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Senior Plan CCR 2015-‐2016
Alta High School
Quick Tips
PHONE NUMBERS HELPFUL WEBSITES Main Office: 801-‐826-‐5600 ahs.canyonsdistrict.org Attendance: 801-‐826-‐5610 skyward.canyonsdistrict.org Counseling: 801-‐826-‐5620 canyonsdistrict.org COUNSELORS A-‐C Jennifer Scheffner 801-‐826-‐6527 [email protected] D-‐Ha Christine Astle 801-‐826-‐6525 [email protected] He-‐Mc Jesse Davis 801-‐826-‐5626 [email protected] Me-‐Sa Callie Bjerregaard 801-‐826-‐5623 [email protected] Sc-‐Z Kelsie Court 801-‐826-‐5621 [email protected] SUPPORT STAFF Secretary Cindy Greenwall 801-‐826-‐5632 [email protected] Registrar Paula Seaich 801-‐826-‐5630 [email protected] Diploma/Sec. Karen Brown 801-‐826-‐5631 [email protected]
Important Dates Calendar 2015-‐2016
Fall: . Attend your Plan CCR; check graduation progress, departmental cords, college admission requirements and deadlines. . Keep grades up for highest GPA and class rank for college admission and scholarship. Join National Honor Society if
qualified. . Attend “You CAN Pay for College” Event: September 17, 2015 6:00pm Hillcrest High School. Register at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/hillcrest-‐high-‐you-‐can-‐pay-‐for-‐college-‐night-‐tickets-‐18296042957 For more “You CAN Pay” event dates visit stepuputah.com. . Attend Alta’s Utah College and University Day. October 22, 2015(during school) . ACT Test Dates: See www.collegeboard.org for test dates and deadlines. . SAT Test Dates: See www.actstudent.org for test dates and deadlines. . Out-‐of-‐State College Fair (RMACAC)-‐Corner Canyon High School: Check ccstudentcenter.weebly.com for more info. . Male students must register for selective service on 18th birthday to be eligible for federal financial aid. . Find out about scholarships and apply for them. Check Alta’s website: www.ahs.canyonsdistrict.org . Meet with counselor to verify transcript and complete recommendation letters at least two weeks before due date. . Apply for admission to various colleges. Find out about college scholarships and apply for them. . Regents Scholarship applications available: November 16, 2016, http://stepuputah.com/regentsscholarship/ . Most priority college deadlines: November 1, 2015 or December 1, 2015 APPLY EARLY. Winter: . Priority admission deadline for U of U, SUU, USU, BYU for fall 2016. December 1, 2015 . Out of state colleges have a deadline of November 1, 2015 . Academic Scholarship deadline for: U of U and SUU: December 1, 2015 . FAFSA forms are available: January 1, 2016 . Scholarship priority deadline for Weber State University for fall: January 12, 2016 . Send mid-‐year grade reports to colleges if needed. . Academic scholarship deadline for: U of U, &UVU: February 1, 2016 . Admission and scholarship deadline for BYU: February 1, 2016 . Admission deadline for Dixie: 2 weeks before classes begin . Academic scholarship deadline for Dixie: March 1, 2016 . Make sure to apply to more than one college. Choose at least one college that you can afford and will accept you. Spring: . Admission deadline for USU and U of U: April 1, 2016 . Look for college admission decisions and financial award letters . Visit the college where you have been accepted. . Apply for Alta’s department and National Honor Society cords. . Graduation: June 2, 2016 . Complete follow-‐up paperwork for the college of your choice (scheduling, orientation session, housing arrangements, and other necessary forms) Summer: . Participate in your college’s orientation and registration for classes. . Send in final transcripts to your college if needed.
Senior Checklist
◊ Register for the October ACT. *This is the last ACT you can take to have your score back by the December 1 Priority Admission Deadline.
Many schools have later admission deadlines. Consider taking the December ACT as well.
