Welcome Juniors!

Class of 2026 Google Classroom

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Join code: nxug7f3

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Vandegrift High School

Class of 2026

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Naviance Tasks,Junior Counselor Conferences & Course Selection

On the Agenda

• Post - Secondary Planning Opportunities
• College Application Overview
• College Search Tools
• Testing for College Readiness
• Review Graduation Plans and Requirements
• Senior Year Course Selection (your last one, don’t cry!)
• Prepare for your Junior Counselor Conference

VHS Counseling Department

A-Bo: Kandice Detlefsen

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Br-Ep: DeAngelo Freeman

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Er-H: Becca Ramirez

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I-Mar: Charity Escott

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Mas-Pi: Tracy Noble

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Pl-St: Shawna Powell

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Su-Z: Melissa Wells

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College & Career Transition Coordinator: Katie Kendall

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Post-Secondary Planning/Opportunities

College Visits & College Fairs

• College Visits at VHS

College Visit calendar & registration instructions

Coming up soon: Texas A&M (1/23), University of Alabama (1/29), University of Arkansas (1/30) Sign up in Naviance!

OR Go Visit the College Campus

• 2 excused absences per Junior & Senior year
• Attendance verification needed
• The Attendance Website will tell you what documentation you need to submit to their office.

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• Virtual Admission Sessions & Tours

Checkout the colleges’ admissions websites

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• NACAC Virtual College Fairs /Feb 16th, March 23rd, April 27th

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Applying to College

What does the application process/timeline look like?

The College Application Process

Refer to link above for helpful resources.

RESEARCH & PLAN

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Know app requirements & deadlines

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COMPLETE APPLICATION

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Submit along with applicable fees

ESSAYS & SHORT ANSWERS

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Research essay requirements & Write essays

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TRANSCRIPTS

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Request VHS transcript through Parchment

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- ACC students- order college transcript

SENDING TEST SCORES

Determine if you are sending test scores or applying test optional

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Order SAT & ACT scores to be sent to colleges (VHS does NOT send)

REC LETTERS, RESUMES & MORE

Optional or if requested by school:

• Resume
• Letters of Rec
• School Report
• Supplements

First: Research & Plan

• Research & Develop Your College List
• Determine Academic Fit
• Safety
• Match
• Reach
• Research Application Requirements (the internet is your friend!)
• Decide on Type of College Admissions:
• Regular Decision
• Rolling Admission
• Early Action
• Early Decision

Naviance 11th Grade Tasks

Access Naviance

Go to Leander ISD Launchpad (log in using your LISD credentials.)

Your Dashboard

On your dashboard, you will also see

• School announcements

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• Upcoming Tasks

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• Upcoming Events (ie: college rep visits)

To Do: Complete SuperMatch College Search

Explore college requirements to find an institution that suits your needs.

• Click on Colleges

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• Click on SuperMatch College Search

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Favorite at least two colleges.

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• Click the Select Criteria button
• The search will start with Location
• You can toggle over and choose other criteria (Academics, Admissions, Student Life, etc.)

Use the categories at the top to refine your search.

How you compare to students who were admitted

Drop Menu: Admission info, athletics, cost, and more

You can FAVORITE colleges that you are interested in.

Please open your laptop and access Naviance. Your goal is to do some research and favorite at least two colleges.

Go to Leander ISD Launchpad (log in using your LISD credentials.)

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Progress Checkpoint

Have you completed the following tasks?

• Used filters in SuperMatch to explore colleges

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• Favorited at least two colleges

You can view your favorites list by clicking the heart in the toolbar

The College Application Process Cont’d

Don’t close your laptop yet! We have your FIRST Junior Pre-Conference Task!

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Transcripts

• Ordering Transcript / Self-Reporting Academic Record (SRAR)
• Most colleges will require sending an official transcript
• For colleges that require student to Self-Report their academic record, SRAR, email unofficial copy to self via Parchment to reference.

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• Do not order official transcript before August 1st. Before ordering make sure to review all the details and specifics on the Counseling website.

