PHS Counselor Connection
Special Summer 2022 Edition: College Bound Prep
Welcome to the Summer Edition!
We know this can be a very stressful time but, with a little pre-planning and help, it doesn't have to be! That's what we're here for!
This newsletter is filled with many resources that can assist you as you begin the college search and/or application process. Don't forget to use the two resources shared with you last year in ACP and in your junior conference!
- Here's a link to a blank post-secondary prep planning document (but you should have your own named version so please use that-it should be in your Google Drive).
- This second document is the Future Ready Resource Guide with a lot of great links to various topics for high school seniors.
As always, students and families are always encouraged to connect with their counselor for any assistance with the post-secondary planning process! While you might not need all of this information right now, we hope that you will refer back to this newsletter when it comes time for you to use these processes. We'll send another similar newsletter out after the new year gets rolling.
College Application Bootcamp Coming To You This August!
August 1st is right around the corner and that means that many applications will be open! If you are looking for some help getting started, come join the counselors for the College Application Workshop on Monday, August 8th.
We'll be running two sessions. The first session will run from 9:30-11:00am and the second session will run from 1:00-2:30pm.
Start your senior year prepared and ready for the college application process- maybe you'll even start the year already done with all of your applications! This workshop is designed to help decrease your stress and gain familiarity with the college admissions process.
Below are the topics that we will be covering. You are free to come and go based on your needs. You'll see that there are some specific times for help topics and a general open application assistance time. Students will need an internet capable device if they want to complete the processes for any of these applications.
9:30-11:00 & 1:00-2:30 UW-System Application walk-through followed by the Common Application walkthrough. Information regarding how to upload transcripts for each application will be discussed. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.
10:00-11:00 & 2:00-3:00 Open time to work on applications and/or essays with the ability to ask a counselor your individual questions (this will take place in a different room than the workshop).
Internet capable devices are needed for this workshop
Sending Transcripts
If you remember from your junior conference, we use an electronic system called Parchment to send your transcripts to colleges, the NCAA and other institutions. You can also download your own PDF from Parchment to use for scholarships or other needs- if you use the registration number when creating an account. If not, you will not be able to accessa PDF in Parchment.
Parchment requires a student created account. Many students created their accounts during ACP last year. Those who did not, will need to do so asap. It is very important that students only have one account- not both a parent and a student account.
Click here for a presentation with step by step directions to set up your Parchment account. Click on the Parchment button link above to go directly to the Parchment website.
For the UW System application, you do not need to do a full request in Parchment for an official transcript to be sent in during the application process. Rather, you can request a self view in Parchment and save as a PDF. The PDF is uploaded to your UW System application. You must upload for each individual UW campus.
Common Application does require an offocial copy of the transcript to be uploaded into your CA account. Common Application is a school in Parchment as is the NCAA. Use Parchment to send transcripts to those systems.
Applying to WCTC?
Still trying to decide where to apply? Wisconsin Education College Fairs (WEF) are here to help!
WEF Fair list of dates and registration
Another College Research Option- NACAC College Fair
Great Resources From UW Help For Questions and Information Regarding the UW College System
UW Help Fall Guidebook Request: If you would like the fall guidebook, click the link to receive a PDF version.
UW System Application Walk Through with UW Help:
UW HELP will be hosting a New Freshman Application Demo to walk students through the application. Registration is required.
- Wednesday, August 3rd at 2:00 PM
Zoom Link: https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w8jElkp3RbePCcoenMx9qw
How To Apply to the UW System:
Step by Step application how-to's and Information with the application process to all UW Campuses.
Free Applications for Colleges in the UW System!
Practice UW System Application Page
Please note: no applications submitted on this website will be sent over to campuses. Applications must be submitted on the real application website in order to be received by a campus.
Practice Application Website: https://practiceapp.wisconsin.edu/homepage
Want to see how your college credits will transfer?
How to use Transferology
1. Create an account.
2. Enter the college that is granting you the credit (UW-Green Bay for most of our dual credit courses).
3. Select the college course that you are taking. Be sure to use the course number and name from the college- not the PHS course name. You can use the CCIHS course information website to get the information about the UW-Green Bay Courses.
4. Select "Seach For Matches"
5. You will get a list that shows how each individual college will transfer in that particular course. Use the filter tool to narrow the list to the schools that you are interested in attending.
AP Credits
Students will be able to narrow their search by selecting either specific campuses and/or courses they would like to see equivalencies for. Please note that students who have specific questions about their credits transferring should reach out to the school they are applying to/planning on attending.
Test Optional/Test Flexible
One important item to note with test optional schools, which you will see in these resources, is that many colleges DO require test scores in order to award MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS- you need to know if this is the case at the colleges that you are applying to so that you do not lose out on FREE MONEY! Start by checking the college's admissions and financial aid pages for this information. If you cannot find it, give the admissions office a call and ask.
Here are a few links with helpful test optional information:
Scholarships
College Essay Guy Resources
All things College Application: Hub: The main page with a list of resource broken down by topic
How to Research Colleges (Without Visiting a Campus)
Lots of great Podcasts by the College Essay Guy