1. Seniors: Planning for Life After High School!
Class of 2017
@BWHSCounseling

2. Agenda Options for Life After High School - Review
The College Application & Briar Woods High School Procedures
Advice & Information

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

4. Options for Life After High School
Trade-schools/Apprenticeships
Military
Community College
4-Year College or University

5. College Degrees
Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically earned at a community college or a junior college)
Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree
Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years after earning a bachelors
Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD, JD, MD, DC

6. Community College Community College Benefits of community college
Certificate programs
2-Year Associates Degree
First year or two of a 4-Year
Bachelors degree
Benefits of community college
NOVA is one of the best community colleges in the country
Relatively inexpensive
Close to home
Usually “open” admissions

7. Community College NOVA’s Guaranteed Admissions (incomplete list)
Christopher Newport University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
James Madison University
Liberty University
Longwood University
Marymount University
Norfolk State University
Old Dominion University
Radford University
University of Mary Washington
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech

8. Applications Are Available in the Career Center
Community College
Pathways Program
Applications Are Available in the Career Center
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

9. College Visits at BWHS College representative visits to BWHS
Visits are listed on Family Connections
Sign-up through Family Connections or in the Career Center
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

10. How Many Colleges Should A Student Apply to?
There is no magic number
One or two “Reach Schools”- Your dream school
One or two “Safety Schools”- You meet all the criteria
Three or four Schools where you meet most of the criteria but the decision could go either way

11. 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

12. ACT Dates Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)
September 10 August 7 August 8-19
October 22 September 16 September 17-30
December 10 November 4 November 5-18
February 11 January 13 January 14-20
April  March 3 March 4-17
June 10 May 5 May 6-19

13. SAT Dates Test Date Deadline Late Deadline October 1 Sept. 1 Sept. 20
November 5 Oct. 7 Oct. 25
December 3 Nov. 3 Nov. 22
January 21 Dec. 21 Jan. 10
March 11 Feb. 10 Feb. 28
May 6 April 7 April 25
June 3 May 9 May 24

14. Social Media Use Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
appropriately.
Use a “professional” address.
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!

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

16. 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”

17. The Application
Most applications are submitted electronically over the internet
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”

18. 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.).
Recommendations are submitted on line.

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

20. 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

21. 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, public library, internet

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

23. 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 and samples to format your own

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

25. 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)

26. 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)

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

28. The Transcript
Official transcripts will be sent through eDocs, using Family Connection
Your Username will be your Student ID Number in this format:
Your default password will be your Birth Date in this format: mmddyy
It is highly recommended that you change your password when you first log in. To make this change, simply logon and click “Manage my account” in the top right corner of the homepage.

29. The Transcript
Students must be actively working on the application before requesting official transcripts
Add the school to “Colleges I’m Applying To” in Family Connection and then turn in a 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 Family Connection
Transcript requests must be made before December 2nd in order to be sent before winter break
We will send mid-year transcripts to all the colleges to which a student has applied

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

31. Log onto Family Connection and add schools to “Colleges I’m applying to”

32. When you have added your schools, click the Add Colleges button
Use the lookup button to find schools
Check if you have submitted your application
When you have added your schools, click the Add Colleges button

33. How does your college receive official documents?
This symbol indicates the school accepts electronic documents
This symbol indicates they are a Common Application school and you need to match your Common Application account

34. The Common App Account Matching instructions can be found on the Colleges I’m applying to page:
Please watch this video to understand matching your Common App with Family Connection

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

36. 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. 14th
The Senior Information Packet is posted online and contains a parent “brag” section
The counselor letter will be sent electronically through eDocs with the transcript

37. Letters of Recommendation
Teacher Letter:
If a letter of recommendation is needed from a teacher, the senior should make the request directly to the teacher, then send a request through Family Connections.
In the Notes box include the following:
Application deadline
Which college you need the letter for (or do you need it for all)
Do you need the Common App Teacher Evaluation Form completed in addition to the letter?
Teachers will submit letters of recommendation through Family Connections.
If a paper copy of the letter is needed, provide the teacher with a postage-paid envelope addressed to the college.
Counselors DO NOT collect or send letters of recommendations from teachers.
The date of submission can be tracked through Family Connection
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

38. Click on letters of recommendation section
Click Add Request

39. Letters of Recommendation
From this screen you can choose the teacher you would like to write a letter of recommendation from the drop down menu.
Your teacher will receive an giving them directions on how to upload and send their letter electronically through eDocs

40. 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 address
An will be sent from Common App to your recommender with a link to submit their letter and evaluation

41. 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.

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

43. 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 Counselor Form
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

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

45. 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 Family Connection 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 Counselor Form will be sent with the Transcript.

46. 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!

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

49. Communication/Follow-Up
Students and parents can log onto Family Connection to view transcript send dates
We automatically send mid-year transcripts to the colleges our students apply to
Final transcripts are sent to the colleges our students plan to attend (no cost)
The infamous “we didn’t get your transcript”

50. Upcoming Activities Senior presentations – The week of September 26st.
Set up an appointment to meet with your counselor.
Financial Aid Night – November 9th at 7:00pm

51. Have a great Senior year!!
Class of 2017

52. Follow us on Twitter:
@ BWHSCounseling