Counseling and Career Center |
The West Albany Counseling Staff is dedicated to serving the emotional, educational, and career needs of our students!
NEW! 2006-2007 WAHS PATHWAYS DOCUMENT - Handbook of course offerings and academic requirements.
Counselors Corner ~ The Counseling Department's Newletter
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| Kevin DeCoster | Casey Sheets | Coray Dykes | Dale Goodman | Jean Vian |
Student Assignments |
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Seniors |
Career Center |
College Now Credit & Dual Enrollment
High school students in Albany may enroll in some high school courses that are connected to the higher education system through Linn Benton Community College or Oregon State University. These courses offer college credit for students who meet certain requirements. Students should check with their teachers or counselors for a list of high school courses that offer college credit. Additional district information is available from the district Alternative Learning Coordinator.
West Albany High School Senior Planning Guide
Choosing A School ~ Testing Requirements ~ Who Am I? Where Am I Going ~ Where Do I Get Information ~ A Word About Money ~ Application Process
Finally, your long awaited senior year is here. This planning guide is intended to help you make choices for your life during and immediately following high school. It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the decisions that have to be made at this time.
This guide is written for all seniors, not just those planning to attend a four-year college.
You will be able to get an overview of most of the opportunities for additional education, including community colleges, trade schools and the military. If you are planning to go directly to college you will learn the time lines and procedures that will maximize your success with college admission, scholarships and financial aid.
We suggest that you read the whole guide to get an idea of the many opportunities available. Many programs overlap to some degree. LBCC has transfer programs to the universities, and a dual-enrollment program with Oregon State University. You can even get started on your college credits while still in high school. You just have to become aware of the possibilities!
During first semester, you will be invited to the Career Center for a review of your graduation credits and for an update of your future plans. At that time you’ll be offered the Scholarship Book and any other information you may need. Remember that we do not apply to colleges or to scholarship programs for you. You must take the time to educate yourself about the possibilities and procedures. We’ll help you find the
information and keep you posted about the deadlines, but you must pick up the applications, complete them, and mail them yourself or return them to the school, as specified on the application guidelines.
Our best advice to you is to plan on continuing your education somewhere. For that matter, plan on continuing your education for the rest of your life! Scary, right? Not necessarily. You don’t have to do it right away, and you don’t have to do it all at once. But hopefully, you will do it. Most employers will expect you to regularly update your skills, learn new technologies, and keep abreast of the changes in your field. Studies show that you can count on higher lifelong earnings in direct proportion to additional training taken and new skills learned.
CHOOSING A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGETable of Contents
Students intending to go to a four-year college have to plan ahead more than others do. Typically, the deadlines they have to meet come earlier in the senior year, and the requirements for admission are more restrictive. However, some community college majors have special application procedures and deadlines. Discuss your plans with the Career Advisors or your counselor for detailed information.
Typically, students who go to a four-year college directly from high school meet the following admission requirements:
* GPA of 3.0 or above (See Chart, p. 6)
(Higher for competitive colleges)
* SAT of 1000 or above (Chart, p.5)
(Higher for competitive colleges)
* College Prep English
* Math through Algebra II or higher
* Chemistry or other year-long science
* Two or more years of a second language
* Additional courses in social studies
* Computer literacy with the ability to type term papers, etc.
FOUR YEAR COLLEGES REQUIRE SAT OR ACT TESTS
Be sure that you have taken the SAT I or the ACT, or have signed up to do so very soon. If you are choosing a competitive college, you may need to take SAT II’s. The best plan is to take the SAT I as soon as possible, then the SAT II if necessary. If dissatisfied with your scores, take the SAT I again, or take the ACT instead. Registration booklets and test taking tips are available in the Counseling Center and the Career Center.
You may mail in your own applications or register on-line at www.collegeboard.com (SAT) and www.act.org (ACT). You can list four colleges you want your scores sent to. It is the same price for four as it is for one. Sending additional scores later costs more. If you need scores sent later, the directions are in the testing booklet. The November SAT is given at West Albany and at South Albany High Schools; others are given in nearby cities. However, we do give the April 1st test (registration deadline Feb. 24th) at WAHS. This year the test will be November 5th and the registration deadline is September 30th.
