…aka “the counselor’s newsletter”…updated weekly with the most recent copy available at www.houstonchristian.org under Counseling & College Guidance.
2014-2015
NEW for
Jrs c/o
2016!
HC School Code: 443-409
October 17, 2014
U of Texas - Top 8% to receive Automatic Admission for class of 2016 (current juniors in
high school) The University of Texas at Austin will automatically admit students in the top 8% of their
high school classes to summer/fall 2015; remaining spaces will be filled through holistic review.
Testing Info
Click these links to register for the ACT and SAT:
SAT/ACT DATES ’14-‘15
www.sat.collegeboard.com or www.act.org
TSI Initiative, THEA or COMPASS Test—SENIORS must take it if… The THEA (Texas
Higher Education Assessment) test must be taken by all seniors planning to attend a public or state
college/university in TEXAS or if they plan to take a course this summer. THEA must be taken BEFORE enrolling
in any college coursework. You may be exempt from taking the THEA if you have an SAT (Cr + M) score of
1070 minimum (with at least a 500 Cr and 500 Math) or ACT of 23 minimum (with at least 19 English and
19 Math). The exam is used to place students in appropriate college math and English courses. Students who
plan to major in education or nursing and are in a private college must also take the THEA. Check with your
college to learn their policy and see if they have other tests that can be used. Take a free practice test on the
THEA Web site at www.thea.nesinc.com. The COMPASS TEST, given at HCC’s campus can be used in place of
the THEA. The Compass Test can be taken Mon-Thurs from 9am-5pm. You must complete an online
application to attend HCC & meet with an HCC counselor before you are allowed to take the Compass.
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The SAT is changing in 2016 which will affect the current 10 & 9 graders.
Click here to see the 7 key changes
SAT Dates
Nov. 8, 2014
Dec. 6, 2014
Jan. 24, 2015
Mar. 14, 2015
May 2, 2015
June 6, 2015
ACT Dates
Oct. 25, 2014
Dec. 13, 2014
Feb. 7, 2015
April 18, 2015
June 13, 2015
You may have heard, revisions to the SAT will be implemented in the spring of 2016. As with previous test
revisions, the PSAT will change first in the fall of 2015, and the SAT will follow. The new PSAT will serve as a preview for the new SAT….headlines
include the return to a 1600 scale, an optional essay, and shifts in approach to both vocabulary and math concepts.
Free Test Prep Options
A little test preparation goes a long way - especially when it is free! The link below offers great video tutorials that correspond to the
different sections on the ACT test. Check it out - you never know what you might learn! http://www.mometrix.com/academy/acttest/
Misc. College & Career Info
Common Application essay topics for class of 2015 (www.commonapp.org)
Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in
your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores?
Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire
and structure your response. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words or more than 650.)
1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be
incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful
to you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your
culture, community, or family.
Freshman Applicants: The Common Application and Stanford Supplement must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on
the appropriate deadline. We prefer online submission of all other documents but will accept materials postmarked by the deadline
ApplyTexas Essay Prompts for class of 2015:
Essay A: Describe a setting in which you have collaborated or interacted with
people whose experiences and/or beliefs differ from yours. Address your initial
feelings, and how those feelings were or were not changed by this experience.
Essay B: Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills
and resources you used to resolve it. Did it change you? If so, how?
Essay C: Considering your lifetime goals, discuss how your current and future
academic and extra-curricular activities might help you achieve your goals.
Essays and Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and
concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice.
What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from
courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer
that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to
inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your
goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The
application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words or more than 650.)
1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their
identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If
this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect
you, and what lessons did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted
you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there and why is it meaningful
to you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your
culture, community, or family.
.
Sophomore, Junior and Senior Athletes:
If you intend to pursue athletics in a D1 or D2 college or university, you must register with the NCAA. To register, go to
www.eligibilitycenter.org and click New Account in the upper right hand corner. You must request an official HC transcript after your
junior year and AGAIN after your senior year. A transcript may ONLY be requested by using the My Planner section of your NCAA
account. Contact the Registrar at kklasen@houstonchristian.org with questions.
