Senior Seminar 2011-2012
Counseling Department (773) 535-5725
George Washington High School
3535 E. 114th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60617
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to assist seniors in the college application process, which includes but is not
limited to: completing five college and scholarship applications, applying for financial aid (FAFSA), and
revising the personal statement. Students are expected to participate in the GWHS college fair as well as
activities at other sites (National Hispanic College Fair and Truman’s Open House). To increase
awareness about postsecondary options, we schedule admissions representatives to speak to students
inSenior Seminarto help them make informed decisions. Representatives use interactive surveys,
PowerPoint Presentations, PDAs, and even magic to engage students in life skills lessons.
Weekly Topics & Assignment
Date
Topics & Assignments
09/06/2011
Follow-up with POSSE nominees, create an account at www.actstudent.org, review ACT report,
complete on-line registration for the ACT October National Test, Evening/Saturday School
Registration, revise personal statement, and eligible students work on GATES (Essay #1)
09/12/2011
Transcript review, students should request letters of recommendation (use Brag Sheet), register at
What’s Next Illinois, Evening/Saturday School Registration, introduce college research project,
personal statementrevision (1st draft due) and work on GATES (Essay #2)
09/19/2011
Complete community college application on-line, review School Profile, continue with personal
statement (2nd draft due), create an account with Zinch http://www.zinch.com/scholarships and
work on GATES (Essay #3)
09/26/2011
Wrap up personal statement revision and work on GATES (Essay #4)
10/03/2011
Check student’s progress. Begin work on college research project (Worksheet), personal
statement due; explore Net Price Calculators and work on GATES (Essay #5).
10/11/2011
Continue to work on college research project (PP) and work on GATES (Essay #6),
10/17/2011
Continue to work on college research project (PP) and work on GATES (Essay #7)
10/24/2011
Complete at least two state (Illinois) college applications online and search
www.chooseyourfuture.org for additional scholarships, wrap up slides for the college research
project and work on GATES (Essay #8).
10/31/2011
Start college research presentations in class; four presentations per class period.
11/07-21/2011
Continue college presentations.
11/28/2011
Finish college research presentations and remind students about Senior Parent Night (Dec. 7).
12/05/2011
Check student’s progress. All students should have revised their personal statement andcompleted
at least three college applications and two scholarship applications. Senior Parent Night (Dec. 7).
Please have parents look at the FAFSA Hooray video at http://www.youtube.com
12/12/2011
Work on “Oh the places you will go” scholarship.
12/19/2011
Reflections, questions, concerns, missing assignments. Students should remind their parents
about the Saturday FAFSA Workshop, January 14 in the school library.
01/09/2012
WNI—Resume Builder, Evening School Registration, and all Seniors will complete the student
section of the FAFSA. Each seminar class will create their own unique password. Pull students
from English 4 and Modern World History. Saturday FAFSA Workshop, January 14 in the
school library.
01/17/2012
Resume Builder, FAFSA (need 2010 tax information) and register for Evening/Saturday School.
01/23/2012
Resume Builder, FAFSA with LADDERUP (Community Partner) andcollaborate with English 4
and Modern World History teachers to assist students not in seminar.
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01/30/2012
02/06/2012
02/14/2012
02/21/2012
02/27/2012
03/06/2012
03/12/2012
03/19/2012
03/26/2012
04/09/2012
04/16/2012
04/23/2012
04/30/2012
05/07/2012
WNI—Resume Builder and FAFSA. The Riceland Scholarshipis due; this is your final!
Begin Career Research Project (CRP Worksheet) and register for Evening/Saturday School.
Continue with research for the Career Research Projectand FAFSA with LADDERUP
Start PP presentations for Career Research Project
FAFSA and continue with PP presentations
My Voice Surveyand continue with PP presentations
Continue with PP presentations
Wrap up PP presentations
Work on scholarships; the Samsung Scholarship is an option.
At least one scholarship is due for your midterm.
Understanding the financial aid award letter; CollegeBoard Blue/Green University lesson
Professor 101—lecture room etiquette, understanding office hours, etc.,
ReviewNet Price Calculators
Begin Senior Exit Questionnaire and “Letters to Freshmen”
05/14-21/2012 SEQ
05/29/2012
Work on your last scholarship, which is your final grade of the year.
06/04/2012
Finals/Wrap Up/Classroom Evaluation of Senior Seminar
Student Outcomes
The successful student will complete five college applications by January, five scholarship applications
by April and show proof of a SAR by March 30. The expectation is that all students will transition into a
postsecondary institution or career after graduation.
Materials Required Notebook and folder
Optional/Recommended Flash drive and binder
Grading
Categories
5 college applications
5 scholarship applications
Personal statement
College and Career Research Projects
College Fairs (every student is expected to attend all fairs if buses are
allotted properly)
Points
100 (20 pts. each)
100 (20 pts. each)
100
See rubric
Participation
Descriptions of Personal Statement—The personal statement can tell admissions officers
something about a student that may not be evident from lists of courses taken, grades received, and
extracurricular activities engaged in, or even letters of recommendation.
College Fairs—Students can meet the college application requirement at the school college fair by
actively participating in the process. Students should engage in conversations with college admissions
representatives and not just collect brochures. Parents are always invited; please volunteer to chaperone.
Keeping up with the Class
Students who are having difficulty should notify the counselor teaching the class as soon as possible.
Tutoring Please make an appointment with your assigned counselor if you need additional support.
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