Seniors: Planning for Life After High School! Class of 2016

Seniors:Planning for Life After

High School!Class of 2016

Agenda

Options for Life After High School - Review

The College Application & Briar Woods High School Procedures

Advice & Information

Materials

An “Electronic-Index” will be emailed to you, it includes a NACAC Guide Transcript release form Senior Information Packet Additional forms & resources

BWHS Website “College & Career Guidance” Page

Let your counselor know if you need hard-copies

BWHS COLLEGE INFORMATION ELECTRONIC INDEX - SENIORS GENERAL INFORMATION Profile: This document lists data including, but not limited to, LCPS grading scales, BWHS contact information, course level descriptions, and AP program overview. Information for College Applications: This document lists several important pieces of information that you will probably need for your college applications. REQUIRED FORMS Transcript Release Form: Use this form to have your transcript sent to colleges, universities, and scholarship programs. Students are charged $3.00 per request. Senior Information Packet: Complete this packet and provide to your guidance counselor. It will help them write your letter of recommendation. HELPFUL WORKSHEETS & RESOURCES College Application Checklist : Use a checklist for each college you apply to. This will help you keep track of all the different pieces of your application. College Visit Worksheet: Use this worksheet to keep track of what you like and dislike about every college you visit. If you don't use a worksheet like this, you will get details about each of the colleges you visit mixed up. Trust us! College Essay: Use this resource to help you write your essays. College Interviews: Use this resource to help prepare for interviews. Sample Resume: Use these templates to help you create a resume to highlight your accomplishments. College Application Calendar: Use this CollegeBoard resource to help stay on track during your senior year. Questions to ask College Representatives: Going to the college fair or visiting a college? Don't know what to ask college reps? Use these questions to help you get the most out of your visit. Financial Aid Primer: Basic overview of financial aid. What it is and where to get it. Virginia Colleges & Universities: Helpful lists, links, and maps of Virginia Colleges and Universities. TESTING INFORMATION SAT and ACT information and dates. SAT and ACT Concordance Table: Compare the scores between these two tests. SAT Last Minute Tips: Review these tips to help you perform at your best on test day!

Electroni

c Inde

x

Options for Life After High School

Trade-schools/Apprenticeships

Military

Community College

4-Year College or University

College Degrees

Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically earned at a community college or a junior college)

Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree

Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years after earning a bachelors

Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD, JD, MD, DC

Community College

Community College Certificate programs

2-Year Associates Degree

First year or two of a 4-Year

Bachelors degree

• Benefits of community collegeo NOVA is one of the best

community colleges in the country

o Relatively inexpensive

o Close to home

o Usually “open” admissions

Community CollegeNOVA’s Guaranteed Admissions (incomplete list)

Christopher Newport University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University James Madison University Liberty University Longwood University Marymount University Norfolk State University Old Dominion University Radford University University of Mary Washington University of Virginia Virginia Tech

Community CollegePathways Program

Applications Available Now

Priority Deadline: November 6th

Start at NOVA Transition to a 4-year university Individual meetings with NOVA Pathways counselors Assistance applying for financial aid Early placement testing and priority course registration No minimum GPA required to apply

College Visits at BWHS

College representative visits to BWHS Sign-up in the Career Center Sign up at least 2 days in advance of the visit Limit visits to 5 Avoid missing the same class twice Your teacher is not obligated to release you from class

There is no substitute for a campus visit as a way to assess a school

Family Connections Log-InUpdate

Effective August 15, 2015 all student Family Connection account passwords were reset.

Your Username will be your Student ID Number in this format: 123456

Your default password will be your Birth Date in this format: mmddyy

It is highly recommended that you change your password when you first log in. To make this change, simply logon and click “Manage my account” in the top right corner of the homepage.

How Many Colleges Should A Student Apply to?

