Alumni Transcript request form  

Graduation Credit Requirements:

*This requirement can be waived if the student demonstrates proficiency in at least two languages.

Required Electives:

• Health (0.5 credit)
• Physical Education (0.5 credit)
  • Can be waived if student has participated in a school sport every year of high school
• Fine Arts (1.0 credit)
  • 0.5 credit Performing Art required
• Online Course or Learning Experience (0.5 credit)

Recommendations:

• 4 years of Science and Social Science for college prep

Our Lady of the Lakes graduation requirements are aligned with the Michigan Merit Curriculum.  MME Requirements can be found here.

ACT/SAT

It is recommended for juniors to take both the ACT and the SAT.  The tests are very different and students may score better on one vs. the other.  Both tests are accepted by colleges for admission purposes. The Our Lady of the Lakes school code when registering for ACT & SAT is 233-698.

ACT: Registration information and national test dates can be found here.

SAT: Registration information and national test dates can be found here.

PSAT

In the spring, we provide practice SAT testing to students in 9th and 10th grades.

PSAT 8/9 is given to all 9th graders. All 10th graders take PSAT 10. These tests cover math, reading, language, and writing. The following link will take you to CollegeBoard for more information.

PreACT

In the fall, we provide practice ACT testing to students in 9th and 10th grades. 

PreACT 8/9 is given to all 9th graders. All 10th graders take PreACT. These tests cover math, science, English, and reading. The following link will take you to ACT for more information.

Advanced Placement (AP Testing)

Advanced Placement offers students at OLL the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams. These courses allow students to potentially earn college credit, fulfill prerequisites for the first year in college, and give themselves an edge in the college admissions process. More information can be found here.

AP exam fee is $105 per test, to be paid in cash or check (written to Our Lady of the Lakes). AP exams are required for anyone taking an AP level course. 

Test Prep

Princeton Review (SAT/ACT/AP/PSAT) 
Khan Academy (SAT/PSAT) 
ACT 
Kaplan Test Prep (SAT/ACT/AP/PSAT)

• Stay on top of your grades. Most colleges look at all four years.
• Join clubs and activities in your areas of interest. Try new things!
• Start building relationships with your teachers and counselor, they will be writing your letters of recommendation.
• Start researching different careers and colleges. Your counselor will assist you in creating your Scoir account.
• Summer enrichment is a great way to experience new things and add to your high school accomplishments. There are many programs lasting from an afternoon to the entire summer.
  
  

• Start an activities/awards log. Most college applications will ask what you have been involved in, what awards you have received, what volunteer experience you have, etc. It will be hard to remember as a senior, start your log now and update as needed.
• Begin talking to your family and school counselor about colleges and career paths you may be interested in.
• Look into summer enrichment programs at local colleges. Many let you experience college life for a few weeks learning with peers who have similar interests.
  
  

• Take the most challenging courses you can handle. Colleges look at what is available and what you are taking when making acceptance decisions. AP’s will always be favorable to colleges and universities.
• We recommend taking both the SAT and the ACT this year. Attend a prep workshop.
• Visit colleges that interest you on breaks and long weekends. Ideally while their classes are still in session to get the full effect of that campus in action.
• Go to college fairs and visits, you will be receiving information from the counselor as these are available.
• If you plan to play college sports, begin the application process now. Register here with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• Think about what teachers you would like to have letters of recommendation from. Try to get a verbal confirmation from them before the end of the school year.
  
  

• Keep your grades up! Even if the beginning of high school was hard for you, colleges look for an upward trend in grades.
• The counselor will be checking that you have all of the required credits to graduate, you should be keeping track too. Make an appointment if you are not sure.
• Continue college visits, check their websites for guided tours and informational meetings.
• Aim for getting three letters of recommendation from teachers/administrators/counselor. Ask them, nicely, to prepare letters for you. Provide them with a copy of your activities/awards so that they may include some of these things in your letter or college applications. Don’t forget to write them a thank you note!
• Attend college fairs! Speak to the representatives of schools you are interested in about degrees, scholarships, deadlines, campus life, etc.
• Apply! Many schools have deadlines in November and December, especially for scholarship opportunities. Request transcripts be sent to those schools through Common App or Parchment.
• File your FAFSA online. Applications open in October each year.
• Search and apply for scholarships.
• Consider retaking the SAT, ACT, or both depending on what your school of choice requires.
• Most colleges require both a mid-year transcript as well as a final senior year transcript. DO NOT catch senioritis! Colleges can take back offers if they see academic performance is slipping.

Check out the following websites for great scholarship opportunities:

College Board’s Scholarship Search
Fastweb
Scholarships.com
StudentScholarships.org
Unigo Scholarship Experts
RaiseMe

Keep an eye on the Laker Bulletin and your email for new and Our Lady of the Lakes exclusive scholarship opportunities.