Merkel High School
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Seniors and Juniors  
  Mrs. Lisa Amerine

 
High School Code:
444-695
Application for Texas Public Universities
www.applytexas.org
Students can apply to all two and four-year public colleges/universities and several private colleges in Texas with this ONE application; however, you must send a separate application fee to those universities you wish to review your application. You may also apply for scholarships with your chosen universities on this same website. Be aware that many scholarship deadlines occur before January, and some are even in November, so apply early. Be aware that most academic scholarships given by the university itself are awarded by November.
SAT
www.collegeboard.com
Cost:
SAT(Reasoning Test)= $43.00

Deadlines for 2007-2008 registration are as follows:

Sept. 10, Oct. 2, Oct. 30, Dec. 26, Jan. 29, April 1, and May 6.
ACT
www.actstudent.org
Cost:
ACT= $30.00 (No Writing) and $44.50 (With Writing)

Deadlines for 2007-2008 registration are as follows:

Aug. 10, Sept. 21, Nov. 2, Jan. 4, March 7, and May 9.
Additional ACT and SAT Information
The ACT and/or SAT should be taken as soon as possible in the fall for seniors and in the spring for juniors. If your score is lower than expected, you may continue to retake the test as many times as necessary.

On-line registration preferred. Study guides are available on-line or on paper.
Right now most colleges accept either test. The ACT tests four areas: reading comprehension, English (grammar skills), math, and science and an optional writing portion. The SAT has three sections: math, critical reading & writing. Generally, the current SAT tests overall reading, writing and mathematical reasoning abilities, while the ACT is more closely tied to high school curricula. A high score on the college entrance exam can earn you automatic course credit or scholarships depending on your college’s individual requirements. There are additional study guides available in the college and public libraries, book stores and on the above websites. Studying will make a difference in your scores! An ACT score of 22 or higher may likely earn you scholarships. A 25 or higher will give you a near full scholarship to Angelo State University, so do study!!!
THEA
Cost: $29.00
Register: www.thea.nesinc.com

You must take and pass all parts of the THEA before enrolling in courses at most any public college or university. Students planning on majoring in education at a private university will also need to take the THEA. If you receive a score of less that 250, you may be required to take remedial courses, for which you receive no credit. You may also choose to take the quick THEA, the COMPASS, or the ASSET on the computer at Cisco Junior College, TSTC, Western Texas College, or ACU. Please contact them for times available and what to bring (photo I.D., check vs. cash, Social Security Number, etc.). Also, confirm that these alternate tests will be accepted at your college before taking them.

A student is recommended to be exempt from the THEA if he or she meets the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board standard by scoring a 2200 on both the Math and the ELA sections of the TAKS and a score of “3” on the essay; however, you must check with the testing or advising office at your college or university to find out the required standard there. This recommendation is indicated with an asterisk on your Exit Level TAKS scores and on your transcript label. It will read “THECB Recommended.”

You may register and view study guides on-line at the above web site addresses or pick up registration packets and study guides for any of these tests from Mrs. Amerine in the counselor’s office. These packets generally take a few hours to fill out, so don’t procrastinate.

Help from Jostens
"Don't know what to do after graduation? Do you need to improve your ACT and SAT scores? Still looking for college? Want to find some scholarship money? Check out the Counselor-O-Matic on Josten's website: jostens.princetonreview.com/home.asp under "Explore Schools and Careers."

Or, if you would like to look at graduation announcements, cap & gown, ring, etc., go to: www.jostenswesttexas.com.
Financial Aid Night
Cash for College Night: Financial Aid Presentation.

January 9, 2008, 5:30-6:30 P.M., MHS Library for parents & students of all ages.

You are highly encouraged to bring your parents. You will learn how to fill out the FAFSA, learn how federal financial aid is calculated, learn about for various financial aid and how to apply for it, and perhaps win $100 in a drawing provided by First Financial Bank, Panhandle Plains Student Loans, and McMurry University.