There is no magic number

One or two “Reach Schools”- Your dream school

One or two “Safety Schools”- You meet all the criteria

Three or four Schools where you meet most of the criteria but the decision could go either way

College Admissions Testing

College testing SAT Reasoning Test (admissions) ACT (admissions) SAT Subject Tests (typically for placement)

Register now!!! The Loudoun test sites fill up quickly

College Board SAT Course Online

Other Prep Classes: PTSO, Private Companies

ACT Dates Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)

September 12, 2015 August 7, 2015 August 8–21, 2015

October 24, 2015 September 18, 2015 September 19–Oct. 2, 2015

December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015 November 7–20, 2015

February 6, 2016* January 8, 2016 January 9–15, 2016

April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016 March 5–18, 2016

June 11, 2016** May 6, 2016 May 7–20, 2016

SAT DatesTest Date Deadline Late Deadline

October 3 Sept. 3 Sept. 22

November 7 Oct. 9 Oct. 27

December 5 Nov. 5 Nov. 23

January 23 Dec. 28 Jan. 12

March 5 Feb. 5 Feb. 23

May 7 April 8 April 26

June 4 May 5 May 25

Social Media

Use Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.appropriately. Use a “professional” email address.Take down any inappropriate pictures and

information.If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it

then take it’s probably not appropriate for a college admission officer to see.

Colleges do check!

The Application “Folder”

1. Application2. Essay3. Student Resume4. Secondary School Report5. Test Scores6. Transcript7. Letters of Recommendation

The ApplicationSeniors are responsible for being aware of

application deadlines (see NACAC Guide)

Regular Admission – traditional deadline

Early Decision – binding

Early Action – non-binding

Rolling Admission – applications accepted based on space availability until the institution is “full”

The Application

Most applications are submitted electronically over the internet

Print and review before submitting it!

Seniors are responsible for completing and submitting their own applications (not mom & dad!)

Seniors should make copies of all applications they submit

Many colleges use the “Common Application”

The Common App. The Common Application is a common, standardized first-year

application form for use at any member institution.

Over 500 public and private universities use the common application.

Essays are standardized and topics are available on line now.

Some colleges require supplemental information (essays, recommendations, etc.).

Recommendations are submitted on line.


1. Application

2. Essay

3. Student Resume

4. Secondary School Report

5. Test Scores

6. Transcript

7. Letter/s of Recommendation

The Essay

Not all colleges require an essay

Most essays are submitted electronically along with the application

Seniors should make sure they are understand the essay topic

Follow the directions/guidelines

Seniors are advised to print out and review (with help!) their essays before sending them

The Essay

English teachers are more than happy to help students with essays; some teachers incorporate this into their curriculum

Seniors should save all essays because they may be modified and reused – but be careful

Essay resources – BWHS library, BWHS Career Center, public library, internet


1. Application

2. Essay

3. Student Resume


5. Test Scores

6. Transcript


Student ResumeMany colleges accept student resumes

Resumes are usually sent to the college electronically along with the application and essay

Resumes can highlight your accomplishment both in and outside of school

Be honest and truthful- Information on resumes must be 100% accurate

An effective resume is EASY TO READ!

Use resume templates and samples to format your own


1. Application

2. Essay

3. Student Resume


5. Test Scores

6. Transcript


Secondary School Report

Some colleges provide the student with a Secondary School Report form for the counselor to complete and send in. We do not use these forms.

We will send a comprehensive “universal” Secondary School Report for all students


1. Application

2. Essay

3. Student Resume


5. Test Scores

6. Transcript


Test Scores

Seniors are responsible for determining the tests needed for the colleges they are applying to

SAT Reasoning Test (typically for determining admissions)

ACT (typically for determining admissions)

SAT Subject Tests (typically used for placement)

Test Scores

Seniors are responsible for having their test scores sent to the colleges they are applying to

Requests are made directly through the College Board or ACT; BWHS nor LCPS send test scores

Seniors can request their scores be sent when they take the tests; or they can have their scores sent after the test date by contacting the College Board or ACT (for a fee)


1. Application

2. Essay

3. Student Resume


5. Test Scores

6. Transcript


The TranscriptRequesting Transcripts is a Two Part Process!

Each senior will get information to set up an account on Parchment, which is a secure transcript sending service.

Part One: Seniors will request a transcript on Parchment THEN…

Part Two: Seniors will submit a Transcript Release Form signed by a parent. Completed forms are given to their counselor, in person.

All LCPS student’s are charged $3.00 per transcript

Forms can be obtained in guidance or online at the BWHS web site under School Counseling.

