College Preparation
After you know what
career area you are interested in and have selected a major course of study
for college at a technical/trade school, community college, or four year
university, you are ready to use the resources identified in this section to
send you on your way to turning your dreams into reality.
Manor Career Center
Students are highly
encouraged to use the resources found in the Career Center. Scholarship
applications that are received by the Career Center from organizations are
posted for students to apply. These applications are located in the
scholarship file alphabetically. Students need to be aware of the scholarship
deadline dates, having all paperwork required of the scholarship such as
transcripts, letters of recommendations, testing scores, etc. submitted with
their completed applications. Students also should be aware that many times
the organizations giving scholarships do not have specific majors that
students must pursue, but they like to have their name recognized for giving
the scholarship. Therefore, don’t let that scholarship name fool you in your
decision to apply.
The link below will
connect you with the scholarships that are posted through the Career Center.
Keep in mind that this is by no means the ultimate scholarship list, these are
scholarships that are sent to the Career Center and new scholarships for
posting will be added yearly. Use this as a guide to assist you with using
the resources of the Career Center.
Manor Career Center Scholarships
Scholarship Searches
Do you need dollars to
help you fund your way through college? One way students can begin to find
dollars for college is to apply for scholarships. Below are some websites
that offer free searches identifying scholarships based
on the student’s course of study, college planning to attend, financial
background, heritage, academic achievement and much more – scholarships
matched to each individual student! Be aware of scholarship
search scams. If you have to pay a fee to have scholarship assistance
provided for you, think twice and take advantage of resources provided that
you do not have to pay a fee. Check out information on
scholarship scams at Project Scholarship Scam
www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship
Take the time to use one
of these free resources – you will be surprised!
Fast Web:
www.fastweb.com
SallieMae/College Answer
http://www.collegeanswer.com/index.jsp
Go College
http://www.gocollege.com/
College is Possible
http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ProgramsServices/Adults/adults11.htm
College for Texans
www.gocenter.info
Scholarship Resource
Express
www.srnexpress.com
Free Scholarship
Information
www.free-4u.com
College Entrance Testing
Students have two
choices for college admission testing to four year colleges and universities.
Students who will be attending a state-supported college or university must
also meet the TASP test requirements. Check the links below for information
on these assessments, test dates and registration.
American College Testing
– ACT http://www.act.org
The ACT is a
three-hour multiple-choice test measuring achievement in four areas: English,
mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Each sub-test yields a score of
1-36. A composite score is derived from averaging the four sub-tests, and is
reported on a scale of 1-36. Colleges vary in their admissions requirements
and in their use of college admissions test scores. Students should consult
the admissions offices for specific information.
Scholastic Aptitude Test
– SAT I & II www.collegeboard.com
SAT I is a
three-hour multiple-choice test of verbal and mathematical abilities
administered by the College Board. Each section is scored on a scale of
200-800 with a composite score derived by adding the verbal and math scores.
Colleges vary in their admissions requirements and in their use of college
admissions test scores. Students should consult the admissions offices for
specific information.
The SAT II (Achievement Tests) are one hour
multiple-choice tests that measure students’ knowledge of high school level
course work. (The SAT II: Writing Test includes an essay component.) Many
selective colleges and universities require that students take one or more of
these tests as part of the admissions process or for placement purposes in
college courses. Students should consult the admissions offices of the schools
they are considering to determine if the SAT II’s are required. Students
should take SAT II Subject Tests at the end of corresponding high school
courses. For example, a student who completes chemistry at the end of the
junior year is encouraged to take the SAT II Subject Test in Chemistry in June
following the junior year.
Texas Higher Education
Assessment - THEA www.thea.nesinc.com
Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) is required before entering any Texas public
college or university. Students must take and pass the THEA tests in reading,
mathematics, and writing. Even students who are taking dual credit courses or
are concurrently enrolled in high school and college must have THEA scores
prior to enrolling in college courses. The THEA Program consists of the three
tests that measure skills students have learned in high school, advisement and
placement, and remediation for students who do not pass one or more sections.
THEA is not an admissions test. It will not limit students’ access to college. Students may be exempt from the THEA test if
they score high enough on the SAT, ACT, or the exit-level TAKS test. Students
are to check with the institution of higher learning that they plan to attend
for meeting exemptions.
High School Codes
Manor High School Code: 444455
Excel High School Code: 444453
Study Prep
Use these free websites
to assist you in preparing for college admissions testing.
www.number2.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org
www.review.com
www.kaplan.com
www.4tests.com
www.gocollege.com
College Prep Testing
ACT PLAN www.act.org/plan/
The PLAN is a test that is written by the
American College Testing Service or ACT. It provides students with an
opportunity to practice taking a test that is very much like the ACT, another
college admissions test. PLAN is offered to students who are in the 10th grade. Not only do the results
provide an excellent assessment of students’ academic progress, but PLAN also
gives students very useful career information.
PSAT www.collegeboard.com/psat
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
provides students an opportunity to take a practice test that is very much
like the SAT they may take as a part of their college admissions process. Any
freshman, sophomore, or junior may take this test, which is offered at Manor
High School. Juniors are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT. For juniors,
the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. That means that if
juniors perform exceptionally well on the test, they may be eligible for
scholarships that could help finance their college education.
Financial Aid
All students need
resources for funding their post-secondary education. Financial aid comes in
the form of scholarship, grants and loans. Scholarships have been mentioned
in a previous section, therefore this section will focus on grants and loans.
Grants are funds that students receive that do not have to be paid back
whereas loans must be paid back.
Free Application for
Federal Student Aid – FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.govThe ultimate resource
for grants both state and federal and the application needed for applying for
college loans. Application begins January 1 each year, through June 30.