◊ Are you planning on playing sports in college? Are you NCAA qualified? *Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org to see if you qualify. Set up an appointment with Ms. Bjerregaard in the
counseling office to review your NCAA eligibility.
◊ Are you planning on serving a religious mission before attending college? *It is recommended that you apply to college now! All the state colleges/universities will defer your
admissions and scholarship awards. You will defer at the end of the year, after you receive your mission call.
◊ Create an Educational Resume – Senior Brag Sheet *Include specific details about you, list of awards, recognitions, classes, grades, performances (athletic,
creative, or other), and important things about your personality, accomplishments, and character.
◊ Visit www.UtahFutures.org or www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org *Explore what career would match your interest profile. Good interest inventory!
*Explore and compare colleges, universities and more.
◊ Get on the road and visit some colleges *Take a tour of the campus; come with a list of questions
*Talk to department chairs
*Narrow your selection to 2 or 3 final choices – don’t rule out prestigious schools because of financial need;
many of them offer full need-based scholarships
◊ Letter of Recommendation for Scholarships *Ask if you can get multiple copies (or ask if you could come get another copy later)
*Try to get at least 2 letters of recommendation
*Give your teacher or counselor at least two weeks notice
*Bring the teacher an educational resume – Senior Brag sheet to help them know of your accomplishments
*Follow up with a thank you note!
◊ Prepare any Portfolios, Audition Tapes, Writing samples, etc. *If you are planning to apply for talent scholarships, research dates of auditions.
◊ Research the Application & Scholarship Requirements for top 3 school choices. *Use the college websites to research all scholarship opportunities and deadlines.
◊ Research all Scholarship options:*Scholarship booklet on Alta website, www.Scholar-Box.com,
www.Fastweb.com, www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org.
◊ Finalize application essays and have someone read them!
◊ Apply to your top college choices. *Choose a “Dream”, “Reach”, and “Safe” school (a safe school has open enrollment).
*Come prepared during College Application Week to apply. Bring info sheet and way to pay application fee.
*Apply on the school’s website
*Follow all directions and deadlines
*Pay application fee
*Have applications completed by the priority deadline – December 1st for most schools
◊ Request official high school transcripts from the counseling office to be sent to your prospective schools *Have you received college credit through concurrent enrollment? Send an official college transcript.
◊ Reserve Housing at the school you plan on attending
◊ Discuss finances with parents – what is the plan to pay for college? *Is it all your responsibility?
*Are your parents planning to pay for part/all of your tuition/housing/food/books/fees?
*Will you qualify for any scholarships?
*Will you qualify for federal financial aid (FAFSA)?
*Will you be working while you go to college? How many hours a week?
◊ Apply for financial aid (FAFSA) – First day to fill out FAFSA is January 1, 2016. *Use the FAFA4caster to estimate your financial aid
*Encourage parents to get tax forms together and taxes done ASAP
*www.FAFSA.ed.gov - apply online beginning January 1
*Your FAFSA score is also used to see if you qualify for financial need scholarships.
◊ Wait for admission and scholarship offers and accept them by the deadline.
◊ Keep working in your classes, grades and courses still count! GRADUATE!
