebra-Based

Thursday United States Government and Politics Chinese Language and Culture May 10 Environmental Science

Friday German Language and Culture Computer Science Principles May 11 United States History WEEK 2

Monday Biology Physics C: Mechanics May 14 Music Theory 2pm: Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

Tuesday Calculus AB French Language and Culture May 15 Calculus BC Computer Science A

Wednesday English Language and Composition Italian Language and Culture May 16 Macroeconomics

Thursday Comparative Gov’t & Politics Statistics May 17 World History

Friday Human Geography European History May 18 Microeconomics Latin

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 SAT/ACT Scores-Middle 50% of First-Year Students

SCHOOL New SAT ACT Composite Abilene Christian University 1010 - 1230 21 - 27 Angelo State University *470 - 560 18 - 23 Austin College 1150 - 1390 23 - 29 Baylor University 1190 - 1380 26 - 30 Concordia University, Irvine 1000 - 1230 20 - 26 Dallas Baptist University *540 - 610 19 - 25 East Texas Baptist University *480 - 560 18 - 22 Hardin-Simmons University 1010 - 1210 19 - 24 Houston Baptist University *510 - 590 21 - 26 Howard Payne University *460 - 540 18 - 22 Huston-Tillotson College ** - - Lamar University – Beaumont 930 - 1120 18 - 23 LeTourneau University 1100 - 1330 22 - 28 Lubbock Christian University 950 - 1230 19 - 25 McMurry University, Abilene 900 - 1100 18 - 22 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls 950 - 1150 18 - 23 Northwood University, Ceadar Hill ** - - Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio *460 - 540 18 - 22 Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View 830 - 1010 15 - 19 Rice University, Houston 1470 - 1580 32 - 35 St. Edward’s University, Austin 1090 - 1260 22 - 27 St. Mary’s University, San Antonio 1020 - 1200 19 - 25 Sam Houston State University, Huntsville ** - - Southern Methodist University, Dallas 1290 - 1470 28 - 32 Southwestern University, Georgetown *550 - 650 23 - 28 Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches 950 - 1160 19 - 24 Sul Ross State University, Alpine ** - - Tarleton State University, Stephenville 930 - 1130 18 - 23 Texas A&M University, College Station 1130 - 1380 24 - 30 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 930 - 1140 17 - 23 Texas A&M University-Galveston ** - - Texas A&M University-Kingsville 920 - 1130 17 - 23 Texas Christian University, Fort Worth 1150 - 1360 25 - 30 Texas Lutheran University, Seguin 960 - 1150 18 - 23 Texas Tech University, Lubbock 1090 - 1260 22 - 27 Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth 1000 - 1140 19 - 23 Texas Woman’s University, Denton *450 - 560 17 - 23 Trinity University 1230 - 1430 27 - 31 University of Dallas 1120 - 1340 23 - 30 University of Houston *560 - 660 23 - 28 University of the Incarnate Word 930 - 1120 17 - 22 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 1000 - 1180 21 - 26 University of North Texas, Denton 1050 - 1260 20 - 26 University of Texas-Arlington ** - - University of Texas-Austin 1210 - 1480 26 - 32 University of Texas-Dallas *610 - 740 25 - 31 University of Texas-El Paso *470 - 560 - - - University of Texas-San Antonio 1000 - 1190 20 - 25 West Texas A&M University *470 - 560 18 - 24 Resource: www.collegeboard.org (college profile search) * New SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing Not Included ** The College did not report these requirements or does not have specific requirement 15

COLLEGE COSTS 2017-2018 (Information is based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 credit hours in both fall and spring)

Tuition Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost - PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES & Fees Supplies Board portation Expense Resident