Baylor U. offering a new program from fall 2014 with a relationship with McClennan Community College that will lessen the
cost of earning a degree at BU: baylorlariat.com/2013/09/17/baylor-mcc-make-transfer-program-official
CAP program UT: The University of Texas System developed the Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) to expand the
admission options available to students interested in enrolling at The University of Texas at Austin. In general, CAP makes
it possible for some freshman applicants to UT Austin to begin their studies at another UT System university. After
completing the CAP requirements during their freshman year, such students transfer to UT Austin to complete their
undergraduate studies. The following requirements are necessary for successful completion of CAP:

Complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of transferable coursework from an approved list of courses
offered by the UT System school that you choose to attend.

Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on the coursework that you complete while enrolled at
your selected UT System university.

Enroll in and complete at least one mathematics course from the approved list of courses that is beyond Math
301 (College Algebra) during the fall 2014 or spring 2015 semester.

Complete all college coursework during the fall 2014 and spring 2015 semesters.

Submit a final official transcript to UT Austin by June 1, 2015, from the UT System University that you select to
attend.
U. of Texas & PACE = A partnership between ACC and UT is Admission to UT through Co-Enrollment at Austin Community College (PACE)
Students cannot apply to participate in PACE. UT Austin offers participation to selected freshman applicants who applied to
UT but were not granted admission. Longhorns from day one, students in the Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment
program take the majority of their classes at Austin Community College, plus one course per semester at The
University of Texas at Austin, until they complete ACC’s core curriculum. PACE students have two years to complete
the core curriculum and achieve a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Then they continue their undergraduate studies
at UT Austin without reapplying for admission. Those enrolled in PACE have the opportunity to enjoy four years on the
Forty Acres, and their coursework is fully applicable toward degree requirements at UT Austin. Students also save
about $4,000 in tuition a year by taking their core courses at ACC.
U. of Texas essay requirements —all applicants must write Essay C…PLUS a second essay of their choosing from
either topic A or B. Visit this site to see UT’s tip sheet for essay writing:
http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/freshmen/admission/essays
Texas A & M University: all applicants must write Essays A and B…and C, although TAMU says it is
“optional” HC will tell you it is required if you want to present yourself in the best possible light of admission
possibilities. Never miss an opportunity to inform them of more info. about yourself…so YES, you must write
3 essays!
Texas A&M policy for “Auto-admit” to students in top Quartile:
As long as a “State” university automatically admits the top 10% students, the school can add other auto admit policies as they please.
In previous years, TAMU has given automatic admit to students who were in the top Quarter of their class and ALSO had a 1300 SAT
(Cr + M with minimum of 600 on each). TAMU has implemented a system of evaluating applicants who attend high schools that do not
provide an EXACT numerical rank (like HC, John Cooper, St. John's, etc.). They have adjusted their evaluation to be a little more
rigorous and created a process of assigning a rank to students if they do not have an exact numerical rank from their high school (such
as #40 out of 132). Most private schools and many public like Lake Highlands in Dallas do NOT rank. TAMU assigns a numerical rank
for the student based upon historical data from the student’s high school. As an example, HC students with GPA’s in the 90 or 91 range
st
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and in the 1 Quartile according to HC policy could be given a rank of 70 percentile in their class, versus 75 percentile (means same
st
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as 1 quartile). It is certainly possible to be admitted to TAMU if a student is in the 70 percentile range. Keep in mind that courses
students choose to take, especially in the senior year, test scores, essays, and resume are very important! Do YOUR personal
best…leave the rest to God! The competition at selective schools, like TAMU, continues to grow and every student should have a good
back up plan…never plan on just “ONE” college…things change and you need to do your homework on different colleges! VISIT
campuses before your senior year!
Texas A&M University info: If you go to a Community College and transfer into TAMU, you must have a 3.2 (further information here:
http://admissions.tamu.edu/PTA )
U of Texas - Top 7% to receive Automatic Admission for class of 2015 (current seniors in high school) The
University of Texas at Austin will automatically admit students in the top 7% of their high
school classes to summer/fall 2015; remaining spaces will be filled through holistic
review. Current Juniors in high school will be automatically admitted to UT if they are in
the top 8% of their class---class of 2016.
TOP 10% BILL is still in effect– In accordance with Texas Education Code 51.805, all
Texas students are automatically admitted to any state university in Texas as first-time
freshmen if they: graduate in the top 10 percent of their class from an accredited Texas
high school and submit all required credentials/application/fee to the university within
published deadlines of the university (for exception to this rule, see U. of Texas-Austin
info just above regarding top 7% for c/o 2014).
