Class of 2018Senior Presentation

West Potomac High School Student Services Team

Planning for Life After High School

• 4-Year Schools• Bachelors Degree

• In State vs. Out of State

• 2-Year Schools• Associates Degree

• NOVA Pathways

• Career and Technical School• Career Specific Certifications

• Culinary, Cyber Security, Truck Driving

Planning for Life After High School Cont.

• Military• Enlisting, ROTC, and Service Academies

• ASVAB November and March

• Employment• Entry Level Careers, Internships etc..

• Apprenticeship• Classroom Instruction and on the job training

• Gap Year• Service learning experience or program completed

after high school.

87% of WPHS graduates go onto higher education

(54% go onto four year collegesand 33% two year colleges).

O PEN ING OF Y EAR EDUCATOR R ALLY

College Success

SENIORS!PATHWAY TO THE BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM

could be a Great Idea for you if you are:

•Thinking about college but are confused about the process

•Interested in Guaranteed Admission to participating Virginia colleges, including George Mason University

•Planning to complete a Bachelor’s Degree

•Want to start out at NOVA and transfer to a four year university

Applications will be available after September 14

www.nvcc.edu/pathway

Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program

Individual meetings and monthly workshops with

Pathway Counselor on college transition issues,

including choosing a major, the application process,

and preparation for placement tests

Assistance applying for and processing financial aid,

scholarships, and NOVA payment plan

Early placement testing and priority course

registration for your first semester at NOVA

Pathway activities/events at NOVA and George Mason

University

PATHWAY COUNSELORName: Mrs. Zuaso

Day at West Potomac: Wednesdays

Time available: 8:30 am-3:30pm

Application Due:

November 9, 2017

Types of Applications & Decisions

• Methods of Applying:– Early Decision (Binding) = 1 school

– Early Action (Non-Binding)

– Priority (Merit-Scholarships)

– Regular

– Rolling

• Early Applications may be:– Accepted, Deferred, Waitlisted or Denied to

General Admission Applicant Pool

West Potomac University Checklist

Application

Application Fee

Test Scores

Official High School Transcript

Personal Statement/Essay/Resume

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

Teacher Letter of Recommendation

Testing

• SAT and SAT Subject Tests– www.collegeboard.org

• October 1st, November 4th

• ACT– www.actstudent.org

• September 9th, October 28th

• It’s the students responsibility to send all required test scores through testing website

Requesting a Transcript

Step 1: Obtain a Transcript Request Form –download off the WPHS website or pick up one in student services

Step 2: Fill out the form completely– Name of school you are applying to

– Application deadline

– How you are applying (ED, EA, RD, Rolling)

– How is the transcript sent? • Edocs vs. Common App vs. Mail

Edocs vs Common App vs Mail

Family Connection will tell you how we submit transcripts to each school.

Requesting a Transcript

Step 3: Bring Transcript Request Form to Counselor to clarify any questions and obtain signature

Step 4: Bring Transcript Request Form and Payment (if required) to Transcript Assistant, Ms. Hofmann. She will provide you with a receipt for payment.

Letters of Recommendation

• Counselor Letter of Recommendation

– Forms needed: Student and Parent Input forms in Senior Handbook

• Teacher Letter of Recommendation

– Ask ahead of time and be sure to write a thank you note!

Resources

• Your counselor!

• Family Connections– Sign up for college visits at WPHS

– College information

– Videos

– Scattergrams with data on college admissions

– College searches

– Search for Scholarships

• College and Career Center

College and Career Center

• Go see Ms. Carter!• College & Career Center Hours

– Monday - Friday 8:00 am-3:30 pm– Seniors are welcome to eat lunch in the Center

• College information• Testing information and study guides• Scholarship and Financial Aid information• Computers available for college/career exploration• College Visits throughout the fall & spring• Scholarship and Career Center information will be available

on our web site• SAT/ACT Waivers for students on free and reduced lunch

Lunch ‘n Learns in the Career Center

Sessions will be on Thursdays

Using Family Connection to Find the Right FitCompleting WPHS Transcript Request Form

Common ApplicationThe Essay - College Essay Workshop September 21st 3:15-4:00pm

How do I check the Status of my Admissions ApplicationNavigating College WebsiteApplying for Financial AidScholarship Information

Cost of Attendance “How do I determine?”ZeeMee (create a 2-3 minute video)

Financial Aid Champion

• Dale Schmidt

• drschmidt@fcps.edu

• College and Career Center

• About two lunch hours per week

• Starting in October

• By appointment before October

Senior Year - Timeline

• September:– Register for SAT/ACT tests– Narrow down choices to 4-6 schools

• Reach, Possible, Likely

• October:– Prepare applications for Early Action & Decision schools – College Admissions Representative Visits to WPHS– Visit Schools (Columbus Day Weekend)

• November/December:– Keep grades up! 7th Semester issued early February– Pay attention to application & transcript deadlines

Important Upcoming Dates

• September 18th – 21st: Individual Senior Meetings with Counselors through Government classes

• October 4th: Financial Aid Night 7:00PM @ Lee High School

• October 5th: Transcript request DEADLINE for November 1st applications

• October 15th: FCPS College Fair 7:30PM @ Fair Oaks Mall

• October 16th: FCPS College Night 7:00PM @ Hayfield Secondary School