VHS Counseling: Transcripts

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• Students order official transcripts to be sent directly to colleges from their Parchment Account
• Email unofficial copy to self to download
• Transcripts can also be sent to:
• Common App - one stop shop to send transcript with Secondary School Report to all schools applied in app
• NCAA

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Pre-Conference Task #1

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• Request an updated transcript (email to self) through Parchment (Access the Transcript Request tab on the VHS Counseling website.)

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• Download a copy of your unofficial transcript and save it to your personal drive (within 3 days of email receipt)

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MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO YOUR CONFERENCE!

Make sure your account has VHS as your institution.

Close laptops when complete.

Letters of Recommendation

• Are they needed?
• Common App - check individual university admission requirements
• Apply Texas - most likely not
• Only provide the number the college is asking for!
• Counselor Letter of Recommendation: Describes a student holistically, including character and potential
• Teacher Letter of Recommendation: Describes a student as a learner in the classroom setting.
• Details for how to request a letter of recommendation from a teacher or a counselor can be found on the VHS Counseling: Letters of Recommendation webpage

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College Planning Resources

• VHS College & Career Center
• College Jump Start (dates TBD)
• Free opportunity for rising seniors in the summer. (Each session meets 4x)
• Students are provided the resources, guidance, and time to prepare college applications, in addition to valuable feedback!
• Click here for more information and future registration links.
• College Transition course at VHS (12th - Fall only)
• College Application Process - helpful info for all stages (resume examples, application checklist, tracking activities spreadsheet)
• Senior Workdays - Fall of Senior year in the CCC

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Testing

College Admissions

College Readiness

SAT and ACT

• SAT – Scholastic Assessment Test - college entrance exam
• School day SAT on March 6th – all Juniors take for FREE
• Other testing dates available for cost through www.CollegeBoard.org
• ACT –American College Test - college entrance exam
• Juniors can choose to sign up for cost through www.ACTstudent.org
• Take one of each type to determine best testing format; then choose to take either a 2^nd time to ensure your best score
• Fee waivers - available based on eligibility; contact your counselor
• Test Optional - some colleges have opted to not require SAT or ACT. Refer to each university’s admissions page to determine if you can opt out. Proceed as though these tests are required, so options are not limited.

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College Readiness

SAT, ACT, TSI

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College readiness = are you ready for college level coursework?

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• College readiness in Texas = Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
• Requirement for all Texas public institutions (including ACC)
• Can prove TSI through SAT, ACT, or TSI Assessment scores
• Don’t meet it? Must take and pay for developmental courses that do not apply toward degree completion
• NOTE: if you do not send SAT or ACT scores to a TX public college for admission (if test optional), they will ask for TSI scores after you’re admitted.

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How Do I Meet TSI?

Meet TSI in one of three ways:

TSI Assessment

ELAR: >945

Essay: >/= 5

Math: > 950

ACT

40+ English (combined)

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22+ Math

SAT

Evidence-based Reading & Writing: 480+

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Math: 530+

Upcoming TSI Assessment Dates

Can be found on the VHS College & Career Website

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School Day SAT is March 6

Graduation Plans & Grad Requirements

Graduation Plans & Requirements

LISD Distinguished w/ Honors

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Students must earn the same credits as the Distinguished Level of Achievement with the requirement of:

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• 4 English credits (including English 4)
• 4^th credit of math must have Algebra 2 as a prerequisite
• 4 science credits must include Biology; and Chemistry or Physics
• 4 social studies credits
• 3 credits of the same world language

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Refer to 2025-26 Course Catalog pg 6

Endorsement Areas

All students begin Freshman year with the Multidisciplinary Studies Endorsement. Endorsements may change throughout all 4 years of High School.

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�Endorsements are earned by successful completion of at least one program of study within the Endorsement.

Junior / Counselor Conferences

What IS the Junior / Counselor Conference?

• Annual Conference with your Counselor
• Topics to be discussed:
• Self-Reflection: How Are You Doing?
• Review College Planning Checklist
• Review Junior Resources Document
• Finalize Senior Course Selection
• Answer Student/Parent Questions

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Pre-Conference Task #2

• Book your Junior Conference with your alpha counselor through Calendly
• Add your parent as a “Guest” to join the Junior Conference if you would like
• Parents can join via ZOOM, while students will meet in person in the counselor’s office

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Close laptops when complete.

