Senior Student &

Parent Night

PLANNING FOR SENIOR YEAR

AUGUST 2019

WSHS Student Services

Career Center SpecialistTisa Frederick

School CounselorsMs. Vaccarello Mrs. SaldañaMrs. Mourning Ms. BieverMrs. BroadnaxMs. AbrigoMr. Young Mrs. HunterMs. Wahl

● Post-Secondary Planning○ The College 2 & 4 Year Application Process ○ Military ○ Apprenticeships ○ Gap Year

● Financial Aid● Transcript Request● Letters of Recommendations● Student Resources● Important Dates

Overview of Program

...and then what?

Your son/daughter will graduate from West Springfield High School

on June 1st, 2020...

It is the goal of the WSHS Student Services Department for every

graduating senior to have a plan! The choice should be based on career goals, abilities, interests, and the

education needed.

• 4-year College or University

• 2-year Community College

• Technical School

• Armed Services

• Apprenticeship Training

• Workforce

• Volunteer Work

• Gap Year

Post-Secondary Options

2 & 4 Year College: The Application Process

College Planning Night & Junior Lessons (Spring 2019 )

● College Fit ● College Research

○ Naviance (Scattergrams)● Career Center Resources● Making the Best of your

Summer before senior year

Topics Covered Junior Year

The Nuts & Bolts of the College Process

• Where should you start?

• What is the basic timeline?

• What are the steps in applying to college?

• Who is responsible for what?

• What resources are available at WSHS?

The US Department of Education has released a helpful new tool called College

Scorecard. The Scorecard site allows students to search colleges to find

information about graduation rates, costs, popular degree programs, average post-

graduation salaries, and more. It's a terrific resources to use with students

during the college search process.https://collegescorecard.ed.gov

Research Your Options: The College Scorecard

✓Must sign up 48 hours in advance and print a pass (confirmation page)

✓Why visit? A great chance to introduce yourself, get more information, ask

questions, help you make decisions, DEMONSTRATE INTEREST!

Check out your Naviance Student (Colleges tab) to see the schedule of upcoming college representative visits (over 100) to WSHS!!

College Rep Visits at WSHS

What Makes a Competitive Applicant?

Many schools are interested in more than just the academic record and are looking for

challenging courses, good grades, accomplishments, commitment to activities, etc.

This is called a “holistic read”

Academic record/GPA Strength of curriculum

Leadership/awards Recommendations

Athletic involvement Student Essay

HS and community service Special talents

Test scores Summer experiences

Extracurricular activities Employment

What do students need when applying?

Check college websites to review the requirements!

✓ APPLICATION (Common App vs. Coalition vs. Website Portal)

✓ TEST SCORES (SAT/ACT)

✓ TEACHER AND/OR COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION

✓ TRANSCRIPTS

All of your application “pieces” do not have to be sent at the same time!

As materials are received, the colleges will create a file for you.

ACT: www.actstudent.org

2019-2020 Fall ACT Dates:

September 14th

October 26th

December 14th

SAT: www.collegeboard.com

2019-2020 Fall SAT Dates:

October 5th

November 2nd

December 7th**SAT SUBJECT TESTS. Some highly selective colleges may require some subject tests. They are usually offered the same day as the SAT. Check

with your college to see if these are required!

Register online to sign up for fall tests!

SAT and ACT Information

When should I apply?

The College’s Application Portal

The Coalition Application

The Common Application

How do I apply?

Apply: http://www.nvcc.edu/admissions/apply/Application for Admission due at least 30 days prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which you plan to enroll. Request transcripts!

Guaranteed Admissions Program: work with advisor at NOVA to ensure continued eligibility

NOVA/Mason ADVANCE: pathway of admission to George Mason University

Representatives visit WSHS in late Fall & Spring ● Information Sessions, Placement Testing,

and Visits● Sign up through Family Connections

2 Year Colleges: NVCC

Additional Post-

Secondary Options

1. Research about your options for joining the military. Learn about the five active-duty branches and their part-time counterparts.

1. Once you know which branch you’re considering, contact a recruiter. A recruiter will give you an overview and answer your questions about that service. If you’re interested in more than one branch, contact a recruiter for each. If you’re interested in joining as an officer, the recruiter will explain any options you may be eligible for.

Interested in the Military?

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple choice test,

administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to

determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces.

ASVAB Testing At WSHS in November 25th and March 11th

Military Recruiters and Information available in the WSHS Career Center

ASVAB Testing

Fairfax County Public Schools Apprenticeship Related Instruction Course Offerings: Barbering and Cosmetology, Carpentry, Electricity, HVAC-R, OSHA Safety, Painting, Plumbing, Surveying, and many more! Questions?? Contact Adult & Community Education Office at 703.658.2727

Interested in an Apprenticeship?

