The Darul Arqam Guidance Counselor's purpose is to help highschool students with their academic achievement throughout the 4 year process. We strive to offer guidance programs for helping students plan and prepare for postsecondary schooling and helping students with personal growth and development, in addition to offering guidance programs for helping students plan and prepare for their work roles after high school.
Welcome Back Message to Seniors
Essential HS Student Information for 2009-10
Important High School Resource Links
College Checklist for High School Students: 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
UPDATED: 2010 List of Scholarship Opportunities
Welcome Back Message to Seniors
Dear Seniors,
Assalam Alaikum, Welcome to senior year!! This letter is to provide you with information regarding College. I will be your high school counselor and I will be here to provide with information as well as assist you with your college applications.
I realize that we are just starting the new school year but it is not to early to be thinking about which Universities you are interested in attending.
You should start by making a list of the universities you will be applying to. Then visit their websites and get as much information as possible about the majors they are offering and if any scholarships available and what are the requirements for applying and fees involved. You should start to make a resume for you academic accomplishments, volunteer projects. Community service information, award achievements. You should also start working on your essays but each college might have different topics so research. Finally fill out and or request an application for the colleges or fill out the common application. You can access the online common application at www.commonapp.org .
Next decide which teachers you would like to ask to write you a recommendation letter. You will need three teacher recommendations. Provide those teachers with a copy of your resume and the student brag data information sheet, give them a timeline of when you need it back, they can access a form letter for teacher recommendation at www.commonapp.org / download forms/teacher evaluation. I will also be writing a Counselor recommendation letter as well. The teacher should submit the recommendation letter to the office administration.
I will be responsible for completing and mailing the following; the Mid Year Report, school report , school profile, teacher evaluations and transcripts. You must provide me with a list of the universities you are applying to with name and mailing address so I can get it to the admissions office. Most deadlines are mid December, but early decisions are usually in October or November. You need to find out the deadline for applying. I do not want you to wait for the last minuite to research and apply to the colleges and expect me to provide you with everything.
Finally GPA is important study hard stay focused on you grades. Decide which month you will take the SAT exams I recommend November and or December dates so we can have the result by April for final reports. I am here for you but I am a volunteer so I need you make an appointment with me or call or e-mail me if you have any questions.
I have a list of scholarships from the Spring ISD but it is 120 pages long so I will e-mail it to anyone interested just email me. Have a Great Year!
Wassallam,
Sr. Laura Khan
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
281-583-8047
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Essential High School Student Information for the 2009-10 Academic Year
PSAT Results will be available in mid December. You will receive a Score Report with your score results for each section, and a review of each of your answers. We will give you your used exam booklet back so you can review your answers. If you were selected to compete in the National Merit Scholarship program based on your test scores you and Darul Arqam will be notified by mail.
In the upper right hand corner you will be issued a number code that will allow you to access the College Boards “My Road” Website. Use the code to get free information on college and career search information regarding career options, salaries, education, and or training requirements.
SAT Exams: Please see the flyer for dates of the SAT Exam. Please use the School Code 443437 when you sign up and on exam test day, or we will not receive a copy of your results. We have practice SAT Exam booklets available in the office. You have to sign up for the exam online for yourself. Darul Arqam does not administer SAT Exams. Choose a high school close to your home; again please use our schools code on the exam.
SAT Results: Most Universities will use your Math, Verbal or Critical reading, test results to determine your admission and placement. Each college has a different Minimum score requirement. You can take the SAT test as many times as you want but the last four scores will be listed on the SAT Score report and they will take your highest score for each section.
Class Rank will be determined by your cumulative report card grades.
Here is an example:
| Subject |
Grade Level |
|||
| 9th | 10th | 11th | ||
| English |
95 |
96 | 89 | |
| Math | 89 | 87 | 94 | |
| Science | 85 | 92 | 96 | |
| History | 82 | 92 | 93 | |
| Total |
87.75 | 91.75 |
93.00 |
Divided by 3 years = 90.83
|
The student with the highest cumulative four year score will be ranked 1, 2, 3, etc. So although you may have a 4.00 on your transcript for an “A” 100 is higher than a 90, so pay attention to your grades. Your Current Class Rank is listed on your Transcript, each of you should have a copy of your transcript please review you name address date of birth and notify the office of any corrections.
Top 10 Rule: Texas Law states students are guaranteed admission into any “Public University or College” if their grades place them in the Top 10 percent of their High School Class.
