Guidelines
Chi-Hi Student Services Department - January 2020
Juniors - ACT Practice Sign Up
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Practice ACT!
Sign up will close at 4:00 on Friday, January 24th.
Course Scheduling
Sophomore Conferences - Schedule Yours Today!
As students complete their sophomore year and look forward to their junior and senior years, career exploration and planning is vital. Depending upon what road your son or daughter plans to take: college, technical college, military or the world of work, now is the time to start planning.
Schedule your sophomore conference today! (Look for the appointment slots labeled Sophomore Conference)
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Juniors - What's Your Plan?
This is a good time for juniors to continue to think about what they want to do after high school. There are a number of options including 4 year colleges/universities, 2 year colleges, technical colleges, special training programs, military service, or entering the workforce. Invest the time to think, gather information, weigh choices, and make early plans. It can sometimes feel so overwhelming that students avoid the whole topic. Don’t let it stress you out! Each option has its strengths and weaknesses so be honest with yourself as you go through this process.
Have you considered going to a UW Two-Year College?
Wisconsin has 13 two-year colleges which are now branch campuses to the four-year institutions. UW-Barron County is closest in proximity and is a branch campus of UW-Eau Claire. Students might begin at a two-year branch campus for many different reasons: class sizes are smaller, academic help and support is readily available, and tuition costs less. They also offer a guaranteed transfer program which means that if a student maintains a 2.0 or higher GPA, they are guaranteed acceptance at a UW four-year campus (UW-Madison requires a 2.8). Many of the UW Colleges offer athletics, music, and drama activities. They do not typically offer on-campus housing, though there is rental housing available in Rice Lake that serves students at UW-Barron County and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. UW-Colleges require an ACT score, though they don’t weigh the score in admission decisions. The primary criteria is that students have a class rank in the top 75% of their class. For more information visit: www.uwc.edu.
4 Year Colleges/Universities
The Bachelor’s or 4 year degree is designed to help you become more “well rounded.” In addition to your major or program of choice, you will take approximately two years of “general studies.” The other two years will be spent in classes that pertain to your major. Public and private universities tend to look for the same thing in admission candidates and are going to make admission decisions on GPA/class rank, ACT scores, and rigor of high school schedule. When decisions get more difficult they may consider additional factors like co-curricular, community involvement, or challenges that students have dealt with and overcome. Spring of the junior year is a great time to visit colleges. This allows you to tour campuses, ask questions, and get a general feel for the college and the experience. Can you see yourself living in that community for the next four-five years? Websites and virtual tours are a start, but there is no substitute for getting on campus. Students can begin applying in the fall of their senior year.
Private four year colleges offer the same kind of overall experience, but there are subtle differences. Many private schools offer smaller classes, better teacher to student ratios, even the opportunity to have unique experiences or engage in research earlier in your college career. Private schools may cost more, but they may also be able to offer more financial help to you in the form of scholarships. Therefore, don’t rule them out SOLELY based on cost.
In your college search, it’s always a good idea to identify your priorities and discuss as a family the pros and cons of the different options. If you’re looking for an internet-based search program, Career Cruising (link on Student Services website) is a good place to start. Your username and password are the same ones you use as your school log in. Be sure to leave the CFA– in front of your username.
Technical Colleges... A lot to offer
Technical colleges provide affordable, career-oriented programs, which enable students to begin their careers after only one or two years of college. Typically, class sizes are small and instructors have worked, or are working, in a related career field. Technical colleges also offer students short-term training in a wide variety of career fields as well as a Liberal Arts Transfer option for students looking to take general studies courses and transfer to a university. Career-oriented programs vary greatly and are designed to prepare students for specific careers. In these programs, students spend most of their class time in a job-related setting where they receive hands-on training from experienced instructors. Technical colleges enroll on a first come-first served basis. Many programs have limited capacities, so once they are full, applicants go on a waiting list. Popular programs fill quickly. Therefore, it is best to apply early. Juniors can begin applying on May 1. If you are placed on a waiting list, please know that these lists can change quickly. Some of the people on the list change their minds, so a waiting period that looks like it will be two years may end up only delaying you a semester. Not such a terrible hurdle if it allows you to get into a career that is a good fit for you. Additionally, you may still be able to take some classes while on the waiting list. Many technical college programs are open access; meaning no entrance exams or scores are required for admission. However, some programs have GPA and/or ACT score requirements. Additionally, some programs may have specific coursework requirements. For example, health-related programs require the nursing assistant course, criminal background check and CPR. Failure to have met prerequisites will delay your “program ready status.” Program requirements for CVTC can be found at: https://www.cvtc.edu. Click on Admissions and look for a link under Step 3. You may be asked to create an account first.
Military Service
Some students may prefer to join the military after high school. Military service can offer the chance for travel and growth, and the opportunity to serve our country. You will also receive educational training while in the military and will qualify for educational benefits once you leave and return to the private sector. Military service is obviously not for everybody. Structure and rules are strict and there is always an element of risk. These are genuine and should not be ignored. But military service offers some students a chance to see and experience more, while also preparing them for education and a career. Military recruiters visit the high school monthly. Begin that conversation and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Recruiters will refer to the ASVAB or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test. This test is given at the high school for free, usually in mid December.
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Cardinal Market
We have an exciting new resource at Chippewa Falls High School: Cardinal Market. We are partnering with Feed My People to offer food to students each week. Cardinal Market replaced The Weekend Meals Program. Each week there is a new order form for students to fill out and choose the items they would like to take home. We have multiple student organizations and individual classrooms available to help pack the bags each week.
If you would like more information, please reach out to Teresa Wahl, School Social Worker at wahltm@chipfalls.org or 715-726-2406 ext. 3549.
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Student Services Event Calendar
Click the picture to link the calendar!
Important Planning Dates
January 10 - Course selection sheets and teacher recommendations/course applications due during homeroom
February 1 - Priority application deadline for UW-La Crosse, UW-River Falls, UW-Whitewater and regular decision deadline for UW-Madison
February 1-March 1 - Chippewa Falls Foundation Scholarship application available (approx. dates)
February 8 - Practice ACT test (optional), 8 am
March 3 - Statewide ACT testing for Juniors
April - Aspire Testing for Freshmen and Sophomores
April - Forward Exam for Sophomores
May 4-15 - AP Testing Window
May 8 - Deadline to register for June 13 ACT
May 20 - Seniors Awards Night, 7 pm, Chi-Hi Auditorium
June 3 - Chi-Hi Graduation
June 13 - ACT (National Test Date)
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How to Schedule an Appointment
Once the school year begins, students can schedule an appointment to see their school counselor and Ms. Wahl (school social worker) through google calendar. A link to their calendars is available on Student Services website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/high/services/
Who's My Counselor?
A-Fa: Tiffany Michaud
Fe-La: Ken Abel
Le-R: Jenny Ebner
S-Z: Luke Heidtke
Student Services Website
Chi-Hi Student Services website has a variety of information available to students about college and career planning including:
- Technical College Brochure and Checklist for applying to Technical Colleges
- Four Year College Brochure and Checklist for applying to Four -Year Colleges
- How to Request a Transcript
- How to Find Scholarships
- College Credit Now
- Paying for College
- Military Information
Chi-Hi Student Services Office
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/high/services/
Location: 735 Terrill Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-726-2406 - 1179