Hillsborough County Public Schools

Division of Instructional Support Department of Guidance Services

A PRE-COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR STUDENTS: 2014-2015 August/September Get to know your College and Career Counselor (CCC). Each high school has a CCC as a member of the guidance team who is available to assist students and parents with postsecondary planning, scholarships and financial aid. They provide a wealth of resources including providing assistance with the college selection and application process, providing current information on available scholarship opportunities, offering assistance with the financial aid application process and providing information regarding college entrance exams (SAT and ACT). Testing: Make arrangements to take the SAT Reasoning Test, ACT or both at the earliest possible date. Some colleges will accept the SAT, some the ACT and many will accept either. Because of rigorous admissions requirements at state universities in Florida and at private and out-of-state colleges, students are encouraged to take both tests. Information booklets, sample tests and registration forms are available in your school's guidance office. Colleges to which you are applying will receive your scores from the testing agencies, providing that you enter their code numbers on the test registration form, use your legal name on all documents and enter your correct social security number. If you took either or both tests as a junior, it may not be necessary for you to test again. Talk with your counselor or CCC about the advisability of another test. Students who have applied to a military academy must test no later than October of the senior year. SAT Subject Tests: Some colleges require or recommend one or more of the SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT. Check with the colleges that you are interested in. If you need subject tests, ask your counselor or CCC for the College Board publication describing these tests. In planning your test dates, remember that you cannot take a subject test on the same day that you take the SAT Reasoning Test.

Revised June 2014

Test Preparation: Although a sound academic background is the best preparation for all pre-college tests, there are a variety of ways that students can prepare themselves for college admission tests. Commercial bookstores and computer software stores have a selection of materials, which explain the various tests, with sample test questions, and verbal and mathematics content review. Also check with your guidance counselor or CCC for the availability in your school or other schools of test preparation courses or after-school or evening programs that help prepare for these tests. In addition, test taking tips and sample test questions can be found at the web sites of the College Board (www.collegeboard.org) and ACT (www.ACT.org). College Application: Most institutions have web sites where students may request information and apply online. For state universities within Florida, you should request your school registrar to submit your transcript to the universities of your choice. Your registrar can mail other transcripts as needed. Begin asking teachers, guidance counselors and employers for letters of recommendation to include with your admissions and/or scholarship applications. Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship Program: This program establishes a lottery-funded scholarship to reward any Florida high school graduate who merits recognition of high academic achievement and who enrolls in an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary educational institution within three years of high school graduation. The program is comprised of three scholarship awards, (Florida Academic Scholars Award, Florida Medallion Scholars Award, and Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award) each with specific criteria that must be met. Students who wish to apply for a Bright Futures Scholarship must complete the Florida Financial Aid Application during the last year of high school after December 1. Application may be made online at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org . Interested students should contact a guidance counselor or CCC for specific information.

Credit Requirements: Be sure that you are taking all courses required by any college in which you are interested. Check college website for specific course requirements. See your guidance counselor for questions regarding the 18-credit graduation options.

College-bound students are encouraged to take as strong an academic program as possible, including the following requirements of the State University System of Florida: English Mathematics Science Social Studies World Language Academic Electives

4 credits 4 credits, at the Algebra I level and above. 3 credits in specific courses 3 credits in specific courses 2 credits in the same world language 2 credits selected from specific courses

PLUS ALL COURSES REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

August/September (Continued) College Nights are one of the most effective ways students and parents can learn about a wide variety of colleges. Visit as many college nights as possible. There will be representatives from over 140 colleges at the various programs, although not all colleges attend all three college nights. These programs provide excellent and unique opportunities for students and parents to get up-to-date information about many colleges. Be aware of any college representatives visiting your school by checking the bulletin board near the guidance office and listening for announcements. Attend as many of these sessions as appropriate for you, since they provide valuable information and will help you to plan more effectively. If you plan to visit colleges during the school year, look for three or fourday weekends, and plan your trips accordingly. Call the colleges to make arrangements for interviews, campus tours or dormitory accommodations. College Nights 6:00 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2014 Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Thursday, October 2, 2014

