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• AP Exam Registration for students not currently in an AP class. Current AP students have already been registered.

• Counselors in Classrooms: Scheduling Information presented in all English classes, Course Request Forms handed out.

• Electives Fair-good opportunity for students to check out the different electives available at W-L and the Career Ctr

• More detailed ACT/SAT schedule available as a handout

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Let’s do a little assessment as a warm-up to our presentation?

1. False- while we encourage everyone to prepare themselves to go to college we know that there are other pathways to success, such as military, work force, Gap Year, and other options that we will talk about.

2. Fact

3. Myth: Grades/rigorous courses/college entrance essay/recommendations

Handout: Family Connection

• All students, and parents have access to a college search program called Naviance.

• Really easy to get to through our website. Once you click on the counseling link…right hand column…useful links…top link

• For lost or forgotten login information please see Mr. Hill or see your school counselor.

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• Mr. Hill goes into classrooms and offers lessons on various ways to use Naviance.

• Counselors will go at the beginning of senior year for Naviance support with the college application process.

• Download the Naviance Student App to have Naviance on the go.

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• See your profile, who is your counselor, what is your current GPA and Rank (useful when filling out college/scholarship applications)

• GPA/Rank Recalculated every July.

• There’s a lot to do on Naviance, and many resources. Now is a good time to familiarize yourself with it.

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• Different interest inventories under the “Careers” tab to help guide you to specific career clusters based on strengths and weaknesses.

• The “About Me” includes additional inventories including:

• “Personality Type”

• “Learning Style”,

• These can aide in the college research process, as well as helping students understand how they learn best and how to apply that knowledge to their current classes.

• Some of these will be done with Mr. Hill.

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• To prepare for the college application used at many schools you’ll want to begin to collect in an ordered way all of the noteworthy events during high school. Make notes about trips, events, school activities, honors, clubs, etc. that will form your “resume”.

• Include Middle School activities only if you have been consistent with that activity since middle school, and continue today. E.g. Band since 7th grade or Girl Scouts for the last 10 years.

• In addition, if it’s relevant (and usually it is) think about the # of hours you spend

in practice, games, concerts, competitions, plays, tournaments, etc. to come up with a realistic picture of your time spent in an activity. Estimate time spent in activities (e.g., performed in over 50 concerts and competitions, 10 hours per

week in practices, or work)

• -Now is the time to get involved to help build your resume.

• -Find things that you are excited about and ready to commit to. If you have to work or babysit siblings than that’s important for colleges to know so that they

understand how your after school life is spent.

• -Teen Summer Expo and other fairs like it help connect teens with internships, job, and volunteer opportunities over the summer.

One way to create a resume is with Naviance’s resume builder. Easy way to build a resume, plug in the information, Naviance creates a resume for you. This is an efficient way to stay organized with your extracurricular activities. All information is in one place, makes life easier senior year.

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CRF’s handed out in February. Great time to talk to your counselor to select courses for senior year

or junior year, how can you boost your transcript, in a way that works for you. Remember to keep

your grades up and seek help when necessary.

-AP, IB and Dual-enrolled classes are weighted. This means they offer the potential for a full

or half quality point depending on the course. This can help boost your GPA.

• AP, IB courses have a required exam at the end of the year. Different colleges will provide credit

for different scores. Please check with the individual college.

• AP has historically been widely accepted, however more and more colleges are accepting IB.

• Juniors and seniors have the option of paying to take an AP test even if they are not enrolled in an

AP course. Deadline to register is anytime before January 31st , see Mr. Glick in the Counseling

Office.

• Dual-enrollment is an opportunity for students to take and earn a guaranteed college credit with

passing grade. These classes are available either at the Career Center or at W-L.

- Summer school– good opportunity to get ahead in classes especially math, great way to improve

GPA in core classes. Economics/Personal finance is also an option as an in-class or virtual

course.

• PSAT’s

• Practice SAT’s to help identify students strengths and areas for improvement in

preparation for the SAT’’s.

• No registration necessary, all sophomores and juniors take it in October during the

school day.