WHO AM I? WHERE AM I GOING?Table of Contents
Now is the time to be doing serious research about which colleges to apply to. You must consider these questions: “Can I get in?” “Can I thrive there? “Am I ready to move far away, or would I be better off nearer home for awhile?” “What do I want to study, and can I do it at that school?” And don’t forget the big one, “How much debt am I or my parents willing to take on to go to college?” Check in the Career Center and the WA Website (www.8j.net) to determine deadlines for college applications and scholarships. Ask the important people in your life for advice. Don’t wait until spring to decide to apply because the more competitive colleges often have November and December deadlines. Early application is a plus. Teacher recommendations, as well as thought provoking essays, are usually required. These take time to develop. The Career Center advisors and your counselor will be glad to help you with your application and essays. Your counselor will also write letters of recommendation for you. To do that, we will need a resume of your activities, interests, and future plans (allow at least 2 weeks). A request form is available in the Counseling Office. If you ask your teachers to write letters of recommendation, be sure to give them a resume, a stamped envelope, and at least 2 weeks for the letters to be written.
HOW DO I LEARN THIS STUFF?Table of Contents
You and your parents are welcome to come to the Career Center, either during the school day or in the evenings (check school calendar to determine day and times). The CIS software offers you a way to easily compare college programs, costs, and opportunities. You can also come in to do research on the computers, or to read the college guides and the individual college bulletins. Materials may be checked out for a short time, but please remember to return them so others may use them. There is also an incredible amount of college information available on the Internet.
Visitations by college representatives are an excellent way to get specific information about programs and scholarships. Visitations are scheduled throughout the fall. The schedule is posted outside the Counseling Center and in the Career Center as well as read in the morning announcements. If you wish to be excused from class to attend a college visit, you will need to sign up in the Career Center. A pass will be sent to you.
A WORD ABOUT MONEY Table of Contents
Even the application process for college is expensive. If money is a problem, apply to fewer colleges, and apply to those you have a better than average chance of entering. You can read the “freshman class profile” in the college guides for every college. Make sure you fit the profile it is an indicator of a possible match.
Write or visit the colleges and ask about the possibilities for scholarships, loans and work-study. Some colleges have more money for financial aid than others do. The way to find out is to ask. Sometimes colleges have scholarships specifically for students with particularly high SAT scores. If you come close the first time, you might try retesting to see if you can score high enough to qualify.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS: DID I GET IN? NOW WHAT DO I DO?
We generally encourage you to apply to two or three colleges and then wait until spring to decide, after you have compared actual costs and after you have visited the schools. The customary plan is to apply for financial aid as soon as possible after January 1. This is usually done by filling out the FAFSA form. A few weeks later you will receive notice of your qualification (or not) for government grants or loans. This information goes directly to the colleges at the same time. Usually by April 1, you will receive a financial aid package from the college, explaining the cost, the college’s plan to meet that cost, and the amount you will be expected to pay yourself. You are expected to make a decision by May 15, accept one offer, and notify all other schools you are declining their offers. A great website for financial aid is www.finaid.org.
There are also College Fairs scheduled in Portland and Seattle (www.nacac.com). It is worth your time to take a day off from school to attend.
Oregon Convention Center
Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005 1PM – 5 PM
Monday, Oct.10, 2005 9 AM – 12 PM
Portland State University
Monday, October 24, 2005 7-9 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2005
Oregon Convention Center
Visitations are scheduled at West Albany for the Oregon University System and for Linn-Benton Community College on October 26, 2005 , at 9:00 am . In December there will be a Financial Aid Workshop at LBCC that should not be missed. WAHS College Night will be October 4, 2004 at 7:00 pm .
