Senior Year!
Welcome, Class of 2016
and
supporting adults!
Counseling Office Staff

Mrs. Lilja: IB and Health Academy


Mrs. Wagner: Engineering, Technology, and
Manufacturing Academy
Mrs. Wass: Human Services Academy

Ms. Watters: Performance Based Diploma Academy

Mr. Winter: Arts, Communication, Business Academy

Mrs. Kleinendorst: Counseling Office Manager….helps
all students
College Reps and Military Recruiter
Visits



Many will visit West H.S. throughout the year.
Listen to the announcements or go to
twitter.com and search for @west_counseling
for visit dates.
Sign up with Mrs. Kleinendorst in the
Counseling Office.
College Campus Visits



You are encouraged to visit schools which you
are considering.
Contact the admissions office of the school in
which you are interested or sign up online.
Secure a PRIOR APPROVAL through the
Attendance Office.
3rd Annual Diversity Focus Spring
College Tour


REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
March 13 - 20, 2016











CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY, Wilberforce, OH
WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Institution, WV
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY, Greensboro, NC
SAINT AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY, Raleigh, NC
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY, Fayetteville, NC
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, Orangeburg, SC
CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY, Orangeburg, SC
ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY, Albany, GA
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY, Tallahassee, FL
For more information contact George Ramsey at 816516-7630 or Phyllis Cooper – Besong at 319-360-7189,
or by email at iowacollegetour@diversityfocus.org.
$500.00 per person
PSEO & Concurrent Courses

College classes taken while in high school.


PSEO Courses on HCC or UNI campus
Concurrent Courses at West

COMPASS/ACT/IA Assessment scores needed.

It is the start of a college transcript.
Selected classes can be paid for by district
(your counselor has a list).
Must have all paperwork completed by
November 30th deadline. No exceptions.


College Entrance Exams



ACT or SAT: Check with the 4 year colleges
in which you are interested to see which test
they prefer. ACT accepted almost everywhere.
Registration date information available in
Counseling Office. Student is responsible for
registration. Fall ACT test dates: 10/24, 12/12
(www.act.org)
COMPASS: Hawkeye utilizes this as their
entrance/placement exam.
UNI ETS

Educational Talent Search: free service
helping students with many “transition to
college” services.






ACT Registration
Tutoring
College Visits
College Applications
Financial Aid Applications
Scholarship Applications
Selective Service Registration



Men required to register 30 days prior to or
after their 18th birthday.
Registration forms located at US Post Offices
or online.
Is required in order to be eligible for financial
aid that is provided for/subsidized by Federal
Government.
NCAA Eligibility Center

Athletes: If planning to compete at Division I or II
institution, you MUST register with the NCAA
Eligibility Center www.eligibilitycenter.org.
SENIOR PICTURES


December 18: deadline for submission to
yearbook.
Check “Yearbook” tab on Website
SENIOR HONORS PROGRAM

Program is scheduled for 1:00 PM, May 12th.

Invitations are sent to parents of students who
will be honored on stage.
APPLYING TO
POST-SECONDARY
INSTITUTIONS
Don’t wait until the last minute….
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Start applying this fall/winter to the
schools in which you are interested.

Paper or online apps: some are free, some
require application fee.

Create a resume as you will need this for
applications, letters of recommendation,
etc.
College/Scholarship Application
Help Sessions






October: 7, 22
November: 5, 19
December: 10
2nd semester dates TBD
Sign up in Counseling Services Office
We will be available during Seminar or
Release
Letters of Recommendation





Check to see if the school or scholarship
requires letters of recommendation.
Ask adults who know you well (not relatives)
to write a general letter of recommendation.
Provide those people with your resume so that
they can fully comment on your qualifications.
GIVE PLENTY OF NOTICE!
Write a thank you note!
Announcements

Twitter
https://twitter.com/West_Counseling

Website
http://www.waterloo.k12.ia.us/schoolsites/
westhigh/
TRANSCRIPTS


Transcript: a record of your grades in high
school.
WCSD Transcript policy:




1st three (3) mailed by Counseling Office are free.
After three, additional transcripts mailed by
Counseling Office cost $1.00 each.
Scholarship apps are free.
All transcripts picked up in Counseling Office are
free.
FINANCIAL AID
Start early and check often
Financial Aid Night



Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 pm in
the Little Theater.
John Holland, Iowa College Access
Network Rep, will present information to
assist you and your family in the process.
Must complete the FAFSA to receive
financial aid. Available online beginning
January 1.
Scholarships




All scholarships through our office are
posted under the “Counseling Services”
tab on the West High Website.
Scholarships are updated continuouslycheck often!
Be wary of any organization which
claims, in exchange for a fee, to assist in
obtaining scholarship money.
Many, many options are free!
Senior Handbook

Located on West High website under
“Counseling Services” tab.
Employment Opportunities


A new page has been added to the West
website under Student Life: Employment
Opportunities.
Information about any part-time opportunities
for students along with contact information
will be posted.
GRADUATION
Think ahead:
Many things to take care of……
Dates, dates, dates!




Seniors: Listen to the announcements & check
Twitter daily during your senior year. Dates included
in your senior handbook are accurate as of the time of
posting; these may change.
Many, many deadlines for submission of different
documents related to graduation.
Failure to plan on your part does not mean an
emergency on our part.
THINK AHEAD!
Mid-Year/January Graduates



January 15: end of 1st
semester.
CAN participate in:
Prom, Post-Prom, and
Commencement.
CANNOT participate
in: athletics, band,
dances, Swing Show,
other school activities.



Must pick up a CheckOut Sheet in
Counseling Services to
take to teachers and the
library.
All-Clear Card from
Business Office.
No records sent unless
you have correctly
checked out and taken
care of financial issues.
DIPLOMA

Complete a Post Grad Intent Form:
Completed during fall semester.

A list will be posted with diploma spellings.
Check this list. If incorrect, you must correct
it. If an incorrect diploma is printed, you will
be responsible for the cost ($15) of the
reprinted diploma.
GRADUATION ITEMS

October 6: assembly held with Herff Jones
Rep. providing ordering instructions for
announcements, cap and gowns, etc.

Measurements and orders taken during
Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 27
& 29. Deposit required.

Cannot pick up Cap & Gown until on official
Graduation List.
COMMENCEMENT



McLeod Center (UNI): Friday, June 3 at
6:00PM
MANDATORY practice will be held at
the McLeod Center at 9:00 AM on
Friday, June 3.
Must take part in the entire graduation
practice in order to be in the actual
ceremony.
Official Graduation List


Will be posted in May.
Requirements to be on list:





Iowa Assessment score-263 on Reading & Math
Passing all classes needed for graduation
All on-line courses COMPLETED
Detention served
Fines/Fees paid
Commencement Dress Code
Women
Nice pants/dress
Dress shoes or sandals (NO flip flops)
Men
Dress Pants/Slacks
Dress shoes (NO white soles)
Absolutely no writing allowed on caps.
Thank you for attending!

If you have questions, please make an
appointment with your counselor.

We are here to help you successfully complete
your year. We want to help you with college &
scholarship applications!

Pay attention to announcements and
deadlines….and please, for your own sake,
don’t wait until it’s too late!
Start Strong!
Finish Stronger!