1. Senior Year Seasons

2. Fall (September – December)

3. Senior Status Your blue Senior Status Letter is due back Oct. 30 Are YOU on track?

4. Met, or Not Met? This is what your non-credit graduation requirements SHOULD look like on your transcript. This is a sample of what your credit graduation requirements MIGHT look like on your graduation requirements form.

5. Senior Year Goals... Who am I? This question should drive your search for the “right fit” when deciding “what’s next?”…. What, then, can I become? This question should drive your career exploration of the best options for “what’s next?”…. How do I become that? This question should drive your process in preparing for “what’s next?”….

6. Finding MY Way… The Career Center ~ information on the right path for you.… Careers Colleges Military Apprenticeships Gap Year/Service Get a job “Senior Notes” each month (check your OHS email or check the website!)

7. Career Focus Fridays Starting in November, career reps will be in the Career Center during Bear Time…. 10/9 – ROTC 10/9 – Sr. Mtg. 10/23 – Essay Writing Tips

8. All applications SHOULD be done by Dec. 15 th ! Early Decision vs. Early Action? Common App. vs. Public vs. Private?

9. Transcript Requests Follow Directions on Forms! Use the PINK tracking form to have a transcript uploaded to your Common App. Use one BLUE tracking form for each request to send a transcript to a school that is NOT on the Common App. This includes SendEDU or any other electronic request. We cannot EMAIL transcripts. See Mrs. Dale to request transcripts (pay @ ASB!). **Be aware of her days & hours!** $5 for 10 official transcripts

10. Letters of Recommendation (for colleges, internships, or jobs!) Completely answer the ?’s from the GREEN form and Give letter writers 2-3 weeks to get it done.

11. ACT/SAT/SAT II’s/AP EVERY COLLEGE IS DIFFERENT IN WHAT THEY REQUIRE!  Read each school’s admissions requirements carefully! Go to the College Board under Advanced Placement ( apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement ) to see if schools you’re interested in give CREDIT for your AP scores (instead of just “advanced placement”). apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement Go to www.fairtest.org/university/optional for a growing list of schools that don’t always require an ACT/SAT score. (Eastern, UPS, WSU…..) www.fairtest.org/university/optional Fee waivers are available ~ see your Counselor….

12. Associate’s Degree vs. Applied Bachelor’s Degree ? Community College vs. Technical School vs. Specialty School Do you plan to transfer ? Timing is still important ! Checkoutacollege.com

13. 4-year Degree at a 2-year College (Saves !) An applied baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree builds on the education from a two-year technical associate degree. **Checkoutacollege.com**

14. Transferring to a 4-year College/University? Students can begin their studies at a Community College and then TRANSFER to a 4-year college: 1. 1 - 39 credits = take the SAT/ACT for college admission. ( No guarantee that all credits will transfer.) 2. 40 credits or more = do NOT need to take the SAT/ACT ( No guarantee that all credits will transfer.) 3.Work with your CC counselor/advisor to complete a DIRECT TRANSFER AGREEMENT ( if possible ) so all credits will transfer!  EX: An AA in Accounting at Centralia College transfers DIRECTLY into St. Martin’s BA in Business/Acctg. degree with NO LOSS OF CREDITS!!!

15. Be paid to learn while you earn a degree and prep for a career?!? Recruiters from 4 main branches visit OHS ( see Mrs. Dale for dates ) Academy, Enlisting or ROTC ? (deadline Jan. 1st!) Take the ASVAB Oct. 30 th ( 1 st -3 rd )! ( great info. re: skills; military interest not required )

16. Want to be paid to learn while you earn an Associate’s Degree??? Wa. State just got a $5 million grant to start more apprenticeships ! CORE INDUSTRIES: Health Care, Public Safety, Construction Trades, Manufacturing, Culinary Prep & Serving

17. Senior Parent Night Senior Parent Night Wednesday, September 30th 6:30-8:00pm, PAC Encourage your parent(s) to come! OSD Career & College Fair Wednesday, October 14th 5:00-7:30pm OHS Commons Learn about 100+ options and impress an admissions officer, military recruiter and/or possible future employer!

18. We are Here to Help YOU Counseling Center Counselors will write letters of rec. for your college(s) or job app(s ) Help you fill out/edit college/job applications Career Center Transcripts (Mrs. Dale), college/job search & app. help Resume & college essay writing help SAT/ACT registration & fee waivers Career Cruising make-up sessions/help ASVAB testing and help with ROTC/Academy apps. College rep., military recruiter & career-related visits Financial Aid/Scholarship info. & apps.

19. Winter (January – March)

20. Stay Strong! College Decisions, Honor Cords, Class Rank, Scholarships

21. Senior Year Goals, Take 2… This January, in addition to any New Year’s resolutions, Update your Goals… What still needs to be decided upon or done?

24. Senior Notes Scholarship List “You’ll never make a basket if you don’t take the shot !” TheWashBoard.org Made for Washington! College-scholarships.com Links to 50+ FREE scholarship search websites ! Set up a Profile if not done already!

25. 4 Year College isn’t my path… Apply to a Community College or Specialty/Technical College NOW Look for available apprenticeships…. See a Recruiter to talk options Finalize your Resume for Job Hunting!

26. Want information on in demand careers? LOOK!

27. High School & Beyond Plan Due FEBRUARY 28 TH ! Is everything checked off and done?

28. Spring (April – June)

29. Senior “ Exit Interview ” Final Part of High School and Beyond Plan… TBD

30. Affording my “Next Step” Budget Reality Check @ “Jump Start” http://www.jumpstart.org/reality-check.html Compare Your Financial Aid Awards @ “Big Future” www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/tools-calculators Explore Military Pay and Benefits at “About Careers” http://usmilitary.about.com/od/payandbenefits/ Find Apprenticeship Openings @ L&I http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Apprenticeship/Programs/ProgOpen/

31. Where do I plan to live? 4 -year college bound ? On-campus dorms want a deposit by April or May… Most 2 -year colleges seldom have dorms, so have you gone on- line to look for an apartment yet ? Or a roommate ? Where will I travel to for an apprenticeship? The military will often house you in barracks while you complete Basic Training.

32. It’s Decision Time! Where will your post- high school pathway lead YOU?

33. … is having a plan for after graduation that is the right fit for YOU!

34. Finish Strong!

35. Graduation June 16 th will be here before you know it…. Will you be ready for…

36. …Life After OHS? Remember… We are Here to Help YOU!