Welcome to Boerne High School

Off To College 101

Boerne High School Counseling Office

Richmond Frasier (GO-N), Donna Landreth (O-Z), Ashlie D’Spain (A-GN), Sylvia Payne: Registrar

The BHS Counseling Website is currently configured to

help seniors/parents with the college application/research

process

Under the Guidance and Counseling link at the Boerne

High School Website

College Application Process Finalize SAT/ACT scores-send to schools Visit & select colleges for application Obtain & complete college applications Prepare resume/write essay Complete application Request recommendations Request transcript

College App. Process (cont.)

Send application Schedule interviews Submit NCAA form Apply for scholarships/grants Submit FAFSA & perhaps CSS profile

Testing SAT/ACT

Oct. test for Early Action SAT=www.collegeboard.

com ACT = www.act.org Have scores sent

directly to each of your schools

SAT Subject Tests Not required for ALL

universitiesBHS Code = 440730CHS CODE = 440732

Testing (continued)• TAKS (or EOC)• Texas Success Initiative

• Not used for admissions• Take prior to college

entrance• Given as the THEA, ASSET,

COMPASS, or Accuplacer exam

• Exemption standards apply…

TSI Exemption Standards

Reading AND Writing Exemption:ACT: 23 Composite, 19 EnglishSAT: 1070 CR/Math Combined, 500 Critical ReadingTAKS: 2200 ELA and Essay Score of 3

Math Exemption:ACT: 23 Composite, 19 MathSAT: 1070 CR/Math Combined, 500 MathTAKS: 2200 Math

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR ?

Difficulty of high school coursesHigh school GPA / class rankSAT / ACT scoresEssays/personal statementCommunity service commitmentExtracurricular involvementLetters of recommendationMinority/first generation statusInterview with admission counselor

YOUR List of Colleges

Dream School? Reality School?

Find your “fit”: AcademicallyPersonallySociallyFinancially

College Visit

Schedule appointment with college (2 weeks prior to visit)

Notify attendance office prior to visit

Return signed and dated college letterhead form to attendance office from university

NCAA Clearinghouse Required for college

athletic participation Complete at beginning

of 1st semester of senior year, or summer after 11th.

Apply online (www.ncaaclearinghouse

.org)

College Application

Apply on-line Texas public colleges:www.applytexas.org Many private colleges:www.commonapp.org College website

Check for necessary additions (essay, recommendations, interview,…)

Mailing Application Three methods for sending a completed

application Online (be sure to hit “submit”) Mail yourself Mail through registrar if application must be

submitted in entirety Check with colleges to ensure your

application is complete-You should do online status check.

Résumé Mimic the college

application where possible

Use outline form Be brief, yet

thorough

Include Name, Address, Phone Number, Social Security Number

“Edit” your email address

Complete activity section in application as well

Transcript From registrar, obtain

and fill out transcript request form Include school’s address First 3 transcripts are free Cost after 3: $2 per copy Rush transcript is $5

Include addressed envelope (no stamp necessary)

Allow adequate time (3 school days)

Mid-Year Report If your college requires a mid-year report, bring your request to the Registrar’s office in January.

Midyear Reports also require: envelope addressed to the college a $2.00 transcript fee.

The College Essay DO NOT PROCRASTINATE…. it leads to a rushed effort that is evident

to the reader

ANSWER THE QUESTION…. use a reasonable progression of ideas…. focus on quality not quantity of words

The College Essay (cont.) MAKE IT ERROR FREE…. do a draft, then rewrite… rewrite… USE YOUR VOICE…. do not over-use a Thesaurus or a proofreader…. remember you are writing to an adult not a peer…. do show your personality

AVOID EXPRESSING EXTREME OPINIONS OR EXCESSIVE SARCASM

Counselor Recommendation Packet (“purple packet”)

General info (include SSN)

Resume Student Profile Parent input Teacher evaluation

forms Also available on BHS

website under counseling link.

Counselor Recommendation Packet

(Student Information to Counselor)Boerne High SchoolCounseling Center1 Greyhound LaneBoerne, TX 78006

830/357-2200Dear Student:Some college applications require a recommendation letter or comments from your counselor. In that event, you must provide your counselor with a resume and a completed Counselor Recommendation Packet. Turning in a Counselor Recommendation Packet will not automatically result in a letter being written. You must also fill out a yellow “routing form” indicating the colleges for which you need the letter and their applicable deadline. Letters will not be written for any college application that does not require a recommendation, unless there are special circumstances.Thank you for thoroughly completing this packet and giving the counselor three weeks notice (15 school days). The more information you and your parents provide in your Counselor Recommendation Packet, the better.Sincerely,The Counseling Staff at Boerne High School

Counselor Recommendation

Fill out yellowyellow form with counseling office to outline your plan

Counselor Recommendation Packet alone does not start recommendation process

Attach school report from application Addressed and stamped envelope (or

send thru registrar) Allow minimum of 3 weeks processing

time

Teacher Recommendation** Ask if teacher is

willing to write letter Provide copy of

resume, a stamped envelope, teacher form from application

Follow up with thank you

**Not required for all schools

Local Scholarship Resources

Look in: BHS Announcements Individual College Website Online (e.g. www.fastweb.com) Local Senior Scholarship Application Available(Spring-February)

Majority of scholarships arrive in the spring semester

Scholarships and Grants Merit Based Aid

Check college financial aid department.

Many schools have separate scholarship applications. Be aware of due dates.Search www.fastweb.com for

scholarship and grant programs.

FAFSA Required for most need-based

scholarships and grants

Based on family income in the year prior to college entrance

Complete FAFSA in January www.fafsa.ed.gov

CSS Profile Complete CSS in the fall

www.collegeboard.com (CSS)

Used by some colleges to award private grants and scholarships.

Important Upcoming Events

BISD College Night

NOVEMBER 1ST

6:30-8:00 PM

HOSTED BY

BOERNE HIGH SCHOOL

Financial Aid Night

Date: December 6th

6:00 PM

At Champion High School