Post High School School Choices
OREGON PRIVATE FOUR YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Oregon Independent Colleges and Universities (www.oicanet.org)
| Concordia University | Portland |
| George Fox University | Newberg |
| Lewis & Clark College | Portland |
| Linfield College | McMinnville |
| Marylhurst University | Marylhurst |
| Multnomah Bible College | Portland |
| Northwest Christian College | Eugene |
| Pacific NW College of Art | Portland |
| Pacific University | Forest Grove |
| Reed College | Portland |
| University of Portland | Portland |
| Warner Pacific College | Portland |
| Corban College | Salem |
| Western States Chiropractic College | Salem |
| Willamette University | Salem |
Out of State Colleges
Information can be found in the Career Center. Consult the college guides, college catalogs, video library, and CIS National School File. You’ll probably have to write for applications. Allow time for replies from out of state schools.
Community Colleges Table of Contents
More and more of our students are deciding to start at a Community College. The entrance requirements are easier, the costs are remarkably less, and the adjustment to college life is often easier. Many students have reported that they felt less “lost” than their friends who went to large universities.
If this sounds like a plan for you, check out the programs and possibilities offered at LBCC. Their representative will be at West in the fall (Oct. 26th), but you can go out and talk with the friendly people in the admissions office any time.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACTS
Entrance requirements for Community College includes attending orientation and taking placement tests, not the SAT. Some of the more competitive programs require separate deadlines. This information is in the Career Center, as well as at the college.
Oregon is fortunate to have a very good Community College System. A brochure in the Career Center explains the unique programs available at the different colleges.
OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGES Table of Contents
| Blue Mountain | Pendleton |
| Central Oregon | Bend |
| Chemeketa | Salem |
| Clackamas | Oregon City |
| Clatsop | Astoria |
| Columbia Gorge | The Dalles |
| Klamath | Klamath Falls |
| Lane | Eugene |
| Linn-Benton | Albany |
| Mount Hood | Gresham |
| Oregon Coast | Newport |
| Portland | Portland |
| Rogue | Grants Pass |
| Southwestern Oregon | Coos Bay |
| Tillamook Bay | Bay City |
| Treasure Valley | Ontario |
| Umpqua | Roseburg |
OREGON FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Oregon University System Schools
| Eastern Oregon University | La Grande |
| Oregon Health Sciences U. | Portland |
| Ore. Institute of Technology | Portland |
| Oregon State University | Corvallis |
| Portland State University | Portland |
| Southern Oregon University | Ashland |
| University of Oregon | Eugene |
| Western Oregon University | Monmouth |
HOW CAN I REQUEST COLLEGE INFORMATION?
If you need information about a college that you cannot find in the Career Center, write, call or get on-line. Below is a sample letter. Current contact persons are listed in the CIS School File and College Handbook.
Downlaod this form letter
(This is a Microsoft Word File, not a PDF. You can open this file in word and edit it.)
Date Name of the Admissions Officer Dear _________: I am currently a senior at West Albany High School and I am interested in enrolling at ___________ beginning Fall 2006. Please send me the application materials and any other information you have for prospective students. I need information on scholarships and student housing. I am particularly interested in the ____________ program. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, |
*If you have a high GPA, high SAT scores, or exceptional talent, it may be helpful to mention it briefly in this letter.
Being on campus for a few days during the summer will enhance your opportunities for a successful experience in the fall.
SERVICE ACADEMIES AND ROTC PROGRAMS
These are some of the most competitive programs in the nation. Before you even consider applying, be sure you fit the profile.
- A strong academic record, very high GPA, very demanding course work
- Very high SAT scores of 1200 or more
- Excellent health, high energy, fitness
- Involvement in school activities, sports, and community service
- The ability to conform to discipline and function well under pressure
- A desire to be a commissioned officer in the United States Military for six years
Application to the Service Academies should begin in the junior year. Students must request a Pre-Candidate Questionnaire from the branch of the service you are interested in. Then you must request a “Congressional Nomination” from your senators and congressmen. If interested be sure to contact your counselor immediately.
ROTC Table of Contents
The Reserve Officer Training Corps is a program that offers scholarships at selected institutions throughout the United States. In exchange for summer service and weekly classes, you will receive free tuition, books and a stipend to attend college. When you graduate, you will receive a commission as an officer and be expected to serve on active duty in the military for five years minimum.
