COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE
How To Request A Transcript?
A transcript is an official document from our school that will provide a detailed list of your courses and grades you have received in high school. A transcript also includes grade point average, class rank, and ACT scores. All post-secondary institutions, including technical schools and community colleges, require a transcript.
1. Please request transcript by completing a transcript request form. There will be at least two days to process request. Forms are available in the counseling office. Students are responsible to pick-up transcripts from the registrar.
2. A student receives two transcripts free of charge. After that each transcript will cost $1.00.
3. It is best to send post-high school applications, fees and transcripts in one envelope.
4. Students request a final transcript by completing a transcript request form and giving it to the registrar prior to the last day of school.
2-Year Tech School or Community College
Applicants must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate, awarded for passing the General Education Development Test for full-time admission. Applicants must complete the application process for each school as listed. Applicants must meet the requirements of each program. Applicants must meet minimum entrance examination requirements. Most SD Technical Schools require either an ACT or ACCPLACER assessment test score for entrance and/or program placement.
4-Year In-State College or University
Admissions Requirements
1. Four years of English.
2. Three years of Social Studies.
3. One year of Fine Arts.
4. Three years of advanced Mathematics (Algebra I and above).
5. Three years of lab Science (biology, chemistry, physics, and physical science, etc.).
6. Economics or Personal Finance
AND one of the following: a 2.6 high school GPA, an ACT composite score of 18, or top 60% of graduating class. (SD School of Mines Requires an ACT composite score of 25 and a 3.5 GPA and USD requires an ACT composite score of 21 and a GPA of 2.6)
Out-of-State College or University
This option may change your class selection during your senior year. It is always best to contact the school or program for specific programs. It is very common for out of state colleges to require 4 years of Math, 4 years of Science, and 2 years of the same World Language for their standard admission. This criteria is different from South Dakota, and you are encouraged to visit with your counselor for more information.
If you are interested in applying for admission to an out-of-state college/technical institute, you should do so early in your senior year. Contact the Director of Admissions at the College/Technical Institute of your choice and ask for catalogs, admissions and scholarship applications or access application via Internet. For addresses, go to the WHS School Counseling office and the WHS library. Admissions to out of state colleges are based upon your cumulative GPA and ACT/SAT test scores. You may be required to write an essay and be interviewed.
College Entrance Exams
The ACT test is the admission test required by colleges in South Dakota. It is given 5 times a year on nationally scheduled test dates. Registration Packets are available in the school counseling office or students may register online at www.ACTstudent.org . It is highly suggested juniors take the ACT at the end of their junior year. Seniors are recommended to take the ACT no later than the October test if they plan to apply for scholarships. The ACT can be taken as many times as the student chooses. Colleges will usually use the student's highest composite score. For more information, contact your counselor and www.ACTstudent.org. WHS students may complete a free practice ACT test and study program through "SD My Life" or www.Number2.com.
The SAT I test is a college admission test which should be taken at the end of the 11th grade. The SAT I test is administered in approximately three hours and covers verbal, math and writing skills. Scores range from 200-800 points. The SAT II tests are subject tests that some colleges may require. For more information, contact your counselor or go online at www.collegeboard.org. WHS students may complete a free practice SAT test at http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.
ACT & SAT TEST CODE NUMBER FOR WHS
421-185
Advanced Placement Examinations
Advanced Placement examinations are administered in mid-May. Students who pass these tests with a score of 3, 4, or 5 are generally awarded college credit. Check with individual colleges to see if they will accept the AP class for college credit.
Scholarship and Financial Aid
What Is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is any money you may receive to assist in paying for post-secondary education. Financial Aid comes in several different packages: scholarships, merit-based, and need-based. One of the most reliable resources for information regarding financial aid is Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. Great Lakes will provide a variety of financial aid services: offering options and answering questions. Their goal is to meet the needs of students and their families in financing higher education. Use the Internet to connect with Great Lakes: www.mygreatlakes.org.
