September Synopsis - Senior Edition
September 1, 2023
Senior Year is Here!
I know it probably seems like just yesterday you were sending your child off to the first day of kindergarten, and now he/she has just started their last year of high school! While this is an exciting milestone, we also realize that it may bring on some feelings of anxiety and uncertainty about what comes next. As school counselors, we are here to provide support and information to ensure that this special year is both fulfilling and successful for your senior student.
Senior year is a time of transition, reflection, and preparation for the next chapter in your child's life. Our goal is to walk alongside you and your student as you navigate through the multiple opportunities and decisions that lie ahead. You can expect to receive a monthly newsletter that contains important information and resources for your senior. Some of these topics include:
* College and Career Exploration
* Scholarship Information
* Upcoming Events and Deadlines
* Emotional and Social Support
* Parental Involvement
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletters and for being an active participant in your child's education and future plans. We are looking forward to to a great year with the Class of 2024!
Sincerely,
Your THS Counselors - Mrs. Capshaw, Mrs. Glassburn, and Mrs. Nichols
Senior Meetings
Mrs. Capshaw met with seniors this past week to review transcripts, go over graduation pathways progress, and explain other important information about their senior year. The entire presentation can be accessed here or on the Class of 2024 Guidance Google Classroom. Some important takeaways for the month of September are listed below.
September Senior To-Do List
1) Create a Parchment account in order to send your high school transcript to selected colleges.
2) Complete and turn in your Senior Profile to the guidance department.
3) Fill out the WEC Acknowledgment Form by September 1st to be eligible for the Work Ethic Certificate program.
Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities are publicized in the morning announcements and updated on a regular basis in the Guidance Google Classroom. Students are also encouraged to stop by and check out the scholarship box in Mrs. Wright's office for local scholarship opportunities. Most of our local scholarships are associated with the Tipton County Foundation, so check out their website for more information. Students interested in applying for the Lilly Endowment scholarship should note the due date of September 15 at 4pm. That date will be here before we know it!
If you have time, you could also explore the various free scholarship websites to help offset the cost of college. Some of the most popular are: Going Merry, Fast Web, Scholarships.com, and Collegeboard's Big Future Scholarships.
Exploring Colleges
September is a beautiful time to get out and visit college campuses. Students get two excused college visits per semester, so start scheduling your visits today. If you can't get to a campus in person, several colleges have virtual tours on their websites and/or college representatives come to Tipton to talk with interested students. Check out our current schedule below.
Retaking the SAT
Your student should have taken the SAT last March during the state-mandated SAT School Day testing window. Some colleges and universities are "test-optional" or "test-blind" which means they do not evaluate test scores when considering admission decisions. However, some colleges still rely heavily on SAT scores, especially if your child is applying for a competitive major with limited availability. THS will be hosting an SAT administration on Saturday, October 7th. The registration deadline is September 7th. Visit CollegeBoard to register. **Please note this is completely optional.
Indiana College Core (ICC)
The Indiana College Core is a block of 30 credit hours of general education, college-level coursework which is guaranteed to transfer between all Indiana public colleges and universities. Tipton High School offers several AP and ACP courses which can be used to complete the ICC. When earned in high school, the Indiana College Core helps students save time and money toward their higher education. Mrs. Capshaw will be meeting with seniors who are close to obtaining the ICC, but you can also track the status of your child's ICC progress by clicking on "Start my Plan" on the My College Core website.