1. Planning for Life After High School
May 27, 2018 ~ then what?
Planning for Life After
High School

2. Learning targets Understand how to request a transcript.
Understand important steps to take when planning for life after high school.
Understand how the Stevens Student Services staff can support you as you transition from SHS.

3. Counseling department staff
Counselors
Paula Wilson A B C E F G
Melissa Good H I J L M N
Kim Elder O-V
Katie Baskerville D K W X Y Z
Other Department Staff
Kathryn Sosa Gifted Education Coordinator
Matt Boyce Lifeways Advisor
Marcia Geyer Registrar
Jenni Dragoo Records Secretary
Brenda Sinclair Secretary

4. Handouts Credit check & transcript (blue and white)
Junior/Senior Checklist & Senior Planning (white)
Transcript Release Form (yellow)
Scholarship Packet
Senior Sketch and Questionnaire & College and Career Plan for Seniors (green & white, stapled together)

5. transcript
Your transcript is a record of all your high school classes with FINAL grades and credits earned.
Review your transcript RIGHT NOW. We need them back at the end of the presentation.
What you see on your transcript today is what will be sent when a transcript is requested.

6. transcript GPA and class rank are at the bottom of page 2.
Write your GPA and class rank on your Senior Questionnaire.
If you have questions about your transcript, see Jenni Dragoo.
Requesting a transcript.

7. Test outs
2 Options:
Leave it as PAS or TST, which indicates a test out, or
Request a letter grade. The letter grade will not impact the GPA.
Make this request with Jenni Dragoo in Student Services.
Be aware: Some scholarships require letter grades.

8. Grade replacements
If you have re-taken a class for a better grade, you must complete a “Grade Replacement Form” to have the lower grade removed from your GPA.
Some restrictions apply.
Grade Replacement forms are in Student Services.

9. Credit checks Review your credit check RIGHT NOW.
YOU are responsible for meeting graduation requirements.
High school graduation requirements may differ from college admission requirements.
Waiving a Math or Science course? See your counselor about this if you have questions.

10. Credit checks
Taking an off-campus or online class? Tell your counselor.
These classes typically have early May deadlines.
Planning to graduate at semester? Tell Jenni Dragoo & your counselor.
You will need to fill out a form at the end of the semester.
Questions? Make an appointment with your counselor.

11. My academic plan
The state requires that you complete your 4 year Academic Plan as part of your Personal Learning Plan in SDMyLife in order to graduate.
*4 Year Academic Plan used to be called a PLP; now PLP is the name for the various components of SDMyLife.
A completed Academic Plan has 22 credits & includes all required courses.
Update your Academic Plan and verify its completion.
Marcia Geyer & Brenda Sinclair have logins and passwords.

12. What do I want to do with my life? How do I get there?

13. Options *Continue your education Military or Military Academy
Work Force
Other (Internship, Apprenticeship, Travel, Humanitarian Service, Gap Year, etc.)
*Most of our presentation will focus on this, but come see us for more info about the other options.

14. Step 1: career exploration
Career Information Sites:
ASVAB: Test dates will be announced during the year.
#1 on Senior/Junior Check List

15. Step 2: Academic Preparation
Challenge yourself
Do your best- ALL YEAR
Consider Dual Enrollment
Prepare for and take college entrance exams:
*ACT- Next test is October 28, Register by September 22
**SAT- Next test is November 4, Register by October 5
ACCUPLACER
*The ACT has a writing component not all colleges require; check the admissions requirements of your college(s)
**The SAT has subject tests your college may require you to take
Fee waivers are available for the ACT and SAT. They are confidential. See your counselor for more information.
#2 on Senior/Junior Check List

16. Step 3: Set goals
The 3 most important goals to consider when looking at schools:
EDUCATIONAL
Career/Job
Major
Program
PERSONAL
Location
Extracurricular Activities
Family
FINANCIAL
How much do you want to spend?
#3 on Senior/Junior Check List

17. Step 4: Develop a list of Colleges
Gather information about colleges
Websites, sdmylife.com, college rep visits, talk with counselor and family/friends
Narrow your choices
Clear Admit/Probable Admit/Reach Admit
Visit schools, if possible
Finalize your list
#4 on Senior/Junior Check List

