Coronado College & Career Readiness
September Newsletter
Welcome
Attention Seniors!
Now that we have a month of school complete, it is time to start looking into the tasks you will need to have completed by the end of the school year and for some much much sooner.
Senior Checklist - The Senior Checklist, provided by your counselors, has many important steps you will need to be taking as you finish out the year. Below are some of considerations from the list;
- Start researching colleges and careers and start looking at application deadlines. Use your Naviance access to complete a career interest inventory, research different schools, and/or find your College Super Match. REMEMBER...some colleges prefer early decision which means the deadline to apply is usually before and up to December 1.
- All students should be applying to at least 3 colleges/universities. Remember CHS College APP Day (Sept. 21 & 22 in Sr. Eng classes) will help you with this process, but you all still need to look at other schools outside of Texas.
- All student should establish a Going Merry scholarship account and apply to as many scholarships as is feasible but at least 3 is preferred.
- If you know you want to start your career early, start looking at programs that can provide you the training you need. Look into EPCC certificate programs for inexpensive ways to get the training you need.
- If serving your country is also a strong possibility for you, start researching all branches of the armed forces to help find the service organization that is the best fit for you. Also REMEMBER...most colleges have an ROTC affiliation with one or more branches of the armed forces. This could provide many of you with the opportunity to be a "regular" college student, get your college expenses paid for, and then serve out your commitment as an officer after college.
- Lastly...do not forget that all students will have to fill out the FAFSA application before the end of the school year. The window opens October 1, 2022 so make sure you and your parents have already created your FSA ID and complete your application as soon as the window opens. Earlier submission of FAFSA information to a college or university could mean more money.
You can always see me or your counselor if you have any questions or concerns.
Mr. Forti
College Career AdvisorCoronado HS
915-236-2031
NEW CHS COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER
At this time we are working on determining a name for the new center and we are looking for individuals that want to help us "Build" and "Grow" this new center!
Please contact Mr. Forti ASAP if you would like to be a part of the T-Bird CCR Center Legacy.
September Calendar
College/Military Visits
Who: Sargent Becerra U.S. Army
Date: On going Wednesdays throughout the school year
Time: Lunch
Location: Outside between buildings A, C, & D
Who: St. Johns University (https://www.stjohns.edu/)
Date: Sept. 7
Time: 11:00am
Location: Counseling Conference Room
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
Who: Mississippi State University (https://www.msstate.edu/)
Date: Sept. 9
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Counseling Conference Room
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
Who: UTSA (https://www.utsa.edu/)
Time: 11:30am
Location: Counseling Conference Room
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
Who: Grand Canyon University (https://www.gcu.edu/)
Date: Sept. 14
Time: 11:55am
Location: Counseling Conference Room
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
Who: Smith College (https://www.smith.edu/)
Date: Sept. 15
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Counseling Conference Room
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
Who: The University of Chicago (https://www.uchicago.edu/)
Date: Sept. 19
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Counseling Conference Room
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
Who: The University of Texas at Austin (hhttps://www.utexas.edu/)
Date: Sept. 20
Time: 11:30am
Location: Library
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
Who: University of Notre Dame (https://www.nd.edu/)
Date: Sept. 26
Time: 11:00am
Location: Library
Please sign up in the Counseling Center and receive a pass to attend.
West Point Admissions
1) Prospective Candidate Tour
2) Daily Tour
3) Overnight Tour
Details, timelines, and requirements can be found on our website
UT Austin Admission Checklist
Also, the following is one of the essay prompts for fall of 2023.
Essay Topic for Summer/Fall 2023 and Spring 2023 Applications
Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?
PRIORITY DEADLINE - NOVEMBER 1
We anticipate receiving the majority of applications around this time. Students who apply for the priority deadline may be considered for an early decision. The final deadline to apply is December 1.
Important Time Sensitive Items
The following are important items that are time sensitive
2. Naviance - Naviance is a tool that CHS will be using all year to help provide career resources, access to college searches, and a method to upload and comply with important graduation requirements. Many of you all have already utilized Naviance at some point. Below is a reminder of how you can access the site and get logged in.
https://episd.schoology.com/course/5542726384/materials/gp/6021313337
3. FAFSA will open again around October 1, 2022. All seniors will have to complete a FASFA application to meet new state graduation requirements. For more information Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or see me or your alpha counselor.
