College Process
Suggested College Application Process Timeline
College & Career Counselors
We are excited for you to get to know our College & Career Counselors – Kayla Schutte, Maddie Short, Elijah Baldwin and Lucy Jensen. Students will still see their School Counselors for their postsecondary planning and our College & Career Counselors will be here to provide additional follow-up and support for students.
- Schedule an appointment with your College and Career Counselor - https://calendly.com/shscollegecareer
Information for 11th Grade Students and Families
Naviance
College List
Most students have between 8-10 schools on their list. Others may have more or fewer - talk to your counselor about what is right for you. College lists must include the following:
Reach Schools
Schools where the admissions criteria is slightly above your credentials OR any school with a very low acceptance rate, regardless of your credentials.
Target/Match Schools
Schools where the admissions criteria seems very similar to your credentials. You have a 50/50 chance of being accepted.
Safety/Likely Schools
Schools where your credentials appear to be above the admissions criteria for a school.
Financial Safety Schools
Schools that will likely be affordable for you and your family. Often these are state schools.
College Entrance Testing
Students applying to 4-Year Colleges should take either the SAT or the ACT for the first time in 11th grade. See our PSAT/SAT/ACT page for more information.
College Visits
Students are encouraged to visit as many colleges as possible! It is the best way to determine if that college is for you. In 11th and 12th grade, students can do two Post Secondary Visits that will count as an excused absence. They must fill out the Post Secondary Visit Form.
Recommendations
Teacher Recommendations: Students applying to 4-Year Colleges will likely need two teacher recommendations. Students applying to 2-Year Colleges or other programs may need teacher recommendations as well. Students should always check the requirements at each school/program. Recommendations should be from teachers of a student’s core academic subjects in their 11th or 12th grade years, however, exceptions can be made to this guideline. Discuss your teacher recommendation choices with your counselor.
To request a teacher recommendation
- Ask their teacher(s) in person (and provide any additional information they request).
- Fill out the Teacher Recommendation Brag Sheet on Naviance.
- Request the teacher on Naviance under your “colleges” page.
Counselor Recommendations. Students applying to 4-Year Colleges (and some other programs) will likely need a counselor recommendation. Students must:
- Fill out the Counselor Brag Sheet on Naviance.
- Ask their counselor in person (and provide any additional information they request).
- Complete the Counselor Recommendation Google Form.
Financial Aid
SHS believes that students should choose an affordable postsecondary path. We partner with an organization called uAspire to help students complete the financial aid application process. See our Financial Aid page for more information.
First Generation Mentoring
The First Generation Mentoring is a program which pairs first generation college-going juniors with a mentor to help them with the post secondary planning process. Students will attend monthly group workshops and connect individually through in-person meetings, phone calls, texts, or virtual meetings throughout their junior and senior years.