Senior Class Meeting

1. Sept. 2009 - Class of 2010 Counselor Assignment: Mrs. Rademaker A – G Mrs. Ripka H – M Mrs. Barra N - Z Senior Class Meeting

2. Agenda 1. College—What should I be doing now? 2. Life after high school—besides college 3. Opportunities 4. Important dates and reminders

3. Applying for College Without exception, below are the top 3 factors used in gaining admissions to college—in order of importance: • Classes taken in high school—strength of schedule • Grades • Standardized tests—ACT, SAT

4. Application Process • Apply online • You’ll get quicker results! • Computers are available in the counseling office • Submit your transcript • Fill out a transcript release form (found in the counseling office) • Allow 2 to 5 days for processing. • Cost is $1.00 and parent signature.

5. What’s on my transcript? • Classes taken • Grades received • ACT (or SAT) scores • GPA • Credit hours earned • Rank A school profile is enclosed with every transcript. The profile gives colleges specific information regarding MHS—average ACT scores, grading scale, courses offered, etc.

6. Applying for College • Ask people before using them as references!! • Provide them with instructions for mailing the letter. • Most letters of recommendation remain confidential. Be prepared that you may not see the letter before it is mailed to the university. • Allow adequate time for them to complete the letter. • Fill out the Student Information Sheet form found in the Counseling Office.

7. College Visits • Make appointments in advance! • To arrange for limited-excused absence: • Your parent should call the attendance center (263-0611) in advance to arrange for a “limited excuse absence” • The college's personnel should provide a statement on school letterhead. Return this to the attendance center.

8. College Visits • Weekend programs are posted by the counseling office. • Vacation days are October 12, 13 and October 29, 30 and November 11. • Illinois Central College • Staff available all evenings except Friday. • Limited excuse requires scheduled appointment with advisor. College Night at ICC—October 21, 5:30pm-8:00pm. Over 80 colleges will be represented.

9. Sign up in the Counseling Office to see representatives from these colleges. More colleges will visit! Listen for announcements. Check the web site. Colleges Visiting MHS • September 8—Air Force • September 9—Judson University • September 9—Eckhardt College’ • September 14—University of Illinois • September 16—SIUC • September 17—Augustana • September 21—Illinois Wesleyan • September 22—Illinois State University • September 25—Knox College • September 29—Eureka College • October 8—Monmouth College • October 28—Blackburn College

10. Financial Aid - Scholarships • Illinois Student Assistance Commission • Grants • Scholarships • Merit Scholarships for residents of Illinois (The above scholarships are available only if they are budgeted by the State of Illinois.) • Local Scholarships – information in March • See your college's financial aid officer • Updated scholarship info available in October

11. Military • Involve your parents in discussions with the military representatives. • Counseling office has a listing of recruiters. • Websites: • http://www.militarycareers.com

12. Career • Consider your skills. • Consider something that you enjoy—art, computers, English, etc. • Use your results from EXPLORE and PLAN. • Websites: • http://mhs.morton709.org/counseling/employment_info.php • http://www.careercruising.com • User name: morton • Password: highschool

13. Opportunities • Health Career Encounter @ Methodist • Explore different careers in the medical field. • See Mrs. Rademaker for details • Only 16 spots available! • Peer Helpers • Interested in working with younger students or peers? • Opportunities to travel to the elementary schools or junior high. • Looks GREAT on a college application! • See Mrs. Rademaker for details. • Golden Apple Scholars • $18,000 scholarship opportunity • For students interested in pursuing a degree in education (elementary, middle, or secondary) • See Mrs. Ripka for more info.

14. MHS Schedule Changes • Before September 23 • Drop for study hall only • No notation on transcript • September 24-October 28 • Drop for study hall only • Noted on transcript WP = Withdraw passing / WF= Withdraw failing • After October 28 • Cannot drop a class!

15. Important Dates • ACT test: • Late registration is possible. • Register at www.actstudent.org

16. TESTING INFORMATION Consumer Ed. Proficiency Test October 7, 2009 or January 26, 2010 8:00am-10:00am in the Bertha Frank Register by 3:00pm October 2nd—No late registrations! Students currently enrolled in the class are not eligible for this test. Who should take this test: Students that wish to proficiency out of Consumer Ed. or Resource Management

17. Important Information • Constitution Make-Up Exam-Will be given 2nd semester. See Mr. Sturm with your questions. • PSAE make up exam: The State of Illinois no longer offers the fall dates for the PSAE make up. If you did not take both days of the PSAE, then you must take the exam with the junior class in April, 2010. This is a graduation requirement!

18. Get involved your senior year! A list of clubs/activities and the sponsors are in the counseling office. Key Club – see Mr. Hornsby Hospital volunteers – see Mrs. Ripka Interact - see Senora Johnson

19. Questions?

20. And your Senior Class Officers are……President: Zach Johnson VP: Ed Hurd Secretary: Nik Owens Treasurer: Patrick Durst Let’s talk about… Homecoming: October 5-10, 2009 Float building Hall decorations Pep rally games