Class of 2017

Senior Handbook

Potomac Senior High School

A Guide from the Counseling Department

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PLAN FOR LIFE

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL…

TABLE OF CONTENTS People to Know …………………………………………… 3

Terms to Know …………………………………………… 4

Planning Checklist for Senior Year ………………………… 6

Basic Necessities to Apply to College

Applications, Essays, and Letters of Recommendation .... 8

Resume ……………………………………………….. 9

Testing, Transcript …………………………………… 10

Naviance ………………………………………………… 11

College Fairs ……………………………………..……… 12

Pathways to the Baccalaureate Program ………………… 13

Other Things You Need to Keep In Mind ……………… 14

Financial Aid Opportunities………………………………… 15

Post-Secondary Options …………………………………. 16

Where are the Jobs? ……………………………………… 17

Interview Questions ……………………………………… 18

Websites ………………………………………………….. 20

PEOPLE TO KNOW

ADMINISTRATION

Michael Wright Principal Lorraine Sadler Assistant Principal Regina Nash Assistant Principal Stacy Norwood Assistant Principal Michelle DeLoach Assistant Principal Natalie Wright Counseling Director TBA Activities Director

SCHOOL COUNSELING STAFF

Natalie Wright Counseling Director Kim Bryson A-Car Chloe Thomas Cas-Gra Melanie Deal Gre-Lum Mark Williams Lun-Rey Michelle Williamson Rez-V Shallene Austin W-Z, College & Career Planning Rainoa Figueroa Secretary Kathy Mellott Secretary Ramona Clark Registrar

IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO KNOW

Senior Class Sponsors Ms. Jenkins Senior Class President Nathaniel Donkoh-Moore SCA Sponsors Mrs. Wortham SCA President Priscilla Boateng Graduation Information Dr. DeLoach Yearbook Ms. Golnek Herff-Jones (Rings, Gowns, etc.) (703) 594-3982 Life Touch (Pictures) (800) 445-1191 School Website www.potomacpanthers.org School Phone (703) 441-4200 School Address 3401 Panther Pride Drive Dumfries, VA 22026

TERMS TO KNOW

WHEN SPEAKING WITH YOUR COUNSELOR:

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA): The grades used to determine class rank are all year-end marks for one credit courses or semester grades for ½ credit classes, night school grades, and summer school grades. In computing grade point average, failing as well as passing marks are included. CLASS RANK: According to the calculated grade point average (GPA), this determines the numerical position of a student in his or her class. PREREQUISITE: A requirement added to particular courses that mandate successful completion of courses prior to registration. TRANSCRIPT: The official compilation of your courses, grades, credits, etc. APPLICATIONS AND TYPES OF ADMISSIONS: APPLICATION DEADLINE: A bona fide deadline. Example: January 15, NOT January 16 or 17. Get your applications in early!! COMMON APPLICATION: An application form that has been standardized to ease the workload of students and high school counseling personnel. The application form is accepted by over 300 colleges. It includes a Secondary School Report form that should be given to your counselor, and a Teacher Recommendation form. www.commonapp.org EARLY DECISION: An admissions plan for students who have a clear college preference. This is a binding agreement and the student must attend the college. There are two types: SINGLE CHOICE: Students can only apply to one college until they have been notified of the application result. FIRST CHOICE: Student may also apply to other colleges. If they have been accepted to the college under the early decision option, all other applications to other colleges must be withdrawn. EARLY ACTION: Early action plans are nonbinding—students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date. OPEN ADMISSIONS POLICY: Almost all applicants who are high school graduates are accepted regardless of standardized test scores, grade average, or class rank. Ex: NVCC ROLLING ADMISSION: “First come, first served” process. Admission decisions are made as soon as an applicant’s admission folder is complete (usually three weeks). REGULAR DECISION: Applications and test scores must be submitted by a specific date, after which decisions of acceptance are made. TYPES OF DEGREES: ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Degree awarded after either a two year college program or a terminal, one to three year program providing training in a specific occupation. BACHELOR’S DEGREE: Degree resulting from liberal arts, science, professional, or pre-professional program normally lasting four years.

