DHS Class of 2024 Newsletter
Quarter 2
This will be a quarterly newsletter to communicate important senior information and dates. If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the school for assistance.
DHS Scholarships Smore
Alabama College Application
During the week of October 16-20, 2023, Alabama State Department of Education will be sponsoring Alabama College Application Week. Deshler High School will be hosting several different colleges and universities on campus to speak to Seniors. Students are invited to apply to at least one college with assistance from faculty at DHS.
As students complete a college application, they should show a counselor their completed application to sign the "I applied!" banner for the week. Students can stop by the library throughout the week for assistance in completing a college application.
Prior to College Application Week, UNA and Alabama will be visiting our campus to speak to Seniors who are interested. Additionally, NWSCC and Birmingham Southern will be on campus one day during College Application Week.
Mrs. Byrd will be sending out the information links and codes to waive the application fees next weekend since Tuscumbia City Schools is on Fall Break. Look for this information in your inbox next Sunday! DHS encourages all students to take advantage of this opportunity to apply to Alabama universities and colleges for no cost!
Click the links below for more resources from Alabama Goes to College!
Senior Year Checklists
August-December
Explore Careers and take a Career Quiz. https://www.mynextmove.org/
Pick your career first before you start choosing colleges or training programs
Make sure you are checking the Senior Google Classroom and are getting all emails.
Review your transcripts first thing in the fall! If you are behind in credits, make an appointment with your counselor and create an intervention plan.
Take the ACT (or SAT) if you have not taken it yet or are dissatisfied with your score. Ask your counselor for your school’s code and test preparation. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
Free Practice Tests here: https://baldwincountycareercoaches.weebly.com/academic-and-financial-aid-resources.html
Al.kuder.com > Test Prep
Do you get Free and Reduced Lunch? Talk to your Counselor or Career Coach to see if you qualify for an ACT Waiver
Visit college websites.
Use al.kuder.com > “College Match” to see what colleges are the best match for you.
- Mark your planners/calendar with deadlines for scholarships, financial aid, and admission (many schools have early enrollment deadlines in the Fall).
Free College Application Week is October 16th-20th, 2023 hosted at your school. Some college admission fees will be waived this week!
Determine if you are eligible for admission and scholarships by GPA and test scores.
Narrow down your list of possible schools – use the College Comparison attachment sheet to compare at least 3 colleges.
Visit https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/ to determine how much financial aid you MAY qualify for when you apply for FAFSA
Compare this amount to cost of attendance for schools on your list
COMPLETING THE FAFSA OR A FAFSA WAIVER WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR!
Submit your FAFSA starting in DECEMBER. https://studentaid.gov/
Create an FSA ID. https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch?continueTo=fafsa
Easy to use tutorial: http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/Media/FAFSASimplification/index.html
Some aid is given on a first-come-first-serve basis, so apply soon
Look out for FAFSA night dates at your school
Apply for work/study through FAFSA
Visit your counselor or career coach to see if you are on track for admission into the schools that interest you. Most look at Act Score & GPA.
Check with your counselor or career coach for college visitation guidelines and forms.
Visit colleges that offer your program of interest and other qualities that are valuable to you.
Apply to colleges before the deadline.
Most first priority deadlines are December 1.
Request transcripts from Parchment.com (final transcript will need to be sent in May)
Know your GPA and class rank.
Prepare a résumé. (Needs to be ready before you start your senior year).
Practice Interview Skills for Scholarships or Jobs. (Career Coach is available two to three days a week at school to help with interview coaching).
Request letters of recommendation from administrators, teachers, coaches, supervisors, club sponsors, and counselors for scholarships.
Follow guidelines
Ask for letters well before deadlines, not the day before
Write a great general scholarship application essay. Then you can tweak for all scholarship essays.
Use free resources to search for scholarships as well.
Senior Google Classroom
Al.kuder.com > click the right-side tab for scholarships
Check your college’s scholarship page for school scholarships
Continue to be involved on campus and in quality volunteer/community service activities. These look GREAT on a resume!
Run for office
Don’t be a member in name only
Join clubs/ Get involved
Update you resume at the end of the semester
ACT WorkKeys
ALL seniors at Deshler High School will take the WorkKeys on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
WorkKeys is a standardized test given to 12th graders in Alabama public schools. The assessment is meant to measure skills relevant to many of today’s work environments. This is a test that generates positive results in Alabama with steady progress.
WorkKeys is one of the measures through which a student can be designated as College and Career Ready in the state. They may not have the specialized training needed for particular occupations, but if a student earns a certification at the higher levels, the measure should increase the confidence of employers in hiring staff who are adept at applying useful cognitive skills and knowledge to applied work tasks in contemporary work settings.
(https://parcalabama.org/2019-act-workkeys-preparing-students-for-work-in-a-time-of-uncertainty/)
Balfour
Balfour will be on campus to speak to Seniors on November 14. At this meeting, they will discuss cap, gown, and graduation invitations. Students will be given a packet to bring home with all the information. The required items for graduation will cost approximately $100. Orders need to be placed as soon as possible after packets are received.
I will send out more specific information once we have held the meeting.
FAFSA
ALL SENIORS are REQUIRED to complete a FAFSA or sign the waiver to be eligible to graduate.
Stay tuned for the December launch date of the 2024–25 FAFSA® form!
Get ready for a revamped FAFSA experience and a smoother application process.
Learn more about updates to the FAFSA form: StudentAid.gov/decemberfafsa
Transcripts through Parchment
Please see the video below on how to order transcipts to be sent to colleges as you complete your applications.
