College
Need to request a transcript?
If the university states they will not accept third-party vendors, do not worry. Chose the paper option. Transcript requests are(generally) granted/fulfilled within 24-48 school day hours. Additional, specific transcript questions can be emailed to the College and Career Transition Coordinator, Ms. Chriss Hexter (chriss.hexter@leanderisd.org) or directly to one of our registrars (Cyndee Burkett or Alice Christopherson).
COllege (and Trade School) Visits
Planning to tour a college/university or trade school? Remember, you are permitted two pre-approved college visits in your junior year and two more in your seinor year. (Cannot be combined, carried over.) Within 48 hours of your return, you must provide proof/doumentation of your official tour/visit on school letterhead.
College and Career Readiness
College readiness exams, beginning with the PSAT in 8th grade, provide students the opportunity to evaluate their current academic skills and work to improve, before taking the final step in the College Readiness Pathway which is the SAT and the ACT, in eleventh grade.
APPLYING TO COLLEGE
There are a handful of online platforms students will use to apply to college:
ApplyTexas. Apply Texas allows students to apply to various public and private universities and junior colleges in Texas using one application. This site also provides information about application deadlines and fees.
The Common Application. Common App serves over 700 colleges via one application.
The Coalition Application. Students can start using the Coalition platform as a toolbox for their academic record & resume, then use it later to apply to certain colleges.
School-specific/individual applications. Some colleges, like the University of Alabama, maintain their own online application.
AUTOMATIC & ASSURED ADMISSIONS
Of course Texas has the top 10% rule, but many colleges offer assured admissions for students who meet set academic criteria (typically a combination of rank or GPA and test scores). Be sure to ask whether a college offers assured admission based on set criteria, such as the schools on this 2023-24 Assured Admission chart.
Paying for college
FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is available online every year beginning October 1. By completing the FAFSA, students may be eligible for grants, work-study, and/or loans. The FAFSA4caster can be used to estimate your eligibility for federal student aid using past tax information. For more information about financial aid, check out FinAid.
Scholarships - Scholarships can take some work to find, then more work to apply. Here's where to look:
The college/university you're applying to; information will be posted on their financial aid page
The CPHS Counseling Services page for local scholarships
Search engines like Fastweb and Scholly, or websites like Redkite or StudentScholarships.org
TRANSFERRABLE COLLEGE CREDIT
AP Exam Scores
College Board allows you to search for specific colleges to determine which AP tests and scores will translate into credit at their school.
ACC Courses
These sites may help you determine whether your college will transfer your ACC course credits. If not, your best bet is to contact the college directly.
Texas Core Curriculum - Search by institution and see what credit counts for the core curriculum
CLEP Exams
CLEP exams cover intro-level college course material in 34 subjects and more than 2,900 colleges and universities grant credit to students with qualifying scores. Key facts about CLEP exams:
CLEP exams are available year-round at more than 2,000 CLEP test centers
Subjects include College Algebra, College Composition, and Spanish
Free online courses are available to help students prepare for the exams
Exams typically take 90-120 minutes to complete
Students can receive their scores immediately after the exam and can earn 3 or more credits with one qualifying score
ADDITIONAL PLANNING RESOURCES:
- Planning on taking a college campus visit/tour?
See the College/Technical School Visit Pre-Approval document for the details of how you can prepare for your excused absence.
College for All Texans is one of the most comprehensive resources for students and parents. It includes links and information about preparing for, applying to, and paying for college or technical school.
Try Mapping Your Future for financial aid, school searches, and career-planning information
Get Schooled has college prep tools, college tour resources, and information about application essays for current high school students.
And of course, use Naviance for college search tools, scholarship searches, and the ability to save information to your account.