Tuscarora High School Guidance Department

College Information NightCounselors met with seniors during advisory

and were given information needed for the college application process

Every senior will meet with his/her counselor individually

Many of the documents and worksheets discussed tonight are online

THS Guidance >>> “Senior Planning”

The College Selection ProcessIdeally, students should begin their senior

year with three or more colleges in mind

There are many college search tools availableFamily Connection college search function – every

senior has an accountCollegeBoard websiteYou Can Go (ycg.org)

The THS Career Center

Your child’s counselor & career specialist

The College Selection ProcessCollege testing

SAT Reasoning Test (admissions)ACT (admissions)SAT Subject Tests (typically for placement)

Register now!!! The Loudoun test sites fill up quickly

The College Selection Process

College representative visits to THS

There is no substitute for a campus visit as a way to assess a school

Use a worksheet to record your experiences, what you like/dislike, contacts you make, etc.

The College Selection Process - Summary

Use college search programs to help select colleges

Use available resources to further narrow your search

Visit colleges!Take the college entrance exams (SAT and/or

ACT)

Naviance/Family ConnectionsKeep track of the process – Build a resume,

complete on-line surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers

Research colleges – Compare GPA, SAT scores, and other statistics

Sign up for college visits – Find out which colleges are visiting our school and sign up to attend those sessions

Tuscarora High School

Scheduled College Visits College Representative Location Date TimeGeorge Mason University Lauren Wagner Career Center 9/21/2011 10:00 AMRandolph-Macon College Katie Harding Career Center 9/21/2011 11:00 AMUniversity of Rochester Adam Konowe Career Center 9/23/2011 10:00 AMHood College Sarah Lindberg Career Center 9/23/2011 10:00 AMLycoming College Chris Cole Career Center 9/23/2011 12:00 PMSalem College Allison Crooks Career Center 9/26/2011 1:30 PMHigh Point University Joe Cristy Career Center 9/27/2011 10:00 AMJames Madison University Leigh Williams Career Center 9/27/2011 10:00 AMUniversity of Mary Washington Wendy Keene Career Center 9/28/2011 11:30 AMWest Virginia Wesleyan College Steve Brothers-McGrew Career Center 9/28/2011 3:00 PMUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County Jaime Oleksik Career Center 9/29/2011 10:00 AMVirginia Commonwealth University Cara Thompson Career Center 9/29/2011 11:30 AMWest Virginia University Mandy Williams Career Center 9/29/2011 1:30 PMUnited States Air Force SRA Dalrymple Career Center 10/4/2011 12:00 PMUnited States Army SSG Spencer Emert Career Center 10/5/2011 1:00 PMGallaudet University Kristy Career Center 10/6/2011 10:00 AMFlorida Institute of Technology Keith Hudson Career Center 10/11/2011 11:30 AMVirginia Wesleyan College Beth Clarke Career Center 10/13/2011 1:30 PMSaint Leo University Kelly Griffin Career Center 10/13/2011 3:00 PMVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Jill Harris Career Center 10/17/2011 10:00 AMOld Dominion University Harold Williams Career Center 10/17/2011 1:30 PMAlderson-Broaddus College Zach Ward Career Center 10/17/2011 3:00 PMEmory & Henry College Josh Floyd Career Center 10/19/2011 11:30 AMKent State University Kelly Scallion Career Center 10/20/2011 10:00 AMChristopher Newport University Faye Holliday Career Center 10/20/2011 11:30 AMRadford University Robert Maddox Career Center 10/24/2011 11:15 AMSt. Mary's College of Maryland Cristal McDonald Career Center 10/25/2011 11:00 AMBridgewater College Josh Beckel Career Center 10/28/2011 10:00 AMJuniata College Mandy Williams Career Center 11/2/2011 10:00 AM

The Application Process –The Magnificent SevenApplicationEssaySelf-Assessment & Parent ResponseSecondary School ReportTest ScoresTranscriptLetter of Recommendation

The Application

Most applications are submitted electronically over the internet

Print and review before submitting it!Seniors are responsible for completing and

submitting their own applications (not mom & dad!)

