(Revised 11/19/07)

Higher education is worth the effort.  Statistics show that the higher your education level, the higher your annual income potential.  Higher Education can also seem like an overwhelming event when it comes to applications, financial aid, housing, new surroundings, etc. If you take it one step at a time and are careful to plan ahead and know what to expect, the process can be less stressful for all involved.

SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR/FALL OF SENIOR YEAR

·         Take SAT I or ACT (fee waivers are available for students with need). REL CODE: 447138

·         FREE SAT: Nov. 3 (Deadline: Sept. 12), March 1 (Deadline Jan. 23)       FREE ACT: Dec. 8 (Deadline October 3), April 12 (Deadline Feb. 13) *EARLY REG. DEADLINES! Student pays fee—student reimbursed on day of testing at TISD testing site. FEES: SAT: $43.00   ACT: $30.00-student can take optional writing portion but must make out a separate check to ACT for the amount of $14.50 which will not be refunded.

·         Send ACT/SAT scores FREE to 4 colleges when registering for SAT/ACT tests. Colleges/NCAA want scores from the testing agencies NOT from REL.

·         Take SAT II (Subject Tests) in late spring or June if you are considering a college that requires it (Rice, UT, SMU, etc.).

·         Narrow college choices to a short list, visit websites for admission information and deadlines.

·         Continue to challenge yourself with PreAP and AP courses.  (Some students enter their freshman year of college with over 30 hours of college credit by taking AP and Dual Credit courses during high school.)

·         Continue school activity involvement.  Update student profile

SENIOR YEAR

What do I need to apply to colleges?

______ Completed Application (For most schools you can apply after Sept. 1 of senior year)

Information to have on hand before beginning your application: copy of your transcript, employment information for the past two years, senior-year coursework-exact titles and credit values of courses you will be taking your senior year, resume of all activities, volunteer work, dates, hours per week, etc.

______ Essays, if required

______ Official High School Transcript (Obtain from Registrar’s Office-$5 each) Colleges will require an official transcript with application and 1 final transcript after graduation. Check with colleges to see if they require a mid-year transcript.

______ SAT or ACT scores sent directly from the testing agency   www.collegeboard.com     www.act.org

Be sure and look at code list in the registration booklet and send scores to colleges of your choice. When you register for SAT/ACT you can send scores to 4 colleges for free.

______ SAT II (subject tests) if required

______ Application Fee, if required

______ Resume, if required

______ Letters of Recommendation, if required

______ Completed FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid-Can apply after January 1 of senior year — this is a FREE application.)

______ NCAA Clearinghouse Registration (for students intending to play sports at the college level) www.ncaaclearinghouse.com  (Student athlete’s registration)    Also mark 9999 to have scores sent to the Clearinghouse.

______ Supplemental Information (any added information your particular college requires to complete the application process)

You MUST meet all deadlines—colleges are NOT flexible in this area.  It is up to the student to make sure colleges have all required documents by deadline.  Because requirements for admissions are constantly changing please do not rely on outside sources for current information.  Go directly to the college or university for the most current information.

Where do I go for?

Scholarships: www.fastweb.com, Financial Aid and Scholarship offices at the colleges you are applying to, www.collegeguidanceconsultants.com -see counselor for password,   The Mayor’s Cool Program in E103,  www.CollegeforTexans.com.

NCAA Clearinghouse: Student athletes planning to participate in intercollegiate athletics are encouraged to register on line with the NCAA Clearinghouse at the end of their junior year. Code 9999 to have SAT or ACT scores sent to Clearinghouse.

How do I register with the NCAA Clearinghouse?

• www.ncaaclearinghouse.net to register and complete the Student Release Form (SRF)
• Pay $50 registration fee and follow instructions to complete the transaction
• Print copy of registration form and Copy 1 and Copy 2 of the transcript release form. Take both forms and give them to the Registrar (Mrs. Bowie) in the B Unit with $5. She will send your transcript to the Clearinghouse.
• Make sure SAT or ACT scores are sent directly from the testing agencies. www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org. Code 9999 for the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Clearinghouse Customer Service:

1-877-262-1492

Federal Aid: Complete the FAFSA as early as possible (after January 1^st)-some scholarships are based on need (paper forms are available in December and require information from your tax returns/online application is preferred) TJC provides free workshops.

·         Texas Grant is based on need and Rec. Grad. Plan

·         Contact colleges about Texas Be On Time Loan Program

College Applications: (For most schools: September 1^st of senior year) The Apply Texas application is available on line at www.applytexas.org for all Texas Public Colleges. Most private and out-of-state college applications can be downloaded or are on-line at www.commonapp.org. Start a dialogue with the Admissions Office as soon as possible for the most current information.

