Educational Talent Search
University of Wisconsin-Stout
13 Harvey Hall
Menomonie, WI 54751
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 3
Menomonie, WI 54751
TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE
BUDGET YOUR TIME
•For many of you, this is your first time on your own. Make sure you have a system to keep track
of class times and due dates. Include time for relaxation, sleep, and fun.
ON CAMPUS
•Get to know the campus - don’t be afraid to explore and see all that campus has to offer.
•Use services offered by the campus - whether it is help with coursework, counseling, the fitness
center, public transportation, or assistance finding a job you have paid for these services and
colleges want you to succeed.
•Get involved - Colleges offer numerous ways for you to get involved. Try new things, find a club/
organization that you enjoy, and don’t be afraid to take on leadership roles.
IN THE CLASSROOM
•Go to class - Although people will tell you that going to class is “optional,” this is not true. The
information being presented in class is important and may not be found anywhere else.
•Participate and ask questions - It shows the professor that you are paying attention and will help
you learn.
•Accept constructive criticism - Criticism from professors is not personal. Their job is to challenge
you and help you grow.
•Be patient with yourself - You probably will make mistakes during college. You are not doomed.
Correct these mistakes and make sure that you learn from them. This is part of growing up.
•Don’t play the blame game - You are responsible for your learning. Keep track of your own grades.
You should know if you are struggling in a class. If you need help, ask!
trio talent search
CONTACT US
Karen Smolarek
Director
715/232-5010
smolarekk@uwstout.edu
THE
Heather Barke
Advisor, Wittenberg-Birnamwood
715/505-6385
barkeh@uwstout.edu
CONNECTION
Rick Emerson
Advisor, Menomonie
715/232-1250
emersonri@uwstout.edu
Diane Hausler
Advisor, Menomonie
715/232-3399
hauslerd@uwstout.edu
Sheri Warren
Office Associate
715/232-1253
Educational Talent Search
UW-Stout
ORDWAY - AXIS DANCE COMPANY PERFORMANCE
@ETS_Meno_WB
JUNIOR YEAR – 6 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
UW-Stout’s Educational Talent
Search is a 100% federally
funded TRiO Program serving
644+ students with $281,039
awarded this budget period.
Welcome to upper class life! With this new title
comes great responsibility. Your involvement
with TRIO Talent Search rests now on you! Every
student is required to have 6 contacts with the
program over the course of the year! You are
provided with opportunities for involvement and
it is your job to take advantage of them. You will
not see your friendly Talent Search advisor in your
classroom giving lessons anymore! So how will
you get 6 contacts? Try these options
1. ATTEND MONTHLY MEETINGS OR
WORKSHOPS
2. MEET INDIVIDUALLY WITH YOUR
ADVISOR
3. ATTEND CAMPUS VISITS
4. ATTEND FIELD TRIPS
5. ATTEND AN ACT OR COMPASS
PREP WORKSHOP WITH YOUR
ADVISOR
6. ATTEND STUDY CENTER OR
TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES
While 6 contacts is the minimum many students exceed this! Do what you can to take
advantage of all of the services being offered
to you by your TRIO Talent Search staff. They
are working for you!
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT
Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/ets
WISCONSIN COVENANT REQUIREMENTS
ATTENTION JUNIORS!
In order to fulfill the covenant pledge requirements, you need to graduate with
at least a “B” average and have 30 hours of community service, complete the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and plan to attend college in
Wisconsin.
Worried about the 30 hours? This summer is a perfect time to work on them.
Ask your teachers, parents, employers for opportunities to volunteer. The
deadline for submission is April 1, 2015. You will be receiving a packet in the
mail with forms and information. More information or to print a record of service
form can be found on their website; www.wisconsincovenant.wi.gov. Check
with your high school counselor if you aren’t sure if you signed the covenant.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to earn up to $2500 a year for college!
