There are numerous choices when it comes to college - where do I start?

You can begin narrowing your search by selecting some key factors that are important to you.  Some helpful online tools can provide suggestions based on your criteria, including the Naviance SuperMatch (under the "Colleges" tab), the College Board's Big Future "Find your Future" search tool, or the Compare College TX website.  

In the meantime, here are some factors you might consider:

• In-state vs. out-of-state

• Small school vs. large school

• Public vs. private

• Selectivity - GPA, rank, ACT/SAT requirements

• Specific major

• Extracurricular organizations - intramural sports, Greek life, service organizations, clubs

Research and Develop Your College List 

• Researching through campus visits, virtual visits, and/or using Naviance tools such as SuperMatch; check out The College Tour episodes for insights

• Build your list in Naviance under Colleges I'm Applying To.

Determine Academic Fit (Safety, Match, Reach)

• Reflect on what you want out of a college; try this free Corsava website to get you thinking

• Use the College/University Choice Worksheet to help you assess academic fit and categorize your colleges 

• We recommend you have at least 1 safety school, and 3+ colleges overall

Research Application Requirements

• Referencing the colleges' freshmen admission websites, map out your requirements using the College Application Checklist.

• Determine which application platforms you are required to use or are most efficient for you to use.

• Create accounts for the application platform(s) and complete applications.

• Get to work completing your profile, coursework, and activities.

  1. Common Application (application guide) *Closely review special transcript ordering information for Common App below.

  2. Apply Texas

The Activities Section

• Use the Activity Spreadsheet for College Applications to aid you in compiling your activities

• Reference the Conquering the Activities Section slides for additional guidance

Counselor

1. Complete the Counselor Brag Sheet

2. Turn in the completed Brag Sheet IN PERSON to Mrs. Lyle.

   • Include an addressed, stamped envelope as needed.

3. Follow up with a Thank You note.

Teacher

1.  Ask your teacher if she/he is willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.

2. Complete the Teacher/Advisor Letter of Recommendation

   • Include an addressed, stamped envelope as needed.

3. Follow up with a Thank You note.

ECHS does not send test scores. Scholars must order test scores directly from:

• College Board (SAT)

• ACT

• TSIA (Accuplacer)

FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid // video overview

• All colleges will require the FAFSA to be considered for need-based aid (grants, loans, work-study)

• The FAFSA application opens each year on October 1 and must be completed annually

• The Federal Student Aid Estimator can be used to estimate your eligibility for federal student aid using past tax information.  For more information about financial aid, check out FinAid.

CSS Profile

• Some private institutions may require the FAFSA and CSS Profile.

• The CSS Profile opens each year on October 1 and must be completed annually.

Scholarships

• Scholarships are a form of financial aid, but are considered merit-based (and may have a need-based component)

• Great search tools: Going Merry, Fastweb.com, Scholarships.com, Big Future, Access Scholarships

• Scholarships (video)

Resources:

• Understanding the Costs of College (video)

• Getting started on the FAFSA (video)

• Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet

Some colleges require midyear reports (aka: 7th semester transcript) to check in on your senior year progress. 

• Common App - if any of your Common Application schools require a mid-year report, you don't need to do anything else for these schools. Your counselor will submit the report on your behalf once mid-year transcripts become available.

• Coalition - if any of your Coalition schools require a mid-year report, your counselor will upload a mid-year transcript to your Coalition Locker once it is available. You (scholar) will need to attach it to your applications, then.

• School Specific Application - if you applied through a school specific portal and need a mid-year report, you will order a transcript via Parchment. Please be sure to select the "Hold for Grades" option. This will ensure the registrar sends the mid-year transcript to include the 1st semester grades.

Colleges/universities, as well as the military and technical schools, will require proof of graduation in the form of a final high school transcript. It is the student's responsibility to order the final high school transcript to be sent to the institution through Parchment. WARNING: Failure to submit a final high school transcript will result in issues for you!

• The final transcript can be ordered through Parchment before graduation by selecting "hold for grades" when you order. If, after graduation, you can choose "send immediately". Either way, know that transcripts are typically not finalized until mid-late June, and orders will be processed at that time. 

• Dual Credit students - be sure to order a transcript to be sent to ACC along with the college you're attending; otherwise, ACC will place a hold on your account (which may mean a hold on transferring your ACC credits). On that note, be sure you have sent your most recent ACC transcript to the college you're attending to ensure those credits are evaluated for transfer.