SENIOR PLANNING NIGHT POTOMAC FALLS HS Class of 2015

SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPT Director: Rae Ann Paolozzi Counselors Teresa BennettA-B and ELL Richard BaderC- GK and Campus Deborah Brom GL – MAR Stefanie WeissMAS - R Amy Burgess S - Z 2

SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPT Support Staff CAREER CENTER ASST: TBD SECRETARIES: Lisa Torick Allison Richardson Contact Us: PFH School Counseling Web Site 3

AGENDA Post High School Options Creating your college list Naviance/ Family connection The college application Process for requesting transcripts and recommendation letters Paying for college 4

SO WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? TRADE SCHOOLS APPRENTICESHIPS MILITARY/ROTC PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE DEGREE: 2 YR COLLEGE BACHELOR’S DEGREE: 4 YR COLLEGES EMPLOYMENT GAP YEAR

Statistics of Our Students 6

FINDING THE RIGHT MATCH Log on to Family Connection Make a list of colleges of interest. Identify your priorities Research the characteristics of a range of schools Match the priorities with characteristics 7

CHARACTERISTICS TO CONSIDER: Is this the right fit for me? Academic Programs and Strengths Type of College (public, private, religious, etc.) Location Size Cost and Financial Aid Offer Retention and Graduation Rates, Grad School Placement Difficulty of Admission Campus Life and Diversity Resources Study Abroad 8

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Family Connection Access through PFH Counseling Dept Web page – Click on Family Connection – Parents have access to a Family Connection account Seniors should complete the: – Career Cluster Finder and/or College Search to conduct college searches and narrow choices – List colleges they are planning to apply to – Update address – Complete My Game Plan Scattergrams t o compare colleges College Visit Schedule can be accessed by clicking on the “Colleges” tab and looking for “Upcoming college visits” 10

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INCREASINGLY POPULAR DUE TO AFFORDABLE TUITION Students can complete the first one or two years of a bachelor’s degree Community colleges in Virginia offer guaranteed admission to 4yr colleges in Virginia COMMUNITY COLLEGE 13

Benefits in High SchoolBenefits at NOVA Individual meetings about college transition, major and career planning, placement test prep Continued academic and career counseling Assistance with Financial Aid ProcessGuaranteed Admission to George Mason Early Placement TestingPathway Section of SDV100 Priority RegistrationOpportunities at GMU: classes, social and athletic events Who should apply? Seniors who will graduate by August and who want to earn a Bachelor’s Degree For more information contact your: Pathway Counselor – Jill Lawson, School Counselor

APPLYING TO COLLEGE Don’t focus on either too few or too many schools: 5 -7 is the average Consider colleges that are high, moderate, and low likelihood of admission Do your research on admissions requirements Understand your deadlines Know what is required as part of your completed application Communication with your parents and counselor is key! 15

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Components of your Application The Application itself Essay(s)/ Personal Statement or Specific Prompt Recommendation Letters Transcript SAT/ACT scores Payment Supplemental Forms 17

The Essay/ Personal Statement Write to the prompt Write in your voice – be yourself Check for accuracy Work with parent or teacher to review Be creative – remember admissions counselors read a lot of essays Very important in admissions consideration as this is their way to get to know you Show versus Tell 18

Recommendation Letters Know your specific college requirement – this information varies depending on the college If recommendations are required, be sure to understand the requirements and follow the procedure as determined by each specific college Things to keep in mind: Deadline Procedure for Teacher Ask Early 19

Recommendation Letters: How to ask Ask early and provide a copy of resume or activities list Inform your recommender about manner of submission Mail directly Give to counselor Upload directly to college via link Inform your counselor if a counselor recommendation is required. Counselors do not automatically write a recommendation. Remember to write a “Thank You” 20

Panther Planning Portfolio 21

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The Transcript Remember to complete PFHS Transcript Request Form for each college to which you intend to applyPFHS Transcript Request Form A signature is required from both student and parent Cost: $3 per transcript (Scholarships are no charge.) 24

Test Scores Students must have College Board or ACT forward scores to their colleges and NCAA – – – –

Summary of Student Responsibilities Complete and Submit Application Payment to college Submit Test Scores to colleges Request Recommendation Letter Transcript request: To your School Counselor Fill in forms completely to include: – Full name of college/university, city/state. – Complete address for overseas universities. – Indicate Early Action/Early Decision/Regular Admission and specific date – Signed by both parent and student – One time fee if not already submitted 26

Student Responsibilities Cont’d Meet or beat transcript deadlines – submit to counselor 2 weeks prior to deadline. If it falls around a holiday, sooner is better! Keep communication open with your counselor Check with counselor or through Family Connection for processing status Monitor your application status with each college to ensure materials are received 27

Items the School Counselor submits – Official Transcript: Final grades through 11 th grade including cumulative GPA & Rank – Current schedule – PFH Secondary School Report form – Recommendation letter from counselor, if required, *Teacher Letter(s) of Recommendation, as required 28

Other Transcript Information 1.Official transcript for each application uploaded through eDocs or mailed to colleges 2.1 st semester grades sent automatically to ALLcolleges on your transcript request form – mailed mid-Feb – Some colleges require students to self report grades, check the requirements of your particular college. 3.Final transcripts are mailed after graduation based on senior survey responses 29

Break Out with Counselors Monday, Sept 29 Mrs. Bennett – Library Mr. Bader – Auditorium Wednesday, Oct 1 Dr. Brom – Library Ms. Weiss – Auditorium Friday, Oct 3 Mrs. Burgess - Library 30

NCAA ELIGIBLITY CENTER PROCESS Only for athletes participating in Div I/Div II collegiate-sports (contact Div III schools directly for eligibility requirements) Register online with NCAA Eligibility Center ASAP – Use unofficial transcript for visits w/ coaches Send SAT/ACT scores directly to NCAA (9999) List NCAA on transcript request form –Final transcripts automatically sent to NCAA after graduation (approx. mid July) After April 1 – update profile 31

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PAYING FOR COLLEGE Financial aid can increase your ability to attend your 1 st choice school and improve your options in the future Help is available: college offices, FAFSA help line, Super Saturdays, Net Price Calculators Financial Aid Night at PFH! – December 6:30 pm FAFSA – Submitted after January 1, Create your PIN now and try FAFSA4caster Verify your specific college’s financial aid process CSS Profile -- only some require, verify college requirements 33

SCHOLARSHIPS Check Career Center web page for updated information Follow instructions on how to apply or be considered for nomination LCPS Scholarship Handbook available in early February and click on the scholarship link on the left side menu bar. Check all your family’s groups and affiliations 34

Summary 35 Know your post high school options Update your in Family Connections to stay informed Communicate with your school counselor to keep him/her informed of your plans College Bound – develop college list; begin application process; and research scholarships Manage your deadlines Know your resources and where to go to get your questions answered

Thank you for coming! We wish you all the best as you begin your post- secondary planning and college admissions process! 36