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COLLEGE NIGHT

Kojo Pumpuni – Pathways Adviser

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Why College?

  • Obtaining education beyond high school adds to your lifelong earnings.
  • The earnings difference between a high school graduate and a person with a four-year college degree can be as much as $1 million over a lifetime.
  • More education = more job options.
  • Education is an investment in your future.

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College Graduates Tend to Have

  • 1. Greater job satisfaction
  • 2. Retirement plans
  • 3. Healthier lifestyles
  • 4. Increased community involvement

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Other Benefits of College

  • Internships
  • Research participation
  • Networking opportunities
  • Meeting people from diverse backgrounds
  • Leadership in student organizations
  • Establish lifelong relationships

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High School To-Do List

Freshman/Sophomore:

  • Honors/AP/DE classes
  • Build GPA
  • PSAT
  • Explore interests
  • Career search

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  • Senior:
  • SAT/ACT
  • Apply to colleges
  • Financial aid
  • Inform counselor of decisions

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  • Junior:
  • PSAT
  • Colleges I am thinking about.
  • Create common app

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College Application Components

  • Transcript
  • Recommendation letters (2-3)
  • Personal statement/essay
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Naviance
  • FAFSA
  • Common App

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Understanding GPA

  • GPA = Grade Point Average (4.0 scale)
  • A+ = 97-100 = 4.0
  • A = 93-96 = 4.0
  • A- = 90-92 = 3.7
  • B+ = 87-89 = 3.3
  • B = 83-86 = 3.0
  • B- = 80-82 = 2.7
  • C+ = 77-79 = 2.3
  • C = 73-76 = 2.0
  • C- = 70-72 = 1.7
  • D+ = 67-69 = 1.3
  • D = 65-66 = 1.0
  • E/F = Below 65 = 0.0

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Testing – SAT & ACT

SAT:

  • Reading, Writing (optional), Math (calculator & no calculator)
  • Score: 200-800 per section (1600 total)

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ACT:

  • Math, Reading, Science (optional)
  • Score: 1-36 average

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  • Fee waivers available for free/reduced lunch students.

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Private vs Public Colleges

Private:

  • Funded by tuition/endowments
  • Smaller class sizes
  • Often generous aid

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Public:

  • Government-funded
  • Lower tuition (especially in-state)
  • Wider program options

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Choosing the Right College

Consider:

  • Size
  • Location (in/out-of-state, travel)
  • Campus life & services
  • Academic programs
  • Research opportunities
  • Cost & financial aid
  • Diversity & environment
  • Athletics & extracurriculars

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Safety, Match, and Reach Schools

  • Safety: Almost guaranteed acceptance
  • Match: Likely acceptance (meets requirements)
  • Reach: Less likely (highly selective)

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When should I apply?

Early Action

Early action applications are typically due sometime in November and nonbinding. Student know their application status around December, January, or February.

Early Decision

Early decision applications are due typically sometime in November and binding. Student know their application status around December

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When should I apply pt.2

Regular decision

Regular applications are typically due sometime in January. Student know their application statues around March.

Rolling Admissions

Rolling admissions, students do not need to have their applications in by a certain deadline to be considered. Rolling admissions schools will notify students of their decision on a rolling basis, vs all at once

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Military Options

  • Military academies (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine)
  • Virginia Military Institute
  • ROTC programs
  • Tuition assistance & career training

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Financial Aid Overview

  • FAFSA: Required for federal aid
  • Work Study: Part-time jobs for students with need
  • Loans: Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS
  • Grants: Pell, FSEOG, Workforce Credential, state programs
  • Scholarships: Fastweb, GoingMerry, Bold.org, etc.
  • Local Scholarships will come out in spring.

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Virginia College Application Week (VCAW)

  • Oct 20-24
  • Supports college-going culture
  • Hands-on assistance with applications
  • Encourages students to apply to 4+ schools
  • Application fee waivers

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Important Dates

  • Financial Aid Info Night: Wednesday, September 17 at 6pm.
  • College Fair night: Monday, September 22 at Orange High School 6-8pm.
  • FSA ID Night: Thursday, September 25 at 6pm.
  • FAFSA opening: Wednesday, October 1.
  • FAFSA completion night: Thursday October 2 at 6pm.

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Contact Information

  • Kojo Pumpuni – Pathways Adviser

(kpumpuni@madisonschools.k12.va.us)

  • Lisa Shifflett – Career Advisor (lshifflett@madisonschools.k12.va.us)
  • Valerie Miller – School Counselor A-M (vmiller@madisonschools.k12.va.us)
  • Jillian Smith – School Counselor N-Z (jilliansmith@madisonschools.k12.va.us)

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Questions?