Post-Secondary Planning

The Minnetonka High School Post-Secondary Counseling staff are here to help students explore their possibilities and pursue their interests. Students and families are encouraged to visit this page often to see the calendar of college/university representative visits and other updates to assist with your post-secondary planning.

RESOURCES & EVENTS

Class of 2027

During Your Senior Year

September-December:

Make an appointment to see your counselor to review your credits and post-secondary plans.
If needed, see teachers about recommendations.
Visit post-secondary institutions
Meet with college admission representatives during their visit to MHS, see schedule of visits on Maia
Determine whether you need to submit a test score as part of your application. Each college has their own testing policy – do you research!
Re-take the ACT or SAT if you plan to include test scores in your application, for many colleges, taking the October exam is an option for the early deadlines
Check out scholarship opportunities on Maia
Complete the FAFSA if you plan to apply for need-based financial aid, the application opens in October
Complete the CSS Profile (financial aid) form if your college choices require it.
Check application deadlines and meet those deadlines.
Request your transcript-in advance-to be sent to the colleges you are applying to in Maia (this will include letters of recommendation) and allow enough time for processing (at least one week), requests are date-stamped and handled on a first come, first served basis
See your counselor, or the post-secondary counselor, with any questions you may have about the application process

January-February:

See your counselor, or the post-secondary counselor, with any questions you may have about the application process
Submit any additional applications
Request mid-year grade reports be sent to colleges
Stay focused on your academic work while you wait for acceptance letters

March-June:

Make final campus visits if needed
Send in confirmation and the housing deposit
Notify colleges of your decision to attend or not attend by May 1
Notify your counselor of your plans and update admissions decisions in Maia
Request that your final transcript and verification of graduation be sent to the college you plan to attend
Finish the year strong!

College Applications: How To Get It Done

There are three types of college applications: (1) the Common Application, better known as the Common App, (2) the Coalition Application, and (3) a college’s proprietary application. There are over 1,100 colleges that accept the Common App, but some colleges only have their own application and do not accept the Common App; Minnesota State University Mankato, MIT, Grand Canyon, just to name a few. If you are not sure which application to use, ask your counselor!

Common App

Maia Learning

STARS

Direct Admissions Program

Events and Presentations

Virtual Events

Tuesday, September 8: Senior Parent Night, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, September 15: Ask the Experts: Business School Admissions Information Session and Panel, Three Colleges Share Tips and Advice: Indiana University, Miami Ohio, University of Minnesota, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, September 22: Testing 101 at MHS, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, September 28: Liberal Arts Advantage: Why Choose a Liberal Arts College? 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, October 13: Ask the Experts: Engineering Admissions Information Session and Panel, Three Colleges Share Tips and Advice: University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Minnesota; Purdue University, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, October 19: Understanding College Financial Aid, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, October 27, Navigating the University of California Application, 7PM, Virtual
Monday, March 15: Understanding your Financial Aid Award, 7:00 PM, Virtual

In-Person Events

Thursday, September 17: Jesuit Education Tour (JET) College Fair, 7:00 - 8:00 AM, MHS Commons
NACAC National College Fair Minnesota, a two-day, three-session annual fair that hosts over 300 colleges. Monday, October 5, 9:00 AM - noon, 5:30 - 7:30 PM & Tuesday, October 6, 9:00 AM-noon. The fair is located at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis. Buses are available for the evening session on Monday and will depart from MHS at 4:45 PM.
Wednesday, October 14: Application and Essay Workshops, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, MCE Building
Monday, October 26: FAFSA Completion Event, 7:00 PM, MHS Forum
Monday, November 9: Skilled Trades and Aviation Career Exploration and Post Secondary/Employment Fair, 6:30 PM, VANMO Building
Tuesday, January 26: 2027 Gap Year Fair, 6:00 - 8:00 PM MHS Commons
Monday, February 22: College Fair, MHS, 6:00-7:30 PM
Monday, March 22: Military Night, MHS, 7:00 PM