Angelo State University $8,216 $1,200 $7,702 $1,900 $1,580 $20,598 Lamar University $10,092 $1,012 $7,632 $2,424 $1,812 $22,972 Midwestern State University $8,694 $1,050 $8,534 $2,026 $1,868 $22,172 Prairie View A & M University $9,979 $1,302 $7,355 $1,532 $2,555 $22,723 Sam Houston State University $9,890 $1,372 $11,664 $2,004 $1,862 $26,792 Stephen F. Austin State University $9,538 $1,204 $8,868 $1,616 $1,873 $23,099 Sul Ross State University $8,072 $1,366 $8,802 $2,490 $1,552 $22,282 Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College $5,365 $1,366 $7,695 $1,896 $1,552 $17,874 Tarleton State University $8,417 $1,207 $10,598 $1,146 $1,857 $23,225 Texas A&M International University $8,320 $1,200 $7,298 $1,050 $1,546 $19,414 Texas A&M University $9,882 $1,054 $10,368 $2,282 $3,474 $27,060 Texas A&M University at Galveston $10,540 $1,054 $13,168 $2,946 $2,596 $30,304 Texas A&M University - Central Texas $6,386 $1,200 $9,135 $1,440 $1,800 $19,961 Texas A&M University - Commerce $8,434 $1,400 $8,855 $2,070 $1,868 $22,627 Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi $8,566 $1,180 $9,666 $2,049 $1,825 $23,286 Texas A&M University - Kingsville $8,462 $1,344 $10,350 $2,319 $2,497 $24,972 Texas A&M University -San Antonio $8,216 $1,342 $7,912 $2,574 $2,952 $22,996 Texas A&M University - Texarkana $7,347 $1,400 $9,854 $1,037 $1,000 $20,638 Texas Southern University $9,172 $1,569 $13,713 $2,356 $2,506 $29,316 Texas State University $10,620 $770 $8,420 $1,880 $1,570 $23,260 Texas Tech University $10,772 $1,200 $9,384 $2,300 $2,120 $25,776 Texas Woman’s University $9,360 $1,050 $6,993 $1,269 $2,439 $21,111 The University of Texas at Arlington $9,952 $1,206 $8,924 $2,894 $1,684 $24,660 The University of Texas at Austin $10,092 $662 $10,070 $1,490 $2,820 $25,134 The University of Texas at Dallas $12,162 $1,200 $10,748 $2,140 $2,040 $28,290 The University of Texas at El Paso $7,651 $1,862 $12,192 $2,264 $1,968 $25,937 The University of Texas at San Antonio $10,013 $1,500 $9,558 $2,760 $1,836 $25,667 The University of Texas at Tyler $7,822 $1,292 $7,486 $2,360 $2,160 $21,120

COLLEGE COSTS 2017-2018 (Information is based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 credit hours in both fall and spring)

Tuition Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost - PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES (continued) & Fees Supplies Board portation Expense Resident

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin $7,124 $1,000 $10,800 $1,670 $1,960 $22,554 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,587 $1,210 $7,943 $2,149 $2,091 $20,980 University of Houston $11,078 $1,300 $11,066 $2,804 $2,704 $28,952 University of Houston - Clear Lake $8,188 $1,064 $9,732 $2,760 $3,644 $25,388 University of Houston - Downtown $7,451 $1,210 $8,806 $2,936 $4,052 $24,455 University of Houston - Victoria $7,627 $1,200 $7,996 $2,102 $2,076 $21,001 University of North Texas $11,296 $1,000 $8,200 $2,260 $2,158 $24,914 University of North Texas at Dallas $7,848 $1,500 $7,668 $2,494 $2,182 $21,692 West Texas A&M University $8,128 $1,000 $7,196 $2,392 $2,150 $20,866 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AVERAGE $8,875 $1,218 $9,253 $2,110 $2,168 $23,623

PUBLIC STATE COLLEGES Lamar Institute of Technology $5,634 $872 $5,104 $2,550 $2,342 $16,502 Lamar State College - Orange $5,230 $800 $3,522 $3,380 $2,050 $14,982 Lamar State College - Port Arthur $5,698 $1,000 $9,694 $2,592 $1,848 $20,832 PUBLIC STATE COLLEGES AVERAGE $5,521 $891 $6,107 $2,841 $2,080 $17,439

PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED INSTITUTIONS Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center $8,752 $1,500 $10,800 $4,050 $7,146 $32,248 The Univ. of Texas Health Science Center at Houston $9,791 $1,624 $14,760 $1,908 $2,358 $30,441 The Univ. of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio $8,454 $1,060 $16,285 $3,960 $2,196 $31,955 The Univ. of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center $5,274 $750 $14,760 $1,908 $2,358 $25,050 The Univ. of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston $7,132 $0 $10,818 $2,700 $7,425 $28,075 PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED INSTITUTIONS AVERAGE $7,881 $987 $13,485 $2,905 $4,297 $29,554

PUBLIC TECHNICAL SCHOOLS (not updated) Texas State Technical College - Waco $5,208 $1,137 $6,812 $1,689 $1,744 $16,590 PUBLIC TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AVERAGE $5,208 $1,137 $6,812 $1,689 $1,744 $16,590 17

COLLEGE COSTS 2017-2018 (Information is based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 credit hours in both fall and spring)

Tuition Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost - PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES & Fees Supplies Board portation Expense Resident

Alamo Community College - NE Lakeview College $2,760 $1,190 $8,452 $2,040 $1,950 $16,392 Alamo Community College - NW Vista College $2,760 $1,190 $8,452 $2,040 $1,950 $16,392 Alamo Community College - Palo Alto College $2,760 $1,190 $8,452 $2,040 $1,950 $16,392 Alamo Community College - San Antonio College $2,760 $1,190 $8,452 $2,040 $1,950 $16,392 Alamo Community College - St. Philip's College $2,760 $1,190 $8,452 $2,040 $1,950 $16,392 Alvin Community College $1,940 $1,795 $2,810 $2,549 $1,916 $11,010 Amarillo College $2,670 $1,672 $6,514 $2,434 $1,529 $14,819 Angelina College $2,610 $1,515 $6,750 $2,700 $2,220 $15,795 Austin Community College $2,550 $1,200 $9,472 $1,600 $2,208 $17,030 Blinn College $3,448 $1,636 $10,342 $3,430 $2,610 $21,466 Brazosport College $2,715 $1,500 $3,667 $2,737 $2,865 $13,484 Central Texas College $2,400 $1,500 $5,329 $947 $2,350 $12,526 Cisco College $3,810 $0 $4,482 $2,002 $3,832 $14,126 Clarendon College $3,030 $1,600 $6,297 $1,982 $2,400 $15,309 Coastal Bend College $2,646 $2,000 $6,669 $738 $1,432 $13,485 College of the Mainland Community College District $1,773 $2,000 $5,665 $1,340 $1,132 $11,910 Collin County Community College District $1,370 $1,500 $9,780 $2,693 $1,948 $17,291 Dallas County Community College District $1,770 $2,000 $9,945 $1,530 $1,926 $17,171 Del Mar College $3,064 $1,260 $8,055 $2,500 $1,800 $16,679 El Paso Community College District $3,420 $1,060 $8,356 $2,339 $1,900 $17,075 Frank Phillips College $3,052 $1,050 $6,753 $1,916 $1,400 $14,171 Galveston College $2,050 $910 $5,963 $1,776 $2,108 $12,807 Grayson College $2,578 $1,480 $11,200 $1,037 $2,857 $19,152 Hill College $2,690 $2,000 $7,924 $3,650 $1,825 $18,089 Houston Community College System $2,031 $2,250 $7,810 $1,760 $2,410 $16,261 Howard College $2,560 $1,231 $6,111 $1,119 $3,605 $14,626 Kilgore College $2,190 $0 $6,171 $2,711 $3,136 $14,208 Laredo Community College $4,080 $1,800 $5,569 $2,546 $2,817 $16,812 Lee College $2,194 $1,502 $7,456 $3,072 $2,016 $16,240 18

COLLEGE COSTS 2017-2018 (Information is based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 credit hours in both fall and spring)

