Senior Year: Planning for After High School Parent & Student Presentation September 8, 2014

1. Senior Year:Planning for After High SchoolParent & Student PresentationSeptember 8, 2014

2. Overview • Senior class information – Bridgett Hubbard, Senior class advisor • Post-secondary options - process/timeline • Paying for college • “Starting Off Right” • Richard Kotovich Jr., MA LPC, Western TC Counselor • Question and answer

3. Bridgett Hubbard Senior Class Advisor • Local scholarships – Jan. 30 meeting in school – Feb. 26 3:00pm deadline • Website and Freddy’s Footnotes for scholarship opportunities • Senior year timeline • Graduation – May 23 • Graduation practice – May 21 & 22 • Senior Awards Night – May 20 • Senior expectations

4. Options for the Future • School • 2 yr. technical college • 2 yr. freshman/sophomore college • 4 yr. college/university • Trade school • Work • Apprenticeship • Military • ROTC

5. Resources for Post-High School Options • STAR Conference folder from junior year • Career Locker (formerly WISCareers - assessments, occupations, education) • High school Student Services Office & website • Interns Mr. Huth & Ms. Collins • Assessments (MAP, PLAN, ACT, ASVAB, Compass, etc.) • Job/program shadow, mentorship, etc. • People in the community • News • College campus visits • College websites & viewbooks • College reps – watch website, board, announcements

6. Resources cont. • Western TC Career Coaching • Once EVERY month at OHS • Dave Fish, Western High School Relations, will be here to meet/plan with students individually! • Sign up in Student Services • Western COMPASS test • November 11, 2014 & March 19, 2015 • $20 for initial assessment, $10 for retakes • Sign up in Student Services

7. College Application Process A = All schools 4 – 4 yr schools * = varies by school • Steps to a complete application • Apply online (A) • Exception – Western TC • Apply early (A) • Consider your professional image • Personal statements/essay (4) • Be aware of cutting & pasting essays • Many are used for scholarships also • Payment (A) • Online preferred • UW $44 & Western $30 (non-refundable)

9. UW La Crosse Admissions – Student Instructions If changes or corrections need to be made to your application after submission, do not submit another application. Please notify the campus admission office in writing (e-mail or U.S. mail), of any changes to your application. If you have not already done so, submit the following items to the UW-La Crosse Office of Admissions at 142 Cleary Center, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-3788: 1. Application Fee: If you are applying as a degree-seeking student to this institution, a nonrefundable application fee of $44 is required. You may pay the application fee online with Visa or Mastercard or by sending a check or money order to UW-La Crosse. If sending a check or money order, payable to the University of Wisconsin, enclose it with this sheet. The fee is not required if your last institution attended was any UW Colleges (two-year freshman/sophomore) campus, or if you previously attended UW-La Crosse as an undergraduate degree-seeking student. If you are required to submit an application fee, this application will not be processed until UW-La Crosse receives the $44 application fee. A separate fee is required for each campus to which you are applying. 2. High School Transcripts: * If you are currently enrolled in high school, ask that an official transcript be forwarded to the Admissions Office. If your high school is set up to send eTranscripts, go to your high school website and follow the links to the electronic transcript request site. * If you are NOT currently enrolled in high school, contact your high school to have an official transcript (beginning with grade 9) sent to the Admissions Office. * If you have a GED/HSED, you will need to have an official score report sent in addition to an official high school transcript for years completed. * High school transcripts are not required if you previously attended UW-La Crosse as a degree-seeking student. 3. Test Scores: (not required for transfer or reentry applicants, unless requested) * New freshman applicants are required to submit the results of the ACT or SAT. * Official ACT/SAT score reports, received directly from the testing agency, are required. 4. Postsecondary Transcripts: Official transcripts from each and every postsecondary institution (even if the only action recorded is a withdrawal) are required. Contact each college, university and any other postsecondary institution attended to request that transcripts be sent to the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office. Note: Your application will not be considered complete without the above item(s).

