To-Do list         rising seniors- Class of 2025

Course Requests for 2024/2025

• Review and complete course requests- course request instructions and resources includes worksheet, course selection sheets, instructions to enter courses into StudentVue, classroom presentations and Program of Studies.  Learn more about our Social Sciences courses.  Watch videos on electives. 

  • Your School Counselor will be inviting you to individual student conferences in February/March.  

  • Open up StudentVue and select the tab ‘Course Requests’

  • Make sure that you have 8 blocks, which includes both semesters of study hall   

  • Check your graduation requirements and GPA in StudentVue- click on Course History then turn on the Detail button. You can also print out an unofficial transcript from the 'Documents' tab

    • Other graduation considerations-click on the ‘Course History’ and 'Test History' tabs in StudentVue and scroll down to see status

    • First Aid, CPR, AED- completions of your certification

    • CTE certification- required for Standard Diploma

    • End of Year tests- SOLs; the School Counselors and Testing Coordinator will update students as per VDOE

  • Do the courses reflect your strengths, goals, and interests? Do your plans meet college entrance requirements or prepare you for an intended major or career? 

    • • Consider balance- rigor of classes, sports, clubs, work, social life

      • What to consider, if planning on a 4-year college, when creating your senior year schedule

      • Planning on attending a 2-year college or career school?  What courses will best prepare you for your specific interest?

  • If interested in Virtual Loudoun over the summer, still sign up for 7 courses and we will adjust your requests after you register. Summer registration opens April 22nd

  • Sequential electives for both the Standard and Advanced Studies Diploma (click here for details)

  • Select Personal Finance/Economics- if not yet taken, this is a graduation requirement. It may be substituted with AP Economics

  • SCA, SOS, CAMPUS and PEER- may add to ‘Course Requests’ if current member and delete study hall. If interested, keep study hall and ask your School Counselor how to apply

• Diploma type (Standard or Advanced Studies)- confirm the graduation requirements for your preferred diploma type

 Forms and documents- based on your course selections

• Learn about the differences between Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses

• NOVA Dual Enrollment: 

  • You will need to register for a NOVA EMPLID first, then complete and submit the Intent to Enroll Form

    1. • Click here to learn more about the DE program

       • School Counselors will provide additional information as well as verify eligibility and approve the form

• Partial Day Waiver form (Early Release): complete the Permission Click and then it will be added to your course requests.  VHSL requires a minimum of 5 credits earned

• Independent Science Research and Geospatial Science are Dual Enrollment but through GMU, and JMU (not NOVA). Your classroom teachers will help you to register at the beginning of the school year

  • Independent Science Research Transcript Release Form- once you sign up for the class, you will receive an email from the Science Office with further information

• Teacher Cadet-contact Gabriella.Boucher@lcps.org for more information

• https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/current-gr-11-to-do-list-3-27/home

 Additional resources:

• Read your school emails weekly for important information and announcements

• Learn more about the tremendous features and tools in SchooLinks

  • Research: colleges, majors, careers and personal assessments to help you with your post-secondary planning

    • Open up SchooLinks in your LCPSGO and complete your account set up

    • Click on Activities in the side bar and do  My Goals, Assessments and Game of Life- explore the extensive resources in Learning Hub

• Explore the resources on the School Counseling website

  • College & Career – lots of excellent resources including scholarships

  • Prepare for College PowerPoint

  • BigFuture by College Board

• Insider's Guide to College Admissions- overview of the application process from a Dean of Admissions

• Behind the scenes- how the admissions process works- Today Show

• Admissions Beat Podcast- great information about the college search/application for any college or university

• Determine if the SAT or ACT are required, schedule the exam/s for spring

  • Understanding 'Test Optional' colleges

  • SAT/ACT testing schedule,  AP exams- know the dates

  • Plan Ahead for the SAT or ACT- download handout

  • You can visit the ACT or College Board websites for updates, the School Counseling department will share information as it becomes available

  • Some colleges and universities are 'test optional' - FairTest is a good resource 

  • Research polices for ACT and SAT admissions requirements- especially important with the established or waning COVID-19 restrictions and individual college/university policies