Important Websites for College Alta Counseling Center Web Page: http://ahs.canyonsdistrict.org
Utah Colleges: Financial Aid/Scholarship
BYU: www.byu.edu and www.besmart.com Big Future: www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
BYU Idaho: www.byui.edui.edu and www.besmart.com College Answer: www.wiredscholar.com
Dixie State College: www.dixie.edu FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov
LDS Business College: www.ldsc.edu Fast Web:www.fastweb.com
Salt Lake Community College: www.slcc.edu Federal Student Aid: www.ifap.ed.gov
Snow College: www.snow.edu Higher Ed: www.highered.utah.org
Southern Utah University: www.suu.edu Majors Guide: www.utahmajors.org
University of Utah: www.utah.edu Online Colleges & Degrees: www.universities.com
Utah College of Applied Technology: www.ucat.edu Step Up Utah: www.stepuputah.com
Utah State University: www.usu.edu Utah Careers: www.utah.gov/careers/
Utah Valley University: www.uvu.edu Utah College Board: www.collegeboard.org
Weber State University: www.weber.edu Utah College Housing: www.UtahCollegeHousing.com
Westminster: www.westminstercollege.edu Utah Educational Savings Plan: www.uesp.org
Utah Futures: www.utahfutures.org
Utah Scholars: www.utahscholars.org
You Can Go: www.youcango.collegeboard.org
ACT/SAT Information & Test Dates
ACT/SAT TESTING: Colleges and Universities require an entrance exam for admissions. Registration for testing is done on-‐line. A flyer offering registration information is available in the counseling center along with ACT preparation class schedule. Taking the ACT or SAT test is dependent on your choice of college. The ACT is more subject-‐based and focuses on material students have learned in high school while the SAT is more of an aptitude test that assesses a student’s reasoning skills. Utah Colleges and Universities require the ACT.
Act Test Dates: on-‐line registration: www.actstudent.org TEST DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE LATE REGISTRATION
DEADLINE September 12, 2015 August 7, 2015 August 8-‐21, 2015 October 24, 2015 September 18 2015 September 19-‐October 2, 2015 December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015 November 7-‐20, 2015 February 6, 2016 January 8, 2016 January 9-‐15, 2016 April 19, 2016 March 4, 2016 March 5-‐18, 2016 June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016 May 7-‐20, 2015 Cost: ACT (no writing): $39.50
ACT (plus writing): $56.50 Late registration: +$25
Alta High ACT Prep. Classes: Check www.ahs.canyonsdistrict.org Under Counseling tab or Counseling Center for flier. U Continuing Education ACT Prep. Classes: Check www.youth.utah.edu or call 801-‐581-‐6984
SAT Test Dates: on-‐line registration: www.collegeboard.com TEST DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE LATE ONLINE REGISTRATION
DEADLINE October 3, 2015 September 3, 2015 September 22, 2015 November 7, 2015 October 9, 2015 October 27, 2015 December 5, 2015 November 5, 2015 November 23, 2015 January 23, 2016 December 28, 2015 January 12, 2016 March 5, 2016 February 5, 2016 February 23, 2016 May 7, 2016 April 8, 2016 April 26, 2016 June 4, 2016 May 5, 2016 May 25, 2016 Cost: SAT w/essay: $54.50
SAT w/o essay: $43 (available March 2016) SAT Subject Tests $26 +$18 each additional test Late registration: See website
Scholarships/Financial Aid
1) Take the ACT and/or Sat I & II exams. Check www.utahfutures.org or check on-‐line to see if the college of your
choice prefers one of these tests to the other.
2) Several Utah colleges have priority deadlines and many out-‐of-‐state colleges have early admission deadlines. Make sure you meet these deadlines!!
3) Have your parents check with their employers, credit union, labor unions, civic clubs and other organizations
where scholarship may be offered to member’s children.
4) Be aware that students must be admitted to the college before scholarships can be awarded. 5) Campus visits can be set up with schools that interest you. Take advantage of all the great programs colleges have
for weekend activities to get a feel for your colleges of interest.
6) Talent awards in the area of music, dance, theatre, and art usually require auditions and portfolios. Check with the high school individual departments and college departments to apply for these scholarships.
7) Athletic scholarships are handled through NCAA clearinghouse at www.eligiblitycenter.org . If you have questions
check with the Alta High Counseling Center.
8) Financial aid such as grants, loans, and work study programs may be applied for after the January 1st . Many scholarships require you to complete the FAFSA form. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is a FREE on-‐line application.
9) Letters of recommendation are required for some scholarships and awards. Please give ample time to complete
letters to those you ask. “Requesting a Letter of Recommendation” forms are available in the counseling center. This form can be filled out once and copied.
