Senior Year Planning

1. Senior Year Planning Class of 2018

2. Career Cruising Logged into your MHS computer access page Look in Novell Program Window Go to the Library & Reference list of sites Click on Career Cruising Icon Log in using your Google Password

3. Ask Yourself? Does the College you are applying to have your major? Does my career need a traditional 4 year degree? Have you thought about size, $, location, majors, other factors? Have you visited the campus? Do you understand the college admission requirements? Do you know the college's application deadline? These are important questions to have answered even before you begin the application process!

4. If you are already stressed or overwhelmed…... REMEMBER

5. One Step at a Time Step 1- Apply Step 2- Letters of Recommendation Step 3- Request Transcript Step 4- Submit ACT Scores

6. Step 1 - Apply Colleges want you to apply ONLINE UW-Schools http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/ WCTC: http://www.wctc.edu WI Private Schools: www.wisconsinmentor.org OR Go to the college website find the "apply now" tab. (It may be on the school's home page or you may need to look under "prospective students", "new freshmen", or "undergraduate".) It should be easy to find!

7. UW Applications Applying to more than one school in the UW System? You only need to complete ONE application, however a separate application fee will be required for each school. Fees vary! The essay questions may be different for each school, but the general information needs to be completed just one time.

8. APPLY EARLY The UW System opens admissions on September 1, 2017. They start reviewing applications on September 15th!! MHS School code is 501-590 Start EARLY to stay ahead! “The Early Bird Catches the Worm”

9. Private & Out-of-state schools The application process may vary from UW-Schools Understand the college's application process, including deadlines and fees. Highly selective schools may have very particular requirements for admission and the application process may vary. (i.e. SAT subtest requirement) The recognized test in the Midwest is the ACT

10. The Common Application Some colleges (particularly out of state schools) may accept the Common Application. This is a standard application you complete once and may submit to multiple schools. (much like the UW application) Follow the application process for the Common Application completely and accurately. UW-Madison & UW-Steven’s Point offer Common Application

11. Technical Schools • Applications opens October 1st • Go to an Open House and take advantage of a fee application waiver ($30) • Apply Early as programs may fill up! • Technical School Applications do not have an application “essay”

12. Personal statements/essays • Prompts will appear on the “statement” page and/or the “campus-specific” page of the online application depending on the campus. (UW Application) • Take the time and effort to write a quality essay. (colleges want QUALITY vs. quantity) • Have someone edit your work, checking for spelling, grammar, etc. (Senior English classes help edit essays)

13. Step 2 - Letters of Recommendations If the college you are applying to requires letters of recommendations, follow these guidelines: 1. Give the person you ask to write a letter at least two weeks to complete the Letter and provide them with a list of accomplishments, activities, etc. 2. Most colleges want QUALITY, not quantity 3. Choose a person who knows you well; teacher, coach, boss 4. Have LOR emailed to Mrs. Koenig (she uploads to parchment) 5. Request through PARCHMENT to send to colleges, NOT doneautomatically (free of charge to send!) 6. Get a hard copy of the LOR for yourself (for scholarships)

14. Step 3- Request transcript Each college will request your official high school transcript. Go to www.parchment.com and submit your transcript to the college(s) of choice. There is a fee for each request. In June, you will be requesting a final year transcript through parchment as well for the university of your choice.

15. Step 4 - Submit ACT scores If the college you are applying to requires an "official" ACT score, the score must come directly from ACT. When you registered to take the exam and you identified colleges on your registration form, those colleges will get your score directly from ACT. If you did not indicate any colleges when you registered to take the exam and the college you are applying to requires an official score, then you must contact www.act.com to have your score sent to the college(s) of your choice. There is a $12 fee per submission for this process.

16. Things to remember Senior Year Senior year counts!! • Changing to a less rigorous schedule can jeopardize your admissibility or offer of admission. • Academic performance will be evaluated and declining grades may be a cause for revoking admission Financial Aid Apply for Federal Financial Aid October 1, 2017 MHS Financial Aid Night September 13, 2017 in the HS Center

17. Scholarships Investigate scholarship opportunities throughout your senior year.

18. You Applied, Now What? • Once admitted CHECK EMAIL communications from the college. • Many colleges will communicate only through emails and only to the applicant • Make sure to use personal email and social media appropriately • Tuition deposit requirement • Housing information • Scholarship information • Placement testing information

19. Remember..... We, in the Counseling Center, are here to help you! See your counselor if you have any questions: Mr. Kujawa (A-Fl) Mrs. Brenton (Fo-La) Mr. Christiansen (La-Ro) Mrs. Patenaude (Ru-Z)