Class of 2023 Junior Parent Meeting - April 20, 2022

Class of 2023
Junior Parent Meeting
      April 20, 2022

Meet the Sherando Counseling Staff

 ●   Ms. Longoria        A - Diaz
 ●   Mr. Siuniak         Dick - Johnston
 ●   Ms. Thompson        Jones - Petruska
 ●   Mrs. Jeran          Phelps - Thompson
 ●   Mrs. Mungavin       Thornhill- Z

 ●   Mr. Bucher           Career Coach
 ●   Ms. Noel        Testing Coordinator
 ●   Ms. Hoffman     Secretary
 ●   Mrs. White           Registrar

Graduation Requirements
 Standard Diploma – 22 credits            Advanced Studies Diploma – 26 credits

       4 English                               4 English

       4 Social Studies                         4 Social Studies

       3 Math                                  4 Math

       3 Science                               4 Science

       2 Health (1/2 credit each)              2 Health (1/2 credit each)

       2 PE (1/2 credit each)                   2 PE (1/2 credit each)

       Economics & Personal Finance               Economics & Personal Finance

       2 World Lang or Fine Arts or CTE         1 Fine Arts or CTE

       3 Electives (2 in a sequence)             3 Electives

                                                3 or 2+2 (World Languages)

                                                   Sequential courses

College Application Process

 ●   How Many Schools Should I Apply To?
      ○ 1 Reach or “Pie in the Sky” School
      ○ 2-3 Selections that you meet the general profile of recently accepted students
      ○ 1-2 Safety Schools or “Sure Thing”- ones you feel reasonably confident that you could get
           into.
 ●   Every school has a different process so be sure to read carefully.
 ●   Paper or electronic (online) process. DON’T DO IT ON A CELL PHONE.
 ●   Platforms allow you to apply to multiple schools using stored info
      ○ Common App.org (nearly 900 schools in all 50 states, (may be eligible for a waiver, if
           low-income) You fill it out once and can use it for multiple schools.
      ○ Coalition App (around 150 schools)
 ●   Application Costs vary by school. Some fees waived at certain times or if-low income.

Some Factors to Consider When Applying to Schools..
■   Program of Study
■   Do they offer what you think you’re interested in- majors and minors?
■   Public/Private and In-state/Out of State
■   School Size and Demographics
     ■ Small

Types of College Admissions
■   Rolling Admissions – when a student has submitted all application materials, a decision is made.
    Decisions made throughout the year, no deadline.

■   Application Deadline – A university’s deadline for accepting applications.

■   Regular Decision – student submits application materials by a deadline and is notified of a decision,
    typically, in the spring.

■   Early Action – student submits application materials in early fall and is given a decision. This is a
    NON-binding decision. Student may not attend that school.

■   Early Decision - student submits application materials in early fall and is given a decision. This is a
    binding decision. Student IS expected to attend that school.

Scholarships & Financial Aid
●   Information on the following fall scholarships will become available in early September:
      ○ UVA Jefferson Scholars
      ○ UVA Wallentas Scholarship
           ■ For first-generation college bound students
      ○ VT Pamplin Leadership Award
      ○ DAR Good Citizen Award
      ○ Prudential Spirit of Community Award

●   Sherando’s Local Scholarship Application
     ○ The application is for all seniors not only for students going directly to a 4 year school.
     ○ It will be available on the school counseling website and google classroom after January 1st.
     ○ Students must bring or email a copy of their FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) to Ms. Hoffman in
         the school counseling office. Her email is hoffmant@fcpsk12.net.

Scholarships
●   Check School Counseling Website and Google Classroom for scholarship information
●   Listen to announcements
●   Check with parents’ employers, faith community, community organizations
●   Search on your own ie. fastweb.com, collegeboard.org, bigfuture.org, cappex.com
●   Colleges will also offer their own scholarships so look closely at their websites

Financial Aid

 1.   Grants, such as the Federal Pell grant are “free money” you don’t have to pay repay.
 2.   Loans, such as low interest student loans must be repaid. Payments are typically
      deferred until 6 months after you stop attending college/graduate.
       a.   Subsidized loans are through the government and you don’t accrue interest until after you graduate.
       b.   Unsubsidized loans start accruing (charging) interest from the time they are borrowed.
 3.   Work Study Program where you’re offers on-campus jobs based on your financial need.
 4.   Scholarships- BEWARE OF SCAMS, never pay for help looking for scholarships.
 There will be a Financial Aid Night in the fall semester.
 The application opens October 1, 2022 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Right now, you can create
 FAFSA IDs for parent and student and be ready to go!

