Class of 2016 Senior Presentation

West Potomac High School Student Services Team

September 22 and 23, 2015

School Counseling TeamMr. 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

Presentation Will Include

Finding your PathThe College SearchWhat Colleges Look ForTypes of Application/AdmissionNVCC PathwaysThe Role of Student Services – What We

Need & What We ProvideWhat to Be Doing this FallFinancial Aid - A Preview

Planning for Life After High School

• 4-Year Schools

• 2-Year Schools

• Military

• Employment

• Technical School

• Apprenticeship

• Gap Year

91% of WPHS graduates go onto higher education

(61% go onto four year collegesand 29% two year colleges).

O PEN ING OF Y EAR EDUCATOR R ALLY

College Success

W EST POTOMAC H I GH S CHOOL • 2015 - 2 0 1 6

Choosing a College

Common Criteria

• Size of Student Body

• Location

• Academic Programs

• Campus Life

• Cost

• Diversity

• Retention and Graduation Rates

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.

Know What MattersRank 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

Know What MattersHow 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

Testing

• SAT and SAT Subject Tests

– www.collegeboard.org

• ACT

– www.actstudent.org

• Students must report their scores to colleges to which they apply.

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

SENIORS!

PATHWAY TO THE BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMcould 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

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

Pathway to the Baccalaureate ProgramPATHWAY 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

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

PATHWAY COUNSELOR• Name: Ms. Sanders

• Day at West Potomac: Wednesdays

• Time available: 8:30 am-3:00pm

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

West Potomac Student Services Transcript Request Deadlines

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

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

Scattergram

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

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

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

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

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!