I can't believe how fast this summer went. It seems like yesterday I attended graduation for Class of 2024 and now school will begin again so soon. I hope each and every one of you had a restful summer and were able to enjoy family and friends, and make some new memories.

This will be a live information newsletter, so feel free to come back here as often as you need to see updated information.

SchooLinks is our district's College & Career Readiness program. Students will use SchooLinks in a variety of ways to learn about themselves, their interests and aptitudes, build/create a high school resume, and college application organization as a senior.

Students new to FBISD should log into SchooLinks and complete the Onboarding process as soon as possible. Log in through FBISD 1Link, then Clever to access. First-time users will automatically be prompted to complete the onboarding, which consists of the Find Your Path survey, selecting a career cluster, career, and major/training goal.

Parents can create an account, link to their child's account, and follow along on their CCMR journey. Parents can follow the directions in this flyer to onboard as a guardian.

Click your grade level title below for a handy "to-do" list.

Start getting involved in clubs and after school activities to begin building your high school resume. Explore several this year and stick with one or two that you really enjoy for the duration of high school.

Begin looking at different careers that you have an interest in. Do your research to find out what it takes to make it in that field and really decide if it is in your future. By the end of the year, you should have a good idea of what you might want to do after high school so you can ensure you are doing what is needed to get there.

This year is a good time to really ramp up your Career research to find out what it takes to have a career in the area of your choice. Start building a college interest list now, and as you do your research into each one, you can whittle your list down to the top 5-6 that you want to apply to next year.

We will be meeting very soon to go over college applications and the steps needed in SchooLinks. Once the Senior Workshops are completed, the presentation will be posted here in the newsletter for you to refer back to anytime.

In the mean time, click here and use this handy checklist, divided into semester, to keep organized and know when to do what throughout the school year.

SchooLinks is the official program used in Fort Bend ISD. It is so very important for students to use this program to add college applications, request transcripts and letters of recommendation to support college apps, and to keep your application list up-to-date.

This is the student's organizational tool and if you do not keep your application status updated, Counselors and teachers will not know when deadlines are due.

Specific instructions will come when I meet with students during the Fall semester. But students can always stop by the CCR Center for individualized help at any time.

See infographics below for "How-To's" in SchooLinks.

Please submit your application BEFORE you add your college to the list and request your transcript

I know that not every student will attend college; however there are many trade programs that are offered at local colleges to give students the training and certification needed to obtain a job without needing a four-year degree.

Search and apply for scholarships throughout the year to help pay for college. Finding and applying for scholarships is just like having a part-time job...you have to put in the work to see the results. Don't wait until the end, start now!

Complete Scholarship Matching in SchooLinks and search for any that fit you and your need.

Click here for a great scholarship tracking template from Mapping Your Future.

Other good search engines are:

• bold.org
• scholarships.com
• Scholarship America
• unigo.com
• studentscholarships.org/newsletters
  
• QuestBridge
• Fastweb
• University of Virginia

• C. Jackson Grayson Scholarship Program

This is a term you will become very familiar with. We want all of our students to meet CCMR by the time they graduate.

CCMR = College, Career, or Military Ready

Students can meet CCMR Indicators through various measures:

• SAT/ACT/TSIA scores
• SAT EBRW 480+ Math 530+
• ACT Composite 23+ English 19+ Math 19+
• TSIA ELAR 945+ and Essay 5+ OR 910-944, Diag 5+ AND Essay 5+; Math 950+ or 910-949 AND Diag 6+
• Completing College Prep classes
• Completing Dual Credit Courses
• Completing OnRamps course
• Earning a 3 or higher on an AP exam
• Earning an industry-based certification
• Earning a level 1- or level-2 certificate
• Earning an Associates degree
• Military enlistment (DD-4 form required)

We will again administer the TSIA2 at Dulles HS during the 2024-25 school year.

The 1st testing date for the 24-25 school year will be 9/25/2024 and 9/26/2024.

Any student taking the TSIA2 must complete the required Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) prior to taking TSIA2 for the first time. To learn more about the TSIA2 and PAA, please review this brochure. See below for instructions accessing and completing the PAA.

