College Information Night for Parents of Seniors Class of 2019

This is the “nuts & bolts presentation” Agenda This is the “nuts & bolts presentation” How to Apply to College or The College Application Folder Back-to-school night at 7:00pm Junior Night – September 26 at 7:00pm

Materials Several resources can be found on the School Counseling page of the BWHS web site. It includes: Application Process checklist Transcript release form Senior Information Packet Parent “Brag” Sheet NACAC Guide (best practices in college admissions) Additional forms & resources Let your counselor know if you need hard-copies

Academies of Loudoun While the process is similar, AOS seniors will work directly with the AOS Counseling Department MATA seniors will continue to work with Briar Woods

Naviance Student Hobsons Naviance Family Connection eDocs It’s all Naviance Student!

Naviance Student demos tonight! Stop by during your senior’s study hall or early release for a live demo Requesting transcripts Requesting counselor letters of recommendation Requesting teacher letters of recommendation Signing-up for BWHS college visits

The Application Folder! A simpler time… Before the internet… The Application Folder!

The Application “Folder” Essay Student Resume Test Scores Transcript Letter/s of Recommendation Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form

The Application Seniors 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 – make sure you know how the college wants to receive the application You should start your application before requesting transcripts and letters of recommendation 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 700 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.). Your Common App must be matched in Naviance Student

The Coalition App The Coalition Application is another way that colleges receive your application Students can simply check a box when they get to the Official Documents portion of their Coalition Application confirming that the school will send materials via another route or platform

The Application “Folder” Essay Student Resume Test Scores Transcript Letter/s of Recommendation Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form

The Essay Not all colleges require an essay 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, BWHS Writing Center, public library, internet

The Application “Folder” Essay Student Resume Test Scores Transcript Letter/s of Recommendation Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form

Student Resume Many 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 or Naviance Student to format your own

The Application “Folder” Essay Student Resume Test Scores Transcript Letters of Recommendation Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form

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)

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 8 August 10 August 11-16 October 27 September 28 September 29 – Oct 14 December 8 (BWHS) November 2 November 3-19 February 9 January 11 January 12-18 April 13 March 8 March 9-25 June 8 May 3 May 4-20 July 13 June 14 June 15-24

SAT Dates Test Date Deadline Late Deadline August 25 July 27 August 15 October 6 Sept. 7 Sept. 26 November 3 Oct. 5 Oct. 24 December 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 20 March 9 (BWHS) Feb. 8 Feb. 27 May 4 April 5 April 24 June 1 May 3 May 22

The Application “Folder” Essay Student Resume Test Scores Transcript Letter(s) of Recommendation Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form

The Transcript Official transcripts will be sent through eDocs, using Naviance Student Your Username will be your Student ID Number in this format: 123456 Your default password will be your Birth Date in this format: mmddyy (unless you changed it last year) It is highly recommended that you change your password when you first log in. To make this change, simply logon and click “About Me” in the top right toolbar and select Account You can also log on using Clever

The Transcript (AoS Students – work directly with AoS counselor) Students must complete the application before requesting official transcripts (or at least be working on it) Add the school to “Colleges I’m Applying To” in Naviance Student and then turn in a 2-page Transcript Release Form We include a school profile with every transcript The transcript is sent electronically and you can view the date of submission in Naviance Student Transcript requests must be made before December 3rd in order to be sent before winter break We will send mid-year transcripts to all the colleges to which a student has applied – you don’t need to submit a request

Some colleges have their own unique practices! We won’t ever let our established practices conflict with a college or program that has their own unique system or requirements There are some colleges where students obtain a pdf copy of their transcript from their high school and send it on their own Military academies and ROTC programs often have their own transcript submission portal that counselors use We will always work with any college that has a unique system

The instructions can be found on the BWHS School Counseling Page School Counseling > College & Career Counseling > College Application Checklist

Step 2: Be actively working on your college application Step 1: Submit to your counselor the student profile and parent feedback form This will help your counselor and/or teacher write a letter of recommendation. A resume can also be submitted Step 2: Be actively working on your college application It’s important that you be working on your application before you request for school documents to be sent What is the application deadline? How do they receive their application? (School application, Common App, Coalition, etc.) Do they require letters of recommendation? How many? Teacher? Counselor? Step 3: Go to Naviance Student and add schools to Colleges I’m Applying To and Match your Common App account

Login to your Naviance Student account (formerly Family Connection) There is a link on the BWHS website

You can add schools from your Home page, or by clicking on Colleges at the top of the Home page Every college you are applying to and need a transcript sent must added to Colleges I’m Applying to

Use the + to add your Colleges

This indicates how the college receives the application. If there is a ? we won’t be able to send any documents – you much use the edit tool to update

