Preparing to submit your applications

• Set up appointment with your school counselor using Bookings

• Reference the PowerPoint presentation from the September 5th & 6th  classroom lessons

• Learn about the application process for SBHS

  • Watch the College Application Night presentation

  • View the slides from our College Application Boot Camp on August 20th

  • Advice from our College & Career Specialist

    • Stone Bridge Career Center video library- college and career interviews

• Log onto SchooLinks- Explore colleges, majors and scholarships and finalize your list of schools

  • • Getting started; also, click on the Help icon in the top right corner for additional help

    • Connect your Common Application account

    • Learn more about SchooLinks

    • SchooLinks College Application Manager instructions and resources

• Application check list- print out and reference throughout the application process

• Insider's Guide to College Admissions- overview of the application process from a Dean of Admissions

• How can you make your college application stand out?

• 10 College Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Researching colleges at a deeper level

  • Use the Common Data Set for extensive admissions information

  • Explore 'Best colleges' by major - not an endorsed site but really good resources

• Explore the resources on the Stone Bridge School Counseling website

  • • College & Career – lots of excellent resources including scholarships

    • College Planning Guide

      • Additional resources

        • BigFuture by College Board

        • Explore college majors

• Refine and balance your college list; consider cost, location and other factors. Subscribe to their social media and take virtual tours of interested colleges/schools. Learn about Demonstrated Interest

• How to find your fit (build your college lists)

• Upcoming College Planning Events (most registration information and links can be found in SchooLinks under Events).

  •  9/19 from 7-8 pm – SBHS Senior Parent Webinar on the College Application Process

  •  9/22 from 3-5 pm – LCPS College Fair at Stone Bridge HS

  • 10/16 from 6:30-8 pm - Financial Aid Night at Broad Run HS

  • 10/22 from 6:30-8:00pm – Webinar “Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College” by The College Funding Coach

  • Wednesdays and Thursdays anytime from 2:50-4:20 – College Application Help in the Career Center – create an e-hallpass and come see Mrs. Jones for help with the Common App, essays, etc. If you have early dismissal, reach out for a pass!

• SBHS college representative visits-log onto SchooLinks then click on Events in the top toolbar, review list of schools and sign up. 

  • Watch what our students say about the value of the college rep visits

    • College Rep visit notes

•  Additionally, take some virtual college tours:

  • • • Appily

      • Campus Tours

    • Watch these interviews with Admissions Officers:  UVA and V Tech

    • Plan to attend College Fairs to learn more about the schools and make connections with Admissions Representatives

    • LCPS Connect U- explore over 150 colleges/universities, take virtual tours and connect with  Admissions Representatives

    • Coalition For College Access- virtual college fair

• NOVA Admissions informational session- check with our College & Career Specialist, Mrs. Jones

• If applying to a University of California System school- be aware of the A-G course entrance requirements, pay close attention to the Fine Arts requirement

• Considering studying in the UK?- Know the academic and testing requirements 

• Student Athletes (DI & DII)- understand the different registration options on the NCAA Eligibility Center    (ie: Certification Account) 

  • Benefits of playing at a Junior College

  • VHSL eligibility for high school sports

• Consider advantages of college admissions types; Early Decision or Early Action 

  • Applying Early Decision

• Be aware of earlier deadlines and audition dates for pre-professional and performance majors as well as supplemental applications-including portfolios, also scholarship deadlines

• Confirm your college or university's policies for the SAT or ACT 

  • • Visit the ACT or College Board websites for updates, the School Counseling department will share information as it becomes available. Consider taking the ACT or SAT in the fall or early winter

    • How Test-Optional Works that are test optional 

    • Fair Test Org

    • Review the resources on the SBHS Counseling website

• Finalize the Common Application, HBCU Application and college specific applications- your weighted GPA is available by ordering an unofficial transcript to yourself- download it through StudentVue (click on the Documents link)

  • Remember to connect your Common Application to your SchooLinks account.  You'll add the colleges to the Common Application and request recommendations through SchooLinks

    • complete FERPA agreements- Common Application, SchooLinks, ParentVue

  • Add all deadlines in Common Application so that the counselor can prioritize submissions

