C OLLEGE PLANNING PORTFOLIO

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1 1. 1. Name Address City State Zip Phone MY TOP 3 PREFERRED COLLEGES MY TOP 3 EXTRACURRICULAR INTERESTS MY TOP 3 PREFERRED CAREERS 1. MY TOP 3 CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS 1. C OLLEGE PLANNING PORTFOLIO

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3 ACADEMIC DIVISIONS Division of Education and Human Services Interdisciplinary Studies, BS 4th 8th Grade Mathematics and ESL Early Childhood 6th Grade Generalist and All Level Special Education Early Childhood 6th Grade Generalist and Bi-Lingual Early Childhood 6th Grade Generalist and All ESL Human Services Management and Leadership, BS Division of Liberal Arts & Life Sciences Applied Arts & Sciences, BAAS Arts & Sciences (Undeclared) Information Technology, BA Mathematics, with Secondary Teacher Certification, BA Mathematics, BA Sociology, BA Division of Urban & Professional Studies Accounting Control Systems, BS Criminal Justice, BS Business Administration, BBA: Accounting Entrepreneurship Finance General Business Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management Logistics & Supply Chain Management, BS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS AT DALLAS 7300 UNIVERSITY HILLS BLVD., DALLAS, TEXAS / (tty) 1

4 KEYS TO SUCCESS IN COLLEGE Show up for class. Have your work done on time. Set up a daily schedule and stick to it. Assess and improve your study habits. Study with a group. Choose teachers who actively involve you in learning. See your instructors outside of class. Learn from honest criticism. Improve your critical thinking skills. Be the best writer you can be. Know how to find and work with information on your campus. Find a great academic adviser or counselor. Learn what helping resources your campus offers and where they are located. Visit your campus career center. Understand why you are in college. Find and get to know one individual on campus who cares about your wellbeing. If you're attending classes full-time, try not to work more than 20 hours a week. Get involved in campus activities. Take your health seriously. Try to have realistic expectations. Source: Jewler, A.J. & Barefoot, B.O. (2008). Your College Experience: Strategies for Success (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 2

5 Look ahead to the requirements for graduation from your high school s Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program. As a high school junior, complete the SAT or ACT and have your scores sent to colleges you would like to attend. In your senior year, complete applications to the colleges you are considering and request that your high school transcript be sent to their admissions offices. Most likely they will request additional documentation from you, as well. Don t slack off as a senior. Some colleges check for significant declines in academic performance of their high school applicants and may deny your application as a result. If you can, get involved in extracurricular activities (community service, fine arts, athletics, clubs, etc.). Such involvement shows prospective colleges that you are able to balance your life effectively as a student. Learn more about possible job fields and career paths that match your personal interests. Getting Ready for College: STARTING EARLY Shadow someone who works in your potential job field of choice to get a better idea of what it actually entails. Identify a mentor in your area of interest. A mentor is someone who knows the ropes and has achieved some degree of success in your field or career of interest. The wisdom gained by experience can be an invaluable asset to your success, as well. Take career aptitude assessments to learn more about possible matches between your personality, interests, and the world of work the MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory are widely used. Find out about the path (education, certification, training, etc.) that you must take to land a job and be successful in your career of choice. Once you ve been accepted to the college of your choice, you should get the wheels rolling for financial aid and scholarships (if applicable). These can take a while, and you ll want the money available when it s time to pay for your classes. See more under the tab, Paying for College. Getting Ready for College What is most important to you in a college or university? 3

6 Plan for Success A lot of high school students can t wait to get out of school and into real life. College is an opportunity to discover your passion, learn more about yourself, build lasting friendships and move your life in the direction of greater purpose. Of course, your life in high school is real enough, but higher adventures await! Research clearly shows that college graduates have a decisive advantage over those who have only completed high school when it comes to earning power. Not only will your higher degree and training qualify you for a higher wage, but the focus that a college education provides enhances your sense of life purpose. Big Picture, Next Steps Your development so far has opened up an increasingly larger world of experiences more independence, more responsibility, and more possibilities. Sometimes all the Plan for Success: POSITION YOURSELF optional paths you might take can feel confusing and overwhelming. Attending college will continue to open up the world to you, but you will also find your unique path through the possibilities. Thankfully you don t have to make all your important life decisions all at once. When you arrive at college, there are advisers and professors to help you choose your way to the degree that will set you up for success and fulfillment in the professional world. Core classes and electives, student organizations and program certifications, academic tutoring and other student services are designed to help you stay focused, keep your balance and finish well. In the end, it s not about fitting you into somebody else s box. In college you have the freedom to discover what difference you can make in the world. Yet undiscovered talents and emerging interests can light the way to a New U. What are your top 5 choices for college? NAME OF COLLEGE WEBSITE ADDRESS ADMISSIONS PHONE 1. UNT Dallas