Testing Information
●   Registration for SAT: www.collegeboard.org
     ○   The cost of the SAT is $55.00.
●   Registration for ACT: www.act.org
     ○   The cost of the ACT without writing is $63.00 and with writing is $88.00.
●   Fee Waivers are available for students who receive free/reduced lunch or
    have a financial need. Please see your counselor for more information.

SAT and ACT Test Dates

 Please Note: The ACT
 dates are set for 22-23 and
 the SAT dates are
 anticipated.

Rising Seniors Looking to Apply to LFCC

 ●   There is no rush to apply to LFCC at this time. Mr. Bucher prefers that students wait and
     attend one of his after school workshops he will be having once a week starting in February
     and lasting through March. During this time, he will help the students with the application
     process, signing up for orientation, and completing the LFCC Scholarship application.
 ●   Students who do this on their own usually sign up for the wrong orientation and miss out on
     the LFCC Scholarship application.
 ●   If a student and parent really want to do something now; they should work on completing the
     FAFSA application beginning in October.
 ●   Parents and students can email Mr. Bucher with questions at bucherg@fcpsk12.net.

“If Not College, Then What”

●   Technical Programs: Investigate certification or licensure programs to make you more
    employable.
     ○ LFCC Workforce Solutions
     ○ Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
     ○ James Rumsey Technical Institute
●   Trade Schools
●   Employment

●   Military
     ○ TODAYSMILITARY.COM
             ■ This site provides general information about serving in the military in general and each of the
               specific branches of the Armed Services. Useful information about eligibility requirements, the
               ASVAB test, enlisting in the military, and questions to ask a recruiter can be found at
               TODAYSMILITARY.COM under the JOINING & ELIGIBILITY tab.
     ○ CAREERSINTHEMILITARY.COM
             ■ Choosing GUIDED EXPLORATION, will provide students the opportunity to explore the types
               of military careers that match their career interest profile (RAISEC). Choosing ADVANCED
               SEARCH allows students to search military careers that match their aptitude strength (Math,
               Verbal, Science/Technology).

How to Request A Transcript?
FCPS will be using the program Scribbles for transcript requests in place of
Parchment. More information will be available for students and parents. This will
begin on August 1st.

Resume

●   Learn how to develop a professional resume.
●   Sample copies are available in the Counseling Office for students and you
    can search for a template online.
●   A resume should be used when asking for a letter of recommendation,
    applying to a job or program, etc.
●   It lists your extracurricular activities, employment, certifications, awards, and
    other relevant information.
●   Major Clarity also provides a resume builder for students.
High School Resume Tips and Examples from Indeed
Virginia Wizard Resume Information

Governor’s Early College Scholars Agreement

 ●   Complete requirements for
     Advanced Studies Diploma
 ●   Earn a B or higher (3.0)
 ●   15 Transferrable credits (DE, IB, AP)

You get a certificate from the governor.
Forms will be given to seniors early
in the fall semester.

Our Career Coach
Mr. Bucher is available in the counseling office Monday-Thursday 7:30-2:30.

- Dual Enrollment

- Career Planning

- Career Assessments

- College Pathways

- College Research

- Technical Programs and Trade Schools

- Employment Opportunities

Summer Opportunities

 ●   Look for activities in the community to participate in.
 ●   Tour colleges and universities.
 ●   Keep a lookout in the school counseling google classroom and newsletter for
     information about summer programs.
 ●   Relax and enjoy your summer! You have worked hard this year!!

Helpful Resources
Major Clarity
 ●    https://platform.majorclarity.com/ (Students must log in with their FCPS Account Information)
 ●    Informational Video
Big Future: www.bigfuture.org
Opportunities Guidebook (English and Spanish)
 ●    VA Opportunities Guidebook
 ●    National Opportunities Guidebook
Test-Optional Schools (FairTest): https://fairtest.org/university/optional
Virginia Employment Commission
Virginia Workforce Connection

Stay Informed
●   School Counseling Google Classroom Code: ttpxq5h
●   SHS School Counseling Webpage Link
●   School Counseling Updates (Monthly Newsletter):
    https://www.smore.com/qjevu
●   Check the SHS Website and Facebook Page
●   Read your school emails daily!!!!