SENIOR YEAR

Employers, colleges, military recruiters and scholarship selection committees are all looking for students who have a good work ethic, good attendance, do their best, write, speak and listen well, respect and work well with others, are responsible and accept responsibility for their actions, follow directions, problem solve, do accurate, neat work, are healthy, motivated and honest. Work on all of these skills throughout high school.

Throughout the first semester

• Start submitting admission applications online
• Consider retaking the ACT/SAT if not satisfied with your initial score. You must register online at: www.actstudent.org or www.sat.collegeboard.org/register
• Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) if you would like to enter the military after high school. 
• Consider taking the ASVAB as an additional career planning/resources to help you with post secondary planning.
• Request official high school transcript transcript and recommendation letters along with applications
• Get involved with extracurricular clubs and/or sports (refer to the Rhinelander High School Student Handbook)
• Consider attending the WI Education Fair if you did not attend as a junior
• Talk to post-secondary representatives when they are visiting the high school during lunch shifts. Check announcements
• Look online at the military, WI technical colleges, WI 4 year private universities and WI 4 year public universities
• Visit postsecondary schools that interest you and make arrangements for campus tours
• Become a Community Service Volunteer – choose areas that interest you.
• Continue using Xello to develop your Academic and Career Plan (ACP). Xello is rich with information on careers, education, employment trends and more. Each student has a personal Xello account with an e-portfolio. The e-portfolio holds assessment results
• If planning on Division I or II college athletics, register online with NCAA Clearinghouse.
• Consider a Community Service Volunteer experience in your area of interest
• Attend College Goal Wisconsin 
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Determine how you will meet the costs at selected schools, i.e. through parent, on your own or other resources. Begin exploring different avenues for scholarships by visiting the Student Services Nonlocal Scholarship link or Xello
• Check with individual colleges for their scholarship opportunities.
• Discuss your list of favorite schools with your parents, friends, teachers.
• Obtain a SSN Social Security Number if you don’t have one.
• Request letters of recommendation. Give ample time for recommender to complete.
• Post-secondary publications for Wisconsin Technical, Public, and Private schools are available for free in Student Services
• Talk with people in the occupations you’re considering/ask if you can job shadow them
• Register for the Selective Service System .  If you do not register, you will not be eligible for federal student aid, federal job training,  a federal job; you may be prosecuted and face a fine and/or jail time. 

January

• Request 1st semester transcripts to be sent to colleges/universities if required.
• If completing graduation requirements at semester - Complete “Post Graduation Intention Form” available in Student Services.

February

• Begin working on Local Scholarship Application for the Rhinelander Area Scholarship Foundation

March

• Register for placement tests if required
• Complete Local Scholarship Application for the Rhinelander Area Scholarship Foundation

April

• Review all acceptance packages carefully
• Make final visits to schools that have sent acceptance letters
• Select and notify the school you plan to attend
• Send thank you notes to those who wrote recommendations
• Finalize housing plans
• Fill out “Post Graduation Intention Form” required by the State for all graduating students, see Student Services office

May/June

• Take Advanced Placement exams, if applicable to courses you are taking
• Prepare for high school graduation
• Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you have selected and if applicable, the NCAA
• Ensure all fees/fines are paid
• Return all books/Locker Keys

High school graduation requirements are different from the entrance requirements for specific colleges and universities. The requirements listed below are minimum requirements for students to be eligible for admission to these institutions. Students are encouraged to exceed these minimum requirements and to challenge themselves by taking rigorous courses, including Advanced Placement courses, to be competitive in the collegiate admissions process.

University of Wisconsin System

Students must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be eligible for admission:

English, 4 credits

Mathematics (Algebra 2a/b), 3 credits (Does not include Statistics)

Science, 3 credits

Social Studies, 3 credits

Foreign Langauge, not required, but recommended to have 2 credits in one language.

Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges

The following are recommended high school credits for adequate, comprehensive preparation for success in technical college programs:

English, 4 credits

Mathematics, 3 credits

Science, 3 credits

Social Studies, 3 credits

Technical Courses, 3-4 credits

Technical college programs have admission standards. Some programs have waiting lists. Apply early and talk to the school's admissions for advice regarding your chosen program.

Wisconsin’s Private Universities

Students must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be eligible for admission:

English, 4 credits

Mathematics (Algebra 2a/b), 3 credits

Science, 3 credits

Social Studies, 3 credits

Foreign Language, 2 credits, highly recommended at most private colleges like St.Norbert College and Marquette Univeristy

Considerations for admission include ACT or SAT scores and grades earned within the context of courses taken, as well as the challenge level of the courses.

Nation’s Top Universities

Students must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be eligible for admission:

English, 4 credits

Science, 4 credits

Foreign Language, 2-4 credits

1000. 4 credits (Does not include Statistics)

Social Studies, 3 credits

Considerations for admission include ACT, 32 plus, or SAT scores and grades earned within the context of courses taken, as well as the challenge level of the courses.

A key step to planning for your future is selecting the correct high school courses now. Your future plans should influence the courses you choose to take. If you are not sure what you want to do after high school, explore resources, consider job shadowing, talk to your teachers and/or high school counselor.

Types of Post-Secondary Education

Four-Year Baccalaureate

These schools offer courses leading to a four-year Bachelor of Art or Bachelor of Science degree. Universities can be public (example: UW-Eau Claire) or private (example: Marquette University). Wisconsin has over 20 private colleges and universities and 13 public universities. Although the tuition at some private schools may seem too expensive at first glance, they are usually able to offer enough financial aid and scholarships to make the cost more closely comparable to that of a public university.

Proprietary Schools

Schools that specialize in a specific trade or skill. Examples would be truck driving, art, or culinary school. Entrance requirements are generally open, although art schools for example, may require you to submit a portfolio. They may offer certification, licensing, or associate degrees.

Technical

Technical schools have programs that can lead to a certificate, a vocational (one year) degree or an associate degree (two years). Most technical colleges also have a liberal arts transfer program that allow students to earn college credit in general courses for two years and transfer to a four-year school to complete their bachelor’s degree. Other individual courses may also transfer to a four-year college or university. An example of a technical college is Nicolet Area Technical College. There are 16 technical colleges across the state with a variety of career-oriented programs that last from a few months to two years. Students with a high school diploma that seek admission to a Wisconsin technical school may need successful completion of specific courses in high school.

Two Year College, Junior and Community Colleges

The University of Wisconsin has 13 two-year extension campuses located throughout the state. UW-Marathon in Wausau is an example of a UW college campus. These campuses have more liberal admission requirements and slightly lower tuition. Credits specifically transfer to any four-year college and typically to any four-year college or university. Depending on the location, campuses may offer housing and a limited range of extra-curricular activities. Admission requirements for the UW colleges are the same as those listed for UW four year campuses.