10) Scholarship opportunities will be posted on the counseling website, in the counseling center, and in your senior
Language Arts classes. Go to www.ahs.canyonsdistrict.org under counseling, and then scholarships.
• Regents’ Scholarship: http://stepuputah.com/regentsscholarship/ • New Century Scholarship: http://stepuputah.com/newcenturyscholarship/ • Utah CTE Scholarship: Visit www.utahfutures.org for more information on scholarships.
• See “Important Websites” page for additional websites.
What Is Financial Aid?
Tuition and fees are what a school charges you for your education. It may include the cost of computer labs and athletic facilities, but often does not include books or other materials you’ll need. You will need to research the cost of attending college. Financial aid is the money you receive from a variety of sources to cover the cost of you education. Most people are eligible for some kind of financial aid. The financial aid sources available to a student attending college in Utah include:
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Grants Grants are need-‐based forms of financial aid that do not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grants The most common form of federal aid. They are need-‐based, provided by federal government and awarded by colleges. Pell grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree (dentistry, medicine, pharmacy etc.) To qualify, a student must apply for the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA). Family income information must be provided on the form. The federal government uses a standard formula to determine whether or not a student is eligible for a Pell grant. Awards range approximately for $500-‐$5000 dollars per year. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant These grants are awarded by higher education institutions and provide assistance for undergraduates with the greatest financial need. The federal government gives schools a set amount of money to distribute to eligible students. Utah Centennial Opportunity Program for Education Grants: These grants are funded by the state of Utah for Utah residents attending school in Utah. Higher education institutions make the awards. All applications must complete the FAFSA form. Academic Competitiveness Grant -‐ These are available to 1st and 2nd year students who have taken rigorous high school classes, who are U.S. citizens, and who are Pell grant eligible. Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership -‐ This is a campus-‐based grant which is jointly funded by the federal government and funds given to the colleges by the state of Utah. These are for undergraduate students only. LOANS A loan is a form of financial aid the must be repaid with interest. The main loan options are student loans, parent loans, and private loans. Federal and state loans include: Federal Perkins Loans -‐These are available to students who demonstrate the most serious financial need. They are federally funded and awarded by the school. These loans have the best terms and conditions; however they are usually small in amount due to limited funds. Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized -‐ These loans are awarded on the basis of financial need and are regulated by the federal government. Students nay borrow from a bank, a credit union, or directly from the government. A subsidized Stafford Loan is the loan of first choice since the government pays the interest while the student is in school. Students who do not qualify, may take out an unsubsidized Stafford Loan. These students pay the interest while in school but could postpone the payment of interest and principle until after graduation. Federal Plus Loans -‐ These loans are for parent to undergraduate students. They are based on credit history and require a credit check. The interest rate is low, but repayment begins immediately. WORK STUDY Work study provides students with employment opportunities both on and off campus. Participation in a work-‐study program is typically based on the student’s financial need. Generally these come in two forms. Federal Work-‐Study Program -‐ This program allows students to subsidize their tuition and expenses with on-‐campus jobs. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate financial need. Utah Centennial Opportunity Program for Education Work Study Program (UCOPE) This program is funded by the state of Utah for Utah residents attending colleges and universities in Utah. The program provides work to subsidized costs for going to college. Financial need is the eligibility requirement. All applications must complete the FAFSA.
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ALTA HIGH SENIOR NEWSLETTER Fall 2015
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
Your Senior year is an exciting time and as your
counselors, we are anxious to see you
graduate from Alta and move on successfully to
your post-high school life.
Over the next couple of months you will be applying for college
admission, completing numerous scholarship applications, getting
letters of recommendation, and
meeting deadlines. I you need any help along the way, come visit with your counselor and we will be
happy to assist you.
Best wishes to ALL of our Senior Hawks.
Visit http://www.shmoop.com/utah/
Find Alta High School from the list of high schools.
Click “Let’s Go”
Answer “YES” if you have ever created a Shmoop account for yourself.
