College Guidance Resources

 

 
Aldo Leopold Charter School’s graduation is a beautiful event, celebrating our school community and student achievement.




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College Planning
There are many great online resources that can help with the college planning process at all grade levels. 

The College Board has some helpful tools for college and career exploration, as well as information of financial aid and scholarships. 

First in the Family is another great resource that provides personal stories, advice, and planning tools for all students. This resource pays particular attention to students who will be first in their family to attend college.

Bigfuture.org One-stop shopping website for college and career information with planning tools from college search to admission and paying for college.



College Entrance Exams
Most 4-year universities require incoming applicants to take either the SAT or the ACT. These tests are given several times throughout the year, including summer, and require special preparation. All students are encouraged to take either the SAT or the ACT for the first time in the spring or summer of their junior year. Seniors who would like to improve their score are encouraged to retake the test in the fall of their senior year.

• Watch a short video on how to use your PSAT Score Report
• Parent Tutorial on understanding the PSAT (English, Spanish)
• For a comparison of the two exams and some information that will help you make the choice,  click here: SAT or ACT.
• Register for the SAT.
• Register for the ACT.

 


College Application Resources
All graduating seniors will be encouraged to apply to one or more of the public in-state universities (University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, etc). All in-state New Mexico universities each have their own applications:

• Click here to link to the University of New Mexico of Undergraduate Admissions.

 

• Click here to link to the New Mexico State Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

 

• Click here to link to the New Mexico Tech Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

 

• Click here to link to all other public New Mexico colleges and universities

 

Additionally, students are also encouraged to apply to out-of-state universities that match their interests. The Western Ungraduate Exchange (WUE) is an amazing opportunity for New Mexico high school graduates to pay at or near in-state tuition.  With WUE, out-of-state students pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at participating schools, compared with nonresident rates that can exceed 300% of in-state rates.

• Click here to learn more about the WUE program and its over 160 participating schools

 

Most out-of-state universities accept the Common Application. The Common Application is a
not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of our 488 members.

• Click here for the Common Application home page.

 


Dual-Credit Opportunities
Some Aldo Leopold Charter School students choose to take a class at Western New Mexico University while they are still in high school. These students receive dual credit (credit towards both high school and college).

ALCS policies regarding dual credit/enrollment can be found in the ALCS Student and Parent Handbook, pg 18. 

Other information about this program can be found on the WNMU Dual Credit Information Page. Additionally, many students choose to enroll at WNMU to get started on their general education credits before transferring to other universities.

• Click here to link to the Western New Mexico University home page.

 


Scholarship and Financial Aid Information/Resources
Check out The College Affordability Guide, a great new resource for exploring the most affordable universities in the country.

• Common App Step-by-Step Guide that walks students step-by-step through each question of the Common Application, including why it’s asked and how to best answer. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/common-app-guide/

• FAFSA Step-by-Step Guide that walks students and families through each question of the FAFSA, including screenshots and explanations and a FAQ page for students with special circumstances. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/fafsa-questions/

• New Mexico Scholarship Directory, a list of 100+ vetted scholarships for students across the region, broken down by month. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/new-mexico-scholarships/

Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program
The Legislative Lottery Scholarship will pay a portion of tuition (up to undergraduate degree) for New Mexico high school graduates or New Mexico high school equivalency recipients who want to attend a New Mexico public college or university.


For additional information: https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/scholarships/legislative-lottery​

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