Senior ISP Quick Tips

I'm meeting with all of my seniors for ISP starting on Monday so I thought I'd share a few quick tips.

It may seem a little late to be starting these meetings, but I have found over the years that it's best to meet with them after state articulation and after we've been in school for a few weeks. I've been able to meet with the students in the classroom and address some of the beginning of the year social/emotional concerns--and a few crises. And I literally enrolled two new students last week and changed one senior's schedule. Hopefully by now we're in a good spot to take care of the seniors, right?!

So, now on to the tips...

1. Print off your schedule and highlight the kids that have free/reduced lunch. This will help you remember who needs an application fee waiver and who you can really push to dream big considering the financial supports that have a good chance of receiving.

2. Make enough copies of application fee waivers (with your basic info completed) so all you have to do is write in the students' personal info & you're ready to go.

3. Streamline what you say and how many times you say it by "flipping" the basics. I mean think about it, how many times do you explain how to request a transcript?! Create a video for students and parents to watch prior to the meeting.

4. Create an online SMORE flyer with all of the important details, links and documents you want to share with your students so they always have a one stop shop. Link it to your school webpage, discuss it on your video and share it with your students often.

5. Create a Remind text messaging group for your senior class (and their families) so you can send announcements to them quickly.

6. Keep it quick & informative. These meetings should be 10 minutes tops. The students need to be back in class. Give them what they need to get the ball rolling and put the burden back on them-remember, THEY are going to college, not YOU. If they need further assistance urge them to make a follow up appointment (teach them responsibility). Of course if they don't make that appointment, chase them down and get them back in the office before it's too late. :) 

7. Use Calendly to make it easy for them (and you) to schedule follow up appointments.

Have more tips to share? Please share them with us in the comments.

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