This document summarizes an information session for 11th grade students about preparing for and applying to college. It provides statistics on where the previous year's graduating class attended school after high school. It then discusses focusing on testing, researching colleges, grades, and using the Naviance program. Specific tests like the SAT, ACT, and PSAT are explained. Free test preparation resources and the importance of extracurricular activities are also covered. Another meeting is scheduled for the spring to continue assisting juniors with the college application process.

1. 11th grade Fall College
Info Session
OCTOBER 8, 2015
RACHAEL FAITH
COLLEGE ACCESS COUNSELOR
BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL

2. College Statistics for Bellaire High School
College Data for Class of 2015
As reported by students in June 2015 (734 seniors in data)
 67% attending 4-year colleges (492)
 25% attending 2-year colleges (187)
 2% entering the military (14)
 2% entering the work force (9)
 2% gap year (16)
 2% uncertain of plans after high school (15)
 Accepted into military academies (1)

3. Focus

Testing
Researching colleges
Grades

4. Naviance
Register by entering your email address
 Demonstration
Entering email address
Careers tab- interest profiler
Colleges- visits, colleges I am thinking about,
scholarships

5. Testing for college entrance
 SAT and ACT- 2 different tests - Recommend taking both
tests
 Needed for college entrance
 You can take either test
 Can take more than once, colleges won’t see this
 Free/ reduced lunch- waivers for 2 free SAT and 2 free ACT
Mrs. Child’s in counseling office- does not cover late
registration

6. SAT Test
 PSAT October 14th juniors automatically
registered
 SAT- free district April 12th study for this
 SAT is changing March 2016
 Please take this above SAT seriously
 www.collegeboard.org

7. ACT Test
 This test is not changing
 You are not penalized for guessing, there is Science and
History on this test, questions are more direct
 HISD does not pay for a free ACT test day
 www.actstudent.org
 I highly recommend you take a practice ACT to
determine if you score better on this test than the SAT

8. Which test to take?
 Your class (2016) only can select out of 3 tests
1. Current (old) SAT
2. New SAT (starting in March 2016)
3. Current ACT
* Recommend taking all 3 and focusing on your
strongest test and retaking

9. Test Prep for FREE
 Oct 10th this Saturday at Bellaire www.bellaire.org to register
 Khan Academy- on the HUB; this is a FREE online took that you
can do at your own pace
 PSAT & SAT 8th period tutoring at Bellaire (FREE)
Verbal is offered Monday & Wednesday in Mr. Wolf’s room 353
Math is offered Tuesday & Thursday in Mrs. Chopra’s room 125

10. Paid test prep/ tutors
Visit the college center for names of
companies and tutors that are
recommended by BHS students.

11. Researching colleges
1.Visit campuses
2.Online tools- Naviance, Big
Future, College Scorecard
3.Do not pay to research
4.Excused- see Assistant Principal
prior to planning your visit or tour

12. Building your college list
 Speak with parents/ guardian about your college goals
 Determining in state, out of state or BOTH colleges costs
 Doing research on programs
 List about 10 colleges (minimum) on your “Colleges I’m Thinking About
List”
 Complete the 5 career interest inventory tests on Naviance under the
“About Me” tab
 Visit local colleges for a reference point

13. Grades
 GPA and Rank
 Rank- end of junior year
 Junior year is last year on transcript before you
apply (6 semester total)
 Top 10% rule- automatic admissions into Texas
public universities
 UT Austin- top 8% rule
 Take challenging classes- colleges will see this

14. Leadership Roles and MORE!
 Over 111 clubs in Bellaire- assume a leadership role!
 Work on your resume- start writing everything down
 Make good impressions on teachers, they will be writing
your rec letters in a few months
 Volunteer
 Job shadow
 Be careful of your social media

15. Next meeting in the Spring semester
 April 2016
 Focus on SAT/ ACT testing, grades and researching
colleges
 Continue to search for volunteer opportunities
 Get to know your counselor
 Request an unofficial transcript online and get to know
your transcript and look for an errors
 Come in the college center at lunch or after school for
additional help