PLANNING
MY FUTURE
One Piece at a Time
MIDDLE SCHOOL PLANNER
My Name Is
I am taking charge
of my future!
i-am-the-one.com
It’s Never Too Early To
start THINKING
ABOUT COLLEGE
Sure, it might be years away. But the thing is, if you want to go to college,
you’ll need the grades, the classes, and the funding to do it. And you can
do it – you just need to do some planning along the way, starting now.
When it comes to getting to college, starting in middle school is important.
The decisions you make and the effort you put into classes now will have a
major impact on your next steps in high school and beyond.
This planner has been developed to help you learn about your strengths,
create goals that will guide you through high school, and share information
about Virginia’s colleges. Complete all of the activities and see how all of
the pieces come together to help you plan for your future.
1
What’s your LEARNING STYLE?
Just like how certain styles of clothing
look better on you, certain ways of
learning help you comprehend better.
Everybody has a preferred learning
style. Knowing and understanding
your learning style will help you learn
more effectively. You will not only
be able to create study habits that fit
your style, but you’ll also be able to
tell others how they can best help
you learn.
TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNING STYLE
I reach out to touch things.
3
❑
❑
❑
4
❑
I fidget constantly (e.g., tap my pen, play with keys
in my pocket).
5
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
I am good at sports.
I may be considered hyperactive.
14
❑
❑
❑
15
❑
I prefer to do things rather than watch a
demonstration or read a book about it.
1
2
6
7
8
9
Directions:
Place a check in front of all the statements that describe you. Then
add up the checks in each list, and write that number at the bottom
of each list. The list with the highest total number is your dominant
learning style! Write that style in the green puzzle piece below.
10
11
12
13
MY LEARNING
STYLE IS
I collect things.
I talk fast using my hands to communicate what
I want to say.
I take things apart & put things together.
I prefer to stand while working.
I like to have music in the background while working.
I enjoy working with my hands and making things.
I like to chew gum or eat in class.
I learn through movement and exploring the
environment around me.
I am good at finding my way around.
I am comfortable touching others as a show of
friendship (e.g., hugging).
TOTAL STATEMENTS CHECKED
Now let’s see how your learning
style strategy can help you in school:
2
Designed by Tammy Friemund, Study Skills Instructor, UM-College
of Technology, Missoula, MT, completed May 2005.
VISUAL LEARNING STYLE
AUDITORY LEARNING STYLE
❑
❑
I ask for verbal instructions to be repeated.
1
❑
I watch speakers’ facial expressions
and body language.
I follow oral directions better than
written ones.
2
❑
❑
❑
I like to take notes to review later.
I would rather listen to a lecture than read the
material in a textbook.
3
4
I am a good speller.
5
7
❑
❑
I frequently sing, hum, or whistle to myself.
8
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
I understand better when I read aloud.
I remember best by writing things down several times
or drawing pictures/diagrams.
❑
8
9
I am skilled at making graphs, charts, and other
visual displays.
❑
I can tell if two similar sounds are the same
or different.
I can understand and follow directions on maps.
I believe that the best way to remember something
is to picture it in my head.
11
❑
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❑
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I follow written instructions better than oral ones.
12
I am good at solving jigsaw puzzles.
13
❑
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❑
❑
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I require explanations of diagrams, graphs, or maps.
❑
❑
9
10
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I use my finger as a pointer when reading.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
11
12
13
14
15
I turn the radio or T.V. up really loud.
6
I get lost with verbal directions.
I prefer information to be presented visually
(e.g., flipcharts or chalk board).
I get the words to a song wrong.
14
I am good at visual arts (e.g., painting, photography,
or sculpture—things that appeal primarily to the
visual sense and typically exist in permanent form).
TOTAL STATEMENTS CHECKED
Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style
• Record your notes, then listen to them as you walk,
jog, or eat.
• Choose a study area that gives you room to move.
• Study with others.
• Take a walk or get a snack between short study sessions.
10
15
I struggle to keep notebooks neat.
I prefer to listen to the radio rather than read
a newspaper.
I dislike reading from a computer screen especially
when the backgrounds are fuzzy.
I enjoy talking to others.
I talk to myself.
I use musical jingles to learn things.
I would rather listen to music than view
a piece of artwork.
