Class of 2027 - START with the Presentation:

Your Path to College Starts This Summer Presentation (this is being updated to SchooLinks)

Let's Go To College - Fall Senior Presentation

Mac HS College Application Resources

• Welcome to SchooLinks - AISD's new college and career platform!

  • What is Schoolinks?
  • Schoolinks Quick Start Guide 

• MAC Class of 2027 College Application Cheat Sheet  - stats for all types of apps!

  • Why can't I find my rank in SchooLinks?

• Getting Started with Common App in 5 steps (use personal email!)

  • AXS Companion to Common App (help section by section)
  • Activities and Honors Sections Guidance

• Free TX College Application Week via Apply Texas Oct 12-18, 2026

  • Students will add Colleges into SchooLinks - see QuickStart Guide
  • The University of Texas at Austin will waive the Common App application fee during the Free College Application week. This option will only be visible and applicable only during the second full week of October.

• Requesting Transcripts  

• Letters of Recommendation (teacher, counselor, & outside recs) 

  • Teacher Recommendation Instructions for SchooLinks
  • Common App Counselor Recommendation - if needed
  • Outside or Other Recommenders in Common App

• College Essay Resource Guide 

• Sending Test Scores & Dual Credit Transcripts 

  • Austin ISD does NOT send test scores!
  • Request via collegeboard.org or act.org

• Direct Admissions

• STARS (Self-reported Transcript Academic Record)

• International Applications

  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Canada and British Columbia

   

• ACC is Free for the Class of 2027!

• Instructions for seniors applying to ACC Fall 2026

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  Paying for College

• How does Financial Aid work?

• Types of Financial Aid: Grants, Work Study, and Loans

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

  •  FAFSA opens Oct 1.
  • Many Texas schools have Scholarship Priority Deadlines of December 1
  • Texas Priority Deadline is Jan 15
  • Graduation Requirement Tied to FAFSA

• Local Scholarship and Contest Opportunities - Check back in November for Updates!

• Texas Four Year Public Colleges Offering Free Tuition 

Texas Success Initiative & TSIA2 Testing

The TSI Assessment is designed to help institutions of higher education determine if students are ready for entry level courses in English and Math.  All students are encouraged to complete and meet the TSI Exemption scores before they graduate.  The test is typically administered to 11th graders during their spring semesters if they do not meet the TSI score exemptions via SAT (see chart below).  Seniors will have the opportunity to re-test throughout their senior year.  For more information about TSI, please visit TEA's site

How to meet TSI exemptions:

• Check SAT/ACT Scores: If you met the exemption scores below, you do NOT need to take the TSIA2 exam.

• Take the TSIA2 Exam at McCallum: MAC TSI Testing Sign Up Form 26-27

• Applying to ACC for Fall 2027 as a traditional student?  You do NOT need TSI exemptions to apply or be accepted to ACC, but you MUST submit scores in order to be advised.  Take the TSI by March 2027 for Fall 2027 admission.

TSIA-2 Practice Resources

Free Accuplacer Practice Resources:  https://studentportal.accuplacer.org/  (use personal email to create account)

Practice in IXL: Search IXL in AISD Student Portal>Learning>Test Prep>Scroll down to TSIA2

Choose which area to practice in Math or Language Arts.

    • CRC (College Readiness Classification): Helps with Part 1 of the TSIA2.

    • DT (Diagnostic Test): Helps with Part 2 of the TSIA2.

Student Info Brochure: TSIA-2 Guide