BREAKTHROUGH SENIOR ADVISING PHILOSOPHY All students should have the opportunity to access and capitalize on the life-changing power of a college education. College is defined as pursuing a postsecondary education that allows a student to attain a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or credential/certificate while pursuing their passions and preparing for their career. At Breakthrough, the terms ‘college,’ ‘higher education,’ and ‘postsecondary’ are used interchangeably, which reflects the reality that many options are available to students and all add value to an individual's aspirations for themselves and their communities. Breakthrough Central Texas supports students pursuing each of these options after high school graduation.
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE & CAREER SUCCESS At Breakthrough we recognize that a college education, among other lifelong benefits, dramatically increases earning potential, employment opportunities, and career choices. We know you have many choices available to you when considering your plans after high school, and your Breakthrough advisers are here to help you navigate your way through this process. We're here to listen to you and to share resources connected to your unique interests and skills.
COLLEGE & CAREER PREP RESOURCES TO EXPLORE CAREERS & MAJORS Occupational Outlook Handbook Focus 2 Career Assessment
RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE RESEARCH College List Brainstorm Big Future CollegeBoard Naviance- through your school portal Get Schooled: Building your College List
EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO GRADUATE BREAKTHROUGH IS A COLLEGE DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM, AND ALSO AN ASPIRATION, ACHIEVEMENT AND DREAM REALIZATION PROGRAM.
COLLEGE FIT GUIDE Breakthrough is in the process of revising its College Fit Guide with the latest data and information about which colleges are best serving first-generation college students. Using publicly available information on school costs, graduation rates for different student groups, and what we are hearing from our students and advisors themselves, the below-listed four-year Texas colleges rose to the top. We encourage you to consider adding them to your college lists depending on the type of school you are looking for! To learn more about how we identified these schools, talk with your advisor. (Advisors can access information about the methodology for these analyses in the College Fit Data Analysis 2022 document).
SELECTIVITY
NAME
TYPE
DISTANCE FROM AUSTIN
Highly Selective
University of Texas at Austin
Public
In Austin
Highly Selective
Rice University
Private
167m/~2.75hrs
Selective
Texas A&M University at College Station
Public
106m/~2hrs
Selective
Austin College
Private
261m/~4hrs
Moderately Selective
St. Edward's University
Private
In Austin
Moderately Selective
Texas Tech University
Public
375mi/~6hrs
Moderately Selective
St. Mary’s University
Private
80mi/~1.5hrs
Moderately Selective
University of Texas Arlington
Public
200mi/~3hrs
Somewhat Selective
Sam Houston State
Public
150mi/~3hrs
Somewhat Selective
Texas State University
Public
30mi/~35m
Somewhat Selective
University of Houston Clear Lake
Public
190mi/~3.25hrs
Somewhat Selective
Stephen F Austin State University
Public
228mi/~4 hrs
Somewhat Selective
Texas Lutheran University
Private
57mi/~1 hr
Somewhat Selective
Tarleton State University
Public
155mi/2.5 hrs
Less Selective
Texas A&M International University
Public
230mi/~3.75hrs
Less Selective
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Public
302mi/~4.5 hrs
Less Selective
University of Texas Permian Basin
Public
334mi/~5.25 hrs
Less Selective
Southwestern Adventist University
Private
171mi/~2.5 hrs
Less Selective
Midwestern State University
Public
284mi/~4.5 hrs
Less Selective
Our Lady of the Lake University
Private
82mi/~1.5 hrs
Less Selective
Prairie View A&M University
Public
116mi/~2 hrs
Less Selective
University of North Texas at Dallas
Public
187mi/~2.75 hrs
TESTING WHY DO THESE TESTS MATTER? They are considered "college-entrance" exams Shows you are ready to take college-level classes Some are required for specific majors (ex. engineering) Scholarship consideration
WHAT TEST DO YOU NEED TO BE COLLEGE-READY? PASSING SCORES. SAT Score Range 400-1600 Benchmark Score for College Readiness Math 530 Reading 480
ACT Score Range 1-36 Benchmark Score for College Readiness 19
TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE (TSI) Math- 350 Reading- 351 Writing- 4 on essay & 340 on multiple-choice questions; 5 or above on essay
TEST-OPTIONAL SCHOOLS During COVID-19, some colleges and universities decided to become testoptional or test blind. Applying to a test-optional school meant that it was up to the student whether or not they wanted to send in their SAT/ACT scores to be considered for admissions. If you were able to go out and take the test and had a great score, it would benefit you to send it to the schools. This could improve your chances of being admitted and also open scholarship opportunities. However, if you were unable to take the test and/or had a lower score, then you could choose not to send the scores and still have the opportunity of being admitted based on a holistic review. Applying to a test blind school meant that even if scores were sent the schools would not consider them for admissions For the class of 2023- a lot of schools are going back to normal, meaning scores will be a part of your application requirements. This is why it’s important to study and do the best you can on the SAT and ACT. However, there might still be some schools that are test-optional. As you are researching your dream schools make sure to be aware of this detail.