TYPES OF ADMISSIONS DECISIONS: WAIT-LISTED: You have not been denied! The college has finished reviewing your file and put you on a list for possible admission. It’s as if you have been asked to stay in the waiting room in a doctor’s office, pending an ultimate decision. The admissions committee may or may not admit students from this list. You can usually find out what has been done in the past. Either way, it is wise to deposit to another institution and ensure that you have a place somewhere else. DEFERRED ADMISSION: An accepted candidate may be allowed by the school to postpone enrollment, generally for an academic term, but possibly for an entire year. REJECTION: A college’s decision is not to accept a student as a candidate. A student can apply again later on and attend another school and reapply as a transfer student. REPLY DATE: Date by which an accepted student must indicate whether he/she will attend the college that has accepted him/her. Failure to reply will mean that the acceptance will be withdrawn from the college. May 1 is the reply date for most colleges. TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID: FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is required in order to apply for any financial aid from an institution as well as many scholarships and grants. The FAFSA is only available online and should be completed as soon after October 1 as possible. APPRENTICESHIP: To work for another for a specific amount of time in return for instruction in a trade, art or business. CO-OP: A work-study program that may be available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors in college. This gives one the opportunity to pay for one’s education plus gain work experience.

Potomac HS Senior Planning Checklist August

o Attend the PSHS Senior Breakfast o Make Twitter account and follow @DPantherCounsel for college/career info o Make a Common Application account at Commonapp.org o Download the Common App application to keep up with deadlines o Meet your counselor o Get a FAFSA ID # for financial aid planning www.fafsa.gov o Register for SAT/ACT. Deadlines are four to six weeks in advance of the test! o Create a college planning calendar and folder

September

o Polish your list of colleges- Narrow to maximum of 8 o Start your applications o Ask counselor for SAT/ACT college app fee waiver (if you qualify for free or reduced lunch) o Meet with counselor when needed; finalize college list on Naviance Family Connection, including

safety, target, and reach schools o Begin writing college essay, if you haven’t already o Start scholarship searches, local and national o Get student and parent FSA Id number for FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov o Complete activity resume o Speak to teachers about letters of recommendation o Attend College Rep Visits

October

o SAT Test held at Potomac on October 1st o Attend the Financial Aid Information session on October 10th at 9:30am in Potomac’s Auditorium o Decide if you are applying early action (EA) or early decision (ED) o Get feedback on your college essay from teachers/counselors o Work on college applications o Polish your application essays o Complete the FAFSA – Need prior year tax return o Continue to narrow down list of colleges and update Naviance o Continue scholarship search in Naviance and online o Follow up with letters for recommendation o Take ACT/SAT, if needed. o Take ASVAB, if needed. o Check @DPantherCounsel for updates o Order cap and gown

November o SAT Test held at Potomac on November 5th o Priority deadline for the NOVA Pathways to the Baccalaureate program o Finish applications and essays o Submit student transcript request form to counselor via Naviance o Complete all final applications o Complete FAFSA online at fafsa.gov

November (CONT’D) o Apply for scholarships o Check @DPantherCounsel for updates o Request transcripts for schools that you will apply to over the holiday o Meet with recruiters, if needed

December o ACT held at Potomac on December 10th o Apply for scholarships o Collect or check Naviance for any remaining letters of recommendation from teachers o Work on College Applications that are due over the holiday and Jan/Feb o Continue the Scholarship Search o Complete FAFSA o Write thank you notes to teachers and counselors

January/February

o Check with colleges that all application materials have been received o Complete applications for universities with Jan/Feb deadlines o Continue scholarship search o Begin considering an alternative post-high school plan o Write thank you notes to teachers and counselors o Maintain your grades

March o Begin receiving decisions from colleges – update Naviance and your counselor with results o Decline any acceptances to the admissions office via e-mail or letter o Consider alternate plan, if needed. o Meet with recruiters o Maintain your grades o Take ASVAB, if needed

April

o ACT held at Potomac on April 8th o Confirm acceptances and make decisions about final university choice o If attending NOVA, begin to apply and sign up for Fall classes o Confirm housing opportunities after confirmation of acceptance o Compare financial aid packages o Make a final decision, accept the aid, make required deposit(s) o Decline acceptances to admissions office via e-mail or letter o Update Naviance and your counselor with acceptances. Most school acceptances to the

admission office MUST BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1st

May/June/Summer o SAT Test held at Potomac on May 6th o Send AP/ Cambridge grade reports and final transcripts to your chose college o If attending NOVA, sign up for fall classes o Complete your Senior Survey on Naviance o Thank your counselors/administrators/ teachers/ support staff at PSHS o Enjoy Graduation!

THE BASIC NECESSITIES TO APPLY TO COLLEGE:

It is your responsibility to check the admissions requirements for each college. Class Rand and GPA are computed during the first part of October, at the end of the first semester, and at the end of the year. At the end of the first semester, your new

GPA and Class Rank are sent to all of the colleges to which you have applied.

