1. Junior – Senior Year Time Line Focus on classes and grades! Track where you are with credits and graduation requirements. If you’re off track see Char to make a plan. Get connected, stay connected to positive activities and clubs! Take time to mull things over but don’t settle for “I don’t know.” Seek out supports from the adults in your life! They can be parents, teachers, coaches, employers, counselors, neighbors, etc.

2. Graduation Requirements  English 8 credits  Speech 1 credit  Math6 credits 2 in senior year  PE2 credits  Wellness 2 credits  World History 2 credits  U.S. History2 credits  U.S. Government2 credits  Senior Project 2 credits  Economics1 credit  Science6 credits  Humanities2 credits  Electives16 credits Total: 51 credits to graduate

3. Explore  Careers  Workforce opportunities  Schools  Military  Start to make a plan now, it will make next year so much easier.

4. Careers & Majors  Don’t know where start?  Cross things off your list that you KNOW you are not interested in.  Contact Career Coordinator  Take Strong Interest Inventory and/or Myers Briggs  Talk to your family, friends, mentors, coaches, etc.  Make appointment with Charlene to discuss interests, skills, etc.

5. Workforce Opportunities  Look at job options locally, regionally and nationally.  Check the MHS Career Counseling Website at: http://www.msd281.org/highschool/coun selors/career/index.htm http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/idl/jobsearch.aspx  Network with the people you know, former employers and professionals.  Look at employment packages: Pay, benefits and additional employee perks.  Consider adding a professional- technical class to your schedule next semester!

6. Military  ASVAB- Career Assessment and military placement tool.  Talk with people who have been or are currently enlisted.  Contact military personnel if interested with certain branch.  Military representatives will be at the Career Fair in February too.  Consider an ROTC program as well. This allows students to pursue a college education and then later serve in the Armed Forces.

7. Things to include when looking at colleges and universities:  Academics  Admissions requirements: GPA, SAT or ACT scores, course history and possibly an essay and recommendations.  Cost (tuition, books, housing and transportation)  Location  Size  Campus Life  Activities  Cost of housing and options (dorms, Greek system, apartments.)  Population of the town/city.  Other:

8.  Utilize on-line tools:  * idahocis.org  Username: moscowhs  Password: gobears05  * collegeboard.com  * act.org  * princetonreview.com Useful Websites to Research and Compare Colleges, programs, Careers, and Scholarships

9.  Students who are residents of WICHE states are eligible to request a reduced tuition rate of 150% of resident tuition at participating two- and four-year college programs outside of their home state.  The WUE reduced tuition rate is not automatically awarded to all eligible candidates. Many institutions limit the number of new WUE awards each academic year, so apply early!  WICHE states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. Western Undergraduate exchange (WUE)

10.  Start touring colleges sooner rather than later.  Make a list, map out a road trip tour of different schools. Use the demographic sheet to compare the colleges.  Not able to leave the area?……Then take a tour of the schools in our region: WSU, LCSC, NIC, Spokane Community College, Gonzaga, Eastern Washington, Walla Walla, Whitman and the U of I. Take a Tour!

11.  Research the college admissions criteria for all of the schools that you are interested in applying to.  Remember college admission includes the following:  1. Test scores on an ACT or SAT  2. High School course work  3. GPA  4. Possible essay/activities  5. Possible Letters of recommendation  6. Possible Interview College Admissions

12.  Most are accessible online where students can submit application along with fees.  High schools send official student transcripts directly to colleges and universities. (Ask Mary Lou Taylor or your counselor to do this).  Check to see if test scores are acceptable if posted on transcript or if they need to be directly sent from Collegeboard or ACT.  Know the priority deadlines for applications! College Applications

13.  There are over 500 participating colleges and universities  “Holistic” consideration process for applicants  “Big Picture”= test scores, grades, essay, letters of reference, extra-curriculars  Wide range of member schools  Primary application completed only once The Common Application

14.  Complete Online Application  Complete Applicant Section of the School Form; counselor and teachers get “invited”  Meet with counselor and teacher(s) regarding recommendations; provide list of schools  Complete supplemental materials as needed  Submit application, supplementals and payment for each university: 3 clicks, not one.  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/416227 47/ns/today-parenting/t/inside-college- admissions-process/ http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/416227 47/ns/today-parenting/t/inside-college- admissions-process/ Common Application

15.  Put together two rough draft essays that you may use for either college applications or scholarships. Consider the following prompts and be authentic in what you write.  Please write a 500 word essay telling us about a goal that you set for yourself and how you achieved it.  o Please write a 500 word essay telling us about an experience or challenge that you have dealt with and how you overcame it.  o Tell us about yourself, what has shaped your goals and what you hope to gain from a college education. Essay Prompts

16. Changes to their application process:  Application fee raised to $60  February 15 th is now their application priority deadline. These applicants will be given 1 st round consideration for housing and financial aid.  Applications will be accepted after Feb. 15 th but applicants may have to write a letter of intent and provide two letters of recommendation.  Applications submitted after June 1 st will be required to submit a letter of explanation and two letters of recommendation. University of Idaho

17.  Scholarships: Hamilton goes to all MHS grads. $1000 towards freshman tuition. This scholarship money is specifically for the University of Idaho. It cannot be used at another institution. U of I Financial Aid Category Accredited High School GPA Level of Funding Platinum 3.9 - 4.0 $4,000 Gold 3.75 - 3.899 $3,000 Silver 3.4 - 3.749 $2,000 Bronze 3.0 - 3.399 $1,000 2015-16 Go Idaho! Scholars Program* The Go Idaho! recognizes our Idaho students who are residents of Idaho with academic merit scholarships. tudents meeting the following criteria are guaranteed to qualify for a combination of scholarships equal to the level of funding listed below. This funding level is guaranteed for an additional 3 years with a minimum GPA.

18. Access Idaho Scholarships  Based on academic record and financial need as determined by FAFSA records  First preference to Go Idaho Gold and Silver Scholars  Value: $1,000-$2000  Students who apply for admission are automatically considered for ACCESS IDAHO Scholarships, there are no separate applications.  Renewable for three additional years, with a minimum GPA requirement College & Department Scholarships  Students who apply for admission are automatically considered for University of Idaho college and department scholarships, there are no separate applications.  GPA requirements may be lower than for GO IDAHO Scholarship Programs. Other Scholarships  If you do not qualify for a GO IDAHO Scholarship, the University of Idaho offers 1,400 different scholarships for which you will still be considered just by applying for admission, there are no separate applications.  GPA requirements may be lower than for GO IDAHO Scholarship Programs. Cont. U of I Financial Aid

19.  August - Check your schedule for next year!  Letters of Rec: Please give myself and teachers two weeks notice to write a letter of recommendation.  Provide them with an academic resume’ along with information regarding what the letter of recommendation is for and due date.  Check on the Financial aide night date. We will have a representative here from the U of I financial aid office to discuss the FAFSA and financial aid in general.  If you took an ACT or SAT this spring, review scores and then consider taking one or both again in the fall, ideally in October. If you didn't take an ACT or SAT sign up to take one or both for in the fall. (September scores tend to be lower due to the summer break unless the student chooses to study for it.) Other things to note:

20. Various northwest college representatives and military recruiters will schedule visits at MHS. These dates are posted in the daily bulletin, Bear Facts radio announcements on Zfun, and on our website. College and Military Representatives