  • Review the resources on the SBHS Counseling website

• Student Athletes (DI & DII)- register NCAA Eligibility Center (free Profile Page or Academic and Amateurism Certification Account) by end of junior year and upload final transcript when available. Create an account this year to access resources throughout your senior year

  • NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete- changes regarding the SAT/ACT requirement

  • Tips to prepare for athletic recruiting process

  • Benefits of playing at a Junior College

  • VHSL eligibility for high school sports

• If applying to a University of California System school- be aware of the a-g course entrance requirements, pay close attention to the Fine Arts requirement

• Considering studying in the UK?- Know the academic and testing requirements 

• Take AP® Exams. Show what you’ve learned in your AP classes. A successful score could even earn you credit, advanced placement, or both in college

  • Reference the College Board website to  see your  college or university's  transfer credit policies

  • Contact your School Counselor if you have any questions regarding the AP exams

• View the weekly College & Career email from Mrs. Jones

Suggested activities for spring and summer:

• • Review this checklist for college-bound Juniors 

  • College Preparations- ideas of activities to prepare you for your college search

  • Develop an initial list of 5-10 colleges using SchooLinks

  • Explore colleges in SchooLinks

  • Sign up for college representatives visits for the fall through SchooLinks (late summer, early fall)

  • Researching colleges at a deeper level

  • Read stories of students and their college admissions experiences- great advice (not recommending to sign up for this site)

  • Review your social media presence

  • Plan to attend College Fairs over this spring, summer or next fall

  • Learn about the application process for the Military Service Academies

    • Service Academy Day - date to be announced

    • timeline for junior / senior year

    • consider a Summer Leadership Experience (ie: West Point)

    • Learn about ROTC scholarships and programs

  • Research possible college majors

    • future demands based on major

  • Learn about Discovery Education- help with possible careers and educational paths

  • Refine your college list, subscribe to their social media, consider campus visits over the summer, during spring break or just take virtual tours of interested colleges/schools. Learn about Demonstrated Interest.  Build a smart college list using a target and safety schools approach.

    • You Visit

    • Campus Tours

    • CampusReel

  • Watch these interviews with Admissions Officers:  UVA and V Tech

  • Explore internships/volunteer/enrichment program opportunities, in your potential major or career

  • Plan extracurricular activities- in school or community

  • Consider a part-time job

  • Suggested summer activities to boost your college application

  • Begin working on your resume- it will be very helpful when you decide to apply to colleges or seek employment after graduation

  • Think about Letters of Recommendation – (4-year colleges) email teachers before end of school year to write letter this coming fall

    • Download your Student Profile sheet- used for recommendation letters by teachers and School Counselors. Share with teachers and counselors in August

    • You can also download the Parent Profile sheet to share

  • Prepare for the Common Application and college specific applications- set up accounts and start to fill out applications, pay close attention to their individual directions. 

    • Check list for Juniors,  reference the Getting Started information.

    • How to request teachers to submit recommendations through the Common Application

  • Start essay- Common Application, Coalition Application, school application

    • Common Application essay prompts

    • Tips to Finish Writing Your College Essay

  • Consider benefits college admissions types- Early Decision or Early Action

    • Be aware of earlier deadlines and audition dates for performance majors and conservatories

      • special considerations in the application process

  • Discuss financial aid with parents/guardians-learn about the FAFSA 

    • Verify if your college requires the CSS Profile, which is in addition to the FAFSA

      • Learn about the  CSS Profile

    • Start researching possible scholarships- Click on the FINANCES link in SchooLinks

    • 10 Financial Aid Tips for College Students

  • Visit NOVA to learn more about their programs, this may be a good option to consider- explore their website

  • Consider an apprenticeship as a way to jumpstart your career. Research Career Technical Education programs

    • Opportunities in the skilled trades industry

    • Explore the career resources in SchooLinks (click on CAREERS link) and on our School Counseling website

  • We will have college prep lessons in the senior classrooms and an evening program during the fall

 Communication with School Counselors

It is important to stay in touch throughout the remainder of the school year:

• • Send an email to your assigned School Counselor

    • Fill out an Appointment Request form available in the Counseling Office

  •  Remind- We will be sending regular messages to our students; look for an email invitation with sign-up instructions 

  • Watch for the College & Career Center emails from Mrs. Jones- packed full of valuable information!