College Applications

Colleges prefer if you apply online. However, you can request an application from the college that you are interested in.

Start a folder for each college. Apply to at least 3-6 colleges. It is your responsibility to submit the application directly to the college or university. It is your responsibility to submit the transcript request form through Naviance.

Otherwise, your transcript will NOT be sent and your application will not be incomplete.

College Essays

The essay is a chance for you to “talk” directly to the college’s admissions committee. It helps them “see” you as a person, rather than simply a set of impersonal statistics. It is your only chance to share your thoughts, insights, and opinions; to highlight your accomplishments; and to convey your maturity and outlook on life. If you see the college essay in this way, then it is clearly worth the effort to put some extra time, thought, and energy into writing it.

Do’s

Do think “small” and write about something that you know about Do reveal yourself in your writing. Do show rather than tell. Giving examples and illustrating your topic helps bring it to life. Do write in your own “voice” and style.

Don’ts

Don’t write what you think others want to read. Don’t exaggerate or write to impress. Don’t use a flowery, inflated, or pretentious style. Don’t neglect the technical part of your essay (grammar, spelling, sentence structure). Don’t ramble – say what you have to say and conclude.

Letters of Recommendations

Allow teachers at least 10 school days to write your letter. It is helpful if you give them a resume when requesting your letter.

Resume Below is an example of what a resume may look like. If you do not have an activity in one of these categories, leave it out! It is unwise to point out to a college or employer what you have NOT done!

Your Name 165 Telegraph Road ∙ Dumfries, VA, 22025

Home (703)-555-5555 ∙ Cell (571)-555-5555 Email: Name@mail.com EDUCATION

Potomac Senior High School, Advance Diploma, 2013-2017 LANGUAGES

First language is Spanish; speak and write fluently VOLUNTEER WORK

Southbridge Community Center: To help clean up the neighborhood ACTS Thrift Store: Sorting donated clothes Habitat For Humanity: Answered phone calls and filed paper work

SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS

Future Business Leaders Of America: Member, 2013-2015 Vice-President, 2013-2014

Varsity Lacrosse: 2013- present Junior Varsity Football: 2014-2016 Key Club: 2013-2015

AWARDS

Varsity Lacrosse Coach’s Award, 2015 Academic Honor Roll, 2013-Present

WORK EXPERIENCE

Wegmans Food Markets 05/28 – Present Provide customer service Operate computerized cash register system Work with Bilingual customers and co-workers

REFERENCES

Steven Brown (Youth Minister) Kim Bryson (School Consoler) 13000 Victory Ridge PL. Potomac High School Manassas VA, 20112 (703)943-6606 3401 Panther Pride Drive

Dumfries, VA, 22191 (703) 441-4200

Several job search engines have resume-building pages on their websites that will give you step-by-step guidelines to writing a resume. Some popular sites to check out include:

Monster Jobs: www.monster.com CareerBuilder: www.careerbuilder.com JobWeb: www.jobweb.com

Yahoo! HotJobs: www.hotjobs.yahoo.com MSN Careers: www.careers.msn.com JobSniper: www.jobsniper.com

Testing! Testing!

Many schools only accept official scores. This means they must be sent directly to the college/university from the testing organization.

To ensure your score is sent, enter the college’s testing code when registering. Potomac’s CEEB Code: 472464 This is the same for both tests!

SAT Test Dates Register at www.collegeboard.org

2016-2017 Test Dates Regular Deadline Late Deadline Fee Applies

October 1 (PSHS) September 1 September 20

November 5 (PSHS)

October 7 October 25

December 3 November 3 November 22

January 21 December 21 January 10

March 11 February 10 February 28

May 6 (PSHS) April 7 April 25

June 3 May 9 May 24

ACT Test Dates Register at www.actstudent.org

2016-2017 Test Dates Regular Deadline Late Deadline Fee Applies

September 10 August 7 August 19

October 22 September 16 September 30

December 10 (PSHS) November 4 November 18

February 11 January 13 January 20

April 8 (PSHS) March 3 March 17

June 10 May 5 May 19

Transcript

If the application is due by: Your transcript request form should be submitted by: November 1 October 17 November 15 October 27 December 15 November 30 January 1 December 6 February 1 January 17 March 1 February 13 March 31 March 16

Naviance Instructions

To login to Naviance

Go to the PSHS website. Click School Counseling on the top of the page. Then click on the link

for Family Connections/Naviance: http://connection.naviance.com/potomacsenior

Your User ID is your student number

The password is your date of birth with no spaces, ie. if your birthday is January 22, 1995

your password is 01221995)

After you login in the first time, change your password and keep it in a safe place.