You can also follow these steps:
1. Go to www.tuscumbia.k12.al.us
2. Click "Schools" then "Deshler High"
3. Scroll down beneath the pictures and to the headline of "Important Information"
4. Continue to scroll until you reach the section that says "Transcipts & Education Verification"
5. Click the blue link (as pictured to the right) to be directed to the Parchment website.
6. You will then click "New Learner Account" and create an account (It is recommended to set up the account with a personal email so that it can be accessed after graduation.)
7. Once the account is created, students can log in and request their transcript be sent to colleges to which they have applied.
Colleges & Universities
Now is the time to familiarize yourself with the websites of the colleges your child is seriously considering, and start the application process. Be sure to check for scholarship deadlines and requirements becuase they are different for all schools. If you child is interested in a specific school, they should be sure to let Mrs. Dixon know so that she can be on the look out for any information that comes through her office.
College Visits
A senior student may be granted two (2) college visits per semester provided the student brings back a valid note from the college or university. A junior student will be allowed one (1) visit per semester with the same documentation.
College Applications
It's time to apply to college! You are looking for the Fall 2024 application.
The typical steps in applying are usually
1) make an account (keep that username and password in your phone and DO NOT USE YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL!),
2) complete the application, and
3) request to have a transcript sent through Parchment.
Once you have done all of this, it is not unusual for you to receive an email back from the college saying they don't have your transcript. Those emails are automatic and serve as a reminder for you to request it from us. For directions on how to request, see the section of this newsletter titled "Transcripts through Parchment." It may take a few weeks to fully process. Admission decisions vary from school to school
As you apply and are accepted to different places, remember to STAY ORGANIZED! For each school, you will probably have a username and password for your application, and then a separate username and password for the portal.
Also, remember that a college can not award you a scholarship without you having applied there.
Common App
The Common App is a college application portal that allows you to fill out one application which can be sent to multiple schools. It does require you to write essays and answer questions.
You must provide Ms. Dixon's name and email address (Caacie Dixon cldixon@tuscumbia.k12.al.us) and two recommenders (teachers - so get their email address before you begin) Remember DO NOT USE YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL!
College Admissions
Not sure what to say when you meet with a college admissions counselor? Here are the best questions to ask.
1. Does your college have the program of study that I am most interested in? (Engineering, Business, etc…)
2. What ACT/SAT score (if any) is required for entrance? Do you SUPERSCORE?
3. What scholarships are available and what’s the application process like?
4. How much does it cost without scholarships?
5. What is unique about your college?
6. Do they do anything specific to support your academic transition as a new freshman?
7. Are classes taught mostly by professors or by teaching assistants?
8. What research opportunities exist for students?
9. Do students study abroad? How easy is it to graduate in four years if you study abroad?
10. What academic resources does your school offer? (tutoring)
11. How would you characterize the students who come to this school?
12. What do students enjoy most about this college?
13. What ways are there to be involved in campus-based or community organizations?
14. How does this school support low-income or first-generation students?
15. How would you describe the surrounding community?
16. What do students do for fun?
17. Are there any incorrect assumptions people make about this school?
SAT & ACT Test Dates
Students may need to take the ACT or SAT. Below are the test dates and registration deadlines. If they have questions about this or need assistance registering for the test, students can see Mrs. Almon or Mrs. Dixon during REACH.
Preview Days
Northwest Shoals Manufacturing Day
Wednesday, October 25
This open house focuses on the eight manufacturing careers at Northwest Shoals Community College. Make plans to attend if you are interested in any of the programs listed below.
University of North Alabama
November 10, 2023
March 21, 2024
MyUNA Days are geared towards high school seniors and juniors. This event includes a presentation on admissions, scholarships, and financial aid, an academic and campus resource browse fair, a tour of campus, and a complimentary lunch. Registration for our November 10th MyUNA Day opens soon!
Samford University
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 7:30 AM until 2:00 PM
November 11: Registration opens October 5
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Dr Birmingham, AL 35229
Experience Samford University at Preview Day.
Students are invited to tour the university, hear from current students and talk to professors about academic options. In conjunction with Preview Day, Samford will host the below events. We invite you to campus to preview Samford!
School of the Arts Open House
Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing Tour
STEM Open House & Tour
Multicultural Programs Information Session
University of Alabama
University Days is your chance to explore the limitless opportunities available to you at The University of Alabama. Learn about life on campus, available majors and minors, academic and student support services, admissions, scholarships and much more. You’ll meet with representatives from the colleges you’re interested in, take an official campus tour and make connections with other prospective students as well as current students! University Days take place in person, on campus in Tuscaloosa for high school or transfer students interested in attending The University of Alabama.
Discover why UA is the place Where Legends Are Made.
Monday, October 23 – Sweet Home Capstone (for Alabama residents)
Alabama A&M University
Alabama A&M University High School & Community College Day
Saturday, November 4, 2023 - 8:30AM @ AAMU Event Center
See the link below to register.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The Fall UAB Day is our preview day specifically for high school seniors. The day features a browsing fair of academic departments and student services, academic breakout sessions, special interest sessions, campus tours, and more.
And most importantly a chance to speak with current UAB students!
Registration Deadline - The deadline to register is Monday, October 9, 2023.
University of Alabama at Huntsville Discovery Day
Saturday, October 14
Saturday, October 21
Saturday & November 11
Discovery Day, designed for high school seniors and transfer students, is a full-day campus event showcasing different elements of the Charger Experience. At Discovery Day, you'll have the opportunity to:
• Learn more about our academic programs
• Take a student-led campus and residence hall tour
• Learn more about campus life by attending a variety of seminars of your choice
• Enjoy a complimentary meal on campus
Birmingham Southern
October Preview Day - Friday, October 20 at 8:15 AM
Birmingham, AL
Join us on campus to experience a day in the life of BSC students here on the Hilltop! You will tour the campus, meet current students, and learn about special programs offered at Birmingham-Southern.