Important Information for Seniors

1. Class of 2019
Senior Presentation
West Potomac High School
Student Services Team

2. Planning for Life After
High School
• 4-Year Schools
• Bachelors Degree
• Public vs. Private; In-State vs. Out-of-State
• 2-Year Schools
• Associates Degree
• NOVA Pathways
• Career and Technical School
• Career Specific Certifications
(ex. Culinary, Cyber Security, Truck Driving)

3. Planning for Life After
High School (cont.)
• Military
• Enlisting, ROTC, and Service Academies
(Take ASVAB)
• Employment
• Entry Level Careers, Internships etc..
• Apprenticeship
• Classroom Instruction and on the job training
• Gap Year
• Service learning experience or program completed
after high school

4. 87% of WPHS graduates go
onto higher education
(54% go onto four year colleges
and 33% two year colleges).
OP E N IN G O F YEAR EDUCATO R R ALLY
College Success

5. SENIORS!
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
•Want to start out at NOVA and transfer to a four year
university
Applications will be available after September 14
www.nvcc.edu/pathway

6. Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program
 Individual meetings and monthly workshops with
Pathway Counselor on college transition issues,
including choosing a major, 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

7. PATHWAY COUNSELOR
Name: Mrs. Zuaso
Day at West Potomac: Wednesdays
Time available: 8:30 am-3:30pm
Application Due:
TBA

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

9. West Potomac University Checklist
Application
Application Fee
Test Scores
Official High School Transcript
Personal Statement/Essay/Resume
Counselor Letter of Recommendation (if
required)
Teacher Letter of Recommendation (if required)

10. Testing
• SAT and SAT Subject Tests
– www.collegeboard.org
• ACT
– www.actstudent.org
• It’s the student’s responsibility to send all
required test scores.

13. Requesting a Transcript
Step 1: Obtain a Transcript Request Form –
download off the WPHS website or pick up one in
Student Services
Step 2: Fill out the form completely
– Name of school you are applying to
– Application deadline
– How you are applying (ED, EA, RD, Rolling)
– How is the transcript sent?
• Edocs vs. Common App vs. Coalition vs. Mail

14. Edocs vs Common App vs Mail
Naviance Student will tell you how we submit
transcripts to each school.

15. Requesting a Transcript
Step 3: Bring Transcript Request Form to
Counselor to clarify any questions and obtain
signature
Step 4: Bring Transcript Request Form and
Payment (if required) to Transcript Assistant, Ms.
Hofmann. She will provide you with a receipt for
payment (Office Hours M-Th, 8:30-1:30)

16. Letters of Recommendation
(if required)
• Counselor Letter of Recommendation
– Forms needed: Student and Parent/Guardian
Input forms in Senior Handbook
• Teacher Letter of Recommendation
– Ask ahead of time and be sure to write a thank
you note!

17. Resources
• Your counselor!
• Naviance Student
– 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

18. College and Career Center
• Go see Ms. Carter!
• College & Career Center Hours
– Monday - Friday 8:00 am-3:30 pm
– Seniors are welcome to eat lunch in the Center
• College information/Assistance with Admissions Process
• Testing information and study guides
• Scholarship and Financial Aid information
• Computers available for college/career exploration
• College Visits throughout the fall & spring
• Scholarship and Career Center information will be available on our
website
• SAT/ACT Fee Waivers for students on free and reduced lunch

19. Lunch ‘n Learn in the Career Center
Sessions will be on Thursdays
Using Naviance Student to Find the Right Fit
Admissions Application Process
Completing WPHS Transcript Request Form
Common Application Workshop
The Essay - College Essay Workshop
How do I check the Status of my Admissions Application
Navigating College Website
Applying for Financial Aid
Scholarship Information
Cost of Attendance “How do I determine?”
ZeeMee (create a 2-3 minute video)

20. Financial Aid Champion
Katrina Rowsey
khrowsey@fcps.edu
College and Career Center
Lunch Blocks
Starting in October

21. Senior Year - Timeline
• September:
– Register for SAT/ACT tests
– Narrow down choices to 4-6 schools
• Reach, Possible, Likely
• October:
– Prepare applications for Early Action & Decision schools
– College Admissions Representative Visits to WPHS
– Visit Schools
• November/December:
– Keep grades up! 7th Semester issued early February
– Pay attention to application & transcript deadlines

22. Important Upcoming Dates
• September 17-21: Individual Senior Meetings
with Counselors through Government classes
• October 11: Transcript request DEADLINE for
November 1st applications
• October 14: FCPS College Fair 7:30PM @ Fair
Oaks Mall
• October 15: FCPS College Night 7:00PM @
Hayfield Secondary School