Graduation Requirements
Page 4 of Handbook
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English I, II, III, IV
World Geo, World Hist, US Hist, Gov/Eco
4 Science
4 Math
1.0 of P.E.
0.5 Communication Applications (Speech)
1.0 Fine Art (1 full year of the same class)
2.0 Foreign language (of the same language)
Education Beyond High School
• Trade and Technical schools
• Community Colleges
• 4 year colleges/Universities
www.collegeforalltexans.com
Four Year Schools
• Students can earn a bachelor’s degree or
further their studies with a masters or
doctorate program.
• Bachelor’s degree: 4 + years
• Master’s Degree: 2-3 years above bachelors
• Doctorate Degree: 2-3 years above Master’s
• Private and Public Colleges Available
Community College
• Provide students with Career
Preparation programs.
• Students may earn certificates or
Associate’s Degrees.
• Students can use credits earned to
transfer to a four year school.
Vocational/ Trade Schools
• Provide specific career training, usually
requires 2 years or less.
• Public Technical Schools- there are 4 in
Texas. Texas State Technical College or
TSTC. The closest one is in Waco.
• Private Technical and Trade SchoolsExamples- Art Institute of Dallas, DeVry,
ITT, Ogle school of Hair Design
The Junior Timeline
page 18 and 19 in Handbook
March and April
Register for AP tests
Create a Personal File including transcripts,
list of awards and honors (including dates),
community service hours, a list of employersUPDATE this each semester
Register for the NCAA clearinghouse if
candidate for college athletics
Junior Timeline
Page 18 and 19 in Handbook
May and June
Take the SAT and/or ACT
Take AP exams
Obtain a summer job or internship
Look for volunteer opportunities
Save money for college and senior expenses
Select the top 5-10 colleges that meet your
needs
Start of Senior Year
Page 20 and 21 in Handbook
August and September
Update your personal file
Make plans to attend the Nortex college Fair
(end of September)
Ask for letters of Recommendation
Begin applications
Continue to search and apply for scholarships
For more timeline, see your handbook
ACT
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Achievement Test
Highest Score- 36
Average- 20-21
Tests English, Math,
Reading, Science and
has an optional writing
portion
• www.act.org
vs.
SAT
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Aptitude test
Highest Score- 2400
Average Score- 1500
Some colleges only look
at scores of two of three
categories.
• Tests Writing, Reading,
and Math
• www.collegeboard.com
Page 35 and 36 in the Handbook
The THEA Test
• This is a Placement Exam- it does not determine whether or
not you are accepted, but what level of English and Math
you take Freshman year.
• You can be exempt!
– A student with an SAT I score of at least 1070 (math +critical
reading) and a math score of at least 500 is exempt from the math
requirement.
– A student with an SAT I score of at least 1070 (math + critical
reading) and a verbal score of at least 500 is exempt from the reading
and writing requirements.
– A student with an ACT composite score of at least 23 and a math
score of at least 19 is exempt from the math requirement.
– A student with an ACT composite score of at least 23 and an English
score of at least 19 is exempt from the reading and writing
requirements.
– A student with a TAKS math score of at least 2200 is exempt from
the math requirement.
– A student with a TAKS English/language arts score of at least 2200
and an essay score of at least 3 is exempt from the reading and
writing requirements.
Scholarships
• Local Scholarships- Ones only available to NISD
students. These are all accessible by visiting the
“scholarship drawer” on the counseling website!
www.nisdtx.org/nhscounseling
• National Scholarships- databases such as fastaid
and fastweb
• Colleges often have separate scholarship
applications to win money from the university you
plan to attend. Make sure when you complete your
admission application that your submit the
scholarship application as well.
Texas Scholars
page 11 in the handbook
• Apply Senior year – application available from
your counselor
– Requirements
• Graduate on the recommended or
distinguished plan
• Participate in at least 1 extra curricular
activity (school related) for 2 consecutive
years
• Complete two courses eligible for college
credit
Top 10% Rule
page 10 of your handbook
• Being in the Top 10% of your graduating class will get
you automatic admission into any Texas public
university.
– UT Austin is the exception to the rule.
• Brand new scholarship attached to this as well,
currently worth $2000. This is for use at public in-state
schools only. It is renewable each year of college. You
apply by filling out your FAFSA by March 1st of your
senior year. May be based on financial need. More
information will come from your counselor next year.
Grade Point Average
• Weighted- This is used only to
calculate GPA for class rank purposes.
• Unweighted- This is a GPA you will
use to apply for college and
scholarships. It is based on a 4.0 scale.
And Now…..
It’s game time!