PHS Counselor Connection

We hope you have been having a GREAT Summer and continue to enjoy the sun for several more weeks. That said...for many of you August 1 meant the start of the college application season and we want to be sure that you have the knowlege that you need as you get started.

We know this can be a very stressful time but, with a little pre-planning and help, it doesn't have to be! That's what we're here for!

This newsletter is filled with many resources that can assist you as you begin the college search and/or application process. Don't forget to use the two resources shared with you last year in ACP and in your junior conference!

- Here's a link to a blank post-secondary prep planning document (but you should have your own named version so please use that-it should be in your Google Drive).

- This second document is the Future Ready Resource Guide with a lot of great links to various topics for high school seniors.

As always, students and families are always encouraged to connect with their counselor for any assistance with the post-secondary planning process! While you might not need all of this information right now, we hope that you will refer back to this newsletter when it comes time for you to use these processes. We'll send another similar newsletter out after the new year gets rolling.

There were some BIG changes to the FAFSA for the last applicaiton cycle, and to say that it was a total mess is an understatement. We're being told that they need more time to get the application ready in order to have a better roll out for the coming year and are thus moving the application opening to December 1st. They said that same thing last year... We'll keep you updated as we get more details.

Come to our Financial Aid Nighton Sept. 25th to learn more from a local college financial aid college representative. We will send reminders as the school year gets started.

If you missed the application workshops earlier this month, don't fear, we have you covered. Below are the presentations that were used to give students tips and tricks for the Common App, the UW App and for getting started with the UW Direct Admit Form. Please, please, please reach out to your counselor with any questions as you work through applications. That's what we're here for!

Common App Presentation

UW Application & Direct Admit Presentation

UPDATE: Most students in the class of 2025 created their Parchment accounts during homeroom last spring. If you have not yet created your Parchment account, please see your counselor for a registration number. This will make the process much easier and you will get access to a PDF of your transcript in Parchment. All students also have access to an unofficial transcript in Skyward in the same place that you see report cards. This can be used to upload into any application system that accepts unofficial transcripts in the application process.

If you remember from your junior conference, we use an electronic system called Parchment to send your transcripts to colleges, the NCAA and other institutions.

Parchment requires a student created account. Many students created their accounts during Homeroom last year. Those who did not, will need to do so asap. It is very important that students only have one account- not both a parent and a student account.

Click here for a presentation with step by step directions to set up your Parchment account. Click on the Parchment button link above to go directly to the Parchment website.

For the UW System application, you do not need to do a full request in Parchment for an official transcript to be sent in during the application process. As stated above, you can use the transcript from Skyward.

Common Application does require an official copy of the transcript to be uploaded into your CA account from Parchment. Common Application is a school in Parchment as is the NCAA. Use Parchment to send transcripts to those systems.

The first date that students can apply to most programs at WCTC is October 1st. Students should verify this date on their program specific page (there are a few programs that require earlier dates and some that have earlier deadlines). Students should follow the steps to apply found on this Application Information page. Talk to your counselor if you want some help figuring out all of the program specific dates or navigating the program web pages.

WCTC is hosting and OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, November 14th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Students/families can stop by anytime in that window. See more information HERE.

This fall, you have several opportunities to attend a college fair with over 100 schools to learn from. The locations and dates can be found at the link below. Students should register ahead of time.

WEF Fair list of dates and registration

Making the most of your in-person college fair

Check out the NACAC Fair in Milwaukee on October 6th from 12-3 pm. In additional to speaking with college reps you can attend several workshops on a variety of college topics. More info about those sessions will be on the website in the coming months. They also offer virtual fairs once per month in September, October and November.

UW Help ApplicationWorkbook: UW Workbook: A great Guide to answer many of your UW College System questions.

UW Help Fall Guidebook Request: If you would like the fall guidebook, click the link to receive a PDF version or check with your counselor as the Student Services office will be receiving some hard copies of the book. A great list of all of the majors offered at the UW campuses is included towards the back of this great resource!

UW System Direct Admit: Sudents who opted into the Direct Admit Program should have check Skyward for their direct admit letter by tis time. If you are interested in expressing interest at any of the campuses, students should follow the direction in the letter and complete the interest form (which is very similar to the regular UW application- just a bit shorter). Please connect with your counselor if you have any questions. You can also check the UW Application presentation that the counselors gave at the College Bootcamp event

How To Apply to the UW System:

Step by Step application how-to's and Information with the application process to all UW Campuses.

If you would like to practice filling out an application through the UW System Application website, please feel free to visit the Practice Application Website listed below.

Please note: no applications submitted on this website will be sent over to campuses. Applications must be submitted on the real application website in order to be received by a campus.

Practice Application Website: https://practiceapp.wisconsin.edu/homepage

Transferology is a great tool that allows you to see how the dual credit courses that you are taking in high school will transfer to your college of choice.

How to use Transferology

1. Create an account.

2. Enter the college that is granting you the credit (UW-Green Bay for most of our dual credit courses).

3. Select the college course that you are taking. Be sure to use the course number and name from the college- not the PHS course name. You can use the CCIHS course information website to get the information about the UW-Green Bay Courses. This is the list of the PHS specific courses.

4. Select "Seach For Matches"

5. You will get a list that shows how each individual college will transfer in that particular course. Use the filter tool to narrow the list to the schools that you are interested in attending.

To see how AP and IB courses will transfer at UW System campuses, use the available search tool on the UW HELP website: uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/prepare-for-college/college-credits-in-high-school/enroll-in-ap-and-ib-programs

Students will be able to narrow their search by selecting either specific campuses and/or courses they would like to see equivalencies for. Please note that students who have specific questions about their credits transferring should reach out to the college they are applying to/planning on attending.

All college have this information on their website. Google the name of the college and AP and you should get right to the page that you need.

With so many schools allowing you to choose whether or not to submit test scores, we wanted to give you a few links with info that may help you learn more about what that means and other information to help make your decision.

One important item to note with test optional schools, which you will see in these resources, is that some colleges DO require test scores in order to award MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS- you need to know if this is the case at the colleges that you are applying to so that you do not lose out on FREE MONEY! Start by checking the college's admissions and financial aid pages for this information. If you cannot find it, give the admissions office a call and ask.

Here are a few links with helpful test optional information:

College Raptor Test Optional Page

Stand Out College Test Optional Page

Your first college tuition bill...it might seem a long ways off but now's the time to help make it be as small as possible. Linked here is the PHS Scholarship page. This spreadsheet is updated with information about each scholarship as it comes into our office. The list is small now (okay, it's practically empty) but it will start to grow very soon. Keep checking back for new opportunities. And, don't forget to use the scholarship resources that were discussed in your junior conference and linked in the senior resource guide referenced at the top of the newsletter for several other opportunities to look for scholarships. Here's one of those resources that you hopefully remember!

This website has a TON of great resources in the college decision making and application process (Some require payment but many, many are free). Below are some of our favorites!

All things College Application: Hub: The main page with a list of resource broken down by topic

How to Research Colleges (Without Visiting a Campus)

Lots of great Podcasts by the College Essay Guy