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El Campo ISD

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Seniors

Countdown to Graduation
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Preparing for College

The following is a partial listing of websites that students may find valuable during high school. These websites are provided only as an informational tool.

  • Students need to check with their college or university to see if they need to take the SAT or ACT. Covid changed a lot of this information. Some colleges do not require these tests for entrance purposes but may still use them for scholarships. The SAT and ACT registration is online at the websites listed below.

    • College Board - SAT registration, college and financial aid information
    • ACT - ACT registration, college and financial aid information

  • College applications usually open August 1st of the senior year for students to fill out.

    • ApplyTexas - ApplyTexas (Texas Common Application)
      • Used for any public Texas college or university
    • CommonApp - Common Application
      • Used for private or out of state universities
    • FAFSA - Free Application for Student Financial Aid
      • FAFSA for financial aid- the State of Texas requires students to either fill out this form or sign a waiver stating they are not filling it out prior to graduation. The waiver does not prevent a student from filling out the FAFSA at a later date.
      • FAFSA Opt-Out Form
    • NCAA Eligibility Center - NCAA information
      • Students who are interested in pursuing college athletic programs are required by the NCAA to have specific core courses for Division I and II schools. Most core course requirements for the Foundation High School Plan (FHSP) are aligned with the NCAA required core courses; however, interested students must consult the NCAA website for current information as they create/revise their high school four year plans. Student athletes must be aware that NCAA does not recognize the credits earned through Credit by Exam. For detailed information, consult the NCAA Student Page

    • Scholarships - ECHS Local Scholarships & Links to Other Scholarships and Financial Aid Programs
    • Texas OnCourse - Planning calendars, college search process
    • College For All Texans -Grant, Scholarship and early graduation information

Senior Year Newsletter & Calendar

Senior Newsletter 🎓

  • Review your high school coursework. Check to make sure you have all your necessary classes. Keep in mind that colleges are looking for the following:
  1. Challenging coursework
  2. A strong GPA
  3. Involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports, volunteer work or church
  • Research college/ technical school admissions information
  • Consult your counselor for registration materials and test dates for TSI, SAT, and ACT
  • Apply for college admission.
  • Make a list of test names, dates, fees and registration deadlines and deadlines for college and financial aid applications.
  • Start looking in the guidance office and the ECHS Counselors web page for information on scholarships and financial aid.
  • Meet with your counselor to discuss college/technical school plans, financial aid, etc.
  • Talk to your parents and your counselor about where you want to go to school.
  • Remember you must take tests like the SAT and ACT at least six weeks before the deadline for scores to be submitted to colleges.
  • Begin asking teachers, counselors, and employers for letters of recommendation to include with your admission and/or scholarship applications.
  • NCAA requires a transcript release. See the registrar for this.
  • Gather documents to complete FAFSA
  • Take the SAT or ACT exam if necessary.
  •  Finish your admissions application essays.
  • Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
  • Some private universities may require that you register for CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE at this time. (This demonstrates your qualifications for private school financial aid.)
  • PARENTS: Save your payroll stub if it shows your earnings for the year. You may need it for the financial aid eligibility reviews by schools
  • Begin filling out FAFSA (Opens October 1) or complete opt out form – Free Application for Federal Student Aid (required for graduation).
  • Take the SAT or ACT exam if necessary.
  • Learn more about the colleges you are considering. The Internet is a good place to start that research.
  • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
  • Attend the College Fair at ECHS.
  • Complete FAFSA
  • Take the SAT or ACT if you have not already done so.
  • Check Scholarship Updates. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
  • Request midyear transcripts be mailed to any college/technical school to which you have applied.
  • Rank and finalize your list of colleges/technical schools.
  • College Applications – watch your deadlines!
  • Make sure you have ordered a cap/gown for graduation.

    • Review your high school coursework. Check to make sure you have all your necessary classes. Keep in mind that colleges are looking for the following:
    1. Challenging coursework
    2. A strong GPA
    3. Involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports, volunteer work or church
    • Research college/ technical school admissions information
    • Consult your counselor for registration materials and test dates for TSI, SAT, and ACT
    • Apply for college admission.