Class of 2028

By the end of Junior Year

Identify and investigate post-secondary options aligned to your goals
Research tuition and scholarship options
Visit post-secondary institutions
Do you need letters of recommendation for your college applications?
Take at least one college entrance exam (ACT or SAT)
Compare current GPA, academic and career indicators with post-school goals
Continue to explore course options aligned to specific areas of interest/career path
Update and review your resume
Explore volunteer, summer internship, enrichment and part-time job opportunities
Register carefully for your senior year courses, making sure that you will have the necessary preparation requirements for college
If you are considering ROTC or a service academy, contact the appropriate persons so that you are doing the preliminary parts of the application
Submit the NCAA Eligibility Center form if you plan to participate in a sport in college
Visit with college admission reps in person at Minnetonka HS
Sign on to Maia and prepare a plan
Check out scholarship opportunities

Events and Presentations

Virtual Events

Tuesday, September 15: Ask the Experts: Business School Admissions Information Session and Panel, Three Colleges Share Tips and Advice: Indiana University, Miami Ohio, University of Minnesota, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, September 22: Testing 101, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Sunday, September 27: Understanding the ACT & SAT: What You Need to Know, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, September 28: Liberal Arts Advantage: Why Choose a Liberal Arts College? 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, October 13: Ask the Experts: Engineering Admissions Information Session and Panel, Three Colleges Share Tips and Advice: University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Minnesota; Purdue University, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, October 19: Understanding College Financial Aid, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, October 27, Navigating the University of California Application, 7PM, Virtual
Monday, January 11: Junior Parent Night, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, February 1: Small, Medium or Large: What are the differences? What student and academic life looks like, along with key points to consider during the college search, 7:00 PM, Virtual

In-Person Events

Thursday, September 17: Jesuit Education Tour (JET) College Fair, 7:00 - 8:00 AM, MHS Commons
NACAC National College Fair Minnesota, a two-day, three-session annual fair that hosts over 300 colleges. Monday, October 5, 9:00 AM - noon, 5:30 - 7:30 PM & Tuesday, October 6, 9:00 AM-noon. The fair is located at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis. Buses are available for the evening session on Monday and will depart from MHS at 4:45 PM.
Monday, November 9: Skilled Trades and Aviation Career Exploration and Post Secondary/Employment Fair, 6:30 PM, VANMO Building
Tuesday, January 26: 2027 Gap Year Fair, 6:00 - 8:00 PM MHS Commons
Monday, February 22: College Fair, MHS, 6:00-7:30 PM
Monday, March 22: Military Night, 7:00 PM, MHS

Class of 2029

By the end of Sophomore Year

Create a resume of your activities, experiences and honors; identify ways to further explore areas of interest
Research specific jobs and careers
Continue to evaluate and align future course selections to your areas of interest
Explore how to prepare for AP or early college credit options to pursue
Use your Maia account to begin exploring career and educational options
Look for opportunities to connect with colleges, either thru campus visits, virtual and in-person information sessions and college rep visits at MHS

Events and Presentations

Virtual Events

Tuesday, September 15: Ask the Experts: Business School Admissions Information Session and Panel, Three Colleges Share Tips and Advice: Indiana University, Miami Ohio, University of Minnesota, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, September 22: Testing 101 at MHS, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Sunday, September 27: Understanding the ACT & SAT: What You Need to Know, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, September 28: Liberal Arts Advantage: Why Choose a Liberal Arts College? 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, October 13: Ask the Experts: Engineering Admissions Information Session and Panel, Three Colleges Share Tips and Advice: University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Minnesota; Purdue University, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, October 19: Understanding College Financial Aid, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Tuesday, October 27, Navigating the University of California Application, 7 PM, Virtual
Monday, February 1: Small, Medium or Large: What are the differences? What student and academic life looks like, along with key points to consider during the college search, 7:00 PM, Virtual
Monday, May 10: Sophomore Parent Night, 7:00 PM, Virtual