The presentation is directed toward Juniors and Seniors but all are welcome. Questions are encouraged.
Important Websites
www.collegeboard.org - offers info, good links, register for SAT.
www.onlinecollegescouting.com -enter your info for college recruiting. See posters in hallways. PW:Badgers
www.fastweb.com -apply for scholarships
www.fasfa.ed.gov -apply for finanical aid, January of senior year.
www.collegefortexans.com -financial aid, January of senior year
www.finaid.org -National Assoc. of Student Financial Aid Administrator's home page
www.ed.gov/studentaid - Dept. of Ed. Student Aid
www.schoolsintheusa.com - career search, personality test, resume, etc.
E-mail for Seniors

Can't recieve college information because of blocked e-mail?
Your problems
are solved!

Every senior now has an e-mail account at www.gaggle.net
Just review the aggreement, and you are ready to go! (use only for
school purposes!)
See Mrs. Adam's for your username and password!!


Gaggle Terms of Service


Please read the following agreement carefully. This document explains your
rights and obligations as a user of Gaggle. While Gaggle provides an exciting
opportunity to expand the learning environment, our goal is to protect our
users from inappropriate materials and content received and sent via e-mail. In
the future Gaggle will provide online tools for the schools of tomorrow.
The Gaggle.Net e-mail service is the first of many learning tools we will
offer. We invite you to grow with us as we help to prepare schools for
the virtual classroom of the future.


The internet and e-mail world is changing rapidly. For these reasons it may
be necessary to update or revise parts of this agreement or features of the
Gaggle service. If Gaggle makes changes, we will provide you with 30 days
notice. If you choose not to agree with the proposed changes your only remedy
would be to cancel your Gaggle membership. Gaggle may at any time modify or
discontinue Gaggle e-mail service without liability to any user or third party.


Acceptance of Terms:


By completing the registration process, providing us with current, complete
and accurate information, and by clicking on the "I Accept" button,
you are agreeing to be bound by these terms of service.


General Policy and Guidelines:


When your information is verified and you accept this agreement, you will
become a "School Master," "School Administrator," or
"Student User" of Gaggle. As a "School Master" or
"School Administrator" you accept responsibility to issue accounts to
only those individuals that are students, teachers, or verified employees of
your school/district. Although an industrious user may discover ways to send or
receive inappropriate information that has yet to be identified by Gaggle, your
student’s access to and the use of Gaggle shall for this reason be under a
teacher’s direction and monitored as a regular instructional activity.


Guideline I: Unacceptable uses of Gaggle E-Mail include:
1. Transmitting any content; by which we mean text, software, images, sounds, and other information, that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, vulgar, obscene, in bad taste, hateful, of malicious intent, or racially, ethnically, or otherwise offensive.
2. Impersonating any other person, entity, or organization or misrepresenting your affiliation with any other person, entity, or organization.
3. Intentionally transmitting any material that contains software viruses designed to interrupt or destroy the use of computer software, hardware, or the Gaggle service.
4. Transmitting any "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," etc.
5. Copying any content that would be in violation of patent, trademark, copyright law, or other protected material.
Guideline II: Account users shall be responsible for unauthorized access made through their username and password. For this reason Gaggle recommends that users change their passwords periodically.
Guideline III: Gaggle uses a variety of measures to protect the security and privacy of its users (please refer to the privacy statement for further details). Users should be aware, however, that Gaggle cannot guarantee security and confidentiality. Gaggle accepts no responsibility for harm caused directly or indirectly by its use. Users should also be aware that the use of Gaggle E-mail is not private. While Gaggle does not routinely monitor message content, it may be necessary to back up or review messages to identify network problems or if a user has violated this policy. Gaggle at its discretion may choose to turn over or make available message content to appropriate personnel or law enforcement agencies if required.
Guideline IV: Message Storage and Other Limitations
The amount of e-mail storage space is limited for each user depending upon your school's subscription. Gaggle is not responsible or liable for the deletion of messages or other information.
Guideline V: Warranty
Gaggle users agree that use of Gaggle e-mail is the sole risk of the user. Gaggle does not guarantee that members will be able to access or use the Gaggle network at all times or from all geographic locations.
Guideline VI: Indemnification
You agree to hold Gaggle and all of its employees and affiliates harmless from any damage or claim arising from your use of this service.
Guideline VII: Advertisements
Gaggle reserves the right the post advertisements on its service. We are committed that all ads will be reviewed by our board of advisors, which is comprised of teachers, technology coordinators, and respected industry personnel, to ensure the appropriateness of content.
Guideline VIII: Termination and Cancellation
Either you or Gaggle may terminate or cancel your account at any time. You can cancel your account by notifying Gaggle’s Customer Service department at 1-800-288-7750, by sending your cancellation to Gaggle, PO Box 1361, Bloomington, IL 61702-1361, or by fax to 309-663-5025.
College Day/Night Fieldtrip
MHS seniors and juniors may wish to attend the College Day Fieldtrip on Mon., Oct. 1, 2007 at 1-2:30 P.M.
TSTC invites you to meet with representatives from over 45 colleges, universities and armed forces. Try to bring back info from at least three of your best college choices. Seniors will be given preference on seating availability.

