Class of 2023

Hello Class of 2023! Congratulations, you are all now Seniors! Becoming a Senior means that you need to start thinking about your future possibilities. Do your future plans include college, military, traveling, working or volunteering? No matter what your future plans hold, summer is a great time to begin researching the possibilities!

College is one of those possibilities many RHS students pursue after graduation. Students need to start thinking “Where do I want to go?”, “What do I want to major in?”, “What are my career interests?”, and “How much will it cost?”

These questions can be overwhelming when students return for Senior year of high school. Students can reduce that stress if they begin researching and investigating options the summer before Senior year begins.

This newsletter provides you with information that can assist you in the process. Please make sure to read through the entire newsletter! The information and details can help you be better prepared and make an educated decision for your future.

If you have any questions, please email me at schneider.tammy@westada.org. I look forward to working with all of you during your Senior year! Take care and have an amazing summer!

Tammy Schneider

RHS College Career Counselor

Students should begin researching colleges by major, location, and cost!

1. Research colleges

• SCOIR
• Next Steps Idaho
  
• Higher Education in Idaho
• Big Future - College Board
  
• Princeton Review College Search

2. Narrow your college search down to 3-6 colleges.

• 1-2 “Dream” Schools
• 1-2 “Within Reach” Schools
• 1-2 “Safe” Schools (Pick at least one Idaho College!)

3. Visit College Campuses

• In Person tours - check the college website to see if they are allowing in person tours. (Check for fly-in programs. Some colleges will pay travel for prospective students to visit the campus.)
• Virtual tours – if you are unable to attend an in person visit, check out the virtual tour on the college website.
• Check for fall college campus events. Sign up through the college to receive informational emails!

4. Start a list/spreadsheet for each college.

• What is the application deadline for the college?
• What kind of application does the college use? (Common App, Coalition, University Application, Apply Idaho)
• What are the admission and/or application requirements? (Test scores, Letter of Recommendations, Application Fee, Essays, etc.)

Students should research career possibilities and personal interests to assist them with future planning.

1. SCOIR

• You Science Career Assessment

2. Next Steps Idaho

• Interest Profiler
• Future Finder
  

• Idaho Launch
  

2. Idaho Department of Labor

• JobScape

Students interested in a possible military future should research their options.

1. What Military branch is right for you?

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marines
• Navy

2. Military Careers

• Next Steps Idaho

3. Meet with a recruiter to discuss future possibilities

• Contact Mrs. Schneider for Military Recruiter contact information
  
• Contact Military Recruiting Office directly for an appointment

4. ROTC Programs or Scholarships

• Does the Military branch offer ROTC Programs and/or Scholarships to the college you are interested in attending?
• Check college websites for ROTC opportunities!

Students interested in Military Academies should research the application process as soon as possible. The Military Academies application process is extensive and requires a congressional nomination.

SCOIR is a resource that West Ada School District students can use to assist them with College and Career Exploration. SCOIR helps students with:

• College Research

• College Visits

• Finding A College Fit

• Sending High School Transcripts

• Managing College Applications

• YouScience Assessment - Finding a Career

How to Access Scoir:

• Go to www.westada.org
• Click on Web Apps

• Login to Rapid Identity with school login

• Click on Clever App

• Log In with Active Directory

• Click on SCOIR

How to Use Scoir

How to Build Your Profile

Requesting Transcripts

• Any school moved to your "applied" column on the far right, or added to your applied column by clicking "add college" at the top of the "applied" column, will have a transcript sent to it.

Financial Aid information can be overwhelming. What type of financial aid is available? When do you file the FAFSA? What are student loans? Where do I find scholarship information? All of these questions and more can be answered by watching the following video:

• Financial Aid Basics

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed if a student is interested in receiving possible financial assistance while attending college. Financial Aid can include grants, loans, work study, and scholarships.

The FAFSA is available to complete starting October 1st of Senior year. Students are encouraged to have parents complete it no later than holiday break (December/January) of Senior year.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Seniors interested in scholarships should begin researching possibilities. Start making a list of scholarships, including criteria and deadlines, so you will be ready to apply during Senior year.

Types of Scholarships to Research:

College Scholarships

• Check college website for scholarship opportunities available to incoming students!

Regional/Idaho Scholarships

• Next Steps Idaho
• Idaho State Board of Education

Additional Regional/Idaho Scholarship websites can be found on the RHS Counseling website.

National Scholarships

• Big Future by College Board
  
• FastWeb
• Going Merry
• Unigo

Additional National Scholarship websites can be found on the RHS Counseling website.

RHS Website

Check out RHS website for ADDITIONAL scholarship information, resources, and websites.

During Senior year, LOCAL scholarship opportunities are updated weekly on the website from December through April!

Many colleges and universities are now test optional or test blind, which means they no longer require College Entrance Exams (SAT or ACT) for admissions.

Students are encouraged to research college requirements for College Entrance Exams for admission and/or college scholarships.

If the student decides they need to retake the SAT or take the ACT, it is recommended to sign up for the summer and/or fall test dates in order to meet college deadlines.

The Class of 2022 took the SAT on April 13. Students should have received notification to view scores from College Board in May.

SAT

ACT

SAT test scores are uploaded onto high school transcripts. Students wishing to have those test scores removed from transcript must submit a required form. Please email Mrs. Schneider at schneider.tammy@westada.org for the form and further information.

Seniors are encouraged to create/update their academic/achievement resume over the summer! Need help creating a resume? SCOIR provides a resume builder. Click HERE for further information!

If a college or scholarship requires a letter of recommendation, students will need to provide teachers and/or counselors a resume when requesting a letter.

Students are encouraged to research the college's application requirements to see if a Letter of Recommendation is required!

Senior AA students are encouraged to review their Fast Forward balance by logging into their account on the state’s website (https://advancedops.sde.idaho.gov/). Students can view their remaining balance by clicking on course submissions once they are logged into their account.

Seniors who are pursuing the AA degree WILL deplete their Fast Forward funds and be required to pay fees for dual college credits this upcoming school year.

Fast Forward funds only pay for 55 college credits. The AA requires a minimum of 60 credits. Therefore, students will be financially responsible for a minimum of $375.

The cost a student will be responsible to pay will depend on total college credits a student takes.

For example:

• 60 credits = $375
• 65 credits = $750
• 70 credits = $1125

It is highly recommended that seniors and parents check Fast Forward balances, and discuss the credits they are enrolling in during Senior year to plan accordingly.

If you have questions regarding what college classes you must take your senior year for the AA degree, please make an appointment with Dana Gaudet at ISU.

AA students should have met with Dana during second semester of Junior year to review college credits. Students will also be required to meet with Dana again during first semester of Senior year.

If you have questions or need to meet with Dana, you can do so by making an appointment at https://danagaudet.youcanbook.me/.