Don’t Miss Your Exit:

Successfully Navigating the Road Beyond High School

Mileage Accumulated:

»Taken a rigorous academic course load. »Practiced with the EXPLORE (9 th ) & PSAT (10 th & 11 th ) »Attempted the SAT or ACT »Considered/visited colleges you want to apply to. »Signed up for Fall SAT or ACTSATACT »Oct. 5 SAT test – register by Sept. 6 »Oct. 26 ACT test – register by Sept. 27

The Road Less Traveled: The ACT?ACT »Do you want to highlight your strengths in math and science? »Are you not satisfied with your SAT scores? »Will the colleges you are applying to accept ACT scores? »YES! SAT or ACT - either one is acceptable. »Admissions counselors consider the highest »Oct. 26 test – Sept. 27 deadline

The road directly ahead… »Continue to work hard in senior courses. »Prepare for Fall SAT/ACT test »Attend College Fair? (Sept. 26) »Visit the colleges you are applying to. »Make a list of application deadlines.

Considering a detour? »If you want to go to college (2 yr. or 4 yr.), you can. »Guaranteed Transfer AgreementsGuaranteed Transfer Agreements »Consider this: college graduates make DOUBLE the amount of money that high school grads make. »Worth a calculated debtcalculated debt

Still want to get off this route? »What career are you pursuing?career

Still want to get off this route? »What training do you need to pursue this career? »Trade school »ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships »Military ServiceMilitary Service »Your counselor can help!

Mapping Your Course: SEPT/OCTOBER ? »Visit/spend the night at the colleges that interest you. »Begin your college applications. Colleges prefer that you apply online. »Work smart, not hard »Essays/personal statements. (quality, not quantity; writing process; get feedback; share something not found elsewhere in your application) »Recommendations from whom? Counselors, pastors, boss, coach, teacher, etc. Not a family member. »Provide resume/info. sheet (leadership, jobs, extra- curriculars, hobbies)

Are you Road Ready?: Three Components of a Completed Application »1. Your part (application completed online) »2. Our part »Transcript request form »FERPA »“Secondary School Report” or “Counselor’s Report” page, where applicable »3. Admissions Test Scores »Directly from CollegeBoard or ACT »Not official from anywhere else

The Open Road: November »Meet with GRASP Coordinator on Wednesdays in guidance. »Complete FAFSA4Caster (Actual FAFSA can’t be submitted until Jan. 1.)FAFSA4Caster »Listen to the news and check the GHS Guidance website/Facebook/Twitter for scholarship opportunities. scholarship opportunities. »Keep working on those applications!!!!

Time for a Pit Stop?: DECEMBER »Complete all college applications before Winter Break. »Allows for a break »Lets you focus second semester on paying for college

Switching Gears: January »Attend GHS Financial Aid Night and Super Saturday. »Submit FAFSA application online.FAFSA »Meet each college’s deadline to apply for financial aid and supply any extra forms they require.deadline »Continue researching scholarships. »Send semester grades to colleges. »Take the SAT subject tests, if necessary.

The Home Stretch: FEBRUARY/MARCH »Call/ colleges to make sure they have received your FAFSA info. and anything else you have sent. »Receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) for Financial Aid. »Wait to hear from colleges.

The Last Leg of the Journey: APRIL/MAY »Receive admissions decisions. »Receive financial aid award letters from your colleges. »Decide! »May 1: Deposit Day! »Sign and return financial aid form. »Notify the financial aid office at your college of any scholarships you receive. »Take AP tests to earn college credit.AP tests

Arriving at Your Destination: May »Inform counselor of where to send final transcript via Senior Survey. »If appropriate, request Reynolds transcripts be sent to your college.

Arriving at Your Destination: May 30, 2014 »GRADUATE AND CELEBRATE!!!

Helpful Links »Vawizard.org »glnd.k12.va.us/index/ghs/guidance »Twitter: GoochHS Guidance »Facebook: Goochland High School Guidance »FAFSA.gov