Letters of reccomendation
Ask at least two teachers for a character letter of recommendation (LOR), so you have them for college and scholarship applications that may require them.
Character LOR request etiquette
Find the right College for YOU!
Strengthen your college list and create a balanced mix of academic safety, fit, and reach schools.
Safety is a college that you likely have a chance of getting into and can afford. They should also be colleges you’d be happy to attend.
Fit is a college you likely have a good chance of getting into and is a good fit for you overall.
Reach is a college that may be more of a challenge for you to get into. Getting accepted isn’t a sure thing, but it’s realistic enough to be worth the effort of applying.
Applications and Scholarships..OH MY!
Begin working on your applications.
Start crafting your essays.
Continue applying for scholarships and track your progress.
Texas First Diploma - Scholarship for Texas high school early graduates
Merit Aid breakdown by college
More tests???
AP exams:
Review the credit policies for the institutions you're interested in.
If you plan to ask for testing accommodations for your AP exams because of a disability, start the request process early.
If needed, practice and retake the SAT or ACT
SAT- Khan Academy
ACT- Kaplan
Institution "Optional" Information
Approved accommodations for students with a disability
Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA (or TASFA), the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Create your FSA ID and start your application as soon as it opens in December (this is new).
It takes 3+ months to receive your financial aid award package(s) AFTER you hit submit. You don't want this to be what you're waiting on to decide which institution you will attend.
Need-based aid breakdown by college
The FAFSA and TASFA are not just for those who qualify for free money but also for scholarships and loan opportunities.
College Athlete?
Planning on playing sports in College, use this link for more information about the NCAA and this link for NAIA.
More information on collegiate recruiting.
Going the Career Path?
Career Development: https://www.ccmrwithmsthrash.com/career-development
If you're unsure about what career path to take after graduation, consider taking a career assessment. These tests help you gain insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences to decide which jobs best fit you. By taking a career test, you'll better understand yourself and your goals, which can help guide your plans. It's worth considering if you're unsure which direction to take in your career.
https://www.ccmrwithmsthrash.com/career-personality-and-task-preference-assessments
Resume resources: https://www.ccmrwithmsthrash.com/resume-resources
Thinking of joining the Military?
If you plan on attending a prestigious university and have the grades and ambition to do so, the military academies are excellent choices because they are highly selective, open a wide range of opportunities, and provide FREE tuition.
https://www.ccmrwithmsthrash.com/military/military-academies
Even more benefits:
GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members (you) get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.
Review your GI Bill Statement of Benefits.
The GI Bill Comparison Tool and Veterans Service Organizations can help you explore options and find out what benefits you can get. Find a Veterans service organization.