College Preparation

New Home ISD has access to the career preparation program Career Cruising. Career Cruising is a very informative website which offers career and college/university information, scholarships, as well as assessments to help students discover their talents and interests to match careers specifically suited to them.

Mr. Wilson mawilson@esc17.net and Mrs. Bailey at kbailey@esc17.net are the contact persons for parents and students (7^th-12^th) wanting to access the website and obtain more information about college and career preparation. Students will also utilize the program through various courses and grade levels.

Grades 9^th-12^th Planning Timeline

Grade 9/Freshman Year

• Start working on an Educational Resume to be used for scholarship and college applications. Become involved in school and extracurricular activities both in and out of school.  For example: sports, cheerleading, FFA, Student Council and FCA, Summer League Basketball and etc.  Participate in service projects like Run for the Cure, Can Food Drive and etc.
• Create the Educational Resume by making a list of school, extracurricular and community activities, including awards, offices and honors.  Be sure to include church, paid and volunteer work and descriptions.

Grade 10/Sophomore Year

• Continue involvement in activities such as sports, clubs and organizations both in and out of school.
• Update the list (Educational Resume) of activities you started as a freshman (See Grade 9 for a list of what it should contain).
• October: Take PSAT (Offered free by New Home ISD)
• April: Register, for SAT Subject Test for any subjects you will be completing before June.
• June: Take the SAT Subject Test

Grade 11/Junior Year

• Maintain grades and try to obtain high class ranking
• Continue involvement in activities such as sports, clubs and organizations both in and out of school.  Also continue volunteer and service projects.
• Update the list of activities you started as a freshman (See Grade 9 for a list of what it should contain).
• Narrow your list of possible colleges/universities to 5 or less.  Make note of GPA,  ACT and SAT score requirements.  Start scheduling and taking tours of colleges and universities.  [Career Cruising is very helpful in finding information about colleges and offered programs of study – See Mr. Wilson or Mrs. Bailey]
• February:  Register for March SAT and/or April ACT tests.  Choose which schools to send your scores.
• March and April:  Take SAT and ACT Test if needed.
• May: Take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject tests.
• June: Take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test and ACT tests.

Grade 12/Senior Year

• Make a final list of schools that interest you and keep a file of deadlines and required admission items for each school.
• Maintain grades and try to obtain high class ranking.
• Research for scholarships and make note of deadlines .This information can be found in Career Cruising.
• Continue involvement in activities such as sports, clubs and organizations both in and out of school.  Also continue volunteer and service projects.
• Update the Educational Resume or list of activities you started as a freshman (See Grade 9 for a list of what it should contain).
• Have teachers, coaches and other appropriate adults write letters of recommendations to be used in scholarships and admission letters.
• October: Take the SAT and/or ACT tests. Have official scores sent to your preferred colleges/universities.  Register for December or January SAT Subject test if necessary.
• November: Submit your college admission appliations. Schedule any remaining required college/university interviews.
• December: Check for upcoming scholarship deadlines.
• January: Make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms as soon as possible so you can make the FAFSA, other federal aid applications and scholarship deadlines.
• January: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or after January 1.  The FAFSA must be submitted even if you have not been notified of your acceptance to the college(s) to which you applied.  Use the FAFSA website to complete this form. The FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) is needed for all financial aid and most scholarships. Estimated financial information can be used until Income Tax is complete.  Will need to go back to FAFSA and update with correct figures.
• February - June: Request that your high school send your official transcripts to the colleges to which you are applying.
• March / April: If you have not received an acceptance letter from the college(s) to which you applied, contact the admission office.
• May: Make your final college/university decision and mail any deposits required.
• June: Contact your colleges to determine the cost of tuition, room and board and when they are due. Send final copy of high school transcript or any other required documents to college.
• June and July: Participate in any summer orientation programs at your college for incoming freshman.

Career Cruising has direct links to SAT, ACT, FAFSA and other websites. It also has tools to help with resumes, interviews and other college related items.