This document summarizes a presentation for high school students on preparing for and applying to college. It includes an overview of the college search and application process, factors colleges consider, types of applications and admissions decisions. It also provides resources and timelines for applying, including details about the NOVA Pathways program which guarantees admission to 4-year universities after completing an associate's degree.
Showcase Session: College Access & Retentionguestd83a57
On Point for College presented a showcase session called Beyond Access: Effective Strategies to Foster the Success of Low-Income and First Generation College Youth, which highlighted effective strategies On Point for College has used to promoted college access and retention.
Why does it seem like everyone knows more than you? Simple, they’ve been doing it longer. How do you know what it is you don’t know? How do you ask if you don’t know what to ask? Join us as we unravel essential areas of counseling the college-bound student.This session will include discussion of best practice and provide resources and tools to get it all done back at the office. High school counselors just entering the field will leave this session with the know-how to confidently and successfully guide high school students and families from college search through selection.
Why does it seem like everyone knows more than you? Simple, they’ve been doing it longer. How do you know what it is you don’t know? How do you ask if you don’t know what to ask? Join us as we unravel essential areas of counseling the college-bound student. This session will include a discussion of “best practice” and provide resources and tools to get it all done back at the office. High school counselors just entering the field will leave this session with the know-how to confidently and successfully guide high school student and families from the college search through selection.
Beth Arey, College and Career Coordinator – Evanston Township High School
Brad Kain, Guidance Counselor – Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Writing a college application letter is an opportunity for you to set your impression in front of the college authorities so it is advisable to write your application in a persuasive tone and include all the important attributes which you want to present.
The DC Consortium Student Conference on Evaluation and Policy (SCEP) is a collaboration of universities in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Maryland regions, representing the interests of students aspiring to be evaluators and policy makers. This collaboration aims to provide students with a platform to present their research and engage with evaluation experts in the opportunity-rich region of Washington, D.C., thereby serving as a bridge between students, academia and other evaluation and policy agencies/organizations. In this presentation, students from the Organizing Committee discuss lessons learned from DC SCEP’s inaugural conference. Features of the conference include a keynote address, interdisciplinary panel, and about 30 student presentations. We will highlight lessons learned concerning how the conference served to broker knowledge towards its theme, ‘Advancing Social Justice in Evaluation and Policy Integration’ with Consortium graduate students in the region.
Transitioning from School to Work: Preparing Evaluation Students and New Eval...Washington Evaluators
Unlike some professions, there is no single path for making the leap from student to new professional to being an established member of the profession. In large part this is because of the trans-disciplinary nature of evaluation field and the many the broad number of professions and sectors (public, non-profit, private) in which evaluation and social science research skills may be useful. This panel will explore the many approaches used by universities in the Washington, DC area to train graduate and undergraduate students in the field of evaluation, and the transition strategies to help students and new evaluators establish themselves in the evaluation field. The seven distinguished panelists are all associated with Washington Evaluators, and have served in AEA and/or WE leadership positions. Panelists and our Discussant will be asked to address questions such as:
1. In which disciplines/schools at your university would we expect to find courses in evaluation or related to evaluation?
2. What are the components of the evaluation curricula? Do you offer a degree or major field in evaluation?
3. Do you offer hands-on experiences for your students to design and conduct evaluations?
4. Where have your former students worked in the evaluation field, and what kinds of careers have they had?
5. What advice do you have for new evaluators regarding making the shift from school to work in the evaluation field? What types of professional and networking activities would you recommend to further careers in evaluation?
Showcase Session: College Access & Retentionguestd83a57
On Point for College presented a showcase session called Beyond Access: Effective Strategies to Foster the Success of Low-Income and First Generation College Youth, which highlighted effective strategies On Point for College has used to promoted college access and retention.
Why does it seem like everyone knows more than you? Simple, they’ve been doing it longer. How do you know what it is you don’t know? How do you ask if you don’t know what to ask? Join us as we unravel essential areas of counseling the college-bound student.This session will include discussion of best practice and provide resources and tools to get it all done back at the office. High school counselors just entering the field will leave this session with the know-how to confidently and successfully guide high school students and families from college search through selection.
Why does it seem like everyone knows more than you? Simple, they’ve been doing it longer. How do you know what it is you don’t know? How do you ask if you don’t know what to ask? Join us as we unravel essential areas of counseling the college-bound student. This session will include a discussion of “best practice” and provide resources and tools to get it all done back at the office. High school counselors just entering the field will leave this session with the know-how to confidently and successfully guide high school student and families from the college search through selection.
Beth Arey, College and Career Coordinator – Evanston Township High School
Brad Kain, Guidance Counselor – Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Writing a college application letter is an opportunity for you to set your impression in front of the college authorities so it is advisable to write your application in a persuasive tone and include all the important attributes which you want to present.
