Steps To Being Prepared For Life After High School:
1. Explore college/training options as well as career interests (this step could be started early - 10th or 11th grade)
*Akcis.org is a great website with quizzes and surveys that will look at a person's skills and interests and
provide them with lists of careers that fit the student. Students can also input the criteria they
are looking for in schools and the database will develop a list of schools that meet the criteria. To
use this database, use the zip code log-in.
*Accredited Online Schools & Colleges is another great search to help students look at schools within the
state of Alaska
*Affordable Schools Online is a great database that will help explore schools and has some great tips for Parents and Students as they
navigate through applying for and attending a post secondary institution.
2. Take the SATs or ACTs at least once.
*The tests may be taken multiple times if students wish to earn a certain score or just improve their
scores.
2. Update or create a resume.
3. Ask and obtain 3 letters of recommendations from people (NOT relatives).
4. Look into colleges and/or training options and look at the applications and the deadlines required.
*Fill out and submit the forms
*It is encouraged that students apply to several schools, so that they have options if they change their
minds during the year
5. Most of the time schools will require a transcript with an admissions application, students must fill out a
transcript request form and submit it to Lisa Nikodym (Forms found in the main high school office)
6. Look into scholarships and other forms of financial aid
*When applying for scholarships, make sure you follow the directions exactly otherwise your application
may be tossed out
7. January 1st - fill out and submit the FAFSA (you will need your tax information).
8. Accept a school - you must fill out acceptance paperwork and submit it by the provided deadline.
9. Fill out and submit application for housing.
10. Begin looking at whether placement tests are required and arrange to take them if they are.
*Many times student can request to take placement tests at WHS, Ms. Nikodym can proctor them
11. Find out the name of the student's assigned college counselor and make an appointment - usually
students can register for college classes during that meeting.
12. Once accepted to the school, make sure you set up your college email and any other necessary
usernames and passwords so that you can access and utilize the college/school website
(if your school has this option).
*Many schools will assign the student an email account where they will
send important information, so it is critical that students look into and activate their accounts
13. Request to have final transcripts sent to the school after graduation.
*This request is done on the student's "WHS end of the year check out form"
14. Write thank you letters to all organizations that the student received scholarships from.
*In that letter, provide the organization with the school's financial aid office address
**If you have any questions or need any help - remember to ask, Ms. Nikodym is always available to help!!
**Words highlighted in red are links to informational sites and other documents
*Akcis.org is a great website with quizzes and surveys that will look at a person's skills and interests and
provide them with lists of careers that fit the student. Students can also input the criteria they
are looking for in schools and the database will develop a list of schools that meet the criteria. To
use this database, use the zip code log-in.
*Accredited Online Schools & Colleges is another great search to help students look at schools within the
state of Alaska
*Affordable Schools Online is a great database that will help explore schools and has some great tips for Parents and Students as they
navigate through applying for and attending a post secondary institution.
2. Take the SATs or ACTs at least once.
*The tests may be taken multiple times if students wish to earn a certain score or just improve their
scores.
2. Update or create a resume.
3. Ask and obtain 3 letters of recommendations from people (NOT relatives).
4. Look into colleges and/or training options and look at the applications and the deadlines required.
*Fill out and submit the forms
*It is encouraged that students apply to several schools, so that they have options if they change their
minds during the year
5. Most of the time schools will require a transcript with an admissions application, students must fill out a
transcript request form and submit it to Lisa Nikodym (Forms found in the main high school office)
6. Look into scholarships and other forms of financial aid
*When applying for scholarships, make sure you follow the directions exactly otherwise your application
may be tossed out
7. January 1st - fill out and submit the FAFSA (you will need your tax information).
8. Accept a school - you must fill out acceptance paperwork and submit it by the provided deadline.
9. Fill out and submit application for housing.
10. Begin looking at whether placement tests are required and arrange to take them if they are.
*Many times student can request to take placement tests at WHS, Ms. Nikodym can proctor them
11. Find out the name of the student's assigned college counselor and make an appointment - usually
students can register for college classes during that meeting.
12. Once accepted to the school, make sure you set up your college email and any other necessary
usernames and passwords so that you can access and utilize the college/school website
(if your school has this option).
*Many schools will assign the student an email account where they will
send important information, so it is critical that students look into and activate their accounts
13. Request to have final transcripts sent to the school after graduation.
*This request is done on the student's "WHS end of the year check out form"
14. Write thank you letters to all organizations that the student received scholarships from.
*In that letter, provide the organization with the school's financial aid office address
**If you have any questions or need any help - remember to ask, Ms. Nikodym is always available to help!!
**Words highlighted in red are links to informational sites and other documents