HHS Career Counseling News
2023-24
Welcome to Career Counseling!
This newsletter will be updated regularly with important college and career information for HHS families. Information will include events, classroom lesson updates, as well as current events related to college and careers. Students can schedule an appointment with me through their Schoology Class of page.
Ms. Melton
Senior Awards
Attention Seniors! We are beginning the process of collecting outside scholarship and award information for the 2024 Senior Awards ceremony. Senior Awards provides us with the opportunity to recognize our graduating seniors receiving honors, awards, and scholarships. Additionally, we want to recognize seniors that have received their Eagle Scout rank by the Boy Scouts or the Gold Award by the Girl Scouts. In order to be recognized, you must upload your official documentation and complete the following form to confirm your achievement no later than Wednesday, May 8 at 11:59 p.m. (extended from May 1): https://bit.ly/hhs2024scholarshipreporting. Please contact Ms. Melton, your Career Counselor, with any questions.
Senior Families - Launching into Adulthood
Graduation is right around the corner and soon the Class of 2024 will be considered legal adults. But what does that mean? And how can families help support this "launch into adulthood"? Here is a great resource for seniors and their families on what to expect and how to prepare.
Save The Date! Summer Virtual College & Career Bootcamp & Mini Expo
Rising 11th and 12th graders will be invited to participate in this year's event being held July 29-August 1! Monday, July 29 through Wednesday, July 31 will feature virtual sessions on the following topics:
Kickoff & College Application Process 101
Finding Your Path After High School
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Trade Schools & Trade Options
College Essay Writing
How To Make a Great First Impression
The week ends with a culminating in person College & Career Mini Expo the morning of August 1 at Hanover High School with dozens of colleges, military recruiters, and business to help students kick start their planning! There is also a great session for parents called Transition to Adulthood to help parents & guardians prepare their students for the reality of turning 18 and being a legal adult.
Common App Essay Prompts 2024/25
Common App announced this week that the essay prompts for the 2024/25 application will remain the same as this year. The summer is a great time to get started on this essay for the Class of 2025!
Financial Aid Night Information
Check out the links below! We have included a link to January's Financial Aid Night presentation and the HCPS College and Career Website. When viewing the HCPS College and Career Website, check out the “Scholarships and Financial Aid” tab for resources such as links to scholarship opportunities, FAFSA information, and GRASP contact information.
11th Grade Career Lessons
College, Military, and Career Visits to HHS
Visits do not require sign-up in advance. View this calendar to see the visits that have been scheduled at Hanover High School. This is a great opporunity for all students to learn and explore their options after high school.
Advice for Kicking Off Your College Search
Forbes recently published an article for Juniors who are starting their college search process.
GRASP - Mrs. Jordan
Every Monday starting September 11, our HHS GRASP Representative, Mrs. Jordan, is available in the library to meet with students and families who schedule an appointment. Schedule an appointment here.
Email: hanover@grasp4va.org
Website: https://bit.ly/HHSGraspAppt
The Role of SAT & ACT in Admissions
There are some exceptions. Public colleges in some southern states require SAT/ACT: Florida and Georgia public universities require testing as well as the University of Tennesee system (ex: Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee at Knoxville). Also, some private schools have returned to requiring them post-pandemic (ex: MIT, Georgetown, US Naval Academy, West Point, US Air Force Academy). There are occassions where universities require an SAT to be considered for scholarships. While there aren't many, it's good to do thorough research about each college. Don't forget, students can organize and document their research using this great tool.
Did you know?
All students took this assessment in middle school and in second semester 11th grade through lessons with their career counselor. Although, it's great to retake it each year to see how interests may change with time. Watch this short video demonstrating how students use Major Clarity and can review their results before course registration.
Ask your student today to log in to Major Clarity and see their personality assessment results and recommended careers under career exploration. Each student has an Academic and Career Plan in Major Clarity created in grades 7, 9, and 11. Families should review these before registering for classes for the next school year.
10th Grade Career Lessons
In September, 10th graders engaged in a career lesson in their English classes to further explore career resources so that they are career ready. All Hanover students have access to Major Clarity where students reviewed their personality assessment (Holland Code) and career pathways that were possible fits.
Sophomores started creating their resume through Major Clarity's resume builder and learned what makes applicants stand out to recruiters. They learned how microcredentials can set them apart from others and signed up to complete at least one by the end of 1st quarter.
9th Grade Career Lessons
Freshman also created their Academic and Career Plan that includes their career goals, educational goals, and the career pathway that currently best interests them.
HHS Career Counselor - Jennifer Melton
Email: jmelton@hcps.us
Website: https://bit.ly/HCPSCollegeandCareerCenter
Location: 10307 Chamberlayne Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Phone: (804)723-3733
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HANOVERCAREERCOUNSELING