Seniors: Planning for Life After High School! Class of 2016

Agenda Options for Life After High School - Review The College Application & Briar Woods High School Procedures Advice & Information

Materials An “Electronic-Index” will be ed to you, it includes a NACAC Guide Transcript release form Senior Information Packet Additional forms & resources BWHS Website “ College & Career Guidance” Page Let your counselor know if you need hard-copies

Electronic Index

Options for Life After High School Trade-schools/Apprenticeships Military Community College 4-Year College or University

College Degrees Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically earned at a community college or a junior college) Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years after earning a bachelors Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD, JD, MD, DC

Community College Certificate programs 2-Year Associates Degree First year or two of a 4-Year Bachelors degree Benefits of community college o NOVA is one of the best community colleges in the country o Relatively inexpensive o Close to home o Usually “open” admissions

Community College NOVA’s Guaranteed Admissions (incomplete list) Christopher Newport University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University James Madison University Liberty University Longwood University Marymount University Norfolk State University Old Dominion University Radford University University of Mary Washington University of Virginia Virginia Tech

Community College Pathways Program Applications Available Now Priority Deadline: November 6th Start at NOVA Transition to a 4-year university Individual meetings with NOVA Pathways counselors Assistance applying for financial aid Early placement testing and priority course registration No minimum GPA required to apply

College Visits at BWHS College representative visits to BWHS Sign-up in the Career Center Sign up at least 2 days in advance of the visit Limit visits to 5 Avoid missing the same class twice Your teacher is not obligated to release you from class There is no substitute for a campus visit as a way to assess a school

Family Connections Log-In Update Effective August 15, 2015 all student Family Connection account passwords were reset. Your Username will be your Student ID Number in this format: Your default password will be your Birth Date in this format: mmddyy It is highly recommended that you change your password when you first log in. To make this change, simply logon and click “Manage my account” in the top right corner of the homepage.

How Many Colleges Should A Student Apply to? There is no magic number One or two “Reach Schools”- Your dream school One or two “Safety Schools”- You meet all the criteria Three or four Schools where you meet most of the criteria but the decision could go either way

College Admissions Testing College testing SAT Reasoning Test (admissions) ACT (admissions) SAT Subject Tests (typically for placement) Register now!!! The Loudoun test sites fill up quickly College Board SAT Course Online Other Prep Classes: PTSO, Private Companies

ACT Dates Test DateRegistration Deadline(Late Fee Required) September 12, 2015August 7, 2015August 8–21, 2015 October 24, 2015 September 18, 2015September 19–Oct. 2, 2015 December 12, 2015November 6, 2015November 7–20, 2015 February 6, 2016*January 8, 2016January 9–15, 2016 April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016March 5–18, 2016 June 11, 2016**May 6, 2016May 7–20, 2016

SAT Dates Test DateDeadlineLate Deadline October 3Sept. 3Sept. 22 November 7Oct. 9Oct. 27 December 5Nov. 5Nov. 23 January 23Dec. 28Jan. 12 March 5Feb. 5Feb. 23 May 7April 8April 26 June 4May 5May 25

Social Media Use Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. appropriately. Use a “professional” address. Take down any inappropriate pictures and information. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it then take it’s probably not appropriate for a college admission officer to see. Colleges do check!

The Application “Folder” 1. Application 2. Essay 3. Student Resume 4. Secondary School Report 5. Test Scores 6. Transcript 7. Letters of Recommendation

The Application Seniors are responsible for being aware of application deadlines (see NACAC Guide) Regular Admission – traditional deadline Early Decision – binding Early Action – non-binding Rolling Admission – applications accepted based on space availability until the institution is “full”

The Application Most applications are submitted electronically over the internet Print and review before submitting it! Seniors are responsible for completing and submitting their own applications (not mom & dad!) Seniors should make copies of all applications they submit Many colleges use the “Common Application”

The Common App. The Common Application is a common, standardized first-year application form for use at any member institution. Over 500 public and private universities use the common application. Essays are standardized and topics are available on line now. Some colleges require supplemental information (essays, recommendations, etc.). Recommendations are submitted on line.