BRIAR WOODS HIGH SCHOOL

REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPTS TO BE SENT TO A COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY OR PROGRAM

I hereby request that a transcript of the scholastic records of

Student’s Name

be sent to the following college/university or program:

College/University or Program Address Deadline Date of

Request Date

Processed

Type of Admissions (please check one):

____Regular Decision ____Early Decision ____Early Action ____Rolling

Have you submitted an application to this college/university or program? ___ Yes ___ No Does this college/university require a counselor Letter of Recommendation? ___ Yes ___ No If so, have you completed a Senior Information Packet? ___ Yes ___ No Have you attached $3.00 for this request? ___ Yes ___ No

Scores on the SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement Exams are sent directly from the College

Board or ACT at the request of the student. Briar Woods does not send test scores.

Please allow 2 weeks to process your transcript request.

Student’s Name — PRINT or TYPE Student’s Signature Parent’s Name — PRINT or TYPE Parent’s Signature

The Transcript

We ask that seniors submit transcript requests a minimum of two weeks before the college application deadline (last year we sent over 3000 transcripts)

We track the process date and send date – posted on Family Connection

We include a school profile with transcript

Transcript requests must be made before December 4th in order to be sent before winter break

The Transcript

Please only request transcripts to be sent to colleges you are actually applying to

There are no costs for mid-year and end-of-year transcripts or for scholarship transcripts


1. Application

2. Essay

3. Student Resume


5. Test Scores

6. Transcript


Letters of Recommendation

Counselor Letter

If a senior needs a letter of recommendation from the counselor, he/she can request it when he/she requests the transcript

Every senior will be provided with a Senior Information Packet to be turned into the counselor

The Senior Information Packet is posted online and contains a parent “brag” section

The counselor will “send” their letter with the transcript


Teacher Letter: If a letter of recommendation is needed from a teacher, the

senior should make the request directly to the teacher.

The majority of recommendation letters are submitted on line. You will need to provide your teacher’s email address.

If a paper copy of the letter is needed, provide the teacher with a postage-paid envelope addressed to the college.

Counselors DO NOT collect or send letters of recommendations from teachers.

Exception to above: VA Tech.

Think about who you are asking… they may need more time!


Seniors should allow counselors and teachers a minimum of two weeks to write a letter.

Please only request letters to be sent to schools you are actually applying to. Some schools don’t require any letters of recommendation.

If you send more letters than the college requests, you can’t control which ones they choose to read.

The Application “Folder” - Summary1. Senior submits application electronically to the college

2. Senior submits the essay electronically to the college (if there is one)

3. Senior may submit the resume electronically to the college

4. Senior has test scores sent directly to the college by the SAT (College Board) or the ACT

5. Senior meets with counselor directly to request a transcript by submitting a Transcript Release Form

6. Senior may submit Secondary School Report (if provided by the college) when they meet with the counselor

7. Senior may request letter of recommendation (if needed) from their counselor and/or teachers

Keeping Sane!!!

Complete one college application at a time

Trying to work on several applications at once = confusion for all!

Stay organized-use a checklist for each application.

Pay attention to deadlines!

College Application Checklist College: ________________________________________ Application Due Date: _____________________________

Check When

Complete

Task Date Completed

I have completed the online application

I have completed the essay (if necessary)

I have provided my counselor with the secondary school report form (if the college provides one)

I have requested that my SAT or ACT send my scores to the college

I have completed and turned in a transcript release form to my counselor – in person

I have requested a letter of recommendation from:

Interviews

Some colleges interview applicants.

Process, procedures, and guidelines vary.

Dress appropriately!

Communication/Follow-Up

Students and parents can log onto Family Connection to view transcript send dates

We automatically send mid-year transcripts to the colleges our students apply to (no cost)

Final transcripts are sent to the colleges our students plan to attend (no cost)

The infamous “we didn’t get your transcript” email

Upcoming Activities

Senior presentations – The week of September 21st.

Set up an appointment to meet with your counselor.

LCPS College Fair – September 27th at 4:00pm-5:30pm & 6:30pm-8:00pm Rock Ridge High School

Financial Aid Night – December 16th at 7:00pm

Have a great Senior year!!

Class of 2016

Documents

Seniors: Planning for Life After High School! Class of 2016