What Is AP? – AP Students | College Board

AP Student Page: Get Ahead with AP – AP Students | College Board

AP Score Page: About AP Scores – AP Students | College Board

Does your college accept AP Credit: AP Credit Policy Search – AP Students – College Board

Arizona Board of Regents
The Arizona Board of Regents is the governing board for the state’s public universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. The board provides policy guidance in such areas as: academic and student affairs; financial and human resource programs; student tuition, fees, and financial aid programs; university capital development plans; strategic plans; legal affairs; and public and constituent outreach. Welcome | Arizona Board of Regents (azregents.edu)

Maricopa Community Colleges

Maricopa Community Colleges’ nationally recognized programs help more than 200,000 students each year achieve their goals. Our 10 accredited colleges offer a diverse range of programs at convenient locations across the Valley, but our goal is the same – your success. Our Colleges | Maricopa Community Colleges

State College Contacts
ASU: Freshman Rep | Admission | ASU
NAU: Find an NAU Admissions Officer Near You | Admission
UA:Contact: First-Year Recruiters | Admissions | University of Arizona

Other Arizona Colleges:

Embry Riddle: Admissions | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott, AZ (erau.edu)
Grand Canyon University:Admission Requirements - Start Your Journey Today | GCU
Scottsdale Community College: Welcome Center | Scottsdale Community College (scottsdalecc.edu)

Important Documents/Links:

Arizona State University
Apply to ASU
ASU Barrett, The Honors College

ASU Scholarship: Scholarships | Financial Aid | Arizona State University (asu.edu)

Northern Arizona University

Apply to NAU

NAU Honors College

NAU Scholarship: Merit-based Tuition Scholarships | Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (nau.edu)

The University of Arizona

Apply to UA
UA Honors College

UA Scholarship: Types of Aid: Scholarships | Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (arizona.edu)
UA SALT Center

Maricopa Community Colleges: Scholarships | Maricopa Community Colleges 

Community College Transfer to AZ Universities:   AZ Transfer ensures Arizona’s students have access to efficient, seamless, and simple ways to transfer from a community college to a university in Arizona. AZ Transfer

GPA Calculator: GPA Calculator | Advising (arizona.edu)

For Scholarship, College Visit, and Deadline information visit our DMHS College and Career Website: College & Career / College & Career (susd.org)

WICHE: The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education is a regional organization that was created to facilitate resource sharing among higher education systems of the West, allowing students to access affordable options for high-demand fields. Arizona WICHE Student Exchange Programs | Arizona Board of Regents (azregents.edu) 

The College Essay PowerPoint presented by Mr. Brechner 

SENIOR MEETING INFORMATION:

Counselors will begin meeting with Seniors the first week of September each year. At that meeting, students will be given an unofficial copy of their transcript and discus the student's plan for the future.  

Transcript:  Go online to www.parchment.com and order an official transcript to be sent to the school(s) you are applying to.  (See Transcript tab for more information)

Test Scores:  Go online to www.collegeboard.com (for the SAT) and/or www.actstudent.org (for the ACT) to send your official test scores to the school(s) you are applying to. If you requested to have your scores sent at the time of the test, you do not need to do this again.


LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Please check to be sure you need a letter of recommendation  PRIOR to asking a teacher or counselor to write one for you.  If the school you are applying to does not need a letter of recommendation, they may not take the time to read it when making admissions decisions.  

Allow a minimum of 2 WEEKS for the letters to be completed.  Many teachers and counselors will provide you with a sheet they would like filled out prior to completing a recommendation.  It is also recommended that you provide your recommender with a high school resume. THANK YOU notes are greatly appreciated!

COLLEGE VISITS AND SCHOLARSHIPS:
1) Please read the weekly College and Career Center newsletter and visit the DMHS College and Career page often for updates:  College & Career / College & Career (susd.org)
2) Check the Naviance “College Tab” to sign up for college visits at DMHS. This is your chance to meet with the college representative who will read your application!

