Guidance Seminar 12

Course Syllabus

Overview of the course

The purpose of this one-quarter course is to provide structure to a process that can seem daunting and intimidating.  Guidance Seminar 11 was devoted to the post-secondary search process, whereas this course will help you determine your final post-secondary list and ultimately submit applications to institutions.  A major component of applying to college is making sure that the various sections of the application (which are mailed separately) all arrive at the college on time.  This is a complex process, which we will help you coordinate throughout the year.  Remember that in the first half of the year many of you will be applying to colleges, but it won’t be until the second half of the year (in most cases) that you must make a final decision on where to attend.  To that end, set goals for yourself that are reasonable and utilize your guidance counselor and all the resources available to you.

Content

We have five rotations together and will cover the following topics:

Rotation #1 (9/4– 9/14)

• Syllabus overview
• General expectations for senior year
• Feedback on Class of 2007
• Role of Ms.Brandt & Ms. Stoffel
• Graduation requirements review
• Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines!
• Applications, SAT/ACT
• The Application “Checklist”
• Choosing the Option for the Guidance Letter of Recommendation
• Completing the Transcript Request Form and seeing the Principles of Good Practice
• The final Activity List (due Rotation #2)
• Naviance
  • College Visits
  • Maintaining your college list
• Feedback from summer experiences

Rotation #2 (9/17– 9/26)

• Developing the final list
• Naviance!...updated and ready for use
• Other resources
• The real deal on grade point averages
• Asking for teacher recommendations (website link is on GS-11 syllabus rotation 7)
• The Guidance Admission packet
• Double checking the transcript
• How counselors complete the School Report Form
• What to do if you’ve been suspended

Rotation #3 (9/27 – 10/9)

• Financial Aid & Scholarships near and far
• Last word on deadlines
• Completion of work and final formal check-in

Rotation # 4 (10/10– 10/19)

• Completion of work and final formal check-in
• Discussion/presentation from Mr. O’Connor regarding the Senior Internship!

Rotation #5 (10/22– 10/31)

• Completion of work and final formal check-in

Grading

This course is pass/fail and ends at the conclusion of the first quarter.  You will receive a passing grade when you have met with your guidance counselor and the following have been completed: 

• ___ You are on track to fulfilling your graduation requirements
• ___ You have a solid and appropriate list of colleges, entered into Naviance, that you have shared and gone over with your counselor
• ___ You have turned in a final, typed Activity List
• ___ You have turned in a signed (by yourself and your parent) Option Sheet
• ___ If applicable, you have turned in a Transcript Addendum
• ___ You have given your counselor names of faculty members who have agreed to write your letter of recommendation