2016 09 15 college planning night presentation

1. Classes of 2018 and 2017
College Information Night
West Potomac High School
Student Services Team
September 15, 2016

2. School Counseling Team
Ms. Serena Giron A-Bd
Mr. Anthony Moore Be-Cl
Ms. Jess Terry Cm-Fle
Ms. Lacey Klingler Flf-Hil
Mr. Sam Brody Him-Lom
Ms. Shirnesha Simpkins-Church Lon-Mou
Ms. Kazue Watlington Mup-Ric
Ms. Rashida Williams Rid-Sul
Ms. Charlette Jefferson-Dixon Sum-Z
Mr. Miguel Arroyo ESOL Levels 1-3
Ms. Carter – College/Career Center
Ms. Hofmann – Transcript Specialist
Mr. McMahon
Director of Student Services

3. Presentation Will Include
Options after High School
NVCC Pathways
Selecting Colleges and Creating your list
What Colleges are looking for
Application Types and How to Apply
West Potomac Resources:
Mrs. Carter and Mr. Schmidt
Senior Year Timeline

4. Planning for Life After
High School
• 4-Year Schools: Bachelors Degree
• In-State vs Out of State; Public vs. Private
• 2-Year Schools: Associates Degree
• NOVA Pathways
• Military: Enlisting, ROTC, and Service Academies
• ASVAB
• Employment
• Genesys Works
• Apprenticeships
• Classroom Instruction and on the job training
• Gap Year Programs
• Career and Technical School: Career Specific Certifications
• West Potomac Academy Courses

5. 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
•Want to start out at NOVA and transfer to a four year
university
See your Counselor for an application TODAY!!!
www.nvcc.edu/pathway

6. Pathway to the
Baccalaureate Program
PATHWAY BENEFITS IN HIGH SCHOOL:
 Individual meetings and monthly workshops with
Pathway Counselor on college transition issues, including
choosing a major, 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

7. 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 class
 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

8. Additional Information
 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 10, 2016

9. PATHWAY COUNSELOR
Name: Ms. Sanders
Day at West Potomac: Wednesdays
Time available: 8:00 am-3:00pm

10. Choosing a College
Common Criteria
• Size of Student Body
• Location
• Academic Programs
• Campus Life
• Cost
• Diversity
• Retention and
Graduation Rates

11. Scattergram

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Testing
• SAT and SAT Subject Tests
• AP Scores
– www.collegeboard.org
• ACT
– www.actstudent.org
• Students must report their scores to colleges
to which they apply.

15. High School Transcripts
• Transcript Request Form
– 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

17. Edocs vs. US Mail
Family Connection will tell you how we submit
transcripts to each school.

18. Letters of Recommendation
• Counselor Letter of Recommendation
– Forms needed: Student and Parent Input forms
and the Activity Record
– Senior Handbook and online
• Teacher Letter of Recommendation
– Ask ahead of time and be sure to write a thank
you note!
– Check delivery method (email vs. US Mail)
– Exceptions: Virginia Tech and JMU

19. 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

20. School Counseling Team
Ms. Serena Giron A-Bd
Mr. Anthony Moore Be-Cl
Ms. Jess Terry Cm-Fle
Ms. Lacey Klingler Flf-Hil
Mr. Sam Brody Him-Lom
Ms. Shirnesha Simpkins-Church Lon-Mou
Ms. Kazue Watlington Mup-Ric
Ms. Rashida Williams Rid-Sul
Ms. Charlette Jefferson-Dixon Sum-Z
Mr. Miguel Arroyo ESOL Levels 1-3
Ms. Carter – College/Career Center
Ms. Hofmann – Transcript Specialist
Mr. McMahon
Director of Student Services

21. College and Career Center
• Go see 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

22. Financial Aid Champion
• Dale Schmidt
• drschmidt@fcps.edu
• College and Career Center
• 2 days per week
• Starting in October
• By appointment before October

23. Senior Year - Timeline
• September:
– Register for SAT/ACT tests
– Narrow down choices to 4-6 schools (Balanced Lists)
• October:
– Be “on the ball” with Early Decision schools
– Financial Aid Night Thursday, October 6th @ West Potomac
– College Admissions Representative Visits to WPHS
– College Fair: Sunday, October 16th @ Fair Oaks Mall
– College Night: Monday, October 17th @ Hayfield Secondary School
• November/December:
– Keep grades up!
– Heed application & transcript deadlines

25. Begins at 7:00 p.m.