Port Washington High School LOOKING TO YOUR FUTURE A Post-Secondary Guide for Students and Parents 2012 - 2013 To Parents and Students: This handbook is specifically designed to assist all students in gaining a better understanding of the procedures to be followed for technical college admission, college admission, or entry into the military or job market. Please read it carefully and keep it handy for reference during your four years at Port Washington High School. Planning for the future is a complex and challenging task. It requires time, thought, organization, and a sense of perspective. Proceeding carefully and planning well are worth all of this effort. The success of your plans will be directly proportional to the time and effort put into them. To Students: Utilize self-assessment in your selection process, work with the materials in the guidance office, and carefully evaluate what you learn. Mark the important test deadlines and take advantage of the ACT and SAT preparation workshops. Follow the timelines and guidelines for your application or entry procedure to the letter. Although you cannot be guaranteed acceptance to a particular technical college, university, military service, or job, taking an active and responsible role in the admission or entry process, seeking help when needed, and making realistic choices will certainly increase your potential for success. Sincerely, Port Washington High School Staff NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY Pursuant to Section 118.13, Stats., no student shall be discriminated against on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, parental or marital status, sexual orientation, or physical, learning, mental, or emotional disability. This policy shall apply to all areas of education including, but not limited to, admission, placement, student discipline, grading, instructional materials selection, curriculum, interscholastic and extracurricular activities, food services. The policy is intended to extend to all educational activities of the student. The School District will also take all necessary actions to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in educational programs and activities. The Superintendent shall also ensure that proper notice of nondiscrimination for Title I, Title II, Title IV, Title VI, and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Act is provided to all students, their parents, staff members, and the general public. Reference: Board Policy 2260 Nondiscrimination – Access to Equal Educational Opportunity i Contents Letter to Parents and Students ------------------------------------------------------------------ i Letter to Students----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i Nondiscrimination Policy -------------------------------------------------------------------------- i KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR PROGRESS -------------------------------------------------- 1 Port Washington High School Graduation Requirements ---------------------- 1 Academic Achievements --------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Testing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Personal Accomplishments ----------------------------------------------------------- 2 Post-High School Options ------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Self -Assessment ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 WORK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 MILITARY SERVICE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 TECHNICAL COLLEGE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Six Good Reasons to Go to a Technical College -------------------------------- 6 Visit the Wisconsin Technical College System on the Internet --------------- 6 Wisconsin Technical College Admissions ----------------------------------------- 7 Technical College Degrees and Diplomas----------------------------------------- 7 Wisconsin Technical College System----------------------------------------------- 8 MATC Programs by Career Area ---------------------------------------------------- 8 Minnesota Technical Colleges -------------------------------------------------------- 11 FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Planning for Four-Year College ------------------------------------------------------ 12 College Entrance Testing -------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Test Coaching ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 College Admissions --------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Guidelines for Admission to College ------------------------------------------------ 16 Most Difficult ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16 Very Difficult ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Moderately Difficult ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Minimally Difficult ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 32 NCAA Requirements -------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 INTERNET CONNECTIONS -------------------------------------------------------------------- 35 College Search Web Sites ------------------------------------------------------------- 35 College Information – University of Wisconsin System ------------------------- 35 College Information – Wisconsin Technical System ---------------------------- 35 Virtual Career Development ----------------------------------------------------------- 35 THE PROCESS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 College Selection ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 College Visits ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 The College Application ---------------------------------------------------------------- 39 The College Application ---------------------------------------------------------------- 39 College Application Procedures ------------------------------------------------------ 39 Transcripts --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Sending Test Score Reports ---------------------------------------------------------- 40 College Essays --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 Letters of Recommendation ----------------------------------------------------------- 41 College Interviews ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 42 College Application Checklist --------------------------------------------------------- 43 FINANCIAL AID ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 Scholarships ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 45 Sources of Scholarship and Financial Aid Information on the Internet ----- 45 OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------------- 46 REFERENCES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46 MAJOR FIELDS OF STUDY BY DISCIPLINE ---------------------------------------------- 47 GLOSSARY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 57 ii KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR PROGRESS Port Washington High School Graduation Requirements* Credits Courses Required Record your credits at the end of each semester Communications 4 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 Science 2 9 9 10 10 Mathematics 3 _______ _______ 9 9 10 10 11 11 Social Studies 3 9 9 10, 11, 12 10, 11, 12 10, 11, 12 10, 11, 12 10, 11, 12 10, 11, 12 Physical 1 ½ Education 9 10 11 Health ½ 9 **Electives 10 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 *Many colleges and universities require more academic course work for admissions; the courses listed above are the minimum credits required by Port Washington High School. **Students must earn at least ½ credit in 3 of the following areas: Fine Arts, Vocational, Foreign Language, or Computer Intensive. Academic Achievements Cumulative GPA 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 Class Rank 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 Testing EXPLORE Scores Date: English Math Reading Science Composite PLAN Scores Date: English Math Reading Science Composite WKCE Scores Date: Reading Language Math Science Social Studies PSAT Scores Date: Verbal Math Sel. Index Percentile ACT Scores Date(s): English Math Reading Science Composite Writing SAT I Scores Date(s): Critical Math Writing Reading SAT II Scores (subject tests) Date(s): Test / Score Test / Score Test / Score 1 Personal Accomplishments College, military, and job applications often ask for a listing of personal accomplishments and ways in which the applicant has positively contributed to his/her school and community. Keeping track of your activities as you do them throughout your high school years (in some cases, prior activities) ensures that you will not miss anything important that the application reviewer might consider in your favor. Date each activity's start and completion,