Longwood Senior High School

THE COLLEGE & CAREER PLANNING OFFICE (CCPO)

The role of the CCPO is to support students in the post-secondary planning process, including assistance with conducting college searches and making college selections, completing college applications, elements in the financial aid process, researching available scholarships, as well as helping with career exploration opportunities.  The office is in Counseling Center North.  Students are permitted to eat/drink in the CCPO.   

The CCPO is staffed by a counselor and is open several periods a day.  If students need assistance during a period when the CCPO is closed, the CCPO counselor is located in Counseling Center South. The office is open to students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.  Appointments are scheduled during lunch, study hall, or during a class, with written permission from a teacher.  Students may also request individual appointments.  To request an appointment please fill out an appointment request form in Counseling Center South or North.  Parents of any LHS student may also visit the CCPO during school hours. We encourage students to begin the college planning process in ninth grade to allow the student ample time to be well-prepared for the application season in their senior year.  We invite students to familiarize themselves with the CCPO, by getting involved in the following activities over the next few years.

9th Grade Suggested Activities

• Complete an interest inventory to find a possible career: Students can do this in their Naviance Account

• Explore job descriptions. Search career information on O*Net online http://www.onetonline.org/.

• Learn about potential openings in different fields: https://www.bls.gov/home.htm

• Create an account on Method Test Prep to prepare for the PSAT/SAT or ACT exams at /cms/One.aspx?portalId=2549526&pageId=2797965.

• Begin an Activity Sheet.

• Inquire about community service opportunities.

• Create a tentative high school class plan for grades 10, 11 and 12.

• Research summer enrichment programs.

10th Grade Suggested Activities

• Complete an interest inventory to find a possible career: Students can do this in their Naviance Account

• Learn about what you would do on a daily basis in a particular job. Search career information on O*Net online at http://www.onetonline.org/.

• Learn about potential openings in different fields: http://www.bls.gov/oco/.

• Create an account on Method Test Prep to prepare to for the PSAT/SAT or ACT exams at /cms/one.aspx?portalId=2549526&pageId=2797965.

• Learn about volunteer opportunities in your community.

• Research summer programs.

11th Grade Suggested Activities

• Sign up for the free October PSAT exam in September.

• Register for the SAT and/or the ACT in the spring.

  *Longwood High School (C.E.E.B.) CODE: 331-478 *

• Create an account on College Board.com or ACT Student.org and learn all you can about the SAT and ACT exams.

• Set up an account on Method Test Prep, in preparation for the SAT and/or ACT.

• Complete all of the assignments/practice tests on Method Test Prep.

• Do the Question of the Day on CollegeBoard.com http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.

• Draft a college essay/personal statement for next year’s college applications and scholarships.

• Research scholarships for 11th graders and identify scholarships you can apply to as a senior.

• Research possible colleges and careers of interest.

• Think about teachers you can ask for letters of recommendations.

• Visit open houses and take an overnight trip to visit colleges.

• Use the computers to research local job opportunities and phone the employers to set up an interview.

• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

• Prepare a resume related to your potential career choice.

• Research summer programs.

• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.

12th Grade Suggested Activities

• Ask teachers, counselors and others for letters of recommendations who can comment on your abilities and talents. Provide them with an Activity Sheet and a Self-Assessment Profile.

• Register for the SAT and/or the ACT in the fall.

  *Longwood High School (C.E.E.B.) CODE: 331-478 *

• Work on Method Test Prep by completing all of the assignments, quizzes, and practice tests, in preparation for the SAT and/or ACT.

• Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of the deadlines and application components for each school.

• Speak to your Art teachers regarding the development of a portfolio.

• Finalize your college essay/personal statement, based upon essay written in your 12th grade English class.

• Apply to colleges in the fall of your senior year.

• Apply for scholarships, particularly in the spring semester.

• Visit open houses.

• Attend Financial Aid Presentation, held in December, in the LHS Auditorium, to learn how to complete the FAFSA Form and to understand the financial aid process.

• Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. Your parents previous year's income tax information is required.

• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy, after you receive same in the spring.

• Evaluate your college acceptance letters and consider which offer to accept.

• Choose a college and notify your counselor as to your choice as well as any scholarships that you receive.