Tuition Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost - PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES (continued) & Fees Supplies Board portation Expense Resident

Lone Star College System District $1,926 $2,000 $12,451 $2,284 $1,200 $19,861 Midland College $2,670 $1,561 $11,050 $1,527 $2,005 $18,813 Navarro College $2,400 $1,600 $6,688 $4,389 $2,588 $17,665 North Central Texas College $2,550 $2,100 $5,816 $1,692 $1,846 $14,004 Northeast Texas Community College $2,729 $1,288 $6,116 $3,491 $2,422 $16,046 Odessa College $2,580 $1,359 $11,748 $1,359 $1,393 $18,439 Panola College $2,340 $1,984 $5,505 $3,216 $3,471 $16,516 Paris Junior College $2,400 $1,500 $7,695 $1,760 $3,087 $16,442 Ranger College $3,065 $1,600 $6,980 $1,945 $1,445 $15,035 San Jacinto College Central Campus - San Jac College Distr $1,860 $1,566 $7,892 $1,953 $2,623 $15,894 South Plains College $2,918 $1,488 $6,363 $4,309 $2,203 $17,281 South Texas College $3,740 $1,200 $5,828 $1,326 $1,400 $13,494 Southwest Texas Junior College $2,738 $1,839 $6,000 $2,895 $2,625 $16,097 Tarrant County College District $1,770 $1,752 $9,014 $2,521 $2,038 $17,095 Temple College $2,910 $1,293 $8,102 $1,442 $1,184 $14,931 Texarkana College $2,620 $1,176 $6,717 $3,424 $1,468 $15,405 Texas Southmost College $3,900 $1,400 $6,894 $1,764 $2,268 $16,226 Trinity Valley Community College $2,460 $1,715 $6,530 $2,940 $1,750 $15,395 Tyler Junior College $2,784 $1,800 $7,374 $2,430 $2,188 $16,576 Vernon College $3,300 $1,600 $6,045 $1,977 $1,488 $14,410 Victoria College $2,640 $1,600 $8,236 $2,118 $1,356 $15,950 Weatherford College $2,440 $1,200 $5,832 $2,721 $1,666 $13,859 Western Texas College $2,700 $1,516 $5,975 $2,023 $1,782 $13,996 Wharton County Junior College $3,110 $1,300 $6,080 $2,450 $1,950 $14,890 PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES AVERAGE $2,675 $1,465 $7,322 $2,255 $2,099 $15,816

INDEPENDENT JUNIOR/COMMUNITY COLLEGES Jacksonville College $8,000 $1,000 $4,768 $1,026 $1,504 $16,298 INDEPENDENT JR./COMM. COLLEGES AVERAGE $8,000 $1,000 $4,768 $1,026 $1,504 $16,298 19

COLLEGE COSTS 2017-2018 (Information is based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 credit hours in both fall and spring)

Tuition Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost - INDEPENDENT COLLEGES & Fees Supplies Board portation Expense Resident

