Senior Planning Tips - October

Seniors, you should plan on doing some work every month to prepare for college. We have listed what you should be doing in August and September. Check back each month for more tips!


In October you should:

• Review your transcripts to verify that the information is correct
• Send transcripts to your selected schools—ask your counselor if you need help
• Find out the application-of-choice used by each college
• Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, school counselors, or employers early in the year or at least two weeks before application deadlines.  Follow your school's procedure for requesting recommendations.
• Most admissions and scholarship applications require these letters
• Get some pointers on writing admissions essays and scholarship essays
• View sample essays and essay questions
• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights
• Visit colleges/universities that have invited you to enroll
• Candidates for early school admission (early decision, early action, early admission, etc.) should complete college applications. It's a good idea to investigate the pros and cons of this decision and to get familiar with the early admission timeline.

Junior Year Planning Tips - October

Juniors, check back each month for information on what you should be doing to prepare for college.

Throughout the year make sure to do the following:

• Continue to take and plan challenging courses
• Keep your grades up
• Start/update an academic resume
• Put together a portfolio that highlights your special skills and talents
• Volunteer for activities and clubs related to career interests
• Get a part-time job, apprenticeship or internship or job shadow in a profession that interests you

In October/November, you should

• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights
• Take the PSAT
• Start searching for scholarships and ways to pay for your education
• Learn what components make up the cost to attend college
• Review descriptions of the different types of schools
• Begin to understand the basics about federal and private student loans
• Plan and make college visits

College-Specific Scholarship Opportunities

We have received information regarding scholarship programs offered at the following colleges:

Saint Michael's College is offering the Edmundite Scholarship, which is worth $20,000 over four years and will be awarded to a student who graduates from a Catholic high school and is admitted to St. Michael's College.  For more information, click here.

Boston University announces the 36th Annual Boston University Trustee Scholarship Competition. This program recognizes students who show outstanding academic and leadership abilities. Students are nominated by high school principals and headmasters. Those considered for the Trustee Scholarship typically rank in the top 5–10% of their class and demonstrate exceptional records of service and activity in their schools and communities.  A Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition plus mandatory fees and is renewable for four years if certain criteria are met. Visit the Trustee Scholarship website for more information.

Colleges Visiting St. Joe's

Below is the updated list of upcoming college visits.  If you would like to meet with any of these representatives, please see Ms. Sereno or Ms. Stankowski for a pass!

Mon 10/4 @ 1:10PM	St. Norbert College
Tues 10/5 @ 10AM	Alverno College
Wed 10/13 @ 1PM	Illinois Wesleyan University
Tues 10/19 @ 8AM	UW - Madison
Wed 10/20 @ 10AM	UW - Platteville
Fri 10/22 @ 1PM	UW - Parkside
Tues 10/26 @ 10:45AM	Loyola University Chicago
Tues 10/26 @ 2PM	Cardinal Stritch University
Wed 10/27 @ 2PM	Marquette University
Tues 11/2 @ 1:30PM	UW- LaCrosse
Wed 11/10 @ 10AM	Lakeland College
Tues 11/23 @ 1PM	Marian University

College and Career Fairs

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) invites sophomores, juniors, and seniors to the:

Milwaukee National College Fair

Sunday October 24, 2010

12:00pm to 3:30pm

Frontier Airlines Center (formerly Midwest) - Exhibit Hall A

Professional admission representatives from over 200 colleges and universities are available to speak with students one-on-one concerning the college admission process and college life in general.

Visit the 2010 Milwaukee National College Fair website or Ms. Stankowski and Ms. Sereno for more information.

Register for the event at http://www.gotomyncf.com/NACACReg.asp?EID=101

Highlighting Health Care is a career education program aimed at all high school students.  The objective of this program is to assist young adults in pursuing their interest in a health care career.  Each month students will have an opportunity to meet and listen to different healthcare professionals share information about their educational and career experiences.

Meetings of Highlighting Health Care

7:00 - 8:00PM

Second Tuesday of Every Month

Scheduled Topics:

October 12 : Obstetrics/Gynecology
November 9: Health Care Career Counseling
December 14: Pharmacy
January 1, 2011: Medical Technology

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints
3801 Spring Street, Racine, WI

For more information, contact Dan Wrensch at Dan.Wrensch@wfhc.org

Just In! New College Info

We have received various information from the following colleges/universities:

Edgewood College

Lakeland College

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Stop by to look through the lastest viewbooks or learn about College Preview Days and majors offered at these institutions!

Writing Contest and Youth Leadership Forum

The National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and Crime Scene Investigation is now open for 9th, 10th and 11th graders. You will have the opportunity to learn and study in Washington, D.C. Stop by Guidance to pick up more information!



The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is hosting a scholarship essay contest. The Third Annual "Freedom in Academia" Student Essay Contest has a November 1 deadline. Entries should be completed online.

This just in!

If you are interested in attending the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee,  be sure to stop by to look at the new materials that we have received.  You can browse UWM's Viewbook or learn more about the scholarship programs available to incoming freshmen.  All of the information is also available on UWM's website.

UWM has also announced the dates for their Open House.  Friday October 29th and Saturday October 30th are great opportunities to talk with faculty, academic advisors and support staff; take a campus tour; and become familiar with the neighborhood.  Check out www.openhouse.uwm.edu for an inside look at this event!

The University of Wisconsin - Madison has also sent us copies of their current Viewbook.  Stop by to check it out or visit UW-Madison's Admissions website. 

We received information about the University of Wisconsin Greenbay.

UW Green Bay is hosting Campus Preview Days on:

• Friday, October 15 (Environmental Programs Preview Day)
• Thursday, October 28
• Friday, October 29
• Friday, November 19
• Friday, March 25
• Friday, April 29

Paths to Professions

The Wall Street Journal has posted a Paths to Professions information page. On this page, you can read about different careers and learn which colleges and universities have the highest rated job applicants!

