GRADE 12
You have arrived at your senior year of High School! Congratulations! This year will be a busy one! You may be taking more advanced classes and electives; you may be a leader in a club or team; and you are probably trying to enjoy this time with friends ALL while making plans for life after high school.
GRADE 12
You have arrived at your senior year of High School! Congratulations! This year will be a busy one! You may be taking more advanced classes and electives; you may be a leader in a club or team; and you are probably trying to enjoy this time with friends ALL while making plans for life after high school.
12th GRADE ROADMAP
Meet with Your Counselor
If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests required for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.
Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges you’re applying.
Meet with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
Apply to College
Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and pay close attention to deadlines. Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are typically around the beginning of November, and Regular Decision deadlines range from December-February.
If you are thinking about applying Early Action or Early Decision be sure to:
- Schedule an appointment to check in with your School Counselor so he or she can support the faster timeline.
- Add the college(s) of interest to your Scoir and Common Application accounts.
- Talk with teachers and school counselors about letters of recommendation by the end of September.
- Work on essays. English teachers and school counselors are happy to help edit - just make an appointment in advance!
- Register to take the ACT or SAT again if necessary. You might want to take the ACT again to be more competitive in the admissions process or to qualify for the next level of Hathaway Scholarship.
- Request ACT or SAT scores be sent to the schools you are applying to.
If you are planning to apply Regular Decision be sure to:
- Build a list of 5-10 colleges, making note of deadlines (these will typically be in January; try using a spreadsheet like this to get organized). Aim to have 2-3 “reach” schools, 4-5 “match” schools, and 1-2 “good fit” schools, based on grades, ACT scores and cost.
- Add these to your Scoir account.
- Register to take the ACT again. You might want to take the ACT again to be more competitive in the admissions process or to qualify for the next level of Hathaway Scholarship. The next opportunity to take the ACT is in October. The deadline to register is usually in September. Register at act.org. (This is also the website where you’ll order ACT scores be sent directly to colleges.)
- Request ACT or SAT scores sent to the colleges you are applying to.
- Work on any college application essays.
Submit FAFSA
As soon as possible after December 1, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online or on paper, but completing the application online is faster and easier. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early January.
- After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
- To better understand FAFSA watch YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid.
- Follow or like the office of Federal Student Aid at Twitter.com/FAFSA and Facebook.com/FederalStudentAid to get regular financial aid tips.
Scholarships
Each year, graduating seniors in Teton County, Wyoming, receive over $1 million in scholarships through the Teton County Scholarship Program (TCSP)
- Teton County Scholarship Program Application Walk through the TCSP application and learn how to go about completing the application. Sample application
- Teton County Scholarship Program Words of Advice.
- Complete any scholarship applications. Check out this scholarship search resource.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Make an appointment with your school counselor in September.
- Learn about choosing a college and find a link to a free college search tool.
- Sign up for college visit trips (dates will be announced in mid-September) and meet with college representatives at JHHS.
- Discuss next steps if you are planning to enter the workforce after graduation.
- If you are planning to enter the military after graduation arrange to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This is a test that measures students’ natural and developed abilities to help predict future academic and career success.
- Check into vocational career paths.
Review Acceptances
Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.
- Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you.
- In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.
Choose a College
Choosing the Right College, a video by FAFSAMADEEASY: Comparing colleges to narrow your choices before applying helps make your final choice easier.
When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.
- Sign Up for New Student Orientation. These are one to two-day sessions to give first-year students and transfer students an overview of what to expect as a new college student. Often, family members are invited to attend orientation along with their students. It can include: tours of the campus and residence halls, placement tests, class registration, help with a peer counselor/staff advisor, and meeting new classmates.
- Sign Up for On-Campus Housing. Many schools group freshmen together in the same dormitories or areas of campus, meaning you will be living with other first-year students and sharing this new chapter with others in the exact same situation.
For those Starting College
Congratulations on finishing high school and preparing to start college! This summer is an exciting time to get ready for the adventures ahead. Take these next few months to organize your finances, connect with future classmates, and explore internship opportunities that align with your field of study. From exploring your new campus to planning your first semester, this is the perfect time to set yourself up for a successful college journey.
- Consistently check email for college communications.
- Ask your Advisor how your dual credit applies to your degree.
- Attend New Student Orientation.
- Print your college schedule.
- Look for support for that first year: Financial Aid Office, Counseling Center, Career Services. Plan to attend Office Hours to seek out help for a specific class.