Answer “NO” if you have never signed into Shmoop.
Enter Magic Word: ARCHES
ACT Test Preparation
Introducing Alta’s New Scholarship
Website
ACT PREP Not happy with your
ACT score? There is still time to take the test
again. You can take ACT on October 24 to have scores back in time for
College Priority Admission Deadlines.
Don’t neglect some test prep. You’ll be glad you
did!
*Visit www.scholar-‐box.com
*Click “Free Sign Up” to set up your own personal profile
*Scholar-‐Box will search for scholarships perfect for you.
*Remember…you never receive scholarships unless you apply
for them.
Want new scholarship opportunit ies sent r ight to
your phone?
Try Tw i tter Fast Fo l l ow to rece ive updates f rom the counsel ing off i ce w ith new schola rsh ip opportun i t i es , impo rtant news and reminders . You DON ’T need a Tw it ter account e ither ! Don ’ t miss out !
Text “Follow AltaCounseling” to 40404. (No space between
Alta and Counseling).
November 16-‐20, 2015 During this week all seniors will be completing at least one college
application. Come prepared with the following:
-‐Driver’s License #
-‐Social Security Number (If you don’t have one, you can still go to college. Talk to your school counselor.)
-‐A way to pay for college admission fee (Don’t let the cost of the application fee stop you from applying. If you need some help, talk to your school counselor. There are funds available and some schools will be waiving the application fee
during that week.)
Do some research before the week and decide where you are interested in applying.
Student Services
Mental Health is as important as physical health to a person’s quality of life and directly impacts learning and development. People cannot learn effectively if they are struggling with mental health problems such as depression, or feel overwhelmed by academic, social, or family pressures. It is important to recognize that mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness; it also means having the skills to cope with life’s challenges. (NASP, Removing Barriers to Learning) Examples of stress include: *Anxiety *Bullying *Family problems *Depression *Learning Disabilities *Eating Disorders *Alcohol and/or substance abuse *Self-‐injurious behaviors and/or suicidal thoughts If you or a friend experience any of the above stressors, please let a parent, counselor, teacher, administrator, or school psychologist know. For after school hours, you can call-‐Salt Lake County Crisis Hotline #801-‐587-‐3000. For classes and other resources: Canyons Family Center 801-‐826-‐8190, www.canyonsdistrict.org (community tab) Health Insurance through CHIP and Medicaid: www.health.utah.gov/medcaid, www.health.utah.gov/chip Students with Disabilities-‐Special Education Services and 504 Accommodation Plans
School Psychologist
Alicia Stephens 801-‐826-‐5629
College Degree Options
When you say you want to earn a “college degree” that could mean any number of things. Part of your college selection process should be thinking about exactly what kind of degree you want to earn, and which college can get you there. Here are some of your options:
Certification or Diploma -‐ These non-‐degrees offer a generally lead to employment in an occupational field. For example, to enter fields such as computer science or teaching, you may first have to get a certificate or a diploma. Associate’s Degree -‐ You receive an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree after completing two years of a four-‐year college. Community colleges and four-‐year universities offer associate degrees. After earning an A.A. or an A.S., you may transfer to a four-‐year college to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded on completion of technological or vocation programs of study. Bachelor’s or Baccalaureate Degree -‐ Complete a four-‐or-‐five-‐year, full-‐time program of study (or its part-‐time equivalent) at a college. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are the most common. Combined Bachelor’s/Graduate Degree (or Joint Degree) -‐ Complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s or first-‐ professional degree in less than the usual amount of time. For most programs, students apply to the graduate program during their first three years of undergraduate study, and begin the graduate program in their fourth year of college. Successful completion results in awarding of both bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Teacher Certification -‐ At some schools, you can receive a teacher certificate by completing bachelor’s degree and state certification requirements. A college advisor can help you prepare a plan of study to meet these demands. All institutions that prepare teachers are accredited by the state; each state sets its own certificate standards. A program leading to teacher certification typically involves three types of courses:
