1. Planning for Post Secondary Education
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College 101

2. What Is? 36 Number of private four-year colleges in VA 1,297
Number of college transcripts that were requested this year
60%
National six-year Graduation Rate
National four-year Graduation Rate – 36%
71%
National Freshman Retention Rate

3. How do we pick a college? US News & World Report’s #1
The College that is most prestigious.
The College that the family can afford.
The College with the best football team.
It is mostly up to the students.

4. What is magic? There is no magic A + B = does not always equal C
Different outcomes – different years
Research, research, research …
“Some families research the purchase of a $10,000 used car more than a $100,000 education”

5. Key Terms Graduation Rate Retention Rate Acceptance Rate
Cost of Attendance
Test Optional
Coalition Application
Faculty-to-student ratio
Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, Rolling Admissions
Naviance
GAP YEAR
FAFSA

6. Research Post-Secondary Options
What are your options?
4 year college (69%)
2 year college (23%)
Military (2%)
Employment
Apprenticeships and Internships
GAP Year
Resources
Mr. West – Career Center Specialist
School Counselors
Other adults – community members
College Visits
College Fairs and High School Visits
Naviance Student – LCPS GO
On-line resources
A few listed at the end of the presentation

7. Naviance

8. Naviance

9. My list of colleges Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
Now through August before senior year
Fall of senior year
Reach, target, safety
Spring of senior year
Round 2
1. Visit
2. Majors
3. Cost
1. Apply
2. Deadlines
3. Visit again
Round 3

10. Student’s Interest vs Parent’s Interest
Location – distance from home
Size and Diversity – what does 400 mean to you?
Personal Opportunities (friends, sports)
Extracurricular/weekends
Reputation among friends
Application deadline and difficulty level
Majors
Location – what surrounds the college campus?
Who teaches undergraduates?
Academic Opportunities (majors)
Retention Rate
COST!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scholarships
Reputation in workforce and community

11. College’s Interest OBJECTIVE SUBJECTIVE Academic Courses
Challenging courses
Core Subjects all four years
Have you stretched yourself
Overall Performance (GPA/Rank)
Grades in advanced courses
Test Scores
SAT or ACT
Volume of Applications (college)
Extra Curricular
Depth of involvement, contributions
Quality vs Quantity
Essays
Stick to the topic and length
This is your “megaphone”
Recommendations
Someone who knows you
Interview and Campus visit
Does it impact admissions?

12. What post secondary schools do LCHS students attend?
James Madison
Virginia
Liberty
NOVA
Virginia Tech
Christopher Newport
George Mason
Virginia Commonwealth
West Virginia
NOVA 72
Virginia Tech 35
James Madison 22
Virginia Commonwealth 19
Christopher Newport 18
George Mason 15
Virginia 12
West Virginia 10
Liberty 8

13. Non-resident Scholarship
Get Organized
List of dates
Application Deadlines, Scholarships, Transcript Requests
List of passwords
Write everything down
Double Check/Follow Up
Recommendations, Application type, Transcripts
Mary Washington
Lynchburg
South Carolina
In- State
Private
Out of State
29,000 (COA)
52,000 (COA)
50,500 (COA)
November 15th (E.A.)
November 15th (E.D.)
November 15th (Honors)
Washington Scholar
Merit Scholarship
Non-resident Scholarship

14. Community College 23% of LCHS Students
Gives students an opportunity to grow academically, emotionally and socially.
Gives families an opportunity financially.
What occupations require an associates degree?
Virginia’s articulation agreement

15. Advanced Placement vs Dual Enrollment
19 courses offered at LCHS
CollegeBoard
Two week testing window in May
Test determines the college credit
Score Range (1-5)
College specific (mostly 4,5)
6 courses offered at LCHS
NOVA and local colleges
Semester based credit
Students earn college credit
Do all four-year colleges accept Dual Enrollment credit from course taken at LCHS?
College specific

16. High School Transcript

17. College 101
Closing Remarks

18. What is best for you – the student
No matter your skills, talents, interests or abilities – if you want to go to college, there is a college for you!
Do research EARLY!
Use your resources! Be careful how neighbors, Facebook (Social Media), siblings might try to influence your thoughts about a college, etc.
Visit the campus.
Most important year?
Junior year?
Be honest with yourself

19. What is best for you – the parent
Do not play the system
Build boundaries
When to discuss college applications, scholarships
“College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won”
Be careful of others offering help – people usually discuss extreme situations
Be careful of social media

20. Future Days of Interest
April Spring Break
June 10 Last Day of School
August 16 Senior Parent Night
August 25 SAT
September 22 College Fair - SBHS
October Financial Aid Night
November Super Saturday
December 7 SAT at LCHS

21. Resources Example of transferable credit to college
Loudoun County High School - School Counseling Webpage
CollegeBoard
Federal Student Aid
LCPS Scholarship Link
Naviance for college search, scatter grams based on LCHS data
Students should use LCPS GO