    • Make a list of test names, dates, fees and registration deadlines and deadlines for college and financial aid applications.
    • Start looking in the guidance office and the ECHS Counselors web page for information on scholarships and financial aid.
    • Meet with your counselor to discuss college/technical school plans, financial aid, etc.
    • Talk to your parents and your counselor about where you want to go to school.
    • Remember you must take tests like the SAT and ACT at least six weeks before the deadline for scores to be submitted to colleges.
    • Begin asking teachers, counselors, and employers for letters of recommendation to include with your admission and/or scholarship applications.
    • NCAA requires a transcript release. See the registrar for this.
    • Gather documents to complete FAFSA

    • Take the SAT or ACT exam if necessary.
    •  Finish your admissions application essays.
    • Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
    • Some private universities may require that you register for CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE at this time. (This demonstrates your qualifications for private school financial aid.)
    • PARENTS: Save your payroll stub if it shows your earnings for the year. You may need it for the financial aid eligibility reviews by schools
    • Begin filling out FAFSA (Opens October 1) or complete opt out form – Free Application for Federal Student Aid (required for graduation).

    • Take the SAT or ACT exam if necessary.
    • Learn more about the colleges you are considering. The Internet is a good place to start that research.
    • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
    • Attend the College Fair at ECHS.
    • Complete FAFSA

    • Take the SAT or ACT if you have not already done so.
    • Check Scholarship Updates. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
    • Request midyear transcripts be mailed to any college/technical school to which you have applied.
    • Rank and finalize your list of colleges/technical schools.
    • College Applications – watch your deadlines!
    • Make sure you have ordered a cap/gown for graduation.
  • Attend financial aid night at ECHS.
  • Take the SAT or ACT.
  • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
  • Submit your completed FAFSA if you have not already done so.
  • KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT!!!!
  • PARENTS: It’s helpful to get your income tax returns prepared early—schools may request them to prove eligibility for financial aid.

FAFSA – complete as soon as possible.

  • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
  • Order your cap and gown!
  • Watch for college acceptance letters.
  • Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail. Your SAR contains financial aid information and is sent approximately four weeks after submitting your FAFSA. Return ASAP if you make corrections.
  • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
  • Register for AP exams, if needed.
  • Watch the mail for financial aid award letters. Compare the financial aid you receive.
  • Check with the college you’ve chosen to attend about the details of signing and returning financial aid award letters.
  • Respond promptly in writing- for action on admissions, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities.
  • Notify other schools that you will not be attending.
  • Turn in a list of all scholarship offers to the guidance office. Include the total value if renewable.
  • Take any Advanced Placement exams for AP classes you are taking
  • Request a final transcript be sent to the college/technical school you plan to attend.
  • Order Graduation Photograph
  • Return all books, equipment, and uniforms to school personnel and pay any fines.
  • Finalize summer school or summer job plans.
  • Write thank you notes to the donors for any scholarships you have received.
  • GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!

    • Attend financial aid night at ECHS.
    • Take the SAT or ACT.
    • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
    • Submit your completed FAFSA if you have not already done so.
    • KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT!!!!
    • PARENTS: It’s helpful to get your income tax returns prepared early—schools may request them to prove eligibility for financial aid.

    FAFSA – complete as soon as possible.

    • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
    • Order your cap and gown!
    • Watch for college acceptance letters.

    • Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail. Your SAR contains financial aid information and is sent approximately four weeks after submitting your FAFSA. Return ASAP if you make corrections.
    • Check Scholarship Update. Continue filling out scholarship applications. Watch your deadlines!
    • Register for AP exams, if needed.

    • Watch the mail for financial aid award letters. Compare the financial aid you receive.
    • Check with the college you’ve chosen to attend about the details of signing and returning financial aid award letters.
    • Respond promptly in writing- for action on admissions, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities.
    • Notify other schools that you will not be attending.
    • Turn in a list of all scholarship offers to the guidance office. Include the total value if renewable.

    • Take any Advanced Placement exams for AP classes you are taking
    • Request a final transcript be sent to the college/technical school you plan to attend.
    • Order Graduation Photograph
    • Return all books, equipment, and uniforms to school personnel and pay any fines.
    • Finalize summer school or summer job plans.
    • Write thank you notes to the donors for any scholarships you have received.
    • GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!

Closing Out

Transferring your Google Account

Congratulations and Good Luck in your future endeavors!

If you are interested in saving emails and files from your @ricebirds.net account, you may use a service called Google Takeout to transfer this information. You will need to create a new GMail account if you don't already have one (you will need parent permission if you are under 18). It is easier to complete this process with 2 devices since you will need to be logged into 2 different accounts at the same time. 

Check out the links below which Includes an information page from Google as well as a brief instructional video.

Or use this Google Doc that shows the same info with screenshots.