WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING RIGHT NOW?
- Start your FAFSA account! Student and Parent/Guardian create FSA ID (ask for their tax papers!)
- Go to studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- 2022 W2
- 2022 IRS 1040
- Click here for more info about financial aid: FINANCIAL AID
- Create ApplyTexas or Common App account
- Early admission or early decision applicants start applications now!
- Start building your college list (see more details below about building a list!)
- Register for SAT or ACT exams
- “Test-optional” colleges will consider your test scores if you submit them, and if you score well on the SAT or ACT, submitting scores can work in your favor.
- You can practice for your exams using Khan Academy! It's an awesome resource.
- Start asking for recommendation letters
- Teachers, counselors, or non-family members can speak on your character!
- Be sure you know which colleges on your list require recommendation letters and from whom they require them. Some colleges ask for letters from more than one teacher as well as a counselor.
- The sooner the better to give your writer enough time to write an AMAZING letter!
- Draft 1st college essay & have others read/edit
- Request application fee waivers
- Submit applications to universities
- Request transcripts (when applications are submitted)
- Send test scores to universities
- Create CSS Profile (if applicable)
- Attend college fairs and college admissions representative visits
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Building a secure college list
When building a college list we have three categories (SAFETY, TARGET, AND REACH SCHOOLS)
SAFETY SCHOOLS
TARGET SCHOOLS
REACH SCHOOLS
SAFETY SCHOOLS
- You’re almost guaranteed to be admitted (GPA, Rank, Test Scores meet the school's requirements)
- Aim to apply to 3
- TCC and UTA might be great options
TARGET SCHOOLS
- Fits into what you’re looking for, BUT might be missing a few requirements
- Look for schools that you can potentially get in and it has you interested
REACH SCHOOLS
- Getting in is a reach, meaning missing more of the schools requirements (GPA might be a little lower, lower test scores but good GPA, or not enough extra curricular activities...)
- Has everything you want (great housing, great majors, great location, student to teacher ratio, sports)
COllege "LINGO"
Undergraduate Degrees "undergrad" (4 years total)
Associate Degree "community college"
Master's Degree
Associate Degree "community college"
- About 2 years to complete sometimes 1.5 years
- Gain 60 credit hours
- About 4 years to complete or 2 years with associate degree (see above)
- Gain 120 credit hours
Master's Degree
- Additional 1-2 years of education (every program is different)
- More flexible than undergrad. Able to work full time with undergrad degree and still go to school full time (roughly 3 classes max per semester)
- Credit hours depends on program
- Highest postgraduate degree
- Usually associated with medical "doctors (Dr.)," but anyone who completes a PhD program is a doctor
- Other titles: Medical School (M.D); Law School (J.D); Dental School (D.D.S); Veterinary School (DVM)
- Additional 3-8 years of education
- To complete a doctorate you must produce significant and original research
- Major - Basically, what you want to study, and what your degree will be in. This makes up the bulk of your undergraduate courses.
- Minor - A secondary interest of study usually six classes or 18 credit hours.
- Credit Hours - The value for college courses (the coin of the realm). Range from 3-4 credit hours. In short, a 3 credit hour course meets 3 hours per week (that could be three days a week for 1 hour or twice a week for 1.5 hours).
- Full Time - When in undergrad the number of courses (credit hours) taken usually 12 hours or more (roughly 3-4 classes).
Senior Advisors
TCU CAC
Manny Saldivar
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Crystal Avelar
Advisor
[email protected] |