In-Person Events

Thursday, September 17: Jesuit Education Tour (JET) College Fair, 7:00 - 8:00 AM, MHS Commons
NACAC National College Fair Minnesota, a two-day, three-session annual fair that hosts over 300 colleges. Monday, October 5, 9:00 AM - noon, 5:30 - 7:30 PM & Tuesday, October 6, 9:00 AM-noon. The fair is located at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis. Buses are available for the evening session on Monday and will depart from MHS at 4:45 PM.
Monday, November 9: Skilled Trades and Aviation Career Exploration and Post Secondary/Employment Fair, 6:30 PM, VANMO Building
Tuesday, January 26: Gap Year Fair, 6:00-8:00 PM, MHS Commons
Monday, February 22: College Fair, MHS 6:00-7:30 PM
Monday, March 22: Military Night, 7:00 PM, MHS

Class of 2030

By the end of Freshman Year:

Identify clubs and activities that aligned to your areas of interest
Investigate and consider volunteer, summer internship, enrichment and part-time job
opportunities
Explore coursework that can align to specific areas of interest/career path.
Talk with your counselor about the relationship between your high school coursework and
grades to post-high school plans

Events and Presentations

Virtual Events

Tuesday, September 22: Testing 101, 7:00 PM, Virtual

In-Person Events

Thursday, September 17: Jesuit Education Tour (JET) College Fair, 7:00 - 8:00 AM, MHS Commons
NACAC National College Fair Minnesota, a two-day, three-session annual fair that hosts over 300 colleges. Monday, October 5, 9:00 AM - noon, 5:30 - 7:30 PM & Tuesday, October 6, 9:00 AM-noon. The fair is located at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis. Buses are available for the evening session on Monday and will depart from MHS at 4:45 PM.
Monday, November 9: Skilled Trades and Aviation Career Exploration and Post Secondary/Employment Fair, 6:30 PM, VANMO Building
Monday, February 22: College Fair, MHS 6:00-7:30 PM
Monday, March 22: Military Night, 7:00 PM, MHS

Choosing your path

College and Career Center

The College & Career Center schedule is available in Maia. Visits will mostly be in-person in the College and Career Center with a few colleges offering a virtual session. You must sign up for the visits in Maia to receive a HUB pass.

How do I make an appointment?

Do you want to make an appointment to visit the Counseling Office?
Stop by or schedule online.

Need to make a appointment with the College and Career Counselor?
Stop into the CCC or schedule online.
Monday-Friday: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

Maia

Maia is a K-12 college and career-readiness platform that engages students in planning for their future. It lets students develop profiles, explore careers that fit those profiles, and build academic, college, and career plans. It helps you manage college applications and build portfolios.

Overview

Maia Overview Presentation for Families

How to get connected:

Student and Parent/Guardian: Log in through the MY SSO Click on MaiaLearning. If you are unable to connect, please email the family.helpdesk@minnetonkaschools.org and include the following information:

Student Name
Student Grade
Parent Name
Parent email address

What will you find on Maia?

College Visit Schedule
Learn about your interests and strengths
Explore college and career options based on your interests
Build digital portfolios and career plans
Research colleges and universities
Manage recommendation and transcript requests
Scholarship Search
Scattergrams - graphical view of application outcomes

Career Planning Resources

Who are you and how do you learn best?

Finding the right plan for you requires an understanding of your values, skills and interests. One factor you should consider is how your learning style matches the educational institutions that you are considering.

Explore your interests and strengths-what do you enjoy and don’t enjoy in high school. What roles and accomplishments do you feel most proud of. These may help guide you.
Research career paths that match your interests and strengths--Use this research to create a list of careers that match your strengths, experiences, and futures you might imagine.
Leverage your network- look to your friends, family, neighbors, and teachers to get connected with professionals for job shadow opportunities and conduct informational interviews.
Discover potential programs – research, visit, ask questions. Ask if there is flexibility to switch programs.

