Senior Student & Parent Night PLANNING FOR SENIOR YEAR AUGUST 2019
WSHS Student Services Career Center Specialist Tisa Frederick School Counselors Ms. Vaccarello Mrs. Saldaña Mrs. Mourning Ms. Biever Mrs. Broadnax Ms. Abrigo Mr. Young Mrs. Hunter Ms. Wahl
Overview of Program ● 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
Your son/daughter will graduate from West Springfield High School on June 1st, 2020... ...and then what?
Post-Secondary Options • 4-year College or University It is the goal of the WSHS Student • 2-year Community College Services Department for every • Technical School graduating senior to have a plan! The • Armed Services choice should be based on career • Apprenticeship Training goals, abilities, interests, and the • Workforce education needed. • Volunteer Work • Gap Year
2 & 4 Year College: The Application Process
Topics Covered Junior Year 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
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?
Research Your Options: The College Scorecard 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
College Rep Visits at WSHS Check out your Naviance Student (Colleges tab) to see the schedule of upcoming college representative visits (over 100) to WSHS!! ✓ 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!
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.
SAT and ACT Information Register online to sign up for fall tests! ACT: www.actstudent.org SAT: www.collegeboard.com 2019-2020 Fall ACT Dates: 2019-2020 Fall SAT Dates: October 5th September 14th November 2nd October 26th December 7th December 14th **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!
When should I apply?
How do I apply? The Common The Coalition The College’s Application Application Application Portal
2 Year Colleges: NVCC 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
Additional Post- Secondary Options
Interested in the Military? 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.
ASVAB Testing 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
Interested in an Apprenticeship? 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
Taking a Gap Year after High School 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 2020 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Marshall High School
Senior 1 on 1 Meetings 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
How do I request to send my transcripts? 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).
Transcript Request Form Deadlines The Student Services deadline for the 2019 -2020 school year is: October 2, 2019 for transcripts due to college by November 1 October 16, 2019 for transcripts due to college by November 15 October 30, 2019 for transcripts due to college by December 1 November 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 15 January 8, 2019 for transcripts due to college by February 1 Please be mindful of deadlines – late fees will apply!
Transcript Request Workshops 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)
Letters of Recommendation 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?
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.
Counselor Letter of Recommendation 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.
Senior Packet (Google Form) 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
How to Finance your Post- Secondary Plan?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUis5lityCQ
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