You must use the Naviance program to request transcripts and to sign up for college

visits at PSHS

Requesting a Transcript (Only request a transcript once you have applied to

the college)

Login to the Naviance website

Select the Colleges tab at the top of the page

Click the Transcript tab on the left side of the page

Select the type of transcript you are requesting (college/scholarships/athletics)

For college requests, select the type of application (Regular, Early Action, etc.)

Select lookup and search for the name of the college you have applied to

Click Request Transcript

Print a copy of the transcript status page for your records

1st three transcripts are free, $5.00 thereafter

ALLOW AT LEAST TWO WEEKS TO PROCESS A TRANSCRIPT REQUEST!!

Signing Up for a College Visit

Login to the Naviance website

Select the Colleges tab at the top of the page

You will see a list of upcoming College Visits. Click View all upcoming visits to see all

scheduled visits.

Click Sign Up next to the name of the College Visit you would like to attend.

You will get a confirmation screen indicating you are signed up. Print this screen to

serve as your pass to be dismissed from class.

Not sure which college is right for you?

Need to find more options?

Attend one of these

COLLEGE FAIRS to speak with a representative.

September 26 Battlefield High School 6pm-8:00pm October 15 Gar-Field High School 6pm – 8pm October 16 Fairfax Christian College Fair, Trinity Christian School, Braddock Road campus 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM While it is not required, interested students will find it most helpful to register ahead of time at www.myblueprintbarcode.com

October 16 (Sunday) Fair Oaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks, Fairfax, VA 7:30-9:30pm

The Pathways to the Baccalaureate

Are you the first in your family to go to college?

Need help in the college application process?

Need help in the financial aid process?

Then you may be interested in this program!

This is a partnership between Northern Virginia Community College and Prince

William County Schools. However, it is not limited only to students that plan to

attend NoVa.

Benefits while in high school:

A NoVa counselor comes to Potomac to meet with students throughout

senior year to discuss common areas of concern such as economic

difficulties and financial aid.

Students facing disadvantages are given help, including those that may be

undocumented residents and those facing academic probation due to poor

high school grades.

There are scholarships to NoVa that only Pathways students are eligible to

apply for

Benefits while at NoVa:

Students work with a mentor and receive academic advisement to ensure that

they receive their Associate’s degree in two years. This guarantees that you

will not waste your time and money on classes you don’t need.

As a student in the Pathways program, students gain a community feel.

Often students who don’t live on a college campus can feel isolated.

Students also receive career advisement to help them create a plan for after

they graduate.

If a student does well in the program and meets specified criteria, they are

guaranteed admission to 25-30 four-year schools.

The application is available from your School Counselor.

Applications are due November 1st YOU must fill out the application. If someone else fills out the application, i.e.

mom or dad, it will be thrown out. You will not be able to reapply for the program.

Other Things You Need to Keep In Mind!

ASVAB – Will be given October 2016 and again in March 2017. This is the best career

interest inventory available and there is no charge for this test. Sign up through your Naviance account.

MILITARY RECRUITERS – Will be available in the cafeteria for students to speak

with: Navy (703) 494-4818 Marines (703) 494-1616 Air Force (703) 494-9669 Army (703) 494-9570 US Coast Guard (703) 960-5923 VA National Guard (703) 369-2407

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE – You must now register online at

www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. if you are planning to play a sport in college.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION– www.pwcs.edu/scholarships Scholarship

notifications are also emailed to students through their Naviance accounts.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY FINANCIAL AID NIGHTS – TBA

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – It is your responsibility to be aware of all

requirements for graduation. Also, you will not be allowed to march at graduation if you have not met all of the requirements by the date of graduation!

FINANCIAL AID OPPORTUNITIES

There are many kinds of financial aid programs to help pay for your education after high school. Financial aid is available from federal and state government, banks, and civic, labor and profession organizations and foundations. Aid can range from a small scholarship to a financial aid package, which provides full tuition and expense. There are three general types of financial aid available to students:

Grants and scholarship, which do not have to be re-paid

Loans, which must be re-paid

Work-study jobs which enable student to earn a portion of their school costs

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS Scholarships are awarded to students based on their academic record, leadership ability, particular talents or need for financial assistance. Since colleges give many scholarships, students should apply to the college directly for information and application form. Other sources of scholarship are your parent’s employers, labor union, civic and religious organization, professional association and other private groups. For most scholarship, there are continuing eligibility requirement, such ass maintaining a certain level of academic or athletic performance, or showing evidence of continue financial need. Our Career Center offers local, state, national scholarship opportunities.

