Madison WestJunior Parent Meeting

February, 2011

Tonight’s Agenda

What now?What’s next?

What’s down the road?

And, what is with this year?

What now?Students:• Sustain academic performance• Select classes for senior year• Get involved/stay involvedParents/Guardians:• Listen• Set clear and reasonable expectations• Allow your teen ownership of their life

experience – their accomplishments, dilemmas, mistakes

What’s next?

Students:• College entrance exams• Researching/expanding future

possibilities• Recognizing options – tech

school, employment, apprenticeship, military• Building a resume

What’s down the road?Students:• Campus visits• A valuable summer• Narrowing choices/making

preliminary decisions• Senior year (much more on this

later)• Life beyond high school

A quick reality check

xxorxy

TimelineSpring of 2011 Senior Course Selections (Feb)

ACT (April/June)SAT (March/May/June)College Visits and Reps (CRC)Meetings with Counselors (Dec-Jan-?)

Summer of 2011 School Visits, Work, Intern, Volunteer, Job Shadow

Sept. – Dec of 2011 Retake ACT/SAT?Post-Secondary Applications

December of 2011 Financial Aid Meetings

Jan-Feb of 2012 Fill out FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

And now!

Selection of courses for senior year

• 2.5 credits/5 courses minimum per semester

• Consider January graduation• Options for seniors are wide open but

sometimes bump abruptly into reality• Reach highest levels and/or try new

classes• Follow passions and be practical

Scheduling Dates

• Jan.27th Get Course Selection Cards• Feb.1-17 Review Courses with parents• Feb.7-16 Teachers describe options, make

recommendations• Feb.17 Next year’s seniors enter

requestsinto Infinite Campus

West has an amazing array of courses, and students simply cannot do it all. Courses reach their enrollment limit. The scheduling of one course clashes

with another. We counselors are hopeful that students and parents

come to recognize these limitations and in turn to appreciate the breadth and depth of the opportunities that

each student’s schedule does provide.

West Graduation Requirements

22 total credits• 4 in English• 3 in Social Studies• 2 in Math (Algebra and Geometry or Integrated Math 1

and 2)• 2 in Science• 1 1/2 in Phy. Ed.• 1/2 in Health • 9 additional credits

Typical College Entrance Requirements17 credits, including:

• 4 cr of English (7-8 semesters of lit/writing at some colleges)

• 3 cr of Social Studies (inc ½ current American history)

• 3 cr of Math (reaching Alg.II/Trig or Integrated 3)• 3 cr of Science (1 can be PLTW)• 2 cr of Foreign Language- Eau Claire, Madison• 2 addtl. credits of arts, comp. sci, academic, or

electives• Adequate GPA and ACT or SAT

Selective College Entrance Requirements

• 4 cr of English• 3-4 cr Social Studies• 4 cr of Math • 4 cr of Science• 2+ cr of Foreign Language• 4+ cr of additional courses• Honors/Advanced Courses• Top 10% of class (but West

“doesn’t rank”)• ACT composite: 27+• GPA: Upper 3’s• Strong record of extracurriculars

Youth Options

If you have “topped out” of a subject area, the district sometimes funds UW/MATC coursework.

You must apply by 3/1/11 for the fall of 2011, and 10/1/11 for the spring of 2012.

See your counselor.

Students – be involved!!Extracurriculars at West

http://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us/clubshttp://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us/AthleticsAnd in the community through:• Religious organizations• Sports clubs• Creative and performing arts organizations• Service organizations like those supported

by United Way

What’s next?

Test DatesACT SAT

April 9 March 22June 11 May 7

June 4

Register 5 to 6 weeks in advance to avoid late fees.

Test prep courses: ZAPS, Memorial, Verona, online, Kaplan, Princeton Review

Test Registration• Register on-line: www.act.org or

www.collegeboard.com• Most colleges accept either ACT or SAT– ACT=Math, Reading, Social Studies, Science

(Writing)

– SAT I= Math and Verbal Reasoning, Writing

• Scores:– Can send the ACT or SAT test date you

want, and the SAT Subject Tests you want

• ACT writing test- which schools require it?– UW-Madison, University of MN- Twin Cities

Test of English as a Foreign Language

• If English is your second language, and the language barrier is an impediment to achieving your best test scores, the TOEFL can validate this to admissions counselors, and help them to know how flexible they should be in making their admissions decisions when considering your transcript and test scores.

• They might recommend some college level language coursework to support your student.

Expanding Options

• Developmental Guidance in March, in the Career Resource Center

• Juniors come in with their history class• Introduction to new future-planning

program – Career Cruising• Improved self-assessment measures• Integrates with Infinite Campus• Will facilitate improved electronic

communication, better flow of information

What are the post-h.s. options?

