The document provides information about the college application process for West Potomac High School students. It outlines the timeline and tasks for each month of the application process, including narrowing down college choices, taking standardized tests, completing applications, requesting transcripts and letters of recommendation, applying for financial aid, and important deadlines. It also provides contacts for school counselors, the financial aid champion, and information about the resources available in the College and Career Center.

2. WPHS
School Counselors

3.  September:
 Sign up for SAT/ACT tests – discuss differences
 Narrow down choices to 4-6 schools
 Complete 4-year plan in Family Connection
 October:
 Be “on the ball” with Early Decision schools
 Work on applications
 College Fair Oct. 20th @ Fair Oaks Mall
 College Night Oct. 21st @ Hayfield Secondary School
 November:
 Be aware of your application & transcript DEADLINES
 December:
 KEEP YOUR GRADES UP!
 Monitor your application & transcript DEADLINES

4.  Identify your reach schools, safety schools, &
good fit
 Money?
 Distance from home?
 Attend College Fair and/or CollegeNight
 Narrow choices down → pick your top
4-6 schools

5. Regina Sanders, Pathway Counselor,
rsanders@nvcc.edu
What are the benefits of attending NOVA?
•Cost
•Flexible schedule
•Living at home
•Earn transfer credits
•Guaranteed admission to state univ.

6. Today, under the guidance of Dr. Robert G. Templin, Jr., NOVA
offers more than 160 associate degree and certificate programs
to more than 75,000 students from 150 countries.
Our Students
NOVA is home to students who come to us from many backgrounds.
Our international student population (20%) represents more than
180 different countries. We serve, first-time, returning, and transfer
students. Our students are full-time and part-time.
Our Faculty
Nearly 900 full-time faculty and administrators and 900 staff
members serve our students. In addition, approximately 2,000 part-
time faculty strengthen our ability to provide more courses and
services.
We have six campuses (Alexandria, Annandale, Woodbridge,
Manassas, Loudon, Medical) and four centers (Arlington,
Reston, Innovation Park, and Extended Learning Institute)
Guaranteed Admission Agreement

7. Benefits in High School Benefits at NOVA
Individual meetings about
college transition, NOVA
application process, and
placement test prep
Continued academic and career
counseling
Assistance with Financial Aid
Process
Guaranteed Admission to George
Mason
Early Placement Testing Pathway Section of SDV100
Priority Registration Opportunities at GMU: classes,
social and athletic events
Who should apply?
Seniors who will
graduate by August
and who want to
earn a Bachelor’s
Degree
For more information contact your:
• Pathway Counselor –Regina
Sanders, rsanders@nvcc.edu. You
can come by the Career Center on
Wednesdays.
• School Counselor

8. Advice from the Experts
 Visit Campus
 Take Advanced Level Courses
 Activities
 Practice Study Skills
 Get on Campus
 Ask Questions
 Be Yourself in the Application Process

10. College Application Process
 Develop and research a list of colleges that
might be good matches for you.
 Study hard and keep up grades.
 Take SAT or ACT in spring of junior year
and fall of senior year.
 Work on activity sheet or résumé.
 Complete transcript request form several
weeks before the deadline of the
applications.

11.  The courses you’ve taken –
 Did you challenge yourself? AP, DE and honors
classes?
 GPA
 SAT/ACT scores
 Essay –
 Did you stay on topic?
 Activities/Experiences
 Recommendation letters
 VA Tech and JMU- 1 letter
 Visits to campus/phone calls –
 They may remember if you show interest!!

12.  Different kinds of
applications:
 Early Decision
(Binding) = 1 school
 Early Action
 Regular
 Rolling
 Deferred
 Apply online
 YOU must have your
official SAT/ACT scores
sent to the colleges from
the testing service
 Have a copy of your
SAT/ACT scores sent to
West Potomac – CEEB
code 470026

13.  Transcript Release Form MUST be signed by your parent AND
completely filled out → Attach form called “Secondary School
Report” (usually part of the application) → Give it to your counselor
 Transcript Release Form can be found in the document library on Family
Connection and on the WPHS website under Student Services
 Indicate the APPLICATION DEADLINE
on the transcript release form –
DO NOT PUT ASAP!!
 First 3 transcripts FREE –
afterwards $5 each

14. Transcript Request Deadlines
College Application Deadline WP Deadline
 November 1 DUE October 11th
 November 15 DUE October 25th
 December 1 DUE November 8th
 December 15 DUE November 22nd
 January 1 DUE November 22nd
 January 15 DUE December 11th
 ANY FEBRUARY DUE January 10th
 ANY MARCH DUE February 8th

16. Financial Aid
Mr. Dale Schmidt, Financial Aid
Champion,
drschmidt@fcps.edu
Available during lunches in the
College and Career Center –
Monday through Thursday
beginning in December

17.  FAFSA
 Cannot be postmarked before January 1
 Based on your 2013 tax return
 www.fafsa.ed.gov
 Must be completed every year
 Financial Aid workshop (winter)
 Scholarships
 Self-nominated
 School nominated
 TAG Grants (Virginia Private Colleges)
 CSS Profile (by College Board)
 Loans

18. Financial Aid
 Start planning now
 Talk about cost of the schools your student is
interested in – include a range of costs on the
list
 Net price calculator
 www.collegeboard.com
 Don’t be afraid of very selective (expensive)
schools – they have a lot of aid

19. Financial Aid
 Think about your family’s resources
 www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov – how much aid
might we be eligible for?
 Search for scholarships:
 Blackboard/Family Connections
 Files in College and Career Center
 www.fastweb.com
 Watch deadlines – they are firm

20. Financial Aid
 Myths
 Athletic scholarships, independent children
 Selective Colleges
 They are all reach schools, academically and
financially
 Great range of financial resources
 Need-blind/need-aware
 Financial packages will not include (as many)
loans

21.  If you want a Counselor Letter of
Recommendation:
 You MUST turn in your Student, Parent & Teacher
Input forms and the activity record
 If you want a Teacher Letter of Recommendation,
you must ask a teacher with at least one month’s
notice. Supply them with an addressed envelope
and stamp to each college or ask them to give the
letter to your counselor to put in the packet from
West Potomac. Be sure to write them a thank you!

22. • College information
•Check out videos and books on
colleges and careers
•Testing information and study
guides
•Scholarship and Financial Aid
information
•Computers available for
college/career access
•Access Family Connection for
college/career search

23.  Sign up for college
reps’ visits to WPHS
 College information
 Videos
 Scattergrams with
data on college
admissions
 College searches
 Search for
Scholarships

24. •ROTC
•ASVAB test – October 7 at 7:30 AM,
sign up in advance in CCC
•Enlisting
•Military Academies
•Recruiters in cafeteria during
lunches

25.  Want to play Division I or Division II sports in college?
 Get all necessary forms from NCAA website:
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
 Give forms to your counselor
 Code 9999

26. Thank you for attending!!!
 There are many pathways to college.
 We are here to help.
 You don’t have to know what you want to do with
your life right now.
 Advocate for yourself and ask for help.
 Check for information in the CCC –
Blackboard/Family Connection, bulletin boards,
morning news, TV screens, and stop by CCC!
 YOU CAN DO THIS!
 **PLEASE FILL OUT THE EVALUATION**