99thth Grade College Grade College Planning NightPlanning Night

George C. Marshall HSGeorge C. Marshall HS Student Services DepartmentStudent Services Department

AgendaAgenda

WelcomeWelcome, , Cindy BlakeleyCindy Blakeley, DSS, DSS Academic Skills and ProgramsAcademic Skills and Programs Family Connection and GCM ResourcesFamily Connection and GCM Resources SAT / ACTSAT / ACT College Admission FactorsCollege Admission Factors College Admissions Basics & FitCollege Admissions Basics & Fit Q & A / SurveyQ & A / Survey

Academic ReadinessAcademic Readiness “ “Freshman Year CountsFreshman Year Counts””

Habits developed during freshman year set the tone Habits developed during freshman year set the tone for future yearsfor future years

Use LEARN time effectivelyUse LEARN time effectively

Develop an organizational system that makes senseDevelop an organizational system that makes sense

Strive for a challenging course load that is manageableStrive for a challenging course load that is manageable

Develop a pattern of good study habitsDevelop a pattern of good study habits

Set rigorous but realistic goals for academic successSet rigorous but realistic goals for academic success

AVID – Advanced Via Individual Determination. A nationwide middle/high school program that strives to close the achievement gap by preparing students for college readiness and success.

Application process in Spring for rising 9th/10th/11th graders

Typically for a student who is interested in taking an honors class and college

AVID is a class that focuses on note-taking (Cornell notes), binder organization, tutoring, critical thinking skills

Academic Readiness & Programs

College Partnership Program (CPP) is an FCPS program designed to increase the number of students, particularly first generation and minority students, to enroll and succeed at four-year colleges.

Application process is in the spring for rising 9th/10th/11th graders.

Meets once a month on Wednesday mornings

Academic Readiness & Programs

Family Connection Family Connection andandGCM ResourcesGCM Resources

Gardner HumphreysGardner Humphreys Sign up for Sign up for Parent ViewParent View: : fcps.blackboard.comfcps.blackboard.com

Career and Career and Personality Personality

AssessmentsAssessments

Try Something New…Try Something New…

FBI Academy Youth LeadershipFBI Academy Youth Leadership week-long summer training, 16+week-long summer training, 16+

Democratic Combined Campaign Democratic Combined Campaign and and Young Republicans of FairfaxYoung Republicans of Fairfax want you to intern for the next election, 14+want you to intern for the next election, 14+

Chick-fil-A, Tysons West In-LineChick-fil-A, Tysons West In-Line Cashier and kitchen, part time, 16+, Cashier and kitchen, part time, 16+,

scholarshipsscholarships

Fairfax County Fire & RescueFairfax County Fire & Rescue 14+, ride-alongs, routine duties, training, PR14+, ride-alongs, routine duties, training, PR

GCM College & Career CenterGCM College & Career Center

College Search College Search && Application Help Application Help

Test PrepTest Prep: GCM Library free online course: GCM Library free online course

Scholarships & AidScholarships & Aid: Fridays Learn & : Fridays Learn & FAFSA Info 12/9FAFSA Info 12/9

JobsJobs - - After School and Summer After School and Summer

Volunteering Volunteering andand Internships Internships

Study AreaStudy Area: : Learn, after Learn, after school

Stay Informed:

MStatesmen @MStatesmen

Blackboard Parent View - created at home, activated in school

fcps.blackboard.com

Search for: Search for: ““GCMCollegeCareerCenterGCMCollegeCareerCenter””

College TestingCollege Testing

• Role of Tests• What is a “Good Score”?• PSAT ReadiStep / New SAT / ACT v SAT• When to Take• Preparation• GCM Testing Info Night – January 13 @ 7pm• Big Picture

College Admission Decision College Admission Decision Factors – Factors – Jim RixseJim Rixse

SAT/ACT scoresSAT/ACT scores Grades in core Grades in core

coursescourses Counselor/Teacher Counselor/Teacher

recommendationsrecommendations EssayEssay Grades in all classesGrades in all classes

Demonstrated Demonstrated interestinterest

ExtracurricularsExtracurriculars InterviewInterview Strength of Strength of

curriculum at curriculum at schoolschool

WorkWork SAT II scoresSAT II scores

What do you think are the most important parts of What do you think are the most important parts of a college application?a college application?

College Admission Decision College Admission Decision Factors: Factors: Actual RankingActual Ranking

1.1. Grades in core classes Grades in core classes

2.2. Strength of curriculum at school Strength of curriculum at school

3.3. SAT/ACT scoresSAT/ACT scores

4.4. Grades in all courses Grades in all courses

5.5. Essay Essay 6.6. Demonstrated interest*Demonstrated interest*

7.7. Counselor/Teacher recommendations Counselor/Teacher recommendations

8.8. Interview*Interview*

9.9. SAT II scoresSAT II scores

10.10. ExtracurricularsExtracurriculars

11.11. WorkWorkSource: NACAC “Sate of College Admissions 2012”Source: NACAC “Sate of College Admissions 2012”

College Admission Basics – College Admission Basics – Alice RobertsonAlice Robertson

Terms to KnowTerms to Know College vs. UniversityCollege vs. University Public vs. PrivatePublic vs. Private Associates vs. Bachelors degreeAssociates vs. Bachelors degree Liberal ArtsLiberal Arts LegacyLegacy First GenerationFirst Generation

College Admission Basics – College Admission Basics – Alice RobertsonAlice Robertson

Finding the Right “Fit”Finding the Right “Fit” What are the student’s needs?What are the student’s needs? What are parent’s needs?What are parent’s needs?

Distance from HomeDistance from Home

CostCost

SettingSetting

ReputationReputation

Study AbroadStudy Abroad

SizeSize

Major/ProgramMajor/Program

Support ServicesSupport Services

Student LifeStudent Life

AthleticsAthletics

ArtsArts

…….and more!.and more!

College Admission Basics – College Admission Basics – Alice RobertsonAlice Robertson

Let’s Practice…!Let’s Practice…!

You can earn a master’s degree or second bachelor degree in five years as part of a 3 + 2 engineering program. Offers NCAA Division 1 Athletics. Popular programs include nursing, education, business and social work.

Longwood UniversityLongwood University

College Admission Basics – College Admission Basics – Alice RobertsonAlice Robertson

Let’s Practice…!Let’s Practice…!

Ranked #1 by US News & World Report – “Best National Universities” and the #2 Best Value based on quality of education and percentage of students receiving financial aid.

Princeton UniversityPrinceton University

College Admission Basics – College Admission Basics – Alice RobertsonAlice Robertson

Let’s Practice…!Let’s Practice…!

New Center for the Arts building with exceptional programs in fashion design and dance. Interior Design program named one of the best in the country. Popular programs are education, criminal justice and music therapy.

Radford UniversityRadford University

College Admission Basics – College Admission Basics – Alice RobertsonAlice Robertson

Let’s Practice…!Let’s Practice…!

Business students have internship opportunities with Fortune 500 companies. School is in top 100 in nation for science research. Students can design their own major through the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Virginia Commonwealth Virginia Commonwealth Univ.Univ.

College Admission Basics – College Admission Basics – Alice RobertsonAlice Robertson

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts Importance of FitImportance of Fit Four-Year PlanFour-Year Plan Know What MattersKnow What Matters ““It Depends”It Depends”

Q & AQ & A

Survey:Survey:www.gcmcollegecareercenter.weebly.com

ororsearch: search:

““gcmcollegecareergcmcollegecareer””