November Counseling Newsletter 2019
West High School Counseling Department
Information for Seniors
Don't forget the following important steps in your college application process:
- Request your transcript via Parchment.com
- Request your ACT scores from act.org
- Request your SAT scores from collegeboard.org
- Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (see below for free help session information)
Historically Black Colleges & Universities Fair
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Fair is coming back to East!
We are excited to host this 4th annual event that provides area scholars the opportunity to learn about HBCUs and all they have to offer.
This year's Fair will take place on Thursday, November 7th from 5pm-8pm in the Spec Gym and will feature:
- Nearly 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Free Application Access via the Black College Common App
- A Meet The Greeks/Step-Show including 7 predominantly Black Fraternities and Sororities
- Workshops, information and training in: Barbering/Cosmetics, the Police Force, Interviewing skills/resume building, Fire Fighting, EMT, Financial Aid & Admissions.
- Snacks/Goodie bags
- Access to local scholarships
- Opportunities to meet and engage with other local high schools and community partners including The Madison Police Department, Military Branches and American Family Insurance
- Lastly, a DJ!
West students are eligible to attend this event. If you are interested in attending and/or need transportation, contact School Counselor Jabalja Gussine at jkgussine@madison.k12.wi.us
Scholars of Promise @ Madison College
Scholars of Promise
We can help pay your college tuition!
The Scholars of Promise program provides low-income, graduating high school students an opportunity to access a college education without worrying about how to pay for it.
Program benefits include:
- Tuition Assistance: We cover tuition and fee costs that grants and scholarships do not for up to six consecutive semesters - summers excluded.
- Mentorship: Work with a mentor your first year, become a mentor your second year.
- Financial Aid Application Assistance: Dedicated support through focused application completion workshops.
- Academic Support: Academic advising and career counseling focused on SoP students.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Our newsletter helps you complete the required eight hours of service per term.
- Promise to Promise: Direct college transfer opportunities with UW-Madison's Scholars of Promise program
Experience Madison College Events
Attending Experience Madison College is a smart choice!
Learn about our college by seeing yourself on campus. Madison College hosts several Experience events that let you try college on for size. Meet instructors, participate in hands-on activities and take a campus tour focused on your interests.
Advisors, staff and instructors are available to answer your questions about applying to and starting college. Plus, all attendees get a FREE application.
All events take place on select Fridays from noon - 4 p.m.
Future students, parents/guardians and mentors are all welcome at EMC.
Register Here:
https://madisoncollege.edu/experience-madison-college
Types of classes that may be featured:
- Humanities/Fine Arts
- STEM/Health
Nov 8: Goodman South Campus
Types of programs that may be featured:
- Health
- Human Services
- IT (Information Technology)
- Industrial Maintenance
- STEM
- Education
- Liberal Arts Transfer
Nov 15: Truax Campus
Types of programs to be featured:
- Court Reporting
- Criminal Justice
- EMT
- Fire Protection
- K9 presentation
- Law Enforcement
- Paralegal
- Paramedic
- Urban Forestry
College Rep Visits @ West
If you are unable to attend a session of interest, remember that the Counseling Office maintains files on all colleges and universities that visit our school. If you would like more information on schools that have visited West, please stop in to the Counseling office to browse through the college and university files.
FAQ for Young Badgers
Teen Job Information
Check out the job board in the hall across from the Counseling Office. There are many Madison area businesses looking to hire!
Courses taken outside of MMSD
Early College STEM Academy Info
The online application for Early College STEM Academy will be available soon. The application window will be open from December 15, 2019 - January 25, 2020.
High school sophomores must meet the following criteria: Minimum 2.25 grade point average; 90% attendance rate
All students are encouraged to apply, with a special emphasis on those that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM and STEM-related fields, including females and students of color.
An informational session for interested students & parents will be held at West on
Monday, Nov. 18th from 6-7 pm in the aud.
See more info HERE
College, Career & Community Ready
West High School has a goal for all of our students to graduate with the skills and abilities to be successful within their college, career, and community. This goal was developed with feedback from more than 2500 students, teachers and community members. You can see these skills are what we call the "MMSD Graduate Vision". Families are key partners in helping students to become college, career, and community ready. See below for specific activities that your student is doing at each grade level.
Each student will maintain an e-portfolio to hold evidence of their exploration, growth, and next steps. This portfolio is housed within Xello, a post-secondary planning website. At the end of 10th and 12th grade, students will complete a Portfolio Presentation by sharing key items from this portfolio to tell their story of growth, readiness, and next steps with an adult. Specific information on 10th and 12th grade portolios will be forthcoming later this school year.
Check out https://secondary.madison.k12.wi.us/acp-resources-families for more information on ways to support your student.