College and Career Planning

Our counselors are able to help you with making decisions about college and career planning.

 

 

Letters of Recommendation

You are able to request letters of recommendation from your teachers and counselors. Try to ask for a letter from a teacher who you think will give colleges the best and truest impression of yourself.

Counselors and teachers are happy to write the very best letter of recommendation we can for any senior whose college requests one, after the student completes the following steps:

• Log in to McKinney ISD’s Single Sign On
• Click launch on the Naviance thumnail (look for a teal colored icon)
• Go to the “document library” located on the right-hand side and then select “Counselor Recommendation Packet”.
• VIEW and PRINT the Counselor Recommendation Packet for Seniors (4 pages). Student and parent need to complete the packet, then turn into the counseling office.
• VIEW and PRINT 3 copies of the Teacher Recommendation for Seniors Packet, then complete the top portion of each. Student will ask three teachers (from any year of high school) to complete a recommendation sheet. Teachers will return the confidential evaluation forms to the counselor’s mailbox.
• Counselor may want to schedule a conference with the senior to elaborate on positive qualities/experiences before writing the letter of recommendation.
• Allow two to three weeks after this process is complete for the counselor to submit the letter of recommendation.

College Night

Every year, McKinney ISD hosts a college night where over 100 colleges will provide information for prospective students at one of the three high school campuses. We highly recommend that you attend this event, as it will boost your knowledge of many colleges, including ones you may have never heard of before! In addition, your chances of being admitted into your desired college increase. This is a perfect opportunity to understand more about which colleges fit you and to give your college a good impression of who you are.

This event is typically held every fall semester.

Resources

There are many great resources available for you to use both online and in person. Below are a few of our options.

• The College Board offers a variety of college entrance tools and examinations for you. SAT is one of two tests you may take that colleges will need for admission. AP courses are classes you may take at Boyd to obtain college credit for when you enter college. Big Future is a great resource that gives you birds-eye views of colleges in which you may be interested. My Road is a great career preparation tool to use.
• The ACT is one of two tests you may take that colleges will need for admissions.
• Naviance is a planning tool you will want to use for college admissions and preparation. It is also where our counselors post helpful resources.
• McKinney ISD will offer SAT and ACT practice exams as well as seminars that will help you gain an upper hand on the exam. Stay tuned to McKinney ISD’s website for these tests and sessions!

Learn more about McKinney ISD’s graduate profile to take a look at what our graduates can do.