1. Class of 2010 To Graduation and Beyond

2. Tonight’s Presentation Battlefield Resources Battlefield Resources Career Options Career Options Graduation Requirements Graduation Requirements NCAA NCAA College Admissions College Admissions College Application Process College Application Process Financial Aid Financial Aid Important Dates Important Dates

3. Battlefield Resources Career Coach, Ms. McPhie Career Coach, Ms. McPhie Post-secondary Educational Information Post-secondary Educational Information Counselors Counselors Individual Senior Conferences, College Applications, Senior Handbook, College Rep Visits, Career Inventories, College Searches, Scholarships Individual Senior Conferences, College Applications, Senior Handbook, College Rep Visits, Career Inventories, College Searches, Scholarships

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

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

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

7. Graduation Requirements Standard Diploma (22) Standard Diploma (22) English4 English4 Math3 Math3 Science3 Science3 Social Studies3 Social Studies3 PE2 PE2 Seq. Electives2 Seq. Electives2 Fine/Prac Art1 Fine/Prac Art1 Other Electives4 Other Electives4 Research Paper Research Paper Advanced Diploma (24) Advanced Diploma (24) English4 English4 Math4 Math4 Science4 Science4 Social Studies4 Social Studies4 PE2 PE2 Foreign Lang3 or 2/2 Foreign Lang3 or 2/2 Fine/Prac Art1 Fine/Prac Art1 Other Electives2 Other Electives2 Research Paper Research Paper

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

9. Do students need an Advanced Diploma to get into college? Colleges primarily consider grades and the rigor of the curriculum. Colleges primarily consider grades and the rigor of the curriculum. The Advanced 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. The Advanced 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 Diploma but still have strong grades in rigorous classes may be competitive in the college application process. Students who have not met all of the requirements for the Advanced Diploma but still have strong grades in rigorous classes may be competitive in the college application process.

10. NCAA Student Athletes should register now if they haven’t already. Student Athletes should register now if they haven’t already. For online registration, go to: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net For online registration, go to: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or www.ncaa.org ($60 Registration Fee) See the back of the “Senior Information & Dates” handout for further details.

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

12. What are four year colleges looking for? Rigor of the classes Rigor of the classes Grades (PWCS new grading scale takes effect this year. It is not retroactive. The previous scale is indicated on senior transcripts and on the Battlefield School Profile Form.) Grades (PWCS new grading scale takes effect this year. It is not retroactive. The previous scale is indicated on senior transcripts and on the Battlefield School Profile Form.) ACT/SAT scores ACT/SAT scores Essays Essays School/Community activities School/Community activities Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation

13. College Admissions Tests ACT: English, Reading, Math, Science ACT: English, Reading, Math, Science Writing Section is optional (when registering for the ACT, must sign up for the writing section in order to take it) Writing Section is optional (when registering for the ACT, must sign up for the writing section in order to take it) SAT: Critical Reading, Math, Writing SAT: Critical Reading, Math, Writing Most colleges do consider the Writing score Most colleges do consider the Writing score SAT II: Subject areas SAT II: Subject areas Not required by all colleges 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. 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. 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 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. 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 on-line applications). Complete the student/parent sections of the application (most schools prefer on-line applications). Request ACT/SAT scores be sent from the ACT and/or the College Board. Request ACT/SAT scores be sent from the ACT and/or the College Board. Request the transcript on Family Connection. Request the transcript on Family Connection. Request teacher/counselor recommendations. 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. 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 Senior Handbook, on the “College Application Process” handout, and on our website.

16. Once Accepted: Admissions are conditional Admissions are conditional Final transcripts will be sent from Battlefield to your college after graduation Final transcripts 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 discussed in a slide below) A financial award letter will be sent to you from the college (provided you completed a FAFSA form discussed in a slide below) Myths: 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. 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 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. Transcripts must be requested on the Family Connection website.

18. Family Connection Scattergram

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

20. Three Types of Financial Aid Merit based - from the college or university Merit based - from the college or university Need based – from the government (FAFSA) and the college or university Need based – from the government (FAFSA) and the college or university Scholarships – from independent organizations and businesses. Websites are listed on “Senior Information and Dates” handout and in Family Connection Scholarships – from independent organizations and businesses. Websites are listed on “Senior Information and Dates” handout and in Family Connection

21. Need Based Aid - FAFSA The process for every student begins by completing the FAFSA through the federal government: www.fafsa.ed.gov The process for every student begins by completing the FAFSA through the federal government: www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov FAFSA may not be completed until after Jan 1. FAFSA may not be completed until after Jan 1. Beware of companies that ask for fees to search for financial aid. Beware of companies that ask for fees to search for financial aid. www.fafsa.com is a commercial website; DO NOT use this site to apply for aid. 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 5 th at 6:30 p.m. Come to our Financial Aid Night, November 5 th at 6:30 p.m.

22. Important Dates October 13 th: PWC College Fair October 13 th: PWC College Fair 6:00 pm Hylton High School November 5th: Financial Aid Night November 5th: Financial Aid Night 6:30 pm Battlefield Auditorium November 9th: College Night in Virginia November 9th: 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; 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;www.collegenightinva.org November 9 th : ASVAB - Career/Aptitude Assessment (for any student) November 9 th : ASVAB - Career/Aptitude Assessment (for any student) See counselor to sign up. See counselor to sign up. Super Saturday (date to be determined) Super Saturday (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

23. Break Out Sessions: Four year college Admissions: Four year college Admissions: Please remain in the auditorium. Felice Rollins, Director, The College Place Two year colleges and additional Two year colleges and additional career options: Please proceed to the enclosed cafeteria. Emily McPhie, Career Coach, Battlefield High School For questions about students with accommodations Leslie Johnson, Chair, Special Education, will be available in the commons area.