SENIOR BULLETIN #1 - Pasadena Independent School District



INFORMATION BULLETIN

J. FRANK DOBIE HIGH SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER 2015

FOR SENIOR STUDENTS & THEIR PARENTS

Compiled by

NANCY CARLTON – College Now Assistant/Scholarship Coordinator





ncarlton@

Dobie’s school code is 443-374

|Counselors |Ext. |Area |

|Bernadette Marsh |04129 |Lead Counselor |

|bmarsh@ | |B, C & D |

|Glenda Nicholson |04142 |Distance Learning Center |

|gnicholson@ | | |

|Erin Thompson |04136 | |

|eethompson@ | |A, V, W, X, Y & Z |

|Jennifer Haynes |04123 | |

|jhaynes@ | |M, N & O |

|Erin Richardson |04113 | |

|erichardson@ | |H, I, J, K & L |

|Teresa Medrano-Jack |04128 | |

|MMedrano@ | |E, F & G |

|Denice Smajstrla |04383 | |

|dsmajstrla@ | |P, Q & R |

|Steve Long |04208 | |

|slong@ | |S, T & U |

|LaShunda Page |04406 |Transition Counselor |

|lpage@ | | |

|Lillian Tello |04364 |San Jacinto College Counselor |

|Ltello1@ | |(College Room in Library) |

|Jennifer Johnson jejohnson@ |04131 |College Now Director |

| | |Nancy Carlton (College Now |

| | |Assistant/Scholarship Coor.) |

| | |(Ext.04115) email link above |

Secretaries:

Connie Hobbs (Ext. 04124) La Nguyen (Ext. 04121) Claudette Reed (Ext. 04441)

“COLLEGE CONNECTION” will be located in the cafeteria during Mega Lunch. Stop by for information on colleges, scholarships, college visits, SAT/ACT, Fee Waivers, and FAFSA. On Fridays during Mega Lunch you can come to P16 to use computers for any of these needs.

SCHOOL VISITS AT DOBIE:

The Houston Association of Representatives Network (HARN) will be here at Mega Lunch on September 2nd. This is a specific group of colleges in the Texas and surrounding area. The following colleges will visit at this time.

|Rep Name |Rep Email |University |

|April Marroquin |april.marroquin@lamar.edu |Lamar |

|Kimberly Morris |morriskj@sfasu.edu |SFA |

|Guy Graugnard |guy.graugnard@utdallas.edu |UT Dallas |

|Michael Fulton |michael.fulton@sjcd.edu |San Jacinto |

|Rebecca Heilman |heilmanr@uhv.edu |UHV |

|Kassandra Flores |floresk@uhd.edu |UH-Downtown |

|Molly Niemczyk |mmn009@shsu.edu |SHSU |

|Taylor Chilcutt |taylor.chilcutt@ttu.edu |Texas Tech |

|Robert Awkward |awkwardr@southwestern.edu |Southwestern Univ.Georgetown,Tx |

|Pamela Suell |psuell@uttyler.edu |UT Tyler |

|Tommy Newton |tnewton@tlu.edu |TLU |

|Derrick Robertson |robertsond@uhcl.edu |UH-Clear Lake |

|Maria Gaston |mgaston@uh.edu |UH Main |

|Abijah Kratochvil |akratoch@gc.edu |GC |

|Kelly Tallerine |kellytallerine@txstate.edu |Texas State |

|Nikki Miller |millernm@sthom.edu |St. Thomas |

|Roquee Forson |rma5555@louisiana.edu |U.of Louisiana @ Lafayette |

|Winfred Barnes |wbarnes@uta.edu |UT Arlington |

| | | |

COLLEGE PREVIEWS:

September 2 – HARN Visit – Mega Lunch

September 14 – Carnegie Mellon – Mega Lunch

September 29 – Indiana Tech – Mega Lunch

SCHOLARSHIPS

I will start listing scholarships on the September Student Bulletin.

See below for information on how to apply for a scholarship.

If the scholarship application asks for an official transcript you must follow the deadline for the completed application that I have put on the front of the application. I will have to mail everything that needs an official transcript because the district has mandated that we do not ever give an official one to a parent or student. I will put a date on the front that will allow me enough time to get it in the mail.

The scholarships that do not have numbers on them are website scholarships. The numbered scholarships have paper copies and are located in the locations listed below.

COLLEGE ROOM

The College Room is located in the library. Ms. Lillian Tello will be here again as our San Jac Counselor: She is not here yet and we haven’t heard the days or hours she will be here. I will post the information and her introduction later….. She will be housed in the College Room in the Library.

COLLEGE SEARCH COMPUTER – We will have computers in the College Room that you can use to find out information on colleges and scholarships. If interested, go to the College room anytime it is open. If you need any help, just ask Ms. Tello.