- Connect with sophomore, junior and senior students at your college to get the inside scoop.
For those Entering the Workforce
As you prepare to begin your career journey, the summer after high school graduation is the ideal time to sharpen your skills, update your resume, and start searching for job opportunities. Whether you’re diving into a full-time role, exploring entry-level positions, or planning for vocational training, use this time to build a strong foundation for your professional life. Congratulations on taking this next big step toward your future!
Getting Ready to Join the Workforce - 13 Tips
Jobs You Can Get With A High School Degree
Writing Your Resume
For students entering the workforce and also for incoming freshmen, a well-written resume can open a lot of doors.
- Adventures in Education offers a ton of great resume writing resources designed for recent graduates.
- This is What People Really Think of Your Resume?
- 5 Resume Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Getting Ready to Live on Your Own
Whether it’s a dorm or a first apartment, living on your own is certainly one of the biggest changes after high school. Along with freedom comes a lot more responsibility. Here are some fun resources that can help you prepare:
- 6 Survival Tips for Life in a College Dorm
- Countdown to Your First Apartment: 3 Steps to Get Ready
- 26 Cheap and Easy Ways to Have the Best Dorm Room Ever
Meet with Your Counselor
If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests required for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.
Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges you’re applying.
Meet with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
Apply to College
Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and pay close attention to deadlines. Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are typically around the beginning of November, and Regular Decision deadlines range from December-February.
If you are thinking about applying Early Action or Early Decision be sure to:
- Schedule an appointment to check in with your School Counselor so he or she can support the faster timeline.
- Add the college(s) of interest to your Scoir and Common Application accounts.
- Talk with teachers and school counselors about letters of recommendation by the end of September.
- Work on essays. English teachers and school counselors are happy to help edit - just make an appointment in advance!
- Register to take the ACT or SAT again if necessary. You might want to take the ACT again to be more competitive in the admissions process or to qualify for the next level of Hathaway Scholarship.
- Request ACT or SAT scores be sent to the schools you are applying to.
If you are planning to apply Regular Decision be sure to:
- Build a list of 5-10 colleges, making note of deadlines (these will typically be in January; try using a spreadsheet like this to get organized). Aim to have 2-3 “reach” schools, 4-5 “match” schools, and 1-2 “good fit” schools, based on grades, ACT scores and cost.
- Add these to your Scoir account.
- Register to take the ACT again. You might want to take the ACT again to be more competitive in the admissions process or to qualify for the next level of Hathaway Scholarship. The next opportunity to take the ACT is in October. The deadline to register is usually in September. Register at act.org. (This is also the website where you’ll order ACT scores be sent directly to colleges.)
- Request ACT or SAT scores sent to the colleges you are applying to.
- Work on any college application essays.
Submit FAFSA
As soon as possible after December 1, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online or on paper, but completing the application online is faster and easier. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early January.
- After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
- To better understand FAFSA watch YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid.
- Follow or like the office of Federal Student Aid at Twitter.com/FAFSA and Facebook.com/FederalStudentAid to get regular financial aid tips.
Scholarships
Each year, graduating seniors in Teton County, Wyoming, receive over $1 million in scholarships through the Teton County Scholarship Program (TCSP)
- Teton County Scholarship Program Application Walk through the TCSP application and learn how to go about completing the application. Sample application
- Teton County Scholarship Program Words of Advice.
- Complete any scholarship applications. Check out this scholarship search resource.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Make an appointment with your school counselor in September.
- Learn about choosing a college and find a link to a free college search tool.
- Sign up for college visit trips (dates will be announced in mid-September) and meet with college representatives at JHHS.
- Discuss next steps if you are planning to enter the workforce after graduation.
- If you are planning to enter the military after graduation arrange to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This is a test that measures students’ natural and developed abilities to help predict future academic and career success.
- Check into vocational career paths.
Review Acceptances
Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.
- Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you.
- In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.
Choose a College
Choosing the Right College, a video by FAFSAMADEEASY: Comparing colleges to narrow your choices before applying helps make your final choice easier.
When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.
- Sign Up for New Student Orientation. These are one to two-day sessions to give first-year students and transfer students an overview of what to expect as a new college student. Often, family members are invited to attend orientation along with their students. It can include: tours of the campus and residence halls, placement tests, class registration, help with a peer counselor/staff advisor, and meeting new classmates.