Abilene Christian University $33,380 $1,250 $10,378 $1,450 $1,822 $48,280 Amberton University $7,990 $0 $0 $0 $0 $7,990 Austin College $38,800 $1,250 $4,195 $525 $850 $45,620 Baylor University $44,040 $1,200 $11,448 $1,840 $1,846 $60,374 Concordia University Texas $30,600 $1,274 $7,204 $1,656 $1,484 $42,218 Dallas Baptist College $27,606 $1,290 $10,899 $2,988 $2,025 $44,808 East Texas Baptist University $25,470 $800 $5,018 $914 $1,544 $33,746 Hardin-Simmons University $27,440 $800 $8,420 $1,200 $1,976 $39,836 Houston Baptist University $31,730 $1,000 $9,329 $2,992 $2,639 $47,690 Howard Payne University $27,690 $1,200 $5,656 $1,200 $1,770 $37,516 Huston-Tillotson University $14,426 $1,000 $7,650 $1,000 $500 $24,576 Jarvis Christian College $11,720 $1,000 $6,400 $1,800 $1,200 $22,120 LeTourneau University $29,970 $1,564 $10,436 $1,368 $1,798 $45,136 Lubbock Christian University $21,794 $1,250 $7,478 $2,264 $2,534 $35,320 McMurry University $26,712 $1,200 $5,452 $2,027 $3,028 $38,419 Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio $28,241 $1,200 $10,322 $1,450 $1,850 $43,063 Rice University $45,608 $1,200 $13,850 $700 $2,500 $63,858 Schreiner University $26,750 $0 $9,830 $1,000 $1,000 $38,580 Southern Methodist University $52,498 $800 $8,700 $1,000 $1,676 $64,674 Southwestern Adventist University $20,732 $1,550 $7,306 $1,162 $1,400 $32,150 Southwestern Assemblies of God University $19,994 $1,310 $13,830 $2,042 $2,768 $39,944 Southwestern Christian College $8,208 $1,050 $4,329 $800 $600 $14,987 Southwestern University $40,560 $1,300 $11,210 $930 $980 $54,980 St. Edward's University $43,050 $900 $11,900 $960 $1,890 $58,700 St. Mary’s University $29,300 $1,300 $4,000 $1,000 $2,000 $37,600 Texas Christian University $44,760 $970 $12,360 $1,280 $3,600 $62,970 Texas College $10,008 $2,400 $7,600 $3,000 $1,800 $24,808 Texas Lutheran University $29,960 $1,000 $8,870 $1,100 $1,000 $41,930

COLLEGE COSTS 2017-2018 (Information is based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 credit hours in both fall and spring)

Tuition Books & Room & Trans- Personal Total Cost - INDEPENDENT COLLEGES (continued) & Fees Supplies Board portation Expense Resident

Texas Wesleyan University $27,800 $1,800 $9,166 $1,850 $2,684 $43,300 Trinity University $41,344 $1,000 $10,160 $500 $900 $53,904 University of Dallas $38,716 $1,000 $8,500 $1,800 $1,400 $51,416 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor $27,600 $1,300 $7,894 $1,748 $1,282 $39,824 University of St. Thomas $32,660 $1,094 $10,090 $2,694 $2,068 $48,606 University of the Incarnate Word $29,990 $1,400 $11,830 $1,626 $1,858 $46,704 Wayland Baptist University $19,430 $1,000 $11,000 $2,000 $2,256 $35,686 Wiley College $12,064 $1,400 $6,490 $1,400 $1,566 $22,920 INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AVERAGE $28,573 $1,140 $8,589 $1,480 $1,725 $41,507

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.

2018-2019 General Application Information for Freshmen

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

Abilene Christian University Phone: 800/460-6228 www.acu.edu/undergraduate/admissions.html Yes Yes $50 5/1/2018 ACU Box 29000, Abilene, TX 79699 Fax: 325/674-2130

Angelo State University Phone: 800/946-8627 www.angelo.edu Yes $35 8/27/2018 ASU Station 11014, San Angelo, TX 76909 Fax: 325/942-2078

Austin College Phone: 800/526-4276 www.austincollege.edu Yes Yes A, B or C (required) $0 3/1/2018 900 N. Grand Ave, Ste 6N, Sherman, TX 75090 Fax: 903/813-3198

Baylor University Phone: 254/710-3584 www.baylor.edu/admissions Yes Yes $0 2/1/2018 One Bear Place #97056, Waco, TX 76798-7056 Fax: 254/710-3870

Concordia University Texas Phone: 512/313-4361 www.concordia.edu/admissions Yes Yes $25 9/8/2018 11400 Concordia Univ. Dr., Austin, TX 78726 Fax: 512/313-4639

Dallas Baptist University Phone: 214/333-5360 www.dbu.edu Yes Yes $25 9/1/2018 3000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211 Fax: 214/333-5447