  • Finish your essay and writing prompts- Common Application, Coalition Application, school application

  • For the Common Application under the 'Education' section: 

    • • if you took a dual enrollment course at SBHS through our NOVA, GMU, JMU or Shenandoah partnerships;  mark '0' for If you have ever taken coursework at a college or university, please indicate the number of colleges  (grade will appear on SBHS transcript)

      • report GPA as 'weighted' on a 4.0 scale

      • graduating class size is 437

      • class rank is no longer reported

      • Use 'College Prep' when adding courses that are our 'academic level' classes- if required to enter coursework in the Common Application

      • Writing Center is considered an elective course

• Request Letters of Recommendation – you'll need to give your teachers as much time as possible to write their letter (2 weeks recommended)

  • complete the profile sheets for teacher and counselor recommendations- SchooLinks; Go to Colleges tab then select College Application link to "Complete brag sheet"

    • tell teachers the dates of your deadlines 

    • request a recommendation letter for each of your colleges through SchooLinks 

    • Other Recommenders (non teacher) can be requested directly through your Common Application

• Complete the SRAR if required by the college/university- check the school's website for assistance (ie: PSU). Virginia Tech now uses the SRAR

  • see which schools require the SRAR and how to link to your schools

  • You will need to submit your college application first because you will use the credentials for the Applicant Portal to link with the SRAR

• Discuss financial aid with parents/guardians-learn about the FAFSA, verify if your universities of interest require the CSS Profile, deadlines may differ from admissions. FAFSA will open up in two phases (October 1st and December 1st)

  • read about the major changes to the FAFSA coming this school year

  • What is the CSS Profile?

• Email your School Counselor with any questions

• Register in fall for AP® Exams. Show what you’ve learned in your AP classes. A successful score could even earn you credit, advanced placement, or both in college

  • Indicate in My AP account the college, university or scholarship program where you'd like your cumulative AP Score Report to be sent.  AP scores are not used for admissions!    You can order free AP Score Reports through June 

  • Reference the College Board website to see your college or university's  transfer credit policies

  • Contact your School Counselor if you have any questions regarding the AP exams

Submitting your applications

• Review the SBHS application process -includes required activities such as the transcript release form (on counter in Counseling Office)

  • • Some colleges/universities will not require an initial official transcript but we still need the transcript request form

    • Remember to submit a transcript request form for each additional college/university, we need to know of any updates 

  • School Counselors will submit the secondary school report, counselor evaluation and school profile with transcript through SchooLinks (may vary depending on college requirements)

  • Teacher recommendation letters will be submitted through SchooLinks once the transcript is submitted to the colleges/universities 

  • Log into your SchooLinks account to order transcripts and request teacher recommendations

• Submit your college/university applications- have a family member or trusted adult review your applications before submission

  • Submit Common Application- pay then go back and submit app

  • Watch deadlines, you need to submit your applications by the stated dates (some schools are earlier for scholarship, special programs or majors and housing considerations)

  • The letters of recommendation, test scores, transcript and counselor documents will be submitted separately so don't wait to submit your application, the deadline is for your application submission dates. 

• Confirm your Letters of Recommendation- you will need to share your profile sheets with the teachers and school counselors

  • They can submit their recommendations directly using SchooLinks, Coalition Application or the school's own portal, you will need to invite them  

  • Provide your recommenders with deadlines for each of your schools

  • You can monitor status of recommendation submissions in your Common Application account and SchooLinks

• Submit required SAT/ACT and AP scores- each college/university may have different policies (required or optional) but they will need official scores to come directly from the testing agencies not from the high school

  • some colleges still need SAT/ACT scores for Honors Programs, Business or STEM majors and /or scholarship considerations, you need to know the policies

Monitoring your applications

• Closely watch your email account for confirmation of applications by your colleges/universities- carefully follow their instructions (check your Junk Folder). Create an Applicant Portal if instructed in the email. You may be instructed to submit test scores, complete the SRAR and other important tasks

• Watch for colleges that request mid-year grades, alert  your School Counselor

• Monitor the submission status from your School Counselor and teachers through SchooLinks

• Communicate with your School Counselor throughout the process because we submit the transcript, counselor recommendation, school report and school profile through our side of SchooLinks

