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Class of 2016 Senior Information Night

Agenda

Welcome Carol Boyden

Outline of Evening Christina Mackey-Greene Senior Project Heather Carver/Carol Boyden Senior Events Grad Night Lori Webb

Jostens David Schnieder Yearbook Christina Mackey-Greene

Introduction of Counselors/Long Term Sub Christina Mackey-Greene High School & Beyond Plan Christina Mackey-Greene Graduation Requirements/ Options after High School Christina Mackey-Greene Handout Review Christina Mackey-Greene Important Dates & Info (p. 2-3) Graduation Requirements & CADR’s (p.4-5)

A Decision Making Guide/Researching Colleges (p. 6-7) Letter of Recommendation (p.8)

Requesting Transcripts (p.8) SAT/ACT Testing Information (p.9) Admission Fees/Deadlines WA Public (p. 10)

Admission Fees/Deadlines WA Private (p.11) Admission Fees/Deadlines WA CC & Technical Colleges (p 12-13)

Wrap Up & Questions Christina Mackey-Greene

Counselors Yearbook Advisor Jostens Representative A-Ge-- Mr. Owen Sanford 360-954-3220 Mrs. Katherine Scobba Mr. David Schneider Gf-O-- Ms. Linda Jones 360-954-3113 360-954-3172 360-944-7959 P-Z--Mrs. Mackey-Greene 360-954-3114

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2015-16WHSImportantDatesforSeniors

(Datesaresubjecttochange)

Date Activity Time Location SEPTEMEBER9/29 SeniorInformationNight 6-7:30p.m. WHSAuditorium9/30 ClarkCollegeCollegeFair 5:30-7:30p.m. GaiserHall OCTOBER10/5-7 SeniorProject&TopicResearchApprovals Byappointment CareerCenter10/12 College101Workshop#1-Search&Application 3rdper.-PT CareerCenter10/9 RegistrationDeadlineforNov.7SAT 10/17 GradNightGarageSale 7a.m.-1p.m. WHSParkingLot 10/20 College101Workshop#2-CollegeEssayWriting 3rdper.-PT CareerCenter10/21 PostHighSchoolFair(freeevent;allwelcome) 5:30-8:30p.m. CamasHighSchool10/23 PortlandNationalCollegeFair(Fieldtripoption) 9a.m.-12p.m. PortlandConv.Center10/24 PortlandNationalCollegeFair 1p.m.-5p.m. 10/26 LetterofIntentDue(SeniorProject) EnglishClasses Teachers SeniorClassPhoto 11a.m. WHSGym10/26-30 IndividualGradCheckMeetings(ConferenceWeek) Byappointment CareerCenter WashougalSchoolDistrictRedRibbonWeek NOVEMBER 11/3 College101Workshop#3-ScholarshipSearch 3rdper.-PT CareerCenter11/5 RegistrationDeadlineforDec.5SAT11/6 RegistrationDeadlineforDec12ACT 11/9 MentorLetter#1Due SREnglishTeachers11/16 SeniorPortraitSubmissiondeadline whsyearbookof2016@gmail.com

11/17 1stSubmissionofResearchPaper&OutlineDue SREnglishTeachersJostensSeniorAssembly PantherTime WHSAuditorium

11/25-27 ThanksgivingBreak(GreattimetoworkonSeniorPaperandadmissionapplications)

DECEMBER12/2 SeniorResearchPaperDue SREnglishTeachers FinancialAidNighthostedatClark 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m. GaiserHall12/4 Jostensgraduationpackageordering WHSLunches WHSCommons12/8 FinancialAidNight(presentedbyWSU-V) 6:00p.m. WHS-TBA 12/10 ASVAB(MilitaryTesting) 8:00a.m.-11:00a.m. CareerCenter12/11 SeniorResearchPapersReturned SREnglishclasses12/21-1/3 WinterBreak (Greattimetoworkonscholarshipessays&applicationsw/laterdeadlines!) (WorkonSeniorPaperCorrections)12/28 RegistrationDeadlineforJan.23SAT January1/1 FirstdaytosubmitFAFSAApplicationOn-line www.fafsa.ed.gov (PriorityisJan.1-Feb.1) 1/8 RegistrationDeadlineforFeb.6ACT1/12 (Corrected)SeniorPapersDue SREnglishTeacher