Official Transcripts: Order your transcripts through the Registrar’s Office-$5 each.

SAT/ACT/SAT II/THEA: Booklets and registration forms are available in the counseling office, but it is suggested that students apply on-line, if possible.  Be sure to check with colleges about SAT II test requirements.

• ACT- the test consists of four multiple choice tests: English, Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning. Scores are given in a 1-36 range and are added together for a Composite score. Students may choose to take the optional Writing Test and will receive an additional English/Writing score, but this score will not affect the Composite score. There is no penalty for guessing on the ACT.
• SAT-the test has three sections: Critical Reasoning, Math, and Writing. Each section is scored 200-800, with 2400 being a perfect score. There is a slight penalty for guessing on the SAT. An educated guess is encouraged for each question, but if a student has no idea whatsoever about an answer to a question, it is suggested that the student leave it blank.
• SAT II: Tests are one hour and measure knowledge in a particular subject area (biology, math, etc.). Some selective colleges require the SAT II and will list it as a requirement in their admissions information.
• THEA-The THEA is used by Texas Institutions of higher education as an assessment instrument for entering students. The THEA Test provides the diagnostic data required by legislation in Texas. To pass the THEA test a student must pass all three sections (Writing, Reading, and Math).
• THEA exemptions:  SAT 1070 w/ 500 (V) 500 (M); ACT 23 w /19 (E) 19 (M); TAKS 2200 on ELA and Math with a 3 or better on the Writing composition.

Recommendation Letters: Students will need to prepare a “brag sheet” (forms are available from your counselor) to present to counselors, teachers, College and Career Counselor, etc. when asking them to write a letter of recommendation. Be sure to include extra-curricular activities, work experience, and future plans. References will want to know any pertinent information that will help them “sell” you to a college admissions committee, so be thorough!  When asking someone to write a letter of recommendation always present them with a completed brag sheet, a resume, and a self-addressed stamped envelope (colleges prefer recommendations to be sent directly from the person preparing the letter), at least 3 weeks before your recommendation is due.

College Visits: Nothing can replace actually walking the halls and the grounds of a prospective college. Talking to students, Admissions Counselors, Advisors, Financial Aid Officers, Department Heads, etc. can help a student decide if a college is right for them.

Rigorous Senior Year: Colleges are looking for students that will be successful. They recommend that seniors continue to follow a strong college prep program and most colleges require students to list their current courses on their application. Because many colleges require all freshmen to take a math placement test, seniors are strongly encouraged to take math their senior year. Even though many students want to “take it easy” their senior year, they should continue with upper level core courses.

Helpful websites:

www.tylerisd.org                                                   TISD website

www.act.org                                                          ACT registration and college information

www.collegeboard.com                                       SAT registration and college information

www.asktacac.com                                              College admissions information

(For college search click on little college search book, scroll down, click on PETERSON’S)

www.ncaaclearinghouse.com                            Student athlete’s registration

www.applytexas.org                                             Apply Texas application for Texas Public Colleges

www.commonapp.org                                         Common application for selective schools

www.thea.nesinc.com                                         THEA registration

www.fastweb.com                                                Scholarship searches

www.tjc.edu                                                           TJC website

www.uttyler.edu                                                    UT Tyler website

www.texascollege.edu                                         Texas College website

www.princetonreview.com                                  College Information and Preparation

Texas Financial Aid Information                       (TFAIC) (888) 311-8881 toll free

www.window.state.tx.us/scholars/                    information about colleges and universities in the State of Texas

www.fafsa.ed.gov                                                 Free Application for Federal Student Aid

www.studentaid.ed.gov                                      create personalized college information, career interest, etc.

www.AIE.org                                                         preparing for the transition to higher education

www.access.bridges.com                                   career interest inventory and college search

site ID: 0053545   password:  tylerisd

www.TexasCollegeMoney.org                          financial aid

www.pin.ed.gov                                                   obtain your PIN # for filing FAFSA

www.thecb.state.tx.us                                         college planning and financial aid

www.CollegeForTexans.org                               college and financial aid information

www.testpreview.com                                          test prep

www.collegeguidanceconsultants.com : For Robert E. Lee students only: E- Scholarships     Monthly    User ID:  texas      password:  finaid08

www.yourpassionyourplan.com                       career exploration

www.track.uttelecampus.org                              TAKS tutorials

www.testprep.CollegeForTexans.com               free SAT and ACT test prep (TOPCAT: Texas Online                                                                                                  Preparation for College Admissions Tests).