• General liberal arts courses • The major (such as elementary education or
mathematics) • Professional education courses, including student
teaching In order to gain certification in most states, you must pass an achievement test in the field I which you plan to teach
Alta High Diplomas Class of 2016
Standard Diploma Advanced Diploma Honors
English Language Arts 4 English Language Arts 4 English Language Arts 4 Math 3 Math 3 Math 3 (Minimum Secondary Math III) (Minimum Secondary Math III) (Minimum Secondary Math III)
Science 3 Science 3 Science 3 (Minimum of 2 credits from: Earth, Biology, (At least two credits of lab-‐based science: At least two credits of lab-‐based science: Chemistry & Physics) Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
Social Studies 3 Social Studies 3 Social Studies 3 (1 Geography for Life, 5 World Civilizations, (1 Geography for Life, 5 World Civilizations, (1 Geography for Life, 5 World Civilizations, 1 U.S. History, .5 Government & Citizenship) 1 U.S. History, .5 Government & Citizenship) 1 U.S. History, .5 Government & Citizenship)
P.E./Health 2 P.E./Health 2 P.E./Health 2 (.5 Health Education, .5 Participation Skills & (.5 Health Education, .5 Participation Skills & (.5 Health Education, .5 Participation Skills & Techniques (PST), .5 Lifetime Fitness, .5 Elective PE) Techniques (PST), .5 Lifetime Fitness, .5 Elective PE) Techniques (PST), .5 Lifetime Fitness, .5 Elective PE)
Fine Arts 1.5 Fine Arts 1.5 Fine Arts 1.5 CTE 1 CTE 1 CTE 1 Financial Literacy 0.5 Financial Literacy 0.5 Financial Literacy 0.5 Computer Tech 0.5 Computer Tech 0.5 Compter Tech 0.5
World Languages 2 World Languages 2 *In addition you must Grades 8-‐12 Grades 8-‐12 meet the ACT College Readiness Benchmark Electives 8.5 Electives 6.5 Electives 6.5 Scores for Honors Diploma (See Below)
Required 27 Required 27 Required 27
*ACT Bench Marks
English 18+ Math 22+ Reading 22+ Science 23+
Alta Diploma Application
Application for 2016 Advanced and Honors Diplomas Applications due April 1, 2016 to the Counseling Center in hard copy
Name (Please Print)________________________________________________________________
School: Alta High
I’m applying for: _____Advanced Diploma _____Honors Diploma (Higher)
Advanced Diplomas
Have you completed the following? (Or will complete by the end of your Senior Year)
English Language Arts (4 Credits required) ______
Math (3 credits required including a minimum of Secondary III) ______
Science (3 credits required; 2 must be lab-‐based) ______
Social Studies (3 credits required) ______
World Language ( 2 consecutive levels, example Spanish 1 and Spanish 2) ______
All other graduation requirements completed ______
Honors Diploma
Have you achieved the ACT Benchmark scores? Completed the requirements for the Advanced Diploma? English (18+)____ Math (22+)_____ Reading (22+)_____Science (23+)_____
By signing below, I indicate I have provided accurate information, and understand that school officials will verify the information before diplomas are awarded.
Student Signature:________________________________ Date________________
(Please sign and return this form to the school counseling center)
Alta High School Class of 2016
GRADUATION RECOGNITION CORDS
Seniors – remember to apply for your graduation recognition cords! The cord is symbolic of the involvement and success you have demonstrated within a specific department. Students who have met the cord requirements for the following departments are eligible to apply for graduation recognition cords: Math English Science Debate Drama World Languages Art Music Social Studies Dance Physical Education Technology Business and Marketing Family and Consumer Sciences Tech Centers CTEC or JATC
Look for cord requirements/applications outside the main office in the spring. Applications will be accepted beginning in March. If you have questions, talk with your teachers in the specific department, stop by the Career Center #1940, or see Mr. Boswell in the counseling center.
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