Counselors-Students-Parents Working Together Lincoln Southwest High School – Class of 2012 Senior Parent Meeting Agenda: College Admissions – Pat McBride EducationQuest – Les Monroe LSW Counselors

“There you are in your cap and tassel Ready to make the world your castle. It seems just like yesterday You were a kid watching everything I did.” ~ Joanna Fuchs

 LPS Graduation Requirements Grad Requirement Report Government & Politics  Community service hours – 20  Avoid Senioritis Appropriate schedules Stay involved in school/community activities

 Conducts individual meetings with seniors – starting Sept. 6th  Checks seniors’ progress in completing graduation requirements  Assists seniors with clarifying goals  Provides information about college and/or career planning process

 Counseling Center’s web site:  Handouts from senior meeting  Pinnacle Internet Viewer  Bulletin boards  Daily bulletin & Silver Talon  Connect Ed – phone calls & s  NEW LSW Student/Parent Communication Tool – receive texts from counseling center - Complete instruction s for sign-up on Counseling Center Website

 Every student and family will be at a different place at a different time in the process.  DO NOT get caught up in the frenzy of what others are saying and doing.  Trust that it will be fine in the end.

 Employment  Military  Two-year college  Academic Transfer  Four-year college Tonight we will be focusing specifically on the college process.

 Use resources well  Bring questions to senior meeting  Counseling center resources Computers College guides Appointments - 2:15pm on early release Tuesdays  Counselor web site  Check calendar regularly

 Register for admissions tests  Complete college applications  Request teacher & counselor recommendations  Provide registrar with transcript requests  Search & apply for scholarships  Work with parents to file financial aid applications by deadlines

 Visit with college reps at LSW & College SCC Sun., 10/23 1-3pm  Participate in college campus visits  Attend Open Houses on campuses  Conduct scholarship searches  Research financial aid opportunities  NCAA student-athlete information

 Fall Retake the ACT and/or SAT Narrow your college selection Complete 3 to 5 college applications Apply for scholarships Update your Activities Resume  Winter Attend Financial Aid Night Nov. 8 6:30 LSW Auditorium Prepare for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Apply for Financial Aid Pin # (both student & parent) Complete FAFSA on-line beginning January 1 after tax info is completewww.fafsa.gov Select college Expect acceptance letters  Spring Expect Student Aid Report (SAR) Notify college of choice Send final transcript Make housing deposit  Summer Apply for student &/or parent loans if needed Attend summer orientation at college of choice

 LSW Counseling Center  Career Cruising username: southwest password: silverhawks portfolio username: lps-(student ID # no spaces) portfolio password: LPS computer password  National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)  ACT  SAT  National Scholarship Searches linked from Counselor’s page on LSW web site  EducationQuest  ScholarshipQuest NE, LSW & LPS Scholarships  FAFSA (submit after Jan. 1)  Military careers

 Believe in your student’s abilities  Take an interest in what your student is studying  Use Pinnacle Internet Viewer to encourage your student’s academic success  Stay in contact with your student’s teachers  Promote your student’s participation in school & community activities  Plan for your student’s future  Develop realistic goals  Give your senior responsibility

 Expect stress as seniors deal with current responsibilities & post-secondary planning  Balance supporting & letting go  Consult rather than control  Explore options that are the “right fit” “Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.” ~Roger Lewin

COUNSELORS Dr. Dee Simpson-Kirkland (A-G) Eric Feeken (H-K) Peggy Volker (L-P) Colleen Finkhouse (Q-S) Tim Ernst (T-Z) Dr. Joyce Lehn (SPED A-Z) “If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.” ~Abigail Van Buren ~September 5, 2007