Jamestown High School 2016-2017 School Year

• APPLYING TO COLLEGE • 2 YEAR COLLEGE OPTIONS • MILITARY Jamestown High School VUE Page

 All information for the college process is available on the Counseling Page through the JHS website.  The next slide provides a screen shot of the VUE page with the appropriate links to navigate you through the process.

Step One - Application

 Student completes and submits the application  Electronic application preferred by most colleges  99% of colleges have their applications available on their school website.  Make a copy for your records  Payment by credit card, check, or fee waiver is required at the time you apply More about the application process

 Common Application- www.commonapp.org  Over 500 colleges nationwide use the Common Application, 16 in Virginia participate:  CNU, Emory & Henry, Hampden-Sydney, Hollins University, Marymount University, Randolph College, Randolph-Macon, Roanoke, Sweet Briar College, The College of William & Mary, University of Mary Washington, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, VCU, Virginia Intermont College, Washington and Lee University Step 2 –Submitting Official Test Scores

 Student submits official test scores from the testing agency  ACT – http://www.actstudent.org/scores/send/  SAT & SAT II Subject Tests – http://sat.collegeboard.org/scores/send-sat-scores  Four free scores to colleges of your choice when you register to take the test  If you decide to send scores later, there is an additional fee and process to order online that may take up to a week or longer  Most colleges will not review your application until your scores have been received  Writing section is required for SAT and strongly recommended for the ACT  SAT – 1600 compared to 2400 overall score  Score Choice allows you to choose best scores by test date

Step 3 - Transcripts

 Transcript requests must be submitted to Mrs. Freeman in the counseling office at least 10 working days prior to the deadline.  Transcript request forms are available in the counseling office or on the website. Step 4 -Secondary School Report

 Most schools have a Secondary School Report  Schools that do not use the Common App may have their own Secondary School Report or Counselor Report  Student may need to print and deliver School Report for non-Common App schools to their counselor.  Common Application has a School Report that student completes upper portion and signs electronically – FERPA waiver – you may choose to waive your right to view supporting documents sent by counselors and teachers  Students designate counselor by school e-mail address to complete Common App School Report Secondary School Report/ School Report/Counselor Form Step 5 -Letters of Recommendation

Counselor Letter • The student completes the Counselor Recommendation Form and the parent completes the Parent Brag Sheet • The two forms can be sent electronically to your counselor or printed and hard copy delivered to your counselor • Your counselor will use this information to write a positive letter of recommendation Letters of Recommendation

Teacher Letter/s • Student speaks personally with teacher/s to request a letter of recommendation • Student completes Student Information Form for Teacher Recommendation for each teacher • Teachers write letters in addition to their many other responsibilities – Be appreciative and considerate when making the request • Common Application – you will need to know your teacher’s school e-mail address to invite him or her to submit a letter electronically • [email protected]

National Association for College Admission Counseling Report State of College Admissions What are Colleges Looking for in a Student’s Application?

2009 2010 1. Grades in College Prep Classes (AP, Honors) 87% 83% 2. Rigor/Strength of Curriculum 71% 66% 3. Admissions Test Scores 58% 59% 4. Grades In All Courses 46% 46% 5. Essay 26% 27% 6. Demonstrated Interest 21% 23% 7. Counselor Letter of Recommendation 17% 19% 8. Teacher Letter of Recommendation 17% 19% 9. Class Rank 16% 22% College admissions 10.Interview counselors look 7% 9% 11.Extracurricular Activities heavily to the 9% 8% 12.AP/IB Test Scores student essay! 7% 10%

Based on the ratings by 1500+ 4-year colleges, the key to college admissions is to DO WELL IN CHALLENGING HIGH SCHOOL COURSES! Factors in the Admission Process

While colleges, on average, pay attention to the same types of factors, some colleges pay more attention to some factors than others. College Size •Small colleges—Have a more “holistic” application review process, meaning they pay more attention to all of the facets of your application. •Large colleges—Have a more “mechanical” application review process, meaning numbers (GPA, test scores) play a significant role in determining your initial qualification. In the case of open-admission or near-open admission colleges, that may be the extent of the process. At more selective large colleges, the initial qualification may be followed by a more holistic review of qualified applicants. •Selective colleges—Both large and small selective colleges (meaning that the colleges accept fewer than half of students who apply) have a more “holistic” application review process. GPA & Rank in the admission process

Grades and GPAs About two-thirds of high schools weight their GPAs for students who take college preparatory courses. To account for different grading scales among high schools, more than half of colleges recalculate applicants’ GPAs to standardize them. Class Rank Nearly one-third of high schools do not report class rank information to colleges. Accordingly, colleges have de- emphasized class rank as a factor in the admission decision over the past decade. College Application Essay

 Shapes the admission committee’s impression of the candidate  Allows them to see more than the GPA, lists of courses, extracurricular activities  Most committees are looking for honest insight into a real person and find what is special about him or her  These essays are SHORT – not the typical 5 paragraph essay from English class  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 a topic 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 show your best side  Feel comfortable in expressing anxieties  Tie yourself to the college  Speak positively  Write about your greatest assets and achievements 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 (ex: too witty, too opinionated, too “intellectual”)

 REMEMBER, write a serious essay, from the bottom of your heart, in the most mature manner possible. FAFSA

 FAFSA is available October 1st  Complete early! FAFSA is a first come first serve.  Many schools look to see if you have completed a FAFSA as part of the admissions process.  Although you may not qualify for financial aid, FAFSA completion makes you eligible for scholarships & grants. FAFSA

 www.FAFSA.gov- use this site to create an account  You do NOT need to pay to use the FAFSA site…avoid any site that asks you for payment  It is VERY important to list your school choices when you apply for FAFSA.  FAFSA can be used for both 2 and 4 year colleges 2 Year College Options

 TNCC offers an excellent 2 and 2 program.  Co-Enrollment Program at TNCC: students meet with an academic advisor at TNCC to find out the process for co-enrollment. Student would be co- enrolled with William and Mary. (3.50 High school GPA required)  2 Year colleges offer a variety of Associate’s Degrees  Other 2 year options that are nearby:  Rappahanock Community College  J. Sargeant Reynolds  John Tyler Community College Applying to Community College

 Application Process for TNCC 1. Apply for admission and financial aid (all information is available on the TNCC website or see your counselor) 2. Take a Virginia placement Test 3. Meet with an admission counselor 4. Attend a registration workshop 5. Pay Tuition 6. Purchase textbooks and go to class! Military Options

 Jamestown will be offering an ASVAB in October (date TBD) in the cafeteria.  ASVAB Benefits:  Can provide students a better idea with career interest inventory results.  Test does not mean student is enlisting, just looking at options including ROTC scholarships and Reserves. VACRAO COLLEGE FAIR

October 27th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: TBD College Admission Counselor Panel

 October 27th- 5:15-6:15  This is a chance for parents and students to hear directly about transcripts, the admission process, FAFSA and more straight from the admission counselors.  This is an excellent opportunity to attend! Additional Resources

 Career interest inventories are available in the counseling office resource room.  Check the calendar regularly to see when admissions counselors are scheduled to visit JHS  SAT/ACT registration for fall testing dates- www.collegeboard.org www.actstudent.org  Sign up to attend an Open House  Contact the admissions office with questions- they like to hear from students!