• Follow up with your recommenders to assure their submission and the receipt by the colleges/universities 

After submissions

• Continue researching scholarship opportunities in SchooLinks under the Finances tab

• View the weekly College & Career email from Mrs. Jones

•  Call, email or conduct an online meeting with Admissions Representatives to gather information before you decide-Many schools are posting FAQ on their websites to help with updated policies and "Admit Weekends" where you can visit the campus before deciding 

• Connect to the college or university social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to learn more about the campus and programs

• Reference the helpful articles on BigFuture by the College Board on Making a Decision

• Indicate college decision outcomes on SchooLinks

• Inform every college of your acceptance and/or decline of the offer of admission and/or financial aid by May 1 (see below).   If declining their offer, it is a courtesy to inform them and it leaves you in good standing if you ever decide to transfer to a “second choice” school. Colleges cannot require your deposit or your commitment to attend before May 1

  • Follow the college's instructions on how to accept their offer. The information will be in your applicant portal or on their website. You may need to register for a            virtual/in-person Admitted Student Open House, pay the deposit, complete a Decision Inquiry Form, register for housing and submit medical records

  • Many college websites have important information about transitioning to the campus (ie: JMU)

• Understanding your financial aid awards: Not all financial aid awards are the same, so it’s important to choose the aid package that’s best for you and your family.  Ask the school's Financial Aid office if you have any questions (ie: can they adjust award due to employment change, will the institutional aid remain the same for subsequent years)

  • College Board BigFuture has a useful Award Letter Comparison Tool to help you compare and contrast financial aid packages from the school that have admitted you

  • How to appeal your award

• Waitlisted by a college? If you intend to enroll if you are accepted, tell the admission director your intent and ask how to strengthen your application

  • Some schools post information if you were Waitlisted (V Tech is a good example)

• Schools still accepting applications (spring). NACAC list here 

• Complete final senior tasks in  SchooLinks; enrollment decision, alternate email, senior survey

  • specific directions will come out in the spring 

• If you earned Dual Enrollment credit, you'll need to request an official transcript from the participating university to be sent to your attending college/university.   Follow thier directions closely

  • • NOVA

    • Shenandoah

    • GMU

    • JMU

• Work with your School Counselor if you have any admission or financial aid questions

  • You are encouraged to directly contact the college or university admissions office or financial aid office for questions, once you have decided on the institution

• Division I or II Student-Athletes need to request the Final Amateurism Certification on their NCAA Eligibility Center account. You will need to submit your final transcript with proof of graduation once you have completed high school. SBHS transcripts will need to be ordered through SchooLinks. If you attended a different high school, the NCAA Eligibility Center will need official transcripts sent directly from those high schools

• Send out “Thank you” notes to your teachers, especially if they wrote you a letter of recommendation.  This small effort on your part means a great deal to your teachers 

• Send your deposit to only one college

• Getting ready for college:

  • Transition to college advice

2-Year college, career schools, military enlistment or employment

• Complete your 2025 Graduation Survey in SchooLinks- Directions will be sent out in the spring

• Research programs that NOVA has to offer

• Visit the Military Representatives when at SBHS- Posted under Events in SchooLinks

• Consider an apprenticeship as a way to jumpstart your career. Research Career Technical Education opportunities

  • The value of trade schools

  • Trade Schools in VA

• Explore the career resources in SchooLinks. Click on the CAREERS link in the left margin then select Career Center

Communicating with the School Counseling department

• It is important to stay in touch throughout the application process:

  •  School Counselors 

    • complete the Request to See School Counselor form located in the Counseling Office for an appointment or email your School Counselor

• • Remind- Mrs. Jones, our Career & College Specialist, will be sending regular messages to our students; sign-up instructions are on the College & Career Center page. She also sends out regular newsletters, so check your email 

  • SchooLinks- emails will be sent for general announcements, please read messages from Mrs. Jones and the School Counseling department.  Archived emails are visible in SchooLinks if you click on the Mail Icon on the top right side of your home page.

  • Mrs. Tafe- Our School Counseling Department Secretary is very helpful with many topics, especially transcript questions