Pre-Conference Task #3

• Update your 4 Year Plan
• Complete the 12th grade column in Naviance
• You must have EIGHT class periods worth of courses

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Do NOT hit “Submit for Approval!” We will do that during your conference.

Course selection can be updated during your Junior Conference

Course Selection for Senior Year

The following slides are to be used as reference when completing your 2025-26 course selection sheet, which will be completed under the Courses tab in Naviance. Your selections will be reviewed with your counselor during your conference and can be edited, if needed.

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Off Period Opportunity

• Must be on track to meet the following criteria:
• Distinguished Level of Achievement or LISD Distinguished w/ Honors Grad Plan
• No outstanding attendance hours owed (click HERE to see if hours owed)
• No outstanding credits owed – No credit recovery
• Pass all required EOC tests
• May NOT be simultaneously enrolled in ACC courses at VHS or OCPE
• Understand that off periods will be rescinded should attendance hours accumulate during the first semester
• Before completing an application, please consider:
• Why are you seeking this privilege? Work? Time off?
• Have you exhausted all academic opportunities that VHS offers?
• How will this reflect on your college applications?
• EVERYONE must choose 8 classes. On the application, you’ll list the 1-2 classes you would like to drop if you’re approved for early release.
• Off Period Application form link will be shared with you in April. You’ll find it in the VHS Counseling Newsletter and your Class of 2026 Google Classroom.

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If you are considering dual credit…

CHOOSING ACC CLASSES IN NAVIANCE IS NOT ENOUGH

• New students: must complete Dual Credit Enrollment Steps on the VHS CCC website, including proving college readiness with qualifying test scores
• Returning students: schedule brief meeting with Ms. Kendall to discuss course choices.
• Priority deadlines:

Summer - March 13 // Fall - April 25

• Failure to meet the above deadlines will result in ACC courses being removed from your course requests

Important Notifications

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• DEADLINE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES IS MAY 1ST
• Finalizing your requests during this initial submission provides the highest likelihood of being placed in the classes you want. Upper-level electives tend to fill up quickly.

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• NO SEMESTER CHANGE REQUESTS
• Course selections are a year-long commitment. There will not be changes to elective courses past the final change deadline of May 1, 2025.

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Access Naviance in the Leander ISD Launchpad

1. Click on “Courses”
2. Click on “Manage Course Plans”

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Course Selection

3. Choose Your Current Plan

Course Selection

12th Grade VHS Course Selection 2025-2026

• Make sure to read ALL information before clicking “Next”
• Links to use as resources:
• VHS “Paper” Choice Sheet
• LISD Course Catalog
• CTE Programs of Study
• ACC Dual Credit Website
• VHS IB Website
• Selections will be reviewed with your counselor during your conference
• There will be one additional window to make changes to your selections for next school year.

Course Selection

Core Course Selection

• English 4
• On-level, AP, ACC, or IB
• Math
• Algebra 2, Pre-Cal (on-level or AP), Statistics (on-level, AP), AP Calculus (AB,BC)
• Pre-Cal is the more logical course following Algebra 2 since the first semester is building on skills covered in Algebra 2. Pre-Cal is also the course that would be similar to a math course needed in college (College Algebra for example), even for a non-STEM major.
• Stats is more contextual; students are required to write a lot, consider the reasonableness of their solutions, and justify/defend their answers with mathematical evidence.
• If you are planning on taking AP Calc AB: please consider this ONLY if you have done well in AP Pre-Cal. There is no level drop option for this course, so you will not be able to drop it.

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Course Selection

Core Course Selection

• Science
• Physics or 4th Science
• On-level, Advanced, AP or IB
• Additional science courses can be chosen as electives

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• Social Studies
• Government AND Economics
• On-level, AP, or ACC

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Course Selection

PE or PE Equivalent

• 1 year of PE credit is required to graduate
• OCPE applications are due no later than May 30, 2025

World Language

• Two years of the same world language is required to graduate
• Three years are required to graduate LISD Distinguished with Honors

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Course Selection

Summer Course Work

• Indicate any summer coursework in the 11th Grade Column
• This would include ACC
• Summer coursework must be completed and scores submitted BEFORE July 31, 2025
• Remember, you are responsible for completing all required enrollment steps

Access Naviance in the Leander ISD Launchpad

• Click on “Courses”
• Click on “Manage Course Plans”

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Course Selection

3. Choose Your Current Plan

Progress Check

Make sure that you have

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• Chosen your core classes
• Assured that all other grad requirements are met (Fine Art credit, PE credit, LOTE)
• Account for EIGHT PERIODS, even if you plan on applying for an off period.