Additional Resources

Recorded Presentations

2026-27

Testing 101: A Parent Guide to Testing at Minnetonka High School
Watch the Presentation

Ask the Experts: Business School Admissions Information Session and Panel: Three Colleges Share Tips and Advice: Indiana University, Miami Ohio, & University of Minnesota
Presented by U Chicago
Watch the Presentation

2025-26

Advice for College Essays
Presented by U Chicago
Watch the Presentation

Application Review - Selective Colleges
Presented by Boston College
Watch the Presentation
Slides

Financial Aid for College
Presented by Macalester College
Watch the Presentation

Navigating College Support Systems for Students with Learning Differences
Watch the Presentation

Public Flagship University Panel
Watch the Presentation

Understanding the ACT & SAT: What You Need to Know
Watch the Presentation

Understanding Your Financial Aid Offers
Watch the Presentation

UCAS to Uni: Applying to the UK
Watch the Presentation

2024-25

Advice on Applying to Selective Colleges
Watch the Presentation

Applying to Colleges and Universities in the UK — October 1, 2024
Exeter and Durham US Presentation (PDF)
Watch the Presentation

Class of 2024 Alumni Panel
Watch the Presentation

College Application Essay Advice
Watch the Presentation

Junior Parent Night
Watch the Presentation

Navigating College Support Systems for Students with Disabilities
Watch the Presentation

Public Flagship College Panel
Watch the Presentation

Understanding College Financial Aid
Watch the Presentation

Understanding the College Scholarship and Financial Award Letter
Watch the Presentation

Transcripts

Find a Job

The job postings below are independent from Minnetonka Schools. These opportunities are posted here as a service to local students and businesses. Students are responsible for submitting their applications to potential employers.

Employers interested in posting jobs should complete this form.

Current Job Openings

Click the links below for more information on each position and how to apply.

Financing Education

Scholarships

A scholarship can cover the full cost of tuition or provide a smaller, one-time award. Some scholarships are merit-based, meaning students earn them by meeting specific standards set by the scholarship provider. Merit awards may be based on academic achievement or a combination of academics and a special skill, talent, or interest. Other scholarships are need-based, awarded according to a student’s financial situation.

Keep in mind, if applying to four-year colleges, the largest scholarships typically come directly from the colleges themselves. Be sure to explore scholarship and financial aid opportunities at each college you are considering.

Using Maia to Find Scholarships

You may view Scholarship Information in Maia. If you have questions, please reach out to Michele Johnson at

MHS Local Scholarship 2026-2027

Seniors can apply for these scholarships using the MHS Local Scholarship Application. Recipients of these scholarships are selected by the scholarship committee at Minnetonka High School.

Application Instructions

You must log in using your mtka.org student email to apply for these scholarships.
You can apply for up to six scholarships by completing the MHS Local Scholarship Application. Only one application per senior will be accepted. Please read the descriptions carefully to ensure your eligibility for that particular scholarship.
The application goes live February 2, 2026 and close March 9, 2026
Awards range from $500-$3300

Scholarship Search Engines

Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com divides scholarships by a variety of unique categories, including GPA, military affiliation, ethnicity, artistic ability, ACT or SAT score and residing state. And when you select one of these categories, you’ll likely see a large list of subcategories, where you can then view all eligible scholarships. This system helps students find niche awards with smaller applicant pools that they’re more likely to win.

Fastweb
Fastweb aggregates awards from both large and small directories. You have to make a profile to search for scholarships, which is similar to other sites. But after the initial sign-up process, you can easily search for scholarships and filter your results based on several data points. Fastweb will also notify you when a new scholarship matching your description is posted and when you have upcoming deadlines.

College Board
You’re probably familiar with the College Board if you’ve taken the SAT, AP tests or other college entry exams. But the College Board can help you after you’ve been accepted into a school—its scholarship search helps you find awards to help you pay for college.

After you create an account, you can filter awards by your interests, field of study, club affiliations or specific situations, like if your parents are divorced. College Board will also automatically match you with eligible scholarships based on the information in your profile. There is also an autofill function, which allows you to reuse information from other scholarship applications, saving you time and helping you apply for more awards.