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1/24 CollegeGoalWashington 11am-1:00p.m. ClarkCampus FEBRUARY2/4 SeniorAdsDuetoYearbook TBA Mrs.Scobba2/13 RegistrationDeadlineforMarch5SAT MARCH3/4 RegistrationDeadlineforApril9ACT APRIL4/4-8 SpringBreak (GreattimetofinalizeSeniorProjectsandnarrowdownorfinalizePostHSplans)4/8 RegistrationDeadlineforMay7SAT4/18 AutobiographicalLettersDue(SeniorProject) SREnglishTeacherMAY5/2-23 APTesting TBA TBA5/6 RegistrationDeadlineforJune11ACT5/16 SeniorPosterPresentations5/23 MentorVerificationLetter#2

ProjectSummaryDue SREnglishTeacher5/31 PortfoliosDue(SeniorProject)JUNE6/2-3 SeniorPanelstocommunitymembers ByAppointment WHS6/8 Baccalaureate 6:30p.m. WHSAuditorium6/9 SeniorTea&AwardsNight 6p.m. WHSAuditorium

Sat.6/11 GRADUATION!! 5:00p.m. FishbackStadium ImportantWebsites:**SeniorClass2016InformationPage**:https://sites.google.com/a/washougalsd.org/washougalhs/principal-s-page/senior-informationSeniorPaper&Project:https://sites.google.com/a/washougalsd.org/washougalhs/principal-s-page/senior-project-2016-1CounselingCenterWebsite:http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/whs/departments/counseling.htmCounseling&CareerCenterFacebook:www.facebook.com/WHScounselingandcareerOSPIGraduationRequirements:http://www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/default.aspxTheWashingtonCouncil(Washingtonpublic,private,communityandtradecollegesanduniversities) http://www.washingtoncouncil.org/publications.htm

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLLEGE: A DECISION MAKING GUIDE

Prioritize what is most important to you. Do some investigating to find which college would provide the best “fit” for you. Which one offers the educational and social experiences you are seeking? It’s important to know yourself and why you’re interested in going to college? These types of questions are especially helpful when you are undecided on a major. Here is a list of factors you might want to want to weigh as you decide:

Location: Urban, suburban, or rural campus? How far from home and family is it? What is the weather like? In state or out of state? Size: What is the student population? Large school (15,000+), medium school (5,000-15,000) or small (few hundred to few thousand). What is the student/professor ratio? Mix of students: What is the composition of the student population – by gender, ethnicity, and geographical origin? Cost: How does the school compare in cost? What kind of financial aid do they offer? What scholarships are available?

Academics: Does the college offer programs of student that interest you? Do professors teach all classes, or do graduate students share the teaching? Extracurricular: Are there opportunities for to get involved in interests and hobbies that you have or would like to develop? Sports? Music? Religious? Etc. Facilities: Will you have access to computer labs, support centers (academic/emotional), athletic facilities, etc.? Type: Two year vs. four year, public or private, religious affiliation, coed or not?

Questions to consider when visiting colleges/talking with college representatives

1. What are the application deadlines for admission and financial aid?

2. Is there a separate application for scholarships?

3. Is there a separate application & deadline for Honor’s Program/college?

4. How accessible are the professors outside of class?

5. How does advising work? What if I’m undecided? When must I choose a major?

6. How would you describe the “climate” of the campus? (Ask them to do this in their own words.)

7. What kind of student support services does the college offer to students (tutoring, career counseling,

study skills workshops)?

8. What types of internship, co-op, and study abroad experiences are available?

9. What kinds of extra-curricular activities are there on campus?

10. Are freshman required to live on campus? What are the housing options?

11. How are roommates selected?

12. How safe is the school? Where can I obtain statistics about crimes on the campus?

13. How do I arrange a campus visit? Are there special visitation programs?

14. What’s your graduation rate? Job placement rate?

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RESEARCHING COLLEGES There are thousands of colleges/universities to choose from so how does one narrow down the search? First of all, know what you’re looking for from your school (other side of sheet). Secondly do your research! The internet: The quickest way to learn about colleges and universities, degree programs, admissions processes and much more. If you know the name a few schools that you’re interested in, go directly to their website. If you’re researching new colleges/universities, the following links can be very useful:

• www.collegeanswer.com • www.collegeboard.com • http://www.knowhow2go.org/ • www.studentaid.ed.gov • www.mappingyourfuture.org • www.myroad.com • www.nacacnet.org or www.pnacac.org • www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/search.asp • www.petersons.com • http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov/ (great resource for Washington students looking at schools

in WA) • The Washington Council (Washington public, private, community and trade colleges and

universities) http://www.washingtoncouncil.org/publications.htm • http://www.ous.edu/stucoun (covers the seven public Oregon universities)

and http://www.ous.edu/media/viewbook/1314/index.html#/1/

College Guidebooks: • The Fiske Guide to Colleges, by Edward B. Fiske • The College Handbook, by the College Board • The Insider’s Guide to Colleges, by the Yale Bailey News • Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges

