Hamilton High School English Department

08/04/2026

- COMMON APPLICATION IS OPEN & REMINDERS🤘

💻 DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS‼️
- Accuracy is critical❗️
- PROOFREAD EVERYTHING - TWICE!
- Let someone else proofread everything - personal information, social security, birthdate, , (if submitting)

💻 SAVE REGULARLY!
- KNOW your & SAVE them somewhere safe!

💻 Waive your FERPA rights for those writing (Letters of Recommendation)

🤘 REMINDERS FOR HOPEFULS

🧡 See attached meme I created with a few critical reminders!
- & - PLAN AHEAD!

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know what EACH & on your chart expects!

💛 College planning started your first day of year in high school.

08/04/2026

Should you submit your SAT or ACT scores?

Use the Common Data Set (CDS)—the same admissions data colleges publish.
Search ”[College Name] Common Data Set” (example: LSU Common Data Set) and open the latest report. Then go to Section C9 to see:
✔️ The percentage of enrolled students who submitted scores.
✔️ The 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile score ranges.

🎯 Rule of thumb: If your score is at or above the 25th percentile, strongly consider submitting it. If it’s below the 25th percentile and the school is test-optional, you may want to apply without submitting scores.

Learn more: ccmrwithmsthrash.com/common-data-set

08/04/2026

🎓 Applying to some colleges with test scores—but not all? You can do that in the Common App! ✅

Here’s the strategy:
📝 Enter your SAT/ACT scores in the Testing section.
📤 Submit applications to the colleges where you want your scores considered.
❌ Remove your test scores from the Testing section.
🎯 Then submit applications to the colleges where you’re applying test-optional.

⚠️ Be strategic! The Common App only allows you to edit the Testing section a limited number of times, so plan the order you submit your applications.

🔗 Learn more college admissions tips at ccmrwithmsthrash.com

08/04/2026

🚨 Texas A&M Applicants, Take Note! 🤠📚

Texas A&M has updated its 2026–2027 Common App! In addition to the personal essay, applicants will now complete four new required short-answer essays.

This gives you even more opportunities to help admissions understand who you are beyond your transcript.

The key is making sure every section tells one cohesive story. Your personal essay, short-answer essays, GPA, test scores, activities, and honors should all work together to showcase your passions, experiences, strengths, and future goals.

When every piece of your application reinforces the same message, admissions officers gain a clearer picture of who you are and why you’d be a great fit at Texas A&M.

🔗 Learn more about building a standout college application: ccmrwithmsthrash.com

07/24/2026

We love TSTC! See if you can spot a Hamilton alumnus...

07/13/2026

Attention Incoming 9th Graders...
If you are signed up for Honors English, your summer work is due July 31st. Students should be in Google Classroom (grt464v2) and on Remind (Text to 81010).
Hamilton High School

07/06/2026

- ❗️THE ❗️

🖌️ CLASS of 2027 - You should be writing essays & short-answer responses NOW!

💥 June (now gone) & July are critical months in the college process.
- This is the time to prepare BEFORE the and other applications open on August 1.
- Your list should be ready and just need editing when the college applications open.
- You should have already calculated HOURS PER WEEK & WEEKS PER YEAR for EACH Activity!
This is required on applications so you can do this now and save time when filling out applications.

🖌️ & SHORT ANSWER PROMPTS
- These deserve thoughtful preparation & time for edits❗️
- The more you reflect, write, draft, & edit now, the more polished your essays will be when read by admissions.

🖌️ DO NOT LET WRITE YOUR ESSAYS
- Colleges want to ‘hear’ YOUR VOICE.
- They know when an essay sounds too professional & lacks heart.

🖌️ There are a gazillion (yes, I use that word 🤣) online posts, books, & opinions about ‘how’ to write the perfect essay.
💥 Let’s be clear. There are no perfect essays. There are essays that tell a student’s ‘story’ well, with language that aligns with how a student speaks and provides great insight into the student’s and related to the topic.

🖌️ The meme below highlights some reminders about a well-written essay.

🖌️ Don’t rush the process❗️
- You have to know each of your college’s deadlines NOW.
- Every January I start reminding to create their COLLEGE CHART.
- That’s not just a list! It’s a chart that lists criteria which include the types of admission and deadlines.
- If your and colleges have early dates (October-November), you want to be finished by the end of September or sooner!
- WHY❓
You want to enjoy year. 💛
You will have new classes, fall sports, and other activities throughout first semester.
You don’t want all your weekends & nights spent filling out applications and then rushing to meet a deadline❗️
- YES, there may be colleges with January deadlines so you will have time in the fall to complete those BUT January deadlines should be completed BEFORE winter break!