Important Documents/Links:

NACAC Virtual College Fairs: Events | NACAC Fairs (virtualcollegefairs.org)

Common App School Search Tool
Common App "How to Apply"
Common App Login
Common App FAQ                                                     Common App Writing requirements by college
Coalition Application Schools
Coalition Application Information
Coalition Application Login
WUE/WICHE
Overview of Financial Aid Process Video
How to Fill Out the FAFSA Video
FAFSA "What to Expect"
FAFSA

Scholarships

College Testing Timeline
Sophomores
SUSD pays and registers all 10th graders to take the PSAT . Students need to review their scores (see "PSAT Scores" below) and remediate any areas of weakness before their junior year test date. See testing dates linked below. HOW TO ACCESS SCORES: PSAT/NMSQT Score Release Dates – SAT Suite | College Board 

Consider taking a FREE practice length test for the ACT or SAT to determine which test is for you. Princeton Review is a valuable website to use when assessing the difference between the SAT & ACT tests. Similar tests are available through Scottsdale Education Center, Kaplan or Vogel Prep. You may also want to check out SAT/ACT prep books from the library to practice your skills.

Juniors
Register to take the PSAT in August for the opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.  (NOTE: Registration for the PSAT is done through the DMHS bookstore and there are a limited number of spaces, so please sign up early.)  

SUSD pays and registers all 11th grade students to take the ACT S (see testing dates below) Students can also register to take an ACT and/or SAT in the spring of Junior year/summer going into Senior year. (NOTE: Registration for these tests is not done through DMHS. Registration must be completed through CollegeBoard or ACT.)

Verify whether any colleges you are considering require SAT Subject tests.  For a complete list of schools that require subject tests click here.  Subject tests are offered in 5 subject areas including English, History/Social Studies, Mathematics, Sciences and World Languages. The tests are 1 hour long and cannot be taken on the same date as the SAT.  Plan accordingly to take two of these tests during your junior year.  Many students take the SAT Subject tests to keep their options open. 

Seniors
Consider signing up to take an additional ACT or SAT test in early Fall.  A higher score on a second test may make you eligible for a higher scholarship award or gain you admission to a more selective college. 

Check on the ACT and SAT websites to make sure you have sent your test scores to all colleges where you are applying/send scores through these websites. This step is key for scholarship consideration.  

PSAT Scores
Follow this link for PSAT score access:

• See all your scores and if you are on track for college readiness
• View detailed explanations of skills required to be college ready
• Send your scores to Khan Academy^®for personalized practice recommendations
• Search for colleges that fit your needs
• Access your PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score used for participation in programs conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation
• Start on your scholarship and college financial aid plan
• Take a personality test to find majors and careers fit for you
• Get feedback on your readiness for AP courses

Which test should I take? SAT or ACT? click here

Important Documents/Links:
2021-2022 Testing Schedule
PSAT College Board Practice
PSAT Free Practice Test Search
Understanding PSAT Scores
ACT vs. SAT Comparison
ACT Online Sample Questions
ACT Test Prep Packet (English)
ACT Test Prep Packet (Spanish)
ACT Writing Prep
ACT Free Practice Test Search
College Board SAT Practice
KHAN ACADEMY SAT Prep
SAT Free Practice Test Search
Maricopa Community Colleges Placement Test Prep
Test Prep Tutor List
SCC MEID and ID Retrieval Information

SUSD Fine Arts Diploma Seal

The following are required for a student to qualify for SUSD's Fine Arts Diploma Seal

• A final GPA of 3.0 or 4.0 in each of the qualifying arts or career and technical education (CTE) courses.
• 4 minimum credit requirements in one of the following ways:
  • A minimum of 4 credits in one artistic discipline: (dance, music, theatre, visual arts, or media arts) or;
  • 3 credits in one artistic discipline; and 1 credit in a qualifying creative industries CTE credit or separate discipline; or
  • 2 credits in one artistic discipline, and 2 credits in a qualifying creative industries CTE course or separate artistic discipline.
• 80 hours of arts related extracurricular activities
• A student capstone project

For more information regarding SUSD's Fine Arts Diploma Seal, please click here.

