Post-Secondary Planning

Announcements

22-23 Senior Newsletter (Updated Weekly)

College Reps Visiting MHS/CSCS

*Required* CSCS Senior Family Meeting- Wednesday, Sept 28th at 6pm. 

Purpose: 

  • Share information about Senior year logistics related to Senior Photos, Cap/Gown Ordering, Prom, Graduation, Google Drive and more!

  • Make sure CSCS students and families have the information and know how to access the resources for applying to college and other post-secondary opportunities.

  • Share information and expectations regarding your Mastery Transcript.

Who should attend: 

  • All CSCS seniors and at least one parent/guardian

  • If only one person from your family is able to attend, that is okay. 

  • If no one from your family will be able to attend, please let Kim Gauen know (kgauen@mcpasd.k12.wi.us) so I can make sure you have the information you need for your senior year. 


ECCP and Start College Now Applications are DUE Friday, September 30. This is an opportunity for high school students to take up to 2 classes at UW Madison (ECCP) or Madison College (SCN). It must be a class that is not offered at Middleton High School and you must make sure you meet the prerequisite requirements. Schedule a time to meet with Kim if you have questions or need help with the application.

Upcoming Events

Date/Time/Location

Event Name

Event Description

September 28, 2022

6:00pm - 7:00pm

REQUIRED   CSCS Senior Student and Family Meeting

Information about transcripts, applying to colleges and all things senior year!

September 30, 2022

ECCP and Start College Now Applications Due

For Juniors/Seniors who want to take a class at Madison College or UW Madison in the spring

October 1, 2022

FAFSA Application Opens

To apply for college financial aid

November 1, 2022

Early Action Deadline for many 4 year colleges

Early Action = Get a decision earlier, all schools will have a “regular decision” deadline as well

Transcripts

Current Students

Mastery Transcript

CSCS students will be using the Mastery Transcript as their official transcript. Starting Junior year, students can access their transcripts at schools.mastery.org and "Sign in with Google".

Since the transcript is personalized and designed for students to tell their educational story, all seniors must complete some basic components before their transcript can be finalized.

  1. Personal Statement- Examples of Personal Statements

  2. Audit Mastery Credits and Course List- Here's a cheat sheet describing how elements/artifacts/classes are added.

Seniors planning to apply to 4-year schools should also complete the optional components.

  1. Upload 3-5 pieces of Evidence.

  2. Request and submit evidence for any relevant School, Community and/or Global-Based impact credits.

Ordering Transcripts

Common App

If you are applying to schools through the Common App, you will need to add Kim Gauen as your Counselor. This can be found by going to one of your schools, clicking the FERPA & Recommenders section, then selecting Add Counselor. All CSCS students need to use the email kimberlygauen@gmail.com.

There is no charge for transcripts and your transcript will be sent to all schools you apply to through the Common App. Please let Kim know when your Mastery Transcript tasks have been completed so she knows you are ready for your transcript to be sent.

Parchment

For any schools not using the Common App and any other transcript requests, you should use Parchment. Go to parchment.com, and Create an Account. It will ask a large number of "profile" questions which are optional so you can answer or skip them.

There is a small fee for every official transcript sent through Parchment. If this is a barrier, please contact either Sarah Estrella or Kim Gauen who can help get fee waivers. Parchment is checked weekly for new requests so if you require a faster turnaround, please contact Kim Gauen.

CSCS Graduates

Graduates 2013-2021

All transcript requests should go through Parchment.

Go to parchment.com, and Create an Account. It will ask a large number of "profile" questions which are optional so you can answer or skip them.

There is a small fee for every official transcript sent through Parchment. Parchment is checked weekly for new requests so if you require a faster turnaround, please contact Kim Gauen.

Graduates prior to 2013

Please submit the Transcript Request Form. If you have not received confirmation within 2 weeks, please call the Clark Street Community School office at 608-829-9640.

Post-Secondary Planning Resources

Applying to College

Planning for College

Planning Checklist

What if I'm Undecided?

Xello

Xello is an online program that helps you create your own unique road map for college, career and future success. Interactive assessments highlight career pathways aligned with your skills, interests and unique personality.

To login, go to https://tinyurl.com/CSCSXello and choose your MCPASD email account.

CSCS Family Perspectives

Choosing a College

Finding a "Good Fit"

Campus Tours

Applying to College

College Application Checklists

Resources to Support the Process

College Admissions Tests (ACT & SAT)

ACT

Juniors should plan to take the ACT through CSCS on Tuesday, March 8. This is a state required assessment so it is free and all juniors are automatically registered.

Students who would like to take the ACT an additional time will need to schedule this through ACT.org. These tests will not take place at CSCS, but there are locations within Dane County. If the testing fee is a barrier, please contact Sarah Estrella or Kim Gauen for information about fee waivers.

SAT

Most colleges will accept both the ACT and the SAT so make sure to check school admissions requirements before deciding whether or not to take the SAT.

The SAT is not offered at CSCS so students will need to register independently through the College Board website.

Test Prep Options

The most effective way to "study" for standardized tests is simply attending and engaging in your CSCS seminars and workshops! Although we cover content in a different way, the knowledge and skills you gain align with topics covered on all of the high school standardized tests.

We've gathered additional information, resources, test-taking strategies and access to online test prep in the slides below.

Test Prep Resources and Strategies

Financial Aid Planning

Scholarships

FAFSA

Completing the FAFSA is the first step in the college financial aid process. This is a required form for any student seeking federal aid including: grants, loans, scholarships and work study opportunities.

Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov.

The FAFSA opens on October 1, 2021. While there is no deadline, many colleges require the information before providing your financial aid package so the sooner you complete it, the better.

This can be a complex application to complete so look for free FAFSA support sessions in Upcoming Events for help from the experts.

Other Financial Aid

There are many options for additional aid to make college affordable.

Here are some available Financial Aid Resources to help navigate questions around public and private loans, understanding your college financial aid letter, comparing and understanding loan options and FAQs for filling out the FAFSA.