1. Planning for Life After High School
Graduation: May 26, 2019
Planning for Life After
High School

2. Learning targets
Understand how Student Services staff can support you with your college, career, and life plans. 1
Understand available resources for planning for life after high school. 2
Understand how to request a transcript. 3

3. Student Services Staff
COUNSELORS
Paula Wilson A-C & V-Z
Roxann Engel D-J
Melissa Good K-N
Kim Elder O-U
OTHER DEPARTMENT STAFF
Kathryn Sosa: Accelerated Learner Services
Matt Boyce: Lifeways Advisor
Marcia Geyer: Registrar
Jenni Dragoo: Records Secretary
Brenda Sinclair: Secretary
Student Services Staff

4. Handouts Credit check & transcript (blue and white)
College, Career and Life Planning Packet
Transcript Release Form (yellow)
Scholarship Packet
Senior Sketch (green)
Post High Planning Materials
Handouts

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.
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 in SDMyLife in order to graduate.
A completed Academic Plan has 22 credits & includes all required courses.
Update your Academic Plan and verify its completion.
Use your K-12 login to login to SDMyLife.com

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

13. Options College* University Technical Institute Military
Apprenticeships and on the job training
Other (Travel, Humanitarian Service, Gap Year, etc.)
*Most of our presentation will focus on college, but come see us for more info about the other options.

14. Step 1: Career Exploration
Career Information Sites:
ASVAB: October 9 & February 15 at 1:00 pm
#1 on Senior/Junior Check List
Step 1: Career Exploration

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 27, Register by September 28
**SAT- Next test is November 3, 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
Step 2: Academic Preparation

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
Step 4: Develop a list of Colleges

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
Essays
Payment
Transcripts/Test Scores (yellow handout)
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
Step 5: Apply

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.
Letters of Recommendation
Request letters 2 weeks in advance
Be specific: Who is it for? When do you need it?
Provide your Senior Sketch.
Thank anyone who writes you a letter.

20. Senior Sketch We are requiring that you complete the Senior Sketch
Do your best with this- 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.
Keep a copy for yourself! You can use it to provide information to others who write a letter of recommendation for you.
Senior Sketch

21. Step 6: Look for Financial Aid
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Apply after October 1
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)
Links to NAIA and NCAA can be found at
Click on college athletics on the left side

24. College & Career ReadinessEvents
Daily Announcements and calendar on Stevens Student Services door
College and Military Visits: In the Link
September 27, 2018
Post High Planning Day
October 4, 2018
Choosing a College & Finding Money for College & College Expo
November 1, 2018
College Application Day:
November 5, 2018
Financial Aid/FAFSA Event & College Expo
Daily Announcements
SHS Newsletter
Rapid City Stevens Raiders Facebook Page
Additional events will be announced during the year. Find this information on:

25. Post-High Planning Day September 27, 2018 @ the Civic Center
This information is in your packet.
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!
Register for Post High planning day

27. College Application Day: November 1
Complete this short survey by October 5.
You will do this in English class
Results will help us plan College Application Day activities!
SD Free Application October 29-November 2
November 1 will be College Application Day.
During English class or free periods

28. Come see us soon! See your counselor if you have any questions.
Paula Wilson A-C & V-Z
Roxann Engel D-J
Melissa Good K-N
Kim Elder O-U
See ONLY your counselor for any schedule adjustments/issues.
Keep your handouts.
Come see us soon!