SENIOR CALENDAR
Mr. Tim Gieschen, Guidance Director    email: Timothy Gieschen
"If you wonder about what the future holds, trust HIM who holds the future."

Download Senior August letter in WORD format

   GUIDANCE LINKS           

     Senior Calendar

     Careers

     College Financial Aid

     MI College Directory

     College Selection

     Scholarships

     Selective Service   All males must register for the selective service within 6 weeks of their 18th birthday.

     Testing

     Transcripts

   DOWNLOADS                
 

  School Profile (WORD)

  Coll. guidelines book (WORD)

  Ease into College Life

RETAKE  ACT
a)   Students must take the ACT (or SAT) entrance test to be admitted to a 4-year college (not required for Henry Ford or Schoolcraft but  those students should take the ACT for potential future use).  
b)   Register online www.actstudent.org (you get your admission ticket a week earlier) or paper registration packets are available in the guidance office.  
c)   Optional writing test – some colleges (U of M, MI State) require the optional writing test.  Check actwriting for a complete list of colleges requiring ACT plus writing.
d)   Test Prep Courses:  Some students may wish to take a test prep course – flyers from local agencies offering courses are in the Guidance office.  Fees range from $65 to $2000.  Most students would benefit with a computer CD or self-study book from your local bookstore (assuming they will actually sit down and use it).
e)   Free practice tests are available in the Office and @ www.actstudent.org and @ www.princetonreview.com .   Most students wrongfully skip this practice test or any other prep.

  Register      Preparing for the ACT (PDF; 80 pages) or pick up a FREE copy in the Guidance Office. 
Test prep  Test tips  Test descriptions  Testing Page 

Applications for most Michigan colleges and Lutheran Colleges are available in the Guidance Office.

Other schools can be contacted online.

If you are completing multiple applications you may fill out a Personal Profile sheet (WORD) to include

College application organizer (WORD)

Completing College Applications

 VISIT: Visit at least 2 campuses in September or October with your parents. 

• ONLINE APPS Colleges prefer you to apply online – it is faster and reduces errors.   If you apply online, you must request (in writing) that Mr. Gieschen send your transcript directly to the college. Most students will apply to 2 or 3 schools.
• DEADLINES Apply during September, October, or November.  The more selective the school, the earlier you should apply.   Some have early decision deadlines as early as October 15.
• FEES You spend $30-$60 for each application.  Some schools charge less for online applications.
• COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATIONS  Most applications have a section for the counselor to complete (online apps ask you to print a page).  I complete my section, enclose your transcript, and mail it all together.  Allow 3 days to process. 
• ESSAYS  Only a few colleges require an essay.  If you write it – make it good!  See Mr. Gieschen for printed guidelines.
• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION If your college/scholarship application requires a letter, choose teacher(s) or a coach that knows you well.  Give teachers at least 2 weeks notice, give them a stamped addressed envelop and any specific guidelines for what you are applying for.
• RECORDS RELEASE All tuition payments must be current before transcripts are sent.

1.   Apply to colleges by the end of November.  Applications filed early give you your best consideration for acceptance and give you plenty of time for an alternate choice if your application is postponed or denied. 

2.   Apply online, type or word process your application for neatness.  Have your application to make a good first impression. 

3. If you are requesting college admission on an Early Action or Early Decision basis, be sure that your application materials are submitted by the deadline.

4.   You complete the student portion (and essay if required) and give it to the guidance secretary with your application fee check (made payable to the college).  We will add your transcript, complete the Counselor’s section and mail the application.  Transcripts must be mailed directly from LHWL and are not official if given directly to the student. Allow two (2) days to process and mail the application

5.   If you require letters of recommendation (other than the one by the Counselor on the application form), give a written request to a teacher or coach at least 2 weeks before it is due. 

• List the name and address to which the recommendation is to be sent and the reason (admission/scholarship) for the recommendation.  

• Include a stamped envelop
• Ask a teacher or employer who knows you well and who will write you a positive recommendation. 

• Follow up with your referers in 2 weeks to ensure that forms have been sent 

Apply for scholarships

Attend college and career fairs and meet with college representatives who visit your high school

MI MERIT EXAM (MME) and the MI PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP 

The MME includes the ACT, WORKKEYS, and MEAP Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Seniors may retake the MME once in Oct 2007 if they did not score a 1 or 2.
They will not be able to test a 3rd time in Spring as in past years.