Dates to Remember
- College Application Day - September 21 & September 22 During Senior English classes (Seniors, make sure you have your Social Security number handy to complete your application). This is mandatory for all seniors.
- College Night - October 18 (may be moved due to homecoming), Location Small Gym from 6 to 8pm Please register for The College Fair at https://falltacrao.swoogo.com/registration
- PSAT School day - October 25th 10th and 11th graders
- SAT School day - October 27th for 12th graders
- FAFSA Night - November 10 from 5 to 7pm
Student Aid Information
www.student aid.gov parent checklist
Student checklist
How to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid
Start early and create your FSA ID. Parents and students will need the FSA ID to complete the FASFA application. Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to create on.
Specific colleges will require the CSS College Board Profile information to be complete. Here is a list of colleges and universities that use CSS Profile as part of their financial aid process for some or all of their financial aid applicants https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
Establishing a Going Merry account is an essential tool to help students find and apply for scholarships. Go to https://www.goingmerry.com/ to set up your profile and begin applying.
Links to important scholarship information and downloads can be found in Mr. Forti's Schoology page as well as through the band app. Seniors should apply to at least 3 scholarships before graduation. For more information students can log in to their Schoology account and checkout the following scholarship info Mr. Forti's Scholarship Page
Need help asking for a letter of reference or recommendation. Use the following document to help you ask and to provide your current information to your recommender.
https://episd.schoology.com/course/5542726384/materials/gp/6021297267
Notable Scholarships and Additional Information
- The Gates Scholarship - Deadline September 15, 2022 - The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. *Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs. https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
Hispanic Scholar Application - Deadline March 2023 Must be of Hispanic heritage, U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA, Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students, Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the US, for the 2023-2024 academic year, Submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms https://www.hsf.net/scholarship
- “Make the U” is an educational program from Colgate-Palmolive in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation that offers financial relief ($10,000.00) to Hispanic youth on their path to higher education. Eligibility - Be currently enrolled in high school and graduating in the Spring. Must have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale. Must enroll at an accredited higher education institution by the fall semester. Be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines) If selected, attendance to virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory Be a U.S. permanent resident, U.S. citizen, or qualify under the DACA Due Date = Mon, Nov 14th 2022, 09:59 pm MST. https://app.goingmerry.com/scholarships/make-the-u--haz-la-u-hispanic-scholarship-fund/5873
- The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. This scholarship comes in two phases, this application is for Phase 1. Applicants will be notified of whether they advance to Phase 2 as Semifinalists by late November of the following year. Due Mon, Oct 31st 2022, 09:59 pm MDT. https://app.goingmerry.com/scholarships/the-coca-cola-scholars-program-scholarship/5728
- Questbridge College Match - full tuition and fees - Deadline September 27, 2022 - You must be economically disadvantaged, high achieving academically and involved in school/community. You will also need to attend one of the match colleges (48 different schools to include Stanford, U Penn, Rice, Columbia, Duke to name a few). See your counselor for application and details https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match/how-to-apply
- VFW Voice of Democracy - Deadline October 21, 2022 - up to $30,000 You must record a 3-5 minute audio essay entitled “Why the Veteran is Important”? YOU MUST TURN IN A TYPED ESSAY AND A RECORDED ESSAY ON A FLASHDRIVE TO MRS. CORNELL!!!!!