FEDERAL/ STATE PROGRAMS

Apply by filling the free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) form Examples of Federal Loans include the following:

Pell Grant, Supplementary Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

National Direct Student Loans—Perkins Loan

Guaranteed Student Loan—Stafford Loan

College Work Study Programs.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Carl D. Perkins Scholarship Programs Examples of State Loans include the following:

Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP)

Virginia Scholars Program

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAGP)

Post-Secondary Options On the Job Training- Many jobs will provide training as you work, allowing you to improve your skills and advance to more responsible, better-paying jobs. Vocational Apprenticeships: As apprentices, you are trained over a period of time before becoming “masters” in your field. Training is conducted under the supervision of a “master” craftsman. Apprenticeship regulations vary from trade to trade and from state to state. For more information, you may contact: Apprenticeship Fairfax Country Public Schools Room 18 5775 Spindle Court Centreville, VA 20121 (703) 227-2300

ROTC Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs are offered at certain colleges in conjunction with the Air Force, Army, and Navy. ROTC scholarships are limited number and are awarded on a highly competitive basis, which includes academics, athletics, activities, and physical fitness. (Student seeking a ROTC scholarship needs to meet with their counselor early in September to begin the application process.) Tuition, books, and fees are subsidized by the military and the student also receives stipend to cover personal expenses. Upon graduation, students are given the rank of second lieutenant. Students accept the obligation to serve a specific number of years in the military after graduation.

Business, Technical, and Trade Schools Students who are considering one of these post-secondary institutions should use as much care in making decisions as students applying to four-year colleges. Some of the things you need to clarify are:

1. What skills or training are you seeking? 2. How long will this education take? 3. Are you willing to leave your local area to attend this institution? 4. How will you finance this education? 5. Have you checked the Career Center for lists of schools which are available? 6. Are you sure the schools that interest you are accredited? 7. Have you checked on admission requirements and deadlines for applications? 8. Does the school have a placement serviced with a good history of employment? 9. Have you talked with your parents and your counselor about your plans?

ENLISTED MILITARY

The military provides job training to all new service members. While most job training is in a classroom setting, for some occupations, military training is provided on the job. Military personnel in all five services are paid according to the same pay scale and receive the same basic benefits. They also provide many of life’s necessities, such as housing. There are also opportunities to earn college credit after military service, called the GI Bill, which can be used for any educational opportunities you may want to pursue. The National Guard is also an excellent source of money, skills and opportunity. The National Guard is part time service in the armed forces and members receive similar benefits to the active service.

Where Are The Jobs?

1. Ask friends and relatives. Begin networking. 2. Check the want ads in several newspapers 3. Look for Help Wanted signs in windows of stores and other places of business. 4. Attend Career Job Fairs at local schools and colleges. 5. Apply at the Virginia Employment Commission (Woodbridge Branch). 6. Register with private employment agencies. Be sure to check first to find out who pays the

fee. (Most employers pick up that cost.) 7. Industrial and Craft Unions 8. Office of Personnel Management (Federal). 9. Book Stores have federal and private job announcements.

THE JOB PROCESS: Whether you plan to join the work force on a temporary or permanent basis after high school, the process is similar. The following are a few tools of the job-hunting trade that you will need to get together:

Your social security number

Identification (driver’s license combined with social security number)

Proof of graduation from high school

A map that includes public transportation routes

A resume

A sample employment application.

This will be helpful to have as you complete specific applications.

Letter For Job Application At times, it is appropriate to make a telephone request for an interview. However, most interview requests are made by letter. When writing a letter of application, always:

Type the letter or write it in ink

Use 8-1/2”x 11” white or cream paper

Write to a specific individual when possible

State the types of positions that interest you

Be clear, brief, and businesslike

Have someone proofread your letter for mistakes, proper grammar, and clarity.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

These are good for job AND college interviews!

