Transcript College Application Procedures at Briar Woods High School

Seniors:
Planning for Life After High School!
Agenda
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Options for Life After High School - Review
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The College Application & Briar Woods
High School Procedures
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Advice & Information
Materials
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NACAC Guide
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An “Electronic-Index” will be emailed to you
– Links to forms and resources
BWHS Website
– “College & Career Guidance” Page
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Let your counselor know if you need hard-copies
BWHS COLLEGE INFORMATION ELECTRONIC INDEX - SENIORS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Profile: This document lists data including, but not limited to, LCPS grading scales, BWHS contact
information, course level descriptions, and AP program overview.
Information for College Applications: This document lists several important pieces of information that you
will probably need for your college applications.
REQUIRED FORMS
Transcript Release Form: Use this form to have your transcript sent to colleges, universities, and
scholarship programs. Students are charged $3.00 per request.
Senior Information Packet: Complete this packet and provide to your guidance counselor. It will help
them write your letter of recommendation.
HELPFUL WORKSHEETS & RESOURCES
College Application Checklist : Use a checklist for each college you apply to. This will help you keep
track of all the different pieces of your application.
College Visit Worksheet: Use this worksheet to keep track of what you like and dislike about every
college you visit. If you don't use a worksheet like this, you will get details about each of the colleges you
visit mixed up. Trust us!
College Essay: Use this resource to help you write your essays.
College Interviews: Use this resource to help prepare for interviews.
Sample Resume: Use these templates to help you create a resume to highlight your accomplishments.
College Application Calendar: Use this CollegeBoard resource to help stay on track during your senior
year.
Questions to ask College Representatives: Going to the college fair or visiting a college? Don't know
what to ask college reps? Use these questions to help you get the most out of your visit.
Financial Aid Primer: Basic overview of financial aid. What it is and where to get it.
Virginia Colleges & Universities: Helpful lists, links, and maps of Virginia Colleges and Universities.
TESTING INFORMATION
SAT and ACT information and dates.
SAT and ACT Concordance Table: Compare the scores between these two tests.
SAT Last Minute Tips: Review these tips to help you perform at your best on test day!
Options for Life After High School
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Trade-schools/Apprenticeships
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Military
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Community College
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4-Year College or University
College Degrees
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College Degrees
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Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically
earned at a community college or a junior college)
Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree
Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years after
earning a bachelors
Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD,
JD, MD, DC
Community College
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Community College
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Certificate programs
2-Year Associates Degree
First year or two of a 4-Year Bachelors degree
Community College
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Benefits of community college
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NOVA is one of the best community colleges in
the country
Relatively inexpensive
Close to home
A “small step” into higher education
Usually “open” admissions
Community College
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NOVA’s Guaranteed Admissions (incomplete
list)
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Christopher Newport University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
James Madison University
Liberty University
Longwood University
Community College
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NOVA’s Guaranteed Admissions (incomplete
list)
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Marymount University
Norfolk State University
Old Dominion University
Radford University
University of Mary Washington
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
Community College
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Pathways Program – Apply in November
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Start at NOVA
Transition to a 4-year university
Individual meetings with NOVA Pathways
counselors
Assistance applying for financial aid
Early placement testing and priority course
registration
No minimum GPA required to apply
College Visits at BWHS
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College representative visits to BWHS
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Sign-up in the Career Center or electronically
using Family Connection
Limit visits to 5
Avoid missing the same class twice
Your teacher is not obligated to release you from
class
There is no substitute for a campus visit as a
way to assess a school
College Admissions Testing
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College testing
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SAT Reasoning Test (admissions)
ACT (admissions)
SAT Subject Tests (typically for placement)
Register now!!! The Loudoun test sites fill up
quickly
CollegeBoard SAT Course Online
The Application “Folder”
–The Magnificent Seven
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Application
Essay
Student Resume
Secondary School Report
Test Scores
Transcript
Letter/s of Recommendation
The Application
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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
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Seniors are responsible for being aware of
application deadlines (see NACAC Guide)
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Regular Admission – traditional deadline
Early Decision – binding
Early Action – non-binding
Rolling Admission – applications accepted based
on space availability until the institution is “full”
The Application “Folder”
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Application
Essay
Student Resume
Secondary School Report
Test Scores
Transcript
Letter/s of Recommendation
The Essay
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Not all colleges require an essay
Most essays are submitted electronically
along with the application
Seniors should make sure they are
understand the essay topic
Seniors are advised to print out and review
(with help!) their essays before sending them
The Essay
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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 – BWHS library, BWHS
Career Center, public library, book store,
internet
The Application “Folder”
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Application
Essay
Student Resume
Secondary School Report
Test Scores
Transcript
Letter/s of Recommendation
Student Resume
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Many colleges accept student resumes
Resumes are usually sent to the college
electronically along with the application and
essay
Resumes can highlight your accomplishment
both in and outside of school
An effective resume is EASY TO READ!