Financial Aid Timeline
Visit with your counselor and browse list of scholarships available in WHS Counseling office at least 2 times per month. Also found at www.whscounseling.com
October 1: Go online and Complete FAFSA
Attend Financial Aid Night @ WHS - (Usually during Parent Teacher Conferences, contact Counseling for more info.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form
FAFSA opens the door to the federal student aid process. To apply for federal student financial aid and to apply to some lending institutions, students need to complete a FAFSA form, even if you believe you will not qualify for assistance. You may go online to complete the FAFSA form after January 1st of your senior year by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov . **DO NOT GO TO FAFSA.COM or Google fafsa. These sites will require payment to utilize their scholarship locating services
For the most accurate financial aid information for the school of your choice please contact the Director of Financial Aid at that institution.
Scholarships
Scholarships awarded by colleges/universities technical schools usually come under one of the following categories: academic, departmental, performance / athletic, leadership / service, and minority. Privately funded scholarships are also available. Complete lists of privately funded local scholarships is located at www.whscounseling.com
www.fastweb.com and www.zinch.com .
Tips For Learning About College Scholarships (Retrieved from www.collegeboard.org)
1. Start with a personal inventory, ask yourself:
• Do I want to participate in a competition? If so, what are my talents and interests?
• What subject do I plan to major in?
• What career do I plan to pursue?
• Do I want to apply for all types of aid or only scholarships?
2. Research local scholarships first
• Stop by the counseling office, counselors will have information regarding scholarships.
• The public library may have books on financial aid/scholarships, such as the Scholarship Handbook.
3. Check membership organizations and employers
• Explore categories you have not have considered, i.e. religious, community service, fraternal, military, union and professional.
• Many companies offer scholarships or tuition programs for children of employees, so don't forget to ask your parents.
4. Use a free scholarship search service
• A scholarship search company collects information on awards and compares your student characteristics with scholarship restrictions. Based on your answers to a questionnaire, you receive a list of possible scholarships.
• Free scholarship search services: Scholarship Search, Fastweb, and Sallie Mae.
5. Contact your State Department of Higher Education
• Almost every state has a scholarship program for residents; however the awards are usually limited to students who attend college in-state.
6. Research institutional scholarships
• Research what kinds of scholarships are available at the colleges that interest you
• Are scholarships awarded automatically if a student matches certain criteria? i.e. GPA, ACT or SAT scores.
• What is the application procedure? What materials are required?
• Is the award renewable? What are the requirements to maintain the award?
A transcript is an official document from our school that will provide a detailed list of your courses and grades you have received in high school. A transcript also includes grade point average, class rank, and ACT scores. All post-secondary institutions, including technical schools and community colleges, require a transcript.
1. Please request transcript by completing a transcript request form. There will be at least two days to process request. Forms are available in the counseling office. Students are responsible to pick-up transcripts from the registrar.
2. A student receives two transcripts free of charge. After that each transcript will cost $1.00.
3. It is best to send post-high school applications, fees and transcripts in one envelope.
4. Students request a final transcript by completing a transcript request form and giving it to the registrar prior to the last day of school.
2-Year Tech School or Community College
Applicants must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate, awarded for passing the General Education Development Test for full-time admission. Applicants must complete the application process for each school as listed. Applicants must meet the requirements of each program. Applicants must meet minimum entrance examination requirements. Most SD Technical Schools require either an ACT or ACCPLACER assessment test score for entrance and/or program placement.
4-Year In-State College or University
Admissions Requirements
1. Four years of English.
2. Three years of Social Studies.
3. One year of Fine Arts.
4. Three years of advanced Mathematics (Algebra I and above).
5. Three years of lab Science (biology, chemistry, physics, and physical science, etc.).
6. Economics or Personal Finance
AND one of the following: a 2.6 high school GPA, an ACT composite score of 18, or top 60% of graduating class. (SD School of Mines Requires an ACT composite score of 25 and a 3.5 GPA and USD requires an ACT composite score of 21 and a GPA of 2.6)
Out-of-State College or University
This option may change your class selection during your senior year. It is always best to contact the school or program for specific programs. It is very common for out of state colleges to require 4 years of Math, 4 years of Science, and 2 years of the same World Language for their standard admission. This criteria is different from South Dakota, and you are encouraged to visit with your counselor for more information.
If you are interested in applying for admission to an out-of-state college/technical institute, you should do so early in your senior year. Contact the Director of Admissions at the College/Technical Institute of your choice and ask for catalogs, admissions and scholarship applications or access application via Internet. For addresses, go to the WHS School Counseling office and the WHS library. Admissions to out of state colleges are based upon your cumulative GPA and ACT/SAT test scores. You may be required to write an essay and be interviewed.
