This document summarizes a presentation for high school students on preparing for and applying to college. It includes an overview of the college search and application process, factors colleges consider, types of applications and admissions decisions. It also provides resources and timelines for applying, including details about the NOVA Pathways program which guarantees admission to 4-year universities after completing an associate's degree.

1. Classes of 2015 and 2016
College Information Night
West Potomac High School
Student Services Team
September 17, 2014

2. Presentation Will Include
 The College Search
What Colleges Look For
Types of Application/Admission
The Role of Student Services – What We
Need & What We Provide
What to Be Doing this Fall
NVCC Pathways
Financial Aid - A Preview

3. Choosing a College
Common Criteria
• Size of Student Body
• Location
• Academic Programs
• Campus Life
• Cost
• Diversity
• Retention and
Graduation Rates

4. How Colleges Read Applications
“Data-Driven” Read
• The focus is on
quantitative pieces of
the application – i.e. the
number of Honors/AP
courses, overall GPA,
core GPA, SAT/ACT
scores
“Whole” Read
• This includes a focus on
the qualitative pieces of
information within the
application – i.e.
recommendations,
essays, activities, and
awards. This is in
addition to the data.

5. Know What Matters
Rank from 1 – 12 the importance of the following components of
college applications to the people who read them!
Admissions Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Grades in All Courses
Counselor Recommendation
Essay
Teacher Recommendation
Class Rank
Grades in College Prep/Core Courses
Applicant’s Demonstrated Interest
AP/IB Test Scores
Extracurricular Activities
Interview
Strength of Curriculum

6. Know What Matters
How Did you Do?
1. Grades in College Prep/Core Courses
2. Strength of Curriculum
3. Admissions Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
4. Grades in All Courses
5. Essay
6. Class Rank (n/a for FCPS applicants)
7. Counselor Recommendation
8. Demonstrated Interest
9. Teacher Recommendation
10. Interview

7. Testing
• SAT and SAT Subject Tests
– www.collegeboard.org
• ACT
– www.actstudent.org
• Students must report their scores to colleges
to which they apply.

8. Types of Applications & Decisions
• Methods of Applying:
– Early Decision (Binding) = 1 school
– Early Action (Non-Binding)
– Regular
– Rolling
• Early Applications may be:
– Accepted, Denied, or Deferred to General
Admission Applicant Pool

9. Student Services Team
Michael Johnson (A – Bel)
Anthony Moore (Bem – Cl)
Desiree Cave (Cm – Fi)
Margaret Veenstra (Fj – Ho)
Sophia Nyamweya (Hp – Li)
Randi Rosenberg (Lj – M)
Kazue Watlington (N – Ric)
Madelyn Turner (Rid – St)
Charlette Jefferson-Dixon (Su – Z)
Kellie Stewart – College & Career
Center
Kevin McMahon - Director

10. Student Services Forms
• NEW Transcript Request Form
– Fill out completely and turn in to Transcript
Assistant (Ms. Galeota) in Student Services
– Due at least three weeks before the application
deadline!
– Transcript Fees
– Transcript Assistant Hours:
• Monday and Tuesday 7:30am-4:00pm
• Wednesday 11:00am-4:00pm
• Secondary School Report

11. Letters of Recommendation
• Counselor Letter of Recommendation
– Forms needed: Student, Parent & Teacher Input
forms and the Activity Record
• Teacher Letter of Recommendation
– Supply teacher with an addressed envelope and
stamp to each college. Ask ahead of time and be
sure to write them a thank you!
– Exceptions: JMU and Virginia Tech

12. Resources
• Your counselor!
• Family Connections
– Sign up for college visits at WPHS
– College information
– Videos
– Scattergrams with data on college
admissions
– College searches
– Search for Scholarships
• College and Career Center

13. Scattergram

14. College and Career Center
• Welcome to Ms. Stewart!
• College & Career Center Hours
– Monday & Thursday 8:00 am-3:30 pm
– Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 7:15 am-2:45 pm
– Seniors are welcome to eat lunch in the Center beginning Sept 22nd
• College information
• Testing information and study guides
• Scholarship and Financial Aid information
• Computers available for college/career exploration
• College Visits throughout the fall & spring
• Scholarship Bulletins and Career Center Newsletter will be sent via
email and will be available on our web site

15. Senior Year - Timeline
• September:
– Register for SAT/ACT tests
– Narrow down choices to 4-6 schools
– Complete 4-year plan in Family Connection
• October:
– Be “on the ball” with Early Decision schools
– College Admissions Representative Visits to WPHS
– College Fair: Sunday, October 19th @ Fair Oaks Mall
– College Night: Monday, October 20th @ Hayfield Secondary School
• November/December:
– Keep grades up!
– Heed application & transcript deadlines

16. PATHWAY TO THE BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM
could be a Great Idea for you if you are:
•Thinking about college but are confused about the process
•Interested in Guaranteed Admission to participating Virginia
colleges, including George Mason University
•Planning to complete a Bachelor’s Degree
•Thinking about starting out at NOVA and transferring to a four
year university
See your Counselor for an application TODAY!!!
www.nvcc.edu/pathway

17. Pathway to the Baccalaureate
Program
PATHWAY BENEFITS IN HIGH SCHOOL:
 Individual meetings with Pathway Counselors on
college transition issues, including choosing a major
and a career workshops on the application process and
preparation for placement tests
 Assistance applying for and processing financial aid,
scholarships, and NOVA payment plan
 Early placement testing and priority course
registration for your first semester at NOVA
 Pathway activities/events at NOVA and George Mason
University

18. Pathway to the Baccalaureate
Program
PATHWAY BENEFITS AT NOVA
 Continued academic and career counseling by a Pathway
Counselor
 Guaranteed admission to George Mason University for
participants who satisfy Pathway Program GAA requirements
(This means if you meet all requirements between NOVA and
the 4 year school you want to go to you can be guaranteed to be
admitted to that 4 year school after NOVA)
 Special Pathway sections of your College Success Skills classes
 The opportunity in your second year to enroll in classes at
George Mason regular academic and social activities and early
access to activities and athletic events at George Mason
University

19. Additional Information
 Applying for and participating in the Pathway program
does not bind you to NOVA – you can still apply/go to a
4 year school
 NOVA application and the Pathway to the Baccalaureate
application are different.
 Pathway students can transfer to ANY 4 year school,
does not have to be George Mason
 Applications are due November 7, 2014

20. PATHWAY COUNSELOR
 Name: Ms. Sanders
 Day at West Potomac: Wednesdays
 Time available: 7:30 am-2:30pm

21. Financial Aid
• Mr. Dale Schmidt, Financial Aid Champion
– drschmidt@fcps.edu
• Available during lunches in the College and
Career Center – beginning in December

23. Begins at 7:00 p.m.