Monterey High School

Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Year

How do I apply to college?

You submit a completed application, a transcript, and any requested test scores to the college admission office. Many colleges have an application fee. Some colleges will request essays. Some colleges will later request letters of recommendation or other information.

When should I apply?

The fall semester is preferable. It gives universities time to process applications and communicate any additional needs with the prospective student. “Rolling admission” schools will accept applications for the Fall 2006 semester even late into the summer. Other schools have deadlines, usually in the spring. Pay close attention to any application deadlines your school might have. Note: students planning to live on-campus should investigate housing application deadlines as soon as possible.

Where do I get an admission application?

The easiest place to apply is online, by visiting the college or university website. Look for a link called “Prospective Students” or “Application Information.” Texas public colleges all accept the Texas Common Application form. Seniors graduating in 2006 will fill out the 2006-2007 form. Copies are available in the MHS Counselors’ office, or by visiting www.applytexas.org.

Where do I get a copy of my transcript?

You may request a copy of your transcript from Mrs. Sherry Gipson, Monterey’s registrar, in the main office. She keeps a sign-up sheet to submit your request. The first copy is usually free, and subsequent copies cost $1.00. A copy of your transcript is “official” when it includes the embossed seal of Monterey and an original signature of a school official (usually Mrs. Gipson or Mrs. Pigg.) The back of the transcript contains test results for the TAKS test and any SAT or ACT tests the student has taken. THEA score results are not sent to the high school, so the student must provide that information to the university.

What test scores are needed for college application?

The SAT or the ACT are usually required for admission. Almost all colleges will accept either test, or will choose your best score if you submit more than one. When you sign up to take the test you can indicate which universities you want to receive those test results. You can also have scores submitted to schools after you have taken the test, for a fee. Community or junior colleges may not require the ACT or SAT, but often request score results in order to assist them in placing students in appropriate level courses.

What is Monterey’s school code?

It is 444-350. That is true for the SAT and the ACT, and for any question regarding the CEEB school code.

I took the SAT (or ACT) in the spring semester of 2005. Should I take it again?

College Board (SAT) advises that scores on tests generally don’t go up unless “significant education achievement” occurs between the test dates. By this they usually mean a semester of work. So, if you took the test last January you might consider retaking the test now. If you took the test in May or June, you might wait until the December date to retest. If you made a score high enough to be admitted to the school you wish to go to, you should probably only retake the test if a higher score would make you eligible for scholarships. For example Texas Tech, U.T. and A&M all have scholarship levels for students obtaining a 1200 or higher, and the awards go up for 1300, 1400, etc. Writing scores are currently not factored in, but will be in the near future.

What about the THEA test?

The THEA test is required of all Texas public college and university students prior to earning college credit. It is not an admission test per se. Students earning dual credit while at Monterey may have already taken the THEA test or are exempt by reason of high TAKS scores, or high ACT or SAT scores. A senior will want to have taken the THEA prior to enrolling in their college classes. Monterey does not receive copies of THEA results, so file those score reports in a safe place. Students attending private Texas universities or out-of-state universities do not need to take the THEA test.

What is the “Top 10% Rule”?

Students graduating in the top 10% of their class are automatically granted admission to the Texas public colleges and universities. They must still submit all necessary admission materials by the deadline imposed by the university, but there will be no minimum test (SAT or ACT) score for admission. The university will grant admission, but may not be able to admit the student into their requested department or major field of study initially. The top 10% rule does not apply to private or out-of-state universities.

When is the top 10% determined?

LISD will run grade point averages (GPA) and rank programs in September. This allows the senior class to “settle” by dropping any students no longer attending Monterey and adding as many transcripts of seniors new to Monterey as have been received. This GPA and rank are sometimes referred to as a “six semester rank”, meaning it includes work done in the two semesters each of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades. Transcripts will then have the six-semester GPA and rank, plus the date the rank was determined, at the top of the transcript. The college or university requires this information. In a hypothetical class of 500 students, the top 50 students would comprise the top 10%. Students with the same GPA will share the same rank number, so the top 10% for a class of 500 students might be rank numbers 1 through 47 (with multiple students at rank 47), with the next ranked student at 51. In this example no student holds the rank of 48, 49 or 50.

When is the final GPA and rank determined?

