Post Secondary Planning for Seniors LCHS School Counseling Department

Plan for this evening College Information Night 7:00 - Auditorium Welcome to Parents Visit the LCHS – school counseling website, a valuable resource Cathy Hall – NOVA, Library 7:30 – Classroom Presentations – Post-Secondary Planning Applying Transcripts Entrance Exams Notes and handouts – Questions and answers

IMPORTANT DATES September 15, College InfoLCHS (repeat) September 19, 2015 – Application HelpLCHS September 27, 2015 – College Fair Rock Ridge HS October 12, 2015 – No SchoolVisit Colleges December 5, 2015 – SATLCHS December 9, 2015 – Financial Aid NightLCHS January 30, 2016 – Super SaturdayLCHS

Counselors Kathie Rowley (A-Cr)Room 136 Stephanie Schauder (Cu-He)Room 124 Brett Lesher (Hi-Mi)Room 156 Dan Croyle (Mo-Se)Auditorium Joanne Nagurny (Sh-Z)Room 125 Cathy Hall / NOVALibrary Langston West Library – Career center specialist

What is? 15 Public 4 year colleges in VA (37,24) 357 Total enrollment of seniors LCHS 71 Number of seniors 4.0 or better 1,261 Number of official transcripts requested

POINTS TO CONSIDER Before You Apply...

Research Post-Secondary Options What are your options? – 4 year/ 2 year college – Military – Employment, Apprenticeships and Internships Explore Family ConnectionsFamily Connections Default Log-in Information: – STUDENT ID NUMBER – Password: Birth Date in this format: mmddyy Use your resources: – Visit Mr. West in the Career Center (room 111) – Talk to teachers, staff members and other adults

What to Look for in a College Size Cost – Public v. Private Location – In-State v. Out-of-State – Setting Special Programs and Extracurricular Activities Specialty Schools (i.e. military, art, etc.)

What are Colleges Looking For? Strong transcripts – GPA – Strength of Program – Trends Standardized Test Scores Recommendations Essays Extracurricular Activities

Creating Your College List Applying to 5 – 6 schools is recommended **Remember you can only go to one** Diversify your list – Reach School vs. Range School vs. “Safety” School Northern Virginia Community College – P ATHWAY TO A B ACCALAUREATE – Guaranteed Admissions Agreements There are no Guarantees – Anything can happen

HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION THE PROCESS…

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS APPLYING TRANSCRIPTS/ LETTERS OF REC Entrance Exams

Who are the players? Student – Research colleges and scholarships – Application (ESSAY) – Visit Colleges – Communicate with all parties including recommendation writers – Be mindful of all deadlines

Who are the players? Parents – Help facilitate the process – Help organize and remind about deadlines – Discussion with students about: Distance from home Any financial concerns/limitations

Who are the players? Counselors – Assist with college search – Send transcripts/secondary school report – Provide resources Websites, college rep visits, financial aid night

APPLY Review the PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS for each post-secondary school –This information is available through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Complete the APPLICATION for each college – On-line v. paper applications – Payment options ESSAYS

Requesting Transcripts 3 STEP PROCESS Complete the Transcript Release Form One form for all transcripts Permission Complete the Application Checklist Form (paper) One form per college –BE THOROUGH! Request transcript to be sent through parchment (electronic) One request per college Talk to teachers/counselors/community members about RECOMMENDATIONS

Identifying Information Application Due Date Progress of Application $3.00 Fee for each Transcript Signatures (Parent Signature required if under 18) Reminders The Transcript Release/Application Checklist Form

Counselor Recommendations Insight forms and resume need only be submitted once Insight forms are available on the LCHS Guidance website or on Family Connections Teacher Recommendations Only required if letters need to be sent with transcript Components of the Transcript Release/Application Checklist Form

Requesting Recommendations Talk to teachers/counselors/community members about recommendations Give plenty of notice Provide counselors with insight form Prepare a resume, some teachers might request a copy of your resume School policy – we do not give out recommendations to students

Deadline for requesting transcripts/recommendations

College Entrance Exams SATs and ACTs – REGISTER for tests LCHS on December 5 th – Deadline to register Nov. 8 th SATs v. ACTs SAT II’s – SEND SCORES to colleges you are applying to **LCHS does not report scores to colleges**

Pay Attention to Dates and Deadlines SATs & ACTs LCPS College Fair – September 27 Rock Ridge High School Upcoming College Visits in the Career Center – See Family Connections

Upcoming Opportunities Application Workshops Your opportunity to get extra help on applications and ask questions * Oct. 19 th – SATURDAY workshop, parents and students welcome * Oct. 25 th – Learn more about alternative options: Military, Apprenticeships, Employment DateLab Time Counselor October 4 th 107 8:00 – 8:45 Mrs. Nagurny 11:20 – 12:06 Mrs. Rowley October 10 th 107 8:00 – 8:45 Mr. Croyle 11:20 – 12:06 Mrs. Dunn October 17 th 107 8:00 – 8:45 Mr. Croyle 11:20 – 12:06 Mrs. Dunn October 19 th Guidance Office 9:00 – Noon Mrs. Nagurny, Mrs. Rowley and Mrs. Schauder October 25 th 107 8:00 – 8:45 Mr. Lesher 11:20 – 12:06 Mr. West & Mrs. Schauder October 31 th 107 8:00 – 8:45 Mrs. Schauder 11:20 – 12:06 Mr. Lesher

Upcoming Opportunities – On-Site Application Reviews (EXAMPLE FROM LAST YEAR) Radford University - Dec. 3 PM Have all application materials submitted by Nov. 15 th Parent Information Nights – Senior Parent Night – Sept 15 PM – Application Help – SATURDAY Sept 17 th – Financial Aid Night – Dec 9 PM

What's Next? Counselors will be sending for the students during school for a “senior interview” If students are planning to apply early decision or early action – they should contact their counselor

Remember: Throughout the process - Communicate with all parties involved

Keep Checking Family Connections

@LCHSCOUNSELORS For news and updates follow us on Twitter

Update your address on family connections

Exit Ticket – T HINGS YOU LEARNED TODAY 2 – W AYS YOU WILL USE WHAT YOU LEARNED 1 – Q UESTION YOU STILL HAVE