FROM Mrs. Carlton

Seniors - Welcome back! I look forward to working with you this year on scholarships and college information. I hope that each of you had a good summer. You have a busy year ahead of you so please read each bulletin carefully and share this information with your parents. A bulletin will be put out frequently to give out information on scholarships and other items of interest. The bulletin will be located on Dobie’s website. Scholarship applications and a copy of the bulletin will be kept in the COLLEGE ROOM in the Library, Counseling Center, in Mega Lunch at the College Connection tables located in front of the stairs by the vending machines, and in the College Now Office, P16. Turn in your completed applications to me. I will be handling all of your scholarship needs. If there is a signature you need on the application I will take care of it. I will supply you with as much information as is available. When scholarship information becomes available to me I will list it in the bulletin. This information will also be listed on the Internet under Dobie’s Web Page. See link at top of page. I will tell you if I have the application or give you information on how to get the applications. I will also list deadlines, whether I need the completed applications back, etc. Sometimes the deadlines are different than on the applications because time is needed to process them before they can be sent (Don’t miss out because of this). WE ARE GOING TO HOLD FAST TO THIS RULE. IF I PUT A DATE THAT THE APPLICATION NEEDS TO BE BACK TO ME IT MUST BE BACK AT THAT TIME WITH ALL THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS.

9th – 11th – These bulletins will also have helpful information and a few scholarship offerings for you as well.

Most of the applications ask for a transcript.

• The registrar will not give you an official transcript.

• The transcript can not touch your hands at any time.

• If you have a scholarship that needs a transcript to be sent with it you will need to get all documents to either Mrs. Cobb or me in plenty of time to get the mail over to the ad building. It sometimes takes 2 days for the mail to get to the ad building and go out in the US mail.

• I only send out your applications if they require an official transcript. If an unofficial transcript will work you must send yourself.

• Allow for extra time so that you do not miss out on a scholarship because the deadline was not met.

• If a scholarship needs to be postmarked by a certain date do not bring to us on that date-use the date I requested it to be returned to me. We have to send the mail to the administration building for postage so allow the time.

• Same thing for transcripts being sent to colleges. Always allow for extra time.

Your parents are welcome to call me at anytime and I will be glad to answer any questions. My number is 713-740-0370. It is very important that you take the responsibility and not your parents. You need to know what is going on and how important it is to meet with me. It is ultimately your responsibility to read the opportunities and your responsibility to pick up the applications, fill them out and return them to me. In some instances you will be able to send them yourself. Just remember that if it involves anything on our part we need time to meet the deadlines. If it involves recommendation letters you can’t wait until the last minute to request them.

Also, the registrar requires 2 days for a transcript request. TRANSCRIPTS - must be ordered from Mrs. Cobb, the registrar, in her office located on the inside office hall next to our offices. The counselor’s office will not do this for you. This is your responsibility. You can obtain transcript request cards in my office or in the registrar’s office. All transcripts cost $1 and it is payable at time of request for transcript.

Financial Aid –

• Encourage parents to begin organizing their tax filing paper work now! Financial Aid is distributed by college financial aid officers on a first come first served basis. Remember you will only need the totals from the 2013 tax return. They do not have to file their return any earlier than usual.

• When establishing financial need, any assets in a student’s name (bank accounts, etc.) are 100% eligible for college funding. If the same assets are in a parent’s name, only a small percentage is considered as an eligible funding source.

• For younger siblings, parents may consider the 529 Plan. During these uncertain economic times, some consider this fund a good insurance policy.

Scholarships -

• Avoid scholarship/financial aid search companies that require a fee for their services. You can probably do just as well on your own!

• Use the free scholarship/financial aid searches on the web-site list provided to you. They are great!!

• There are thousands of scholarships out there. Most of you have a limited amount of time. Do not waste time, effort, and postage chasing dollars that you do not have a reasonable chance to win!! For example: if you are ranked 100th in your class with a SAT of 950, you have very little chance winning a scholarship based on high grades and test scores. Check out the pool of potential applicants and weigh your chances of receiving a scholarship against financial aid.

• As much as 90% of scholarship funds come from the colleges themselves. Inquire at the Financial Aid office and the department of your intended major field of study.

• If money is an issue, the Armed Services offer wonderful programs to fund your education.

• If money is an issue, try local junior colleges for your freshman and sophomore years. You will be surprised at the reasonable cost of tuition.

• If a scholarship requires an application fee, chances are it is a scam.

Placement Tests –

• If you are a senior and have not taken a SAT or ACT, register now. If you’ve already tested, take another to improve your score.

