Battlefield High School Junior Presentation

Agenda Introduction (2 min.) PSAT Results (25 min.) Diploma Types (2 min.) What’s Next? (2 min.) College Admissions 101 (25 min.) Financial Aid (5 min.) Important information for you to know (2 min.) Are You Smarter Than a 10 th Grader Game (Time Permitting – 10 min.) Education Plan (Time Permitting – 10 min.)

Diploma Types-Do You Know Yours? Standard Diploma Basics to grad, 22 cr. No For. Lang Required Can go to college, but may be more difficult (depends on courses you take) Need only 6 Verified Credits Advanced Studies Diploma College Prep, 24 cr. Foreign Language Required If you haven’t challenged yourself, earned good grades, may not matter it is advanced 9 Verified Credits needed

What’s Next? Apprenticeships College 2yr/4yr Gap year Military Trade School Workforce

What’s Next? College: Getting In Strength of curriculum Grade point average (G.P.A) College entrance exams-SAT/ACT scores College essay and resume Teacher’s recommendation

What’s Next: Choosing a College (What to Consider) Location: Rural, Urban, Suburban Public vs. Private In-State vs. Out-of-State College Size Teacher to student ratio Academics: Degrees and Majors Offered Cost Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

What’s Next: Choosing a College Where do you want to go? Figure it out by searching these websites. or Family Connection Visit schools and go on tours: This spring break and this summer. Also take virtual tours on School websites. Take the SAT & ACT: This Spring You can have scores sent directly to colleges in which you are interested (may save you money later)

What’s Next? College: How to Apply Application Checklist: Visit school admissions webpages detailing undergraduate admissions requirements. Follow each step and check it off as you go. Admissions options Early Decision Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Admissions Extras SAT II NCAA Clearinghouse form: Do it this Spring.

What’s Next? College: How to Apply (checklists) JMU VaTech UVA Radford - Common Application: What is it? Some colleges require it, many offer it is an option. Can make process easier if applying to multiple common app approved schools Find out more info about the common app at: VA Schools that use the common app: William & Mary, UVA, Mary Washington, U of Richmond, Virginia Wesleyan, Hampden-Sydney, Hollins, Randolph, Randolph-Macon, Sweet Briar, Washington & Lee Applying is scary, but it is actually as easy as 1, 2, 3 (just follow the steps )

What’s Next? College: Resumes and Essays Prepare a High School Resume – detail all sports, clubs, jobs, volunteer work, awards that you have been involved in/accomplished during your high school years. Essays – Research colleges you are interested in to see what essays they require. Be creative (remember admissions offices/scholarship committees read thousands of these each year). Websites to Assist in writing essays: Use your google machine to search for more tips

Family Connection Use Your Family Connection account (See your counselor for login info if you do not remember it) to find out info on colleges, financial aid, career search Transcript request process is detailed on website and will be done using Family Connection during your Senior year Scholarships are updated regularly on Family Connection – Stay Up-To-Date Counselor recommendation information available by clicking on your counselors’ name SCATTERGRAMS

Transcript Request Process 1. Log in to your Family Connection account 2. Request Transcript(s): click on Colleges; click on Transcripts; Select Admission Type (Early, Regular, Rolling); choose school and click submit. You can do this for multiple schools at a time. 3. Apply to your college(s) through their websites. 4. Bring $2 per school to Counseling Center secretaries, along with any school required paperwork (i.e. Secondary School Reports). 5. You will then be done and able to see whether things have been sent out through family connection.

Christopher Newport University

George Mason University

University of Virginia

How to pay for college… FAFSA – January 1 st senior year (grants, loans, work study program) CSS Profile (financial aid) Use the internet and Family connection to look for scholarships Family Connection

Important things to know… addresses MySpace/Facebook Complete Early College Scholars Agreement Transcript Policy: You must know this!!!! Request to have your SAT/ACT scores submitted directly to the universities Junior Handbook

Junior Year Summary Keep your grades up Continue participating in extracurricular activities, community service Take the SAT/ACT in the spring Visit college campuses Research colleges Talk to your counselor and parents

Counselors A-BMr. Eric McCaslin C-DrMs. Carol O’Donnell Du-HavMs. Elizabeth Chase-Kang Haw-KoMs. Jaime Iglehart Kr-MiMs. Tiffany Kaufman Mo-RanMr. Matt Sisson Ras-SuMs. Vanessa Smith Sw-ZMs. Susan Sigmon Director of Counseling Ms. Julie Byrne

Education Plan Fill out your name, graduation year and diploma type Tell us the actual course you took in Grades 9-11 Grade 12: write down what you want to take fall 2011 Tell us your interests and career goals Tell us your community and school activities Initial and date the bottom of grade 11 Tell us your PSAT/SAT/ACT scores Tell us what are your post-secondary plans