1. College Timeline
For Juniors

2. Get to know guidance Guidance Counselors
Mrs. Lowry (Grades: 8th, 9th, 12th – L-Z)
Mrs. Mosby (Grades: 10th, 11th, 12th – A-K)
Secretary (and so much more)
Mrs. Thompson
Testing Coordinator
Mrs. Graham
Career Coach
Mrs. Murden

3. Twelfth Grade Required Courses
Advanced Diploma – 26 credits and 9 SOL’s
English (4)
Math (will need 4 including Alg 2)
Science (3 of 4 in different disciplines)
History (4 total)
H/PE 9 & 10
Foreign Language (3 of one or 2 & 2)
Fine Art or Career and Technical
Economics and Personal Finance
Electives
Standard Diploma – 22 credits and 6 SOL’s
English (4)
Math (3)
Science (3)
History (3)
H/PE 9 and 10
Fine Art or Career and Technical
Economics and Personal Finance
Sequential Electives (2)
Electives
**Will need Industry Certification and a sequence of two elective classes
Any Dual Enrollment Classes require the NRCC Placement Test – if first time taking DE English it will be DE English Composition with an option to take DE English Literature in the Spring
Government is required and Honors Government is for students that received a B or better in VA/US History and passed the SOL

5. What do I do right now? Take standardized tests and make a timeline
Take AP tests (if appropriate)
Research Colleges including search via collegeboard.org
Visit colleges (Junior Open Houses)
Get involved in school/community
Start a resume or activity/awards list
NCAA Initial Eligibility Center Information for Prospective NCAA Division I and II College Student Athletes, NAIA Students

6. Earning College credit now
Dual Enrollment Courses
Credit depends on:
Completion of course (also a C or better)
Respective College’s Standards and policies
AP Tests
Offered in May
Students can also take AP courses through Virtual Virginia
To earn college credit – need 3,4,5 – depends on college

7. February – May Timeline
Register for the SAT/ACT Assessment
Begin Applications process for Service Academies (Example – West Point)
Take SAT: Subject Tests if appropriate (check the admissions sites of schools your are interested)
Some colleges are going test optional. Check admissions sites for this and double check if needed for honors programs or merit scholarships
Set up college tours for over the summer (and possibly Spring Break), make appointments for information sessions, tours, department sessions, and interviews if necessary

8. June - August Take SAT/ACT if appropriate (or for second time)
Narrow college choices
Visit colleges
Use this summer to make money to help pay for college expenses or a summer enrichment program

9. SAT/ACT Review
Identify weak areas from previous tests (go back and look at PSAT scores)
Take a preparatory class if necessary – example: Kaplan Test Prep
Books/CD (Peterson’s, Barron’s)
Practice questions online
and

10. The sat….
Used to provide an estimate of future performance, assesses educational readiness
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, Math, and Essay; score scale = (Essay is separate score and maybe needed for placement with some schools)
Time allotted: 180 minutes plus 50 minutes for optional essay)
Used for college admissions (check websites)
Khan Academy offers free practice test materials at collegereadiness.collegeboard.org

11. The Sat (con’t) Number of questions/time allotted
Reading 52/65 minutes
Writing and Language 44/35 minutes
Math (without calculator) 20/20 minutes
Math (with calculator) 38/55 minutes
Essay (optional) 1/50
Total 154 (155 with essay)/180 (230 with essay)

12. SAT Subject tests
Achievement tests – used to measure acquired knowledge in a particular area, as well as ability to apply that knowledge
Wide variety of individual subjects in five areas: HISTORY, ENGLISH, MATH, SCIENCE & LANGUAGE
Score Scale:
Used for admission or placement/advising purposes

13. ACT
Covers ENGLISH, SCIENCE, MATH, READING, WRITING (optional – but could be required by a college)
ACT is closely tied with high school curricula
Scored from 1-36
Accepted in lieu of the SAT: Reasoning Test at colleges/universities in Virginia and all over the country. If applying to certain colleges in the mid-western, western, and southern states – ACT could be required or highly preferred.

14. What do schools look for
Performance in secondary school program
MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF APPLICATION
High grades in a rigorous curriculum
SAT or ACT
Highest SAT or ACT taken
SAT: Subject tests if required or recommended
Recommendation letters
Extracurricular Activities – quality over quantity
Essays (make sure the statement/question is being answered)
Interview (some schools will require for admission or even scholarship qualification)

15. Deciding on a college What do YOU want in a school
Location, type, size, competitiveness, campus life, makeup of the student body
Research colleges of interest
Collegeboard.org college search, course catalogs, admissions officers
Campus visits

16. Wrapping it up: Junior into Senior year
Get organized
Binder with tabs
Search colleges
Register for SAT/ACT and SAT Subject if necessary
Look for open house dates (junior year and again in fall for senior year)
Talk about finances: what is going to be feasible for your family
FAFSA opens up a lot of doors (look for FAFSA night and workshop in the fall)
Public vs Private
Community College options
Trade School
Military

17. Into Senior Year – con’t
Senior year will be here before you know it
College applications will be available sometime in August for most schools
Narrow down how many applications to send out
Visit with college counselors that come to FCHS
Make an appointment to see Guidance and the Career Coach

18. Career Coach – Holly Murden
What is a "Career Coach"?
In a high school the career coach is a unique resource dedicated to helping students discover and develop plans for their future.
The career coach helps students assess their interests, values, and skills and then identify potential careers which might be a good fit.  The career coach can also help students explore those potential careers while in high school through job shadowing or class visits. 
The career coach also works with the student to understand what type of education is necessary for a particular career...from Associate's degree to Bachelor's degree to Master's degree or higher.  Often the career coach will guide the student in setting "smart" goals and developing an action plan.  
The career coach is equipped to help students and families with college preparation, particularly for students who might be starting at the community college.   The career coach can help navigate placement testing, college application, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and FAFSA completion.

19. Holly Murden is located in the CTE building and has a sign up sheet on her door. She is currently at FCHS Wednesday-Friday