- Sign Up for On-Campus Housing. Many schools group freshmen together in the same dormitories or areas of campus, meaning you will be living with other first-year students and sharing this new chapter with others in the exact same situation.
For those Starting College
Congratulations on finishing high school and preparing to start college! This summer is an exciting time to get ready for the adventures ahead. Take these next few months to organize your finances, connect with future classmates, and explore internship opportunities that align with your field of study. From exploring your new campus to planning your first semester, this is the perfect time to set yourself up for a successful college journey.
- Consistently check email for college communications.
- Ask your Advisor how your dual credit applies to your degree.
- Attend New Student Orientation.
- Print your college schedule.
- Look for support for that first year: Financial Aid Office, Counseling Center, Career Services. Plan to attend Office Hours to seek out help for a specific class.
- Connect with sophomore, junior and senior students at your college to get the inside scoop.
For those Entering the Workforce
As you prepare to begin your career journey, the summer after high school graduation is the ideal time to sharpen your skills, update your resume, and start searching for job opportunities. Whether you’re diving into a full-time role, exploring entry-level positions, or planning for vocational training, use this time to build a strong foundation for your professional life. Congratulations on taking this next big step toward your future!
Getting Ready to Join the Workforce - 13 Tips
Jobs You Can Get With A High School Degree
Writing Your Resume
For students entering the workforce and also for incoming freshmen, a well-written resume can open a lot of doors.
- Adventures in Education offers a ton of great resume writing resources designed for recent graduates.
- This is What People Really Think of Your Resume?
- 5 Resume Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Getting Ready to Live on Your Own
Whether it’s a dorm or a first apartment, living on your own is certainly one of the biggest changes after high school. Along with freedom comes a lot more responsibility. Here are some fun resources that can help you prepare:
- 6 Survival Tips for Life in a College Dorm
- Countdown to Your First Apartment: 3 Steps to Get Ready
- 26 Cheap and Easy Ways to Have the Best Dorm Room Ever
Meet with Your Counselor
If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests required for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.
Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges you’re applying.
Meet with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
Apply to College
Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and pay close attention to deadlines. Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are typically around the beginning of November, and Regular Decision deadlines range from December-February.
If you are thinking about applying Early Action or Early Decision be sure to:
- Schedule an appointment to check in with your School Counselor so he or she can support the faster timeline.
- Add the college(s) of interest to your Scoir and Common Application accounts.
- Talk with teachers and school counselors about letters of recommendation by the end of September.
- Work on essays. English teachers and school counselors are happy to help edit - just make an appointment in advance!
- Register to take the ACT or SAT again if necessary. You might want to take the ACT again to be more competitive in the admissions process or to qualify for the next level of Hathaway Scholarship.
- Request ACT or SAT scores be sent to the schools you are applying to.
If you are planning to apply Regular Decision be sure to:
- Build a list of 5-10 colleges, making note of deadlines (these will typically be in January; try using a spreadsheet like this to get organized). Aim to have 2-3 “reach” schools, 4-5 “match” schools, and 1-2 “good fit” schools, based on grades, ACT scores and cost.
- Add these to your Scoir account.
- Register to take the ACT again. You might want to take the ACT again to be more competitive in the admissions process or to qualify for the next level of Hathaway Scholarship. The next opportunity to take the ACT is in October. The deadline to register is usually in September. Register at act.org. (This is also the website where you’ll order ACT scores be sent directly to colleges.)
- Request ACT or SAT scores sent to the colleges you are applying to.
- Work on any college application essays.
Submit FASFA
As soon as possible after December 1, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online or on paper, but completing the application online is faster and easier. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early January.
- After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
- To better understand FAFSA watch YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid.
- Follow or like the office of Federal Student Aid at Twitter.com/FAFSA and Facebook.com/FederalStudentAid to get regular financial aid tips.
Scholarships
Each year, graduating seniors in Teton County, Wyoming, receive over $1 million in scholarships through the Teton County Scholarship Program (TCSP)
- Teton County Scholarship Program Application Walk through the TCSP application and learn how to go about completing the application. Sample application
- Teton County Scholarship Program Words of Advice.
- Complete any scholarship applications. Check out this scholarship search resource.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Make an appointment with your school counselor in September.
- Learn about choosing a college and find a link to a free college search tool.
- Sign up for college visit trips (dates will be announced in mid-September) and meet with college representatives at JHHS.
- Discuss next steps if you are planning to enter the workforce after graduation.