College/Technical Night at Cooper High School
Mon, Oct. 1, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
AISD has invited you to attend College/Technical Night at AHS. Approximately 45 colleges, universities, and vocational training schools will be present as well as representatives from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine, and Navy ROTC. There will also be a representative to discuss financial aid. This will be a good time to start screening your prospective colleges or career choices and pick up catalogs and valuable information for your senior research project if you don’t attend the TSTC field trip.

Now is the time to begin looking at your post-high school options.
I have a variety of information available in the counselor’s office and on the Counselor’s Corner of the MHS Website (keep checking for recent updates). Visiting your college of choice is always the most valuable experience. Summer and weekdays are the best times for this. College websites are now the best source of information available.

Organized college visitation days: check your college’s website. Other times may be scheduled through the admissions offices at your college of choice. Also, see posters in the hallway outside the counselor’s office and/or the senior English classroom.



CAREER/COLLEGE RESEARCH:

Create your own ID and PW on the new Bridges web-based software for researching your career interests and taking an interest test:
Go to WWW.bridges.com
Merkel site ID: 0104765
PW: merkel
Create your own profile. Everything you research will be saved there.

Look through the variety of sources on careers we have on hand (such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook) in the reference section of the library and in the office conference room—photocopies are permitted.
Borrow copies of college catalogs and pick up information on their admissions process, etc. in the office conference room.
Log on to college websites to either read or order the college’s catalog.
Surf the Occupational Outlook Handbook website at www.bls.gov/oco/ to read all about your career of choice.

• IMPORTANT WEB SITES:
www.applytexas.org –apply for admission and scholarships in Texas
www.fastweb.com –apply for nation-wide scholarships
www.fafsa.ed.gov –apply for financial aid, January 1 of senior year
www.kuder.com –personality/interest inventory
www.gaggle.net –set up an e-mail account not blocked by MHS
www.march2success.com –Practice the SAT, ACT, ASVAB. Explains why you got the question wrong and teaches the correct answers.
www.actstudent.org –register for the ACT,
www.collegeboard.org – register for SAT, take practice tests
www.onlinecollegescouting.com –enter your info for college recruiting. PW: Badgers
www.CollegeforTexans.com –financial aid for Texas students
www.finaid.org –National Assoc. of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s home page
www.ed.gov/studentaid --Dept. Of Education- Student Aid
www.schoolsintheusa.com –career search, personality test, resume, etc.
www.eCampusTours.com –links to 1,000 college websites, offers virtual tours, and financial aid information. Apply for a $1,000 scholarship.

• SCHOLARSHIP SOURCES:
FAFSA—every senior should fill this out a.s.a.p. after Jan. 1, 2008.
Texas Grant—those graduating under Recommended or Distinguished Achievement plan and who have financial need MAY qualify for this grant. Ask your college financial aid officer. MHS will send them a transcript to verify your eligibility as a Recommended Plan or DAP graduate.
www.fastweb.com —nationwide scholarships for individual differences
Local scholarships—check blue folders in Senior English classroom
College catalog/website—check for scholarships available for your major or areas of interest at you college of choice-apply before November
Other scholarship websites:
o www.finaid.com -Smart student guide to financial aid
o www.scholarships.com –Free college scholarship search
o www.adventuresineducation.org
o www.wiredscholar.com –cash for your education
o www.gmsp.org –Gates Millenium Scholars
o www.hsf.net –Hispanic Scholarship Fund
o www.srnexpress.com –Scholarship Resources Network Express
o www.sholarships.salliemae.com

• COLLEGE COSTS IN TEXAS
See www.collegefortexans.com for list of all expenses for every college in Texas or see www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/0111.PDF
 
©2006 Merkel ISD - All rights reserved.