Parents of Seniors at VAHS,

The CCMR website has been updated to include more college, career, and military readiness information! Check this website out for information on:..

• College and Career Planning
• Applying for College
• Paying for College
• National Standardized Testing
• Military
• Vocational/Technical Programs
• Students with Disabilities

Here are some basic recommendations for students, depending on their unique post-secondary goal. Each category is linked to the CCMR website as well.

MILITARY BOUND:

1. Take or retake ASVAB. Sign up with Mrs. Smith by October 1 to take it at VAHS or sign up through a local recruiting office.
2. Research the different military branches and consider attending a military academy.
3. Meet with a recruiter.
4. Complete MEPS and other enlistment requirements.
5. Notify VAHS once enlistment process is complete.

CAREER-BOUND

1. Complete interest inventories and career searches to discover different employment opportunities.
2. Research job availabilities in the area in which you want to live in.
3. Develop a resume and/or practice interview questions.
4. Research and consider a vocational/technical program to earn a certification or license in an area of interest. These programs only offer classes in that career cluster and do not require academic courses.
5. Consider an apprenticeship or internship program. These programs are typically paid positions that offer work-based training/credentialing at no cost to the student.

COLLEGE-BOUND

1. Request letters of recommendation. Most colleges require 1-2 letters of recommendation from teachers. Here’s some advice on how to choose the best recommenders and what information to provide them. Students can request a letter of recommendation from the counselor by completing the request form on their website.

2. (Re)take the SAT/ACT, if needed. If a student has not taken the SAT/ACT yet, they should probably do so (unless applying for test-optional schools only).

3. Finalize your college list. Research and VISIT colleges to determine what is the best fit for you. Know the different deadlines for applications and start applying to your target schools.

4. Fill out their FAFSA® form. The FAFSA® form is the federal government financial aid form. The government is making some changes to the FAFSA® this year, so the application will open in December 2023. Lots of aid is first-come, first-served, so apply as soon as the form opens! See Mrs. Smith's previous email for more information on FAFSA.

5. Prepare your essays. Many colleges will ask for one main essay; some more prestigious colleges will also have additional essays or short-answer questions. Here’s some information on how to plan for the main college essay/personal statement. Click here for more tips on planning college essays.

6. Apply for scholarships. Most scholarships are geared towards high school seniors, and the ones with earlier deadlines (Sept-Dec) tend to receive fewer applicants, which means your child has a higher chance of winning! To find and apply for scholarships, visit the CCMR website.

7. Check out these college check-lists for more ideas: GoingMerry College Check-list, College Board Big Future College Check-list, ACT Senior Year Checklist

Email the CCMR team with any questions!

Counselor A-L: Mandy Danielson [email protected]

Counselor M-Z: Denise Jensen [email protected]

CCMR/CTE/Testing: Annie Smith [email protected]

Senior Seminar/Career Prep Teacher: Dacia McBryde [email protected]