The majority of ROTC scholarships are awarded to students majoring in engineering, science, mathematics and nursing. If interested, check with your counselor immediately. The application process is lengthy and demanding.
NOTE: Make sure that each branch of the military ROTC or Service Academy to which you are applying receives your SAT I scores. Their program numbers are listed in the back of the SAT I registration form.
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION-
HOW CAN I GET MONEY FOR COLLEGE?!
Some Basic Truths:
Students should apply for financial aid, even if they think they aren’t eligible. Some scholarships that are based on merit will not be awarded without the FAFSA on file. Family income is not the only factor used to determine how much a family can afford. Family size, expenses, ages of parents and number of siblings in college can all affect the amount of the family contribution.
Students should not eliminate any college from consideration based on costs alone. Some colleges have better means of helping students meet those costs.
Colleges expect both students and parents to contribute toward college costs.
Financial aid is awarded by institutions and private programs, not by West Albany or by the government. The FAFSA provides information to the college, which then determines the amount and kind of aid to be offered.
The college that offers the most aid may not be the best for you.
As a general rule, private colleges cost more but have more money for scholarships. State colleges are cheaper but the scholarships available are very competitive.
Most financial aid is still awarded on the basis of need.
Warning:
Keep good records. Find your tax information from 2005 and 2006. You and your parents need it.
Keep copies of everything you send to colleges. You will want to refer to it.
Attend the Financial Aid Workshop in December with your parents.
Mail your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. Money is awarded on a first come, first served basis. It is OK to estimate the income figure from 2005 tax forms. You will be given an opportunity to revise at a later date.
Remember that the family contribution remains essentially the same with each college. Compare financial aid packages to determine the best “deal” for you.
If you “fall in love” with a college, it’s probably in your best interest to seek a way to get the funds to go there. If you didn’t get a good enough package the first time, you can request a better deal from the Financial Aid Office…they sometimes will improve the package. Parent loans are low-interest and easy to get. Older relatives may feel generous. I know that students who do well the first year of college often find that the universities will be generous the following years just to keep them. This whole thing takes lots of faith!
APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPSTable of Contents
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between Scholarships and Financial Aid. The term “financial aid” includes all the grants, loans, institutional money and work study that come to the student through the FAFSA, which are awarded by the college and which are listed on the Financial Aid Award letter sent to you from the college.
“Scholarships” are those which must be applied for by name by the student. Scholarships are awarded annually from the State of Oregon, from private industry, from service organizations and from individuals. Some scholarships are awarded by colleges on the basis of high SAT I scores or outstanding grades and ability. Most scholarships are listed in the Career Center . We get updates when these scholarships become available. As they come in, scholarships are posted as “active” in the Career Center and are listed in the daily announcements. Students are expected to come in promptly to get the application, to complete it and submit it before the deadline. Look for ones that reward students for things you are good at: music, art, mechanical ability, or which are for the children of your parents’ employers or service organizations. Check the Career Center regularly to see which ones are ready for application. Also check the West Albany website for this information.
If you need recommendations from teachers/ counselors, be sure to give us a resume, a stamped envelope, directions for mailing, and at least two weeks to complete.
Additional information is available from the CIS program called AIDSORT. This program is updated annually. You can find out about hundreds of different scholarships in the Career Center. The Internet also has many scholarship search sources. Ask for a list.
Seniors are sometimes sent very convincing letters guaranteeing scholarships for a fee of $50 to $100. The CIS has the same information these “experts” use. A few hours spent in the Career Center yourself could save you a lot of money!
To Summarize:
Remember, scholarships are not just for the best student.
Listen for the announcements, check the bulletin board and the school website.
Ask for the application and sign the scholarship folder in D-3 to show you took an application.
Fill out the form neatly and proofread carefully (pretty paperwork pays!)
Provide recommendations if required.
Make a copy of everything you send.
Mail or return well before the deadline.
SIX SIGNS A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SERVICE MAY BE A SCAM
- “This scholarship is guaranteed, or your money back.” No one can guarantee that they’ll get you a grant or scholarship. Refund guarantees often have conditions or strings attached. Get refund policies in writing before you pay.
