Teens prepare for life after high school
<p>Jeralyn Mire, right, and parent volunteer Judy Perry, help Jake Timothy, a senior, fill out his college applications. Timothy was having problems paying for the college application fee. He hopes to major in kinesiology or exercise science, because of his love for football. He will be certified in February for personal training for the sport and hopes to one day open his own gym. (Photo by DESIREE HOOD)</p>
SANDPOINT — What documents are needed for a college application? How long will the college take to respond? Will I get accepted to my first choice school?
These are a few of the questions that more than 230 Sandpoint High School seniors are asking during Idaho College Application Week. Jeralyn Mire, post-secondary education counselor, said the seniors are taking some of their English class time to fill out 2-4 applications for where they wish to attend after graduation.
“It's about making a plan after high school,” Mire said. “The application process is hard.”
Applications are being sent to mostly Idaho schools, but also to Ivy League schools, the Boise Barber College, specialized music schools, the military and trade colleges. Mire said she has helped students become professional dog groomers, an equine masseuse, linemen, welders and many other career choices. She said the students have many careers to choose from.
“We want our kids to think of high school as a stepping stone,” Mire said.
Mire said the one-week program gives students the skills to fill out the forms on their own, as well as familiarizing them with the process of college applications.
“We encourage Idaho (schools) because of the economic impacts,” Mire said, adding that tuition costs and fees are less for in-state residents.
“The fall (program) is more about creating some options.”
Mire said that some of the schools waive their application fees through the program, mostly in Idaho, for students who are on free or reduced lunch.
Pam Webb, senior English teacher, said she encourages all types of colleges, including community colleges. She transferred to a four-year university after community college and said that even if students don't transfer, two additional years of education is helpful.
More than 120 Sandpoint High School seniors filled out at least one college application by Tuesday, and Mire said the goal is to reach the whole graduating class of 230 students.
“By next week, they have all had the opportunity,” Mire said.
Once the students were done with their applications, they filled out a survey on the application process, and then were allowed to spend the rest of class time working on their senior projects. Parent volunteers gathered information from students about where they applied so the school would know where to send transcripts. Sara Schmelzer, enrollment coordinator for North Idaho College, was also available to help answer any questions.
Mire said this program is supposed to run in conjunction with Direct Admissions, a program where students get one of two letters. They are either accepted to all colleges in the state, or they are accepted to the community colleges, Lewis Clark State College and technical schools. The students then apply to the colleges to "claim their spot,” Mire said. Unfortunately, the Sandpoint High School letters did not arrive in time for the scheduled Idaho College Application Week.
“It's a cool thing the state of Idaho is doing,” Mire said.
College Application Week started in 2005, in North Carolina. In 2013, Idaho began a pilot program with 21 schools, based on size, region and available college resources. About 41 schools participated the following year. This is the third year of participation in Idaho.