7 Choosing the Right College: SEARCH SMART How can you find your way to the best college for you? The line between your talent and intelligence and your chosen profession follows a series of steps: selfawareness, maintaining a good academic record (or working to repair it), and learning about the variety of job fields and career paths that match your personal interests. Choosing a potential career path that will bring you fulfillment involves much more than looking into the highest paying jobs out there. Gaining insight into your personality style, interests and preferences is a big key to success, as well. Your high school counselor is a great resource and so are College Nights. Ask if you re allowed time to personally check out college campuses. Colleges are individuals too: there are big ones and small ones, public ones and private ones, two-year and four-year, tech schools and full-blown universities. You are wise to explore the variety and find the type that is most compatible with your personality, values, and career goals while you re still in high school. Go Surfing The Internet provides great access to this wide variety of college options, but you can easily get lost in the jungle without a strategy to help your search and sift intelligently. Your best advice is to go into it with a focus already in mind; each college is complex in its own way, and you might easily get led down one rabbit hole after another. As you become clearer about a career direction, build out a strategy that will help you select schools that line up with your objectives and eliminate the ones that don t. Begin with the colleges that provide degrees which lead most directly into the job field of your choice. While the typical college offers much more than degrees, it s the educational degree that will provide the important bridge to your professional career. Once you ve shortened your list this way, dig deeper into the different college websites and see what you can learn about their internal cultures. Finally, plan campus visits to get a feel for how everything matches up. Choosing the Right College NAME OF COLLEGE Top 5 Schools Important Information MAJOR OFFERED? CAMPUS TOUR? ADMISSION PRIORITY DATE FA / SCHOLARSHIPS PRIORITY DATE 1. UNT Dallas March 1 March

8 Applying to College: GET YOUR SCORES Applying to College College entrance exams The ACT and SAT are standardized, which means that evaluation is based on objective measures. Thanks to standardization, colleges can use the same criteria to compare your scores with millions of other students across the country. How can you know which test to take? Some colleges prefer the ACT, which is an achievement test that measures what you learned in school, and others prefer the SAT, which is more of an aptitude test that measures your reasoning and verbal abilities. In some cases either test is accepted. It can be a good idea to take both and be prepared either way. It is also wise to take advantage of ACT and SAT prep materials available on the market. Brushing up on subject content knowledge and taking practice tests will fill in the gaps and build confidence. Plan ahead: The registration deadline is about a month before each test, so you must schedule your test in time to get results back for college admission deadlines. Assessment tests Public colleges and universities in Texas are required by law to assess some students in reading, writing and math to ensure they have the academic skills to perform effectively in college. One example of such assessments is the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) test. Some students will be exempt from these tests. To find out more about assessment tests, ask your high school counselor or contact a local university or community college. Advanced Placement tests The Advanced Placement (AP) program consists of 33 college-level courses and exams for highly motivated students in secondary schools. Students take the courses and the exams at their high schools, and those who pass the exams can receive academic course credit in those subjects when they enroll in college. Check with your high school to see if it offers AP courses in cooperation with the College Board. Compared to the cost of college credit hours, the $86 fee per test can be a great deal. Ask your high school counselor about the program, or call or for more information. CLEP tests College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams may allow students to place out of certain required courses in college by giving them credit for their existing knowledge. Students who pass an exam do not have to take the corresponding college course. Anyone can take any of the 34 CLEP exams, which are usually taken on college campuses for $72 each. Check with the college you plan to enter before taking any CLEP exam. You can find more information about the program at or call

9 Applying to College: APPLICATION & TRANSCRIPTS The college application form Your application, transcripts (grade report), class rank and entrance exam scores determine your acceptance to most colleges or universities. Some schools may also require an essay or references. Applications can be obtained by requesting them from colleges by mail or downloading them from college websites. Applying to a Texas public college or university can be done online at If you fill out an application by hand, be sure it s neat and complete ; this is your first representation to college admissions officials, so take care to make a great impression! Read all the instructions that come with the application, and follow them precisely. It s best to type your responses or use black (not blue) ink since your application might be photocopied or converted to microfiche at the college. Carefully check your application for errors when you re finished. It s a good idea to have a parent or other high school counselor double-check it. Be sure to send the application fee if required. Official transcripts As part of the application process, you will need to request an official transcript, or record of your grades, from your high school to be sent to the college(s) of your choice. If you have graduated, your transcript will list your class rank and grade point average. You may have to pay a small fee for each official transcript; unofficial transcripts or photocopies are not acceptable because of the possibility of grade tampering. Legislation provides that all Texas high school seniors graduating in the top 10 percent of their class qualify for automatic admission at Texas public universities. Applying to College COLLEGE NAME Top 5 Schools Checklist ADMISSION APPLICATION 1. UNT Dallas APPLICATION FEE OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS FA/SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS 7