- “You can’t get this information anywhere else.” There are free lists of scholarships available.
- “May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship?” Don’t give out your credit card or bank account number on the phone without getting information in writing first. It may be a set up for an unauthorized withdrawal from your account.
- “We’ll do all the work.” Don’t be fooled. There is no way around it. You must apply for scholarships and grants yourself.
- “The scholarship will cost some money.” Don’t pay anyone who claims to be “holding” a scholarship or grant for you. Free money shouldn’t cost a thing.
- “You’ve been selected” by a “national foundation” to receive a scholarship, or “You’re a finalist” in a contest that you never entered. Before you send money to apply for a scholarship, check it out. Make sure the foundation or program is legitimate.
To find out how to spot, stop and report a scholarship scam, contact www.fraud.org.
Scholarship Success: 10 Tips Table of Contents
Tip 1: The FAFSA
Finish and File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as soon after January 1 as possible. This very important federal form is used to determine eligibility for loans as well as grants and scholarships; we urge all families to complete it, regardless of their income. Copies are available by December. The FAFSA is free online: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
Mail it in January or February to avoid the risk of not being processed in time for some scholarships. Use estimated tax information if necessary – applicants can revise it later.
Tip 2: Activities Chart (*OSAC)
*Though required for all OSAC awards, it is helpful to do this early in September as a tool for all scholarship applications.
Applicants should pay close attention to creating an Activities Chart. Treat it like a job resume – it has a similar purpose! Selection committees want to see how the applicant is interacting with the world.
Oregon Student Assistance Commission requires the Activities Chart design. It should be kept to one page – summarize activities in ways that avoid duplication.
Brainstorm with friends/parents all activities from the last four years – school activities, service in the community, volunteer help as part of a group (like scouting or 4-H), a school or church project, a family event, etc. Avoid acronyms.
Prioritize the list and arrange it in the required format.
Write dates and time spent in each activity.
Describe briefly what was done, pinpointing activities like organizing, leadership, decision-making, or special recognitions.
List jobs you’ve held, paid or volunteer.
For each activity or job, use the “Special Accomplishments” column to describe responsibilities and specific leadership or decision-making roles.
Tip 3: Essays
All material should be typed or printed neatly and dark enough for photocopying. Use standard type sizes and line spacing – don’t crowd words on the page. Every statement should be purposeful. Cute doesn’t cut it. Reveal what is unique about you!
Tip 4: Transcripts
Before sending any “official” transcripts, order one for yourself and make your own copy for future reference.
Tip 5: Recommendations
Usually those persons you know best can write the best recommendations for you. Choose carefully. Use a form from the Counseling Office and attach a resume. Give a specific date for completion (at least 2 weeks after the request). Check back a few days before you need it.
Tip 6: Double Check Everything!
Check all instructions to be sure you have followed them exactly.
Neatness counts. Use spell check.
Proofread all written materials.
Keep a copy of each application.
Tip 7: Mail it Before the Deadline
“The earlier the better” is good advice. Don’t procrastinate! Not meeting the deadline will eliminate your chances.
Tip 8: SAT Scores
SAT scores may not be required for community colleges, but a student without SAT or ACT scores is not as competitive when applying for scholarships.
Tip 9: Avoid SCAMS
Don’t pay for something that is free. Many students pay for scholarship search services when the same information is available at no cost through the Internet.
Tip 10: It Takes Time!
Think of your scholarship search as an extra senior class – that is about how much time it takes to do an effective job. But the results can be very rewarding.
You just may not be ready. Or you may be ready for something else? THAT IS OK!
Keep this book in case you change your mind. Read page one about lifelong learning. Remember to place yourself in a position to learn skills. It is the skilled worker who gets the job, the raise, and the job security!
Other paths to walk:
ON-THE -JOB TRAINING
MILITARY ENLISTMENT
TRADE SCHOOLS
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
A few thoughts on each:
On-the-Job Training: Your greatest gift from your present job, other than a paycheck, is a good recommendation for your next job. Do whatever you do well. Try to work for honorable people who can teach you lessons about life, as well as work.