Birkman Test for career and college assessment – please contact Mrs. Pierce,
jpierce@houstonchristian.org, if you want to take the Birkman. It is a very sophisticated
and valid assessment which is conducted by Dr. Wendy Andreen, who offers individual
meetings with feedback for $250 and $175 for a group feedback (usually no more than 3
for the group when it is done in her office). There is a more in-depth report style for an
individual feedback- The Birkman Method which costs $600. If you are interested in
contacting Dr. Andreen directly please call 713-542-5575
Shadow Oaks Elementary Library Volunteer Opportunities
The Librarian at Shadow Oaks Elementary, Natalie McGinness, is reaching out to Houston Christian students for volunteer assistance in
the library there. At this time she needs help with the following tasks: checking books in and out, shelving books, repairing damaged
books, and processing new books. If you are in need of community service hours or interested in serving in this way, please contact her at
281-468-9267 or at natalie.mcginness@springbranchisd.com
Houston Public Library Volunteer Opportunities
Students, parents, senior citizens- anyone 14 years of age or over can help the Houston Public Library provide quality services to a city of
over 2 million residents. The Houston Public Library is searching for volunteers to assist with tasks that include: shelving, computer
instruction and assistance (English/Spanish), storytime and various program assistance, after-school mentoring, docents, research, and
other projects. If you have any questions, please contact Volunteer Services at 832-393-1481 or email to hplvolunteers@houstontx.gov.
Upcoming Calendar Events and College Visits
PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE PROGRAMS IF you are the least bit interested in any of these schools that offer preview days
or open houses on their campuses….you CANNOT wait until your junior year to begin attending all the programs that interest you----there
won’t be enough time!
NACAC Performing and Visual Arts College Fair
SAVE THE DATE: Monday, October 20, 2014  7:00pm-9:00pm
Rice University- Alice Pratt Brown Hall
Free and open to the public, Performing & Visual Arts Fairs allow college-bound students interested in the arts to meet one-on-one with
admission representatives from colleges, universities, conservatories, studios, festivals, and other educational institutions with specialized
programs in the visual and performing arts. Students can register at www.gotomypvafair.com.
SCAD Information SessionSCAD is hosting an information session on Saturday, October 25 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at Hotel ZaZa
Houston (5701 Main St.). At noon, students can attend a preview workshop led by a SCAD professor. At 2 p.m., participants will learn
more about SCAD’s innovative academic programs, distinctive locations, and art and design career options during an admission
presentation. They also can participate in a Q-and-A session with admission representatives or meet representatives one-on-one.
Register to attend: http://www.scad.edu/event/2014-10-24-info-session-houston-tx.
UT MD Anderson’s School of Health Professions
You are invited to attend an Open House for the School of Health Professions at
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (1515 Holcombe Blvd.)
on Friday, November 21 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Discover your pathway to a
rewarding career in the health care professions. They invite students, counselors
and educators to their 2014 Open House to learn about their bachelor’s and
master’s degrees in Health Professions. For more information or to registration
please click here.
Upcoming Senior College Visits on Houston
Christian campus:
Please RSVP to Mrs. Pierce at
jpierce@houstonchristian.org in counseling if you
plan to attend one of the lunch visits. Students are
expected to be on time and seated by the
beginning of lunch…they will NOT have time to go
purchase a lunch and will need to bring their lunch
on these days. Additionally---Be ON TIME
Are you interested in the Military Academy? An individual who is at
least a sophomore in high school can contact West Point Admissions to schedule
a date during West Point’s Academic Year to “Shadow” a West Point Cadet for a
day. https://candidate.usma.edu/guest/CQ/agree_before_entry.cfm . “Shadowing”
is an excellent method for a high school student or a Candidate to “live the life of
a Cadet for a day”. An individual “Shadowing” a Cadet does whatever his/her
Cadet is scheduled to do that particular day, i.e. going to academic classes,
military classes, physical education classes, duties, meal(s) along with visiting the
Cadet’s barrack room.
*Southwestern University: October 20, 2014 at
11:20am in SC216
*Texas Tech University: October 23, 2014 at
12:15pm
*University of New Hampshire: November 6,
2014 at 12:15pm in SC216
College Scholarship Information
Please look at Naviance for scholarship searches.
SCHOLARSHIPS.COM You find money and Colleges find you!
AMDA NATIONALSCHOLARSHIP NOMINATIONS
AMDA is accepting National Scholarship nominations for students who plan to pursue their post-secondary education at AMDA: College
and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in the 2014 school year. The counseling department will recommend you if you are interested.
