1. Class of 2011 To Graduation and Beyond

2. Today’s Presentation ► NCAA ► Career Options ► Graduation Requirements ► College Admissions ► College Application Process ► Financial Aid ► Battlefield Resources

3. College Prospects of America, Inc. 1.Student athletes should register now if they haven’t already. 2.Online registration at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or www.eligibilitycenter.org ($60 Registration Fee) 3.When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999"). 4.Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature online on or after April 1 (if you plan to attend college Fall of 2011). 5.Have your high school counselor send a final transcript with proof of graduation to the eligibility center. (Automatic for students properly registered with the eligibility center.) 6.NCAA Div I & II members can request your eligibility and academic info from Eligibility Center. NCAA Eligibility Center

4. Beyond High School ► Do you have a plan?  What to do?  How?  Where? ► It’s not just college vs. not college. You have many options!

6. Your Options ► On-the-job training ► Certificate through an apprenticeship program ► Certificate from a technical school or community college ► Military ► Associates degree from a community college/two year transfer program ► Four year college or university ► Any combination of the above programs

7. Community College Options ► Associates (AA) degree from a community college, transfer to four year degree program.  Articulation agreements between NOVA and VA schools.  http://www.myfuture.vccs.edu/Transfer http://www.myfuture.vccs.edu/Transfer ► Community college is real college  Placement tests

8. Graduation Requirements ► Standard Diploma (22) ► English4 ► Math3 ► Science3 ► Social Studies3 ► HPE2 ► Seq. Electives2 ► Fine/Prac Art1 ► Other Electives4 ► Research Paper ► Advanced Studies Diploma (24) ► English4 ► Math4 ► Science4 ► Social Studies4 ► HPE2 ► Foreign Lang3 or 2/2 ► Fine/Prac Art1 ► Other Electives2 ► Research Paper

9. SOL Requirements ► Standard Diploma ► English2 ► Math1 ► Science1 ► Social Studies1 ► Student Choice1 ► Total6 ► Advanced Studies Diploma ► English 2 ► Math2 ► Science2 ► Social Studies2 ► Student Choice1 ► Total9

10. Do I need an Advanced Studies diploma to get into college? ► Colleges primarily consider grades and the rigor of the curriculum. ► The Advanced Studies diploma requires that students take a fourth year of Math, Science, and Social Studies as well as a Foreign Language to match the admissions standards of most colleges. ► Students who have not met all of the requirements for the Advanced Studies diploma but still have strong grades in rigorous classes will be competitive in the college application process.

11. Choosing the Right School ► Majors/Programs Offered ► Size ► Setting ► Distance from home ► Activities/Athletics ► Cost/Financial Assistance ► VISIT THE CAMPUS!

12. Four year colleges: What are they looking for? ► Rigor of the classes ► Grades ► ACT/SAT scores ► Essays ► School/Community activities ► Letters of recommendation

13. College Admissions Tests ► ACT: English, Reading, Math, Science  Writing Section is optional (when registering for the ACT, students must sign up for the writing section in order to take it) ► SAT: Critical Reading, Math, Writing  Writing score may be considered depending upon the college. ► SAT II: Subject areas  Not required by all colleges

14. Admissions Decisions ► Regular Decision: Students submit applications by the deadline (usually Jan-Feb) and receive decision in early spring. ► Rolling Admission: Colleges decide on applications as they receive them. ► Early Action: Non-binding; students submit applications early (usually Nov. 1) and receive the decision early (usually Dec. 15). ► Early Decision: Binding agreement; students agree to attend the college if accepted and withdraw all other college applications.

15. Application Process at Battlefield* ► Complete the student/parent sections of the application (most schools prefer online applications). ► Request ACT/SAT scores be sent from the ACT and/or the College Board. ► Request the transcript on Family Connection. ► Request teacher/counselor recommendations. ► Submit secondary school report, transcript fees ($2.00 per transcript) to the Counseling Center 10 business days prior to the deadline. *These steps are listed in the Junior/Senior Handbook (on school’s website) and on the “College Application Process” handout. *These steps are listed in the Junior/Senior Handbook (on school’s website) and on the “College Application Process” handout.

16. Once Accepted: ► Admissions are conditional ► Final transcript will be sent from Battlefield to your college after graduation ► A financial award letter will be sent to you from the college (provided you completed a FAFSA form, to be discussed later) ► Myths: Everything will be easier once I graduate from high school. Everything will be easier once I graduate from high school. Employers and admissions officers don’t look at Facebook or Myspace. Employers and admissions officers don’t look at Facebook or Myspace.

17. Family Connection ► Family Connection is our primary source for college information and for tracking college applications. ► Parents and students need to log on to the website: http://connection.naviance.com/battlefield http://connection.naviance.com/battlefield ► Transcripts must be requested on the Family Connection website. A release form signed by parent/guardian must be on file before student transcript requests are processed.

18. Family Connection Scattergram: James Madison University

19. Letters of Recommendation ► Ask teachers/counselor at least two weeks in advance. ► Provide teachers with a pre-addressed, stamped envelope. ► Counselor recommendations are mailed with transcripts. Check Family Connection for your counselor’s requirements.

20. Financial Aid ► The process for every student begins by completing the FAFSA through the federal government: www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov ► FAFSA may not be completed until after January 1. ► Beware of companies that ask for fees to search for financial aid. ► See senior fact sheet for scholarship information. ► www.fafsa.com is a commercial website; DO NOT use this site to apply for aid. www.fafsa.com ► Come to our Financial Aid Night, November 4 th at 7:00 p.m.

21. Important Dates ► November 4th: Financial Aid Night 7:00 pm Battlefield Auditorium ► College Night in Virginia A program presented by the state to discuss admissions, financial aid, and searching for scholarships. Check out www.collegenightinva.org for a list of locations/dates. www.collegenightinva.org ► November 4 th : ASVAB - Career/Aptitude Assessment (for any student) See counselor to sign up. ► Super Saturday (2011 date to be determined) The Virginia Association of Financial Aid Administrators holds their annual event to offer free assistance in filling out the FAFSA online. For detailed information and locations visit www.vasfaa.org. www.vasfaa.org

22. Battlefield Resources Counselors  Post-secondary educational information  Individual Senior Conferences, College Applications, Senior Handbook, College Rep Visits, Career Inventories, College Searches, Scholarships ► Junior/Senior College and Career Handbook ► Career and College Resource Room

23. Counselors ► A-BMr. McCaslin ► C-DrMs. O’Donnell ► Du-Hav Ms. Chase-Kang ► Haw-KoMs. Iglehart ► Kr-MiMs. Kaufman ► Mo-RanMr. Sisson ► Ras-SuMs. Smith ► Sw-ZMs. Sigmon