I like to tell jokes and stories and make
verbal analogies to demonstrate a point.
TOTAL STATEMENTS CHECKED
Visual Learning Style
• Use flash cards or handouts.
• Use highlighters to mark notes/textbooks.
• Study in a quiet place.
• Draw pictures of math problems.
Auditory Learning Style
• Use word associations to remember facts.
• Use study groups.
• Read difficult passages aloud.
• Explain steps to a math problem aloud.
3
What are your INTERESTS?
The things that you like to do, explore,
and think about can help determine
what type of career might fit you best.
Let’s find out what statements describe
you and discover the common “themes”
to your interests.
Directions:
Read the statements in each box, and decide if each one is something
you like to do, can do, or describes you. Then put the corresponding
number in the box.
• Love it = 2
• Like it = 1
• Leave it = 0
Add up each theme, and write the sum in the TOTAL box. The box
with the highest number is your top theme! Write your top three
themes, in ranking order, in the puzzle piece below.
THEME 1: REALISTIC
I enjoy working outside.
I like playing with mechanical toys, machines, and tools.
I like to use my hands to build and create things.
I enjoy working in or planting a garden.
I value things I can grow or create.
I can fix broken machines.
I like to play sports.
I can read a blueprint or follow detailed graphic instructions.
I am curious about the physical world.
I am practical.
I am athletic.
I am straightforward.
I love nature.
I like to be physically active.
TOTAL
THEME 2: INVESTIGATIVE
I like to explore ideas.
I like to use computers.
I like to work independently/by myself.
I like to perform lab experiments.
I am interested in reading technical or scientific magazines.
MY TOP 3 THEMES ARE:
1.
2.
3.
I like to analyze data.
I can think abstractly.
I can solve math problems.
I can do complex calculations.
I can use a microscope.
I am inquisitive. (I ask many questions.)
I am precise.
I am observant.
I am scientific.
TOTAL
4
THEME 3: ARTISTIC
THEME 5: ENTERPRISING
I like to attend plays, musical performances, and art shows.
I like to make decisions that affect others.
I read fiction, plays, and poetry.
I would like to be elected into office.
I like to work on crafts and art projects.
I like to win awards for my work.
I like to take photographs.
I want to start my own business.
I have good artistic abilities compared to others my age.
I like to meet important people.
I can play a musical instrument.
I can convince people to do things my way.
I can create fashion designs.
I can sell things and promote ideas.
I can create interior designs.
I like to give talks or speeches.
I am creative.
I can organize events and activities.
I am imaginative.
I am confident in myself.
I am independent.
I am sociable.
I am innovative.
I am persuasive.
I am artistic.
I am energetic.
I am intuitive.
I am ambitious.
TOTAL
THEME 4: SOCIAL
TOTAL
THEME 6: CONVENTIONAL
I like to help people.
I like to follow defined procedures and rules.
I like to teach people.
I like to work on computers.
I like to work in groups.
I like to work with numbers.
I like to participate in meetings.
I like to be responsible for details.
I can express myself clearly.
I can keep accurate notes and records.
I like to help solve disputes.
I can write clear business letters.
I can plan and supervise activities.
I value orderliness
I value volunteer work.
I value accuracy.
I am friendly.
I am careful.
I am helpful.
I am neat.
I am insightful.
I am accurate and precise.
I am outgoing.
I am methodical.
I am understanding.
I am organized.
I am cooperative.
I am efficient.
TOTAL
TOTAL
5
Learn about your INTEREST RESUL
Now that you’ve taken the Interest
Inventory, it’s time to learn how this
piece fits into your future. People are
more likely to be happy and successful
when their career and educational
pursuits match their personality, skills,
and interests. The six themes you see
to the right help link your personality
traits with different types of education
and careers.
Remember, just because you show
high interest in one theme, it doesn’t
mean you can’t explore or do well in
others. So, don’t forget your second
and third highest ranking themes.
6
THEME 1: REALISTIC
Students scoring high in the realistic theme may find themselves
choosing classes focusing on computer skills and software
development, technology, construction, agriculture, or cooking.
