Class of 2016 Senior Presentation West Potomac High School Student Services Team September 22 and 23, 2015
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
• 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!