Changes happen all the time, so it is very possible. Just know that the colleges will keep in touch every step of the way by posting updated information on their websites and social media pages.

No, not at all. We just want to know how you spend your time when you are not in classes. Are you helping out at home? Do you have a part-time job? Are you editing videos? These are just a few examples I have seen beyond being a part of formal organizations or participating in other activities.

It depends on the specific college. I would recommend reaching out to colleges you are interested in for SAT/ACT requirements. This information should also be available on the college website. A lot of colleges have started to reevaluate their use of SAT/ACT scores. At WPI we actually moved to test blind and will no longer use SAT and ACT scores as part of the review process.

This is probably going to depend on the specific college. I have heard that many colleges have viewed the past couple years as an "opportunity" to evaluate their use of SAT/ACT scores in their admissions decisions. I would encourage you (or your student) to ask this question of the colleges in which they are interested in attending.

Colleges are going to consider all information that a student provides in their application, including if they submit a score. It does not advantage a student to submit scores, nor does it disadvantage a student to not submit scores. I usually advise my students to take a look at the test score ranges at each college, and if their scores fall within those ranges, I think it's helpful to share those scores with the college. Hope this helps!

Through College Board. www.collegeboard.org and for the ACT www.act.org

Actually, when colleges report what they value most in the admissions process, academics and test scores tend to rank higher than extracurricular activities. What is often of greatest value is the student's transcript, what courses they have taken, how they have performed in those classes, and if they take the SAT and submit scores.

This will depend on what is most important to your student. Ask yourself the following questions when researching your major:  What is the class size once a student gets in their major? What internships and hands on experiences are offered by the college? Are graduating seniors getting jobs in their fields after graduation? Does the college host job fairs in that major? Are students working with professors and not teacher assistants once in your major? Is your major one that has a state exam? How does the college/university help prepare students for the exam, and what is the passing rate for the exam?

Most colleges publish a document called the Common Data Set. Section C has a table where the different components of an application are labeled as important, considered, or not considered at all. Just google a college name with "Common Data Set" and you'll find the document.  Also, take a look at College Navigator https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ 

Yes, Ole Miss is a part of the ACM and typically it's a major that is not offered at a VA college but is offered at Ole Miss. That particular major for VA is Geological Engineering. Here is the website for ACM:  https://www.sreb.org/AcademicCommonMarket  where you can search for participating states/colleges and majors.

All the colleges in Virginia have agreements with the community college system!

That is incorrect.

Students are reviewed in the context of their specific high school. Admission officers everywhere (not just at UVA) look at what is available at Madison and what the student opted to do with those opportunities.

No time like the present! You are here tonight and that's perfect. Juniors can start now by thinking about their interests and that will help get the list started. Meeting with the school counselor will also be very helpful to provide some guidance to get started. Naviance (https://www.fcps.edu/naviance) has a Career Cluster Finder and a Career Interest Profiler for students. The results will suggest career fields, related college majors, and colleges that offer those majors. Definitely something to explore.

Students are asked to have their list of colleges determined by the time they start senior year, so you have time. Spring Break is a great time to start touring!

All of these are options, but school counselors will meet with juniors to help them think through what they are looking for and what criteria/tools they are using to choose schools. This will start in our junior meetings in February and March.  We also encourage students to utilize Naviance. https://www.fcps.edu/naviance https://madisonhs.fcps.edu/student-services/college-and-career-center/c…

Students are encouraged to visit campuses when classes are in session. It helps to get a feel for what the campus is like when it's "alive."  Spring Break is a great time to schedule some campus tours. Schedule tours during the week, as opposed to weekends is preferred and college visits are considered excused absences.

Most colleges actually have calendars on their admissions websites that allow you to see when they offer tours and you can sign up that way. If they don't have a calendar, you should call and ask about the campus tours.