Community Service: Most colleges will look at how many hours of community service you have performed. Please keep a log of when, where and what you did. The office has a form or you can make your own sheet
Resume: Start to make a resume of your achievements, awards, clubs; program participation that you have been involved in you will need it when you apply to college.
Financial Aid: I have an e-mail attachment that I will send anyone interested in Scholarship and Financial Aid information you can share this with your parents. It is an in-depth explanation of financial aid and a long list of scholarships. You have to research and apply for each scholarship on your own. You may e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. put DA Student in the Subject box.
Seniors: I have prepared a separate handout for you. I will be here for you but I need you to make an appointment or e-mail your questions to me.
Have a great year
Wassalm,
Sr. Laura Khan
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9th Grade College Checklist
This is the year you need to start getting ready for college. The best way to prepare is to take college preparatory courses now.
Take the most challenging courses possible. They're worth it.
Start thinking about your dream career.
Collect information in a file.
Talk to people with interesting jobs and ask lots of questions.
Go to career day at your school or elsewhere.
Check out Career and Technology courses - you can get college credit for classes you take in high school.
Talk to your high school counselor about creating a college admissions plan.
Talk to your parents about saving for college.
Talk to your high school counselor about financial aid, too.
Get active in extracurricular activities and volunteer for community service projects. More than school matters.
Scope out summer enrichment programs that focus on a particular subject, such as science or math.
Grades are one of the top things universities consider. Earn the best you can.
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10th Grade College Checklist
Applying for college is just two years away. Continue taking college preparatory courses to be ready for college-level work.
Take the most challenging courses you can this year.
Discuss your future dreams with your high school counselor at least once a semester.
Explore your options for Career and Technology courses -You can get college credit for technical classes you take in high school.
Plan to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test®/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Its the key to
some scholarships.
Read, read, read. Work on your writing skills.
Learn about current affairs. Keep on top of world news.
Keep your grades up.
Take part in summer enrichment programs and special workshops that focus on a particular subject, such as science or math.
Update your record of activities and/or community service projects, including recent accomplishments and awards
Start planning the extracurricular activities you want to be involved in next year.
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11th Grade College Checklist
It's only one more year until you begin the college application process. Keep making progress on being prepared.
Seek out your high school counselor for information and advice.
If your TAKS 10th Grade College Readiness Indicator shows you're not ready for college work, meet with your counselor to create a plan so that you'll be prepared when you graduate.
Take the most challenging courses possible and sign up for summer enrichment programs.
Earn college credit in high school by taking Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual or Concurrent Credit, and Tech Prep courses.
Take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude T«t/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), usually held in October.
Expand your extracurricular activities.
Look for work or internships in fields that interest you.
Attend college nights, college fairs, and other informative events.
Discuss where you want to go to college with your parents.
List ten schools you would like to attend and request catalogs, admission requirements, applications, and financial aid information.
Take the required SAT I,SAT Igor ACT if you plan to attend a university.
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12th Grade College Checklist
It's time to apply to colleges you'd like to attend and to make sure you're ready for college-level work.
Review your class schedule with your counselor to ensure you meet all college-preparatory requirements.
Earn college credit in high school by taking Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual or Concurrent Credit, and Tech Prep courses.
Attend college nights, college fairs, and other informative events.
Begin the college application process in September.
Submit admissions applications no later than December. Call to verify that the college or university counselor about scholarship opportunities and fill out every scholarship application possible.
Get a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your counselor, at www.fafsa.ed.gov, orbyphoneat1-800-4-FED-AID.
Complete and submit the received your materials.
Check with your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. The sooner you submit it, the better your chances for getting a good financial aid package.
Write to the college you have chosen to let them know you plan to attend.
Write to other colleges that have accepted you to let them know of your decision so they can offer admission to another student.
Finalize college-housing arrangements, ifyou plan to live on campus.
See an academic advisor at college or university you will be attending, then register early.
Take part in summer orientation programs for incoming freshman.
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High School Student Resource Links
TAKS Study Guides
TAKS Released Tests
ACT College Entrance Exam
SAT College Entrance Exam
Texas Colleges & Universities
Want to see how the working world will change? Click here for ten jobs that will be new in 20 years .
Worried about your job security? Click here for ten jobs that won't exist in 20 years.
Some jobs will always be in demand. Click here for ten jobs that won't change in 20 years.
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Our program encourages your child's growth through independence and freedom of choice. Our staff is certified and trained to recognize your child's sensitive periods. 
According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), our student achievement levels rank us among public schools that earn the "Exemplary School" distinction. 
The student council is an important part of the school and its governance. In the Fall of each academic year, students elect their representatives.