Parchment
Seniors: It's your responsibility to send your FINAL TRANSCRIPT to your committed school via parchment.com. Counselors will not be sending these for you.
To request your final transcript, go to www.parchment.com
-To order your final transcript to be sent you can place the order anytime and then select 'Hold for Grades' in the drop down for when to send your transcript. (Your transcript will be sent once grades roll to transcripts mid-June)
-Note for Senior students with fee waivers: These expire on July 31. Please place your order for your final transcript prior to this time.
-All Senior students should make sure they use a personal email to log into their Parchment account. If you are currently using your school email address, please go to your Profile, account and add another email to this account and make your personal email the primary email. School email addresses are deactivated after graduation.
-Please note if you want to see your most current transcript in your Parchment account, you can do so by clicking on the current image of your transcript, scroll down and click update. This creates an 'unofficial self view' order which is sent to West High School and West High School will then upload your most recent transcript to your account.
Scholarships
Check out the following resources to support you in your scholarship search:
MMSD students can search for local scholarships in their Xello account. (a listing of local scholarships can be found under the "College Resources" section)
Addtional Scholarship Resources:
College Board's Scholarship Search
Students are reminded to check with individual colleges for scholarships offered directly by the college or university you plan to attend.
JumpStart Virtual College Workshops
The College Station in partnership with Edgewood College and Madison College will host the 2021 Virtual JumpStart College Workshops on Monday, May 10th.
The JumpStart College Workshops are designed to motivate students as they prepare to graduate from high school and attend college. Students will receive guidance and advice on navigating the first year and general information about student life and strategies for success.
For students who have yet to apply to college, this event will help them better understand the admissions and financial aid processes. They will also have an opportunity to meet with college admission representatives.
Students can select which sessions they want to attend. Students may join at any time and participate in the sessions they are interested in.
Participating students will be entered into drawings for prizes such as: Beats headphones, Chromebook, residence life/dorm room supplies, college school supplies and more!
This event is free and open to all high school students and families.
Interested students should register at: Virtual JumpStart College Workshops.
Heading to a Minnesota school this fall?
MINNESOTA-WISCONSIN RECIPROCITY
Wisconsin residents wishing to participate in the Reciprocity Tuition Program for attendance at a Minnesota public institution MUST complete an application form and be placed on a certification list supplied to the Minnesota school by the Higher Educational Aids Board. The list of eligible schools appears on the instruction/information page of the application form. Reciprocity applications for attendance at a Minnesota public college or university during the 2021-22 academic year are available on the HEAB website: http://heab.wi.gov .
Edgewood College: Community Scholars Scholarship
Community Scholars is Edgewood College's Full Tuition scholarship program for Dane County students. Students who have received this scholarship in the past received full tuition coverage and school supplies. In addition to the tuition being covered, the scholarship will now include coverage of Room and Board for the student’s Freshman and Sophomore years!
In order for students to be able to earn this scholarship, they need to apply to Edgewood College! The deadline for the Community Scholars scholarship is May 21st. This scholarship is a part of the Edgewood College Freshman Scholarship application, where students can apply to multiple scholarships including Community Scholars.
Here is the link students can use to find more information about Community Scholars: https://www.edgewood.edu/community-scholars
Please note that the deadline still says April 1st on the webpage but it has been extended to May 21st.
AP Exam Info
Click HERE for all things AP related (test schedule, cancellations/refunds, what to bring, etc.)
Digital AP Exam: Important Info
Attention students taking the AP Digital Exam/s this Spring.
Please review the info below for important instructions regarding your online AP Exam/s.
These steps are a MUST DO in order to take your online AP exam/s!
Instructions on how to use the 2021 Digital Exam App
This resource includes information on:
Where to locate the AP digital testing app on student Chromebooks
The AP digital testing app is currently available on all student devices
Activities to complete prior to testing
Students will need to complete the setup 3 days prior to EACH exam that they are taking
Activities to complete day-of-test
Check in to your exam 30 minutes prior to start time
Troubleshooting steps
For additional information on AP Exams please visit the MMSD AP Exam webpage.
Rising 12th Graders
Don't wait until the last minute to start working on your College Essay! Many students describe the essay as the most challenging part of college applications. Be sure to carve out some time this summer to brainstorm and do some pre-writing of your essay.
Need help getting started? Check out Big Future's resource for College Essay tips.
Common Application Essay Questions for 2020-21
UW System Schools Essay Questions for 2020-21
Also, check out the College Planning Launchpad below for many resources to help you with each step of your college/post secondary planning.
An updated (Senior-focused) launchpad will be shared with you in August 2021.
All seniors will be added to the Class of 2022 Counseling Google classroom this summer.
Rising 11th Grade Students
Be sure to make the most of your summer! Colleges and University admission representatives tell us that work experience is very important in teaching students skills that are not taught in a high school classroom.
In addition to working, your student may want to volunteer or job shadow in a career area they are interested in. VOLUNTEER HOURS ARE REQUIRED FOR NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AS WELL AS MANY SCHOLARSHIPS!
VolunteerYourTime (United Way of Dane Co)
Volunteer and Paid Opportunties for students in the Madison Area!
Volunteer Log (make a copy and keep this handy document to record your volunteer hours!)