Phone: 325/670-1000 Hardin-Simmons Univeristy www.hsutx.edu/admission/ $50 8/15/2018 2200 Hickory, Abiline, TX 79698 Fax: 325/671-2115

Houston Baptist University Phone: 281-649-3211 www.hbu.edu Yes Yes $0 8/1/2018 Office of Admissions, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX 77074 Fax: 281-649-3217

Huston-Tillotson University Phone: 512/505-3028 www.htu.edu Yes Yes A (required) $25 8/24/2018 900 Chicon St., Austin, TX 78702 Fax: 512/505-3192

Lamar University Phone: 409/880-8888 www.lamar.edu Yes Yes $25 8/13/2018 P. O. Box 10009, Beaumont, TX 77710 Fax: 409/880-7419

LeTourneau University Phone: 800/759-8811 www.letu.edu Yes Yes $0 8/15/2018 P.O. Box 7001, Longview, TX 75607 Fax: 903/233-4301

McMurry University Phone: 325/793-4700 www.mcm.edu Yes Yes A, B, C, or D1 - (optional) $25 8/9/2018 1 McMurry Station Box 278, Abilene, TX 79697 Fax: 325/793-4701

Phone: 940/397-4334 or Midwestern State University 800/842-1922 www.mwsu.edu Yes Yes $25 8/1/2018 3410 Taft Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308-2099 Fax: 940/397-4672

Phone: 210 431-3961 or Our Lady of the Lake University 800 436-6558 www.ollusa.edu Yes Yes $0 8/20/2018 411 SW 24th St., San Antonio, TX 78707 Fax: 210 431-4036

Prairie View A&M University Phone: 936/261-1000 www.pvamu.edu Yes Yes $40 6/8/2018 P. O. Box 519, Mail Stop 1009, Prairie View, TX 77446 Fax: 936/261-1079

Phone: 866/232-7528 or Sam Houston State University 936/294-1828 www.shsu.edu Yes $45 8/1/2018 Box 2418, Huntsville, TX 77341-2418 Fax: 936/294-3758

Schreiner University Phone: 800/343-4919 www.schreiner.edu Yes Yes B (optional) $25 8/1/2018 2100 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville, TX 78028 Fax: 830/792-7226

Southern Methodist University Phone: 214/768-2058 A (required) www.smu.edu Yes Yes $60 1/15/2018 P.O. Box 750181, Dallas, TX 75275 Fax: 214/768-5048 B (optional)

* Please visit www.applytexas.org/universities for additional information. 24

2018-2019 General Application Information for Freshmen

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

Southwestern University Phone: 800/255-3166 A (required) www.southwestern.edu Yes Yes $0 2/1/2018 1001 E. University Ave., Georgetown, TX 78626 Fax: 512/863-9601 B, C, D (optional)

St. Edward’s University Phone: 512/448-8500 www.stedwards.edu Yes Yes A (required) B , C (optional) $0 8/15/2018 3001 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

St. Mary’s University Phone: 800/367-7868 www.stmarytx.edu Yes Yes A, B, and C (optional) $0 3/1/2018 One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228-8503 Fax: 210/431-8020

Stephen F. Austin State University Phone: 936/468-2504 www.sfasu.edu Yes Yes $45 8/24/2018 Box 13051, Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3051 Fax: 936/468-3149

Sul Ross State University Phone: 432/837-8050 www.sulross.edu Yes Yes $25 8/26/2018 Box C-2, Alpine, TX 79832 Fax: 432/837-8431

Sul Ross State University- Rio Grande College Phone: 830/758-5006 www.sulross.edu Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College is an upper-level center. Route 3, Box 1200, Eagle Pass, TX 78852 Fax: 830/758-5001

Phone: 254/968-9125 or Tarleton State University 800/687-8236 www.tarleton.edu Yes $45 6/1/2018 P. O. Box T0030, Stephenville, TX 76402 Fax: 254/968-9951

Texas A&M Health Science Center Phone: 979/862-3325 www.tamhsc.edu Applications are processed through Texas A&M University, College Station 153 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843 Fax: 979/862-3347

