College & Career Readiness
College & Career Readiness
Your Future, Your Path, Your Success—Start Here.
Welcome to your launchpad for the future! Whether you are preparing for college admissions, exploring career pathways, entering the workforce, or applying for financial aid, our College & Career Readiness portal is built to guide you every step of the way. Explore essential tools, step-by-step checklists, upcoming campus deadlines, and scholarship opportunities designed to turn your ambition into action.
College Application Checklist
Before applying, gather these essential items:
-
The Application & Fee
-
Official High School Transcript
-
Test Scores (SAT, ACT, AP, or TSI)
-
College Essay
-
Academic Resume
-
Letters of Recommendation
Important: Every college sets its own requirements and application deadlines. Always double-check the specific rules for the schools on your list!
Understanding College Admission Types
Colleges review and accept applications using different schedules and rules:
| Admission Type | Application Deadline | Decision Date | Key Details |
| Regular Admission | Dec 1 – March 15 | March or April | The standard process used by most colleges. |
| Rolling Admission | Varies (Final deadline set by school) | Shortly after you apply | Applications are reviewed as they come in. Apply early before open spots fill up! |
| Early Action | Late Oct – Late Nov | Mid-December | Apply early without any commitment. You can still apply to other schools. |
| Restrictive Early Action | Late Oct – Late Nov | Mid-December | Apply early, but you cannot apply early to any other college. You have until May 1st to decide. |
| Early Decision (Binding) | Mid-Oct – Mid-Nov | Mid-to-Late Dec | Binding contract: If accepted, you must attend and withdraw all other applications. Only choose this if it is your #1 dream school! |
| Early Notification | Regular deadline | Early-to-Mid Spring |
Offers a non-binding preliminary status update ahead of final decisions |
There are 4 ways to submit an application to a college or university:
-
Directly through the school's website
Financial Aid Essentials
3 Rules to Remember
-
Submit Just One Application: Complete either the FAFSA or the TASFA each school year—never both.
-
Work With Your Campus: Your financial aid package is created and finalized directly by the financial aid office at each college you apply to.
-
Apply Early: Financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting early maximizes your award potential!
Types of Financial Aid
Aid is awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of both. Packages typically include:
| Type of Aid | What It Means | Repayment Required? |
| Scholarships | Awarded for academic, athletic, or skill merit (may require separate applications). | No (Free Money) |
| Grants | Awarded based on financial need. | No (Free Money) |
| Work-Study | Earn money through part-time campus employment. | No (Earned Income) |
| Loans | Borrowed money to cover educational costs. | Yes (Must be paid back with interest) |
Helpful Financial Aid Resources
-
College Scorecard: Use this federal comparison tool to research real college costs, average student debt, and graduate earning potential.
-
My TX Future: Explore state resources and personalized guidance for planning your education in Texas.
If you are interested in enlisting in the military or furthering your education through the military, explore your options below:
Military Branches
Military Academies
Freshman Year: Build Your Foundation
-
Challenge Yourself Academically: Take rigorous core classes to build a strong foundation.
-
Get Involved: Join school or community activities that align with your passions.
-
Explore Careers: Discover potential paths using the tools under our Career Exploration tab.
-
Build Your Resume: Start a running list of awards, volunteer work, jobs, and extracurriculars. Update it each semester!
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
Sophomore Year: Explore & Plan
-
Meet Your Counselor: Discuss college goals and admission requirements.
-
Make Summer Count: Plan to work, volunteer, or intern.
-
Research Majors & Careers: Attend career fairs and use the U.S. Department of Labor search tool to match majors to your interests.
-
Learn Financial Aid Basics: Understand the differences between grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
Junior Year: Test, Tour & Target
-
Research Careers: Check job outlooks and earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
-
Take the PSAT/NMSQT: Take it in 11th grade to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. (District provides testing during the school day).
-
Take College Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT): Review target school requirements and register. (Juniors can take the SAT free during the school spring testing day).
-
Visit & Connect: Attend college fairs, request info on aid/deadlines, and tour target campuses.
-
Estimate Financial Aid: Use the College Scorecard to compare estimated aid against actual college costs.
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
Senior Year: Apply & Commit
-
Stay on Track: Meet with your counselor and visit the College & Career Center to ensure graduation and admission compliance.
-
Submit Applications: Apply early, watching required test policies (SAT/ACT/TSI) and strict deadlines.
-
Complete Financial Aid (FAFSA/TASFA): Submitting the FAFSA or TASFA is a graduation requirement. Applications open October 1st—apply early for priority funding!
-
Compare Offers & Decide: Review financial aid award letters, choose your school, and submit your commitment/deposit (typically by May 1st).
