IMG Pendleton School Seniors

This has been an exciting year and we are very proud of the class of 2011! In many ways, you are in the midst of the greatest emotional roller coaster ride of your educational experience. The stress of college applications, the anxiety of waiting, the joy of acceptances, the ambivalence of wanting to get out of high school and into college, the stress of AP exams, the nostalgia of the “last time we will ever be together doing this...,”and saying goodbye to people you have studied and trained with over the past few years. Senior year is a time spent reflecting back on all those years in the classroom while looking ahead to new adventures of work or college.

It is important that you take advantage of these moments … and equally important that you participate in the planned activities that are designed to enhance the senior year experience. Most of them will be great fun and create memories for a lifetime: prom, senior barbecue, the graduation reception and, of course, graduation. There will be other activities that you will hope never to experience again, such as SAT, ACT, AP examinations, or filling out college applications. Even so, just remember that this is a big year, and that everyone, yourself included, has worked very hard to make this a special moment in time for each of you.

Graduation is right around the corner. Over the course of the next 60 days, you must remember to keep up your good work, your good grades, and your class attendance … there still is much effort on your part that needs to be focused in order to participate in a ceremony that you will remember for the rest of your lives.

You are almost ready to begin the next chapter of your lives. To help you manage and make the transition from high school to college, we include a few tips that will help make you a more prepared college student. Each will lead you to success from high school to college -- and beyond.

Tip 1: Finalize College Plans

As you receive your offers of admission, try to identify those colleges and universities that seem best suited for your needs, not just the institutions that are well known for athletics. You should spend time with your family, friends, and college counselor to narrow down the list of schools that have criteria that you deem most important.

Tip 2: Avoid Senioritis and the Senior Slump

There is a common misconception that once you have made it to your senior year -- and especially once you have been accepted by colleges -- your senior grades do not matter. However, colleges and universities DO request and review senior grades, especially from the first semester of the school year. At times, they might request a progress report from third quarter. If you let your grades slip at anytime during the year, colleges have the right to ask you for an explanation … they also have the right to withdraw an offer of admission that was already extended to you.

Tip 3: Continue to Challenge Yourself

Many colleges recommend that senior year should be designed to best prepare you for your first year in college. Thus, you should continue to challenge yourself in the classroom and on the playing field (or court, or course). Academically, if you have not challenged yourself as much as you could have during your senior year, you might consider undertaking a post-graduate year of study in order to take advanced courses in the sciences, math, foreign languages, or English. Students who challenge themselves with this coursework are better prepared for the rigors of college-level work. 

Tip 4: Stay Involved

If you have been involved in various social clubs, actively volunteered with local agencies, or have been involved in the IMG or local community in other ways, do not stop now just because it is your senior year. Make a lifelong commitment to give back to your community. You will help by making an impact on the lives of others  -- and you will feel better for it.

Tip 5: Strive for Balance

The key for you is to avoid burnout. You have your high school work, college planning, athletic training, social activities, and outside activities (such as volunteering, etc.) -- all of these things place a tremendous demand on your time. Try to keep your life balanced -- and be sure to schedule time just for yourself. While you do not want to experience a “senior slump,” it will be equally important not to crash and burn.

Tip 6: Set Life and Career Goals

As you reach the end of your secondary education and begin the journey of the rest of your life, this would be a great time to find a quiet spot and reflect on your future life goals: personal, professional, educational and athletic. Do not let yourself get bogged down in specifics, but instead, focus on issues such as what you want to get out of your college education, what success means to you, and what is important in your life. You should consider writing a draft of a personal mission statement. This mission statement will describe your unique purpose in life.  It should summarize the talents and qualities that you have and want to develop, what you want to accomplish, and what contributions you want to make to your family, to your team, and to the entire global community.

MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 941.739.3964
Assistant Headmaster, Mr. Stephen Schwager (xt. 3608)
Director of the College Planning and Placement Center and NCAA Compliance Education, Mr. Mark Blaweiss (941-739-3964 x3605)
College Counselor, Mrs. Heather Von Seggern (xt. 3645

Office of the Registrar (transcript requests)
Registrar, Mrs. Judy Fraser (xt. 3631)
Registrar & Online Advisor, Mrs. Meg Plexico (xt. 3617)