Senior Parent Information Night

1. Senior Parent Information Night LHS Counseling department Fall 2017

3. FAFSA/Financial Aid Information • FAFSA opens on Sunday, Oct. 1!

4. WJCC Graduation Requirements (28 credits required for both diploma types) Standard Diploma Advanced Diploma 4 English 4 Social Studies 4 Math 4 Science 2 Health/PE 1 Fine Art 3 World Language or 2 years of 2 1 Econ/Personal Finance 1 CTE 4 Electives 9 SOLs • 4 English • 4 Social Studies • 3 Math • 3 Science • 2 Health/PE • 1 Fine Art • 1 World Language • 1 Econ/Personal Finance • 1 CTE • 8 Electives • 6 SOLs

5. Lafayette High School Counseling Page • Lots of information posted on our website, including transcript requests, how to make an appointment to see your counselor, and the counselor recommendation form. • Visit www.wjccschools.org/lhs/counseling for more details!

6. Post-Secondary Options • Work-force • Military • Community College (2X2) • Ex: TNCC for 2 years, transfer to 4-year university; see www.tncc.edu/transfer for more details. • 4-year University

7. College Visits • All juniors and seniors are invited to attend our college visits. • Click on the slide on the LHS homepage to sign up for a visit – we will send you a pass during class. • Get your name out there – the more these schools know you, the more invested they think you are!

8. College Applications – What do schools look for? • According to NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), schools look for these things first: • Grade/GPA • Strength of schedule/high school curriculum • Test scores (SAT/ACT) • Next, they look for this: • Essay • Student's intended major/interest • Counselor/teacher recommendations • Extracurricular activities • Class rank

9. SAT vs. ACT • SAT • Reading, Writing & Language, Math, Essay (optional) • 3 hours (without essay); 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay) • 5 Reading Passages • Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Data Analysis • Scored on a scale of 400-1600 • ACT • English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, Essay (optional) • 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay); 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay) • 4 Reading Passages • 1 Science section testing your critical thinking skills • Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Trigonometry • Scored on a scale of 1-36

10. Make sure you know if your school has Regular Decision, Rolling Admissions, Early Action, Early Decision, or Restrictive Early Action

11. Step One: Apply • Students will complete and submit their application – this is usually done online. • Several schools use the Common Application (www.commonapp.org), but many will want you to apply directly through their websites (for example, JMU and VA Tech are NOT on the Common App). • Payment by credit card or fee waiver are required at the time of submission. • See your school counselor if you qualify for a fee waiver.

12. Step Two: Submitting Official Test Scores • It is the student's responsibility to submit ACT or SAT scores. • ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/students/scores • SAT: http://sat.collegeboard.org/scores/send-sat-scores • Four free scores go to colleges of your choice when you register for the SAT test. • If you decide to send scores later, there may be an additional fee and it may take longer for your school to receive your scores. • Note: some colleges will not review your application until your scores have been sent. • If you are applying to a test-optional school, make sure you meet the other requirements laid out by the college.

13. Step Three: Transcripts • Students must complete the online Transcript Request Form – this must be done for each school (ex: if you are applying to five schools, you must fill out this form five times, one for each school).  Here is the link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=KaBjthioUka9BdpP0bA5Ci2O3XuPqBpPnSzDCMLBWGJUOUhIWEE1SUlHN04zQVNMM0NXWjI5UkVBMi4u • Transcript requests must be submitted at least 10 working days before the application deadline. • Students can obtain an unofficial transcript from Mrs. Lightfoot or their counselor. • Please see Mrs. Lightfoot in the Counseling Office if you have any questions. She can also be reached at yuris.lightfoot@wjccschools.org. • OPT-OUT form – Virginia requires that all SAT/ACT scores be posted on the student's transcript.  If you wish to opt-out of this requirement, please see Mrs. Lightfoot or your child's counselor for the opt-out form.  We will also post a copy to the LHS Counseling website. See the following website for more details: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2009/101-09a.pdf.

14. Step Four: Secondary School Report • Most schools require your counselors to submit a Secondary School Report. • Schools that do not use Common App will have their own Secondary School Report or Counselor Report that your counselor is required to submit. • Students may need to print and deliver the Secondary School Report to their counselor. • Common App has its own School Report that the student will complete and sign electronically • FERPA waiver: you may choose to waive your right to view documents submitted by counselors and teachers. • Students must invite their counselor and teacher recommenders to their Common App so their recommendation letters can be uploaded.

16. Step Five: Letters of Recommendation • Counselor Letter • The student must complete the Counselor Recommendation Form.  This can be found in the Counseling Office or online at https://wjccschools.org/lhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/09/Student-Recommendation-Form.pdf • Your counselor will use this information to write a positive, insightful letter of recommendation. • Please give your counselor at least two weeks' notice that you will need a recommendation letter. • For the Common App, you will need your counselor's email address: • Mrs. Pottle: leigh.pottle@wjccschools.org • Mr. Marrow: quincy.marrow@wjccschools.org • Mrs. Hart: suzanne.hart@wjccschools.org • Mr. Moore: patrick.moore@wjccschools.org

17. Step Five: Letters of Recommendation • Teacher Letters • Students speak personally with teacher(s) to request a letter of recommendation. • Teachers write letters in addition to their many responsibilities – please give them at least two weeks notice to write your letter. • Common App – you will need to know the teacher's email address so you can invite them to upload your recommendation letter electronically.

18. The College Application Essay • Shapes the admission committee's impression of the candidate • Allows them to see more than the GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities • Most committees are looking for honest insight into a real person in order to find out what is special about him/her. • These essays are SHORT – not your typical 5 paragraph essay. • Hook your reader early – dive in rather than ease the reader in slowly with an introductory paragraph. • Essays should be in-depth, make the student stand out, and show the student's passion. • There is no "bad" topic...only "bad" approaches to the topic.

19. The College Application Essay • Tips to Remember • DO: • Start early, leaving plenty of time for revisions • Read the directions carefully • Tell the truth about yourself • Focus on an aspect that will showcase your best side • Feel comfortable in expressing anxieties • Tie yourself to a college • Speak positively • Write about your greatest assets and achievements

20. The College Application Essay • DON'T: • Repeat information found elsewhere in your application • Write on general, impersonal topics • Use the personal statement to excuse your shortcomings • Use clichés • Go to extremes (too witty, too opinionated, too humorous, etc.) • REMEMBER, write a serious essay, from the bottom of your heart, in the most mature manner possible.

21. Scholarships • All available scholarships received by the Counseling Office will be posted on the Scholarship bulletin board in the Upper Commons. • Scholarships can also be found on the Counseling website: https://wjccschools.org/lhs/counseling/scholarship-opportunities/ • Scholarship opportunities may also be posted on the Counseling Twitter page: @LHSCounselorsVA • Counselors will also meet with students individually about scholarships that may be of interest to them.

22. Upcoming Events • Parent Conference Night: Tuesday, October 17 – all counselors will be available to assist with college and scholarship applications. • College & Career Fair: Thursday, October 26, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Warhill High School • ASVAB: November 3

23. Questions? If you would like to sign up for your child's senior meeting, please see your child's counselor.