The document provides counseling office information for O'Connor High School including counselor assignments organized alphabetically by student last name. It also lists special guests scheduled to visit including military representatives, college admissions representatives, and alumni. Information is provided about dual credit and Advanced Placement courses and how they differ. The Junior/Senior Guidebook is described as a 2-year resource covering admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and testing information. A junior planning calendar outlines important college planning milestones. Tips are offered on calculating GPA, college visitations, requesting letters of recommendation, important testing deadlines and resources, and avoiding scholarship scams.

1. SANDRA DAY
O’CONNOR

2. T HE O’C ONNOR H IGH S CHOOL
C OUNSELING O FFICE
COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS
 Head Counselor Ivette Bruno
 A – Cla Janelle Appleby
 Cle- Gi Debbie Harding
 Gla – Le Cindy Stanford
 Li – O Kimberly Schmidt
 P – Se Debra Roland
 Sh – Z Kristina Holder
 Counselor Intern Elizabeth Jablonski
 Career Center Technician Elsa Cruz
 Academic Dean Connie Bridges

3. S PECIAL G UESTS
 Col. Payne (USAF Ret.)/Capt. Stacy Lange –
Military Academy
 Larry Ynman – Café College
 Sarah Cardenas – OC Graduate
 Brittany Haby – OC Graduate
 College & University Representatives
 Military Representatives
 Kaplan College

4. D UAL C REDIT – VS - AP
Dual Credit Advanced Placement
 Student must qualify  Students placed by teacher
recommendation
 Application is now open
 College level course work
 Go to www.applytexas.org
 Student encouraged to
 Deadline to complete take AP exam in May
application- Feb. 10, 2012
 3, 4, 5 score- most
 Test scores must be sent colleges/universities will
directly to NVC from award credit for the
Agency course. Check with the
college for details.
 Additional paperwork may
be required  Course taken at HS
 Courses taken at HS or NVC

5. PANTHER T RACKS
N EWSLETTER

6. J UNIOR /S ENIOR G UIDEBOOK
 2 year booklet
 Admissions
 Financial Aid
 Scholarships
 NCAA
 SAT, ACT, and test prep information
 Popular Websites

7. JUNIOR PLANNING CALENDAR
PG. 7

8. J UNIOR P LANNING
C ALENDAR

9. C OMPUTING A
G RADE P OINT AVERAGE
P G . 23
Freshman Year Sophomore Year
1st Sem. 2nd Sem. Honors Pts. 1st Sem. 2nd Sem. Honors Pts.
91 85 92 90
90 92 81 79 5 + 5 = 10
84 80 5 + 5 = 10 93 91
81 75 5 + 5 = 10 96 94
88 86 87 85 5 + 5 = 10
97 95 84 80
531 513 20 533 519 20
Total Total Total Pts. Total # of GPA as of
Freshman Sophomore For Both Courses to Current
Yr. Yr Years Taken Date
+ Honors + Honors
Pts. Pts.
531 + 513 533 + 519 1064 + ÷24 89
+10 + 10 + 10 + 10 1072
1064 1072 2136

10. G RADE AVERAGING FACTS
 If you fail a course, your semester averages are
computed in your grade point average (GPA).
 If you pass a course and repeat it for strength, the
highest averages will be used in the GPA.
 Averages in courses you do not get credit for are not
computed in the GPA. (For example, athletics, after the
two credit maximum has been reached.)

11. W HAT O PTIONS D O I H AVE ?
P G . 24
•Work

12. C OLLEGE V ISITATIONS
 Visit several college and
universities that you are
interested in during
second semester and
summer.
 Check with Mrs. Cruz in
the Career Center for
college campus visit
dates and college
representatives visiting
OHS
 Why visit a college or
university?

13. T HE C OUNSELOR ’ S L ETTER
OF R ECOMMENDATION
Help the counselor write a powerful letter of recommendation
for you by supplying the completed:
 Student Brag Sheet
 Parent Brag Sheet
 Teacher Evaluation Sheets
 Updated Resume
“The Packet” is available online on the
OHS Counselor Webpage
http://oconnorcounseling.weebly.com/

14. I MPORTANT I NFORMATION
 Deadlines for colleges and universities are
changing. Ex: UT-Austin and TX A&M. Students
will have to use 6th semester GPA for admissions.
 Due to new TREx (Texas Records Exchange)
system…Make sure to send your SAT and ACT
scores directly to the university you are applying
to.
 New Top 10% Rule (Senate Bill 175)- UT only
 Class of 2013 = Top 8%

15. SAT/ACT T ESTS
 SAT/ACT are college entrance exams that students are
required to take to be admitted into a 4-year university
 Sign up for tests during spring 2012
 Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for
financial need
 Visit with Mrs. Cruz in the career center for registration
information
 Prepare for exam by using free SAT/ACT prep websites
or fee-based prep classes

16. SAT/ACT T EST D ATES

17. H OW TO P REPARE FOR
THE T EST
 Read the preparation booklets
 Study and understand the test
directions
 Take the sample tests included in
the preparation booklets
 Review PSAT Test
 See Panther Tracks for free websites

18. T HE S ERVICE A CADEMIES
P G . 62
 West Point Academy
 Naval Academy
 Air Force Academy
 Coast Guard Academy
 Merchant Marine Academy
Be on the lookout for “Academy Day”
@ USAA in March 2012

19. WANT TO PLAY COLLEGE
SPORTS?
PG. 46

20. R ESOURCES B EYOND OC
 Financial Aid
 College Applications
 One on One Advising
 Workshops to fit your needs

21. S CHOLARSHIP S CAMS
H OW TO TELL THE GOOD
FROM THE BAD !
Scammer: Legitimate Service:
 You’ve won an award for  Sends information about
which you didn’t apply. awards when you
request it.
 Does not supply valid
contact information.  Makes contact
information available
 Guarantees you will win upon request.
an award.
 DOES NOT guarantee
 Requires personal you will win an award.
financial information
(credit card numbers,  Should not direct you to
bank account number) a fee-based provider
to “hold” a scholarship. because they know info
is available for free.
Scam Site - www.fafsa.com
Legitimate site – www.fafsa.gov

22. J UNIOR T IPS
 Get started NOW!
 Sign up and take SAT/ACT in Spring 2012
 Write essays now. Go to
www.applytexas.org, view and complete
the essay topics. Practice and fine tune
them. Essays are IMPORTANT!
 Write or update your resume. Update
current activities, awards, leadership
positions, etc.

23. Q&A