1. I am a Senior…….Now What??? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions I CAN DO THIS!!! GET A PLAN & START WORKING ON IT NOW!!!! #1. College, Military, Work, All 3, Both, Only 1?? #2. If College - Must APPLY now! #3. Military – Must talk to recruiters #4. For a job, you must apply & make contacts #5. You Must get your paperwork completed for EVERYTHING!

2. College Applications Paper copy vs Online Will need to pay the application fee when submitting the application online; (debit/credit card #); If you eat free/reduced we can use a fee waiver to cover the application fee (if allowed by the college, same form for ACT) Can pay the fee by check/money order when mailing application When filling out the paper copy, use Black ink, Print, no scratch-outs May need to get your ss#, driver’s license #, parent’s DOB, College history of parents, etc prior to completing application Once you have submitted the application online, ask Mrs. Hussey to send your official transcript to that school – Fill out a transcript request slip Paper copy – Will need to be mailed to the college with your official transcript. (you can mail or Mrs. Hussey) Junior/Community Colleges – Require Residency Verification – Make a copy of your driver’s license and have the form notarized (See Mrs. Miller). Place the copy with your application and transcript to mail.

3. RESUME Good quality paper – Typed – Make lots of copies Focus since 9 th grade; Includes at least 5 parts: Personal info, Career Objective, Academic/Honors, Work Experience, Volunteer/Community Service, References Often used with scholarship applications, scholarship interview questions come from the resume (often) Required for jobs & used in interviews Use folders/ report covers to turn in scholarship applications that require additional forms, parts, etc. Make it LOOK impressive When using for a job, drop off at a business, dress nice, also!

4. College Essay The essay should be typed, double-spaced, using 12 point, Times New Roman Font It should be written in formal English, without contractions, avoid “text lingo” 250-500 words Break paragraphs us into logical places when switching topics If the essay asks for personal opinions/ experiences, it can be written in “first person” Keep a positive tone, Avoid negative thoughts or comments about yourself or others

5. A letter of recommendation is a letter written by someone commenting on your character, dependability, abilities, strengths, eligibility for college admissions, scholarship, employment, and/or awards. Ask at least 3-4 people for a letter of recommendation Give them a copy of your resume so they can personalize your letter; Ask NOW! Don’t wait for a deadline Ask them to write it as “to whom it may concern” so you can use it for multiple reasons (scholarship, awards, college clubs, jobs, interviews) Make extra copies of the letters so you can put them with applications now and later in the year (may also use in college, too)

6. Things I Need to Do NOW…… 1. Apply to colleges (the more the merrier) either online or paper-copy & see Mrs. Hussey to send your transcripts to the schools where you apply 2. Register & Take ACT again in October & December (take prep classes) 3. Get your stuff together! (resume, letters of recommendation, college essay) & keep in a big folder 4. Get accepted! Woohoo! 5. Complete scholarship applications (online & paper) 6. Get parents to do their taxes early in January/February so you can do your FAFSA BEFORE March 1