• Results from the ACT, WORKKEYS and MEAP Math, Science, and Social Studies have been mailed home .  See Mr. Gieschen if you did not receive yours.
• MME Retakes: Any senior who scored a 3 or 4 in either MI Math, Reading, Writing, Science, or Social Studies may retake those sections on Tue Oct 30 (Testing Day). New this year: Students must retake all subjects- not just the area they scored a 3 or 4. 
• ACT retakes:  Students who score a 3 or 4 on MME will also be issued a payment voucher to retake the ACT on Sat Oct 27 (same day as Cross Country Regionals and the Conference Volleyball Tournament).  Students may also retake the ACT in Sept or Dec – but at their own expense.
• MI Promise Scholarship:  A student must score a 1 or 2 in MI Math, Readling, Writing, AND Science to qualify for early payment Promise Scholarship. (Social Studies is not required to qualify - it must be taken but does not need to be a 1 or 2).
• A student may also earn a Promise Scholarship while in college by earning good grades - even if they did not score a 1 or 2 while in high school.

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Apply for scholarships

Attend college and career fairs and meet with college representatives who visit your high school

Visit the schools you are considering to observe the school in session and to confirm your top choices. Make arrangements in advance for a personal interview with an admissions counselor, a financial aid administrator, and a professor in the academic department representing your intended major. Stay overnight, if possible.

If you are seeking an athletic scholarship, contact the appropriate coaches; ask your high school coaches about contacts they have.

If you are seeking an NCAA Division I or NCAA Division II school, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Apply for scholarships

Attend college and career fairs and meet with college representatives who visit your high school

Apply for scholarships

College Financial Aid Seminar

For Parents and Students
   Targeted for Juniors and Seniors but all are welcome.

Monday Jan 14, 2008    7:00pm     LHW Media Center

MEAP RESULTS 
Seniors, fall MEAP retake results should be available in Jan 2007.  
Students  need a 1 or 2 in all 4 subjects to earn a MI Merit Scholarship 
MI Merit scholarships are worth $2500-$3000 at MI colleges
Scholarship winners should watch for a future mailing with a PIN number (SAVE) and instructions on how to ‘certify’ your award.

Seniors: Apply for financial aid in January  
1.  Apply for a PIN - 1 for student, 1 for parent.  Apply in early Jan -  2 weeks before you intend to file your FAFSA..   
2.  File your FAFSA online  by Feb 15 for state aid  

Note your Family contribution (FC) as determined by the FAFSA methodology

• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. 

• If necessary, correct inaccurate items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor. 

• If the school requests your tax forms for verification, submit it promptly.

• Continue to seek and apply for private scholarships.

MEAP Retakes:  
Students wanting to improve a MEAP may retest March 12-30, 2007.

Review your financial aid award letter with your parents; be sure that you understand the terms and conditions that apply to each type of aid offered.

Apply for a summer job.

May 1-Make your final decision about which college you will attend. Notify the college of your choice in writing by the appropriate deadline. Decline, in writing, other offers of admission (other students may be waiting for that place in the freshman class).

• Sign your financial aid award letter and any other items requiring your signature and return them. 

• Schedule an appointment with the school's financial aid administrator if you have questions or wish to discuss the contents of your award letter. If a personal visit is not possible, call the financial aid office and ask for an extension of time so that you can make up your mind

• Notify the financial aid office of any outside scholarships, grants, or other kinds of student aid from private sources that you will receive.

• Complete separate application forms for any loan funds that require such application; understand all of your rights and responsibilities before you and/or your parents sign a promissory note.

• Select a housing and a meal plan, if necessary.

• Find out when payment of school charges for tuition, fees, room and board, will actually be due; plan how you will meet those charges. Be sure you understand how financial aid will be disbursed and whether you can defer bill payment until the funds are available.

• Be aware of any summer orientation sessions that you must attend at the school in which you will enroll and make plans accordingly.

Commencement        Friday, June 8    2007        7:00 pm
    (Note:  the time is 30 minutes earlier than previous years) 

The Senior Class of Lutheran High School Westland  Michigan announces its Commencement Service

Friday evening, June eighth, 2007
Seven  o’clock
High School Gymnasium 
Admission by ticket only
16 tickets per graduate (10 chair and 6 bleacher).  

CERTIFY YOUR MI MERIT AWARD

Seniors who qualify for the MI Merit Award - based on MEAP test OR MI Merit Exam  must certify their award using their PIN number printed on their award letter.  Certify here.

The award provides up to $3,000 to high school graduates for outstanding performance on their  (MEAP) tests. 
  Overview of the program, including information about how to qualify.

• Continue to talk with your family about how you will pay for college expenses that financial aid will not cover. Investigate tuition payment plans that the school may offer or accept.

• Make a plan for saving a portion of your summer earnings

• Prepare a proposed budget for your freshman year.

• If a Federal Work Study opportunity is part of your aid package, remember that it may be your responsibility to find an appropriate job. You will need to follow up with the financial aid office as soon as you arrive on campus.