There are many career paths listed with A LOT of information! Make sure to check it out!

Colleges, Colleges, Colleges!

Many thanks to the College of Holy Cross for visiting with our students!

If you were unable to attend, please stop by Room 113 to pick up some materials.

In addition, we've received information from The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Minnesota.

The University of Minnesota is hosting a special event for high school students called Experience Minnesota: An Open House for Mulitcultural Students on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. During this event you and your family will:

• Learn about majors, student life, and financial aid scholarships
• Tour the campus
• Meet current U of M students and hear about their experiences
• Tour student cultural centers, see a step performance by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and hear spoken-work student group Voices Merging.

RSVP today online or call 1-800-752-1000

We have also received applications and viewbooks from Ball State and Truman State University.

College Goal Sunday

It will take more than good luck and best intentions to pay for college. You need a plan of action, and it should begin with College Goal Sunday!

College Goal Sunday is a national event that provides free information and assistance to families who are filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the federally required form for students seeking financial aid, such and grants and loans. Completing the FAFSA is the first and most important step in qualifying for aid.

In Wisconsin, College Goal Sunday will take place on February 19-20, 2011 at 30 locations throughout the state.

Visit http://www.wicollegegoalsunday.org/ for more information!

Information about Illinois' College Goal Sunday can be found here.

Exploring College Options

Exploring College Options is a special recruitment program sponsored by the undergraduate admissions offices of five of the country's leading universities: Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

During the spring or fall of each year, the Exploring College Options group will visit all 50 states. At each event, representatives from the five universities will conduct brief slide presentations about their institution and answer your questions about the sometimes-mystifying world of college admissions. You will learn what distinguishes one fine university from another, what competitive colleges look for in the selection process, and what you can do to enhance your college application.

Student/Parent Information sessions will be offered during the week of September 19th in:

Grand Rapids MI, South Bend IN, Indianapolis IN, Springfield IL, and Cedar Rapids IA

If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please visit the Exploring College Options website to register.

Academy Day 2010

Senator Herb Kohl, Senator Russ Feingold,

Congressman Tom Petri, & Congressman Steve Kagen

Invite interested high school students, teachers, and parents to meet representatives from:

U.S. Air Force Academy

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

U.S. Military Academy

U.S. Naval Academy

Saturday, September 25, 2010

10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Experimental Aircraft Association,

EAA Aviation Center

3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh WI

College Visit Days

Numerous colleges have sent us information about upcoming opportunities for students to visit their campuses.  Please click on the links below to access each school's College Visit Days calendar and sign up for visits!

UW-River Falls

Fox Valley Technical College

Aquinas College
You can also explore scholarships available at Aquinas.

New College Materials

We received some new college information in the mail this weekend!

Oberlin College sent us their 2010-2011 course catalog.

Washington University in St. Louis sent us a packet of information. They included an application, the 2011 viewbook, a scholarship book and a sheet to sign up for their mailing list.  We also received a DVD that offers a glimpse of the campus.  It can also be viewed on their Admissions website.

Finally, the University of Pennsylvania will be visiting Walter Payton High School on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 4:00 pm.

Walter Payton High School

1034 North Wells Street

Chicago, IL 60610

Being an American Scholarship

The Bill of Rights Institute will be holding its 5th annual "Being an American" scholarship contest.

You can find information here.

The prize is $5,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.!

This year's question is:" What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American? Trace the enduring importance of this value throughout the American story by discussing: a Founding document that reflects this value; a figure from American history who embodies this value; and examples of how you have and/or could put this value into practice."

You cannot submit this paper by yourself. Please turn it in to Ms. Sereno in Room 113. She and Ms. Stankowski are both available to help proofread or help you come up with a good topic.

The deadline for this scholarship is December 1.

Good Luck!

Best of luck to all those taking the ACT tomorrow! Take your time, get a good night's rest and eat a healthy breakfast. Don't forget essentials like extra pencils and an ID!

UW LaCrosse

We have received a new Look Book from UW LaCrosse. We also received a Counselor's Guide from LaCrosse. This guide is filled with wonderful information about every major at LaCrosse! It gives a description of the major, has information about specific scholarships, organizations and internships that match the major and discusses career opportunities and the occupational outlook for that career!

If you are thinking about LaCrosse definitely take a look at the book in Room 113!

New Scholarship/Essay Contest

Ave Maria Press’s

Brother Andre Essay Contest

Bl. Brother Andre Besette

Details at http://engagingfaith.blogspot.com/2010/08/scholarship-contest-celebrating.html

Prize: $500 scholarship for students enrolled in Catholic high schools

Deadline: September 17, 2010

Requirements: 500 word essay titled “Brother André Bessette: A Model for Humble Service”

How to Enter: Have your high school students write their essays based on the suggestions listed on Ave Maria Press’s Engaging Faith blog and send them in by September 17th!

UW-Madison Scholarships

If you are interested in applying to UW-Madison, be sure to check out the http://scholarships.wisc.edu/ website. 

This website is designed to make searching for on-campus scholarships easy and quick for prospective students and their parents.  Instead of navigating individual schools and colleges, students can turn to this comprehensive resource to find UW scholarships for which they are eligible.

Upcoming College Visits

We are excited to have scheduled our first college visits!

A representative from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts will be visiting St. Joe's on Wednesday September 15, 2010 at 8 AM!  If you are interested in meeting with this representative, please see Ms. Sereno or Ms. Stankowski to get a pass.

Also, a representative from Loyola University Chicago will be available on Tuesday October 26, 2010 at 10:45 AM!  Mark your calendars and be sure to stop by for a pass!

Please take advantage of these great opportunities!