School Counseling Newsletter
Summer 2020
A Letter from Ms. Taylor
I wish you the best of luck in the coming school year and in your college and career pursuits. While I didn't get the opportunity to meet with all of you this past year, I very much enjoyed getting to know those of you I have spoken with. I will be enrolling in a Master's program at Clemson University this August, thus my time at CHS has come to an end. Rest assured that you will still receive excellent college advising support. Our new adviser, Ms. Madison Allen, is incredibly excited to work with you. She is a 2020 graduate of the University of Virginia and has already spoken with me extensively about the needs of Caroline High School. She is well-prepared to help you in any way you need and is very happy to be your new adviser! Please reach out to her. With many things constantly evolving due to COVID-19, it is imperative that you utilize resources like Ms. Allen and Mrs. Hummer.
Thank you for having me for the past two years. I can't wait to see what you accomplish!
- Ms. Taylor
What is happening with the SAT and ACT?
However, many colleges will not require test scores for the 2020-2021 application cycle. The following colleges in Virginia have completely waived testing requirements for the coming year:
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Tech
- William & Mary
- Washington and Lee University
- University of Richmond
Keep in mind that many colleges were already some degree of test-optional before COVID-19. For example, VCU is test optional for any students with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Also keep in mind that the above is NOT an exhaustive list. Please do thorough research before deciding whether or not to register for the SAT and/or ACT. As always, you do NOT need to take the SAT or ACT if you plan to go to Germanna or another community college.
What can I do over the summer to prepare for college?
- Explore your options! Consider the type of college you would like to attend. College Board's College Search site can be a useful place to start. You can filter colleges by certain criteria, or you can simply search for any college you may already be interested in. Click here to explore.
- Take a college tour. Due to COVID-19, most colleges are not offering in-person campus tours. However, many colleges have developed excellent virtual tours. Click here for a database of various campus virtual tours.
- If you plan to take the SAT in the Fall, use Khan Academy to develop a study plan.
- Once you have developed a list of colleges, take some time to research their admissions policies and application deadlines. Keep in mind that many colleges have changed SAT/ACT requirements and will also likely change application procedures in the coming months.
For a full Senior year checklist, click here.
What will CHS do to help me prepare for college?
- FAFSA Night (usually in early October): This event provides an opportunity for one-on-one help with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is an important part of your college application process as it provides access to grants, loans, and in some cases, scholarships.
- Virginia College Application Week (November)
Aside from events, the College Adviser and Career Coach are both here to provide assistance. The College Adviser can help you with college applications, the FAFSA, the SAT/ACT, etc. The Career Coach (Mrs. Hummer) is available for Germanna assistance, career inventories, interview prep, and more. Please reach out to one of us for help!
Germanna News
Happy Summer!
Now is the time to get ready for the fall by working with the Career Coach, Mrs. Hummer. My goal this coming school year is to empower students to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans and to prepare students for success in postsecondary education and training. As your Career Coach, I want to partner with you in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires you to maximize your personal and professional potential.
The last years of high school can be a stressful and overwhelming time. Students have a world of options before them, but many of you struggle with how to best narrow it all down. I can help you to gain greater self-awareness of your talents, interests, values and passions to more effectively determine which postsecondary education and training is your best fit.
Here are some of the items we can work on:
Start planning earlier and set future goals
Learn about community or technical colleges
Learn about financial aid, grants, and scholarships
Apply to college and choose a major
Understand career options and make informed decisions about careers and jobs
Gain confidence about the future
Drastically improve your interviewing skills to attain your ideal internships and job
Craft professional, well-written resumes to earn the attention of potential employers
Ways you can get in touch with the Career Coach this summer:
Follow the Career Coach blog at: http://lhummer.blogs.ccps.us/
Germanna News
Summer skill-up
Free computer and career planning class
Open to all and FREE
Learn computer essentials. Develop a resume. Prepare for interviews. Get ahead this summer.
NEW
College Everywhere
100% online, accelerated degree programs
Complete your degree online from start to finish, in one year. Starting this fall.
Parent Webinar
Mondays at 6 p.m.
Parents, we know you have questions. We’ll help you get answers. Topics include:
Programs, trainings and degrees
High school dual enrollment
Cost of attendance
Financial support
Admissions