Please click here for a copy of the handout that the counselors

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
Jostens
Yearbook
Lori Webb
David Schnieder
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
Counselors
A-Ge-- Mr. Owen Sanford 360-954-3220
Gf-O-- Ms. Linda Jones 360-954-3113
P-Z--Mrs. Mackey-Greene 360-954-3114
Christina Mackey-Greene
Yearbook Advisor
Mrs. Katherine Scobba
Jostens Representative
Mr. David Schneider
360-954-3172
360-944-7959
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2015-16
WHSImportantDatesforSeniors
Date SEPTEMEBER
9/29 9/30 OCTOBER
10/5-7 10/12 10/9 10/17 10/20 10/21 10/23 10/24 10/26 10/26-30
NOVEMBER
11/3 11/5 11/6 11/9 11/16 11/17
11/25-27
DECEMBER
12/2 12/4 12/8 12/10 12/11 12/21-1/3
12/28 January
1/1
1/8
1/12 Activity
SeniorInformationNight
ClarkCollegeCollegeFair
(Datesaresubjecttochange)
Time
Location
6-7:30p.m.
5:30-7:30p.m. WHSAuditorium
GaiserHall
SeniorProject&TopicResearchApprovals
College101Workshop#1-Search&Application
RegistrationDeadlineforNov.7SAT GradNightGarageSale College101Workshop#2-CollegeEssayWriting
PostHighSchoolFair(freeevent;allwelcome) PortlandNationalCollegeFair(Fieldtripoption)
PortlandNationalCollegeFair LetterofIntentDue(SeniorProject)
SeniorClassPhoto
IndividualGradCheckMeetings(ConferenceWeek) WashougalSchoolDistrictRedRibbonWeek Byappointment
3rdper.-PT
CareerCenter
CareerCenter
7a.m.-1p.m. 3rdper.-PT
5:30-8:30p.m. 9a.m.-12p.m. 1p.m.-5p.m. EnglishClasses 11a.m.
Byappointment
WHSParkingLot College101Workshop#3-ScholarshipSearch 3rdper.-PT
RegistrationDeadlineforDec.5SAT
RegistrationDeadlineforDec12ACT MentorLetter#1Due SeniorPortraitSubmissiondeadline
st
1 SubmissionofResearchPaper&OutlineDue
JostensSeniorAssembly
PantherTime
ThanksgivingBreak
(GreattimetoworkonSeniorPaperandadmissionapplications)
Teachers
WHSGym
CareerCenter
CareerCenter
SREnglishTeachers
whsyearbookof2016@gmail.com
SREnglishTeachers
WHSAuditorium
SeniorResearchPaperDue
SREnglishTeachers
FinancialAidNighthostedatClark 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m.
GaiserHall
Jostensgraduationpackageordering WHSLunches WHSCommons
FinancialAidNight(presentedbyWSU-V)
6:00p.m.
WHS-TBA
ASVAB(MilitaryTesting)
8:00a.m.-11:00a.m. CareerCenter
SeniorResearchPapersReturned
SREnglishclasses
WinterBreak
(Greattimetoworkonscholarshipessays&applicationsw/laterdeadlines!)
(WorkonSeniorPaperCorrections)
RegistrationDeadlineforJan.23SAT FirstdaytosubmitFAFSAApplicationOn-line
(PriorityisJan.1-Feb.1)
RegistrationDeadlineforFeb.6ACT
(Corrected)SeniorPapersDue SREnglishTeacher
CareerCenter
CamasHighSchool
PortlandConv.Center
www.fafsa.ed.gov
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1/24 FEBRUARY
2/4
2/13 MARCH
3/4
APRIL
4/4-8 4/8
4/18 MAY
5/2-23 5/6
5/16 5/23 5/31
JUNE
6/2-3
6/8
6/9
CollegeGoalWashington
11am-1:00p.m.
ClarkCampus SeniorAdsDuetoYearbook
RegistrationDeadlineforMarch5SAT
TBA
Mrs.Scobba
RegistrationDeadlineforApril9ACT
SpringBreak
(GreattimetofinalizeSeniorProjectsandnarrowdownorfinalizePostHSplans)
RegistrationDeadlineforMay7SAT
AutobiographicalLettersDue(SeniorProject) SREnglishTeacher
TBA
SREnglishTeacher
APTesting
RegistrationDeadlineforJune11ACT
SeniorPosterPresentations
MentorVerificationLetter#2
ProjectSummaryDue PortfoliosDue(SeniorProject)
SeniorPanelstocommunitymembers Baccalaureate SeniorTea&AwardsNight
ByAppointment
6:30p.m.
6p.m. TBA
WHS
WHSAuditorium
WHSAuditorium
Sat.6/11
GRADUATION!!
5:00p.m.
FishbackStadium
ImportantWebsites:
**SeniorClass2016InformationPage**:
https://sites.google.com/a/washougalsd.org/washougalhs/principal-s-page/senior-information
SeniorPaper&Project:
https://sites.google.com/a/washougalsd.org/washougalhs/principal-s-page/senior-project-2016-1
CounselingCenterWebsite:http://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/whs/departments/counseling.htm
Counseling&CareerCenterFacebook:www.facebook.com/WHScounselingandcareer
OSPIGraduationRequirements:http://www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/default.aspx
TheWashingtonCouncil(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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