College Fairs: Great opportunity to talk to and/or get information from hundreds of colleges all on the same day. Portland (our closest major city) has two major college fair events per year. One in the fall at the Oregon Convention Center: Portland National College fair, and one in the spring at the University of Portland, Portland PNACAC College Fair. For more information on college fairs and dates go to www.nacacnet.org or www.pnacac.org College Visits:

• both to WHS and to the university o Visits to WHS by a college or university gives you the opportunity to learn more about

the school, ask questions, and get a feel for the school without attending. The Career Center posts announcements about visits.

o Visiting a college gives you the “first-hand” experience to see if a college/university is a good “fit” for you and your needs! It will truly make or break your decision. (Arrange individual visits, Preview Days, Open House, visit a friend, go with a friend!)

• ASK QUESTIONS! And HAVE FUN!!! YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND/OR CAREER COUNSELOR AND/OR TEACHERS

• These individuals have a wealth of information to share with you and they are all here at your disposal.

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Washougal High School Requesting Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts—Advice from the Counseling Center

Think very carefully about which teachers or staff would be able to write the strongest, most detailed letters of recommendation for you. Once you have decided whom to ask, remember that you have to ASK, not just expect that the teacher will do the letters. Ask if they feel comfortable writing a good letter of recommendation. It’s important to be sure they are willing to give a recommendation that meets your expectations and theirs. Give the teacher/staff several weeks notice prior to the due date. This will allow for a well thought out recommendation. Letters of recommendation are extremely time-consuming. Be appreciative.

If you want TEACHERS/STAFF/COUNSELORS to write college recommendations for you, please do the following: 1. Ask early. THREE WEEKS ahead (two weeks minimum) is not too early. Teachers/counselors have a heavy load and may

not be able to handle all requests, particularly those that come in at the last minute. Furthermore, a well-written letter of recommendation takes careful thought, so they need time to do them.

2. Take the Teacher Recommendation form from each college, and do the following: a. Fill out the necessary information on each form or note that there is no form. b. Write your name, the name of the college and the due date on a piece of paper and attach it to the form that needs to be

filled out by the recommender. c. Give them a copy of all the questions from the WHS—Senior Information Sheet. d. Check back with the recommender to gather your recommendation and mail it off to the school, OR provide an

addressed-stamped envelope to where it needs to go. 3. Say thank you. Write thank you notes to those who have written letters of recommendation for you. 4. We appreciate your help in making this job go smoothly. Remember also that a smile and polite manners open a lot of doors.

Good luck, and be sure to let your recommenders know the outcome of your applications.

TRANSCRIPTS … ordering and sending (Counselors do not order your official transcripts.) 1. Official transcripts are to be ordered through the Counseling Center. 2. There is a form to fill out in the Counseling Center. 3. You will need three days to one week for them to be picked up. 4. Remember, it is your responsibility to order the correct number of official transcripts, and to send them to each

college/university.

Washougal High School Senior Information Sheet

PLEASE TYPE THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON A SEPARATE SHEET. Please be sure to include your name. ☺

1. What major or field of study are you considering? If undecided, say so. 2. Explain briefly why you have chosen this major and/or career. 3. What are your academic strengths here at school? 4. What is an area in your life that could use improvement and why? 5. What is the educational background of your parents and siblings? (Did they go to college and do they have a Bachelor or

Associate degree?) 6. Discuss in detail those activities you have been most proud of being involved in. Be specific about what you did or

accomplished. Also note awards and accomplishments/recognitions. 7. Describe your most positive personality/behavior characteristics. 8. Describe any special talents you have. What things make you unique? How would you distinguish yourself from other

students in the senior class? 9. If you had a low grade in a particular class or in a year because of an extenuating circumstance, please explain the situation. 10. Describe any volunteer or paid work experience that you have done. How has this impacted your life? 11. Make a resume listing your activities, awards and/or recognitions that you have been involved with and/or received. Be sure

to include dates, hours of your activities.

Additional Information: Please use additional space to write anything about yourself that may be interesting or explain a bit more about who you are. Perhaps you could recall some significant experience that has affected you or discuss a person who has had a significant influence on you and describe the ways the person has influenced you. If you have overcome any obstacles in this information could be helpful to convey a complete picture of YOU. Thank you and best of luck!

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