Gap Year- a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education.

Can be academic or leisure.

Gap Year Fair will be hosted by FCPS on February 4th 20206:00 pm - 8:30 pmMarshall High School

Taking a Gap Year after High School

Students will now be able to sign up to meet with their

Counselor through Calendly(link)

We ask that ALL STUDENTS (regardless of post secondary plans) sign up for a 30 minute senior meeting.

Students should come prepared with• A Completed Senior Packet, if requesting a counselor

letter of recommendation • Research regarding deadlines and requirements of

college or program (if application deadline is near meeting date)

• A list of any questions

Senior 1 on 1 Meetings

WSHS has created a Transcript Request Form that all students MUST complete in order to send official transcripts

for college/scholarship/job/military applications.

• Form is available in Student Services, Google Classroom and Naviance Student

• All forms should be turned into our Transcript Secretary, Mrs. Kurth (who is located in Student Services).

How do I request to send my transcripts?

The Student Services deadline for the 2019 -2020 school year is:October 2, 2019 for transcripts due to college by November 1October 16, 2019 for transcripts due to college by November 15October 30, 2019 for transcripts due to college by December 1November 13, 2019 for transcripts due to college by January 1 *Please note this deadline is during Winter Break and Student Services will be closed for transcript request from during that time.December 4, 2019 for transcripts due to college by January 15January 8, 2019 for transcripts due to college by February 1

Please be mindful of deadlines– late fees will apply!

Transcript Request Form Deadlines

Counselors will be hosting workshops to help

seniors complete the transcript request process

and answer any additional questions.

Dates

September 16th - (LS4)

January 9th - (3:00 pm)

Transcript Request Workshops

Things to consider.......

✓ Does the college want a recommendation letter?✓ Do they want letters from certain people (counselor or teacher) or is it your

choice?✓ How does the college want the letter to be sent (mail, electronically, etc.)✓ Is there a college specific form that they want the recommender to fill out

versus a standard letter?

Letters of Recommendation

Teacher Letter of Recommendation

1. Complete the WSHS Request for Teacher Recommendation Form.

2. Provide the teacher with any form that they need to complete from the college.

3. Invite Teacher to submit on CommonApp/Coalition or other portal, if applicable

4. Give the teacher stamped, addressed envelopes if the letters are to be mailed.

1. Complete the Senior Packet (Google Form) for a Counselor Letter of Recommendation (the link has been sent via email).

• Select the counselor who will be writing your letter of recommendation (counselor from the 18-19 SY).

• Transfer Seniors will request from their current counselor.

2. Invite Counselor to submit on CommonApp/Coalition or other portal, if applicable

3. Recommendations will be delayed if student does not have their Senior Meeting with Counselor PRIOR to application deadline, unless otherwise noted.

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

Completing a Senior Packet is only necessary if you will request a counselor

letter of recommendation at anytime during your senior year.

Students must be completed PRIOR to your Senior Meeting

Link: https://forms.gle/SsAYrDGKZzMoJ2Up7

Senior Packet (Google Form)

How to Finance your Post-Secondary Plan?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUis5lityCQ

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid

The CSS PROFILE is required by many private colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution's own grants, loans and

scholarships.

The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile

Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to

attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.

https://collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx

Net Price Calculator

Financial Aid Information

FAFSA Completion Night

October 30, 7 - 9 pm

File your FAFSA starting October 1, 2019

FAFSA assistance available through FCPS

Go to College Access website to view dates/times! https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/workshops/

Scholarship List on Naviance Student

❑ Identify preferences and options

❑ Sign Up for a Senior One on One Meeting with School Counselor

❑ Complete Senior Packet, if you are requesting a rec. letter

❑ Research additional information in the Career Center

❑ Narrow choices and make a definitive list of schools or opportunities

❑ Attend FCPS’ college night and/or college fair

❑ Research deadlines, admissions policies, and requirements

❑ Visit colleges/meet with representatives

❑ Complete applications & request transcripts by deadlines

❑ Research financial aid and scholarship opportunities

Next Steps Overview

Students: Make sure you frequently check the WSHS Class of 2020 Google Classroom for more information throughout the year.

(Student Access Only)

Class of 2020 Google Classroom

September, October, November Senior One-on-One Meetings with Counselor

October 20 College Fair at Fair Oaks Mall

October 21 College Night at Hayfield HS

October 30 FAFSA Completion Workshop

November 25 ASVAB Testing

June 1, 2020 Graduation at The Patriot Center

Important Upcoming Dates