• Four year college/university• 1-2 year college/tech/specialty

school• Employment• Apprenticeship• Military• Time off (for what? when?)

1-2 Year Colleges/Tech/Specialty Schools

• MATC (Madison College) & UW Colleges

• Excellent placement rates/earning power

• One/two yr programs

• Less expensive, smaller classes – a good way to start

• “Guaranteed” College Transfer with B average

• Wide variety of Majors

• Preparation guided by employers

• Historically, more West grads transfer in then go direct

Why do you want to go to college?

– keep learning, gain wisdom, become ‘worldly’

– increase earning potential– The college experience – independence,

new opportunities, expanding relationships, fun

– pursue a satisfying career and hobbies of interest

– don’t know what else to do– get away from home

4-Year Colleges and Universities

What do selective colleges look at?

1. Transcript, rigor of courses, gpa and performance trend, rank or decile

2. SAT or ACT scores, unless they have joined the trend to make test scores optional

3. “Passionate involvement in a few activities demonstrating leadership and initiative”

4. Thoughtful, personal, well-written essay5. Letters of recommendation from teachers

and counselors who know student well.6. Meaningful life experiences such as a job,

travel, constructive use of free time7. Evidence of special talents, qualities

and down the road?

How to visit campuses:– Register online– Do info session and tour– Sit in on a class if allowed– Interview if offered

Consider visiting representative campuses to compare large/small, urban/smaller town

Do recognize that colleges over-promote, seemingly to drive their rejection rate up

Summer heading into senior year

• Plan ahead• Be purposeful• Enhance your life experience and your

resume• Advantage your education, either through

remediation or enrichment• Seek out internships, experiential

opportunities in fields of interest• Work for money, experience, and to

demonstrate responsibility, initiative• Read for enrichment

Submit College Applications September 15th-December 1st

• Plan to submit applications between Sept 15-Dec 1 (The early bird gets the worm)

• Colleges expect students to apply ON-LINE

• The Personal Statement is more important than ever before. It should reveal one’s spark, and be polished.

• Further instructions for the college applications process TBA in Senior Guidance Newsletter in August and in counselor presentations in Sept.

How Do I Know whether a school is a safe, realistic, or reach school for me?• Do you have recommended course

requirements?• Are you within their typical GPA or Rank?• Do your test scores fall within their typical

range?• Are there any special qualities or circumstances for schools to consider? • artistic or athletic talent • learning disability • minority status • legacy • exceptional service/leadership • personal/medical challenges • first generation college bound

Early Decision V Early Action

Should I???Early Decision: You apply early to one school

only, and if they accept, you cancel all other applications and are bound to go.

Usually only do this when you know you absolutely want the school above all others.

Given preference in admissions?? Financial Aid consideration affected???

Early Action: You are not automatically bound to enroll. You can apply early action to multiple schools.

College Athletics

• Ask your coach, athletic director, or counselor about the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements and information. Can register as a Junior.

• See www.ncaa.org

Students with learning disabilities

• If you plan to receive continued support in college, and would like admissions counselors to consider your learning disability when viewing your transcript:

– Discuss this in your personal statement– Students must learn to advocate for themselves– Send a most recent copy of your IEP to the “Students with Disabilities” dept. at the college, and make a personal contact with a staff person there asking them to review your IEP and consult with admissions accordingly. This will also help setup your support in advance should you be admitted and decide to attend.

– Recognize that colleges do accommodate but do not modify curriculum

Financial aid

• Includes: Scholarships, grants, loans, work study.• Based on: -need -achievement -service -unique qualities• Check the box requesting Financial Aid on

your college app.• Complete the FAFSA form in Jan-Feb of

senior year (Do your taxes ASAP). – Can practice on paper– Final version on-line

www.fafsa.ed.gov

Scholarships• You can search monthly for community

scholarships by checking West’s own “Scholarship Scoops” on our website, and FASTWEB.COM.

• Deadlines vary widely. Pay close attention.• BEWARE OF FIRMS THAT ASK FOR $$• Attend the West Financial Aid Workshop in early

December 2011.• Apply for West High scholarships in December

2011.• The greatest potential for financial assistance

usually comes from the college you are attending. – Usually, “Safety” or “Realistic” schools are more likely

to offer assistance than “Reach” schools.– Don’t forget about financial assistance available

within the department you choose to major in during year 2, 3, or 4 of college.

Senior Year: A Cultural

Phenomenon“Weathering Senior Year’s ‘Perfect Storm’”

“Searching for the Cure to Senioritis”

“Reclaiming Senior Year”

“This year, ‘senioritis’ may have dire consequences”

So what’s really happening?

?Questions?!Comments!