Post on 16-Jul-2015
Student Services Team
Mr. Johnson (A – Bel)
Mr. Moore (Bem – Cl)
Ms. Cave (Cm – Fi)
Ms. Veenstra (Fj – Ho)
Ms. Nyamweya (Hp – Li)
Ms. Rosenberg (Lj – M)
Ms. Watlington (N – Ric)
Ms. Turner (Rid – St)
Ms. Jefferson-Dixon (Su – Z)
Ms. Stewart – College & CareerCenter
Kevin McMahon - Director
Tonight’s Agenda
• Graduation Requirements
• College Admissions Process
• SAT and ACT
• Career Information• 15 minute Break-out Sessions: Choose to attend 3 out of 5
- College and Career Center Room 332
- Student Services Room 504
- Pathway/NOVA Room 506
-Financial Aid Room 507
- Exploring Post-Secondary Options
for Student’s with Disabilities Room 508
Standard Diploma Credit & SOL Requirements
• 4 English
• 3 Math
• 3 Science
• 4 Social Studies
• 2 Health/PE
• 2 Fine Arts/World Language or CTE
• 1 Econ & Personal Finance
• 3 Electives– 2 sequential electives
6 SOL Tests:
• 2 English
• 1 Math
• 1 Science
• 1 Social Studies
• 1 Other
Advanced Studies Diploma Credit & SOL Requirements
• 4 English
• 4 Math
• 4 Science
• 4 Social Studies
• 3 World Language (or 2/2)
• 2 Health/PE
• 1 Fine Art/CTE
• 1 Econ & Personal Finance
• 3 Electives
9 SOL Tests:
• 2 English
• 2 Math
• 2 Science
• 2 Social Studies
• 1 Other
Tonight’s Conversation
• Attending four-year colleges/universities 56%
• Attending two-year colleges 33%
• Military 3%
• Employment 4%
• Other 4%
West Potomac Class of 2014
What should you look for in your search?
• Academic Programs /
Majors
• Size
• Location
• Setting
• Type of School
• Student Life
• Academic Reputation
• Special Programs
– Study abroad
– ESOL
– ROTC
• Cost
• Financial Aid
What do colleges look for?
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
SAT & ACTSAT Reasoning Test
•Three hour and 45 minutes test•Three sections with a maximum score of 2400•Critical Reading (200-800)•Math (200–800)•Writing
•Multiple Choice (200-800)•Essay (2-12)
ACT with Writing•Achievement test more closely tied to high school curriculum•English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning •3 hour test•Composite score (1-36) is an average of the 4 sub-scores
TOEFL•Test for students who are not native English speakers• Especially important for those who don’t score well on
SAT reading/writing •Test is completely online•Register on TOEFL web site
Which test should my student
take?
• Most colleges accept either SAT or ACT
• We encourage students to take both tests
• Check requirements of individual schools
• Differences between SAT and ACT tests
– Measure different skills
– Students may perform better on one test than the other
• Consider a “Mock Test” through PTSA/Applerouthpartnership
SAT Subject Test
• Some schools will require Subject tests
• Test knowledge of particular academic
discipline (history, math, sciences, etc…)
• Scores used for placement in classes and sometimes for admissions
• Take immediately after the course in high school (US History in spring)
COLLEGE ISN’T THE ONLY OPTION…
• Apprenticeship
• Career and Technical Education
• Full–Time Employment
• Military
Resources
• Do the “Career Interest Profiler” survey in Family
Connection
• Build a resume
• Research occupations
• Practice interviewing
• Job Shadowing
• Attend job fairs
• Visit the Job Center at the South County Government
Building
Military Academies or ROTC Path
• Request pre-candidate application for each service
academy or ROTC this spring
• Recruiters advise to take both SAT and ACT
• Visit the service academy in the summer (some
have great summer programs)
• Get in top physical shape
Military Service and ROTC Night is March 18, 2015 at
Hayfield Secondary School
Military Service
• Take the ASVAB- March 18, 2015
– Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
– Administered at WPHS
– Register in Career Center
• Talk to a recruiter
• Earn money for college
• Provides classroom and on-the-job training
What’s Next…
How to get started with post-secondary plans….
• Conversations at home
• Develop and research a list of colleges that might be
good matches
• Utilize Spring/Summer break to visit colleges and job
shadow
• Start applications early – Many available in August
• Sign up for SAT and ACT
SAVE THE DATES…
• Week of January 12 – School Counselor Presentations with Juniors
• January 12 – 6:30pm - WPHS PTSA Meeting – to include a brief
overview of Academic Advising 2015
• January 13 - 7pm - Little Known Secrets of Paying for College –
Springbank Auditorium
• January 26 – 6pm - Academic Advising Presentation/Curriculum and
Advanced Academics Overview/Electives Open House
• January 29 – Last day of 2nd quarter – Early Release
• February 4 – Student Electives Fair - During school day
• February 9-17 – Academic Advising Meetings with School Counselors
Let’s Go to…
Breakout Sessions
• 7:05-7:20pm – Session 1 _________________________
• 7:25-7:40pm – Session 2 _________________________
• 7:45-8:00pm – Session 3 _________________________
• Breakout Session Options– Utilizing WPHS College and Career Center Room 332
– Understanding Family Connection as a resource Room 504
– What is the NOVA Pathways program? Room 506
– Tips in starting your search for Financial Aid Room 507
– Exploring Post-Secondary Options Room 508
for Students with Disabilities
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