Eight to Graduate Fall Senior Information Meeting

Your magic number is eight: Eight (8!) months until May 14 Eight Key Tasks Eight Important Dates to Remember

You’re a senior... What possibly can go wrong? Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Seniors don’t fail courses, right? Image courtesy of Boaz Yiftach at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Gee, I think I’ll drop my upper division Philosophy class– Cartoon History 101 sounds easier. Image courtesy of Bplanet FreeDigitalPhotos.net

123 credits, 124 credits: Who’s counting? Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you pretend math doesn’t exist, the requirement will go away. Image courtesy of farconville at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What do you mean I had to apply to graduate— I’ve been here four years. Everyone knows I’m graduating. Image courtesy of debspoons at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Endings and Beginnings Image courtesy of FreeDigiitallPhotos.net

Endings and Beginnings: Mission/Purpose I came to Cal Lutheran looking for an education that would lead to a job. I am leaving Cal Lutheran having discovered a way of life. Daniel H. Liles

Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent. Let the highest truths and values guide everything you do. Parker Palmer

END STRONG! Make the connections: – Team Projects are challenging—but part of life! Get ready to tell interviewers how you managed team projects. – Writing and speaking opportunities are priceless preparation for that “good job” down the road. – Use electives to improve the “toolkit” of knowledge and skills that will serve you well later. – Decent grades are good. Explaining what you learned and what you can do with it is better.

Welcome academic challenges: Get in the habit of over-delivering now, BEFORE you get into the job market. Continue to get to know your professors—they may write references later. Enjoy the year—but remember that your academic performance is as important in May as in September.

Begin smart. Purpose takes Planning. Think about your post-graduation options – Working for a for-profit company – Working for a non-profit organization – Starting your own business – Volunteering for a non-profit – in the U.S., or outside – Or some combination!

Begin smart. Prepare for interviews: – Own your education. Interviewers will want to know what you learned, what you can do, what you learned from success and failure, what you did out of class as well as in. – Visit career services: Prepare a resume; find out about resources available to you. Reflect on your interests and skills.

Plan for graduate or professional schools. – Research the schools to which you want to apply. – Register for the GREs, MCATs, LSATs, etc. – Line up your letters of recommendation early. A last-minute letter will sound like a last-minute letter. – Good grades are important—but your statement of purpose is what will distinguish you.

Anticipate Plan B, or C, or D: as often as not, it turns out the be the A-Plan after all. Don’t look (too much) past the present: what happens in Spring semester is as important as what has happened until then. Enjoy your year—but don’t lose momentum!

Senior Registration Students who apply by Oct 1 st deadline will be able to register for Spring 16 Semester during Senior Audit meeting with Evaluator – Graduation fee is $75 through Oct 1 st. Fee is $100 after that date Degree Completion Agreement generated – Will document all remaining requirements and any outstanding paperwork/action needed – Have your advising meeting with your Faculty Advisor, review agreement and Spring classes – Make adjustments and complete any needed paperwork – Return by November 30 to remain registered.

Commencement Eligibility and Tickets Students who return and follow Degree Completion Agreement(DCA) are all eligible to attend Commencement. January 25 th - Those who submitted their DCA by November 30 th can claim their tickets February 1 st – Commencement & Baccalaureate Tickets available for seniors to claim online

Eight key tasks 1.Apply to graduate 2.Attend Senior Audit and register for Spring 3.Meet with Faculty Advisor 4.Return completed DCA form by Nov 30 5.Pass your classes; check before making changes to your schedule. 6.Plan beyond graduation – the day after the diploma 7.Your senior year should be fun, but do not check out early 8.Claim your commencement tickets

Eight Key Deadlines 1.October 1 – Apply for degree 2.October – Senior audit with evaluator, preliminary Spring Registration. Advising meeting with faculty advisor 3.November 30 – Submit signed Degree Completion Agreement due to avoid being dropped from Spring 16 classes 4.February 1 – Commencement and Baccalaureate Ticket registration opens 5.March 15 – Deadline for all paperwork/changes 6.April 1 – Deadline to take credit by exam and all unclaimed commencement tickets go to general pool 7.April 15 – Commencement and Baccalaureate Ticket appeal deadline 8.April 26 – Senior commencement meeting

At Least 8 Resources to Remember 1.Faculty Advisor 2.Evaluator in the Registrar’s Office 3.Bookstore 4.Career Services 5.Alumni Relations 6.Counseling Services 7.Senior Pride 8.Commencement Web Site