The Long and Winding Road

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Waukesha West High School Fall 2009 JUNIOR PARENT
MEETINGS
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Were Halfway to Graduation!

• REVIEW progress toward meeting graduation
  requirements.
• EXPLORE post secondary plans
• Get INVOLVED in extracurricular activities and
  volunteer experiences
• FOCUS on improving GPA and class rank

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High School Graduation Requirements

• All students must complete the following credits
  to obtain a diploma from the School District of
  Waukesha
• English 4.0 credits
• Mathematics 3.0 credits
• Social Studies 3.5 credits
• Science 3.0 credits
• Physical Education 1.5 credits
• Health .5 credits
• Electives 9.5 credits
• Total required credits 25.00

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Youth Options Program

• This program allows students to enroll in a
  college, university or technical school during
  the school year and take courses for credit
  towards high school graduation.
• Students may participate for no more than two
  consecutive semesters.
• Completed request forms are due in the Guidance
  Office by March 1st for the 2010 Fall semester.

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Career Cruising

• Access Career Cruising at www.careercruising.com
• User Name waukesha
• Password westpaws
• Tools at Career Cruising
• Resume Building
• Career Matchmaker
• Personal Portfolio
• Use Career Cruising to explore
• Colleges
• Programs and Majors
• Career Options

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College and University Admissions and
Applications

• University of Wisconsin Admission Requirements
• 4 units English
• 3 units Social Studies
• 3 units Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry
  above)
• 3 units Science (Biology and Physical
  Sciences)
• 4 units Other academic classes
• 17 units
• These are MINIMUM requirements

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Foreign Languages

• The following UW schools REQUIRE a minimum of two
  years of a single foreign language for
  admissions
• UW- Madison
• UW- Eau Claire
• Please check the requirements for private and out
  of state schools CAREFULLY

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UW Application Process

• Counselor form, transcripts and any other
  inclusions will be sent by the Guidance office
• You must have a transcript release form on file
• Records are maintained of where transcripts are
  sent
• ACT results have to be sent to colleges

• Colleges prefer online applications. Go to
  www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu OR
• apply.wisconsin.edu
• Application fee can be paid online ( 44)
• Personal statement helps to individualize the
  application
• Print the Counselor form

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Completing
the Application

• ONLINE APPLICATIONS ARE PREFERED
• Check that all work is done neatly and spelling
  is correct
• Letters of recommendation (request 2-3 wks)
• Pay application fee online
• Due date for UW system is December 1st

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Midwest Student Exchange Program

• Website www.mhec.org
• Further information is available via the UW
  helpline at www.uwhelp.wisc.edu
• Colleges in Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
  Nebraska, Missouri, N. Dakota Wisconsin have
  reached a tuition agreement where tuition is not
  to exceed 150 of in state tuition
• Check website to see which colleges are
  participating!
• NOTE This is not the same program as the
  standard Minnesota/Wisconsin tuition reciprocity
  agreement.

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Parents Ask about the ACT

• Do applications and ACT scores have to be sent at
  the same time?
• When does my child take the ACT?
• Can the ACT be retaken?
• Should my child take the ACT or SAT?
• Is the application deadline affected if the ACT
  has to be retaken?
• How long does it take to get ACT scores?
• Is there a cost to send ACT scores?
• Should my child take the Writing test?

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TEST DATES2009-2010

• ACT
• October 24, 2009
• December 12, 2009
• February 6, 2010
• April 10, 2010
• June 12, 2010
• www.act.org
• School code 502394

• SAT
• October 10, 2009
• November 7, 2009
• December 5, 2009
• January 23, 2010
• March 13, 2010
• May 1, 2010
• June 5, 2010
• No longer offered in the district

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ACT PREP COURSES

• ACT Prep Plus
• 262-255-9580
• ZAP
• www.zaps.com (to register)
• WCTC
• 262-691-5318
• UW-Waukesha
• 262-521-5200
• FREE ACT Test Preparation
• www.knowhow2gowisconsin.org

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Requirements for Athletes

• Division I II prospective athletes must
  register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at the
  beginning of their senior year.
• Go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net click on
  prospective student-athletes
• click on domestic student release form
• complete form print copy - bring to
  Guidance Office with 5 to send a transcript

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WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGES

• Admission requirements
• Graduation from high school
• Apply online at the college of your choice
• at www.witechcolleges.org
• Select your desired program of study
• Submit the application fee on line
• Contact the college regarding financial aid

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Parents ask about Financial Aid
When should my child begin to apply for
scholarships? Where should we look to find
scholarships? If I am going to technical college
are there any scholarships available?

• th

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SCHOLARSHIPS

• Show Me The Money!
• College financial aid offices
• FAFSA
• Internet Websites
• Employers
• Community Agencies
• Guidance Scholarship tab on school website

• Do I Qualify for the ??
• ACT score
• GPA and class rank
• School Activities
• Community Activities
• Volunteer Service
• Major
• Post Secondary Plans

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Financial Aid Night

• Wednesday, December 2nd 630 - 730 pm
• South HS Auditorium
• Guest speaker will outline
• FAFSA form (www.ed.gov)
• Scholarships, grants and loans
• Working with college financial aid office
• Answer parent questions

UW Waukesha Financial Aid Night on Monday,
February 8th and Monday, March 15th at 630pm
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STUDENT CENTER

• Located at the rear of the Guidance Office
• Materials Available for viewing
• 4 year college, tech. school, military, and
  private school guide books
• Computers available for use for Career cruising
  access, college applications, career
  searching, military research, etc. during
  study halls, before or after school

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West Website Guidance

• Information about college and military
  recruiters, upcoming ACT, SAT or PLAN exams, and
  other important school events
• If youd like to meet with a college or military
  representative, please speak with Mrs. Grimm
• Please check the calendar on the school website
  on a regular basis
• www.waukeshawest.org

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College Visits

• Recommended to visit in the late Spring of Junior
  Year through early Fall of Senior Year
• Check college Preview Days
• Some Pointers from GET SET FOR COLLEGE
• Meet with an admissions officer discuss
  programs, financial aid, etc.
• View dorms, libraries, commons, dining halls etc.
• Meet with faculty in department of your intended
  major
• Attend a class
• Investigate transportation options
• Check out student activities and clubs

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Military

• Military Academies
• Process should have begun in Junior year
• Complete ASVAB tests

• Boys must register for the Selective Service when
  they turn 18.
• Parent release of information to recruiters
• Students can meet with recruiters at school

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NEXT STEP FOR JUNIORS

• Review Transcripts and credit checks
• Contact your counselor with questions
• Confirm that your current schedule reflects the
  requirements for graduation and or post secondary
  expectations
• Meet with your counselor to plan your Senior
  schedule as outlined on credit check sheet
• Check programs and requirements in
• University viewbooks
• Start researching post-high school opportunities

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Senior Snapshot

• Senior Parent and Student Meetings
• During the first few weeks of school to review
  this information
• Letters of Recommendations
• Please ask in spring of Junior year or early fall
  of Senior year. Give teachers 2-3 weeks minimum
  notice
• Financial Aid Night the first week of Dec.
• Complete college applications by Dec. 1st
• Make plans for Graduation!!!