Class of 2019 Senior Information
Welcome Class of 2019 Seniors and Families!
Greetings to the Class of 2019! This is the place for senior students and their parents/guardians to find the information you'll need to get to Graduation Day.
If you would like a headstart on senior year activities, here are some things you can do during the summer:
Get senior photos taken. This is not required but most seniors do submit a photo for the yearbook. Check out a yearbook to see what previous seniors have done. Senior photos and ads must be submitted in October.
Have family discussions about plans for after high school. So many choices: college (2 or 4 year), technical school, apprenticeship, workforce, military, community service, gap year.
Investigate colleges and scholarships.
- Develop a list of colleges that interest you. Visit college websites and, when possible, go visit college campuses. Gather information about academics, financial aid, and campus life.
- Begin thinking about applications. Generally colleges have applications online by the beginning of August.
- Work on the application essay(s) before returning to school in September. Check out https://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/2018-2019-common-application-essay-prompts for ideas for essay prompts.
- Make a profile on TheWashboard.org and begin searching for and applying to scholarships.
- Make a list of teachers, counselors, employers, and other adults you might ask to write your letters of recommendation. Draft a letter to give to those people. The more information you provide your recommender(s), the better they can write their letter of recommendation for you. Include accomplishments you are most proud of and why, what are you most passionate about, and your three most distinguishing or admirable qualities. Also include anything else that is not in your school files that you would like a college and/or scholarship committee to know about you. Finally, list the advanced classes (Honors, AP, Running Start, New Market) classes you took during high school.
- Register for the SAT and/or ACT if you need to take it.
- Complete the FAFSA4caster. FAFSA4caster gives you a free early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid . This information helps families plan ahead for college.
- Create a professional gmail address to use for submitting college and scholarship applications. Your OSD email address (@students.osd.wednet.edu) will go away in a year. The email address created in middle school may not be appropriate. (CoolDude47779@Hotmail.com does not give the best impression for colleges and scholarship committees!)
We'll be publishing monthly Senior Notes and distributing them to senior parents/guardians and senior students though Skyward. Last year's Senior Notes are here if you'd like to see what types of things come up every month.
Senior Notes 2017-18 School Year
Senior Notes is a monthly newsletter designed to provide information on opportunities for seniors. Most of the information will be geared to those who are planning further education after high school, and other news will be of importance to everyone. Senior Notes is published and emailed to senior students and parents/guardians about the 15th of each month.
2017-18 School Year:
Senior Notes for May 2018 HERE
Senior Notes for April 2018 HERE
Senior Notes for March 2018 HERE
Senior Notes February 2018 HERE
Senior Notes January 2018 HERE
Senior Notes Nov/Dec 2017 HERE
Senior Notes October 2017 HERE
Senior Notes September 2017 HERE
Common Application
The Common Application allows you to fill out one application and submit it to several different private colleges across the country. For the form and list of participating schools, go to
www.commonapp.org.
For the Common Application, you will use email to “invite” your counselor and teachers to upload a recommendation and secondary school report. Your counselor and teachers email address are available on the OHS website. You will need to complete the Student Information Sheet, aka “green form”, and give a copy to your counselor and teachers so they can write your letter of recommendation.
Click here for the OHS Counseling Center Letter of Recommendation (Green Sheet).
This form helps your counselor and teachers write a more personal letter of recommendation.
Washington Public Baccalaureate Colleges
Each of the public 4-year colleges in Washington State has its own application available online at the school’s website. Some of the schools have scholarships for those who apply early. Give yourself the best chance for acceptance and apply now! All of the colleges require a personal statement as part of the application.
Click on the links below for the handouts that are helpful for Senior Year.
Tips for Finding Your College Match
College Students and Parents: What You Need to Know About the 2017-2018 FAFSA (watch for the update for the 2018-19 school year)
Three Steps to a Great College Essay
College Application Essay Writing: Common "Traps" to Avoid
College Application Checklist
Checklist for Applying to a 4-year College
Click here for the Senior timeline bookmark
Click here for the senior question answers and a schedule of Career Center Workshops
Important websites for Seniors and Parents:
https://olympia.osd.wednet.edu Go to “Counseling Center” for Senior Class info. and much more!
http://www.collegeboard.org/ Order SAT scores to be sent directly to colleges.
www.fafsa.ed.gov The official website for filing FAFSA.
www.inlikeme.com College application, financial aid and scholarship info. for students and parents.
www.auto-grad Order class rings, caps & gowns and graduation announcements here.
www.thewashboard.org Scholarship search website specifically for Washington students
www.checkoutacollege.com Community college search website ~ has links to 4-year college programs too!
www.shop.jostens.com Order yearbooks, class rings and graduation announcements here.
College Admissions Testing
Most colleges will accept either the SAT or the ACT tests for admission. Information, registration, and practice tests are available online at:
SAT: www.collegeboard.org
ACT: www.actstudent.org
Pay attention to registration deadlines so you do not have to pay late fees. There will no longer be a standby option so get registered on time!
The school code for OHS is 480835.
College Admissions Interviews
Are you scheduled to interview with your college of interest? Here are some links to documents you may want to review PRIOR to your interview. If you would like to schedule an appointment PRIOR to your interviews to practice a MOCK INTERVIEW, contact Ms. Boelts in the Career Center & we are happy to help you through this process.
Interview Tips & Questions
Advice for Acing the College Interview
Accuplacer/Compass Testing - 2 year schools
Washington State 2-year Community Colleges also require testing prior to enrollment. There are different placement tests used by our Community Colleges, so check the school's website for more information. SPSCC uses the Accuplacer exams in Math and English to determine placement in college classes.
ASVAB Testing
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success. The ASVAB also provides you with career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors whether you choose to go to college, vocational school, or a military career. ASVAB is offered once a semester. Check in at the Career Center for the next test date.