Applying to College
We are fortunate to house Advise TX in 3231 and the GO Center in the Blue Commons. These are places where students can go to research colleges, sign up for scholarships, and get general assistance in filling out applications and registering for the SAT and ACT tests. Students who receive Free or Reduced Lunch are eligible for a fee waiver for SAT/ACT, which can be picked up in the GO Center. We invite you to stop by often to explore what the future holds for you!
Advise TX (College Adviser)
Rebekah Hand
Room 3231 (Silver Campus)
Go Center / Scholarship Coordinator
Leah Faldyn
Room 5136 (Blue Campus)
Applying to college requires filling out a lot of papers. This can be tedious, but it is crucial that you take your time to do it correctly and thoughtfully.
APPLICATIONS
Some colleges have their own, specialized applications -- you will be able to print one off their website or have one sent to you. However, many colleges use a "common application," meaning you can fill out one application and use it at multiple colleges. Obviously, this saves time.
APPLY TEXAS APPLICATION
If you plan to attend a school in Texas, you can fill out the Apply Texas Application (formerly known as the Texas Common Application) online. You will need to create a username and password (one you can remember) in order to log in and update your application.
COALITION APPLICATION
The Coalition’s online toolkit, MyCoalition, is designed to engage students in the college application process early and easily. It is comprised of a convenient digital storage Locker, interactive Collaboration Space, and an easy-to-use application that is accepted at all member schools.
COMMON APPLICATION
The Common Application is used by nearly 500 colleges/universities across the United States (and some overseas). You will need to create a username and password (one you can remember) in order to log in and update your application. You will also need to know your counselor's name and contact information since the CommonApp emails counselors to supply required information to complete your application.
DEADLINES
Application deadlines vary for every college, so you should check college websites to be sure you get your application in on time. Many schools have two deadlines: one for early decision admission and one for regular admission.
For more information on applying to college, visit one of these offices on campus:
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
Read instructions carefully to see whether or not your college wants letters of recommendation, how many they want, and who they want to write those letters (counselor, teacher, etc). Generally, Texas public colleges and universities do not need counselor recommendations. Private institutions and colleges/universities found outside of Texas are more likely to want a counselor recommendation. When a letter is optional, consider asking for a letter from someone who leads a program you participate in, an employer, etc.
It is polite to ASK someone first if they will write a letter for you. Once they've agreed, be sure to give your recommenders 2-3 weeks notice before your letter is due. Writing a good letter takes time. It's also helpful to provide a copy of your resume to assist with the recommendation.
COUNSELOR LETTERS
We ask that BOTH students and parents fill out a separate questionnaire to help us learn more about you and enable us to write a more meaningful letter. Both of these forms are attached below. To type on the form, you'll need to click "File" then "Make a copy."
TEACHER LETTERS
Teacher recommendations are meant to give the college insight into the kind of scholar you can be. Be sure to select teachers who know you and have something insightful and meaningful to share. Feel free to use the form below. To type on the form, you'll need to click "File" then "Make a copy."