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
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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.
The Application “Folder”
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
The Application “Folder”
1. Application
2. Essay
3. Student Resume
4. Secondary School Report
5. Test Scores
6. Transcript
7. Letter/s of Recommendation
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
The Application “Folder”
1. Application
2. Essay
3. Student Resume
4. Secondary School Report
5. Test Scores
6. Transcript
7. Letter/s of Recommendation
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
The Application “Folder”
1. Application
2. Essay
3. Student Resume
4. Secondary School Report
5. Test Scores
6. Transcript
7. Letter/s of Recommendation
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)
The Application “Folder”
1. Application
2. Essay
3. Student Resume
4. Secondary School Report
5. Test Scores
6. Transcript
7. Letter/s of Recommendation
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
The Application “Folder”
1. Application
2. Essay
3. Student Resume
4. Secondary School Report
5. Test Scores
6. Transcript
7. Letter/s of Recommendation
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
Letters of Recommendation
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!
Letters of Recommendation
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
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