• 11th graders are considered for the National Merit Scholarships depending on their

scores. They are notified in the fall of senior year.

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All juniors and sophomores should have taken the PSAT in October.

How Do You Access Your Online PSAT/NMSQT Scores and Reports?

Find the College Board email that will be sent on or around 12/12/2016 that contains your individual access code.

If you already have a College Board account, log in at https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home?affiliateId=arupnssr&bannerId=pnsrcrs

OR

If you do not have one, create an account at https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home

Once logged in, select PSAT/NMSQT Scores

OR

Use “Missing Scores” to locate Scores

If you are still being asked for an access code, contact your school counselor and he/she can provide it for you.

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Handout: Factors to Consider• Size• Geographical area• Type of setting (city, urban, rural)• Cost• Extracurricular activities• Coed or single sex

Information is available :

Bookstores NAVIANCE

College websites, collegeboard.com

Our College and Career Lab specialist is available to you as well.

Great opportunity to use Naviance. You can add any colleges your interested in, makes it easy to keep track of them as a junior. As a senior you will be given more information on how to use this as it a necessary step during the college application process.

While on “Colleges I’m Interested In” click on school name for school stats, and how you compare as far as average scores for admitted students from W-L.

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Click on bar graph for a scatter gram showing WL applicants to specific schools, their GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and whether they were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. Find yourself on the graph. It’s available for schools that have had at least 10 students apply from W-L.

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College Visitation Verification available online and in the Counseling OfficeUse this to verify your absence when visiting a college.If you would like to visit with a college while they are at WL fill out a ‘College Visit Pass’ 2 days prior to the visitSpring-College Life OR Summer-College Representatives. Complete list available on Naviance. All grade levels are welcome.

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Handout: Testing Schedules for SAT/ACT and SAT vs. ACT, Brag Sheets

• At this time of year you may decide to register for the SAT, SAT II and/or ACT.

• ACT: Covers English, math, reading, and science (multiple choice). Writing Test is optional

(essay).

• SAT: Covers evidence-based reading and writing, math. Writing Test is optional (essay). We still

suggest student take it in case the colleges require it.

• SATII: 1 hour subject test in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics

and science. It may be beneficial to take at the conclusion of a course (e.g., take the Physics SAT

II in June). Some colleges require one and sometimes two subject tests.

• SAT I and SAT IIs must be taken on separate dates. You may take 3 SAT IIs on the same day.

The ACT must be scheduled for yet a third day.

• We have or will do academic plans with our Juniors – this will be yet one more check counselors

and students will do to make sure a suitable schedule has been selected for the senior year.

• Before years end ask a teacher or two in person to write you a letter of recommendation.

• -Find out how many letters are required for college

• Summer school options- you may consider repeating a course to boost your GPA

• NCAA Clearinghouse for Athletes- can talk to Mr. Hill

Send your scores to Khan Academy® https://www.khanacademy.org/sat for personalized practice recommendations

• Practice tests and more:

• 4 official full-length practice tests, plus study and test-taking tips

• Short quizzes:

• 8 diagnostic quizzes to pinpoint your areas for practice

• Interactive practice:

• Thousands of practice questions, video lessons, and hints

• Instant feedback:

• Get constant feedback and progress so you know where you stand

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Essays vary in number and theme. It is likely that your Senior English summer assignment will be to write out one of the essays for a college to which you’re applying.

• Common Application – Students must make an account for access to apply to over 500 US schools and a few abroad via one common application. www.commonapp.org

• Minimizes time spent filling out the same information for different school applications.

• It becomes available the 2nd or 3rd week of August, even if you’re unsure of the school’s you’re applying to you can at least get the basic information filled in, and complete the specific university supplements, afterwards, which most will have.

• Essay prompts may be available earlier.

• Many applications for schools not on the Common App may open in August as well.

• Coalition for College Access http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/

• Alternative to the Common App

• New resource that we are just learning about ourselves

• About 80+ schools – private and public

• Most will be southern schools, and more elite schools

• Access to college and financial resources available to students

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Know the rules of each type of application procedure:

•Early Decision I –An application process in which a commitment is made by the student to the institution that, if admitted, the student will enroll. Only a student who can make a deliberate and well-reasoned first choice decision should apply under an Early Decision plan because the institution will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.

