Updates from Counseling

  • Hello Dimond High Seniors!

     

    We hope your school year is off to a great start.  Here’s how students are currently assigned to counselors. The best way to get in touch with your counselor is via email.  We look forward to hearing from you and can’t wait to see you when we return to Dimond!

     

    Mr. Jeff Hulbert  (last names A – C) buck_jennifer@asdk12.org

    Mrs. Amber Jaasma  (last names D – H) jaasma_amber@asdk12.org

    Mr. Eric Hallis (last names I – M) hallis_eric@asdk12.org

    Mr. Chris Higgins (last names N – Se) higgins_christopher@asdk12.org

    Mr.  Pete Mandel  (last names Sh – Z)  mandel_pete@asdk12.org

     

     

     

    Check out ASD’s Counseling website:

    You will find all kinds of information about post-secondary planning, financial aid, scholarships, SAT/ACT testing, letters of recommendation, etc:  www.asdk12.org/counseling/

     

    College Information & Assistance:

    If you would like some help in this process, we are happy to assist you! Please contact your counselor via email to arrange an appointment.

     

    FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):

    Everyone thinking about college or university should apply for the FAFSA! Apply for a FSA ID and then fill out the FAFSA application: www.fafsa.ed.gov

     

    Need help with the FAFSA? Contact the ACPE (Alaska Commission on Post-Secondary Education) Success Center Email: acpesuccesscenter@alaska.gov or call: 269-7980 they can walk you through the entire FAFSA process.

     

    Financial Aid, Scholarships:

    Look online at the ASD Counseling website under “Scholarships/Financial Aid.” Check with the colleges that you are applying to for scholarships specific to that institution. We are working on posting local scholarship information on the DHS website, stay tuned!

     

     

    SAT & ACT: 

    Most colleges and universities will require that you take either the SAT or the ACT test (or

    sometimes both) to be admitted to their school. Visit www.collegeboard.org (SAT) or www.actstudent.org (ACT) to register online. Be a conscientious student – make a plan to take a test by December 15th.

     

    Transcripts:

    For official transcripts, visit https://anchorageak.scriborder.com/  Requests take 10 business days.  You can also request an unofficial transcript from your counselor.

     

    Letters of Recommendation:

    Recommendation letters must be requested at least 2 weeks ahead of time. Please fill out the “Letter of Recommendation Request” form on the ASD Counseling website, and provide it to the individual(s) to whom you are making the request. It is a good idea to have letters from a counselor and 2-3 teachers, coaches, or an employer.

     

    College Research & Application:

    If you are planning to go to college, you will need to do extensive research about schools of interest, geographical locations, costs to attend, climate, travel, etc. 

     

    Oftentimes, selecting a school takes time and many colleges have a January 31 application deadline. Many California schools have deadlines of November 30!

     

    Be sure to do your homework and then apply to 3-4 schools. You never know where you will get accepted!

     

    The AKCIS is a free program for all ASD students to explore careers, colleges, and what life will cost after you graduate high school! https://acpe.alaska.gov/PLANNING/AKCIS  you can log in with Clever.

     

    39th Annual (Virtual) College and Career Fair October 13th and 14th

    Student registration will open September 28, 2020 and information can be found online at https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/collegefair

     

    Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS)

    Do you qualify? Do you want more information? Visit http://acpe.alaska.gov/FINANCIAL_AID/Grants_Scholarships/Alaska_Performance_Scholarshi

     

    WUE:

    Check out the Western Undergraduate Exchange at www.wiche.edu and potentially earn “resident” tuition rates at select out of state schools!  

     

    NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association www.ncaa.org

     

    Planning to play sports at a Division I or II college/university? Be sure to register with the Eligibility Center! www.eligibilitycenter.org

     

    NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics www.naia.org

     

    Planning to play sports at an NAIA school? Be sure to register with the Eligibility Center www.playnaia.org

     

    Jobs, Military, Graduation, Non-College-Bound Students:

     

    For those of you who are not planning to attend a 4-year or 2-year college or some kind of technical school, rest assured that there are several other opportunities after high school. You can enlist in the military, find a job and work, complete on-the-job training, or attend a training school.

     

    Check out some of the following career resources:

     

    Alaska Apprentice Training Coordinators Association http://www.aatca.org/

    Transportation Security Administration http://tsajobs.tsa.dhs.gov/

    Alaska Electrical Apprenticeship http://alaskaelectricalapprenticeship.org/

    Alaska Carpenters Training Trust http://www.alaskacarpenterstraining.org/carpenter/

    Environmental Technician Apprenticeship http://www.akforum.org/apprenticeship/

    Alaska Works Partnership http://www.alaskaworks.org/

    Associated Builders & Contractors http://www.abcalaska.org/

    United States Department of Labor https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/apprenticeship

     

    As always, please get in touch if you need assistance or have any questions, stay safe and healthy!

     

    The Dimond High School Counseling Team