ScholarshipOwl
ScholarshipOwl is a popular scholarship website that compiles awards and organizes them by amount, types of requirements, number of winners and length of time until the application is due.

ScholarshipOwl will automatically resubmit your application to recurring scholarships that don’t require anything beyond your basic information. This leaves you more time to focus on awards that require essays and recommendation letters.

Bold.org
While many scholarship sites are difficult to navigate, Bold.org has one of the cleanest interfaces. It’s easy to search and find different scholarships you may be eligible for and you can filter by your education level, award category, award amount and deadline. You can even toggle on the “no-essay” button to find scholarships that don’t require a written essay.

Cappex
Cappex claims to be the biggest online scholarship database, so it could pay to check the site for possible leads. Like other sites, you have to create an account to see all the scholarships you might qualify for. Their filter system lets you sort awards by year in school, scholarship amount, gender, ethnicity and award deadline. You can also search for renewable scholarships, which offer college funding for multiple years.

Scholly
When you fill out a profile on Scholly, their algorithm will comb through available scholarships and create a list of eligible awards. Each scholarship will have a Scholly score, which ranks how good of a fit it is for your background and experience. The higher the Scholly score, the stronger match you are with the scholarship’s requirements.

CareerOneStop
The U.S. Department of Labor has its own scholarship website through the CareerOneStop portal. There are more than 8,000 scholarships listed, and you can filter awards by keyword or sort them by amount, deadline, residing state and state where you’ll be studying.

There are scholarships available for students enrolled in a vocational school or working toward an associate’s degree, as well as for undergraduate and graduate students.

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Completing the FAFSA is the first step in the college financial aid process. This is a required form for any student seeking federal aid. Many colleges require students receiving scholarship funds to complete a FAFSA. Additionally, some families complete a FAFSA in order to get access to unsubsidized federal loan funds that are not income dependent.

College Service Scholarship (CSS) Profile

The CSS Profile is the College Board’s financial aid application that about 260 mostly private colleges and universities, use for their undergraduate admissions. In addition to filing the FAFSA,

All PROFILE schools use the FAFSA to determine which of their applicants will qualify for federal and/or state financial aid. Most public and private colleges and universities also rely upon the FAFSA to determine who is eligible for the institutions’ own need-based financial aid. The PROFILE schools, however, want to dig deeper than the FAFSA allows when assessing who qualifies for money from their own institution.

MSEP: Midwest Student Exchange Program

The Midwest Student Exchange Program enables residents of Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska to enroll in designated institutions and programs at reduced tuition levels outside of their home state. Some schools in the province of Manitoba also participate. The Midwest Student Exchange Program is an interstate initiative established by the Midwestern Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to increase educational opportunities for students in its member states. This program enables residents at reduced tuition (150% of resident tuition) levels. The basic core college prep courses apply for many of these schools' requirements.

Reciprocity

North Star Promise

College Path

College Planning

With so many options available—two-year colleges, four-year universities, in-state, out-of-state, public, and private—it’s important to explore what fits you best. Minnetonka High School offers a wide range of resources to support you every step of the way. MHS Counselors and the College and Career Center are available to you make informed choices and confidently plan for life after high school.

MHS Counselors
Phone 952-401-5811
Fax 952-401-5814

Do you want to make an appointment?
Stop by or schedule online.

The College & Career Center
You must sign up for the visits in Maia to receive a HUB pass.

Need to make a appointment?
Stop into the CCC or schedule online.
Monday-Friday: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.

National College Fair Minnesota

NACAC National College Fair Minnesota is a two-day, three-session annual fair that hosts about 300 colleges at the Minneapolis Convention Center

Details:

When is the College Fair? October 5 and 6, 2026.

Day one: 9:00 a.m.-noon and 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Day two: 9:00 a.m.-noon

Where is it located: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis

MHS will be providing buses to the college fair for the evening session

2-Year Community College

Community colleges are two-year schools that provide affordable postsecondary education as a pathway to enter the workforce with an associate degree or transfer credits to a four-year college.

