Seniors

All about your college application: Here are some tips for students who are gearing up for admissions applications.
Should students include other attachments like portfolios or resumes if they might help the application?

• Only send schools what they are asking for. Many times, students try to get creative in submitting their applications.
• Pictures are not necessary.
• If the school needs additional information, they wil contact you for further information.
• Focus on what is required, rather than how to supplement your application.

If a deadline passes, should students still apply?
You should still apply. Some schools have wait lists that you can be included on. It is not a guarantee, but sometimes slots open up and schools pull from their waitlists. Contact your admissions representative for details.

Where should students go if they need more help?
If you can't get help from your high school counselor, use the Internet. Log on to school admissions Web sites and get contact information. Admissions counselors are there to help you out. Their job is to recruit for universities, and they expect that their students will call upon them for help

Juniors: Take the PSAT; It is being given at Ranchview on Oct. 14th. Plan to attend PSAT/SAT practice sessions.

• Keep a list of after school and work activities; record your time involved. Attend any sessions held by colleges that visit your school.
• Find out about and attend college nights and fairs; ask your counselor for information.
• If you are considering the military, visit with recruiters when they come to your campus.
  Keep your grades up!

Sophomores and freshmen
Concentrate on doing well on your schoolwork.
Participate in class discussions.
Seek a tutor if you need help.
Seek out clubs, organizations, and projects of interest.
Read regularly.
For Take the PSAT; check with your counselor for details.
Take the PLAN, a practice test for the ACT.
Do all your homework.
Seek out clubs, organizations, and projects of interest.

There Is So Much To Do!!

For Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors:

• Purchase an organizer to record important schoolwork dates and club meetings. You'll need to keep track of all activities for your senior resume.
• Listen for announcements and watch for postings of club meetings in which you plan to participate.
• Listen for announcements to find out when college representatives will be visiting your high school campus.
• Plan to attend the District College Night at Creekview High School, on Thurs., Sept. 17th.
• Get involved in a community service cause where you can donate some of your time and talents.

For Seniors

• Give teachers, counselors, and other adults any recommendation forms necessary for college applications. Don't forget to attach a resume.
• Start writing your college and scholarship application essays. Find someone to proof them for you.
• Start first drafts of college and scholarship applications. Go to www.applytexas.org to apply.
• If you are an athlete and you are considering playing a sport at the collegiate level, obtain an NCAA Clearinghouse form from your registrar or guidance counselor.
• Order transcripts as necessary.
• Spend some time on weekends looking over practice test materials. Take another SAT!!!
  

For parents

• Before it gets lost, make copies of your child's schedule, complete with subjects, teachers' names, and room numbers. Keep a copy handy at home and at work.
• Record your child's locker number and combination. This is helpful if your child is ill and you need to pick up books and materials from their locker.
• Provide assistance and support to your teenager in setting up study times and organizing outside activities. Students benefit from your encouragement and your interest as they try to juggle all the events in a new school year.
• Attend the school's Open House Night, Monday, Sept. 14th. Once students enter high school, many parents are less inclined to participate in school sponsored evenings. Yet, it's very helpful to meet the teachers and listen to the course descriptions and expectations.

It's Time To Get Started!

Seniors: Exploring your school options , When selecting a college or university, consider these things:

• Does the school offer a quality education?
  
• What are the admission requirements, and can you meet them?
  
• How much does it cost to get an education at that particular college?
  
• Where is the school located?
  
• How big is the school?

How do you figure out the answers to these questions? A good place to start is the Internet. You can find out a lot about a college or university through its Web site. Some even offer virtual tours, check out Texas colleges links in our links you need section -->

Juniors: This is it, the year that counts!!

Academics are always your first responsibility in high school, in fact your grades this year will be your first impression to the college of your choice!!! Also in-depth involvement in extracurricular activities provide other learning experiences and can demonstrate who you are to your prospective colleges.

Volunteer to lead a project: Serve as a committee or project chair. Develop your problem-solving, organizational, and leadership abilities.

Know the sponsor: Interact more with the adult or faculty sponsor of the clubs or organizations you belong to. This person may prove to be a great advisor through high school

Freshmen and Sophomores:

Before the school year gets underway, you should start practicing good time management skills. If you don't already, start using a daily planner to organize your schedule and keep track of homework and other activities. Also, if you are involved in extracurricular activities, you should plan ahead so you can balance your time successfully between these activities and your school work. There are only 24 hours in a day, and your most precious commodity is time.

JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!

For freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Strong work habits begin with volunteer service or summer job responsibilities. Remember these basic rules:

• Be punctual.
• Dress neatly and appropriately.
• Place your name tag and any other job-related materials in a location where you can easily find them before leaving the house.
• Keep a list of skills that you learned or were required for your job. (This is very important)
• When you receive your first paycheck, be sure to verify that all information on the check is correct.
• Record the name, title, phone number, and address of your employer or volunteer supervisor. You'll need it later for job and school references.

How to Prepare for Finals .... Both in high school and in college.

As you prepare for final exams over the next few weeks, remember these tips:

• Organize your folders for each subject.
• Look over previous tests to review the materials previously missed.
• Form a study group to help you prepare.
• Set aside time to study regularly.

Last-minute hints for Advanced Placement exams:

• Dress in layered clothing on the day of the test. Testing rooms can sometimes be very chilly or very hot. You want to be comfortable in any temperature.
• Wear a watch and monitor your time.
• Take plenty of pencils and pens to the test. Check your calculator and test the battery.
• Take an extra battery, just in case.
• Keep your candidate pack. Place the booklet in a safe place, as you may need to refer to it later for information regarding your scores.
• Remember the advice of your AP teachers.