Sickles High School Plant High School Chamberlain High School Brandon High School

October/November College applications should be nearly complete by this time. It is best to have all of your applications in as early as possible. Read directions carefully, and fill out each application completely and neatly. You should keep a copy of everything you mail out. Remember to request that colleges receive the appropriate test scores from the testing companies and submit recommendations (if requested). Recommendations are required for some colleges and scholarships. Request these from your teachers or counselor as soon as you know what is required, so that they will have time to provide a thoughtful and complete recommendation. Remember that they may have many others to write during the same time period. Transcripts of your academic record are required by most colleges. Contact the Registrar at your high school to arrange for transcripts to be sent. There is a cost for transcripts. College and Financial Aid Meetings Presented in SPANISH ONLY (PASOS) 6:00 p.m.—School Auditorium or Cafeteria *Saturday, October 4, 2014 Thursday, October 9, 2014 Thursday, October 23, 2014 Thursday, November 6, 2014 Thursday, November 20, 2014

Jefferson High School Lennard High School Alonso High School Gaither High School Plant City High School

Spring Dates *Saturday, January 31, 2015 Thursday, February 19, 2015 Thursday, March 5, 2015 Thursday, March 26, 2015

Wharton High School Strawberry Crest High School Leto High School Spoto High School

* Saturday Dates start at 8:30 a.m.

December College applications should be completed before winter vacation. Remember that the Registrar at your school will not be on duty during the break. Request all transcripts early so that they may be sent before the break. Make sure that you have requested from the College Board or ACT that your test scores be sent to the colleges to which you have applied.

Some state-supported colleges and universities in Florida may receive your scores from a Florida databank. Follow the instructions provided to you by the colleges for submitting test scores. If you did not list a particular college on your original test registration form and find out now that you must submit these scores, send an "Additional Score Report" form to the testing agency. You may still have this form from your score report, or you may obtain one in your school’s guidance office. Bright Futures Scholarship : Be sure to apply for a Bright Futures Scholarship by completing the Florida Financial Aid Application on-line at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org. This application gives the Department of Education (DOE) permission to evaluate your high school transcript for eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship as well as other State Scholarships. Community Service projects must be preapproved and deadline dates met for them to be Bright Futures eligible.

December/January Check your second semester schedule to be certain that all requirements have been met. Potential Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program recipients should see their counselors to be sure that every specific course has been taken or is scheduled for second semester. Begin working on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This application should be completed and submitted no later than mid February. Attend one of the following Financial Aid Meetings for answers to your questions. District Financial Aid Meetings 6:00 p.m.—School Auditorium Thursday, December 18, 2014 Monday, January 12, 2015 Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Thursday, January 15, 2015 Thursday, January 22, 2015 Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Thursday, January 29, 2015 Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Alonso High School Plant City High School Freedom High School Riverview High School Brandon High School Jefferson High School Gaither High School Hillsborough High School

February/March Be aware of deadlines that are required for admissions to different colleges. Some colleges will begin to send admissions decision letters. Remember that all acceptances are contingent upon your successful completion of the final semester of high school. Candidates for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program who have not yet met the test score requirement should make arrangements for additional testing. Keep your guidance counselor or CCC advised of college acceptances , scholarships and awards.

April Most deadlines will soon have passed, and you will want to be sure that you have registered for the tests which you still need or want to take. College Acceptances and Replies: Colleges issue letters which indicate whether you have been accepted for admission, placed on a waiting list, or denied admission. As you make your decision regarding the college you plan to attend, be sure to notify all colleges at which you were accepted of your final decision. It is, of course, particularly important that you notify the college you plan to attend.

May Be sure to send in any deposits that are due to the colleges, as well as any other college forms (housing contracts, food service, etc.) Failure to do so could result in cancellation. Page 2