MHS STUDENTS AT FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN
WB LAMBEAU FIELD TRIP
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
The first steps to your college dream start with an application. Do
•Check your schools for priority deadlines. As a general rule,
you know how to start? When to start? What is important? How
you should have applications completed before Thanksgiving.
much will it cost? How do you make your application stand out?
(UW-Madison early decision deadline is November 3rd)
Well, worry no more. Your friendly TRIO Talent Search advisors are
•You can review the statement requirements by visiting the link
here to help!
above. That means you can start working on that portion now!
HOW TO START?
•If you are applying to a UW system school, you can go to
apply.wisconsin.edu to apply to any University of Wisconsin
school. Links can also be found on each college or
university’s web page.
•You will create an account for most applications so you
can re-enter and make changes before submitting.
•Review the UW application statement requirements here:
http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/NewApplicantStatements.pdf
•Write your statement in a word processing program like
Word or Google docs. This way you can save, edit, and have
it reviewed by others. When you are ready, cut and paste it
into your application. Send it to your TRIO advisor for advice
and edits!
WHEN TO START?
•The University of Wisconsin System application will open
on August 1st but cannot be submitted until September
1st.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT?
•College admission counselors give each application a
comprehensive review. This means that they look at all aspects
of your application; GPA, Class Rank, ACT, Involvement, and
Written Statement.
•Their job is to determine, based on the information you give
them, whether or not you will be a successful student at their
institution.
•Your written statement gives you the chance to provide
them information they can’t see from the numbers and your
transcript. Make sure you put thought into what you want to say.
Organize your statement into a well written 5 paragraph essay.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
•The bad news is application fees range from $20-60 per
application!
•The AWESOME NEWS is that as a TRIO Talent Search student
you don’t have to pay for them.
•Contact your TRIO advisor before you submit any applications.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER DAYS
This spring Menomonie and Wittenberg - Birnamwood middle school
students participated in Career Days. The students had the opportunity to
learn more about specific careers from the people who do them every day.
The events featured many speakers representing the 16 Career Clusters.
In the afternoon, Menomonie students attended Career Venture at the Eau
Claire Indoor Sports Center. While there, they participated in hands-on
MMS CAREER DAY
activities, visited with local colleges and universities, and had the chance
to learn more about careers in the Chippewa Valley.
The days were a huge success! Community participation was exceptional
and they were impressed by the students. The students did a nice job
representing themselves and their schools.
BMS CAREER DAY
TRIO TALENT SEARCH
BY THE NUMBERS
(2013-2014)
334,610
MINUTES SPENT WITH
TALENT SEARCH
STUDENTS (TOTAL)
6,434
CONTACTS WITH STUDENTS
IN 6-12 GRADE
5,576
HOURS SPENT WITH
STUDENTS
644
STUDENTS SERVED IN
2014-2015
105
COOPERATING DISTRICT
TEACHING STAFF
86
SENIORS SERVED
83
SENIORS WHO APPLIED
TO POSTSECONDARY
PROGRAMS
52
MINUTES SPENT WITH
EACH STUDENT (AVERAGE)
20
MHS EAGLE CENTER AND LARK TOYS TRIP
COOPERATING DISTRICT
SUPPORT STAFF
19
CAMPUS VISITS
10
EDUCATIONAL/CULTURAL
EVENTS
9
COOPERATING SCHOOL
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS
6
TALENT SEARCH STAFF TO
SERVE STUDENTS
3
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER
DAYS
WHAT IS TRIO TALENT SEARCH?
The TRIO Talent Search program at University of Wisconsin-Stout is
funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant and is designed to assist
individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to
succeed in school and pursue a higher education. The program provides
academic, career, and financial aid counseling to students and encourages
them to graduate from high school and continue on to complete their
postsecondary education.
TRIO Talent Search services include in-class lessons, one-on-one academic
advising, assistance with admission and financial aid applications, mentoring, college campus visits, cultural activities all at no cost to the student or
family! All of the services provided by TRIO Talent Search are designed to
motivate, encourage, and/or prepare students to graduate from high school
and continue on to complete their postsecondary education.