10 Paying for College: WHERE S THE MONEY? Most would-be college students can t just reach into their pockets to pay for school and it s getting more expensive every year. But don t let that discourage you from moving forward. Financial aid is available in the form of grants and loans, and many colleges offer scholarships and pre-paid tuition programs to ease the financial burden. In addition, most college campuses have student employment opportunities that can work around your class schedule. Get information from your high school or college rep about financial aid, and ask the colleges you re researching about these other options as well. Paying for College FAFSA To apply for federal aid (loans, grants or workstudy programs), you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in January of the year you plan to attend college. The best way to apply is online at ed.gov. Some colleges may require you to complete additional financial aid forms. SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships can be based on different things (such as need, merit, athletics, and major). Find out the college financial aid office if you are automatically considered for scholarships or if you need to apply for specific ones. Colleges aren t your only possible source for scholarships, however. You might also apply for scholarships from businesses, faithbased organizations, Greek societies, foundations and community organizations. Your high school counselor and local librarian can help you find information on these and other scholarships; or check the web. VETERANS Students who have served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces may be eligible for educational benefits from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA also provides educational assistance to eligible widows or widowers and children of veterans who died while in service or after discharge from a service-connected disability. This assistance extends further to spouses and children of veterans who have a service-connected disability considered total and permanent. There are also tuition waivers provided for by the Hazlewood Act specifically for Texas Veterans. GRANTS A grant is a funding source that doesn t have to be repaid. The two most common grants for undergraduate students are the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. These grants are based on financial need and are awarded to students with the greatest need. In addition to federal grants, students also may qualify for the Texas Public Educational Grant, the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program and other state awards. The Texas Public Educational Grant and the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program are awarded based on financial need and satisfactory academic progress. Part of eligibility is that you need to be enrolled in college half time (6 hours) or more. Other state and federal awards are available to undergraduate and graduate students depending on financial need, satisfactory academic progress and availability of funds. If you are interested in attending a private college you should investigate Tuition Equalization Grants, offered by the state of Texas for students demonstrating financial need. What are the 3 forms of fi nancial aid? 1. 8

11 Timetable: ONE STEP AT A TIME From where you stand right now, the goal of getting to college might seem far off and complicated. Use this timetable to make your strategy and take it a step at a time. You ll make it! Just stay focused and take care of what s next. JUNIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL SEPTEMBER Attend a college fair to begin gathering information on colleges. OCTOBER Take the PSAT. DECEMBER Review PSAT results. Discuss any concerns you may have about your scores with your guidance counselor. FEBRUARY Register for spring SAT or ACT. Start a list of potential colleges. MARCH Begin to visit your potential colleges (Spring Break may be a good time to schedule visits). MAY Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams. JULY Review college options, requirements and deadlines (admission, housing, financial aid and scholarships), and begin preparing to narrow college choices. 1. Next on my list SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL SEPTEMBER Attend a college fair to ask specific questions about colleges. Register for fall SAT or ACT, if necessary. Narrow your list of potential colleges. Search for possible scholarships. OCTOBER-DECEMBER Attend campus-visit programs. Review final college list with high school counselor and parents. Request teacher recommendations if needed. Apply to schools with early deadlines or rolling admissions. Begin other college applications. Mail all admission applications, submit them online or turn them in to your high school, depending on the system your school uses. JANUARY Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply for scholarships. Submit paper or online housing application for best selection of halls. Make sure your high school sends mid-year grades to the colleges you selected. MARCH Visit campuses on final college list. APRIL-MAY Attend campus-visit program at the college of your choice, if you haven t already. Review college acceptances and scholarship awards. Pick your college and send in your deposit if required. Notify other colleges of your decision. Timetable 9