Students can use this Quick Start Guide to create an account on EdReady and begin your TSIA test prep. Contact Mr. Chiu at dingjun.chiu@fortbendisd.gov on campus for your Goal Key needed to access the test prep!

Other resources to prepare for TSIA:

• TSIPracticeTest.com
• Mometrix.com
• TSI Math Video on YouTube

Before you take the TSI Assessment 2.0 for the first time, you must participate in a Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA). The PAA is required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The PAA includes the following:

• An explanation of the importance of the TSIA2 and how the assessment works;
• Practice test questions and feedback;
• An explanation of all your developmental education options, if you don't meet the minimum passing standard;

Access the PAA by logging into the College Board Accuplacer Study App here: https://practice.accuplacer.org/login

Create an account and/or login. - This is different than your College Board login.

Once you are logged in, you will select the Texas Success Initiative 2.0 Pre-Assessment Activity (TSIA2-PAA). You may need to allow popups in your browser to view the practice test questions!

SAVE A COPY OF YOUR COMPLETION CERTIFICATE!!

Students have the option of taking several different tests to not only meet CCMR, but to gain admission to college.

Dulles HS will administer the school day PSAT and SAT on the following dates:

October 22, 2024- 11th grade PSAT

October 24, 2024- 10th grade PSAT

March 5, 2024- 11th grade SAT

SAT and ACT exams are recommended during the Spring of 11th grade, and Fall of 12th grade, if retesting is desired or required. See National testing dates for SAT and ACT below.

SAT dates

ACT dates

Students who are currently in 11th and 12th grade may be eligible for a testing fee waiver. If you are approved for the School Lunch Program, you are eligible.

Students are able to request a fee waiver for the SAT exam from within their College Board account. Once logged in just search for fee waivers to submit a request.

Fee Waivers for College Applications

If you used a fee waiver when you registered for SAT or ACT, you are eligible to request to have your college application fees waived. Each college website will let you know what application waiver form(s) they accept, as well as any other documentation you may need to provide to have your application fees waived.

SchooLinks provides counselors with the ability to complete and send a NACAC Fee Waiver Request for to colleges. Students should check to ensure their college will accept this form first, and if not, obtain their College Board or ACT form to send themselves.

Email Mr. Chiu dingjun.chiu@fortbendisd.gov or Mrs. Pike allison.pike@fortbendisd.gov for help with Fee Waivers.

Things to know about using a fee waiver and signing up for SAT and ACT:

1. You only can receive 2 SAT and 2 ACT fee waivers for all of high school

2. You must be signed up for “Free/Reduced lunch” at school to qualify

3. You can go to www.fortbendisd.com and click on the “fork, plate and knife” icon at the bottom of the screen, click on “free lunch” and “Apply online”

4. Make sure to use your College Board account that already exists when signing up for SAT. You should have one from when you took the PSAT. If you cannot remember you login, go to www.collegeboard.org and click on “forgot user name” and input the most likely email address that you would have used to create your account. You do not want to make a new account!!

5. Make sure that you upload a current picture for your test ticket when you create your account, not one from 6th grade

6. Make sure the name on your account matches your current ID that you will use on test day.

7. YOU MUST HAVE A CURRENT ID!!!! If you do not, you can get a ID letter:

· https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-student-id-form.pdf

· https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Identification-Letter-Form.pdf

8. After you input the fee waiver for your SAT test, you will received 4 - College Application Fee waivers. These are in your College Board account and you can use them as you want. You only receive 4 total, so use them to pay for the more expensive college applications.

9. Any issues with your College Board account can only be cleared up by College Board, you can call 1-866-756-7346 for help. Make sure to write down any case number they give you if you have an ongoing problem.

10. To sign up for ACT, go to www.act.org and create an account. Make sure you follow steps 5, 6 and 7. Any issues with ACT you can contact them at 319-337-12701

How do YOU Compare with Texas Automatic Admission to College??

Check out the College Entrance Requirements form above to see where your SAT or ACT scores may need to be, or if a college currently has a Test Optional policy.

Where does your academic record fit into these colleges?