1. What’s next for the class of 2013?

2. Seniors will understand how their counselors and the guidance office can assist them in planning for life after high school Seniors will understand academic rules and requirements for graduation, specific scholarships, and activity eligibility Seniors will understand the process of applying for college and ways to pay for it

3. Senior Planning & Regents/Opportunity Scholarship information (yellow) Senior Checklist (orange) Senior Questionnaire & Autobiographical Sketch (lime) Credit check (gold) and electronic credit check (white) ~we will want these back Unofficial transcript (white) ~ you can keep this

4. Counselors Paula WilsonA B C E F G Kerri StoverH I J L M N Kim ElderO-V Shirley AndrewsD K W X Y Z Others Kathryn Sosa - Gifted Education Coordinator David Herrick - Lifeways Advisor Marcia Geyer - Registrar Jenni Dragoo -Records Secretary Brenda Sinclair - Secretary/Receptionist

5. Look over your transcript. You will be asked to submit an official high school transcript when you pursue:  college admission and scholarships  military enlistment  Employment Most of you will apply for college before winter break; what you see on your transcript today is what will be sent with your application. Stevens High School cannot release an official transcript to you.

6. Transcript - a record of all your high school classes with grades and credits earned Is your transcript is correct? Have you re-taken any class for a better grade? If so, have you completed the form to have the lower grade pulled out of your GPA? GPA and class rank - at the bottom of the transcript ; write those on your Senior Questionnaire (lime sheet)

7. Two options for recording test out(s) on the transcript: 1) Leave it as PAS, which indicates a test out, or… 2) request that the letter grade (A or B) be listed instead. Must decide by the end of 1 st semester how you want a test out recorded. Be aware: some popular scholarships require letter grades, not PAS, on the transcript.

8.  You are responsible for making sure you meet graduation requirements.  Your counselor helps by providing you with a completed credit check.  This credit check is for high school graduation requirements only, NOT college admission requirements.

9. Pathways for the Class of 2013  2013 graduates are required by the state to be on a Pathway for graduation.  Your counselor will assume you are on the Advanced Pathway unless you or your course selection tells her otherwise.  If you are on the Standard Pathway and have not yet signed the Standard Pathway agreement, your parent must make an appointment with your counselor as soon as possible.  If you are considering the Distinguished Pathway, make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate classes.

10. Review your credit check  Will you have at least 22 total credits by the end of this year?  Is your Pathway marked correctly at the top? If not, fix it.  Are you meeting all the required (left column) and elective (right column) course expectations?  Are you still enrolled in the courses we have marked? If not, make corrections.  Are you in any online or college classes? If so, write them on the credit check (bottom right side).

11. All RCAS graduates must have passed a reading test. If you are not in a reading class, you have probably passed the test. Check with Jenni Dragoo, our Records Secretary, if you are in doubt. New/transfer students should have been given the reading test upon enrollment.

12. Questions or concerns about your credit check or graduation status ? See your counselor ASAP. If you fixed/corrected anything on your credit check, let your counselor know. No one likes surprises at graduation time. Initial and date the upper right hand corner of your credit check form. Return your credit check and transcript.

13. Seniors must see their counselor for any scheduling adjustments. Your counselor monitors your credits, the registrar does not. Any schedule adjustments must be documented on your credit check. We don’t want you to risk coming up short for graduation.

14. This information is relevant if you are applying to college and for scholarships, for employment, or enlisting in the military. You will need to know: How to request an official transcript/other school documents How to complete an application How to request letters of recommendation

15. Colleges, scholarship committees, employers, and military recruiters require transcripts from students. We don’t send them without your written request. Jenni Dragoo, the Records Secretary, handles all transcript requests. There is a yellow Transcript Request Form in the guidance office that must be completed to send an official transcript to a college or other organization. It must be signed by you AND a parent if you are not yet 18 years old. A new Transcript Request Form must be completed for each place you’d like your records sent.

16.  Complete your application either online or on paper.  Request letters of recommendation*, if needed (not everyone requires a letter). *More info on later slide  Complete a transcript release form.  If you complete a paper application, staple your check for the application fee to the application.  If you complete an application online, you will be asked to pay the fee with a credit or debit card. Also, there may be forms you need to print and bring to your counselor to complete.

17.  Clip all application materials together and submit to our office (put in the Requested Transcripts basket).  Jenni will gather all requested items on the transcript release form, address an envelope and give the application packet to your counselor or Mrs. Sosa.  Your counselor/Mrs. Sosa will complete the counselor evaluation part of the application, attach any letters of recommendation, and mail your college application in one package (highly recommended). We handle postage for you.

18.  We document the date that the application leaves our school.  Be aware of deadlines. We need at least 5 school days to process and complete transcript requests.  December 1 and January 1 deadlines often fall close to holidays, so plan ahead. Our office is closed during all school year breaks.