Students need to be aware of the deadline for submission for the college they
will be attending and also these funds are given out based on “first come,
first served”, therefore don’t delay in getting this application submitted in
a timely manner.
Texas Financial Aid
Information Center
www.collegefortexans.com
Government Web
Site
www.studentaid.ed.gov
Texas Guaranteed Student
Loan
www.tgslc.org
Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board
www.thecb.state.tx.us
Financial
Aid
www.finaid.org
Salliemae
www.salliemae.com
Early College Start
There are 3 ways students
may earn college credit while in high school. These include the following:
• Advanced
Placement • Co-Enrollment/Dual Credit • Tech Prep
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
The Advanced Placement
Program enables students to complete college-level studies while they are
still in high school and to obtain college placement and credit on the basis
of their performance on rigorous AP Examinations. Each AP course is based
upon a national course outline equal to a first-year college course. At the
completion of each AP course taken in high school, students have the
opportunity to sit for the AP exam in that subject. AP exams are given only
once a year, in May at Manor High School. Students do not have to take the AP
course before taking an AP exam. Policies for granting AP credit vary.
Students should consult the college admissions office to determine individual
institution policies. In addition students who score a 3 or better on an AP exam will meet
requirements of the Distinguished Achievement Program.
Website: www.collegeboard.com/ap
Co-Enrollment/Dual Credit
Co-Enrollment is a
program for students who are simultaneously enrolled at Manor and a college
where the college level courses may satisfy Manor graduation requirements as
well as earn college credit referred to as dual credit. In order for students
to receive high school credit for dual credit courses students, must earn a
2.0 or better in the college level course. Students also have the option of
meeting requirements of the Distinguished Achievement Program when earning a
grade of 3.0 or better.Students are limited to a
maximum of two (2) college courses per semester. To take a course at the
college level, a student must:• Be a junior or
senior • Meet admission
requirements of the college• Take the TASP or
meet exemption qualifications• Complete the High
School Student Request for Enrollment at ACC Form• Be recommended by
high school principal• Have parental
permission• Meet with college
advisor prior to enrolling. Visit the Austin
Community College website for information on co-enrollment / dual credit
through Early College Start.
Website: www.ecs.austincc.edu
Tech-Prep
How well students perform
in high school will determine their performance in our increasingly
competitive job market. High school students now have the option of choosing
career-oriented programs that offer them the chance to take technical courses
for college credit.The aim of the high
school tech-prep program is to prepare students with high skills and
competencies for employment and for furthering their education. High school
education is no longer enough to be competitive in the job market here in the
Austin area as well as across the country. Tech-Prep integrates applied
academics, career education and work-based learning. It is very important
that students choose a course of study that will prepare them to meet academic
and career goals. Due to the rigor of the Tech-Prep education plan, Tech-Prep
students are eligible for the TEA Distinguished Achievement Program.
Tech-Prep courses taken will earn students “advanced measures” of the DAP
when earning a grade of 80 or better in the course and are identified as a
Tech-Prep student.Students are highly
encouraged to complete the Tech-Prep Student Identification form and submit to their career and
technology teacher for signature.
Texas Common Application
Students are encouraged
to use the Texas Common application for applying to any of the Texas 35 state
supported four-year institutions of higher learning. Information is given on
the due dates, essay submissions required for each school, application fees,
major offered, deadlines for financial aid information and more. Make this
your resource for applying to these colleges.
www.applytexas.org
NCAA Clearinghouse
Students pursuing
athletic scholarships or more information in playing college sports and the
requirements necessary to be competitive are highly encouraged to visit these
websites based on the different divisions of colleges.
www.ncaa.org
www.njcaa.org
Volunteer Opportunities
It is very important
that students take part in volunteer or community service activities while in
high school. Contact local
organizations to learn of these opportunities.
Libraries
Hospitals
Community
Centers
Animal
Shelters
Schools
Senior
Citizen Centers
Community
Centers
State Parks
Environmental Organizations
Check out these websites
for volunteer information
National Park
Service
www.nps.gov/volunteer
America’s Second
Harvest
www.secondharvest.org
Special Olympics
www.specialolympics.org
Department of Veteran’s
Affairs
www.va.gov/volunteer
Learn and
Serve
www.learnandserve.org
Idealist
www.idealist.org
Landmark
Volunteers
www.volunteers.com
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org
Volunteer
www.volunteer.gov/gov
USDA Food
Recovery
www.usda.gov/news/pubs/gleaning/five.htm
Corporation for National
Community Service
www.volunteermatch.org
America’s Literacy
Directory
www.literacydirectory.org/volunteer.asp
American Red
Cross
www.redcross.org/services/volunteer
Salvation Army
www.salvationarmyusa.org
Internships
Learn about a career
that you are interested in by doing an internship – try it you may not like
it! To learn more about
internships check out Wet Feet www.wetfeet.com/asp/careerlist.asp Prepare your resume so
that when opportunities are posted you are ready to take on the challenge of
applying.
General Information Websites
There are many sites out
there that can assist you in making that college choice, determining your
major, essay writing and more. The following websites may assist you in
determining decisions to reaching your goals.
www.texasmentor.org
www.gocollege.com
www.mycollegeguide.com
www.kaplan.com
www.review.com
www.collegeview.com
www.collegebound.net
www.realcollegelife.com
www.careersandcolleges.com
www.usnews.com
www.xap.com
www.petersons.com
www.myfootpath.com
www.anycollege.com
Note: This web page contains links to web pages that
are outside the MISD network. The Career Center does not control the
content or relevancy of these web pages outstide the district network.
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