These schools have open admission policies and accept all students with a high school diploma or equivalent.

Examples of community colleges near Minnetonka are:

Normandale Community College, Bloomington
North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park
Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Students who desire to earn a four-year degree can complete their last two years by transferring their community college credits to a four-year school that agrees to accept them.

4-Year College

Four-year colleges are located in every state and are either public (which means they are partly supported by taxes and are therefore generally less expensive than private colleges) or private (which are not supported by taxes).

Both public and private colleges offer a wide variety of programs and vary in size from very small to very large. There are more than 3,000 four-year colleges in the United States to choose from.

Examples of four-year colleges in Minnesota are:

The University of Minnesota (campuses in the Twin Cities, Crookston, Duluth, Morris and Rochester)
State University System (campuses in Bemidji, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, St. Cloud, St. Paul and Winona)
Private Colleges (Augsburg, Bethel, Carleton, Concordia-Moorhead, Concordia-St. Paul, Gustavus, Hamline, Macalester, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, St. Benedict, St. Catherine, St. John’s, St. Mary’s, St. Olaf, St. Scholastica and St. Thomas, among others)

Researching Schools

Researching schools thoroughly can be the difference between a satisfying post high school experience and one that is not quite so satisfying. There are many aspects to the research process.

Preparation Requirements
Knowing what preparation is needed in high school is important. Most four-year colleges have specific coursework they want students to have completed before entering their college. These preparation requirements can vary from college to college and vary by major. The minimum preparation requirements for a majority of four-year colleges are: four years of English; three or more years of social studies; three years of laboratory science; three years of math (starting with algebra); two years of a world language; and one year of the arts. However, students wishing to apply to a very competitive college (or a specialized program, such as engineering) will most likely need to take more math, science, and/or world language. It is always best to check directly with the colleges to which you are applying for information about admissions criteria.

Admission Criteria
In addition to the coursework requirements, colleges have admission criteria that vary from college to college. Admission criteria most commonly refer to grade point average and/ or standardized test scores. These items are looked at carefully by college admission staff. Many colleges also consider the rigor of coursework taken in high school. It is certainly educationally sound to be taking coursework that is appropriately challenging for you. Some colleges require that have your transcript sent from the high school, other colleges require you to self-report your courses and grades. Most commonly, admission offices rely heavily on the transcript and test scores (if included) for making admission decisions. Some colleges will also consider your activities, essays and special talents as part of the selection process.

Personal Preferences
When researching and comparing colleges, you will want to consider your preferences such as selectivity, type of school (public or private), majors offered, size, location, activities available, faculty to student ratio, composition of the student body, facilities, special programs available, and cost. It is a good idea to have in mind what is most important to you before you begin exploring schools.

Resources Available
There are many resources available to you as you research colleges. In addition to your parents and your school counselor, a primary resource is the Minnetonka High School College and Career Center located adjacent to the Counseling Office. This is also the location for the 150+ college admission representatives who will visit MHS. In the fall, a national college fair is held in Minneapolis, with representatives from over 300 colleges and universities. More details are listed at nacacfairs.org. Numerous Web resources are available for researching colleges.

Admissions Test Requirements
Most colleges have adopted a test-optional policy in admission. That said, some colleges still like to see a test score for certain majors, honors programs and scholarships. Be sure to do your research and ask questions! The updated list can be found at FairTest.org.

Taking a college admissions test at least twice is a good idea for students considering attending a four-year college. It is generally recommended that the ACT or SAT be taken in the junior or senior year. These tests can be taken more than once.

Students who receive testing accommodations at Minnetonka High School may qualify for accommodations for the ACT/SAT college entrance exams. For details, visit ACT.org or College Board.

The College Visit
Most colleges conduct tours on a regular basis and some have special event days or weekends, which are designed especially for prospective students. Visits are available either in-person or virtual.

When participating in a college visit, plan ahead! Types of visits vary by institution. Most visit options include an information session and a campus tour. Inquire if you are able to tour a residence hall, attend a class, meet with a current student or faculty member. Other options to include on your campus visit is the student services office or ROTC. Go prepared with a list of questions, take notes and pictures.