The following questions are frequently asked during job interviews. Think about how you might answer them as you prepare for your job interview. Tell me about yourself. Be prepared to briefly outline your education and employment history, emphasizing your experiences, knowledge, and good work qualities. What are your strengths? Describe your strengths, citing specific examples. For instance, a well-organized person might describe that characteristics, indicating the use of the agenda in high school, setting priorities, color coding, working on major products over a period of time to meet deadlines, etc. What experiences have you had in the job that you are applying for? If you have no direct experience, talk about the experiences that you have had that may relate to the one that you want. Emphasize your willingness and ability to learn. If you have had direct experience, describe what you have done and the results of your efforts. Use success stories, if you have some. Why did you leave your last job? Answer this one carefully. Be honest! If you were fired, say so, then explain what you learned from the experience. Be positive. Refrain from making negative comments about your previous employer. Focus on the knowledge and skills you hope to gain from this new job. What are your weaknesses? Again, be honest. If you have trouble getting to work in the morning, you may want to ask if there are any options on scheduling, such as flex-time. Describe what you are doing to improve yourself in specific terms. Instead of saying “I am trying to get to work on time”, say “I am getting up a half hour earlier to make sure that I am at work on time”. What would you do if…? The employer will ask you about a job-related situation and evaluate your response to assess how well you might perform on the job. Often there is no right or wrong answer. Since this is a difficult question to prepare for, you will want to brainstorm possible questions and answers based on what you know about the job. Remember that you can ask for clarification and that you can ask for a few minutes to think about the question before answering.

INTERVIEWING TIPS Learn something about the company

Have a specific job(s) in mind

Review, in your mind, your qualifications

Anticipate and be prepared for questions

Be well-groomed and appropriately dressed

Be prompt

Offer a firm, friendly handshake

Answer questions directly and truthfully

Maintain eye contact with interviewer

Use proper grammar and good diction

Be enthusiastic and cooperative

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewer based on your pre-interview research about the company

FYI: Most Wanted Skills For the 21st Century

1. Analytical Thinking- the ability to generate and weight a number of alternative solutions and to make a sound decision regarding a plan of action.

2. Researching- the ability to recognize when more detail needed and to obtain appropriate

information.

3. Organizing- the ability to order and install systems and routines to maintain order.

4. Speaking- the ability to express yourself fluently and intelligently both one to one and in front of groups.

5. Writing- the ability to use proper spelling and grammar to express ideas.

6. Human Relations and Interpersonal- abilities to relate well to persons from varied backgrounds

particularly to appreciate cultural differences.

7. Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning- an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of mathematical and scientific process.

8. Ethical Applications- the ability to understand the historical roots of ethics, to apply moral

standards, and to appreciate values in the work setting.

9. Understanding of Technology- ability to apply basic principles of technology including keyboarding and data manipulation.

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST…. 9. Career Planning- the cultivation of a personal sense of direction and desire for improvement

which includes a willingness to learn

Moving On

As you enter your senior year, it is important that you have a source of reference to help clarify procedures, relieve anxious moments, and answer questions that are crucial to your future. This handbook was designed to provide you with the necessary information to assist you through this year and possibly years to come.

This handbook, along with your parents, counselors, and a few visits to the career center will help you sort out information and customize a plan to meet your goals. The final decision rests with you. Enjoy the Challenge!

We wish you success as you move on to your new endeavors.

Your School Counselors and Staff

Educational Web Sites http://www.collegenet.com – apply to college over the web

http://www.embark.com – helps make decisions about higher education

http://www.petersons.com

http://www.collegeboard.org - SAT registration and information providing data o about U.S. educational institutions and opportunities

http://www.finaid.org – comprehensive information on financial aid

http://www.scholarships.com / - assist parents and students in obtaining o scholarships

http://www.salliemae.com – nations leading provider of educational funding, o tools for aid and forms

http://www.fastweb.com – one-stop financial aid and career site for students

http://www.vaview.vt.edu -- college and career information

http://www.collegeparents.org – only national association helping parents o prepare their students for college, economically and safely

http://www.Fasfa.ed.gov – free application for federal student aid, takes three to o four weeks to process

www.nelliemae.com – provides information on paying for college and managing debt

www.studentloanfunding.com – comprehensive financial information for parents and students

www.march2success.com – ASVAB prep, SAT Prep, Occupational exploration

SCHOLARSHIPS http://www.fastweb.com - one of the largest databases for scholarships and federal aid http://www.collegeaid.net/ - all students are eligible for some type of financial aid http://www.fastaid.com – largest private sector scholarship database in the world – from authors of “the Scholarship Book” http://www.college-scholarships.com – information on criteria to qualify for college scholarships

ATHLETICS/ATHLETES http://www.ncaa.org – National Collegiate Athletic Association information on colleges http://www.collegecoach.com – help students search for scholarships and colleges http://www.collegrecruiting.com/home.php – connects high school students with educational, financial aid and scholarships