•Early Decision II- Same as ED I just later deadline, and notification date

•Early Action-An application process which permits students to submit an application to an institution of preference and receive a decision during the senior year, well in advance of the normal response dates in the spring. The candidate is not committed to enroll at that particular institution.

•EDI & EA deadlines are very early in the year, talk to your counselor right away to allow them enough time submit supporting documents.

•Rolling - quick turn around on decision as long as all requirements are submitted. No real deadline, until classes are filled.

•Regular Admission

******Some Deadlines for registration are in October so plan ahead. Counselor deadlines will be several weeks earlier than your application deadline to give us enough time to write your letter of recommendation and prepare supporting documents. Your application does not need to be complete when requesting supporting documents from your counselor.

The Senior Year

Applying to college = “8th class” Add in activities and jobs with homework and seniors have a VERY

FULL PLATE – even for the most self-directed students

Seniors keep your parents in the loop, they are here to support you as well.

Seniors are strongly encouraged to come to Senior Night in the fall to learn more details about the application process.

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• Beginning this school year FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1st for students attending college the following fall.

• Senior year FAFSA workshops at W-L in the fall and winter, pay attention to announcements.

• Free FAFSA Completion Workshops beginning in January – hands on help for all students and parents from any high school

• Scholarships have different deadlines, and requirements. Many seniors find that

there is more time after applications are submitted but should still check frequently for earlier deadlines. Naviance has a list of scholarships students can look into, but should also do their own search.

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Many reasons students go to community college first:

• High school GPA is not as strong

• Save money

• Need to stay close to home – family obligations etc

• Not sure if college is the right choice – explore college courses

• Not pursuing a Bachelor Degree

• Pathway is a great program to guide students through the college process during high school.

Once in the program, students get support from the Pathway Counselor and other NOVA faculty

to help students get to the 4-year college of their choice. Applications are typically available in

September and due in November. Nova Counselor is at WL once a week to support student.

Career Certificates – For students who want to learn a specific skill/trade and enter the workforce

right away

Examples: Fitness, Teacher Assistant, International Business, Web Design and Dev,

etc.

Associate Degree- 2 year program transferrable to 4 year college or university, or students may

wish to enter the workforce right after.

Non-Degree seeking options – For students who just want to take a course of interest or to satisfy

employment requirement. Students do not earn a degree or certification.

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Gap-Year – Students take a Gap Year to travel, save money, family obligations, decompress etc.

• Some students apply to college their senior year, get accepted then choose to defer.

• Not for everyone, not all schools allow students to defer

• If math skills are marginal it may not be a good option because of how quickly those skills tend to diminish.

• Planning is important – you want to show colleges that your gap year was

meaningful

• GAP Year Fair – guest speaker and a good place to learn what gap year

opportunities are available – must register

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• Workforce-Students who choose to go the workforce right away.

• Job Corps-students learn a specific trade. Barber, carpenter, electrician, etc. ,while developing social and independent living skills

• Provides assistance in finding a first job

• They go away to one of their training centers, get paid a stipend, 3 meals per day plus room & board.

• The length of the program depends on the field/program they are interested in entering.

• Apprenticeship – structured training program where you learn on-the-job knowledge and technical skills towards a specific trade.

• mentoring and education while earning wages, and receiving benefits

• opportunity to earn college credit, and a degree

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Military-

• Joining the Armed Forces after high school is a choice for some students.

• Long process – you can change your mind anytime before signing the final enlisting contract

• Recruiters come at a minimum once a month from all branches, students interested can schedule an appointment with a recruiter in Mr. Hill’s office.

• They discuss career options and paths that can be pursued in the military.

• Opportunity to serve your country, get paid, study and form a career

• ASVAB AFQT (Armed Forces Qualifying Test) score determines if you are qualified to enlist, and the scores in other areas determine if you are eligible for military occupational specialties and Enlistment Bonuses

• Only small percentage are taken with a GED, higher chance if you get your high school diploma

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