12 Glossary: KNOW THE LINGO! Glossary of college terms As you are searching through college websites and printed materials, you re bound to come across the following terms. The definitions may differ slightly from school to school, but being familiar with them will keep you from getting tripped up. Glossary Accreditation: An endorsement given to educational institutions or academic degree programs by an organization that reviews qualifications. Associate s degree: A two-year degree from a community or junior college. Audit: To attend a class without receiving credit for the class. Bachelor s degree: A four-year degree from a college, university or professional school; usually requires at least 124 credit hours. Course numbers: Numbers assigned to specific classes. Credit hour: Credit given for attending one lecture hour of class each week for 15 weeks or equivalent. Most college classes are three credit hours, meaning their total meeting time for a week is three hours. Degree: A certificate of completion in a course of study. Degree plan: A specific list of required courses and electives to be completed for a degree. Doctoral degree: The most advanced degree that can be earned; also called a terminal degree. Fees: Course-related costs to attend college. Flat-rate tuition: Policy instituted by some institutions in which students are charged a single rate beyond a certain number of credit hours taken. Freshman: A student who has completed less than 30 hours of college credit. Full-time: Twelve or more credit hours per semester for undergraduate students. GPA: Grade point average; the average of your class grades, generally based on a 4.0 scale. Grants: Financial assistance that does not require repayment. Half-time: Six credit hours per semester for undergraduate students. Internship: A job in a student s field of study; may be required in some academic programs and may include salary and college credit. 10

13 Junior: A student who has completed 60 to 89 college credit hours. Loans: Financial assistance that must be repaid. Long session: Regular fall or spring semester. Major: A student s concentrated field of study. Master s degree: A graduate degree that usually requires two or more years of study beyond the bachelor s degree. Minor: A student s secondary field of study. Nonresident: Any student who lives out of state or does not meet specific state residency requirements. Online courses: Classes held on the Internet instead of in a traditional classroom. Prerequisite: A course that must be taken prior to enrollment in another course. Private university: A non-state assisted college or university that relies on private funding, tuition and fees. Rolling admission: Policy in which a school sends out acceptance letters to students as they are accepted. Scholarships: Financial assistance based on merit; scholarships do not require repayment. Semester hour: See Credit hour. Senior: A student who has completed 90 or more hours of college credit but has not received a bachelor s degree. Sophomore: A student who has completed 30 to 59 college credit hours. Summer session: A summer term of approximately six weeks. Three-quarter time: Nine credit hours for undergraduate students. Tuition: Costs for courses, not including certain fees. Web-based classes: See Online courses. Web registration: Registration through the Internet for classes. Work-study: A federal financial aid program that allows students to work on campus. Public university: A state-assisted college or university. Registration: Enrollment in classes. Resident: A student who meets state residency requirements. Glossary 11

14 More Resources: TITLES AND LINKS This Planning Portfolio is designed to serve as an information hub in your college pursuit. You may still have questions after reading behind the tabs, so we ve included some links and titles of resources to help you get answers. PRINT RESOURCES Countdown to College: 21 To Do Lists for High School: Step-by-step Strategies for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders (2nd ed). Lansing, MI: Front Porch Press. Gardner, J. N. & Jewler, A. J. (2000). Your College Experience: Strategies for Success. Florence, KY: Wadsworth Publishing Co. Horn, R. (Ed). (2009). Get into College (2nd ed.). Atlanta, GA: Hundreds of Heads Books. Springer, S.P., Reider, J., & Franck, M.R. (2009). Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know about Getting into College (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Undergraduate Catalog, University of North Texas at Dallas, ONLINE RESOURCES p pdf, Day, J. & Newburger, E., The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings, U.S. Census Bureau, Educational Attainment in the United States: 2006; Issued March The College Board ACT, Inc. SAT testing Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Maguire Associates INSTITUTION TYPE Average Cost of Higher Education in Texas: TUITION & FEES BOOKS & SUPPLIES ROOM & BOARD TRANSPORTATION PERSONAL TOTAL Private College $19,679 $1,026 $6,557 $1,269 $1,571 $50,102 Public University $6,566 $1,140 $7,827 $1,857 $2,043 $19,434 Community College $1,870 $1,311 $6,104 $1,979 $1,916 $13,184 More Resources Technical School $3,125 $1,651 $6,325 $1,642 $1,553 $14,295 UNT Dallas 12

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16 FINAL RESEARCH ACT / SAT APPLICATION ON YOUR WAY TO A NEW U SELECTION FINANCIAL AID CAMPUS VISIT SCHOLARSHIPS COLLEGE FAIR UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS AT DALLAS 7300 UNIVERSITY HILLS BLVD. DALLAS, TEXAS (tty)