Counselor Connection

Preparing for college & career - January Issue

It's the start of a new year! Make 2021 great!

Early College STEM Academy Tour & Info Session

Early College STEM Academy Tour & Info Session

Attention current 10th grade students interested in a unique opportunity to earn college credit during high school studying science, technology, engineering, and/or math! Applications are being accepted for the Early College Stem Academy in partnership with Madison College! Students can earn both high school and college credit at no cost to students and families!


See this link for more information and an application!


Applications are due January 29th, 2021.

Early College STEM Academy Tour & Info Session
Business Emerging Leaders Program

Business Emerging Leaders Program

  • Apply in 10th grade
  • Designed for promising students who come from diverse backgrounds and have strong academic records and demonstrated leadership skills.
  • Program participation gives students a distinct competitive advantage when adjusting to college life, learning in classes, and applying for internship opportunities, ultimately preparing them for successful careers in business.
  • BEL Program students who are admitted to UW–Madison and major in business are granted a full-tuition scholarship for four years of attendance.
  • Application opens December 1st and closes February 12th
  • Details and application here
Business Emerging Leaders Program
NPR Student Podcast Challenge

NPR Student Podcast Challenge

Interested in created a podcast (or have you already created one)? Check out NPR's Student Podcast Challenge!


Submissions open January 1st and close March 24th.

Podcasts must be 3-12 minutes long, must not include music, and students will need the help of a teacher to submit (entry forms are open to teachers only).



Visit the the website for rules, where to begin, how you will be judged, and prompts to help you get started!

NPR Student Podcast Challenge

Host an Exchange Student!

Have you ever considered hosting a high school exchange student? Hosting is a wonderful way to learn about other cultures and languages, and it results in life-long friendships that transcend national borders. Ayusa Exchange Program needs host families at La Follette for fall semester and academic year for students from Chile, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, the Netherlands, and other countries. The students will arrive in August and stay until either January or June.


Host families are volunteers. They provide three meals a day, a bedroom, and a supportive home environment. Students come with their own health insurance and spending money to cover all personal expenses.


Please visit www.ayusa.org to learn more about the program and view the many fantastic students waiting for a host family. If you have questions, contact Parthy Schachter at pschachter@ayusa.org.

Junior Conferences are wrapping up. Don't miss out!

Have an in depth conversation with your counselor about:

  • Your progress to graduation - Courses you need to take during your senior year to meet graduation requirements and your current graduation status
  • Your post high school plan - setting goals and creating a to-do list so you are ready for you are competitive applicant for what every path you choose
  • Meaningful things to do this summer to explore colleges, volunteer, explore a career interest and more!


Acker

Christensen

Zirbel

Valdivia

Schwab

Taylor

Testing Update: The board will meet in early January to decide how MMSD will handle PSAT and ACT testing

Seniors - Tackle your Post High School To-Do List. Here are some ideas to get started:

  • Complete your applications and/or verify all required materials were received. All colleges need your high school transcript, and application. Some colleges require other materials as well. Check your student account for each college to make sure everything is submitted and find out what your next steps are (ex. set up online account, complete housing contract, confirm your enrollment, sign up for placement tests, admitted student events, and orientation)
  • Scholarships - Complete the La Follette Local Scholarship, check out scholarships in Xello, each of your colleges scholarship offerings, and scholarship search engines like Raise.me and Scholly
  • FAFSA - This is where the bulk of your financial aid will come from. New this year, FAFSA is based off your 2019 taxes, so do not wait to submit this application or you could miss out on valuable aid. Students will need to create an FSA ID as will their parent/guardian. FREE support is also available. See events below
  • Check out each of your school's Cost of Attendance information so you are aware of real costs (google COA then your college's name).
  • Apply for a Job and save money for life after high school
  • Apprenticeship - looking to get paid while you go to school? Many careers in the trades are in very high demand. Contact Elizabeth Roddy at eroddy@abcwi.org to take the first steps to starting your career after you graduate.
  • Wondering how to get in the loop on a regular basis regarding this info? Check out this newsletter monthly.
FAFSA Overview
Still Need to Complete Your FAFSA?

Madison College holds FREE FAFSA Workshops for any student applying to college (note: students don't need to apply to Madison College to attend the workshop)

Univ of Minnesota Share My App Program

Students who applied to University of Minnesota Twin Cities can apply to Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester for Free! Click the link for more details

SENIORS & School Email

Seniors: Do not use school email for ANY matters related to life after high school.

Examples: college apps, parchment account, ACT, FAFSA, scholarship applications, etc

**School Email becomes inaccessible to graduates 2 wks after graduation

11th & 12th Grade College Bound Athletes & NCAA

Students who plan to participate in Division I or II collegiate athletics during college, must complete an NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse form. Students should register at the end of their junior year, work with their counselor and coach.

COLLEGE - Read All About It!

Why More U.S. Students Are Going Abroad for College

10 Universities Where the Fewest Students Get In

3 Benefits of Volunteering More

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702 Pflaum Road, Madison, WI, United States (608) 204-3660 lafollette.madison.k12.wi.us/