Parent Meeting for the Graduating Classes of

2013 & 2014

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR COLLEGE?COLLEGE? Or do you have a plan?

Remember: Graduation is a twelve year accomplishment, not just a

one hour ceremony.

• College admission is a process, not a senior activity.

• Visit college website

• Take a visual tour of the campus

• Make a college visit (juniors & seniors are

allowed 2 visits per year)

• Talk to alumni

• Contact the admissions office

• Attend college preview days

• Students in the Top 10% shall be admitted to a general academic teaching institution if the student meets the following conditions:– Recommended or Distinguished Program– Submit transcript– Submit application on time!

Exception: UT at Austin – for this year’s seniors it is the top 7%. For this year’s juniors, it is the top 7%.

____Extracurricular activities/your resume

____Standardized test scores____High school courses/grades(GPA)____Application essays/ personal

statements____Recommendations from

teacher(s)/counselor (only if needed)

____Personal interviews (if needed)

KEY PARTS OF COLLEGE KEY PARTS OF COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS ADMISSION PROCESS (con’t)(con’t)

For Holistic review, these additional criteria are used for consideration:

• Community Service

• Volunteering

• Leadership roles

• Work experience

• Distinguishing characteristics

• Fill out application carefully and neatly.

• Beat, don’t meet, the DEADLINE!

• Always keep a copy of application and letters of recommendation.

• Send College Application & Fee or fee waiver

• Send Transcript (remember VC/MSU if needed)

• Send SAT/ACT Scores • Send Housing Application• Send Scholarship Applications• Complete FAFSA Application• Start WAY in advance and beat the

deadline!

Short answer questions Type, spell check

Personal essay(s) Be interesting

Application fee Send correct amount

Transcript/Academic Achievement Record

Request one sent to every school you apply to

Teacher evaluation Be sure the teacher likes you

Counselor evaluation Be sure the counselor knows you

SupplementalsInclude a portfolio or schedule an audition

Interview (only if suggested/required by the school)

An interview should never be considered optional

The College Application: The College Application: What is it?What is it?

• We must have on file a parent-signed permission form to release transcripts. We’re sending this home with your child tomorrow. You need to sign it, have your child sign it, and return it to our office.

• Once we have this, students (not the parents!) fill out a Transcript request form, stating where or to whom we need to send or release the transcript.

• Forms are located in the Guidance Office at the secretary’s desk.

• Multiple transcripts may be requested.

Types of AssessmentsTypes of Assessments

• For current high school seniors, passing the TAKS test is mandatory for graduation and is used for college placement.

• For current high school juniors, passing the End of Course Tests or EOC’s are mandatory for graduation. Students must pass the English I Reading & Writing, English 2 Reading & Writing, Algebra, Biology, & US History.

• College Awareness/Practice tests: PLAN & PSAT (deadline has passed, but test is Oct. 16)

• College Entrance exams: ACT, SAT (seniors have already received information on these exams)

Types of AssessmentsTypes of Assessments

• College Credit Exams: AP, IB, CLEP• College Placement: TSI Assessment (only

for juniors)• Career Guidance: ASVAB (Oct. 30 – sign

up sheet in Guidance Office)• Remember: Test scores are only one piece

of information used in the admission process. Many other factors are considered during the decision-making process.

SAT – Tuesday, Oct. 1 (deadline to sign up is this Friday, Sept. 27!!)

ACT – April Rider AuditoriumCost is $55.00 per student.Scholarships available for free/reduced lunch

These seminars are sponsored by Rider College Readiness and Test Prep Seminar of Dallas.

APPLYTexas WorkshopAPPLYTexas WorkshopTuesday, October 30 8:30am @ RiderThe workshop is taught by MSU Admission

Counselors, but is good for any school that will accept the APPLYTexas application.

Students must sign-up in College Readiness office by Friday, Oct. 18 - space is limited.

Students must complete Profile portion of application prior to workshop.

For those interested in attending MSU, they will waive the $25 application fee.

College NightCollege Night• When?When? Thursday, November 7, 2013

– 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

• Where?Where? Region IX Service Center – on Loop 11

• Why?Why? Face to face visit with college reps

• All grades are encouraged to come!

• College Representatives

• College websites!!

• Julie Johnson, Rider’s College & Career Counselor

• Abilene Christian University – Sept. 25

• Oklahoma State University – Sept. 27

• University of North Texas – Oct. 8

• UT Austin – Nov. 8

• Vernon College – Nov. 11

• Midwestern State University – a special tour is being arranged in November for Rider students

• Students need to sign up in the Guidance Office.

To be scouted by a college you must:• Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse

online• Request (from Mrs. V) a transcript be

sent• Send copy of test scores• Pay fee or submit fee waiver• www.eligibilitycenter.org• See your coach or Mrs. Johnson for

more information

• Contact local recruiting office

• Visit with military recruiter on campus

• Visit with JROTC commanders

• Contact people working in desired area of employment

• Workforce Solutions North Texas

• Graduate Sales will be giving a presentation to Seniors on Tuesday, November 5 about ordering caps, gowns, invitations, etc.

• Please be looking for information that is sent home with your child.

• Counselors are meeting with Seniors tomorrow morning. Please ask to see information they received.

• Graduation dress code:–Boys dress - Black slacks, white

shirt, black socks, black shoes, dark tie

–Girls dress: Black dress, black hose, black shoes (no fish-net hose & heels no more than 1 ½ “ high)

• Mrs. Spurgers (A-D)

• Mrs. Risner (E-Le)

• Mrs. Palmore (Li-Ri)

• Mrs. Lauck (Ro-Z)

• Mrs. Johnson (College Readiness)