1. Senior Parent Meeting
September 24th, 2018

2. PHS School Counseling Department
Lisa Evans, Director of Counseling, A-Fi
Katherine Banton, Fl-Mo
Lynn Neenan, Mu-Z
Rosalyn Sklute, Counseling Secretary

3. Stay Connected
@PoquosonHS_Coun
@phsbulls

4. Topic Overview Preparing for College Preparing for the Workforce
Preparing for the Military
Considering a Gap Year

5. If College Bound…

6. Starting the Application Process
Retake SAT and/or ACT
Select about 5 Schools
Apply EARLY!
Begin writing essays
Request Recommendation Letters
Request Transcripts-Due DECEMBER 1st
Visit the school
Contact the Admissions Office
Stay focused!
Self Evaluation & Brag sheets.

7. Registration Deadline Registration Deadline
SAT and/or ACT
Typically required as part of admissions process
Take at least six weeks before your earliest
college admissions or financial aid deadline
SAT Test Date
Registration Deadline
October 6
November 3
December 1
September 7
October 5
November 2
ACT Test Date
Registration Deadline
October 27
December 8
September 28
November 2

8. Selecting Schools - Which Ones Do We Choose?
1 “Reach” School
2 “Target” Schools
3 “Safe” Schools
* Remember: Admission is COMPETITIVE and the average application fee per school is about $65.00!

9. Apply EARLY! RESEARCH application deadlines. Benefits:
Merit Scholarships
Less Stress
May know sooner

10. Request Transcripts Complete and return Records Release Form
Print any needed forms from College Website (Secondary School Report Form, Counselor Recommendation Form, etc.)
Complete the College and Scholarship Transcript Request and Checklist Form and the Student/Parent Brag Sheet
Submit all forms, letters of recommendation, and $2 to the Counseling Office
All requests should be submitted at least TWO (2) weeks prior to deadline date
Keep the returned copy of the checklist for your records
December 3rd deadline

11. Request Recommendation Letters
Give AT LEAST two weeks notice
Ask NICELY 
Provide “brag” sheet and/or Resume
For online recommendation, be sure
to have correct address

12. College Essays The one thing over which students have absolute control
If optional, do it
Be creative and show your personality
Be straightforward and to the point
Revise and edit thoroughly
Write about something you know, not what you think they want to hear
SHOULD NOT BE WRITTEN BY THE PARENT

13. Contact Admissions Office
STUDENT should make contact
Show initiative and be professional – NO “text
speak”
Put a “face” with your application

14. Visit Schools Sign up for a tour
Interviews – think about how you present yourself
Sign up for a tour
If you attend open house, some colleges
will waive the application fee
Be prepared with a list of questions!

15. College Fair
OCTOBER 24, 2018
5:30 – 7:30 PM

16. Admission Type Definition Early Decision If accepted, you MUST attend
If denied, request consideration
for regular decision
Action
Acceptance is NON-binding
Rolling
Continuously accepting
applications for next semester
Regular
Must meet regular admission deadline

17. Types of Colleges Type of College Features Public Private Community
In state tuition
Admission agreements with community
colleges
Private
Higher tuition rates
Endowments often make tuition
comparable to public schools
More opportunities for internships, job
placement, and graduate school studies
Community
Smaller; local
Opportunity to save on college tuition
Agreements with Public Colleges
Transition school from high school to
college

18. Community College – How much can I really save?
2 Yrs. TNCC/2 Yrs. CNU
4 Years at CNU
TNCC Yr. 1 $4,806 TNCC Yr. 2 $4,806 CNU Yr. 3 $29,680 CNU Yr. 4 _$29,680_ Total Cost 68,972
CNU Yr. 1 $29,680 CNU Yr. 2 $29,680 CNU Yr. 3 $29,680 CNU Yr. 4 _$29,680_ Total Cost 118,720
Total Savings = $49,748

19. Paying for College Don’t get “sticker shock!”
Apply to schools that fit your needs
There are many financial options available

20. FAFSA Submit early! October 1st *** 1st come, 1st serve
Estimate w/last year’s tax return (2017)
Online application is best
Consider listing Community College

21. Student Loans Subsidized Unsubsidized
Federally guaranteed loans based on financial need
Interest does NOT accrue while in school
Federally guaranteed loans that are NOT based on financial need
Interest does accrue from the time the loan is disbursed to the school

22. Research Scholarships
Check PHS “Scholarship Bulletin”
Posted on-line & available outside PHS guidance office
Research Community Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Automatically considered if apply to college by the deadline

23. Stay Focused! Senior year is NOT a break!
Acceptance is conditional on successful completion of senior year
Don’t forget to have your AP Exam scores and/or dual Enrollment transcript sent to the college or university

24. Considering the Military?
Register by October 12th to take
ASVAB on October 17th
Talk with recruiters
Acceptance NOT guaranteed

25. Going into Workforce? Research career options
Consider work experience, interests & skills
Work on resume
Look into Apprenticeships
Find references
Clean up Social Media Accounts!!!!!
Complete Applications
Prepare for interviews
Access the following resources
My Next Move
Virginia Wizard
Monster College

26. Considering a GAP year? What is it?
Should I apply to college before or after?
What about financial aid/scholarships?
Are there affordable options?
What are the benefits?
What will college admissions officers think?
Won’t it be harder to transition to college?

27. Legal Considerations

28. Questions?