18. Step 5: Apply Online vs. Paper Applications
SD Common Application (Proactive Admissions- still need to apply)
Send EDU
National Common Application
Individual Colleges
Find out what you need to apply
Letters of recommendation (next slide will cover this in detail)
Essays
Payment
Transcripts/Test Scores (yellow handout)
A signed copy of the Transcript Release form is required for every college that requires a copy of your transcript. If you are under 18, you AND your parent must sign.
Regarding SEND EDU/Common App, even if you have requested transcripts online with these entities, we CANNOT release your transcript unless you complete a Transcript Release form (must be signed).
CHECK DEADLINES (find these on college websites)
Early Decision (binding)
Early Action (early response to application, no commitment)
Regular Admission
Scholarships
#5 on Senior/Junior Check List

19. Social Media & Letters of recommendation
What you put on these sites could impact a person’s willingness to write you a letter (or admit you, hire you, or keep you as an employee.)
Many employers/colleges/scholarship boards ask for access to social media sites.
Request letters two weeks in advance.
Be specific: Who is it for? When do you need it?
Provide your autobiographical sketch.
Thank anyone who writes you a letter.

20. questionnaire, autobiographical Sketch and College and Career Plan
High School prepares you for post secondary plans.
District Leaders, School Staff and Counselors want to know what your post secondary plans are and how we can help you with them.
We are requiring that you complete the Senior Questionnaire, Autobiographical Sketch and College and Career Plan.
Do your best with these- Counselors will keep them to help write letters of recommendation and to determine how we can best help you.
Turn your completed assignments into your teacher. They will give them to counselors.
If you don’t have an English class at SHS, set up a meeting with your counselor to discuss your post secondary plans and to provide them with a copy of these documents.
Keep a copy for yourself! You can use it to provide information to others who write a letter of recommendation for you.

21. Step 6: Look for financial Aid
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Apply after October 1 of your senior year.
Websites (see scholarship packet)
Stevens Scholarship Listserv (see white handout)
Freshman scholarships (academics/athletics/major)
Research these on school websites
Work
Your employer/your parents’ employer
Private loans
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Reciprocity with Minnesota
Military
SD Opportunity Scholarship (see scholarship packet)
Dakota Corps Scholarship (see scholarship packet)
Build Dakota Scholarship (see scholarship packet)
#6 on Senior/Junior Check List

22. Step 7: DECIDE FAFSA award letters are sent to colleges in the spring
You may not make your final decision until you see the financial packages offered by the schools you applied to.
Consider ALL your goals (educational, personal, financial) when making your final decision
Notify the college you plan to attend
#7 on Senior/Junior Check List

23. NCAA/NAIA – prospective College athletes
Register online with NAIA or NCAA
Be aware of your academic eligibility requirements to be a college athlete (both GPA and curriculum)
Technical Writing does not count toward eligibility
Links to NAIA and NCAA can be found at
Click on college athletics on the left side

24. counseling department events
College and Military Visits: In the Link
Daily Announcements
Calendar on Stevens Student Services door
Additional Events will be announced during the year. Find this information on:
SHS Newsletter
Rapid City Stevens Raiders Facebook Page
Post High Planning Day – September 28, 2017

25. Post-High Planning Day September 28, 2017 @ the Civic Center
You will receive additional information in your English class next week.
Over 50 in-state and out-of-state post-secondary schools will be in attendance.
You will be excused from 1st and 2nd period to attend. Please arrive by 8:00am.
Students must be back to Stevens by the start of 3rd periods (10:04)
“Blue Sheet” must be completed and returned before you leave the Civic Center (for attendance)

26. Register for Post High planning day
Register at:  
Print off bar code (or save it on your phone) AND bring it to Post High Planning at the Civic Center.
*It will save you time!*

27. We want to help you! See your counselor if you have any questions.
Paula Wilson – A B C E F G
Melissa Good – H I J L M N
Kim Elder – O through V
Katie Baskerville – D K W X Y Z
Kathryn Sosa – A through Z Gifted Education
See ONLY your counselor for any schedule adjustments/issues.
Keep your handouts.
THANK YOU- Have a great year!