19.  Be careful with texts and comments made on social networks; any negativity could impact a person’s willingness to write you a letter. Many employers, colleges, & scholarship boards ask for access to Facebook pages.  Be kind - request letters at least two weeks in advance.  Be clear – who is the letter to and when do you need it?  Be prepared – provide your autobiographical sketch.  Be resourceful – when necessary, request additional copies of letters written on your behalf.  Be grateful - send a thank you.

20.  Technical schools, colleges, & universities required that you take an entrance exam:  ACT or SAT (4 year schools)  COMPASS (2 year schools)  The ACT test is more widely accepted than the SAT test.  The COMPASS test is offered at WDT frequently. You need not plan to attend WDT to take the COMPASS exam there.

21. You can register online at: http://www.actstudent.org/ September 21 (Friday) is the registration deadline for the October 27 ACT test.SAT~ You can register online at: www.collegeboard.com October 4 is the registration deadline for the November 3 SAT test.

22. www.library.sd.gov - Learning Express  Online, free, accessible from home (with library card) or school. www.sdmylife.com - Method Test Prep  Online, free, part of your Career Cruising program, accessible from home or school. www.studentedge.com Suggested book – The Real ACT There are multiple test prep options. See your counselor for more detailed information.

23. To participate in any Stevens sport and/or activity (including fine arts), you must have passed 4 classes in your previous semester, and be enrolled in 4 classes in the current semester. What you do this semester will affect second semester participation. See Mr. Vasquez with questions.

24. Athletes wishing to compete at the college level must register with the NCAA or NAIA. Links to the NCAA and NAIA websites can be found at www.raiderscorner.com. Online classes may not be accepted by NCAA. See your counselor with questions.

25. Post-High Planning Day will be at the Civic Center on Tuesday, Oct 23, 2012. Over fifty in-state and out-of-state post- secondary schools will be represented at this event. You will need to register online for this event. More information will be handed out in US Government classes.

26. Students are encouraged to see the college and military recruiters who visit our school. Listen to the announcements or check in the guidance office for scheduled dates, times, and locations of visits.

27. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) – offered at Stevens in January www.sdmylife.com – see our Registrar, Marcia Geyer, for your username and password Beyond the Books (formerly Learn & Serve) -.5 credit class with some openings semester 2 Wise Individual Senior Experience (WISE) -.5 credit class; see Mrs. Storm in room S203 Community Service –.5 credit opportunity; see Mrs. Storm

28. College websites – freshman scholarships are often available WUE – Western Undergraduate Exchange Reciprocity – with Minnesota colleges and universities National scholarship websites – see your counselor for a list Stevens High Scholarship Listserv* Federal Aid* – complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after the new year *More information on following slides

29. For scholarships, please check the following: the scholarship board and file located in the guidance office AND on the SHS website the Stevens High School Scholarship Listserv -- sign up at: www.k12.sd.us/Listserv/StevensScholarships Join this list and receive announcements of scholarships as they are received by us. **Please Note: Scholarships are not printed or read in the daily announcements.

30. 83% of SD college students receive financial assistance to pay for college. Your counselors will host a *FAFSA/Financial Aid Information Night for you and your parents in January 2013.

31. www.sdbor.edu 4 English 4 math (Algebra 1 and higher) 4 science (including biology and chemistry or physics) 3 social studies 2 of the same foreign language 1 fine art.5 computer 3.0 GPA *.5 PE (must earn a letter grade, not Pass/Fail) *.5 personal finance or economics *Not required for Regents, but required for graduation and the SD Opportunity Scholarship

32. Follow Distinguished Pathway curriculum Earn a 24 ACT, or a combined math & verbal SAT of 1090. No PAS on the transcript in any required core classes No core class below a C 3.0 GPA (unweighted) Attend a SD college/university/tech school $5,000 scholarship over 4 years

33. Graduate from an accredited SD high school GPA of 2.8 or higher ACT of 24 or higher Agree in writing to work in a critical need occupation in the state of SD after graduation (limited time) Competitive; scholarship covers full tuition and fees at a participating SD college February 1 deadline Learn more at: http://www.state.sd.us/dakotacorps/default.html

34. There are counselor sections on most college applications; therefore, information about you is often requested of us. Please complete the Senior Questionnaire and Autobiographical Sketch and turn in to your English teacher or your counselor. Please keep a copy of your final answers for yourself so you can share it with those you ask to write letters of recommendation.

35. Want help with future planning? Make an appointment to see your counselor (not during class time). Appointments are made by our secretary, Brenda Sinclair. Appointment times - 7:45 – 3:00 each day classes are in session. (No afternoon appointments on early release days.) Mrs. Andrews is here Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday afternoons.

36. When in doubt about planning for life after high school, make an appointment to see your counselor/advisor. We want to help! Paula Wilson – A B C E F G Kerri Stover – H I J L M N Kim Elder – O – V Shirley Andrews – D K W X Y Z Kathryn Sosa – A – Z (Gifted Education)