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
Career Exploration Search Engines
Use these interactive online portals to discover careers that match your skills, interests, and lifestyle goals:
-
O*NET OnLine: Explore detailed descriptions, skill requirements, and job outlooks for hundreds of occupations.
-
Texas OnCourse: Access career and college planning tools tailored for Texas students.
-
Texas Reality Check: Calculate your future living expenses to see which careers support your desired lifestyle.
ASVAB Career Exploration Program
The ASVAB is a free, multiple-choice assessment that helps students identify their strengths and explore matching post-secondary and career paths.
-
How to Sign Up: Contact your Counselor to register for the upcoming test date on campus.
Hands-On Career Experiences
Gain real-world insight and build your resume before graduation:
| Learning Opportunity | Description | Paid or Unpaid? |
| Internships | Short-term work experience with a company or organization. | Paid or Unpaid |
| Job-Shadowing | Observe a professional during their workday to learn about a specific role. | Unpaid |
| Part-Time Job | Regular employment with an employer to gain work experience. | Paid |
| Summer Programs | Interactive campus or industry programs hosted by colleges and organizations. | Varies |
College Placement & Entrance Exams
-
TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0)
-
Purpose: Determines college readiness in Reading, Writing, and Math for public colleges and universities in Texas.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors planning to attend a Texas college who have not met exemption scores via the SAT or ACT.
-
Note: Must complete the mandatory online Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) before testing.
-
-
SAT & ACT
-
Purpose: Standardized entrance exams used by 4-year universities nationwide for admissions and scholarship eligibility.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors applying to 4-year colleges, especially if trying to qualify for merit scholarships or TSI exemptions.
-
Action: Register online (College Board for SAT / ACT.org) for fall test dates if retakes or updates are needed.
-
Advanced Placement & College Credit
-
AP Exams (Advanced Placement)
-
Purpose: Allows students to earn college credit while still in high school by scoring a 3 or higher.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors currently enrolled in AP courses.
-
Timeline: Registration takes place in the fall, with testing conducted on campus every May.
-
Career & Military Assessment
-
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
-
Purpose: Measures mechanical, verbal, spatial, and math abilities to explore career options and qualify for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors exploring technical careers or considering military enlistment.
-
Action: Free test offered on campus—see your Academic Advisor or Counselor to register.
-
State Graduation Requirements
-
STAAR EOC Retakes (End-of-Course Exams)
-
Purpose: Ensures fulfillment of state graduation requirements for core subjects (Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, U.S. History).
-
Who Needs It: Seniors who need to retake any EOC exam to fulfill state requirements before graduation.
-
Timeline: Retake opportunities take place in December and April/May.
-
-
College Application Checklist
Before applying, gather these essential items:
-
The Application & Fee
-
Official High School Transcript
-
Test Scores (SAT, ACT, AP, or TSI)
-
College Essay
-
Academic Resume
-
Letters of Recommendation
Important: Every college sets its own requirements and application deadlines. Always double-check the specific rules for the schools on your list!
Understanding College Admission Types
Colleges review and accept applications using different schedules and rules:
Admission Type Application Deadline Decision Date Key Details Regular Admission Dec 1 – March 15 March or April The standard process used by most colleges. Rolling Admission Varies (Final deadline set by school) Shortly after you apply Applications are reviewed as they come in. Apply early before open spots fill up! Early Action Late Oct – Late Nov Mid-December Apply early without any commitment. You can still apply to other schools. Restrictive Early Action Late Oct – Late Nov Mid-December Apply early, but you cannot apply early to any other college. You have until May 1st to decide. Early Decision (Binding) Mid-Oct – Mid-Nov Mid-to-Late Dec Binding contract: If accepted, you must attend and withdraw all other applications. Only choose this if it is your #1 dream school! Early Notification Regular deadline Early-to-Mid Spring Offers a non-binding preliminary status update ahead of final decisions
There are 4 ways to submit an application to a college or university:
-
Directly through the school's website
-
-
Financial Aid Essentials
3 Rules to Remember
-
Submit Just One Application: Complete either the FAFSA or the TASFA each school year—never both.
-
Work With Your Campus: Your financial aid package is created and finalized directly by the financial aid office at each college you apply to.
-
Apply Early: Financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting early maximizes your award potential!
Types of Financial Aid
Aid is awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of both. Packages typically include:
Type of Aid What It Means Repayment Required? Scholarships Awarded for academic, athletic, or skill merit (may require separate applications). No (Free Money) Grants Awarded based on financial need. No (Free Money) Work-Study Earn money through part-time campus employment. No (Earned Income) Loans Borrowed money to cover educational costs. Yes (Must be paid back with interest) Helpful Financial Aid Resources
-
College Scorecard: Use this federal comparison tool to research real college costs, average student debt, and graduate earning potential.