College Entrance Exams
The ACT test is the admission test required by colleges in South Dakota. It is given 5 times a year on nationally scheduled test dates. Registration Packets are available in the school counseling office or students may register online at www.ACTstudent.org . It is highly suggested juniors take the ACT at the end of their junior year. Seniors are recommended to take the ACT no later than the October test if they plan to apply for scholarships. The ACT can be taken as many times as the student chooses. Colleges will usually use the student's highest composite score. For more information, contact your counselor and www.ACTstudent.org. WHS students may complete a free practice ACT test and study program through "SD My Life" or www.Number2.com.
The SAT I test is a college admission test which should be taken at the end of the 11th grade. The SAT I test is administered in approximately three hours and covers verbal, math and writing skills. Scores range from 200-800 points. The SAT II tests are subject tests that some colleges may require. For more information, contact your counselor or go online at www.collegeboard.org. WHS students may complete a free practice SAT test at http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.
ACT & SAT TEST CODE NUMBER FOR WHS
421-185
Advanced Placement Examinations
Advanced Placement examinations are administered in mid-May. Students who pass these tests with a score of 3, 4, or 5 are generally awarded college credit. Check with individual colleges to see if they will accept the AP class for college credit.
Scholarship and Financial Aid
What Is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is any money you may receive to assist in paying for post-secondary education. Financial Aid comes in several different packages: scholarships, merit-based, and need-based. One of the most reliable resources for information regarding financial aid is Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. Great Lakes will provide a variety of financial aid services: offering options and answering questions. Their goal is to meet the needs of students and their families in financing higher education. Use the Internet to connect with Great Lakes: www.mygreatlakes.org.
Financial Aid Timeline
Visit with your counselor and browse list of scholarships available in WHS Counseling office at least 2 times per month. Also found at www.whscounseling.com
October 1: Go online and Complete FAFSA
Attend Financial Aid Night @ WHS - (Usually during Parent Teacher Conferences, contact Counseling for more info.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form
FAFSA opens the door to the federal student aid process. To apply for federal student financial aid and to apply to some lending institutions, students need to complete a FAFSA form, even if you believe you will not qualify for assistance. You may go online to complete the FAFSA form after January 1st of your senior year by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov . **DO NOT GO TO FAFSA.COM or Google fafsa. These sites will require payment to utilize their scholarship locating services
For the most accurate financial aid information for the school of your choice please contact the Director of Financial Aid at that institution.
Scholarships
Scholarships awarded by colleges/universities technical schools usually come under one of the following categories: academic, departmental, performance / athletic, leadership / service, and minority. Privately funded scholarships are also available. Complete lists of privately funded local scholarships is located at www.whscounseling.com
www.fastweb.com and www.zinch.com .
Tips For Learning About College Scholarships (Retrieved from www.collegeboard.org)
1. Start with a personal inventory, ask yourself:
• Do I want to participate in a competition? If so, what are my talents and interests?
• What subject do I plan to major in?
• What career do I plan to pursue?
• Do I want to apply for all types of aid or only scholarships?
2. Research local scholarships first
• Stop by the counseling office, counselors will have information regarding scholarships.
• The public library may have books on financial aid/scholarships, such as the Scholarship Handbook.
3. Check membership organizations and employers
• Explore categories you have not have considered, i.e. religious, community service, fraternal, military, union and professional.
• Many companies offer scholarships or tuition programs for children of employees, so don't forget to ask your parents.
4. Use a free scholarship search service
• A scholarship search company collects information on awards and compares your student characteristics with scholarship restrictions. Based on your answers to a questionnaire, you receive a list of possible scholarships.
• Free scholarship search services: Scholarship Search, Fastweb, and Sallie Mae.
5. Contact your State Department of Higher Education
• Almost every state has a scholarship program for residents; however the awards are usually limited to students who attend college in-state.
6. Research institutional scholarships
• Research what kinds of scholarships are available at the colleges that interest you
• Are scholarships awarded automatically if a student matches certain criteria? i.e. GPA, ACT or SAT scores.
• What is the application procedure? What materials are required?
• Is the award renewable? What are the requirements to maintain the award?