Junior Conference Prep Tasks

• Order transcript (emailed to yourself) from Parchment
• Schedule your Junior Conference
• Completed your 4-Year Plan

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What’s Next?

College Planning Checklist for Spring ‘25

• Prep and register for SAT and/or ACT

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• Finish strong – 6^th semester GPA are sent to colleges

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• Explore Colleges:

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• College SuperMatch Search (Naviance)
• College Visits at VHS
• College Fairs: NACAC Virtual College Fairs Be sure to click the “Virtual” tab
• TheCollegeTour.com
• College Campus Visits (2 excused absences per year)
• Jobs, Internships & Enrichment Including Community service opportunities
• Update Resume

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Upcoming Dates…

• January 21 (5:30) // Class of 2025 Parent Webinar
• January 24-Feb 16// Junior/Counselor Conferences
• Feb 18, March 24, April 21// NACAC Virtual College Fairs
• March 6// SAT School Day @ VHS
• March 20 // ASVAB Career Exploration
• April 1-2 // Open office hours for Junior course selection questions
• April 8-10 // Parent support ZOOM during the school day
• April 24// US History STAAR EOC
• May 1 // DEADLINE to request course changes for 2025-26
• May 6-17// AP/IB Exams
• Summer 2025 // College Jump Start (dates TBD)

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Junior Planning One-Stop-Shop

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11th Grade Course Selection Sheet

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LISD Course Catalog

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Junior Resources Document

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ACC Registration Steps

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Parchment

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Calendly

Questions & Answers

The Essays

You got this- it’s about YOU!

• Be sure your voice comes through clearly.

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• Answer the REQUIRED prompt.

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• Tell a story that reveals something about you uniquely.

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• Do you come across as an interesting person the admissions officer would like to know better?

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Course Selection

Off Period

• Off Period Applications are submitted Separately. You MUST still account for EIGHT class periods in you Course Selection. (The application will allow you to tell us which class to drop in favor of the off period.)
• You MUST be on-track to graduate with Distinguished or LISD Distinguished w/ Honors Grad Plan (26 hours by end of 2025 school year)
• Have met the passing standards on all EOCs (STAAR) exams
• Do not owe attendance hours.
• Understand that off-periods will be rescinded should attendance hours accumulate during the first semester.

Self

Discovery

Courses

Careers

Test Scores, SSRs, and Resumes

• Sending SAT/ACT Test Scores:
• If reporting test scores, you must order those directly from your ACT or SAT account to be sent to the college.
• VHS does NOT send test scores.

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• School Report:
• May be required for some colleges.
• Counselor must complete & submit.
• Required for All Common Application Schools
• Transcript needs to be ordered to send to “Common App” to be included with SSR

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• Resumes:
• It is often advantageous to send a resume in addition to the activities section of the application to add depth and detail
• Check out a Resume Writing Workshop and Samples (from the College Application webpage) Naviance also has a resume building tool.

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Supplemental Materials

• Types of Supplemental Materials:
• School Report (Common App, Coalition, TCU, Baylor, SMU, etc.)
• Counselor Letter of Recommendation (Brag Sheet)
• Transcript
• Senior Pathways Form
• All Seniors should submit this form in order for counselors to best support students towards their pathway after graduation.

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• Senior Pathways Form also allows for students to notify counselor of supplemental materials that may be required for applications.

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Strengths explorer Results

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The Applications

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• Apply Texas

www.applytexas.org

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• Common Application

www.commonapp.org

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• Individual college applications & Direct to School

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Strengths Explorer Careers

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Colleges

Course Selection

Student Information

• ID Number
• Last Name
• First Name
• Graduation Plan
• Endorsement
• Select your Counselor

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