The DC Consortium Student Conference on Evaluation and Policy (SCEP) is a collaboration of universities in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Maryland regions, representing the interests of students aspiring to be evaluators and policy makers. This collaboration aims to provide students with a platform to present their research and engage with evaluation experts in the opportunity-rich region of Washington, D.C., thereby serving as a bridge between students, academia and other evaluation and policy agencies/organizations. In this presentation, students from the Organizing Committee discuss lessons learned from DC SCEP’s inaugural conference. Features of the conference include a keynote address, interdisciplinary panel, and about 30 student presentations. We will highlight lessons learned concerning how the conference served to broker knowledge towards its theme, ‘Advancing Social Justice in Evaluation and Policy Integration’ with Consortium graduate students in the region.
Transitioning from School to Work: Preparing Evaluation Students and New Eval...Washington Evaluators
Unlike some professions, there is no single path for making the leap from student to new professional to being an established member of the profession. In large part this is because of the trans-disciplinary nature of evaluation field and the many the broad number of professions and sectors (public, non-profit, private) in which evaluation and social science research skills may be useful. This panel will explore the many approaches used by universities in the Washington, DC area to train graduate and undergraduate students in the field of evaluation, and the transition strategies to help students and new evaluators establish themselves in the evaluation field. The seven distinguished panelists are all associated with Washington Evaluators, and have served in AEA and/or WE leadership positions. Panelists and our Discussant will be asked to address questions such as:
1. In which disciplines/schools at your university would we expect to find courses in evaluation or related to evaluation?
2. What are the components of the evaluation curricula? Do you offer a degree or major field in evaluation?
3. Do you offer hands-on experiences for your students to design and conduct evaluations?
4. Where have your former students worked in the evaluation field, and what kinds of careers have they had?
5. What advice do you have for new evaluators regarding making the shift from school to work in the evaluation field? What types of professional and networking activities would you recommend to further careers in evaluation?
The college application process can be overwhelming for high school juniors and seniors, as well as their families. This seminar provides a detailed overview of the entire process, including current trends in admissions, how to build a college list, the various components of the college application, and basics about financial aid.
If you’re a parent or mentor to a high school senior, now’s the time to get serious about applying to college. From essays to campus visits to letters of recommendation, you and your student will need to stay organized and on schedule. We’ve put together a presentation below that covers the entire process. Read through to find out how to build the college list, the different application options, where to find free resources, and everything else you need to know.
1. Classes of 2015 and 2016
College Information Night
West Potomac High School
Student Services Team
September 17, 2014
2. Presentation Will Include
The College Search
What Colleges Look For
Types of Application/Admission
The Role of Student Services – What We
Need & What We Provide
What to Be Doing this Fall
NVCC Pathways
Financial Aid - A Preview
3. Choosing a College
Common Criteria
• Size of Student Body
• Location
• Academic Programs
• Campus Life
• Cost
• Diversity
• Retention and
Graduation Rates
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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
7. Testing
• SAT and SAT Subject Tests
– www.collegeboard.org
• ACT
– www.actstudent.org
• Students must report their scores to colleges
to which they apply.
8. Types of Applications & Decisions
• Methods of Applying:
– Early Decision (Binding) = 1 school
– Early Action (Non-Binding)
– Regular
– Rolling
• Early Applications may be:
– Accepted, Denied, or Deferred to General
Admission Applicant Pool
9. Student Services Team
Michael Johnson (A – Bel)
Anthony Moore (Bem – Cl)
Desiree Cave (Cm – Fi)
Margaret Veenstra (Fj – Ho)
Sophia Nyamweya (Hp – Li)
Randi Rosenberg (Lj – M)
Kazue Watlington (N – Ric)
Madelyn Turner (Rid – St)
Charlette Jefferson-Dixon (Su – Z)
Kellie Stewart – College & Career
Center
Kevin McMahon - Director
10. Student Services Forms
• NEW Transcript Request Form
– Fill out completely and turn in to Transcript
Assistant (Ms. Galeota) in Student Services
– Due at least three weeks before the application
deadline!
– Transcript Fees
– Transcript Assistant Hours:
• Monday and Tuesday 7:30am-4:00pm
• Wednesday 11:00am-4:00pm
• Secondary School Report
11. 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!
– Exceptions: JMU and Virginia Tech
12. 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
14. College and Career Center
• Welcome to Ms. Stewart!
• College & Career Center Hours
– Monday & Thursday 8:00 am-3:30 pm
– Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 7:15 am-2:45 pm
– Seniors are welcome to eat lunch in the Center beginning Sept 22nd
• 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 Bulletins and Career Center Newsletter will be sent via
email and will be available on our web site
15. Senior Year - Timeline
• September:
– Register for SAT/ACT tests
– Narrow down choices to 4-6 schools
– Complete 4-year plan in Family Connection
• October:
– Be “on the ball” with Early Decision schools
– College Admissions Representative Visits to WPHS
– College Fair: Sunday, October 19th @ Fair Oaks Mall
– College Night: Monday, October 20th @ Hayfield Secondary School
• November/December:
– Keep grades up!
– Heed application & transcript deadlines
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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 7, 2014
20. PATHWAY COUNSELOR
Name: Ms. Sanders
Day at West Potomac: Wednesdays
Time available: 7:30 am-2:30pm
21. Financial Aid
• Mr. Dale Schmidt, Financial Aid Champion
– drschmidt@fcps.edu
• Available during lunches in the College and
Career Center – beginning in December