Military: The military offers great training while you are on active duty. Many of the skills you learn are directly transferable to continue your education after your service time is up.
You’ll have to earn a high school diploma before you can join the military. GED’s are rarely accepted. You’ll have to conform to rules and take orders to be successful. Military recruiters are on campus regularly.
Take the ASVAB before you sign. Your options are a lot nicer if you score well. Also, get any agreements promised by recruiters on paper. Ask lots of questions before you sign, not after. Keep a copy of everything you sign. Be sure to involve your parents.
Trade Schools: Trade schools are just the thing for some occupational training that is not offered elsewhere, such as beauty school and truck driving school. Their strength is that they can get you on the job quickly. The training is fast and efficient, but it is expensive. Also the training is usually not transferable to a college or university, if you later decide to get your degree.
If you cannot get financial aid for the trade school you are considering, it may not have a good reputation. Even if you can get aid, remember, you may be signing up for loans that will take years to pay back. Check with the community colleges to see if you can get similar training there. Chances are you can, and it will be cheaper, with better financial aid. Compare programs and costs.
Apprenticeship Training: Sadly, the state funded apprenticeship training program is hard to get into and generally attracts workers who have already had several years of on-the-job training. You can sometimes get pre-apprenticeship training through the Job Corps or through Community Services Consortium.
Apprenticeship training lets you work while you learn. The employer teaches the apprentice on the job. The apprentice agrees to attend 144 hours of classes per year beyond the job. Most programs last about three years. Pay is generally half of the wages earned by a fully trained craftsperson, but it increases with experience.
You can get additional information about apprenticeships from the following offices:
Oregon Bureau of Labor in Salem
503-378-3292
Bureau of Labor & Industries in Eugene
541-686-7623
| Financial Aid Page | |
| Comprehensive information on scholarships and financial aid, with lots of links. | |
| Financial Aid Resource Center | |
| Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) | |
| An alternative: the FAFSA Express may be downloaded, allowing the application to be completed via a personal computer. NOTE: If the paper application is submitted, the electronic version should not be filed (and vice versa). | |
| Scholarship Search Engines, Database | College Board (ExPAN) Scholarship Search – free |
| CollegeNet Mach 25 – free search (& creates letters to apply for scholarships) | |
| FASTaid Scholarship Search – on-line scholarship database | |
| FastWeb: | |
| U.S. Department of Education | Home Page |
Other Government Web Resources |
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| College Opport-unities On-Line | |
| Listing of over 9,000 colleges with information on actual college costs, location, programs and degree offerings. | |
| Federal School Codes | |
| Financial Aid for Students | |
| FREE – Federal Resources for Education Excellence | |
| Guide to Defaulted Student Loans | |
| On-line Entrance Counseling Session |
|
| To ensure that students understand the responsibility of receiving and paying back loans. The federal government requires them to participate in loan counseling prior to receiving a Federal Direct Loan. | |
| The Student Guide to Financial Aid | |
| This site has the latest information about financial aid for postsecondary education. The Student Guide tells you about the programs and how to apply for them. | |
| College Info Night | October 4, Monday 7:00 PM Cafeteria |
| End of Six Weeks | October 13, Thursday |
| OUS State System Visit | October 20, Thursday 9:00 AM Cafeteria |
| Parent Conferences | October 27-28, Thurs. & Fri. |
| SAT I Test | November 5, Saturday 8:00 AM WAHS |
| End of Twelve Weeks | December 1, Tuesday |
| Financial Aid Workshop | (TBA) |
| Job Fair | December 13, Tuesday 9:00 AM-12 |
| End of Semester 1 | January 26, Thursday |
| End of Six Weeks | March 9, Thursday |
| Career Day | (TBA) |
| End of Twelve Weeks | April 27, Thursday |
| Senior Awards Evening | June 5, Tuesday 7:00 PM LBCC |
| Last day for Seniors/ Graduation Practice | June 6 Wednesday |
| Graduation | June 7, Thursday 8:00 PM WAHS |