Start with you: Use the Activities tab on SchooLinks (found in LCPSGo) to make lists of your abilities, social/cultural preferences, and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college. 

Learn about colleges. Use the Colleges tab in SchooLinks to research colleges. Speak to friends, family, teachers, and alumni. Create a list of college features that interest you.

• Attend an LCPS-sponsored college fair or college field trip.

• Sign up for college visits at Dominion with college admissions counselors through the School Events tab on SchooLinks.

Resource check: Check the SchooLinks School Events tab for current events.  Make an appointment with Mrs. Rivera or visit your counseling website for resources and announcements.

Refer to the SchooLinks College tab to manage your college search, testing, and application data. If appropriate (for example, if you’re interested in drama, music, art, sports, etc.), start to gather material for a portfolio. 

Estimate your financial aid needs.  Financial aid can help you afford college. Use the SchooLinks College Financing tab to estimate the cost of colleges.

Begin your scholarship search SchooLinks lists scholarships on their Finances tab.  Learn about tips and resources, by making an appointment with Mrs. Rivera at the Career Center

At school, speak to your counselor about taking the PSAT/NMSQT® , which is given in October. If you plan to ask for testing accommodations (because of a disability), be sure the College Board has approved your eligibility. 

Explore AP The Advanced Placement® Program helps hundreds of thousands of high school students achieve their college dreams each year. Get the facts at apstudent.collegeboard.org/exploreap. If you’re in AP classes, register for the AP Exams given in May. 

Sign up and prepare to take the ACT/SAT in the spring. 

• actstudent.org - Free test prep  available at ACT Academy 

• sat.collegeboard.org  - Free test prep available through Khan Academy

•  Fee waivers are available to eligible students. 

Complete Student and Parent Insight Sheets. Send them to your counselor. This will allow your counselor ample time to write you the best letter of recommendation.

• Parent Insight Sheet

• Student Insight Sheet 

Contact your counselor before leaving school for the summer if you are considering military academies or ROTC scholarships. If you want a four-year ROTC scholarship, you should begin the application process the summer before your senior year. 

• Attend the Academies Days event found in the SchooLinks Events tab.

Note your top 10 colleges by favoriting them in the Colleges tab on SchooLinks. 

• You can compare your GPA, SAT scores, and other statistics to the historical data of admitted students in our school using SchooLink's School Search feature in the Colleges tab.

Stay open to all the possibilities—don’t limit your search. When searching for the best college that suits your needs and preferences, it's recommended to apply to colleges with different levels of selectivity. Selective colleges only admit a portion of students who apply, with some being highly selective and others being less selective. It's important to apply to both public and private colleges, as well as in-state and out-of-state options, to ensure that you have a diverse range of choices to consider.

Take the ACT/SAT. The SAT test is offered in March, May, and June. To prepare for the test, it is recommended to start studying several months in advance by utilizing the resources provided on satpractice.org. If you are not satisfied with your score after taking the test, consider taking it again in the fall. Many seniors opt to retake the test and typically achieve better results.

Start to gather documents for financial aid: Be sure to keep a copy of your tax returns handy. You’ll use these to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens on Oct. 1. 

Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center if you are an athlete planning to continue playing a sport in college (ncaaclearinghouse.net). 

Get your FSA ID: Before you can fill out your FAFSA, you need to get a username and password (also known as an FSA ID). ¨ 

Find a full-time or part-time job, or participate in a summer camp or summer college program. 

Visit colleges —large, small, public, and private.  When planning your campus visits, make sure to allow time to explore each college. While you’re there, talk to as many people as possible. These can include college admission staff, professors, and students. Take campus tours and, at colleges you’re serious about, make appointments to have interviews with admission counselors. 

• Virtual Tours- If your college of interest offers a virtual tour, you can find it on SchooLinks using the Colleges tab and School Search.

• Visit colleges in person by using the VA College Road Trip as your guide.

Create a résumé —Use SchooLinks' Careers tab to record your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and work experiences since high school.  Make an appointment with Mrs. Rivera, at the Career Center for additional support.

Scan local newspapers to see which civic, cultural, and service organizations in your area award financial aid to graduating seniors. 

Start to respond to the Common Application Essays

Attend the College Bootcamp in August @Dominion High School to begin the college application process.