Freshmen
Get involved. Make the effort to get involved with groups, clubs, or teams that interest you.
Know your graduation requirements. This will help make sure you have direction in what courses to take and also make sure that you graduate on time.
Make the grade. Get off to a good start with your grades. They will impact your GPA and class rank.
Explore your interests and possible careers. Discuss your skills and interests with your friends, parents, teachers, counselor, principal, etc.
Sophomores
Begin learning about the college admissions process. Get familiar with general college entrance requirements and take classes that challenge you. Colleges/universities like to see rigor in high school schedules.
Stay on track with your courses. Know your graduation requirements and make sure you are enrolled in courses that challenge you and will help prepare you for a college/university and/or your career.
Keep your grades up. Remain focused on doing well in your courses. Read books, practice writing, improve math skills.
Contact colleges/universities/programs that interest you. Contact schools or other opportunities of interest and ask for more information about their academic requirements and any programs or activities that you are interested in. Visit college/university websites and start thinking about college visits.
Juniors
Make a college list. Include colleges that meet your most important criteria (ex. size, location, cost, academic majors or special programs). Weigh each factor and develop a preliminary ranking of the schools on your list.
Take the ACT or SAT It is recommended for students planning to apply to a four year college to take a standardized test (ACT or SAT) at least twice during their junior year. All Lake Mills High School juniors take the ACT at the end of February as part of the state testing requirements. This score can be sent to colleges and universities.
Learn about financial aid. Examine your family's financial resources and gather information about financial aid from the schools of interest.
Visit colleges. Visit the campuses of your top three to five college choices. Call the admissions office to set up a tour and a meeting with a professor or coach if you're interested. Most campuses have tours on weekdays and sometimes on Saturdays. Many campuses also schedule special preview days for visiting and meeting with academic advisors.
Try to job shadow. Think about occupations you would like to job shadow. Ask your parents, friends or Mrs. Sweeney if they know of anyone to job shadow.
Start working on application essays. Compose rough drafts of the essays you will need for your college/university applications. These also help with scholarship applications. Have a teacher/Mrs. Sweeney read and discuss them with you. Make revisions. Proof read many times.
Contact your recommendation writers. Ask people who know you well and will have positive things to say. Make sure to give letter writers plenty of time. It is best to tell your letter writers at the end of junior year so they have time to complete it. That way you are ready to begin applying to schools and scholarships at the beginning of senior year.
Seniors
Continue to research and visit colleges. Fall is a great time to look at colleges because classes are in session. You will have the chance to meet and talk with students and professors.
Create a list or calendar that includes:
- Tests you'll take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines.
- College application due dates.
- Financial aid application forms required and their deadlines.
- Other materials you'll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.)
- Your high school's own application processing deadlines.
- If you have not had your test scores sent to the college to which you are applying, be sure to contact the guidance office and/or ACT or SAT to have your scores sent.
Stay on track with your grades. Colleges will look at what you've done your senior year, so stay focused on doing well and maintaining a commitment to activities.
Take the ACT &/or SAT. Register for and take these tests for the final time. Do practice tests and study.
Complete college applications (online is preferred by most schools). Finish application forms for the colleges/universities you're interested in. Be sure to proof read your applications and make extra copies before you send them. Make sure you include all the necessary documents. You must request your transcript to be sent to schools you apply to. Transcript request forms are available online or at the information station outside the office.
University of Wisconsin System - www.apply.wisconsin.edu
Wisconsin Private Colleges - www.waicu.org
Wisconsin Technical Colleges - www.witechcolleges.org
Apply for scholarship opportunities. Search for and apply for scholarships. There are alot of scholarships out there; you just need to spend a little time and effort to find them. The Lake Mills Local Scholarship application becomes available in early-mid Feb. and is due the beginning of April.
Complete FAFSA. Fill out the FAFSA as soon AFTER October 1 as possible. The FAFSA is the main avenue for federal and state financial aid. It will determine how much you're expected to pay to attend college. Attend the financial aid planning meeting in October.
Complete enrollment paperwork for the college you will attend. Once you accept an offer, you should receive information from the college about course scheduling, orientation sessions, housing arrangements, and other necessary forms. Be sure to complete all required paperwork by the appropriate deadlines.
*Utilize your resources - including teachers, parents, counselor, principal, and others - to make sure you are on track for life after graduation. Be sure to ask questions and keep the lines of communication open.
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