Brentsville District High School

1. Junior Planning Brentsville District High School Class of 2012 "HOME OF THE TIGERS"

2. Brentsville District High School COUNSELING DEPARTMENT “STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND COUNSELORS: A WINNING COMBINATION ”

3. Sunny Davis A – D Tracy Main L-Ri Sara Correll E-K Holly Banner -Ro-Z School Counseling Staff Debra Beasley- Director

4. Post-High SchoolHave a plan!!! • 4-yr college • community college • trade school • apprentice program • military • job force

5. Types of Colleges • Four Year Universities & Colleges • Public Institutions • Private Institutions • Two Year Junior Colleges • Community Colleges

6. Timetable for College Planning • When should we begin the college search? • How do we get started? • Are there helpful resources that may assist us in identifying the right college for me?

7. Meet with your Counselor Do the work Take challenging courses Get Involved Read Don’t’ delay Get the college-bound facts (Math and Foreign Language requirements) Involve your family Look for a mentor Confront personal roadblocks 10 Ways to Jumpstart College Planning

8. Gathering Information • Websites • www.collegeboard.com • www.actstudent.org • www.petersons.com • www.vawizard.org • www.eligibilitycenter.org • Family Connections • Networking • Friends • Parents • College Fairs • College Representatives

9. What do Colleges look for in their applicants? • College Bound Courses • Solid GPA • Standardized Test Scores • Recommendations • Activities • Writing Sample

10. Narrowing Choices • Number of Schools to apply to (3-5) *application fee for each college • Location • Public vs. Private • Big School/Little School • Cost • Programs – academics, athletics, and activities

11. Counseling Department • Request an Official Transcript • Counselor Letter of Recommendation (resume in Family Connections) • Teacher Letter of Recommendation (begin to ask now)! • SAT/ACT scores • Senior year courses • Timeline (10 business days)

12. MARCH - APRIL - MAY - JUNE • Military Academies and ROTC • Athletes must register with NCAA to play sports in Division I and II schools (www.eligibilitycenter.org) • Ask for recommendations from junior year academic teachers (1-2) • Take SAT and/or ACT Tests www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org • Visit colleges, attempt to attend the school’s Open House events

13. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER • Continue college visits • Finalize the colleges you are applying to and make sure you are applying to various levels of difficulty • Review college applications on each school’s website • Set up a calendar for taking tests and meeting application deadlines • Counselors will meet with you Sept/Oct of your Senior year

14. October – February (Senior Year) • Early Decision/Action vs.Regular Decision • Most Early Deadlines are in November and Regular Decision Deadlines are in January/February • Take SAT/ACT at least once during Senior year, find-out if the college will require the SAT II in addition • Attend College Fairs, Senior Planning Night and Financial Aide Nights

15. Community Colleges • Must apply to enroll-request official transcript, no recommendations nor SAT/ACT necessary • Guaranteed admission • Upon enrollment, students must take Math and English placement tests • Has transfer agreements with many 4-yr colleges/universities

16. Trade Schools/Apprentice Programs • For those who may not want/need a college education and who are ready to begin work in a specific area • Can get on the job training (apprenticeship) • Must apply • Various programs • Consider location and costs involved • http://www.apprenticeshipsearch.com

17. Military • Speak with a recruiter • Take the ASVAB at school- (anyone can take it w/o commitment)

18. Financing your Education • Complete the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov )in January of your senior year • Begin to research merit based awards from colleges • Scholarships listed on BDHS website and Family Connections • Check other websites such as www.fastweb.net, www.collegeboard.com, etc. • Be aware of scams!