• We are working on getting SAT Prep Classes offered at Dobie in the spring semester.

Letters of Recommendation –

• Select someone who really knows you well (teacher, coach, music director, youth pastor, etc.). Be sure to select someone who will give you a favorable recommendation (do not be afraid to ask). More on this later on in this bulletin. Fill out a senior profile sheet (available in the counselors’ office, P16, and at College Connection). Keep the original in the Counselors’ office and give copies to teachers and whomever is writing your letter. This allows the person to write you a more detailed letter.

COLLEGE VISITS: Seniors get 2 days in 11th and 2 days in 12th to visit college that will not count against you if you follow these directions. See Mrs. Nguyen in the Counseling Center for the form. I will also have them at the College Connection table in the cafeteria at Mega Lunch. It must be filled out and signed by Mr. Van Essen before the college visit. During the college visit obtain a form on their letterhead stating your name, date of visit and a signature from a school official. Bring that form and the form signed by Mr. Van Essen to attendance immediately upon your return from visit.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - Some applications for admission to college and many scholarship applications require letters of recommendation from school personnel. Please keep in mind that these take time to write, and often the same person is asked to write as many as five letters for the same application/scholarship. Most school personnel are happy to write these for you, but you should be considerate enough to ask them at least 2 weeks before you need the recommendation. If the letter is to be mailed directly by the person writing the recommendation, supply a stamped envelope addressed to the person to whom the letter is to be sent. Otherwise, it should be sent directly to me to be mailed with the application and transcript. You must have a Senior Profile Sheet filled out and on file. We are working on a sheet to be filled out online. Make sure you keep copies of this sheet so that you can give them to the person writing the recommendation. It is best to choose a person who knows you best - your teacher. Always make sure the person writing the recommendation knows when it is due.

GPA CONVERSION - Current Dobie GPA divide by 5.0 =? Multiply? by 4.0 = GPA on a 4.0 scale. For example, if you have a 4.80 GPA you divide 4.80 by 5.0 = .96 x 4.0 = 3.84

Also, here is the link to a GPA converter.  It's at the top of the page...you just put in your current GPA and then choose a scale.  We are on a 5.0 scale.

COLLEGE INFORMATION: See below. Most colleges accept web applications, so use the Internet as a primary source for college info.

COMMON APPLICATIONS

• TEXAS COMMON APPLICATION (now called ApplyTexas application) ( ) can be used to apply to all Texas Public Universities and Colleges.

• COMMON APPLICATION ( ), not to be confused with the Texas Common Application, is used by up to 300 private colleges to register. For a list of colleges go to the website.

• CSS/FINANCIAL AID PROFILE - program of the College Scholarship Service, the financial aid division of the College Board, a national, non-profit association of schools and school systems, colleges and universities, and educational organizations. Some colleges, universities and scholarship programs use the information collected on PROFILE to help them award non-federal student aid funds. The PROFILE application is customized for you based on the information you give when you register for the service. By completing the form, you are able to give a complete picture of your family’s financial circumstance, including explanations about special circumstance, on a single application. There is a listing on the application of participating schools and programs. This is not widely used so please check and make sure you need this because there is a fee.

COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS – Mrs. Marsh, Lead Counselor, suggests that you do all three essays. If you are equal in qualifications with another applicant they will pick the student who did all three essays over the student who did only the minimum required. This especially applies for scholarships offered by the colleges.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS (SAT and ACT)

Deadlines are the same for registration by mail, telephone or website. Mail registrations must be postmarked by the deadline. If you pre-register by phone, call early to avoid the last-minute rush near deadlines. The deadlines are posted on the back of the information sheets.

TEST REGISTRATION ON-LINE

Register for the SAT on-line at:

Register for the ACT on-line at:

The current SAT is in effect through the January 2016 test date. The new redesigned SAT starts March 2016. (The new SAT is based on what you have already learning in class.) Seniors taking the SAT will take the current SAT and juniors will take the new SAT in the spring. Redesigned SAT Launches March 2016

Students take the current SAT up until January 2016. Starting in March 2016, students will take the redesigned SAT, and the current SAT will no longer be offered. Most colleges and universities plan to accept both the current and redesigned SAT scores for a few years.

$54.50 through January 2016

$54.50 after January 2016 for SAT with Essay $43 for SAT without Essay

Test Dates for SAT Registration Deadline/Fee Waiver Deadline

and Achievement Tests

October 3, 2015(I or II) September 3, 2015 / September 22, 2015

November 7, 2015(I or II) October 9, 2015 / October 27, 2015

December 5, 2015(I or II) November 5, 2015 / November 23, 2015

January 23, 2016 (I or II) December 28, 2015 / January 12, 2016

March 5, 2016 (I only) February 5, 2016 / February 23, 2016

May 5, 2016 (I or II) April 8, 2016 / April 26, 2016

June 4, 2016 (I or II) May 5, 2016 / May 25, 2016

You can no longer show up as a standby but in some cases you can be waitlisted. Waitlist status may be available beginning from the last registration deadline up until five days before test day. You can only request waitlist status online. Check the website for information.