LISD uses the seven-semester GPA and rank as the final GPA and rank. It will be determined in January 2006, adding the grades earned in the fall 2005 semester. This GPA determines Honor graduates (3.50 and higher) and High Honor graduates (4.00 and higher.) This is also the GPA and rank that is printed on transcripts run after that date, and after graduation. A final transcript is one that has the GPA and rank, the date it was determined (January), and the date of graduation (usually May of that year.) Exception: the valedictorian and salutatorian are determined using all eight semesters of grades, and the grade point average is not limited to the second decimal place in their determination.

Does the last semester “not count” for anything?

While the GPA and rank will not be recomputed using the grades from the eighth (final) semester, the final transcript (the one that goes in your permanent record) will include all grades earned. All colleges request copies of the final transcript, with the date of graduation, to finalize acceptance of an applicant. Seniors will be able to indicate which college they want their final transcript sent to when they go through the Senior Checkout procedure just prior to graduation. Monterey will mail that transcript to the college, or to the home, if so requested. Final transcripts are also used for a variety of purposes such as determination of scholarship recipients, application to the Greek “Rush” procedure, and others. A senior is advised to keep his or her grades as high as possible through graduation to avoid embarrassment or disappointment.

How does my college receive my college credits earned through dual credit courses?

South Plains College has kept a transcript showing all grades and credits earned through dual credit work at Monterey. A student should request that a copy of their SPC transcript (usually in the summer of 2006, to include Spring 2006 grades) be sent to the college or university where they have enrolled. The receiving college determines which courses are acceptable. Often, the receiving college will add those credits to their college transcript with a “P” for pass, and not include the grade earned. That is an advantage for your new college grade point average. Monterey has a form you can send to SPC to make a transcript request.

How do I get a scholarship?

Scholarships are divided into two categories. Need-based scholarships are awarded based on some criteria such as financial need, being the first in your family to attend college, being the child of a veteran, or being from a minority group, for example. Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on some skill or talent in academics, athletics, the fine arts, etc. Scholarship opportunities received at Monterey will be advertised through the Senior Newsletter, PA announcements, posters, or directly from your teacher. Students are encouraged to actively research and seek out scholarship opportunities. The Internet is a tremendous resource for this research, and use of a free scholarship website such as FastWeb (www.fastweb.com) is encouraged. Parents are encouraged to inquire at work to see if their company offers any scholarships for employees’ dependents. Investigate university departmental scholarships (such as those unique to the engineering department, or music department) that might not be widely advertised. Students should always research what scholarships and other financial aid opportunities are available by contacting the college financial aid office where they plan to enroll. In my opinion, you should never pay for scholarship information, no matter what the “promise” of results might be.

How do I improve my chances of obtaining a scholarship?

Apply for every scholarship you are qualified for, no matter how small. Actively seek out scholarship opportunities; don’t wait for them to “come to you.” Be careful to include all necessary application information, submit a legible application, and meet all application deadlines. If letters of recommendation are required, seek out people who know you well and are inclined to promote your best points. Give the letter writers plenty of time to write their letters and have them submitted in time to meet deadlines. Include a stamped, addressed envelope so that person may mail your letter upon completion. (Follow up with a note of thanks for writing your letter.) Keep your grades as high as possible, be involved in activities and organizations at a high level (serve as an officer if possible), and consider doing volunteer work or organizing community improvement projects. Also, remember that there are scholarships for college sophomores, juniors and seniors to apply for after you are enrolled. They are not limited to the senior year of high school. Check with the university’s financial aid department or with LEARN.

What is LEARN?

The LEARN Educational Talent Search is a government-funded agency that provides financial aid advice and assistance with college admissions. Their mission is to assist students who are the first generation in their family to attend college, but they graciously assist all students who seek their help. There is no charge for their assistance. A LEARN counselor visits Monterey once a week. Students may sign the list in the counselors’ office to receive a pass from him. The counselor only requires that the student have a signed parent release allowing them to work together. LEARN also has an office at 2161-50^th Street. Their office phone number is 763-4256. You may schedule an appointment to meet with them at their office, if that is more convenient.

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the form, devised by the Department of Education, used by agencies to determine eligibility for financial aid. You will find that many scholarships, and almost all grants and loans, ask for FAFSA information. The FAFSA is filled out by using your most recent Income Tax information. FAFSA forms for the Class of 2006 will be processed only after January 2006, and will use income tax information in this current 2005 fiscal year (January-December 2005.) The FAFSA can be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The LEARN counselors usually host an evening at Monterey’s library in March to assist families in filling out and submitting their FAFSA form.