SUSD Seal of Biliteracy

Please click here for 22-23 flyer

SUSD gives the stamp test at level 4 and students must test at an intermediate level, as well as meet the other criteria.  Students must also apply to be considered and the links are here:

Class of 2023

Class of 2024

Class of 2025

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately. If you are experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-8255 or the EMPACT's 24 Hour Crisis Hotline at 480-784-1500.

District Resources:

The  SUSD Department of Support Services is committed to supporting the educational achievement of all children.  Each department within Support Services is designed to assist in creating a positive learning environment conducive to safe and academic growth, social and emotional development. Click to access the Support Services District Webpage.

Community Referral Resources for Crisis Hotlines, Crisis Hospitals, Behavioral Health Agencies, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse, Reduced Fee options, Assistance with Fees for prescriptions, practitioners  CLICK HERE

DM Resources:

DM offers groups on our campus as a support for students. Our school Social Worker, Karey Trusler leads these groups. If you would like to participate in one of these groups, please contact Mrs. Trusler: ktrusler@susd.org

Empact Resources:

Student Resource List provided by EMPACT
Search for Free & Low-Cost Services in Maricopa County
EMPACT Goal Setting Presentation
EMPACT Identifying & Managing Emotions Presentation
EMPACT OPIOID Parent Present

What is Naviance?
Naviance is an online portfolio system adopted by SUSD for students to complete their Educational Career Action Plan (ECAP). Students can enter the courses they are taking in Naviance under “Course Planner”; take a career inventory at “Career Interest Profiler”; and investigate colleges in “College Search”.  This information along with other Naviance activities will be utilized to guide course selections, college advisement and applications, as well as planning for careers/majors beyond high school.

How Do Students Access Naviance?

1. Go to signon.susd.org
2. Enter student username and password
3. Click on Student Apps at the bottom
4. Click on Naviance link
5. This will automatically log you into your account
6. To logout of Naviance, click on Logout in the top right corner and close the tab/window

How Do Students Sign Up for College Visits through Naviance?
Please click here for directions on how to sign up for college visits.

Students should sign up for all college visits on Naviance and print out the confirmation the day prior to the college visit. This printout will serve as a pass to show your teacher so you can be excused from class. Students should go to the period class they will be missing prior to the college presentation and get the teacher to sign off on the printout. Teachers have the right to deny attendance to the college visit due to excessive absenteeism, tardiness, tests or critical lesson plans. After the confirmation has been signed, bring this print out to the College & Career Center to hear the presentation. The confirmation will be collected and given to attendance to excuse your absence. If you do not have a printer, please see Mrs. Loftus at least 24 hours prior to visit.  

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICAL TRANSCRIPT ?

Unofficial transcripts can be used to for various things like: Dual Enrollment, car insurance verification, summer camp enrollment or to verify your course completion. Official transcripts are required for the college admission process both at the time of application and during final enrollment.

 

HOW CAN I RECEIVE A COPY OF MY UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT?

• Now you can print your unofficial transcript following these steps:
  • Log into Student Vue/Parent Vue
  • Go to Course History
  • Look for the blue box that says unofficial transcript with printer icon
  • No need to wait or ask a counselor to print!!

 

HOW CAN I SEND MY OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES?

To request a copy of your official transcript visit: https://www.parchment.com. You must create an account if you do not have one. Select Desert Mountain as your school. Your request lands in your school's Parchment account and they will review your order. Once your school approves and processes your order, Parchment will send your transcript. There is a fee associated with ordering an official transcript. 

Note: Once a student, who is over 18, has graduated, transcripts can not be released to a parent without the  student's written permission.