Student Resume
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Use resume templates and samples to
format your own
Information on resumes must be 100%
accurate
Use email, Facebook, MySpace, etc.
appropriately (if you wouldn’t put it on a
resume…)
The Application “Folder”
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Application
Essay
Student Resume
Secondary School Report
Test Scores
Transcript
Letter/s of Recommendation
Secondary School Report
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Some colleges provide the student with a
Secondary School Report form for the
counselor to complete and send in
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We will send a comprehensive “universal”
Secondary School Report for all students
The Application “Folder”
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Application
Essay
Student Resume
Secondary School Report
Test Scores
Transcript
Letter/s of Recommendation
Test Scores
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Seniors 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)
Test Scores
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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; BWHS 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 (for a
fee)
The Application “Folder”
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Application
Essay
Student Resume
Secondary School Report
Test Scores
Transcript
Letter/s of Recommendation
The Transcript
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Seniors must submit a Transcript Release
Form signed by a parent. Forms can be
obtained in guidance and are online
Seniors must submit the form in person to
the counselor (along with the Secondary
School Report if required)
BRIAR WOODS HIGH SCHOOL
REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPTS TO BE SENT TO A COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY OR PROGRAM
I hereby request that a transcript of the scholastic records of
Student’s Name
be sent to the following college/university or program:
College/University or Program
Address
Deadline
Date of
Request
Date
Processed
Type of Admissions (please check one):
____Regular Decision
____Early Decision
____Early Action
____Rolling
Have you submitted an application to this college/university or program?
___ Yes
___ No
Does this college/university require a counselor Letter of Recommendation?
If so, have you completed a Senior Information Packet?
___ Yes
___ Yes
___ No
___ No
Have you attached $3.00 for this request?
___ Yes
___ No
Scores on the SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement Exams are sent directly from the College
Board or ACT at the request of the student. Briar Woods does not send test scores.
Please allow 2 weeks to process your transcript request.
Student’s Name — PRINT or TYPE
Student’s Signature
Parent’s Name — PRINT or TYPE
Parent’s Signature
The Transcript
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We ask that seniors submit transcript
requests a minimum of two weeks before the
college application deadline (last year we
sent over 3000 transcripts)
We track the process date and send date –
posted on Family Connection
The Transcript
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We include a school profile with transcript
Transcript 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
The Transcript
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Please only request transcripts to be sent to
colleges you are actually applying to
There are no costs for mid-year and end-ofyear transcripts
The Transcript
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In November, LCPS plans to move from
mailing hard-copy transcripts, profiles, and
counselor letters of recommendation to using
a service called National Transcript Center
No cost to student and parents
Faster for colleges
Increased “tracking” abilities for high schools
The Application “Folder”
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Application
Essay
Student Resume
Secondary School Report
Test Scores
Transcript
Letter/s of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation
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Counselor Letter
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If a senior needs a letter of recommendation from
the counselor, he/she can request it when he/she
requests the transcript
Every senior will be provided with a Senior
Information Packet to be turned into the
counselor
The Senior Information Packet is posted online
and contains a parent “brag” section
The counselor will “send” the letter with the
transcript
Letters of Recommendation
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Teacher Letter:
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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 Recommendation
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Seniors should allow counselors and
teachers a minimum of two 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
The Application “Folder” - Summary
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Senior submits application electronically to the college
Senior submits the essay electronically to the college (if there
is one)
Senior may submit the resume electronically to the college
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Senior has test scores sent directly to the college by the SAT
(CollegeBoard) or the ACT
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Senior meets with counselor directly to request a transcript by
submitting a Transcript Release Form
Senior may submit Secondary School Report (if provided by
the college) when they meet with the counselor
Senior may request letter of recommendation (if needed) from
their counselor and/or teachers
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Keeping Sane!!!
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Complete one college application “folder” at
a time
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Trying to work on several applications at
once = confusion for all!
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Use a checklist for each application
College Application Checklist
College: ________________________________________
Application Due Date: _____________________________
Check
When
Complete
Task
I have completed the online
application
I have completed the essay (if
necessary)
I have provided my counselor
with the secondary school report
form (if the college provides one)
I have requested that my SAT or
ACT send my scores to the
college
I have completed and turned in a
transcript release form to my
counselor – in person
I have requested a letter of
recommendation from:
Date
Completed
Keeping Sane!!!
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Complete applications one at a time
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One by Halloween
One by Thanksgiving
The rest by Winter Break
Pay attention to deadlines!
Interviews
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Some colleges interview applicants
Process, procedures, and guidelines vary
Communication/Follow-Up
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Students and parents can log onto Family
Connection to view transcript send dates
We 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 Advice
HAVE
FUN!
Upcoming Dates
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Senior presentations – This week
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Senior/counselor meetings begin next week
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LCPS College Fair – September 25 at 4:00pm5:30pm & 6:30pm-8:00pm, SBHS
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Junior College Information Night – October 18 at
7:00pm
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Financial Aid Night – December, date TBA
HAVE A GREAT SENIOR YEAR!!