Senior Seminar

Senior Seminar is a mandatory, full year, one credit course taken in the student’s senior year in addition to the required fourth year English course.

The English teacher and the school counselor work cooperatively to offer seniors the structure and support they need to successfully prepare for the transition from high school to post-secondary education and /or career choices. The school counselor is available at any time to work with students and parents who need additional assistance.

Course Components

• High School transcript requirements
• Resume writing
• Personal essay writing
• Preparation of letters of recommendation
• SAT and ACT preparation and registration
• Career job shadowing experiences
• College Application preparation and submission
• Financial aid application process
• Scholarship application process and submission
• College interview preparation

There are two major projects which are produced in the first semester of the course. One is an application portfolio for use in applying for college and/or scholarships. The portfolio consists of a personal essay, resume, transcript, four letters of recommendation and various certificates or awards. The second project is a career research paper that represents at least two job shadowing experiences and research using multiple sources.

The third marking period focuses on college classroom skills such as speedwriting and note-taking. The course begins with a speedwriting program to help students learn to take notes faster (Principles of Speedwriting Shorthand by Joe Pullis).

Once students understand the speedwriting principles, they learn the cluster and pyramid styles of note-taking (Note-Taking Made Easy by Franklyn Peterson). When they can combine the speedwriting with the note-taking skills, they view the video Where There’s A Will There’s An A by Professor Olney, University of Arizona.

By the fourth marking period, students’ plans are in place and applications for the many local scholarships that are available are completed in class.

The Application Portfolio

The application portfolio is the final product in a step-by-step process of requesting letters of recommendation, prioritizing resume materials and creating an array of essays to meet a variety of application needs. Students use their time during class to plan and prepare for their college, military and job interviews.

Applications are filled out and decisions about post-high school choices are researched with the aid of the Internet and a classroom library of books, manuals, college catalogues/videos and military brochures. Cover letters with the student’s personal letterhead are created.

All announcements about scholarships and recruiter visits to the school are made in class. Throughout the semester, returning alumni are invited to visit the class to share their experiences and offer suggestions. A cooperative post-high school support atmosphere is created in the classroom so that the students openly discuss concerns and share information about scholarships and schools.

The Research Paper

The research paper is a step-by-step process. The students plan their job shadowing experiences with an outline, prepared questions, letters of intent and phone calls for appointments. Classroom lessons address interview attire, public speaking, etiquette and on the job note-taking.

Research includes career website research and on-line college and military searches. Every effort is made to find professionals and job locations to match each student’s individual needs and interests. Included in the final paper are a list of courses/education needed for the desired career and a description of internships necessary for certification in a given field.

Salaries, benefits, degrees, working environments and advancements are also included in the student’s research. The paper is composed of 50% job shadowing experience and 50% research. The students learn the MLA style of writing a research paper which includes citing sources. Thank you notes are sent on the student’s letterhead following every job shadowing experience.

Before the project is complete, each student gives a 10 minute speech before the Board of Education about his/her experiences and research. Student job shadows have taken place in schools, hospitals, local businesses, law offices, accounting and financial planning firms.

Locally, students have spent time at: The Department of Environmental Conservation, The NYS Police and Department of Corrections, Adirondack Life and AdWorkshop. Students are not limited by distance or opportunities.

Experiences have included the following: three days in NYC with writers at the New York Times, visiting David Childs whose architecture firm SOM designed the new World Trade Center, shadowing actor George Hearn on Broadway while he was starring in Wicked, traveling to Arizona to spend time at a large company, and a visit with NYC fashion designer Zac Posen, and Maya Judd, fashion stylist.