1. Helping the Class of 2015 Plan for Life After High School

2.  Learn important steps to take when planning for life after high school (refer to your orange handout)  Understand the many ways in which guidance department staff members can support you as you transition away from SHS

3. Counselors  Paula WilsonA B C E F G  Melissa Good-MitzelH I J L M N  Kim ElderO-V  Katie Baskerville D K W X Y Z Others  Kathryn Sosa – Gifted Education Coordinator  Bob Burke - Lifeways Advisor  Marcia Geyer – Registrar  Jenni Dragoo – Records Secretary  Brenda Sinclair - Secretary

4.  Counselors are often asked to provide information about you to colleges and scholarship committees.  Please complete the Autobiographical Sketch and the Senior Questionnaire. Turn it in to your English teacher (if given as an assignment) or your counselor.  Be thorough; the Sketch helps us help you.  Keep a copy for yourself; you may need to give it to others from whom you request a letter of recommendation.

5. Review your transcript. You will be asked to submit your transcript when you pursue:  College admission and scholarships  Military enlistment  Employment Most of you will apply for college before winter break; what you see on your transcript today is what will be sent with your application.

6.  A transcript is a record of all your high school classes with FINAL grades and credits earned.  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, Records Secretary.

7. Two options for recording test out on your transcript:  Leave it as PAS or TST, which indicates a test out, or  request that the letter grade (A or B) be listed instead. The letter grade will not impact the GPA. Decide by the end of semester 1 how you want it recorded. Be aware: Some scholarships require letter grades.

8.  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.  See Brenda in guidance for the form or your counselor with any questions.

9.  Review your credit check. Required classes are on the left; electives on the right.  You are responsible for meeting graduation requirements.  High school graduation requirements may differ from college admission requirements.  If you are waiving a math or science class, your parents must sign the waiver(s) before you can graduate. See your counselor for the form(s).

10.  If you are taking an off-campus or online class, please let your counselor know. These classes have early May deadlines.  If you are planning to graduate at the end of semester one, tell Jenni Dragoo, Records Secretary, as soon as possible.  If you have questions about your credit check, make an appointment to see your counselor.

11.  To graduate from a South Dakota high school, all students must have completed a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) in their SDMyLife portfolio.  A completed PLP shows a minimum of 22 credits & includes all required courses.  Students have worked on their PLPs at school in grades 8 – 11. Please log in to update it and verify its completion.  See Marcia Geyer, registrar, in the guidance office for usernames and passwords.

13. Possibilities:  *Continue your education to pursue a profession/career (you don’t have to know exactly what profession just yet)  Join the military  Sign up for volunteer work (Americorps, Peace Corps, church mission, etc), which often provides travel opportunities  Work (because you love it or because your goals aren’t yet clear) *Most of our presentation will focus on this, but come see us for more info about the other options

14.  Military? Talk to a recruiter. They visit SHS frequently.  Volunteer? Research programs. Ask your counselor for help.  Work or on the job training? Search for satisfying employment. There is a Job Board in the guidance office.  College? We are discussing this next.

15. Looking for direction? The options below can help you clarify your own interests, priorities, and career possibilities.  www.sdmylife.com www.sdmylife.com  ASVAB – offered on campus October 8, 2014 and March 25, 2015 during early release.  www.studentedge.com www.studentedge.com #1 on orange handout

16.  Challenge yourself now  Do the best you can all year long; finish high school strong/no regrets  Consider opportunities outside of Stevens (dual enrollment)  Prepare for and take college entrance exams: *ACT and/or **SAT (4 year schools), or the ACCUPLACER (2 year schools) *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

17.  college degree/major  military experience & training/education  on-the-job training #3 on orange handout

18. PERSONAL –  Where do you want to live?  Community size? School campus size?  What do you do for fun?  What sacrifices are you willing to make?  Does the school offer the degree I want or meet my career path? FINANCIAL –  How much are you willing to spend/invest?  What assistance is available?  How much should you/can you earn to support the lifestyle you want? #3 on orange handout

19.  Know YOUR goals  Make a list of colleges  Research and gather information--Google, attend college rep visits at SHS, make phone calls, talk to your parents and your counselor  Narrow your list  Tour the campuses, when possible  Apply! #4 on orange handout

20.  Consult each college’s website to find out what is required with your application; most applications are now online.  CHECK DEADLINES for early decision, early admission, regular admission and scholarships.  Write admission essay(s), if needed.  Ask for *letters of recommendation, if requested. #6 on orange handout

21. o Use manners when on social media sites; what you put out there could impact a person’s willingness to write you a letter. Many employers, colleges, & scholarship boards ask for access to Facebook pages. o Be kind-request letters two weeks in advance. o Be clear – who is the letter to and when will you pick it up? o Provide your autobiographical sketch. o You can request additional copies of letters written on your behalf. o Offer thanks to anyone who writes you a letter.

22.  Be prepared to pay your application fee(s) via bank card or check.  Assemble all required application materials. Bring them to SHS with your…  …completed Transcript Release Form. This form allows SHS to send required documents to your prospective colleges. Allow 4-5 school days for us to complete transcript requests. #6 on orange handout

23. IMPORTANT NOTES:  December 1 and January 1 deadlines often fall close to holidays. Plan ahead so deadlines don’t catch you off guard.  The SHS guidance office is closed during school year breaks.  Your counselor or Mrs. Sosa can help you with any part of this process. Please ask! #6 on orange handout

24.  FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply in Jan-Feb of your senior year.  National websites – www.fastweb.com, www.schoolsoup.com, www.studentaid.ed.govwww.fastweb.com www.schoolsoup.comwww.studentaid.ed.gov  Stevens Scholarship Listserv  Freshman scholarships from colleges - based on majors, activities, need, academics, etc.  Work – your employer, your parents’ employers  Private loans  Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)/reciprocity with Minnesota schools  Military  SD Opportunity Scholarship  Dakota Corps Scholarship #5 on orange handout

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

26.  Athletes who wish to compete at the college level must 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 toward eligibility.  Links to NAIA and NCAA can be found at www.raiderscorner.com. Click on college athletics on the left side. www.raiderscorner.com

27.  College representatives and military recruiters visit SHS all the time. Listen to the announcements or see the calendar of visits on our dept door.  Ongoing – ACT test prep sessions, the ASVAB, a FAFSA completion day, Accuplacer test days  Raiders Senior College Prep Night - November 6, 2014  Post High Planning Days – October 23, 2014  Financial Aid Night – January 8, 2015

28.  Please see your counselor with any questions. An appointment can be made through our secretaries.  See only your counselor for any schedule adjustments/issues. We document those changes on your credit checks.  Counselors do their best work one on one with students. If we know your individual needs, goals, fears, and hopes, then we know how best to serve YOU.

29. Enjoy your senior year! See us with questions – Paula Wilson – A B C E F G Melissa Good-Mitzel – H I J L M N Kim Elder – O through V Katie Baskverville – D K W X Y Z Kathryn Sosa – A through Z Gifted Education