College Counseling Team Hosts Back-to-School Application Workshops for Seniors

The Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) Workshop will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, in the Upper School Schwartz Room. As of this month, the STARS form is now in use and replaces the previously used Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR).

The STARS allows students to self-report courses and grades that have been completed, or will be attempted (e.g., senior year courses in progress), for high school credit and replaces high school transcripts during the admission review process. More than 30 universities use the STARS, and students can complete the form once and then share it with any of these users.

Seniors interested in applying to Baylor University, Clemson University, New York University, Louisiana State University, Texas A&M University, or the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will not want to miss this workshop. Participants need to bring a charged laptop. 

Additionally, the College Counselors will host the Texas A&M and UT Austin Supplemental Essays Workshop from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, August 15, in the Upper School Schwartz Room.

Again, seniors need to bring a charged laptop and will benefit from targeted, school-specific guidance related to tackling Texas A&M and UT Austin’s short-answer prompts. 

With regard to this year’s admission cycle, Texas A&M’s process remains unchanged, and applicants will continue to apply with or without test scores. All FWCD students are encouraged to apply to Texas A&M no later than October 15. Admission decisions for students outside the Top 10% of FWCD’s Class of 2026 will be released in mid-to-late March.

Prior to the 2024-25 admission cycle, UT Austin reinstated the use of standardized scores and adopted an Early Action (non-binding) admission option. The university’s Early Action deadline requires application submission by October 15, with a decision communicated to applicants by January 15.

Although most FWCD students will apply to UT Austin by October 15, some may choose to retake their standardized testing and apply by the regular deadline of December 1. Applicants who apply by the regular deadline will receive a decision from the university by February 15.