❗️ ESSAYS are an important part of how a college gets to know you on a personal level.
- Are you going to be a good at their institution?
- Did you answer the prompt(s) with examples from your life that address the topic?
- What will they learn about you that isn’t on your & Activities list?
- of writing will be expected.

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know the importance of essays & short answers
Know colleges need to hear YOUR voice

06/29/2026

Class of 2027... it's time!! Watch your college websites for admission dates! Only applying to Texas schools? (www.applytexas.org) Thinking about applying out of state, too? (www.go.commonapp.org) is for you. If you need help, contact [email protected].
Hamilton High School

06/14/2026

Attention A&M Bound Seniors...

- TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - CLASS of 2031 - 2027 - START YOUR TAMU PROCESS NOW❗️ PROMPTS RELEASED & there are several❗️👍

👍 TAMU updated their page on the website❗️

👍 All hopefuls - you know that means you need to work on your applications during JUNE & JULY❗️

👍 Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System
- ALL Aggie applicants must submit the STARS form.
- You SHOULD complete it before August 1, SAVE it, and then be ready to AFTER your application is received❗️
- Print a copy of your or grades from grades 9-11.
- Be prepared to write in or select the course title and add the semesters grades on the STARS form.
- Applicants who are NOT in the top 10% only submit STARS. Do not send a transcript!
💥 Applicants IN the top 10% of your class must submit BOTH a TRANSCRIPT & STARS.

👍 Application: COMMON APPLICATION opens AUGUST 1.
- Reminder: it will take 3-5 business days to receive & process your application.
- REMEMBER: You will have to post HOURS PER WEEK & WEEKS PER YEAR for EACH listed. 💥 Calculate those hours now!

👍 “TECHNICALLY” TEST OPTIONAL
- Website clearly says: we “ENCOURAGE you to send your test scores.”
- Test scores may also satisfy TSI requirements.
- TAMU does NOT SUPER SCORE❗️

👍 MATTER
-

👍 DEMONSTRATE
- Always so TAMU knows you were there.
- Visit campus
- Attend fairs
- Attend information sessions
- Talk with recruiters

👍 ONE MAIN ESSAY + FOUR SUPPLEMENTAL SHORT ANSWERS‼️

👍 MAIN ESSAY - Maximum 750 words

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

💥 NOTE - see the word ‘who’? This is - see my previous post❗️

👍 REQUIRED SHORT ANSWER - 250 words max

Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.

👍 ❗️FOUR REQUIRED SHORT ANSWERS - each 100 words max

• In a few words, what are some of your life goals and objectives?

• In a few words, why have you chosen your academic major(s)?

• We know you have a lot of options. In a few words, why did you choose to apply to Texas A&M?

- Briefly describe any educational plans you have beyond earning your bachelor's degree.

👍 OPTIONAL (TRULY) - 250 words max

Are there experiences or opportunities that have shaped or influenced your abilities or academic record, which you have not already written about?

‼️ As we all know, TAMU starts reviewing ‘completed’ applications as they are received.
- There are MANY critical pieces to the TAMU application.
- Please don’t wait until August to start your TAMU application!

👍 JUNE-JULY
- Complete STARS & save
- Draft & edit essay and short answers
- Compile your list of Activities & Awards that you will use on the application
- Calculate Hrs/Wk & Wks/Yr NOW
💥HINT - you will need this for ALL colleges where you apply.
- Are teachers writing recommendations for you?
Did you make arrangements for them to submit to TAMU by September?

👍 AUGUST
- Fill out Common Application
- Finalize essay & short answers
- Be ready to submit August-September
- Only submit when it is TRULY complete❗️
- Submit STARS after you receive notification in AIS that your application is received

DISCLAIMER - These posts are meant to help you stay ahead of the college admissions curve.💛
All information has been researched BUT YOU must always verify the information directly with each college’s website & Admissions office.

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know COLLEGES
Know the ADMISSIONS process & start EARLY

05/20/2026

Our second stop for today, Hamilton High School!

Honoring our senior graduates with a cord for their constant participation and completion of the program.