1. Class of 2016
Senior Presentation
West Potomac High School
Student Services Team
September 22 and 23, 2015
2. School Counseling Team
Mr. Johnson (A – Bel)
Mr. Moore (Bem – Cl)
Ms. Cave (Cm – Fl)
Ms. De La Garza (Fm – Hi)
Ms. Panzenhagen (Hj – Lon)
Ms. Rosenberg (Loo – Muo)
Ms. Watlington (Mup – Ric)
Ms. Williams (Rid – Sul)
Ms. Jefferson-Dixon (Sum – Z)
Ms. Carter – College/Career Center
Ms. Hofmann – Transcript Specialist
3. Presentation Will Include
Finding your Path
The College Search
What Colleges Look For
Types of Application/Admission
NVCC Pathways
The Role of Student Services – What We
Need & What We Provide
What to Be Doing this Fall
Financial Aid - A Preview
4. Planning for Life After
High School
• 4-Year Schools
• 2-Year Schools
• Military
• Employment
• Technical School
• Apprenticeship
• Gap Year
5. 91% of WPHS graduates go
onto higher education
(61% go onto four year colleges
and 29% two year colleges).
OP E N IN G O F YEAR EDUCATO R R ALLY
College Success
W E ST P OTO MAC H IGH S CHO O L • 2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6
6. Choosing a College
Common Criteria
• Size of Student Body
• Location
• Academic Programs
• Campus Life
• Cost
• Diversity
• Retention and
Graduation Rates
7. How Colleges Read Applications
“Data-Driven” Read
• The focus is on
quantitative pieces of
the application – i.e. the
number of Honors/AP
courses, overall GPA,
core GPA, SAT/ACT
scores
“Whole” Read
• This includes a focus on
the qualitative pieces of
information within the
application – i.e.
recommendations,
essays, activities, and
awards. This is in
addition to the data.
8. Know What Matters
Rank from 1 – 12 the importance of the following components of
college applications to the people who read them!
Admissions Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Grades in All Courses
Counselor Recommendation
Essay
Teacher Recommendation
Class Rank
Grades in College Prep/Core Courses
Applicant’s Demonstrated Interest
AP/IB Test Scores
Extracurricular Activities
Interview
Strength of Curriculum
9. Know What Matters
How Did you Do?
1. Grades in College Prep/Core Courses
2. Strength of Curriculum
3. Admissions Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
4. Grades in All Courses
5. Essay
6. Class Rank (n/a for FCPS applicants)
7. Counselor Recommendation
8. Demonstrated Interest
9. Teacher Recommendation
10. Interview
10. Testing
• SAT and SAT Subject Tests
– www.collegeboard.org
• ACT
– www.actstudent.org
• Students must report their scores to colleges
to which they apply.
11. Types of Applications & Decisions
• Methods of Applying:
– Early Decision (Binding) = 1 school
– Early Action (Non-Binding)
– Priority (Merit-Scholarships)
– Regular
– Rolling
• Early Applications may be:
– Accepted, Denied, or Deferred to General
Admission Applicant Pool
12. SENIORS!
PATHWAY TO THE BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM
could be a Great Idea for you if you are:
•Thinking about college but are confused about the process
•Interested in Guaranteed Admission to participating Virginia
colleges, including George Mason University
•Planning to complete a Bachelor’s Degree
•Thinking about starting out at NOVA and transferring to a four year
university
See your Counselor for an application TODAY!!!
www.nvcc.edu/pathway
13. Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program
PATHWAY BENEFITS IN HIGH SCHOOL:
• Individual meetings with Pathway Counselors on
college transition issues, including choosing a major
and a career workshops on the application process
and preparation for placement tests
• Assistance applying for and processing financial aid,
scholarships, and NOVA payment plan
• Early placement testing and priority course
registration for your first semester at NOVA
• Pathway activities/events at NOVA and George
Mason University
14. Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program
PATHWAY BENEFITS AT NOVA
• Continued academic and career counseling by a Pathway
Counselor
• Guaranteed admission to George Mason University for
participants who satisfy Pathway Program GAA requirements
(This means if you meet all requirements between NOVA and
the 4 year school you want to go to you can be guaranteed to
be admitted to that 4 year school after NOVA)
• Special Pathway sections of your College Success Skills classes
• The opportunity in your second year to enroll in classes at
George Mason regular academic and social activities and early
access to activities and athletic events at George Mason
University
15. Additional Information
– Applying for and participating in the Pathway
program does not bind you to NOVA – you can still
apply/go to a 4 year school
– NOVA application and the Pathway to the
Baccalaureate application are different.
