Planning for Life After High School May 28, 2017 ~ then what? Planning for Life After High School

Counseling department staff Counselors Paula Wilson A B C E F G Melissa Good H I J L M N Kim Elder O-V Katie Baskerville D K W X Y Z Other Department Staff Kathryn Sosa Gifted Education Coordinator Paula Long Fox Lifeways Advisor Marcia Geyer Registrar Jenni Dragoo Records Secretary Brenda Sinclair Secretary

Handouts Credit check & transcript (blue and white) Junior/Senior Checklist (orange) Senior Planning 2016-2017 (white) Transcript Request Form (yellow) Scholarship Websites (white) Senior Sketch and Questionnaire (green) Post High Planning Day Information (booklet and yellow sheet)

transcript Your transcript is a record of all your high school classes with FINAL grades and credits earned. Review your transcript RIGHT NOW. We need them back at the end of the presentation. What you see on your transcript today is what will be sent when a transcript is requested.

transcript GPA and class rank are at the bottom of page 2. Write your GPA and class rank on your Senior Questionnaire. If you have questions about your transcript, see Jenni Dragoo.

Test outs 2 Options: Leave it as PAS or TST, which indicates a test out, or Request a letter grade. The letter grade will not impact the GPA. Make this request with Jenni Dragoo in the Counseling Office. Be aware: Some scholarships require letter grades.

Grade replacements If you have re-taken a class for a better grade, you must complete a Grade Replacement Form to have the lower grade removed from your GPA. Some restrictions apply. Grade Replacement forms are in the Counseling Office.

Credit checks Review your credit check RIGHT NOW. YOU are responsible for meeting graduation requirements. High school graduation requirements may differ from college admission requirements. Waiving a Math or Science course? See your counselor about this if you have questions.

Credit checks Taking an off-campus or online class? Tell your counselor. *These classes have early May deadlines. Planning to graduate at semester? Tell Jenni Dragoo & your counselor. You will need to fill out a form at the end of the semester. Questions? Make an appointment with your counselor.

PERSONAL LEARNING PLAN (PLP) The state requires that you must complete your (PLP) through SDMyLife in order to graduate. A completed PLP has 22 credits & includes all required courses. Update your PLP and verify its completion. Marcia Geyer & Brenda Sinclair have logins and passwords.

What do I want to do with my life? How do I get there?

Options *Continue your education Join the military Volunteer (Americorps, Peace Corps, church mission, etc.) Work *Most of our presentation will focus on this, but come see us for more info about the other options

Step 1: career exploration Career Information Sites www.sdmylife.com www.mappingyourfuture.org www.bls.gov/oco ASVAB– October 5, 2016 and March 1, 2017 at SHS during early release Wednesdays. Make sure you attend the interpretation sessions the week after the ASVAB. #1 on orange handout

Step 2: Academic Preparation Challenge yourself Do your best- ALL YEAR Consider Dual Enrollment Prepare for and take college entrance exams: *ACT **SAT ACCUPLACER *The ACT has a writing component not all colleges require; check the admissions requirements of your college(s) **The SAT has subject tests your college may require you to take #2 on orange handout

Step 3: Set goals The 3 most important goals to consider when looking at schools: EDUCATIONAL Career Major Program PERSONAL Location Extracurricular Family FINANCIAL How much do you want to spend? #3 on orange handout

Step 4: Develop a list of Colleges Gather information about colleges Websites, sdmylife.com, college rep visits, talk with counselor and family/friends Narrow your choices Clear Admit/Probable Admit/Reach Admit Visit schools, if possible Finalize your list #4 on orange handout

Step 5: Apply Online vs. Paper Applications SD Common Application Send EDU National Common Application Individual Colleges Find out what you need to apply Letters of recommendation (next slide will cover this in detail) Essays Payment Transcripts/Test Scores CHECK DEADLINES (find these on college websites) Early Decision (binding) Early Action (early response to application, no commitment) Regular Admission Scholarships #5 on orange handout

Letters of recommendation Social Media What you put on these sites could impact a person’s willingness to write you a letter. Many employers/colleges/scholarship boards ask for access to social media sites. Request letters two weeks in advance. Be specific: Who is it for? When do you need it? Provide your autobiographical sketch. Thank anyone who writes you a letter.

Step 6: Look for financial Aid FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply after October 1 of your senior year. National websites (see handout) Stevens Scholarship Listserv (see orange & white handouts) Freshman scholarships (academics/athletics/major) Research these on school websites Work Your employer/your parents’ employer Private loans Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Reciprocity with Minnesota Military SD Opportunity Scholarship (white handout) Dakota Corps Scholarship (white handout) Build Dakota Scholarship #6 on orange handout

Step 7: DECIDE FAFSA award letters are sent to colleges in the spring You may not make your final decision until you see the financial packages offered by the schools you applied to. Consider ALL your goals (educational, personal, financial) when making your final decision Notify the college you plan to attend #7 on orange handout

NCAA/NAIA – prospective College athletes Register online with NAIA or NCAA Be aware of your academic eligibility requirements to be a college athlete (both GPA and curriculum). Technical Writing & Informal Geometry don’t count toward eligibility. Links to NAIA and NCAA can be found at www.raiderscorner.com. Click on college athletics on the left side.

counseling department events College and Military Visits: In the Link Announcements Calendar on Counseling Office door Early Release Wednesday Events ASVAB- October 5, 2016 and March 1, 2017 ASVAB Interpretation: October 19, 2016 and March 15, 2017 FAFSA Completion Day- October 5, 2016 Dual Enrollment Event: November 16, 2016 Post High Planning Days – October 29, 2016

Post-High Planning Day September 29, 2016 @ the Civic Center Over 50 in-state and out-of-state post-secondary schools will be in attendance. Juniors and Seniors will be excused from 1st and 2nd period to attend. Please arrive by 8:00am Students must be back to Stevens by the start of 3rd periods (10:05) “Blue Sheet” must be completed and returned before you leave the Civic Center (for attendance)

Register for Post High planning day Register at: http://www.sdcollegefairs.com Print off bar code AND bring that sheet to Post High Planning Day program.

Educational opportunities in SD Page Subject 3-23 SD Post-Secondary School Info 24 Military Services Education Benefits 25-30 School Search by Degree Program 31 State and Federal Financial Aid 32-37 Scholarship Information 38 Out of State College Information 39 Visiting a Post-Secondary School guide 40 Planning Questions

We want to help you! See your counselor if you have any questions. Paula Wilson – A B C E F G Melissa Good – H I J L M N Kim Elder – O through V Katie Baskerville – D K W X Y Z Kathryn Sosa – A through Z Gifted Education See ONLY your counselor for any schedule adjustments/issues. Keep your handouts. THANK YOU- Have a great year!