Nominated students will be contacted by AMDA to schedule an audition and discuss their application process.
If you would like more information, please visit http://www.amda.edu/nominate/ or call:
 212-957-3313 to reach the NY Senior Director of Admissions: Erica Padilla
 323-603-5912 to reach the LA Senior Director of Admissions: Karen Jackson
Summer for HC Kids!!
High School Study Abroad Programs: http://www.spiabroad.com/program-overview/
In 1996, SPI programs were founded by language educators to provide students an authentic homestay immersion
experience coupled with a cross-cultural leadership and community service component. Students develop global
perspectives and leadership skills that give them a competitive advantage in college admissions and future endeavors.
Spanish Immersion+Leadership--,Spain, Costa Rica
Immersion+Volunteer--Costa Rica
French Immersion+Leadership---Biarritz, France
Italian Immersion+Leadership--Siena, Italy
Mandarin Immersion--Guilin, China
Custom Programs
Way to Go HC Kids!!
Paige Dotson, c/o 2015, visiting OU and hanging out with Morgan Kanaly, c/o 2014. She had a great time! Way to go
Paige!
Elizabeth DalBello, c/o 2015, job shadowing Mrs. Kaestner at American Midstream!
Reagan Baker, c/o 2015, took a "post acceptance" visit to Tech. Way to go Reagan!!!
2014 Houston Christian College Trip:
Samford University in Birmingham, AL- HC visits one of the great Christian universities in
the U.S.
Chris Stuewer, c/o 2015, has officially completed and earned his Eagle Scout rank. Chris built a raised garden for The
Atria Assisted Living Center. Chris's grandmother was a resident of The Atria and the raised garden is in memory of Nana.
Maddy Payne and Sarah Oldfield, class of 2015, on a recent visit to A&M …Whoop!!!!.
Travis Morland, c/o 2015, is an Eagle Scout His project was to make 100 polar fleece blankets for the Linus Project of
Montgomery County. Troop 1276 was made up of kids younger than 14, he was the oldest. His blankets went to a teenage
girls/boy who were homeless and then put in a shelter. Some went to babies who were in the hospital. Then the balance
went to a home for sexually abused kids. 5/19/14 completion date.
William Goolsby, c/o 2017, has earned the highest Boy Scout honor, receiving his Eagle Scout for work done at
The Mission of Yahweh (The Mission), a homeless shelter for women and children on Aug. 27. Will is a
sophomore at Houston Christian and dedicated his achievement to his grandparents, June and Jack Long,
formerly of Fonn Villas, who inspired his project. Unfortunately, both passed away before his project was
completed. Way to go Will!!
Kailey Shanks, c/o 2017, visited the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University this
summer. She also went to the University of South Florida and George Mason University last year! Way
to go Kailey!
Alexandria Green, c/o 2017, visited Spelman College, The University of Alabama, Duke University, and
University of North Carolina! Way to go Alexandria!!!
Neil Kerrigan, c/o 2016, standing in front of the Founders Statue when he toured Baylor this summer. He loved
it! He is continuing his college visits by touring University of Dallas next.
Priscila Cruz and Alexandria Green, c/o 2017 recently toured Baylor University and really enjoyed it. Way to go girls!!
If you have achieved your Gold Award in the Girl Scouts Association please let the counselors know! We want to brag about you!!
We LOVE Eagle Scouts and are proud of these HC students. Please let us know if you have obtained your Eagle so we can brag about
you!
Will Goolsby, c/o 2017, Will Bates, c/o 2017,
Jarrett Bolander, c/o 2015,
Luke Dupree, c/o 2015, Matthew Dupree, c/o 2015 Chris Stuewer, c/o 2015 Travis Morland, c/o 2015
Alumni News
Eric Hopper (c/o 2013 and a sophomore at Princeton), John Clarke (c/o 2014 and a freshman at
Princeton) and Ian Hopper (c/o 2014 and a freshman at U. of Richmond) seeing each other at Princeton on
parent’s weekend. What a fun HC reunion!
Imani Daffin, c/o 2014, freshman at U. of Alabama: Imani loves the college environment and the University of
Alabama campus. Her grades have been very good and last week she was notified that she was admitted to the
competitive UA Freshman Forum. This is a unique leadership development program for first year students. The program
is centered on the values of leadership, academics, and service. She has adapted well and yes, she loves gameday.