I would encourage you to reach out to your child's counselor.   https://madisonhs.fcps.edu/student-services/school-counseling-staff

School counselors will start discussing the college application process with rising seniors during the Academic Advising meetings starting in February. Later in the spring, if students would like to make an appointment to discuss college applications, they can reach out to schedule an additional meeting.

School counselors will start discussing the college process with rising seniors during their Academic Advising meetings which will begin in late February. Later in the spring, if students would like to make an appointment to discuss college applications, they can reach out to schedule an additional meeting. 

Typically, students should apply when they can present their strongest application. Some students should wait for the later deadlines because they'll have first semester grades from senior year on their transcripts.

College admissions officers do consider strength of schedule, and will look carefully at your senior schedule. Not taking a math may matter more at College A versus College B, depending on the selectivity of the college. They will consider what else you are taking as a senior. Assuming you are going to be focused on the arts, it is probably less important for you to take math as a senior, especially since you have taken through calculus. This will be a good conversation to have with your school counselor during your academic advising meeting.

We encourage students to find the balance of challenging themselves while maintaining positive achievement. They do not have to take AP courses to be competitive to most colleges.

From my experience, this is going to depend on the college, but more so on the major. Some majors are going to be more difficult to enter later on, but this is a really great question to pose to specific colleges of interest. A great way to pose the question, "How does your college support undecided students once they get to campus in selecting their major?"

College usually take away FCPS weights and apply their own weight when it comes to honors, AP, or DE courses. However, it depends on the college, so check with the particular colleges you are applying to. 

The colleges that you will apply to will evaluate your academic performance and types of courses you have taken the last 3 years. Has the student challenged themselves academically? Has the student taken Honors/ AP Courses, etc.

The final end of year grades for grades 9-11 will show on your high school transcript. For senior year, colleges may request to see 1st quarter or 1st semester for their review process.

No, not at all. However; it is a binding agreement, so a student is committing to going without knowing their financial package. If how much aid the student receives is a deciding factor, I would encourage the student to NOT apply ED.

Early decision is a binding agreement, therefore if a student's ability to attend a specific college is going to depend on the financial aid package, I would encourage the student to NOT apply ED.

Its important to start the process when the FAFSA opens the process in October. The earlier the better. You will need your parent's tax information to complete this form. College Access Fairfax https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/ https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa Opportunities Booklet English https://www.ecmc.org/students/documents/2021-2022-VA-Opps-Book.pdf Opportunities Booklet Spanish https://www.ecmc.org/students/documents/2021-2022-VA-Opps-Book-SP.pdf

The college and financial aid process will take place simultaneously, and Madison will have a college planning program in the fall for seniors. FAFSA opens up on October 1st. and should be completed as soon as possible. College Access Fairfax is very helpful in assisting students with the FAFSA application: https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/

A good place to start would be in Naviance. Through Naviance, you will be able to see scholarships that are out there and you can even apply as current junior for some.  Also, https://madisonhs.fcps.edu/student-services/college-and-career-center/f… And definitley check out College Access Fairfax https://collegeaccessfairfax.org/ There is a Money for College section is this Quick Guide with additional scholarship information, https://madisonhs.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/JMHS-…

Scholarships are available at colleges and outside of colleges that students can apply to. However, students should be applying to scholarships at the same time as they are applying for colleges. If the student waits until the spring, that student will miss many scholarship opportunities. Colleges will also have a specific deadline to be considered for scholarships. There are many scholarship databases out there. Be sure to look at the Financial Aid websites at the particular colleges your student is applying to.  https://madisonhs.fcps.edu/student-services/college-and-career-center/f…

No, Madison does not disclose on transcripts if a student has a 504 plan or an IEP. Students have the option to disclose their status, but it is not required. After accepted, if a student decides to attend that college, they can work with the student support/disability support office, if they choose to put accommodations in place.

It really depends on the college you are applying to. Some colleges require students to apply to specific majors or programs while others do not look at the intended major. At WPI specifically it doesn't matter what you put as your intended major.

No, May 1st is the deadline to tell a college you are attending and to put down a deposit.

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