Class of 2015

1. Class of 2015 To Graduation and Beyond

2. Senior Activities

3. Upcoming Events • Wednesday Oct. 15thNational Museum of the Marine Corps (through government classes) • Monday Oct. 27thGraduation Fair Last Name A-L • Wednesday Oct. 29th Graduation Fair Last Name M-Z • Fair to include Herff Jones: Vendor for cap and gown, graduation announcements and other memorabilia orders • Oct. 27th – Senior picture during flex period (wear senior t-shirts or wear red) • Spring senior trip is in the planning (Amusement Park options – Hershey Park, etc.) • Updated calendar and information on Class of 2015 school fusion webpage • Graduation Date, TBD, will be held at Jiffy Lube Live

4. Senior Dues • $25 • To cover senior activities for the year: ice cream/popcorn socials, end-of-year senior picnic, graduation items (programs, senior gift for graduates, etc.) • Submit by Oct. 31st, free senior t-shirt! *Dues can be collected at the Graduation Fair (Oct. 27th and 29th) or submitted to Ms. Gellios (math department or Ms. Wisniewski (world languagesdepartment)

5. Presentation Agenda • Graduation Requirements • Career Options • College Admissions • College Application Process • NCAA • Financial Aid • Working with your Counselor

6. Standard Diploma (22) English 4 Math 3 Science 3 Social Studies 3 PE 2 Seq. Electives 2 Fine/Prac Art 1 Econ/Finance 1 Other Electives 3 Advanced Diploma (26) English 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social Studies 4 PE 2 Foreign Lang 3 or 2/2 Fine/Prac Art 1 Econ/Finance 1 Other Electives 3 Graduation Requirements

7. Standard Diploma English 2 Math 1 Science 1 Social Studies 1 Student Choice 1 Total 6 Advanced Diploma English 2 Math 2 Science 2 Social Studies 2 Student Choice 1 Total 9 SOL Requirements

8. Beyond High School Having a plan What How Where It’s not just college vs. not college. You have lots of options!

10. Career Exploration Family Connection Virginia Wizard www.vawizard.org Virginia View www.virginiaview.org ASVAB: December 10th @ PHS

11. Education outside 4-yr Schools • On-the-job training • Certificate through an apprenticeship program • Military Enlistment • Certificate from a technical school or community college • AA degree from a community college • Any combination of the above programs

12. Joining the Military Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Service academies, ROTC • Combines training, employment and service to the country. • Earning a college degree and enlisting in the military are not mutually exclusive. • Enlisting in the military can help pay for college. • Recruiters are available to speak with students during lunch shifts. Each branch visits about every other week.

13. Community College Options • AA degree from a community college, Transfer to four year degree program. Articulation agreements between NVCC and VA schools. http://www.myfuture.vccs.edu/Transfer • Community colleges have open enrollment but incoming students must pass placement tests to enroll in college-level courses.

14. Do I need an Advanced Diploma to get into college? • Colleges primarily consider grades and the rigor of the curriculum. • The Advanced Diploma requires that students take a fourth year of Math, Science, and Social Studies as well as a Foreign Language to match the admissions standards of most colleges. • Students who have not met all of the requirements for the Advanced Diploma but still have strong grades in rigorous classes will be competitive in the college application process.

15. Choosing the Right School • Majors/Programs Offered • Size • Setting • Distance from home • Activities/Athletics • Cost • VISIT THE CAMPUS!

16. What are the colleges looking for? • Rigor of the classes • Grades • ACT/SAT scores • Essays • School/Community activities • Letters of recommendation

17. College Admissions Tests • ACT: English, Reading, Math, Science, Writing optional • SAT: Critical Reading, Math, Writing • SAT II: Subject areas Not required by all colleges

18. Admissions Decisions • Regular Decision: Students submit applications by the deadline (usually Jan-Feb) and receive decision in early spring. • Rolling Admission: Colleges decide on applications as they receive them. • Early Action: Non-binding; students submit applications early (usually Nov. 1) and receive the decision early (usually Dec. 15). • Early Decision: Binding agreement; students agree to attend the college if accepted and withdraw all other college applications.

19. Application Process at Patriot • Complete the student/parent sections of the application on-line. • Request ACT/SAT scores to be sent from the ACT and/or the College Board. • Request the transcript on Family Connection 10 business days before the deadline. • Request teacher/counselor recommendations if needed. • Do not submit college forms (secondary school reports) to us. We use the NACAC or Common App form for all applications. • Submit transcript fees to the Counseling Center; first 3 transcripts are free; $5 for each additional request. • Check Family Connection to verify that transcripts and secondary school reports have been sent.

20. Family Connection/Naviance • Family Connection is our primary source for college/scholarship information and for tracking college applications. • Students must log on to the website: https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection • Transcripts must be requested on the Family Connection website.

21. Letters of Recommendation • Ask teachers at least two weeks in advance in person. • Complete your resume on Family Connection. • Do not submit college forms (secondary school reports or teacher rec forms) to us. We use the NACAC for all college applications.

22. Financial Aid • The process for every student begins by completing the FAFSA through the federal government: www.fafsa.ed.gov • FAFSA may not be completed until after January 1. • Beware of companies that ask for fees to search for financial aid. • www.fafsa.com is a commercial website; DO NOT use this site to apply for aid. • Financial Aid Night: December at PHS, Date TBD

23. Scholarships Sources of scholarship money: • Colleges and Universities • National Corporations • Nonprofit Organizations • Local Organizations Need-based and merit based *Check Family Connection for updates*

24. How much will it cost? Every college must have an estimated Cost Calculator on its website.

25. College Fairs • Eastern PWC College Fair Wed., October 22nd, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Woodbridge High School • Fairfax County College Fair Sunday, October 19th, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Fair Oaks Mall

26. NCAA Eligibility Center • Student Athletes should register in their Junior year • On line registration at www.ncaa.org($65 Registration Fee) • When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999") • Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature online on or after April 1 (if you plan on attending college in fall ‘15) • Have your high school counseling office send a final transcript with proof of graduation to the eligibility center. • NCAA Div I & II members can request your eligibility and academic • info from Eligibility Center

27. Counselors • A-Ca Ms. Smith • Ce-Fo Ms. Morris • Fr-Ja Ms. Campbell • Je-Mar Ms. Correll • Mas-Ph Ms. Valentino • Pi-So Mr. Banks • Sp-Z Ms. Sigmon • Career/College Mr. Weaver **Join our School Fusion page for updates.**

28. Accessing Family Connection

29. Signing In Username= Student Number Password= Date of Birth MMDDYY

30. Researching Colleges

31. Researching Careers Leadership, Integrity, Character, Pride

32. Building your Resume

33. Requesting Transcripts Leadership, Integrity, Character, Pride