-
My TX Future: Explore state resources and personalized guidance for planning your education in Texas.
-
-
-
If you are interested in enlisting in the military or furthering your education through the military, explore your options below:
Military Branches
Military Academies
-
Freshman Year: Build Your Foundation
-
Challenge Yourself Academically: Take rigorous core classes to build a strong foundation.
-
Get Involved: Join school or community activities that align with your passions.
-
Explore Careers: Discover potential paths using the tools under our Career Exploration tab.
-
Build Your Resume: Start a running list of awards, volunteer work, jobs, and extracurriculars. Update it each semester!
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
Sophomore Year: Explore & Plan
-
Meet Your Counselor: Discuss college goals and admission requirements.
-
Make Summer Count: Plan to work, volunteer, or intern.
-
Research Majors & Careers: Attend career fairs and use the U.S. Department of Labor search tool to match majors to your interests.
-
Learn Financial Aid Basics: Understand the differences between grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
Junior Year: Test, Tour & Target
-
Research Careers: Check job outlooks and earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
-
Take the PSAT/NMSQT: Take it in 11th grade to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. (District provides testing during the school day).
-
Take College Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT): Review target school requirements and register. (Juniors can take the SAT free during the school spring testing day).
-
Visit & Connect: Attend college fairs, request info on aid/deadlines, and tour target campuses.
-
Estimate Financial Aid: Use the College Scorecard to compare estimated aid against actual college costs.
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
Senior Year: Apply & Commit
-
Stay on Track: Meet with your counselor and visit the College & Career Center to ensure graduation and admission compliance.
-
Submit Applications: Apply early, watching required test policies (SAT/ACT/TSI) and strict deadlines.
-
Complete Financial Aid (FAFSA/TASFA): Submitting the FAFSA or TASFA is a graduation requirement. Applications open October 1st—apply early for priority funding!
-
Compare Offers & Decide: Review financial aid award letters, choose your school, and submit your commitment/deposit (typically by May 1st).
-
Explore Resources: Check out Big Future on College Board for a College and Career Planning Checklist.
-
-
Career Exploration Search Engines
Use these interactive online portals to discover careers that match your skills, interests, and lifestyle goals:
-
O*NET OnLine: Explore detailed descriptions, skill requirements, and job outlooks for hundreds of occupations.
-
Texas OnCourse: Access career and college planning tools tailored for Texas students.
-
Texas Reality Check: Calculate your future living expenses to see which careers support your desired lifestyle.
ASVAB Career Exploration Program
The ASVAB is a free, multiple-choice assessment that helps students identify their strengths and explore matching post-secondary and career paths.
-
How to Sign Up: Contact your Counselor to register for the upcoming test date on campus.
Hands-On Career Experiences
Gain real-world insight and build your resume before graduation:
Learning Opportunity Description Paid or Unpaid? Internships Short-term work experience with a company or organization. Paid or Unpaid Job-Shadowing Observe a professional during their workday to learn about a specific role. Unpaid Part-Time Job Regular employment with an employer to gain work experience. Paid Summer Programs Interactive campus or industry programs hosted by colleges and organizations. Varies -
-
College Placement & Entrance Exams
-
TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0)
-
Purpose: Determines college readiness in Reading, Writing, and Math for public colleges and universities in Texas.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors planning to attend a Texas college who have not met exemption scores via the SAT or ACT.
-
Note: Must complete the mandatory online Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) before testing.
-
-
SAT & ACT
-
Purpose: Standardized entrance exams used by 4-year universities nationwide for admissions and scholarship eligibility.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors applying to 4-year colleges, especially if trying to qualify for merit scholarships or TSI exemptions.
-
Action: Register online (College Board for SAT / ACT.org) for fall test dates if retakes or updates are needed.
-
Advanced Placement & College Credit
-
AP Exams (Advanced Placement)
-
Purpose: Allows students to earn college credit while still in high school by scoring a 3 or higher.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors currently enrolled in AP courses.
-
Timeline: Registration takes place in the fall, with testing conducted on campus every May.
-
Career & Military Assessment
-
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
-
Purpose: Measures mechanical, verbal, spatial, and math abilities to explore career options and qualify for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces.
-
Who Needs It: Seniors exploring technical careers or considering military enlistment.
-
Action: Free test offered on campus—see your Academic Advisor or Counselor to register.
-
State Graduation Requirements
-
STAAR EOC Retakes (End-of-Course Exams)
-
Purpose: Ensures fulfillment of state graduation requirements for core subjects (Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, U.S. History).
-
Who Needs It: Seniors who need to retake any EOC exam to fulfill state requirements before graduation.
-
Timeline: Retake opportunities take place in December and April/May.
-
-