10. College Appl Process cont. • Letters of recommendation (*) • If needed/required • Pink profile sheet • Exception: UW-Madison • High school transcript (A) • Request in person in Student Services ($1.00) • Test scores (A) • ACT/SAT • Compass A = All schools 4 – 4 yr schools * = varies by school

12. Paying for College • Live Simply • What you eat, drive, wear, purchase… • Be careful with credit cards • They will need to be paid back with interest! • Work or work study • Be careful not to work to much • “College arms race” • Keep your goal in mind • Block out what does not relate to your goals

13. Finding Financial Aid • Complete application online at fafsa.gov beginning January 1, 2015 • Helpful to be admitted to your college first • Financial Aid Night at OHS Nov. 18 6:30pm • College Goal WI at UW-L – Wed. Feb. 25 • FAFSA Completion Workshop at OHS – Mar. 9 & 10 during conferences

14. Finding Financial Aid • Scholarships • Local OHS scholarships • Meeting Jan. 30, 2015 • Due Feb. 26, 2015 • Community/local scholarships • College scholarships • Your college application & essay may be your scholarship application too! • National scholarship searches

15. Wisconsin Covenant • Frequent questions • Wasn’t the Wisconsin Covenant cut? • Am I a Wisconsin Covenant student? • What if I am not a Wisconsin Covenant student?

16. Wisconsin Covenant • What to expect when you fulfill ALL pledge requirements • Recognition as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar • A place in a UW System institution, a WI technical college, or a WI private college/university • Support in college • UW System institutions have WC Scholars programs • Financial aid package based on family’s federally defined financial need • $250 – $2,500 per year in Wisconsin Covenant grant money

17. Wisconsin Covenant You can get all forms online: www.wisconsincovenant.wi.gov • Next steps for current seniors • Continue taking coursework that will prepare you for college • Work for/maintain at least a 2.85 cumulative GPA • Apply to a WI college or university • Note your volunteer hours on the Record of Service form

18. Wisconsin Covenant • Next steps for current seniors • Complete the FAFSA by spring deadline www.fafsa.ed.gov • Submit complete WC Confirmation Form by April 1, 2015 (verify deadlines on website mid-year) • School Counselor signature required • Complete all WC forms before deadlines to become a WC Scholar and receive additional financial aid!

19. Starting Off RightGetting a Successful Launch to your College Career Richard Kotovich Jr., MA LPC Counselor Western Technical College

20. Success In College Academic Readiness Personal/Social Readiness Helpful Tips/Pitfalls to Avoid

21. AcademicReadiness • Increased Academic Rigor • Really read for your classes now • Study to understand (study goal) • Increased Responsibility/ Expectations • Manage yourself now - get organized! • Avoid procrastination – practice self-discipline • Are you working to your true potential? • Connecting Matters • Participate in class…stay engaged with what is happening • Consider studying with others

22. Personal/Social Readiness • Increased Freedom & Responsibility • Find the right balance now- practice good choices! • Practice self-advocacy (being involved in your own life and speaking up) • You are making big decisions • Build in new experiences now to help you answer big questions • Start answering ”What do I want to be…” now • Increased Opportunities for Involvement • Do you need to break out of a bubble? • Try not using technology/social media for a time- practice new skills

23. Helpful Tips • Apply for ALL possible financial aid • Visit colleges early…apply early • Listen to yourself when selecting a school – not friends • Check out services/accommodations early

24. Pitfalls to Avoid NOT getting help Going home every weekend “College hopping” Figuring out career goals/plans “later” Try NOT to work at least first semester

25. Questions?

26. Want more info? Watch online! • Senior class information • Bridgett Hubbard – Senior Class Advisor • Post-high school options • “I don’t know what to do!” • Info, process & resources – Work • Myron C. Daubert – Employment & Training Counselor • Info, process & resources – Military • Info, process & resources – Technical college • Info, process & resources – 2 & 4-year college • Richard Kotovich – College Counselor • Financial aid & Wisconsin Covenant