Seniors should make copies of all applications they submit

Many colleges use the “Common Application”

The Application

Seniors are responsible for being aware of application deadlinesRegular Admission – traditional deadlineEarly Decision – bindingEarly Action – non-bindingRolling Admission – applications accepted

based on space availability until the institution is “full”

The Essay

Not all colleges require an essayMost essays are submitted electronically

along with the applicationSeniors should make sure they are

understand the essay topicSeniors are advised to print out and review

(with help!) their essays before sending them

The Essay

English teachers are more than happy to help students with essays; some teachers incorporate this into their curriculum

Seniors should save all essays because they may be modified and reused – but be careful

Essay resources –THS library, THS Career Center, public library, book store, internet

The TranscriptSeniors must submit a

Transcript Release Form signed by a parent. Forms can be obtained in guidance

Seniors must submit the form in person to the secretary

We ask that seniors submit transcript requests a minimum of three weeks before the college application deadline

We track the process date and send date – posted on Family Connection

The TranscriptWe include a school profile with every transcriptTranscript requests must be made before

December 1st in order to be sent before winter break

All LCPS student’s are charged $3.00 per transcript

Please only request transcripts to be sent to colleges you are actually applying to

There are no costs for mid-year and end-of-year transcripts

Letters of Recommendation

Counselor LetterIf a senior needs a letter of recommendation

from the counselor, he/she can request it when he/she requests the transcript

Every senior has been provided with a Senior Information Packet to be turned into the counselor

The Senior Information Packet is posted online

Letters of Recommendation

Teacher Letter:If a letter of recommendation is requested from

a teacher, the senior should make the request directly to the teacher and provide the teacher with a postage-paid envelope addressed to the college

Think about who you are asking… they may need more time!

Letters of RecommendationSeniors should allow counselors and

teachers a minimum of three weeks to write a letter

Please only request letters to be sent to schools you are actually applying to

If you send more letters than the college requests, you can’t control which ones they choose to read

Test ScoresSeniors are responsible for determining the tests needed

for the colleges they are applying to SAT Reasoning Test (typically for determining admissions) ACT (typically for determining admissions) SAT Subject Tests (typically used for placement)

Seniors are responsible for having their test scores sent to the colleges they are applying to

Requests are made directly through the CollegeBoard or ACT; THS nor LCPS send test scores

Seniors can request their scores be sent when they take the tests; or they can have their scores sent after the test date by contacting the CollegeBoard or ACT

Secondary School Report (SSR)

Secondary School Reports will be completed by the counselor with every Transcript Request Form!

SSR Form includes:

• GPA• Class rank• Highest GPA in class• Strength of

Curriculum

The Application Process - Summary

Senior submits application electronically to the college

Senior submits the essay electronically to the college (if there is one)

Senior has test scores sent directly to the college by the SAT (CollegeBoard) or the ACT

Senior meets with counselor directly to request a transcript by submitting a Transcript Release Form

Seniors may request letter of recommendation (if needed)

CommunicationStudents and parents can log onto Family

Connection to view transcript send datesWe automatically send mid-year transcripts to

the colleges our students apply to (no cost)Final transcripts are sent to the colleges our

students plan to attend (no cost)The infamous “we didn’t get your transcript”

postcard or email

Some AdviceTraditional advice – Pick three to six colleges:

“Reach” schools“Middle of the road” schools“Safety” schools

Balancing “Going for it!” with “Being realistic”Apply to colleges that are a “good fit”Look at GPAs, test scores, high school courses,

admission rates

Be RealisticLook for the right fitLet your child take ownership of this processStay on top of deadlines (counselor & college)Join your child for campus visitsCommunicate – it is a family decision

Pathway to the Baccalaureate ProgramDesigned for students who:

Are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s (4 year/college) degree

May need assistance with the process and Are interested in starting at NOVA and transferring to

George Mason or another 4 year college/universityWill graduate no later than August of that yearHave a strong desire for academic success

No minimum GPA is required to apply

Pathway to the Baccalaureate ProgramPathway Benefits in High School

Individual meetings with Pathway counselors in the high schools (meet about college transition issues, major/career planning, etc.)

Workshops on the application process Preparation for placement testsAssistance with financial planning – including help

with applying for financial aid, scholarships and NOVA payment plan

Early placement testing and priority course registration

Pathway to the Baccalaureate ProgramPathway benefits at NOVA

Continued academic and career counseling by a Pathway counselor

Pathway Counselor now also at GMUGuaranteed admission agreements between NOVA and

VA State institutions; special Pathway agreement with George Mason Univ. with necessary GPA and NOVA AA/AS degree

Special Pathway sections of your college success skills course

Regular academic and social activities and early access to activities and athletic events at GMU

Pathway to the Baccalaureate ProgramImportant points:

Applying for and participating in the Pathway program does not bind you to NOVA – you can still apply/go to a 4 year school

Pathway students can transfer to ANY 4 year school, does not have to be GMU

You can still go to NOVA and take advantage of the GAAs without being a Pathway student

NOVA application and the Pathway application are different

Pathway to the Baccalaureate ProgramWhat do I do now?

Obtain and fill out a Pathway application Return the application to your guidance

counselor by November 18th, 2011Acceptance decisions will be mailed out prior

to winter breakSee Mrs. Schumann or your counselor with

questions – I will be at your school every other week starting the end of October