MAKE YOUR SENIOR YEAR COUNT!
Seniors have worked hard for years, taking tests, completing projects, and preparing for college admission. Some students tend to approach their senior year by limiting their focus to the college application process, rather than pursuing additional opportunities for academic growth and achievement.
The lack of academic focus can jeopardize your chances for success in college. This can also affect grades - and college admissions officers pay close attention to your senior year performance.
Senior-Year Grades and College Admission
Many students mistakenly believe that preparing for college ends after the eleventh grade. However, the senior year—the entire senior year—is actually of particular interest to colleges.
Applying
Many college applications (including the Common Application) require you to list your senior courses, including information about course levels and credit hours. It will be apparent to the admissions officers if you have decided to “take the year off.” Many colleges also include, as part of the application, a form called the mid-year grade report. Your school counselor completes this form with the first semester grades and sends it to the colleges to which you have applied.
Acceptance
Many college acceptance letters include warnings to students such as “Your admission is contingent upon your continued successful performance.” This means colleges reserve the right to deny you admission should your senior year grades drop.
Maintain a Challenging Course Load
You should take the most rigorous courses available. As appropriate, consider AP courses, which can also earn you credit at many colleges.
Stay Active and Involved
Your continued involvement in activities, sports, volunteer work, etc., will help you stay active and focused throughout your final year. A great internship or career-focused job opportunity can help motivate you to start considering your career options. Meaningful and significant experiences will help prepare you to make informed decisions about your education and career goals.
Experience College Early
If you are interested in pursuing a subject further, and have excelled at your high school classes so far, consider taking a class at a local college. This challenge can help you avoid sliding into an academic slump, and stimulate your interest in the possibilities of college.
Students, We’ve Got Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions
How should I use the Course Offering Book and Planning Guide?
The Course Offering Book and Planning Guide can be used to support your academic decision making. Please use this publication when you consider your Four-Year Academic Plan and make course selections each year. You can also use this publication as a reference when you seek information about academic processes and procedures. A link to the Course Offering Book can be found on the High Schools’ websites.
Many of the processes explained in the Course Offering Book and Planning Guide require me to complete a form. Where do I find the forms?
You can request forms through the College and Career Readiness Office. Just ask your school counselor or a member of the College and Career Readiness support staff for help.
I know that standardized testing is an important part of preparing for what I want to do after high school. How do I find out about standardized tests and where do I sign up for them?
Come to the College and Career Readiness Office and your counselor will help you. ACT, SAT, and PSAT booklets and student information are available in the College and Career Readiness Office. Your counselor can help you make decisions about these tests.
The Course Offering Book and Planning Guide includes general explanations of the standardized tests that are available to you. Also, there are websites that provide a great deal of information as well as test-taking tips and practice test items. To learn more about the SAT, consult www.collegeboard.com. You can find information about ACT at www.actstudent.org.
How do I get information about summer school?
Summer school information becomes available after spring break. Look and listen for summer school announcements. Summer school information will be available in the College and Career Readiness Office as well as online. Questions about summer school should be directed to the College and Career Readiness Office.
Several forms have asked for my school code. What is my school code?
St. Charles East High School’s school code is 143-795. St. Charles North High School’s school code is 143-796.
I see the FAFSA form mentioned a couple of times when I look at college planning materials. What is the FAFSA?
The Federal Student Aid worksheet explains it this way, “You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student financial aid and to apply for most state and college aid.” If you are a senior, it is best that you complete this requirement early. FAFSA opens October 1. You will need to use information from your most recently completed tax return. You can file at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
I am an athlete and hope to participate at the collegiate level in a Division I or Division II college/university. What are the NCAA requirements?
It is essential that student-athletes use the NCAA website to monitor individual progress toward meeting the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements for eligibility. It is the student’s responsibility to comply with core course and eligibility requirements in order to participate in Division I or Division II collegiate athletics. Visit the website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
What should I do if I am struggling in any of my classes?
Start by seeing your classroom teacher. As a student, it is your right and responsibility to initiate a conversation with your teacher to develop a plan to learn all necessary concepts and/or complete any outstanding assignments or projects. Open communication between student and teacher is essential when there is any lack of understanding of academic concepts. If you need help with contacting your teacher, your counselor can help facilitate that for you.
How do I arrange to see my school counselor?
Please come to the College and Career Readiness Office; one of the support staff can help you with arranging an appointment.
Are school counselors available in the summer?
School counselors are available on a rotating basis during the summer. Please contact the Office of College and Career Readiness for available hours; appointments are recommended.
What if I need to change my schedule for next year?
After the deadline date for changes to the Course Verification Form, counselors do not make schedule changes. Material Pick-up Days prior to the opening of school will be your opportunity to make changes to your course selections.
What is a Course Verification Form?
After registering for your classes, we will mail a list of the courses you have chosen. You and your parents MUST review this list carefully. The list represents the courses you have chosen and will be enrolled in the next school year. If you want to change any of the courses on the list, you must notify your school counselor before the deadline.
Who should I see to get my automobile insurance form signed?
The Registrar signs car insurance forms.
How do I get a work permit?
If you are under 16 and have a job lined up, you need a work permit. The work permit is for the employer and its purpose is to demonstrate they are not violating the child labor laws. Work permits are available in the Main Office.
If I have a doctor or dentist appointment during the school day, what should I do?
Your parent/guardian needs to either call the attendance office or provide a note. Either way, the Attendance Office will need to know (generally) why and when you will be leaving the building. You must sign out in the Attendance Office when you leave the building. When you sign out, you will be given a pass to leave. When you return to the building, you must go back to the Attendance Office and sign in.