To Students,

 You have many career and educational options. After you graduate from high school you can get a job, go to a four-year college, a community college, a career or technical school, get an apprenticeship, or join the military. Determining just which of these options is best for you can be difficult.

 This page will provide you with information that will be helpful as you plan your post-high school options. If you take the time to investigate and evaluate your options, you will be able to plan a future that is not only promising and bright, but one that is also filled with direction and purpose.

Click here for Questions you should ask when MAKING YOUR CAMPUS VISIT

Click here for tips on  MAKING A COLLEGE CHOICE

START PLANNING EARLY!

Junior Year:

Fall: 

____ Register for and take Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)-October of your Junior year.
 ____ Meet with college representatives as they visit your school.

 ____ Determine whether your high school courses are meeting college admission requirements.

 ____ Attend college planning meetings with parents.

 ____ Discuss college plans with parents, including financial needs, estimated costs, etc.

 ____ Write to colleges requesting catalogs and check web sites.

 Winter:

____ Schedule individual parent conferences with your counselor to discuss future goals.

 ____ Utilize resources in Guidance Office.

 ____ Register for the American College Test (ACT) and/or Scholastic Aptitude Test, SAT I and SAT II.

Spring: 

____ Investigate potential summer experiences, including work, summer school, special workshops, 
        and college bound programs.

 ____ Begin scholarship search.

 ____ Select appropriate senior year courses to meet college requirements.

 Summer:

____ Visit colleges of your choice.

Senior Year:

Fall:

 ____ Schedule a conference with your counselor.  This may include some general plans or an outline for your senior year.

 ____ Determine how your college expenses will be paid, what funds are available.  This is important because it will impact upon your college selection and applications.

 ____ Register for appropriate college entrance tests. This may be an initial test for some or retakes for others.  Keep in mind that some select colleges request SAT II. 
        (See the section on college entrance tests for more specific information.)

 ____ Review scholarship options and applications that have Fall due dates.

 ____ Visit colleges you might want to attend.

 ____ Meet with college representatives as they visit your high school.   

 ____ Obtain college applications in the Guidance Office or via Internet.

 ____ Select teachers to write your college and scholarship recommendations.

        Try to provide teachers and counselors ten days to two weeks prior to the deadline date.

 Winter:

 ____ Obtain financial aid information from your counselor or the Educational Planning Center.

 ____ Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) financial need analysis form as soon after January 1 as possible.

 ____ Obtain scholarship applications each week in the counseling office. Read the Guidance News each week.

 ____ Remind your parents to attend the Financial Aid Planning and Information Night. You should attend also.

         Spring:

 ____ Visit schools if your college decision has not been made.

 ____ Continue to apply for scholarships as they become available. January, February, and March are the peak scholarship application months.

 ____ Register for AP  tests if applicable.

 ____ Reply promptly to colleges. Be sure to meet acceptance deadlines.

 ____ Decide on the college to attend. Be sure to let other schools know that you will not attend.

 ____ Report to the Guidance Office all scholarships you have been offered, even if you are not accepting them.

Where and How To Obtain College Selection Information

 Your High School Counselor

 Experts agree that most people can benefit greatly by some form of further education and/or training after high school. Counselors are here to assist students and parents in the decision-making process. We seek to provide students and parents with the best college and career information available to aid in making the most intelligent decisions. In addition to course planning, students are given information about gathering college data, college testing, and alternatives to four-year colleges.

Information on a Specific College 

    If a student is seriously interested in a particular college, a call or letter to that school’s Office of Admission requesting an application packet, including information on housing, financial aid, scholarships, etc., is in order. Ask to be put on their mailing list.

     Other than a personal visit, college catalogs, pamphlets, college video, and websites provide excellent basic information about colleges. The Counseling Center maintains current catalogs on several colleges and universities. Files on art schools, nursing schools, vocational schools, scholarships and financial aid, and summer programs are also kept current.

College Applications for Admission

    In most cases applications can be obtained from the college or from their websites. Most area colleges send applications to the high schools. 

 Attention NCAA Division I and II Student-Athletes

     Student-athletes who wish to participate in NCAA Division I or Division II sports in college MUST BE CERTIFIED by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse which will analyze your academic information to determine if you meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements. The three steps for being certified are clearly explained in a booklet entitled “Making Sure You Are Eligible to Participate in College Sports.” Obtain a copy of this booklet (available in the counseling department) early in the first semester of your senior year. Don’t delay this process—if you are uncertain about participation in Division I or II it is best to complete this process anyway. This process does NOT bind you to participate; however, it is a necessary procedure should you elect to participate. Failure to be certified may affect visitations to colleges regarding athletics, and college coaches may be reluctant to make commitments to athletes who have not completed the NCAA Initial-Eligibility certification.

Important Note About Teacher or Counselor Recommendations:

If teacher recommendations are needed, contact a teacher you have this year or one that you had last year at least one week (and preferably two weeks) in advance of any deadlines. It is not to your advantage to have any written recommendations done under time pressure. Providing the teacher with information about yourself can enhance the recommendation.

 Final Transcripts:

 Most colleges, vocational schools, armed services, and some employers require a final transcript to be sent to them. This is an important procedure the last few days of your senior year. Each high school will provide directives on final transcripts in mid-May. Failure to follow procedures will cause you grief in the summer or during the fall semester!

Online Applications: Students applying online need to notify the counseling office so transcripts can be sent to the respective colleges.