1. College Information Night for Parents of Seniors
Class of 2019

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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”

10. 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”

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

19. 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)

20. 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)

21. 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

22. 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  March 8 March 9-25
June 8 May 3 May 4-20
July 13 June 14 June 15-24

23. 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

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

25. The Transcript
Official transcripts will be sent through eDocs, using Naviance Student
Your Username will be your Student ID Number in this format:
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

26. 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

27. 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

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

29. 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

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

31. 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

32. Use the + to add your Colleges

34. 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

35. 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

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

37. 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

38. 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

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

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 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

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 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.

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. 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

50. 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”

51. Social Media Use Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
appropriately.
It’s time to get start actively using your !
Use a “professional” 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!

52. 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!

53. 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

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

55. 2.
Click “colleges” on the tool bar, select “colleges home” then scroll down.

56. 3.
Scroll down until you see “College Visits” and click on “Show More”

57. 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.

58. 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

59. Have a great Senior year!!
Class of 2019