- If you are planning to enter the military after graduation arrange to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This is a test that measures students’ natural and developed abilities to help predict future academic and career success.
- Check into vocational career paths.
Visit Colleges
Review Acceptances
Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.
- Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you.
- In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.
Choose a College
Choosing the Right College, a video by FAFSAMADEEASY: Comparing colleges to narrow your choices before applying helps make your final choice easier.
When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.
- Sign Up for New Student Orientation. These are one to two-day sessions to give first-year students and transfer students an overview of what to expect as a new college student. Often, family members are invited to attend orientation along with their students. It can include: tours of the campus and residence halls, placement tests, class registration, help with a peer counselor/staff advisor, and meeting new classmates.
- Sign Up for On-Campus Housing. Many schools group freshmen together in the same dormitories or areas of campus, meaning you will be living with other first-year students and sharing this new chapter with others in the exact same situation.
For those Starting College
Congratulations on finishing high school and preparing to start college! This summer is an exciting time to get ready for the adventures ahead. Take these next few months to organize your finances, connect with future classmates, and explore internship opportunities that align with your field of study. From exploring your new campus to planning your first semester, this is the perfect time to set yourself up for a successful college journey.
- Consistently check email for college communications.
- Ask your Advisor how your dual credit applies to your degree.
- Attend New Student Orientation.
- Print your college schedule.
- Look for support for that first year: Financial Aid Office, Counseling Center, Career Services. Plan to attend Office Hours to seek out help for a specific class.
- Connect with sophomore, junior and senior students at your college to get the inside scoop.
Glossary of Terms
Social Fit
Social Fit: feeling as though you “fit” into the culture of the school you attend.
Residential
Residential: a college where students can, or are required to, live on campus.
Dormitory
Dormitory: a university or college building in which students live. Dormitories can be single-gender or
coed and students can live alone in a dorm room or share a dorm room with roommates.
Extracurricular
Extracurricular: a non-academic school activity pursued in addition to normal study (ex: sports,
drama, music, honor society, etc)
Intercollegiate
Intercollegiate: existing or conducted between multiple colleges or universities (ex: intercollegiate
sports are sports in which teams play teams from other colleges or universities.)
Intramural
Intramural: taking place within a single educational institution and usually more casual/inclusive than
intercollegiate activities (ex: intramural sports are sports in which teams play teams from the same
college or university.)
Sorority
Sorority: a society for female students in a university or college, typically for social purposes but can
also be a academic or career network.
Fraternity
Fraternity: a society for male students in a university or college, typically for social purposes but can
also be a academic or career network.
For those Entering the Workforce
As you prepare to begin your career journey, the summer after high school graduation is the ideal time to sharpen your skills, update your resume, and start searching for job opportunities. Whether you’re diving into a full-time role, exploring entry-level positions, or planning for vocational training, use this time to build a strong foundation for your professional life. Congratulations on taking this next big step toward your future!
Getting Ready to Join the Workforce - 13 Tips
Jobs You Can Get With A High School Degree
Writing Your Resume
For students entering the workforce and also for incoming freshmen, a well-written resume can open a lot of doors.
- Adventures in Education offers a ton of great resume writing resources designed for recent graduates.
- This is What People Really Think of Your Resume?
- 5 Resume Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Getting Ready to Live on Your Own
Whether it’s a dorm or a first apartment, living on your own is certainly one of the biggest changes after high school. Along with freedom comes a lot more responsibility. Here are some fun resources that can help you prepare:
- 6 Survival Tips for Life in a College Dorm
- Countdown to Your First Apartment: 3 Steps to Get Ready
- 26 Cheap and Easy Ways to Have the Best Dorm Room Ever
Parents’ Corner
- If time and money allow, take your student to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session. If you are unable to visit college campuses with your student, sit down with them to observe and discuss the college’s virtual tour. Contact the college admissions office to see what options might be available for becoming familiar with the campus from afar.
- Work with your student on filling out the FAFSA. To better understand FAFSA watch YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid.
- Follow or like the office of Federal Student Aid at Twitter.com/FAFSA & Facebook.com/FederalStudentAid to get regular financial aid tips.
- Check out websites like collegedata.com and collegescorecard.ed.gov provide information about the amount and type of financial aid students receive at specific colleges, as well as average debt and typical salaries after graduation.
- Help your student learn about responsibilities involved in accepting student loans. (You can find good, easy to understand information at www.studentaid.gov).