TEST PREP RESOURCE Khan Academy
TO ME BREAKTHROUGH MEANS HOPE Breakthrough helped me apply to rigorous high schools and guided me through the college application and financial aid process. Since my parents did not go to college it was a learning experience for all of us.
JABRELL SCOTT BREAKTHROUGH COLLEGE GRADUATE
FINANCIAL AID OVERVIEW WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID? Funds provided by the Federal Government- specifically from the Department of Education or a University- there are different types of financial aid
Grants: This money will NOT be paid back. The federal (US) and state (Texas) government provides grants after students complete their financial aid application (see next page). This includes the Pell Grant and Texas Equalization Grant.
Scholarships: This money will NOT be paid back. See below for the different types of scholarships. Need-based Hobbies/extracurricular Identity Employer/Military
Academic Athletic Community service
Find more scholarships through different search engines such as: Your school portal (ex: naviance) College Greenlight Scholly Breakthrough will send scholarship opportunities via text throughout your senior year.
Federal Loans: Federal loans must be paid back. Subsidized Loan a loan in which the government pays (subsidizes) the interest while the student is in school Unsubsidized Loan interest accrues normally with this loan PLUS Loan is taken out in the name of the parent and NOT the student. These are based on parent credit scores. Interest accrues normally and is typically higher than student loans. Other Work: Study is money earned by a student working at a job on campus.
FAFSA OR TASFA WHICH ONE DO YOU COMPLETE? You will only complete one, either 2023-2024 FAFSA or 2023-2024 TASFA and it depends on your citizenship status.
Mistakes are easy to make and very common, and your Breakthrough adviser is here to help! Please review with your adviser before submission. - Your Breakthrough Adviser
FAFSA & TASFA open October 1st & are due January 15th Completing FAFSA/TASFA is a graduation requirement!
What will you need to complete the application? FAFSA & TASFA CHECKLIST
OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND TAXES - WHY IS FILING 2021 TAXES SO IMPORTANT? To be eligible for financial aid Your parents need to file and you do too if you worked in 2021 You will need them for 2023-24 FAFSA The deadline to file 2021 taxes is APRIL 18th- but you can still complete after the date! Resources to file 2021 Taxes Foundation Communities Ask your BT Adviser for other options.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FILE YOUR TAXES, PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR BREAKTHROUGH ADVISER!
COLLEGE APPLICATION PREP Some things that you can start doing as an 11th grader, to prepare for college applications are... RESUME Start working on your resume, think back to all the community service you have done during senior year, and what clubs or sports have you been involved in. Start writing everything down if you haven’t already. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Who are the people in your life that have made an impact on you and who might be able to write you a recommendation letter? Do not include people in your family- like your mom (of course she thinks you're great!) Think about your teachers, counselors, coaches, community leaders, and/or employers!
APPLICATION PORTALS These are the two most common application portals Apply Texas The Common Application COLLEGE ESSAYS So many students will be applying to college next year, how can you make yourself stand out? Write an essay. Some schools will require you to write about a certain topic. Here are the most common essay topics: Apply Texas Essays Common Application Essays
REMEMBER THE ACRONYM FASTER SO THAT YOU KNOW THE APPLICATION COMPONENTS + PROCESS. Financial Aid/Application Fee Waivers Application itself Test Scores Transcripts (Grades) Essay(s) & Short Answers Resume + Recommendation Letters
SENIOR INSTITUTE As a Breakthrough student, you will have our support throughout this application process. We want you to start thinking about your application and its components as early as possible so that we can be prepared. Breakthrough will host workshops during the summer to help you get started!
BREAKTHROUGH IS A 12 YEAR EXPERIENCE
WE WILL BREAKTHROUGH THIS TOGETHER!