The campus is absolutely electrifying the entire weekend when The Crimson Tide is in Bryant Denny Stadium. Way to go
Imani and Rollllllllllllllll Tide!
Carson Taff, c/o 2014, United States Naval Academy-at the Navy vs Ohio State game; Go Navy, Beat Army!!!!
Adrianna Thompson, c/o 2012, Clemson U. Engineering major - has been in Gambia, a western
coastal African country with the Engineers without Borders team from Clemson University. She will be a
leader in this project doing the preliminary work for a water well. Way to go Adrianna!
Trey Dupree, c/o 2012, is a Junior in Petroleum Engineering this fall at UT. He spent this summer working for EOG
Resources in Midland Texas. He spent his time drilling and fraccing oil and gas wells; they are working to make the US energy
independent.
Kathryn Quandt, c/o 2012, US Naval Academy, has just finished her second year at the United States Naval Academy, majoring
in Mathematics and minoring in Arabic. She has decided to take a gap year between sophomore and junior year to serve overseas with a
mission organization (this is acceptable and more common than expected at the Academies). Kathryn is excited to serve God in this
capacity this year and is looking forward to returning in the fall of 2015 to finish her last two years at Annapolis.Kathryn still runs and says
"In cross country we run 6ks (3.75 miles) on hilly courses; During indoor track I run the 5k; during outdoor I run the 5k and 10k. My PR for
a 5k is 18:18 and for a 10k I run 39:22. We practice sea navigation on Yard Patrol (YP) craft, which are small boats; the summer after my
plebe year I spent 2 weeks on an LPD (landing transport dock--smallest amphibious assault ship, compared to LHAs and LSDs) following
around an enlisted BM1 (Petty Officer First Class, boatswain's mate). Deck department on an LPD owns all the spaces on the ship pretty
much, so they're always busy, but at least it's interesting. Some of the enlisted people on that ship were my age; it was really weird. My
favorite teacher is my Arabic teacher; he makes me laugh a lot, and he's the main reason I'm minoring in Arabic. I almost majored in it.
But I hate writing essays, and I would've had to take classes that were heavily essay-driven. In math, there are no labs and no essays. It's
awesome.” Way to Go Kathryn, Go Navy, beat Army!
Look where our Seniors have been accepted!
Students must inform the counseling office & show their admission letter or email to Mrs. Pierce in order for names and colleges to be
included in this list.
Alcala, Jessica: Texas Tech
Baker, Julie: U. of Alabama, Texas Tech, U. of Mississippi
Baker, Reagan: Texas Tech
Barhorst, Shelby: Texas A&M
Bolander, Jarrett: Texas A&M
DalBello, Sandra: Texas A&M
Detiveaux, Emily: Kansas State U., U. of Kansas, U. of Alabama
Dotson, Paige: Texas Tech
Faulk, Andrew: U. of Texas, Texas A&M
Fritcher, Bailey: Texas State U.
Grandjean, Nate: Oklahoma State U., Bowling Green State U.
Henry, Lauren: Abilene Christian U.
Jenkins, Brooke: U. of Alabama, Gordon College
Kilkenny, Mitchell: Louisiana State U.
Marquette, Lindsey: Texas Tech, Louisiana State U.
McKinney, Darby: Hardin-Simmons U., Stephen F. Austin State U., Sam Houston State U.
Merrill, Chris: Texas Tech
Milton, Kristin: U. of Missouri, U. of Kansas
Moore, Samantha: Texas A&M
Morris, Stewart: Louisiana State U., Texas Tech, U. of Arkansas, U. of Alabama, Oklahoma State U.
Mosvold, Kai: U. of Nebraska- Lincoln
Porter, Cassie: U. of Alabama
Robertson, Rebekah: Texas A&M
Telge, Trenton: U. of Texas- Dallas
Thompson, Amanda: U. of Alabama, U. of Mississippi
Scholarships:
Detiveaux, Emily:
Jenkins, Brooke:
$42,032 over 4 years from U. of Kansas
$49,900 over 4 years from U. of Alabama
$44,000 over 4 years from Gordon College (T. Leonard Lewis Scholarship)
___________
$135,932 and counting!
**Don’t see your name on this list but have been accepted or received scholarship from somewhere? Make sure you stop by the counseling office to sign
the yellow sheet and tell Mrs. Pierce! Bold indicates college the student plans to attend.