Texas A&M International University Phone: 956/326-2200 www.tamiu.edu/admissions Yes $0 9/1/2018 5201 University Blvd., Laredo, TX 78041-1900 Fax: 956/326-2199

Texas A&M University-College Station Phone: 979/845-1060 A , B (required) https://admissions.tamu.edu/ Yes Yes $75 12/1/2017 P. O. Box 30014, College Station, TX 77842-3014 Fax: 979/458-1808 C (optional)

Texas A&M University-Central Texas Phone: 254/519-5727 Texas A&M University-Central Texas is an upper-level center and accepts www.tamuct.edu/admissions.html 1901 South Clear Creek Road, Killeen, TX 76549 Fax: 254/519-5486 transfer/transient/former students only.

Texas A&M University-Commerce Phone: 903/886-5000 www.tamuc.edu Yes Yes $0 8/17/2018 P. O. Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429-3011 Fax: 903/468-8685

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Phone: 361/825-7024 www.tamucc.edu Yes Yes $40 8/20/2018 6300 Ocean Dr., Unit 5774, Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5774 Fax: 361/825-5887

Phone: 409/740-4428 or Texas A&M University at Galveston 877/322-4443 www.tamug.edu Yes Yes A , B (required) C (optional) $75 2/1/2018 P. O. Box 1675, Galveston, TX 77553 Fax: 409/740-4731

Texas A&M University-Kingsville Phone: 361/593-2315 www.tamuk.edu Yes Yes $25 8/1/2018 MSC 128, Kingsville, TX 78363 Fax: 361/593-5509

Texas A&M University-San Antonio Phone: 210/784-1000 www.tamusa.tamus.edu Texas A&M-San Antonio currently accepts applications for transfer/t$15ransient/former students 3/on15/ly. 2018 One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224 Fax: 210/784-1494

Texas A&M University-Texarkana Phone: 903/223-3069 http://tamut.edu/admission/index.html Yes $30 8/15/2018 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503 Fax: 903/223-3140

Texas Christian University Phone: 817/257-7490 www.admissions.tcu.edu Yes Yes A , B, C (optional) $40 2/1/2018 TCU Box 297013, 3301 Bellaire Drive North, Ft. Worth, TX 76129 Fax: 817/257-5334

* Please visit www.applytexas.org/universities for additional information.

2018-2019 General Application Information for Freshmen

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

Texas Lutheran University Phone: 800/771-8521 www.tlu.edu Yes Yes A , B, C (required) $0 2/1/2018 1000 West Court Street, Seguin, TX 78155 Fax: 830/372-8096

Texas Southern University Phone: 713/313-7071 www.tsu.edu Yes Yes $42 7/14/2018 3100 Cleburne St.-TSU Box 1855, Houston, TX 77004 Fax: 713/313-7471

Texas State University Phone: 512/245-2364 www.txstate.edu Yes Yes A , B, C (optional) $75 3/1/2018 429 N. Guadalupe, San Marcos, TX 78666-5709 Fax: 512/245-8044

Texas Tech University Phone: 806/742-1480 http://www.admissions.ttu.edu Yes Yes A and B (optional) $75 8/1/2018 Box 45005, Lubbock, TX 79409-5005 Fax: 806/742-0062

Phone: 817/531-4422 or Texas Wesleyan University 800/580-8980 www.txwes.edu Yes Yes B or C (optional) $0 8/15/2018 1201 Wesleyan St., Ft. Worth, TX 76105 Fax: 817/531-7515

Texas Woman’s University Phone: 866/809-6130 www.twu.edu Yes Yes $50 8/18/2018 P. O. Box 425649, Denton, TX 76204 Fax: 940/898-3079

The University of Texas at Arlington Phone: 817/272-6287 www.uta.edu Yes Yes $60 6/1/2018 P. O. Box 19114, Arlington, TX 76019-0114 Fax: 817/272-3435