METHOD TEST PREP
This ACT preparation program is offered through Xello to all MMSD students. It's FREE & students can log-in and start reviewing/practicing for the ACT test which most students start taking in the Winter or Spring of their Junior year. You can access your Xello account from the main West HS Website, scroll to the bottom. The Xello-Student link is under the blue bar. Click the link and you will be automatically connected to your Xello account.
National Honor Society
The application requires an essay and demonstration of 60 hours of community service (requirement was wavied to 30 hours due to the pandemic), only half of these hours can be in one volunteer activity.
More information on West's NHS program can be found HERE
Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)
What is the MSEP?
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) helps improve access to postsecondary education through the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). Since 1994, the MSEP has provided more affordable opportunities for students to attend out-of-state institutions. The MSEP serves as the Midwest's largest multi-state tuition reciprocity program.
Over 100 colleges and universities in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin have opened their doors to each others' citizens at more affordable rates. Although the Midwestern Higher Education Compact is composed of twelve Midwestern states, the MSEP is a voluntary program (as are all MHEC programs) and ten of the twelve states participate. Iowa and South Dakota do not participate in MSEP at this time. Click here for more information.
How it works
Through the MSEP, public institutions agree to charge students no more than 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate for specific programs; private institutions offer a 10% reduction on their tuition rates. You must be enrolling as a non-resident student at a participating MSEP campus to receive the discount. All enrollment decisions are made at the discretion of the receiving campus and the campus may exercise its right to limit participation or set specific admission requirements for MSEP.
Actual savings through the program will vary from institution to institution depending upon the tuition rates. Participating students will typically realize savings between $500 and $5,000 annually.
Use the search feature to locate schools in neighboring states that participate in the MSEP tuition reciprocity agreement.
Dreamers of WI: Seeking Applicants for Youth Advisory Board
Dreamers of Wisconsin advocates for undocumented students pursuing higher education in Wisconsin. They are looking for applicants for a newly forming Youth Advisory Board.
Currently, they are developing their High School College Access Program (HSCAP), a college readiness program that is undocumented/DACAmented student-centered. Dreamers of WI strongly believes that the HSCAP curriculum needs to center the voices and experiences of undocumented youth in Wisconsin.
The Youth Advisory Board would serve as Advisors to the Education Board in establishing programming, curriculum, and instruction for the HSCAP.
Being a Youth Advisor gives students the opportunity to advise Dreamers of Wisconsin on what they want to see happen. It is also a great opportunity to expand their network and personal development, and be with like-minded peers.
Students can apply at www.dreamersofwisconsin.com!
Dreamers of WI will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. Priority Application Deadline is May 5th, 2021.
Summer Programs
Check out these helpful resources to help you maximize your summer!
MOST (Madison Out of School Time)
Work Permits
Youth-Business Mentoring Program
CommonWealth Development's Youth-Business Mentoring Program
May YBMP Training Dates:
May 17-28, 2021
Applications Due: May 7th by 5:00 pm
Some of the topics that youth learned through these trainings include:
- How to find and apply for a job
- Customer Service
- Financial literacy (including topics such as budgeting and credit)
- Wellness in the workplace and personal branding
There will be one more YBMP session this spring. Consider applying If you are a youth between the ages of 14 – 17 years old who is looking to learn more about how to be successful in the workforce and start a job!
Training is held Monday through Friday, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm for two weeks. Due to COVID-19, we are currently holding these trainings via Zoom ONLY. Youth must have access to a computer with a camera and internet access.
To apply, students must submit a youth application and have their parent or guardian submit the permission form. The links to the forms can be found on our website: https://www.cwd.org/youth-development/youth-business-mentoring/
Once applications are submitted, a staff member will follow up with the applicant to discuss next steps.
Any questions can be directed to Annie Johnston, Youth Workforce Development Manager. She can be reached via email annie@cwd.org or by phone 608-256-3527 ext. 1561.
Summer School
Summer School will meet Monday-Thursday from June 21-July 29 (no class July 5)
Students should enroll in summer school if they are deficient in credits for the next school year or if they wish to replace a grade earned during the school year. To be “on target” toward high school graduation, students should have earned at least the following number of credits before entering their respective grade:
- 5 ½ credits before starting sophomore year
- 11 credits before starting junior year
- 15 credits before starting senior year
Parents are encouraged to look on Infinite Campus or talk with their son/daughter’s counselor if they wish to check on credit status.
Counselors have reviewed and prepared letters for students who they recommend for summer school due to credit recovery. These letters will be mailed home to families the end of April/early May.
If you would like to sign your child up for summer school, please contact your school counselor.
Student Athletes: SUMMER TRAINING
WHERE: Hamilton Middle School outdoor fields
WHEN: 6/14 - 8/8 @ 8:00am (Session 1) or 9:15am (Session 2)
TOTAL COST: $20/athlete Scholarship opportunities are available for athletes needing assistance with the cost.
NCAA Eligibility Center Spring Webinar for College-Bound Student-Athletes
Parent Session: Making the Transition to High School
Sponsored by Urban League. Join us to discuss how to help support your scholar as they move to either middle or high school. We will be covering how the school day changes, social changes, and more!
Two Sessions: Tuesday, May 4 from 7-8 pm and Saturday, May 8th from 11am-Noon.
Register HERE