– Pathway students can transfer to ANY 4 year
school, does not have to be George Mason
– Applications are due November 6, 2015
16. PATHWAY COUNSELOR
• Name: Ms. Sanders
• Day at West Potomac: Wednesdays
• Time available: 8:30 am-3:00pm
17. Student Services Forms
• Transcript Request Form – Please READ!
– Fill out completely and turn in to Transcript
Assistant (Ms. Hofmann) in Student Services
– Due at least three weeks before the application
deadline!
– Transcript Fees
– Transcript Assistant Hours:
• Monday – Thursday 8:30am-1:30pm
• Secondary School Report
19. Letters of Recommendation
• Counselor Letter of Recommendation
– Forms needed: Student, Parent & Teacher Input
forms and the Activity Record
• Teacher Letter of Recommendation
– Supply teacher with an addressed envelope and
stamp to each college. Ask ahead of time and be
sure to write them a thank you!
– Exception: Virginia Tech
20. Resources
• Your counselor!
• Family Connections
– Sign up for college visits at WPHS
– College information
– Videos
– Scattergrams with data on college
admissions
– College searches
– Search for Scholarships
• College and Career Center
22. College and Career Center
• Welcome to Ms. Carter!
• College & Career Center Hours
– Monday - Friday 8:00 am-3:30 pm
– Seniors are welcome to eat lunch in the Center
• College information
• Testing information and study guides
• Scholarship and Financial Aid information
• Computers available for college/career exploration
• College Visits throughout the fall & spring
• Scholarship and Career Center information will be available
on our web site
23. Financial Aid Champion
• Dale Schmidt
• drschmidt@fcps.edu
• College and Career Center
• About two lunch hours per week
• Starting in October
• By appointment before October
24. Senior Year - Timeline
• September:
– Register for SAT/ACT tests
– Narrow down choices to 4-6 schools
• Reach, Possible, Likely
• October:
– Be “on the ball” with Early Decision schools
– College Admissions Representative Visits to WPHS
– Visit Schools (Columbus Day Weekend)
• November/December:
– Keep grades up! 7th Semester issued early February
– Heed application & transcript deadlines
25. Upcoming Dates
• October 18 - College Night – Fair Oaks
• October 19 - College Fair – Hayfield HS
• November 4 – College Access Scholarship 101
– West Potomac Auditroium
• November 18 – WPHS PTSA – Brock Jolley
Financial Planning for College
26. Next Steps
• Survey
• Individual Meeting with your counselor
through your English class next week
• Sign up to confirm your attendance
• Follow up on Twitter and like us on Facebook!
Editor's Notes
Our Team
Who Beth is
Emphasis on lots of options
Most important thing – a PLAN – ensure you know next step after crossing stage on June 20
Important to mention that many of the students may already have started down your path through an academy course, etc.
Understanding all these options require a process – they just don’t happen – start researching your plan now and share what you hope to do with parents, family, friends, so they can support you.
Why are we going to talk a lot about the 4 year/2 year college path? Because 91% of WPHS graduates go onto higher education.
There are thousands of colleges out there
Fit is so important – does it align with what YOU want (internship, job opportunities after 4 years, where do the school’s graduates go?)
Public vs. Private – Important to not disregard an out of state school or a private school if you think it is a great fit – scholarship, financial aid, endowment, best to research options
Remember – Whole Read is in ADDITION to the Data Driven
How can you find out? College visits in CCC.
Understanding the variety of options out there now, for example Test-optional schools
Imperative to review the schools website and research
Source – National Association of College Admission Counselors
Top few are standard – but it can vary a bit from school to school
Reminder all students FCPS don’t rank – Colleges know this!
SAT changed – last OLD SAT is January 2016 – recognizing that many are finishing their testing process
Those who still need to sign up – if you are eligible for free and reduced get a waiver in CCC
Plug our PTSA Test Prep Program
They have a website on West Potomac’s site
Watch your deadlines!!
Priority Deadline – schools may have this deadline to get your information in to be eligible for scholarships – Priority means MONEY
We want to support but you need to give us time to do so.
Review OUR deadlines – More information to come -
Highlight application – options you can select
We have a resource in the building!
Transcript Fees – First 3 are free, everyone there after is 5 dollars and there is a late fee!!!
Where can I access forms? On our website!
Note: JMU has changed their process – see counselor for further information regarding JMU process with letters
Did you know you get alerted if one of your “colleges I’m thinking about” visits WPHS?
Did you know we log when your transcript was sent and you can see it here?
Have you used the college search engines located here at your finger tips?
Emphasis on the appropriate amount of schools to apply to (4-6)
Keep your grades – 7th semester report