Academic

• Investigate careers. Read up on jobs in sources such as Career Cruising. Talk to people in fields of work that interest you, and utilize the counseling office books and resources to see what jobs are out there.

• Develop and/or refine your four-year sequence of courses as part of your Individual Career Plan, your portfolio of future planning and preparation.

• Do your best on the PSAT 8/9 test (given in April) to help you identify strengths and weaknesses. The strengths will help you refine your future plans, and the weaknesses can be improved upon by getting extra help now.

Sophomores

• Take the most challenging and varied course load possible. Keep your study skills and attendance strong.

• Investigate whether an option such as Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) or MIT is right for you for next year.

• Take the PSAT 10 test and see where you need to improve before taking the SAT/ACT next year.

• Build your involvement in extra-curriculars and/or community groups.

• Register in May to take the PSAT NMSQT in October of your junior year

Juniors

• Take still more challenging courses along with electives that allow you a chance to explore new fields

  • Take the optional PSAT/NMSQT - register in May of your sophomore year

• Update your Individual Career Plan and check that you are meeting appropriate graduation requirements to match your goals.

• Prepare for the spring SAT by completing practice tests available at Khan Academy

• Develop a plan for college search, if appropriate. Begin making on-campus college visits or meeting with representatives when they come to MHS

• Schedule your senior year carefully. Consider options such as WACC, SVCC dual credit, MIT, and IVHS courses as a means of providing yourself necessary coursework or skills for your plans.

• Review your test scores with the high school counselor and/or college counselor. Select a college appropriate for your test scores. You want to be challenged but not overwhelmed.

Seniors: College/Technical School Bound

• Check with the counselor early to assure that you will satisfy all graduation requirements as well as the requirements for admission for your school(s) of choice. Find out your sixth-semester GPA and rank for purposes of applying.

• Create Parchment account to request transcripts to be sent to schools and employers.

• Narrow your list of schools and submit applications as soon as possible, making sure to meet all deadlines and requirements for applying.

• Make additional on-site visits to institutions. Special visit days are posted on colleges’ websites or can be found out by calling the admission offices.

• Create a filing system for correspondence from colleges or tech schools. Keep an eye on all deadlines for filing or responding to schools.

• Investigate sources of funding for college. Be sure to ask admissions counselors about their institutions’ scholarships, grants, and/or work study options.

• Keep copies of all applications and financial aid papers sent.

• As soon as possible after October 1 of your senior year, file the FAFSA (See “Financial Aid” on this website.)

• Acknowledge acceptance of any offers and keep in touch with your admissions counselor.

Seniors: Employment Bound or Undecided

• If you have not done so, take a career interest assessment. (See your Career Cruising account.)

• Get practical experience through course work – including Whiteside Area Career Center, clubs or activities, or part-time work in a field related to your interest.

• Be especially watchful for opportunities for internship or on-the-job training. From time to time the counseling office gets calls for local jobs. The military also provides training in some areas.

• Keep an open mind to post-secondary training/schooling by visiting with representatives of colleges and technical schools

BACK TO TOP