If your school uses Common App, you must Match your Common App account to your Naviance Student account You must have started your Common App and added at least one school to your My Colleges page before you can match to your Naviance Student account Don’t forget to read and sign the FERPA release authorization Watch the video below on how to match your accounts Video

The Application “Folder” Essay Student Resume Test Scores Transcript Letters of Recommendation Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form

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 needs to complete a Senior Information Packet to be turned into the counselor by Oct. 5th The Senior Information Packet is posted online and contains a parent “brag” section The counselor letter will be sent electronically through Naviance Student with the transcript

Letters of Recommendation Teacher Letter Step 4 – Does the College/University require a teacher letter of recommendation? If so, follow the steps below. If not, no action is required. Ask the teacher in person if they can write a letter of recommendation for you – Please allow 2 weeks for the teacher to complete a letter for you Log-in to Naviance Student and request the teacher letter of recommendation electronically.   In the notes box include the following: 1). Deadline to upload letter, 2) Which college do you need the letter for, or do you need it for all, 3) Do you need the Common App Teacher Evaluation Form completed in addition to the letter? Teachers will fill out and submit an electronic letter of recommendation that will be sent through Naviance Student Counselors DO NOT collect or send letters of recommendations from teachers The date of submission can be tracked through Naviance Student Think about who you are asking… they may need more time! Remember, only include a letter of recommendation if the school requires one be included

Requests for Teacher letters of Recommendation are made through Naviance Student Colleges > Colleges Home > Letters of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation Other Recommender If you are having someone outside of BWHS write a letter for you, please follow this process: Sign in to you Common Application account Click on My Colleges On the left hand side go to Recommendations and FERPA Scroll down to Other Recommender Click Add another and input name, title, and email address An email will be sent from Common App to your recommender with a link to submit their letter and evaluation

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” Essay Student Resume Test Scores The Transcript Letter/s of Recommendation Secondary School Report Form

Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form Some colleges ask for a Secondary School Report. Schools using the Common App will ask for a Common App School Report The Secondary School Report Form is sent with the transcript We do not use ‘school specific’ secondary school reports. We will send a comprehensive “universal” Secondary School Report for all students

The Application “Folder” Essay Student Resume Test Scores Transcript Letters of Recommendation Secondary School Report/Common App Counselor Form

The Application “Folder” - Summary Senior submits application electronically to the college Senior submits the essay electronically to the college (if there is one) Senior may submit the resume electronically to the college Senior has test scores sent directly to the college by the SAT (College Board) or the ACT Senior lists schools in ‘Colleges I’m Applying To’ in Naviance Student and submits a Transcript Release Form to the Counseling Secretary Senior may request letter of recommendation (if needed) from their counselor and/or teachers Senior will meet with their counselor to review Transcript Release Form and answer any questions. Secondary School Report/Common App School Report will be sent with the Transcript.

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!

Interviews Some colleges interview applicants. Process, procedures, and guidelines vary. Dress appropriately!

Applications Are Available in the Fall – Stay Tuned! NOVA Pathways Program Applications Are Available in the Fall – Stay Tuned! 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

Communication/Follow-Up Students and parents can log onto Naviance Student to view transcript send dates We automatically send mid-year transcripts to the colleges our students apply to – No request form or Naviance Student action is needed Final transcripts are sent to the colleges our students plan to attend (no cost) The infamous “we didn’t get your transcript” email

Social Media Use Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. appropriately. It’s time to get start actively using your email! Use a “professional” email address – ideally with your name! Take down any inappropriate pictures and information. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it then it’s probably not appropriate for a college admission officer to see. Colleges do check!

Upcoming Activities Senior presentations – The week of September 4th . Senior College Night – September 12th at 6:00 pm Set up an appointment to meet with your counselor. LCPS College Fair – September 23rd – SBHS 2:30 – 5:30 Financial Aid Night – October 17th - 7:00pm My College Funding Coach – October 30th - 7:00pm FAFSA Night – November 7th – 6:30pm College Visits to BWHS started last week!

College Visits at BWHS College representative visits to BWHS Visits are listed in Naviance Student Sign-up through Naviance Student 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

Log into – https://student.naviance.com/bwhs COLLEGE VISIT Sign Ups Log into – https://student.naviance.com/bwhs 1.

2. Click “colleges” on the tool bar, select “colleges home” then scroll down.

3. Scroll down until you see “College Visits” and click on “Show More”

4. Click on “Register” to sign up for the college visit. If you don’t see the college you are looking for yet, keep checking, the calendar is updated daily.

Naviance Student demos tonight! Stop by during your senior’s study hall or early release for a live demo Requesting transcripts Requesting counselor letters of recommendation Requesting teacher letters of recommendation Signing-up for BWHS college visits

Have a great Senior year!! Class of 2019