- Wendy’s Heisman Scholarship up to $10,000 - Deadline October 18, 2022 - You must be a high-achieving student who participates in a wide range of athletics (in or out of school) and is also involved in the community. See the following link for more info and application: https://heismanscholarship.com/application/
- Hispanic Women's Network of Texas BOOK SCHOLARSHIP - SCHOLARSHIP WRITING CONTEST - DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15 El Paso area college students are invited to apply for a book scholarship of $500 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZvyTX_Jchccgv5ci92Jm8iThfzGjZC0wLDN9J8KDCbNVTtQ/viewform
UTEP Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen - To be considered for UTEP’s Academic Scholars Program for the 2023-24 academic year, students must be graduating high school in the Class of 2023, submit the University’s online scholarship application and be admitted to UTEP by November 1, 2022, or March 1, 2023. Upon acceptance to UTEP, students will need to activate the username and password in order to access the scholarship application. Please note that students must enroll full-time in courses that are part of the student’s degree plan in order to receive and continue to receive the academic scholarship.
https://www.utep.edu/student-affairs/scholarships/scholarships/scholarships-for-incoming-freshmen.html
Click here for an extensive list of scholarships listed in Going Merry for the month of September.
Other helpful links
Scholarship Listing 2022-2023.pdf
Building the Pipeline for Women in Engineering and Medicine
- We’re very excited to announce an upcoming Perry Outreach Program on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at TTUHSC El Paso in El Paso, TX. The Perry Outreach Program is a free, one-day, hands-on experience for high school women who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and engineering. Students will hear from women leaders in these fields and try it for themselves by performing mock orthopaedic surgeries and biomechanics experiments.
We are currently seeking applicants for our El Paso, TX program. Participants should be students who gender-identify as female or nonbinary in grades 10 and up with an expressed interest in science, medicine and/or engineering. Applicants should fill out our online application in advance of the September 26, 2022 application deadline.
Additional information can be found on our website: www.perryinitiative.org
The application may be accessed directly using the following link: https://perryinitiative.org/pop-application/
More information and a printable flyer for this event can be found HERE.
Western Tech Brochure Page 1
Western Tech Brochure Page 2
Western Tech Scholarship Information Page 1
College Board Information and Test Prep
Students and Parents,
Students, you can prepare and increase your SAT, PSAT or AP scores by going to Khan Academy, a free online service, that offers personalized practice with proven results. Students will need to create a Khan account at https://www.khanacademy.org/sat.
Below are the national testing days for SAT that students can sign up for through https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration.
Khan Academy also offers various other math and English prep courses.
Other recourses for SAT Prep https://youtube.com/channel/UCyaDpuG_X60c-0I-MgZ696Q
AP Testing
Please make a note of the days and times for the spring tests listed below.
For students wanting to challenge an exam, please see Mr. Forti ASAP to get registered. The last day to challenge an exam is November 1, 2022.
More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
TSI Resources
TSIA2
Test-Prep Sites
The following are a list of websites that can help students prepare for the TSIA2. Many of these sites have been put together from various Community Colleges from all over Texas. *DO NOT PAY for any resources or pay to take the test. Students will take the TSIA2 for free here at Jefferson/Silva.
What is TSIA2? - The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA or TSIA2) is the state-mandated placement test (Texas Education Code §51.3062) that Texas public institutions must use to determine a student's readiness for college-level courses. The purpose of the TSIA test is to provide you with useful information about your academic skills in math, reading, and writing. You cannot "pass" or "fail" the placement tests, but it is very important that you do your very best on these tests so that you will have an accurate measure of your academic skills. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with your academic background, goals, and interests, are used by academic advisors to determine your course selection and where you will be most successful. The TSIA2 is used only in Texas and dose not replace the need to take SAT/ACT and more importantly the STAAR EOC. Those tests are needed for graduation as well as college entrance.
The actual benchmarks on the TSIA2 college readiness scale are as follows:
- ELAR: CRC score of 945-990 plus a minimum of 5 on the Essay Test, or a CRC score under 945 with a Diagnostic Test score of 5-6 and an Essay score of at least 5
- Mathematics: CRC score of 950-990, or a CRC Test score below 950 with a Diagnostic Test score of 6.