A (required) B, C, D (optional); The University of Texas at Austin Phone: 512/475-7399 For Architecture, Art History, www.utexas.edu Yes Yes $75 12/1/2017 P. O. Box 8058, Austin, TX 78713-8058 Fax: 512/475-7478 Design, Studio Art, Visual Art Studies/Art Education: D (required) The University of Texas at Dallas Phone: 972/883-2270 Office of Admission and Enrollment www.utdallas.edu Yes Yes A, B, and C (optional) $50 5/1/2018 Fax: 972/883-2599 Richardson, TX 75083-0088

The University of Texas at El Paso Phone: 915/747-5890 www.utep.edu Yes Yes $0 8/14/2018 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968-0578 Fax: 915/747-8893

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Phone: 210/567-2621 http://students.uthscsa.edu/ Yes $60 7703 Floyd Curl Dr. San Antonio, TX 78229-3900 Fax: 210/567-2685

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Phone: 866/552-UTPB www.utpb.edu Yes Yes $40 9/1/2018 4901 East University, Odessa, TX 79762-0001 Fax: 432/552-3605

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Office of Admissions VC 1.113 1201 West University Drive Phone:888-882-4026 www.UTRGV.edu Yes Yes $0 7/31/2018 Edinburg, TX 78539-9983

The University of Texas at San Antonio Phone: 210/458-8000 www.utsa.edu Yes Yes A (optional) $60 6/1/2018 One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249-1644 Phone: 903/566-7180 The University of Texas at Tyler 800-UT TYLER www.uttyler.edu Yes Yes $40 8/24/2018 3900 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75799 Fax: 903/566-7183 Trinity University Phone: 800/874-6489 www.trinity.edu Yes Yes A (required) $0 6/30/2018 One Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200 Fax: 210/999-8164

University of Dallas Phone: 800-628-6999 A or B (required) www.udallas.edu Yes Yes $50 8/1/2018 1845 East Northgate Drive, Irving, TX 75062 Fax: 972/721-5017

* Please visit www.applytexas.org/universities for additional information.

2018-2019 General Application Information for Freshmen

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

University of Houston-Main Campus Phone: 713/743-1010, 4 www.uh.edu Yes Yes $75 6/15/2018 4400 University Drive, Houston, TX 77204-2023

University of Houston-Clear Lake Phone: 281/283-2500 www.uhcl.edu Yes Yes $45 6/1/2018 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058-1098 Fax: 281/283-2522

University of Houston-Downtown Phone: 713/221-8522 www.uhd.edu Yes Yes C (optional) $35 6/01/2018 One Main Street, 350 South, Houston, TX 77002-1001 Fax: 713/223-7468

University of Houston-Victoria Phone: 361/570-4110 www.uhv.edu Yes Yes $0 8/20/2018 3007 N. Ben Wilson, Victoria, TX 77901-5731 Fax: 361/580-5500

University of North Texas Phone: 940/565-2681 www.unt.edu Yes Yes B (optional) $90 8/17/2018 1155 Union Circle #311277, Denton, TX 76203-5017 Fax: 940/565-2408

University of North Texas at Dallas Phone: 972/780-3642 www.untdallas.edu Yes Yes $40 8/6/2018 7300 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX 75241 Fax: 972/780-3694

University of St. Thomas Phone: 713/525-3500 www.stthom.edu/Admissions/Undergraduate_Adm Yes A, B, C, D (optional) $0 8/4/2018 3800 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006 Fax: 713/525-3558 issions/Index.aqf

University of the Incarnate Word Phone: 210/829-6005 www.uiw.edu Yes Yes $0 8/22/2018 4301 Broadway Street, San Antonio, TX 78209 800/749-9673

West Texas A&M University Phone: 800/999-8268 www.wtamu.edu Yes Yes $40 8/1/2018 WT Box 60907, Canyon, TX 79016 Fax: 806/651-5285

* Please visit www.applytexas.org/universities for additional information. 27

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 the fall 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

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.