The Application “Folder” 1. Application 2. Essay 3. Student Resume 4. Secondary School Report 5. Test Scores 6. Transcript 7. Letter/s of Recommendation

The Essay Not all colleges require an essay Most essays are submitted electronically along with the application Seniors should make sure they are understand the essay topic Follow the directions/guidelines Seniors are advised to print out and review (with help!) their essays before sending them

The Essay English teachers are more than happy to help students with essays; some teachers incorporate this into their curriculum Seniors should save all essays because they may be modified and reused – but be careful Essay resources – BWHS library, BWHS Career Center, public library, internet

The Application “Folder” 1. Application 2. Essay 3. Student Resume 4. Secondary School Report 5. Test Scores 6. Transcript 7. Letter/s of Recommendation

Student Resume Many colleges accept student resumes Resumes are usually sent to the college electronically along with the application and essay Resumes can highlight your accomplishment both in and outside of school Be honest and truthful- Information on resumes must be 100% accurate An effective resume is EASY TO READ! Use resume templates and samples to format your own

The Application “Folder” 1. Application 2. Essay 3. Student Resume 4. Secondary School Report 5. Test Scores 6. Transcript 7. Letter/s of Recommendation

Secondary School Report Some colleges provide the student with a Secondary School Report form for the counselor to complete and send in. We do not use these forms. We will send a comprehensive “universal” Secondary School Report for all students

The Application “Folder” 1. Application 2. Essay 3. Student Resume 4. Secondary School Report 5. Test Scores 6. Transcript 7. Letter/s of Recommendation

Test Scores Seniors are responsible for determining the tests needed for the colleges they are applying to SAT Reasoning Test (typically for determining admissions) ACT (typically for determining admissions) SAT Subject Tests (typically used for placement)

Test Scores Seniors are responsible for having their test scores sent to the colleges they are applying to Requests are made directly through the College Board or ACT; BWHS nor LCPS send test scores Seniors can request their scores be sent when they take the tests; or they can have their scores sent after the test date by contacting the College Board or ACT (for a fee)

The Application “Folder” 1. Application 2. Essay 3. Student Resume 4. Secondary School Report 5. Test Scores 6. Transcript 7. Letter/s of Recommendation

The Transcript Requesting Transcripts is a Two Part Process! Each senior will get information to set up an account on Parchment, which is a secure transcript sending service. Part One: Seniors will request a transcript on Parchment THEN… Part Two: Seniors will submit a Transcript Release Form signed by a parent. Completed forms are given to their counselor, in person. All LCPS student’s are charged $3.00 per transcript Forms can be obtained in guidance or online at the BWHS web site under School Counseling.

The Transcript We ask that seniors submit transcript requests a minimum of two weeks before the college application deadline (last year we sent over 3000 transcripts) We track the process date and send date – posted on Family Connection We include a school profile with transcript Transcript requests must be made before December 4th in order to be sent before winter break

The Transcript Please only request transcripts to be sent to colleges you are actually applying to There are no costs for mid-year and end-of-year transcripts or for scholarship transcripts

The Application “Folder” 1. Application 2. Essay 3. Student Resume 4. Secondary School Report 5. Test Scores 6. Transcript 7. Letter/s of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation Counselor Letter If a senior needs a letter of recommendation from the counselor, he/she can request it when he/she requests the transcript Every senior will be provided with a Senior Information Packet to be turned into the counselor The Senior Information Packet is posted online and contains a parent “brag” section The counselor will “send” their letter with the transcript

Letters of Recommendation Teacher Letter: If a letter of recommendation is needed from a teacher, the senior should make the request directly to the teacher. The majority of recommendation letters are submitted on line. You will need to provide your teacher’s address. If a paper copy of the letter is needed, provide the teacher with a postage-paid envelope addressed to the college. Counselors DO NOT collect or send letters of recommendations from teachers. Exception to above: VA Tech. Think about who you are asking… they may need more time!

Letters of Recommendation Seniors should allow counselors and teachers a minimum of two weeks to write a letter. Please only request letters to be sent to schools you are actually applying to. Some schools don’t require any letters of recommendation. If you send more letters than the college requests, you can’t control which ones they choose to read.

The Application “Folder” - Summary 1. Senior submits application electronically to the college 2. Senior submits the essay electronically to the college (if there is one) 3. Senior may submit the resume electronically to the college 4. Senior has test scores sent directly to the college by the SAT (College Board) or the ACT 5. Senior meets with counselor directly to request a transcript by submitting a Transcript Release Form 6. Senior may submit Secondary School Report (if provided by the college) when they meet with the counselor 7. Senior may request letter of recommendation (if needed) from their counselor and/or teachers

Keeping Sane!!! Complete one college application at a time Trying to work on several applications at once = confusion for all! Stay organized-use a checklist for each application. Pay attention to deadlines!

Interviews Some colleges interview applicants. Process, procedures, and guidelines vary. Dress appropriately!

Communication/Follow-Up Students and parents can log onto Family Connection to view transcript send dates We automatically send mid-year transcripts to the colleges our students apply to (no cost) Final transcripts are sent to the colleges our students plan to attend (no cost) The infamous “we didn’t get your transcript”

Upcoming Activities Senior presentations – The week of September 21 st. Set up an appointment to meet with your counselor. LCPS College Fair – September 27th at 4:00pm-5:30pm & 6:30pm-8:00pm Rock Ridge High School Financial Aid Night – December 16 th at 7:00pm

Have a great Senior year!! Class of 2016