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp     AP credit policy

www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm                                  Career Information

www.acinet.org                                                     Career Information

2007-2008 Testing Dates

( * denotes free TISD test dates. TISD will pay for one ACT or SAT. Deadlines are much earlier for the free test—check with your counselor.)

SAT Test Dates/Deadline

October 6/Sept. 10

*November 3/*SAT-Oct. 2  TISD Sept. 12

December 1/Oct. 30

January 26/Dec. 26

*March 1/*SAT-Jan. 29  TISD Jan 23

May 3/Apr. 1

June 7/May 6

ACT Test Dates

September 15/Aug. 10

October 27/Sept. 21

*December 8/ACT Nov. 2  TISD/Oct. 3

February 9/Jan. 4

*April 12/ACT Mar. 7  TISD/Feb. 13

June 14/May 9

TAKS Testing 2007-2008 (TEA website June 2007-dates subject to change)

Oct. 23                    ELA Exit Level Retest

Oct. 24                    Math Exit Level Retest

Oct. 25                    Science Exit Level Retest

Oct. 26                    Social Studies Exit Level Retest

Mar. 4                     9^th Reading, 10^th ELA, ELA Exit Level and Retest                          

Mar. 5                     Math Exit Level Retest

Mar. 6                     Science Exit Level Retest

Mar. 7                     Social Studies Exit Level Retest

April 29                  ELA Exit Level Retest, 10^th Math      

April 30                  Math Exit Level and Retest

May 1                     9^th Math, 10^th Science, Science Exit Level and Retest

May 2                     10^th Social Studies, Social Studies Exit Level and Retest

July 15                    ELA Exit Level Retest

July 16                    Math Exit Level Retest

July 17                    Science Exit Level Retest

July 18                    Social Studies Exit Level Retest

Tyler Junior College Career Services:

Pirtle Technology Building (back by Tennis Courts)

Room 128

Career Decision Making System—paper and pencil Career Exploration

Web based interest inventory:  www.typefocus.com     password: tjc77

Phone #’s

REL Switchboard:                903-262-2625

TJC Testing Center              903-510-2617

(Accuplacer/THEA)

TJC                                         903-510-2523

UT Tyler                                903-566-7000

REL Fax                  903-262-2630

ACT                                       1-319-337-1701

SAT                                        1-866-756-7346

Counselor’s

College and Career               Celia.tucker@tylerisd.org     

A-Cha                                    Vickie.reid@tylerisd.org

Che-Go                                   Sarah.peacock@tylerisd.org

Gr-Kn                                     Debbie.craigen@tylerisd.org

Ko-On                                    Marguritte.leonard@tylerisd.org

Op-Spa                                   George.reed@tylerisd.org

Spe-Z                                     Janice.mcgowen@tylerisd.org

Testing Coordinator            Kelly.trilli@tylerisd.org

Records and Scheduling     Eli.crow@tylerisd.org

Registrar                                rozalyn.bowie@tylerisd.org

Terri Daniels                         terridaniels@fourthpartner.org

(Mayor’s Cool Program)

Our area college reps:

A & M:

LaTrenia Byrd

214-623-9039

lbyrd@oar.tamu.edu

TECH

 Jennifer Offutt

214-630-8324

Jennifer.offutt@ttu.edu

UTAustin

Lauren McDowell

512-475-7417

laurenmcdowell@austin.utexas.edu

SFA

Ryan Horne

936-468-2504

horneryan@sfau.edu

Douglas Daigle

936-468-2504

daigledoug@sfau.edu

TCU

John Householder

817-257-6494

j.householder@tcu.edu

TJC

Craig Turnage

903-510-2590

ctur@tjc.edu

Stephanie Mayo

903-510-2519

smay@tjc.edu

Nidia Arellano

903-510-2883

nare@tjc.edu

Vanderbilt

Chancey Phillips

615-322-0422

chancey.philips@vanderbilt.edu

LSU

Steven Scales

713-599-0898

sscale1@lsu.edu

SMU

Joseph Davis

214-768-2413

josephd@smu.edu

UT Tyler

Sarah Bowdin

Renee Lampkin

Ashley Washmon

903-566-7057

sbowdin@mail.uttyl.edu

Baylor

Tara_jones@baylor.edu

West Point

Jeremy May

903-530-4189

Jeremy.may@usma.edu