Junior Night Class of 2016

West Potomac High School Student ServicesJanuary 7, 2015

Student Services Team

Mr. Johnson (A – Bel)

Mr. Moore (Bem – Cl)

Ms. Cave (Cm – Fi)

Ms. Veenstra (Fj – Ho)

Ms. Nyamweya (Hp – Li)

Ms. Rosenberg (Lj – M)

Ms. Watlington (N – Ric)

Ms. Turner (Rid – St)

Ms. Jefferson-Dixon (Su – Z)

Ms. Stewart – College & CareerCenter

Kevin McMahon - Director

Tonight’s Agenda

• Graduation Requirements

• College Admissions Process

• SAT and ACT

• Career Information• 15 minute Break-out Sessions: Choose to attend 3 out of 5

- College and Career Center Room 332

- Student Services Room 504

- Pathway/NOVA Room 506

-Financial Aid Room 507

- Exploring Post-Secondary Options

for Student’s with Disabilities Room 508

June 2016 - Graduation

• Before we plan for after…

• Review graduation requirements

Standard Diploma Credit & SOL Requirements

• 4 English

• 3 Math

• 3 Science

• 4 Social Studies

• 2 Health/PE

• 2 Fine Arts/World Language or CTE

• 1 Econ & Personal Finance

• 3 Electives– 2 sequential electives

6 SOL Tests:

• 2 English

• 1 Math

• 1 Science

• 1 Social Studies

• 1 Other

Advanced Studies Diploma Credit & SOL Requirements

• 4 English

• 4 Math

• 4 Science

• 4 Social Studies

• 3 World Language (or 2/2)

• 2 Health/PE

• 1 Fine Art/CTE

• 1 Econ & Personal Finance

• 3 Electives

9 SOL Tests:

• 2 English

• 2 Math

• 2 Science

• 2 Social Studies

• 1 Other

Tonight’s Conversation

• Attending four-year colleges/universities 56%

• Attending two-year colleges 33%

• Military 3%

• Employment 4%

• Other 4%

West Potomac Class of 2014

What should you look for in your search?

• Academic Programs /

Majors

• Size

• Location

• Setting

• Type of School

• Student Life

• Academic Reputation

• Special Programs

– Study abroad

– ESOL

– ROTC

• Cost

• Financial Aid

What do colleges look for?

1. Grades in College Prep/Core Courses

2. Strength of Curriculum

3. Admissions Test Scores (SAT/ACT)

4. Grades in All Courses

5. Essay

6. Class Rank (n/a for FCPS applicants)

7. Counselor Recommendation

8. Demonstrated Interest

9. Teacher Recommendation

10. Interview

SAT & ACTSAT Reasoning Test

•Three hour and 45 minutes test•Three sections with a maximum score of 2400•Critical Reading (200-800)•Math (200–800)•Writing

•Multiple Choice (200-800)•Essay (2-12)

ACT with Writing•Achievement test more closely tied to high school curriculum•English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning •3 hour test•Composite score (1-36) is an average of the 4 sub-scores

TOEFL•Test for students who are not native English speakers• Especially important for those who don’t score well on

SAT reading/writing •Test is completely online•Register on TOEFL web site

Test Prep Opportunity via PTSA

Which test should my student

take?

• Most colleges accept either SAT or ACT

• We encourage students to take both tests

• Check requirements of individual schools

• Differences between SAT and ACT tests

– Measure different skills

– Students may perform better on one test than the other

• Consider a “Mock Test” through PTSA/Applerouthpartnership

SAT Subject Test

• Some schools will require Subject tests

• Test knowledge of particular academic

discipline (history, math, sciences, etc…)

• Scores used for placement in classes and sometimes for admissions

• Take immediately after the course in high school (US History in spring)

COLLEGE ISN’T THE ONLY OPTION…

• Apprenticeship

• Career and Technical Education

• Full–Time Employment

• Military

Resources

• Do the “Career Interest Profiler” survey in Family

Connection

• Build a resume

• Research occupations

• Practice interviewing

• Job Shadowing

• Attend job fairs

• Visit the Job Center at the South County Government

Building

Military Academies or ROTC Path

• Request pre-candidate application for each service

academy or ROTC this spring

• Recruiters advise to take both SAT and ACT

• Visit the service academy in the summer (some

have great summer programs)

• Get in top physical shape

Military Service and ROTC Night is March 18, 2015 at

Hayfield Secondary School

Military Service

• Take the ASVAB- March 18, 2015

– Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

– Administered at WPHS

– Register in Career Center

• Talk to a recruiter

• Earn money for college

• Provides classroom and on-the-job training

What’s Next…

How to get started with post-secondary plans….

• Conversations at home

• Develop and research a list of colleges that might be

good matches

• Utilize Spring/Summer break to visit colleges and job

shadow

• Start applications early – Many available in August

• Sign up for SAT and ACT

SAVE THE DATES…

• Week of January 12 – School Counselor Presentations with Juniors

• January 12 – 6:30pm - WPHS PTSA Meeting – to include a brief

overview of Academic Advising 2015

• January 13 - 7pm - Little Known Secrets of Paying for College –

Springbank Auditorium

• January 26 – 6pm - Academic Advising Presentation/Curriculum and

Advanced Academics Overview/Electives Open House

• January 29 – Last day of 2nd quarter – Early Release

• February 4 – Student Electives Fair - During school day

• February 9-17 – Academic Advising Meetings with School Counselors

Let’s Go to…

Breakout Sessions

• 7:05-7:20pm – Session 1 _________________________

• 7:25-7:40pm – Session 2 _________________________

• 7:45-8:00pm – Session 3 _________________________

• Breakout Session Options– Utilizing WPHS College and Career Center Room 332

– Understanding Family Connection as a resource Room 504

– What is the NOVA Pathways program? Room 506

– Tips in starting your search for Financial Aid Room 507

– Exploring Post-Secondary Options Room 508

for Students with Disabilities

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