The current SAT doesn’t test logic or abstract reasoning. It tests the skills you’re learning in school: reading, writing and math. Your knowledge and skills in these subjects are important for success in college and throughout your life.

• The critical reading section includes reading passages and sentence completions.

• The writing section includes a short essay and multiple-choice questions on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage.

• The mathematics section includes questions on arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability.

The SAT will be given at Dobie on all dates except the March test. The test center code is #44-519. Dobie’s school code is 443-374.

Fee Waivers

Juniors and Seniors: If you are on free or reduced lunch I can give you 2 SAT fee waivers and 2 ACT fee waivers. (Juniors we suggest you wait until 2nd semester to take SAT. You will be taking the PSAT in October.) You can fill out a green request sheet to request the fee waivers. These can be obtained at the College Connection table at Mega lunch in the cafeteria or in P16. There is usually a 1 day turnaround.

Seniors, if you took a SAT test last spring with a fee waiver you will be receiving 4 free college fee waivers electronically sometime in September.

Seniors, if you take a SAT test this school year you will receive 4 college fee waivers about 3 weeks after taking the test.

Seniors, if you only take the ACT with a fee waiver and want 4 college fee waivers let me know. I will only give you the ACT fee waivers if you didn’t take the SAT with a fee waiver.

Colleges and Universities are not obligated to waive their admission application fees so sometimes they will deny the fee waiver.

Test Dates for American Registration Deadline

College Test (ACT)

September 12, 2015 August 7, 2015

October 24, 2015 September 18, 2015

December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015

February 6, 2016 January 8, 2016

April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016

June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016

The ACT is $39.50 (no writing) & the ACT plus Writing is $56.50

• It is recommended to take the ACT plus writing because a lot of the colleges require the writing part.

The ACT will be administered at Dobie on all dates. The test center code is #219230. Dobie’s school code is 443-374.

TSIA (ACUPLACER) test - If you are planning to enroll in a Texas public university you may be required to take this test before you can attend unless you are exempt. If you are planning on attending San Jac you may take this test on their campus.

The exemptions for the TSIA are as follows:

SAT composite score of at least 1070 with verbal (Critical Reading) 500+ and Math 500+

ACT composite score of at least 23 with English 19+ and Math 19+

STAAR algebra II 4000

TEXAS FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION CENTER (888/311-8881) call Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., and Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Spanish speaking representatives are also on hand. You can also go to

NCAA INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE FORMS

If you plan on playing sports in college you must register with the Clearinghouse. All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center by the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will not be used. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility Center code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to the Eligibility Center.

Visit

SELECTIVE SERVICE

Males are supposed to register with Selective Service within 30 days of your 18th birthday. It is not a resumption of the draft. Federal and some state laws require registration-age men applying for certain benefits such as student financial aid, government employment, and job training to be registered with Selective Service. Register via the Internet:

IMPORTANT DATES:

Dobie Open House September 14, 2015 6-8 p.m.

Panoramic Picture TBA

PISD College Fair November 17, 2015 Deer Park High School 6 – 8 p.m.

Financial Aid Night TBA

Prom May 21, 2015 – 8 o’clock - midnight at Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston.

Graduation June 4, 2015 @ 9:00 a.m.

NRG Stadium

FINANCIAL AID FORMS (FAFSA) - We no longer receive the paper form of the FAFSA. You don’t complete the FAFSA until your senior year. You cannot start the process until January 1, 2016; after your parent’s do their income tax. The website is . Do not get on the site that charges you a fee for the FAFSA.

EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES will be listed on Dobie’s website soon!!!!

CATALOGS AND APPLICATIONS

We will get college catalogues and applications from time to time. Check in the College Room for this information.

SOME POPULAR COLLEGES WEBSITES

San Jacinto College District (sjcd.edu )

Baylor University (baylor.edu)

Houston Baptist University (hbu.edu)

Sam Houston State (shsu.edu)

Southwest Texas State (Texas State Univ.) (txstate.edu)

Stephen F. Austin University (sfa.edu)

Texas A & M (tamu.edu/admissions)

Texas Tech (texastech.edu)

University of Houston (uh.edu)

University of North Texas (unt.edu)

University of Texas (utexas.edu)

Tyler Junior College (tjc.edu)

LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW ON THE SEPTEMBER BULLETIN

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