The scores will be released immediately following completion of the assessment. You’ll receive one of the following score levels:
- Basic – you need significant improvement in the subject area
- Proficient – there’s some room for improvement in the content area
- Advanced – you’ve shown exemplary skills in the content area
TSI Test Prep Study Resources
- CollegeBoard Accuplacer TSIA2 study materials - https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer/tsia-texas-success-initiative-assessment
- Accuplacer Perspective learning resources - Use the code found on your TSIA2.0 Score report to find additional resources, practice questions and videos specific to the areas you need the most review https://tsia2.pearsonperspective.com/perspective/
- Austin Community College TSI Assessment Preparation: Free App, Practice Tests, and Reviews https://sites.austincc.edu/tsiprep/
- College Board: Sample Questions and General Information https://www.collegeboard.org/search?tp=usearch&x=15&x1=u4&q1=ACCUPLACER&y=13&logo=accuplacer&searchType=accu_site&word=tsi
- Mometrix Test Preparation: Reviews, Practice Tests, and Study Guides https://www.mometrix.com/academy/tsi-test/
- https://youtube.com/c/MometrixTestPreparation
- Test Prep Review by Mometrix: Test Reviews, Practice Tests, and Self Assessments https://www.testprepreview.com/texas-success-initiative.htm
- TSI Practice Test.com: Practice Tests and Study Guides http://www.tsipracticetest.com/tsi-reading-practice-test/
- TSI Math Crash Course https://youtu.be/EOsoSBLmZRE
ACT Test
Naviance
Seniors will complete the following
1. College & Career Readiness Survey (Fall)
2. Indicate which colleges they have applied to (min of three)
3. Upload their completed FAFSA
4. Complete the graduation survey (Spring)
Juniors will complete the following
1. College College & Career Readiness Survey (Fall)
2. Super College Match (yearlong)
This is a reminder of how to get into your Naviance Account https://episd.schoology.com/course/5542726384/materials/gp/6021313337
Definitions
- Apply Texas = ApplyTexas is an online college submission system specifically for certain Texas schools, similar to other platforms like the Common Application or Coalition Application.
- Common App = Common App is a non-profit membership organization representing more than 900 diverse institutions of higher education. We connect applicants and those who support them to a wide array of public and private colleges and universities across all 50 U.S. states, and 20 countries.
- CBE = Credit by exam (CBE) is one method for students to demonstrate proficiency in grade level or course content. The Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.023, allows students to either accelerate a grade level or earn credit for a course on the basis credit by examination.
- FASFA = To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.
- Associate's Degree = An associate degree is a two-year college degree that you can obtain from a community college, junior college, online university, or some four-year institutions in the US. In terms of education, an associate degree falls between a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree.
- Bachelor Degree = A bachelor’s degree is the most common undergraduate degree awarded by universities and colleges in the US. Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes four to five years to complete and consists of 120 to 130 semester credit hours. You are expected to choose a major concentration (a specific area of study) and take additional required courses outside of your chosen major.
- College ROTC = "Reserve Officer' Training Corps," programs offer prospective and current college students a number of benefits, including: An opportunity to develop technical and leadership skills, A structured path to a career after college, Specialized professional training for military officer positions after college, Scholarships that cover tuition, fees, books, and other student necessities, Long-term career guidance and continued professional education.
- TSIA - The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative enacted by the Texas State Legislature and designed to determine a student’s readiness for college-level coursework in the general areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.
The TSIA, or one of its exemptions, has been required of Texas students entering a Texas college or university for nearly ten years. The TSIA is administered through the College Board’s Accuplacer digital platform. Universities, community colleges, school districts and high school campuses can request to administer the TSIA to students.
SAR - Student Aid Report - an electronic or paper document that summarizes the information you reported on your FAFSA form. It includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your estimated eligibility for federal student loans and Federal Pell Grants, and whether you’ve been selected for verification.
Regular Deadline: Non-binding. This is the final date you must submit your college application if you want a chance of being accepted. Often in January or February.
Early Action: Non-binding. You apply early (often by November 1) and receive an earlier admissions decision (often mid-December). If you're accepted, you have until the regular decision date (May 1) to decide if you want to attend the school or not.
Early Decision: Binding. You apply early (often by November 1) and, if you are accepted (often by mid-December), you must attend that school. Applying early decision may give you a slightly better chance of being accepted.
Mr. Forti's Schoology Page
Access Code =
6HP9-2P9M-HXKNDHere you will be able to access and download important files, see new scholarships, and a host of other very important materials