If you cannot visit in person, take a virtual tour of the college or university. In addition to the college’s virtual options, go to: www.ecampustours. com or www.campusreel.org.

Putting It Together
A comparison spreadsheet can be very helpful once you have researched several schools. You will want to personalize it to include the categories most important to you. It is a way to see “at a glance” how the schools compare in those areas of greatest interest to you. It is also a handy way to access admissions requirements, testing, and deadlines.

College Athletics

Application Process

The application process begins early in the senior year; therefore, it is important to have completed most of your research during your junior year. This can be a very time consuming and stressful experience, but with some planning and organization, it can be productive and enjoyable.

Applications
Determine which application id best for you. Many colleges have their own application and use the Common Application. There are over 1,000 colleges that use the Common Application, which allows you to apply to numerous schools with one application form. To access the form or submit the application electronically, go to www.commonapp.org.

For those students using the Common Application, you will need to fill out the FERPA release form in the My Colleges section. In addition, you will need to do the matching of your Common App account with Maia, in the“Colleges I’m Applying To” section.

Regardless of the application that you use, pay close attention to unique requirements; for example, some colleges may ask for letters of recommendation and others may not.

If the college has optional essays, video submission, or interviews, it is highly recommended that you take advantage of these options. It can only enhance your application!

Transcript Release
Most colleges will require an official copy of your high school transcript sent directly from MHS. Allow a minimum of one week for processing your transcript request.

Transcripts (and letters of rec) are requested in Maia.

The Essay
Don’t let the essay paralyze you with fear! The admission representatives simply want to know you better! Ask yourself the question, “what else would I like others to know about me that I feel is an important part of me?” When writing an essay or personal statement, take your time, develop an outline, and proofread. The MHS Writing Center is a great place to ask for guidance.

Recommendations
Colleges may require or encourage you to have one to two teacher recommendations from a core subject area. In addition to the teacher’s recommendation, you may be required to have a counselor recommendation as well. If a counselor letter is desired or required, you must complete the Senior Questionnaire form on Naviance. Please see your teacher and counselor personally to ask them about writing a letter of recommendation for you. Don’t leave this until the last minute!

Give teachers and your counselor at least three weeks to write the evaluation. Reconnect with your recommenders, let them know your application timeline. Finally, a thank-you note is greatly appreciated for your recommenders’ efforts.

The Interview
A handful of colleges and universities require you to interview with one of their admission representatives. Other schools may give you the option of having an interview. If you do participate in an interview, go prepared. You should have some basic knowledge of the school, and a list of questions that you intend to ask. Remember, the interview is as much an opportunity for you to find out about the school, as for the school to find out about you. Appearance, mannerisms and first impressions are important. Mostly, be yourself! Be sure to send an email to thank your interviewer

Career Options

Vocation & Trade Schools

Apprenticeships

Military

The military offers a variety of training opportunities and requires a service commitment.

In addition to regular enlistment, students who want to pursue a college degree before they complete their service commitment can apply for a ROTC program or a service academy.

Many college campuses offer ROTC programs. ROTC scholarships allow students to complete their education at a civilian college at the same time they are training to become a commissioned officer in a branch of the armed services.

The service academies, which require a fairly extensive application process, include the following:

United States Air Force Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Military Academy
United States Naval Academy

Employment

Employment immediately after high school is an option chosen by students who know that they wish to be involved in an occupation which requires no additional training beyond high school or who want to delay formalized post high school training. Sometimes companies have their own training programs. Students wishing to pursue the employment option should talk with their counselor about resources.

The following Web sites provide information on career planning and researching jobs:

Counseling at MHS

Contact

Norma Gutierrez
Post-Secondary Counselor
norma.gutierrez@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-5746

Michele Johnson
Assistant, College and Career Center
michele.johnson@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-5844

Additional Resources

High School students sitting at a table talking to a teacher wearing glasses.