Topics for Discussion Today

2. Topics for Discussion Today • Important Dates for Senior Year • Graduation Requirements • A timeline for all post high-school plans • Options for after graduation and how do you get there • Sending applications, letters of recommendation & transcripts • Financial Aid

3. Graduation Requirements Total of 25 credits • 4 credits of English: AP Eng 12; .5 cr Writing for Publ/College Comp, .5 cr Life Themes/Eng 12 Lit • 3 credits of Math – Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II • 3 credits of Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics • 3.5 credits of Social Science – Government, possibly Economics as a Senior • 1.5 credits of Physical Education – NEW athletes can opt out of Phy Ed by taking additional .5 credits in core area • .5 Health

4. IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIOR YEAR • College Fairs - Sept. 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 • Deadline for Youth Options - October 1 • Financial Aid Information Night at Waukesha West - December 4th, 6:30-8:30 pm • Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal & Senior Breakfast - June 6th, 7:50 a.m. • Baccalaureate - June 8th, 7:00 p.m. in the WestAuditorium • Graduation - June 14, 2014 - 2:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse

5. Ordering Cap and Gown Meet with Jostens about graduation announcements and cap and gown. Wed, Jan 8 9:00am (2ndhr), auditorium Informational meeting Tuesday Jan 14, collect orders and deposit for cap and gown, etc during lunches in hallway (minimum of $60 required for deposit, if order is $60 or <, full payment required) Distribution of grad orders TBA (spring)

6. Overall Timeline as a Senior • Apply to any type of school between September 1st and January 1st - Technical College October 1st, UW System September 1st are the earliest dates to apply. • Send transcripts at the time of application by going to www.parchment.com • Send letters of recommendation, if necessary, at time of application • Schedule campus tours for fall of 2013 if you have not visited your top schools • Attend College Fairs www.wefs.org for details • Apply for financial aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov beginning January 1st • Make final decisions by May 1st, send in deposit • Schedule and take placement tests in May-June • Attend on-campus registration in the summer of 2014

8. WisCareers WisCareers is our new student services software. WisCareers is a tool to help students establish meaningful post-secondary goals and connect those goals with their coursework and college planning activities. It seek to increase communication with parent around important decisions such as course planning, college admissions and post-secondary planning. WisCareers encourages students to pursue more rigorous coursework by combining academic data with information about student college and career interests. Finally it provides more support, encouragement and guidance to students with a variety of communication tools that help students stay motivated. Go to www.wiscareers.wisc.edu and login in using your West login.

9. For example: Carpentry, Concrete Finishing, Cosmetology, Electrician, Heating and Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Roofing, Tool & Die USE ONE OF THESE TWO WEBSITES TO GET STARTED. WCTC has apprenticeship options - look under School of Applied Technologies

10. Do you have a connection at a company? • Do you have skills that employers are looking for? • Waukesha County is looking for skilled workers and employers are willing to train you on the job • Where do you start? The Workforce Development Center at WCTC is a great place for resources. • See your counselor for an appointment to discuss your options!

11. Recruiters are available for every branch of the armed services for the students at West • Schedule of lunch hour visits will be posted • Individual meetings can be set up to take place in Student Services or at your home • See your counselor to help arrange a meeting and for options • Consider ROTC or NROTC programs vs enlisting

12. Be sure to watch for program deadlines. • Applications can be submitted October 1st • Application costs: $30

14. To learn more about the UW system schools, click the above picture. To apply, click here: https://apply.wisconsin.edu/ Applications can be submitted from September 1st on, and the review of the applications begins SEPTEMBER 15th! The sooner you apply, the better.

15. Take the ACT at www.actstudent.org Registration Deadline is September 27th for the October 26th test date West High School CEEB Code – 502394

16. To learn about each private college, click on the above picture, or use this link: http://www.privatecolleges-wisc.org/ To apply to each private college, you should go to the school’s website. Some of the private colleges are on the Common Application - Beloit, Carroll, Marquette, Lawrence, Northland, Ripon, St. Norbert Go to the Common Application at https://www.commonapp.org/Login

17. Midwest Student Exchange Program Website: www.mhec.org Colleges in Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, N. Dakota and Wisconsin have reache a tuition agreement where tuition is not to exceed 150% of in state tuition. Check Website to see which colleges are participating NOTE: This is not the same program as the standard Minnesota/Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreement.

18. PRIVATE AND OUT OF STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Check out financial aid for help with tuition Consider programs that provide a good fit for the student Offer opportunities to participate in research in many disciplines

19. Not sure where to start in your college search process - especially if you want to go out of state?

20. Application Checklist Online applications are preferred by most schools! Check that all work is done neatly and spelling is correct. Letters of recommendation (request 2-3 weeks in advance) Include application fee or pay online. Preferred deadline for applications- Dec 1, 2013. Please submit all materials at least one week before admission dealines!!

21. How do you afford college? Apply for financial aid through the federal government starting on January 1st, 2014 Average Costs Per Year Technical College:$4000 Two Year College: $5000 4 year Public university: $18,000 4 year Private university: $35,000 Scholarships can help! • Keep watch on the Student Services tab of the Westwebpage for updates on available scholarships. • Look on the individual college financial aid page for scholarships • Use a general scholarship search engine like www.FastWeb.com

22. Financial Aide Night • Wednesday , December 4, 2013 • 6:30-7:30 pm • West HS auditorium • Guest Speaker will outline: • FAFSA form (www.fafsa.ed.gov) • Scholarships, grants and loans • Working with college financial aid office • Answer parent/student questions

23. Put your hands on some money for college!!!College Goal Wisconsin The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form every students needs to complete if they plan to attend college in the fall of 2014. It opens the door to potential cash for college. Complete the FAFSA form in about an hour, our help will eliminate any possible confusion. At college Goal Wisconsin we walk you through the process step-by-step. Bring- identification, SS security #, 2013 complete federal income tax returns, 2013 W-2 forms and other tax material.

24. College Goal Wisconsin(help for filling out FAFSA) Saturday 2/22/1014 UW Waukesha 1500 University Dr Commons Building For more information: www.collegegoalwi.org

25. Where do I find Scholarships? All Scholarships can be found on the West website www.waukeshawest.org under Student Services. Click on the Scholarships heading Scholarship opportunities are updated frequently throughout the year. Check the site often. Most colleges have scholarship opportunities available on their websites

26. Scholarship Application Process Ask teacher for letter of recommendation if required. Student Services will keep letters electronically on file. Have teacher e-mail letter to Mrs. Mass, student services secretary. vmaas@waukesha.k12.wi.us Provide a copy of transcript or ACT scores if needed YOU are responsible for mailing all applications and letters of recommendation. SCHOLARSHIP DEALINES ARE FINAL!!!