Junior year timeline Graduation credit review and high school courses Post-secondary options College selections, visits, admissions, and tests Senior

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2 Junior year timeline Graduation credit review and high school courses Post-secondary options College selections, visits, admissions, and tests Senior year timeline College applications Financial aid Follow up Survey

3 Review and understand high school graduation requirements and college admission requirements. Attend college visits in Student Services Jumpstart your college search by reading about majors, careers and colleges. Wisconsin College Pathways is a great resource. Visit colleges!! Visit websites of schools of interest and request additional information as needed. Compare college costs, learn about financial aid and scholarships. Take the ACT and or SAT Take the Advanced Placement (AP) exams and/or SAT subject tests. Enrich yourself by volunteering, getting an interesting job, or interning or signing up for special summer learning programs. Attend MG college information night in Spring.

4 Please check your material for an individualized credit summary, a copy of your transcript, and current schedule. Subject Area Required Earned In Progress Scheduled Completed Notes Electives 8.0 English 4.0 Financial Literacy.50 Health.50 Mathematics 3.0 Physical Education 1.5 Science 3.0 Social Studies 3.0 Government.50 Total Credits 24.0

5 Advanced Placement (AP) Examples: AP Psychology, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, etc. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Examples: Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Electronics, etc. Early College Achievement Program (ECAP at Madison College) Examples: Technical College Math, Intro to College Reading & Writing, etc. Please see the Course Handbook for additional information. (pp 11-15)

6 Where are they taken? Courses are college level courses taught at MGHS following a specified curriculum. Are there pre-requisites for these courses? Students must meet the pre-requisites as listed in the course handbook. How is credit awarded? To earn credit, students must take an AP exam for the course. Students who earn a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP exam will typically be granted credit. For specific information on how colleges grant credit, please access the College Board website How do I report my college credits earned in high school to my college of application? Students must send AP scores to the college they will be attending. They can do this after they receive their scores in July.

7 Where are they taken? Courses are college level courses taught at MGHS following a specified curriculum. Are there pre-requisites for these courses? Students must meet the pre-requisites as listed in the course handbook. How is credit awarded? For all other courses, students will be granted credit upon completion of the course. Some schools will also have specific grade requirements and/or a cumulative exam.

8 College 4 year (public and private) year transfer Technical School Military Employment Gap Year Note: Today s discussion will focus mostly on college prep

9 What do you want to study? (Major Mania) (UW System) (Wisconsin Career Pathways) What type of degree do you need? What type of degree do you need? What features are important to you? Location, size of city/campus, class sizes, cost (College Navigator) Other admission factors Essay Clubs and Sports Leadership positions Employment Letters of recommendation Do you meet admission requirements?

10 On Campus College Visits Very Important! Helpful in determining if school is a good fit. Try to visit when school is in session. If possible, meet with admissions and/or someone in your field of interest. Can be excused from school by parent/guardian. College Visits to MGHS Take place in Student Services; see Ms. Plansky for a pass. List is in weekly announcements and on website. Great opportunity to talk one-on-one with admission representatives.

11 Criteria varies from school to school, but all colleges focus on the strength and quality of your high school transcript. Requirements may change from year to year, so always check with your college of interest for the most up to date information. Public Universities English years Mathematics 3-4 years Science..3 years Social Studies..3 years Academic Electives.2 years Foreign Language. 2 years* *Only applies at some public universities Highly Selective Colleges English 4 years Mathematics years Foreign Language 4 years * Lab Science...4 years Social Studies..3-4 years Academic Electives.2 years Private 4-year Colleges English. 4 years Mathematics..3 years Foreign Language years Science 3-4 years Social Studies 3-4 years Academic Electives..2 years Technical/Community Colleges Varies greatly from an open door admissions policy to selective course requirements by different departments.

12 ACT and or SAT ACT: Curriculum-based test (English, math, reading, science & writing) SAT: Aptitude-based test (vocabulary, reading comprehension, general reasoning and problem solving skills) Scoring of each test is different make sure you know the scoring guidelines before testing. Fee Waivers are available for those students who qualify, please see your school counselor. The Benefit of Multiple Test Scores: Effort speaks to colleges. Some colleges will combine the highest sub sections of each test. Colleges always use the highest score- they want to see potential.

13 Schedule an appointment with your school counselor. Create a master calendar of important dates, deadlines, etc. (UW system schools will start reviewing applications on September 15.) Attend college visits in Student Services. Ask your school counselor and teacher(s) for recommendations if needed. Remember to allow at least 2 weeks for teachers to write the recommendation and followup with a thank you note. Order your high school transcript to be sent to your colleges through Parchment.

14 If playing D-I or D-II, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Register for the ACT/SAT/SAT Subject tests (if applicable) for the Oct. & Nov. dates. Narrow your list of school choices. Review scholarship opportunities. All college applications should be submitted by individual college deadline. Attend Financial Information Night (January) Complete FAFSA after January 1. Submit the Local Scholarship application to Student Services. (Spring) Upon completion of first semester, submit mid-year transcript if needed.

15 UW System August 1: Application becomes available September 1: Submissions accepted September 15: UW System begins processing applications Early Decision & Early Action Early Decision: Student applies early and decision is binding Early Action: Student applies early and decision is non-binding UW Madison is NOT an early decision/early action school The Common Application Used by over 500 colleges Application is available in summer Madison College check specific program deadlines.

16 Make sure to answer the prompts/question. Provide specific examples. Pick a topic that sets you apart from other applicants. Don t use buzzwords or clichés (I ve always wanted to be a Badger!) Have several people read it (i.e.: English teacher) Longer isn t necessarily better- do not go beyond the maximum length. Address weak academic records or other extenuating circumstances this is your chance to tell your story!

17 See letter of recommendation form in packet Extracurricular activities doesn t need to be a long list, but it should show commitment. Can include activities in and out of school. Include community service and volunteer work. Include employment. Highlight leadership captain, officer, tutor, first chair, trainer, coach, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, etc. Highlight recognitions Solo & Ensemble, All Conference, MVP, Most Improved, Sportsmanship, manager, academic letter, Badger State Award, art work display in museum or gallery, etc.

18 General Points: Many colleges do not require letters of recommendation check with your college to see if a letter is needed. Only request 1-2 letters of recommendation. Letters will take a minimum of two weeks to prepare. Plan ahead for due dates and communicate your deadlines to your recommenders. Step 1: Talk to teachers, coaches, advisors, and/or school counselor to request a letter of recommendation. Core teachers preferred. Step 2: The recommender send letter to Student Services who then send to college. Step 3: Verify with your recommender by or in person that their letter has been sent before you submit your application. If you do not do so, admissions decisions may be made without your letter of recommendation taken into consideration.

19 Make sure to apply for financial aid! Complete the FAFSA starting January 2017 MG Financial Aid Night Assistance is available (Collegegoalwi.org, one-on-one) Scholarships College specific State & National Local

20 any specific questions you have to your school counselor. If you would like a follow-up individual appointment schedule it with your school counselor. A-G Linda.Alexander@mgschools.net H-O Scott.Groff@mgschools.net P-Z Kevin.Grahn@mgschools.net

21 Please complete evaluation survey before leaving. Thank you!