These students are hands-on learners and seek out opportunities
to build or create things with their hands. Parents, teachers, and
students may say that realistic students are problem solvers, are
practical, and prefer to work alone to accomplish a task. Some
careers associated with this theme include a medical lab technician,
building inspector, industrial equipment operator, carpenter, chef,
and firefighter.
THEME 2: INVESTIGATIVE
Scoring high in the investigative theme may indicate you are great
at working with numbers or data, and that science and math are
two of your favorite subjects. Many investigative-type students
are interested in performing research and doing experiments; if
a task requires you to think and analyze it, you generally enjoy
it. Professions that many investigative people consider include a
scientist, doctor, computer programmer, pharmacist, engineer,
and detective.
LTS
THEME 3: ARTISTIC
THEME 5: ENTERPRISING
Artistic-type students can be seen writing, painting, singing, dancing, and
creating in their own unique ways. These are the students that express
their creativity and imagination in school by taking art, music, or drama, and
out of school in their personal time. Many artistic people do not care what
other people think and tend to “think outside the box;” routine bores
them. Actors, artists, jewelry and clothing designers, cosmetologists,
and floral designers are all types of jobs and careers that artistic-themed
people may consider.
Enterprising students are seen as popular, confident, and social. They can
persuade and influence others easily. They like public speaking and are
considered outgoing, ambitious, talkative, and competitive. Students with
high-enterprising theme scores are often natural leaders and are selected
to lead school-wide events or initiatives. Enterprising people may seek
careers in politics, law, real estate, sales and retail management, travel,
and public relations.
THEME 6: CONVENTIONAL
THEME 4: SOCIAL
Students with high scores in the social theme are often the most outgoing
and easiest to get along with. They are aware of how other people feel
and are dedicated to helping others. These are the students who are
involved with or have interest in community service, student government,
mentoring, or peer mediation. The term “social butterfly” often applies
to them. Some of the careers held by socially high-scoring people include
counseling, nursing, physical therapy, teaching, and public safety.
For conventional-themed students, details matter. They keep accurate
records and notes and thrive on routine. They are well-organized and
have good clerical skills. Although these students may not stand out as
obvious leaders, behind the scenes they are making sure the jobs get
done, especially the paperwork and the details. They follow the rules
and are practical. If this sounds like you, professions you might consider
include those where you can work with data and use orderly methods to
accomplish your tasks, such as accountants, secretaries, bank tellers,
computer and database operators, and researchers.
“Eighth Grade Interest and Personality Assessment – Holland Occupational Themes,” handout. Also used was Lawrence K. Jones, Ph.D.,
“The Career Key; Measure Your Interests and Learn Which Job Fits You Best” (North Carolina State University, 1987, 1990, 1997).
Learning Styles + Interests + Strengths =
A Future of Possibilities
Learning styles help determine the best way for you to gather
and think about information. Your interests are the areas that you
are excited to think about or be involved in. And your strengths?
Well, those are your talents and abilities—areas you are good at
without having to really try too hard.
When you combine the way you learn with the areas in which
you are interested and excel, the possibilities are limitless. What
comes to you naturally? What do people say you do well? Ask
a family member or classmate what strengths they see in you.
Write the top three answers here.
MY STRENGTHS ARE:
1.
2.
3.
7
Let’s discuss your GOALS & CAREE
CAREER CLUSTERS
According to the Virginia Department of Education, Career Clusters are
groupings of occupations and broad industries based on commonalities.
They help students investigate careers and design their course of study to
advance their career goals. There are 16 different clusters from which to
choose. Selecting a Career Cluster to pursue should be based on your
learning style, interests, and strengths.
Virginia Department of Education Career Clusters
We’ve listed some example professions that fall under each Career Cluster, but to learn more about each cluster and work demand, salaries
and educational requirements, please visit www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/career_technical/career_clusters/index.shtml. List the
Career Clusters that most interest you in the orange puzzle piece below.
• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources: Butchers,
environmental engineers, farm workers, landscapers, pest control
workers, and veterinarians
• Architecture & Construction: Architects, carpenters,
civil engineers, construction managers, electricians, interior
designers, and plumbers
• Arts, A/V Technology & Communications: Camera operators,
editors, fashion designers, graphic designers, photographers,
printing press operators, and writers
• Business Management & Administration: Bookkeepers,
customer service representatives, claims adjusters, legal and
medical secretaries, and property managers
• Education & Training: Child care workers, curators, education
administrators,fitness trainers, librarians, and teachers
• Finance: Accountants, economists, financial advisers, insurance
agents, loan officers, real estate appraisers, and tellers
• Government & Public Administration: Building inspectors,
court clerks, legislators, social workers, and postmasters
• Health Science: Dental assistants, paramedics, pharmacists,
physical therapists, and nurses
• Hospitality & Tourism: Bartenders, chefs, hotel desk clerks,
housekeepers, tour guides, travel agents, and waiters
• Human Services: Psychologists, nutritionists, school counselors,
hairstylists, rehabilitation counselors, and skin care specialists
• Information Technology: Computer programmers, database
administrators, software developers, and statisticians
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security: Court reporters,
detectives, firefighters, lawyers, police, and probation officers
8
• Manufacturing: Industrial engineers, machinists, sheet metal
workers, and welders
• Marketing: Advertising managers, cashiers, marketing managers,
public relations managers, and telemarketers
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics:
Aerospace engineers, chemical engineers, electrical engineers,
geoscientists, physicists, and political scientists
• Transportation, Distribution & Logistics: Aircraft service
techs, automotive service techs, shipping clerks, and truck drivers
CLUSTERS OF INTEREST:
1.
2.
3.
ER OPPORTUNITIES
SMART GOALS
We all set goals, some personal and some school-related. Setting and achieving
goals gives us a sense of accomplishment and pride. They help us organize
tasks and track progress. One big step toward putting the pieces of your future
together involves creating SMART goals.
Specific - What do you want to accomplish exactly?
Measurable - How are you going to tell that you accomplished this goal?
Action-Oriented - What are you going to do to accomplish this goal?
Realistic - Are you going to be able to accomplish this goal, really?
Time-Sensitive - When are you going to accomplish this goal? Set a date.
Here is an example of a SMART goal for an 8th grader:
By the end of 8th grade, I will successfully complete Algebra 1 with a grade of B or higher
and earn my first high school verified credit.
It’s Specific: I will successfully complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade and earn a verified high school credit.
It’s Measurable: I will use my quarterly and semester grades to monitor my progress.
It’s Action-Oriented: I will complete all required assignments, appropriate study strategies, and test-taking strategies to successfully
complete the course.
It’s Realistic: If needed, I will attend Algebra help sessions with my teacher or work with a peer tutor. By successfully completing Algebra 1
in middle school, I am preparing myself for college and possible careers of interest.
It’s Time-Sensitive: I will successfully complete Algebra 1 and pass the Algebra 1 SOL by the end of the school year to earn the verified credit.
MY GOAL:
Using the questions & example
above, write a SMART goal for exploring
one of your Career Clusters of interest.
George Doran, Arthur Miller and James Cunningham,
“There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and
Objectives,” Management Review 70, no. 11 (AMA Forum)
(Nov. 1981): 35-36.
9
Putting it all TOGETHER
You have learned a lot about your learning styles, interests, strengths, and
set some pretty SMART goals. Now, let’s see how we can put the puzzle
pieces together!
This section discusses things you can do in middle school and in high school
to prepare you for college and beyond. The good news is that your family,
school administrators, counselors, and teachers are eager to help you complete
the puzzle.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
LEARNING
STYLES
Middle school is all about building healthy habits, both
academically and socially. And you’ve already started doing
just that by working through this book! Take a look at what
you’ve already completed below.
STRENGTHS
Going forward, use your time in middle school to practice
an after-school routine for homework and studying. Find
friends who support your goals and discover the variety of
activities available to you. Once you complete the checklist
below, tackling the next steps of planning your future in high
school, college and beyond will come more easily.
GOALS
INTERESTS
&
CAREERS
10
✔
✔
✔
✔
Understand your learning style.
❑
Take elective classes that work toward
your educational and career pursuits.
❑
Ask your teachers about taking Algebra I
and other honors courses.
❑
❑
Take a foreign language class.
Evaluate your interests.
Set SMART goals.
Research college and career options
based on your interests and goals.
Send a postcard to a college to request
more information.
steps to take during HIGH SCHOOL
FRESHMAN & SOPHOMORE YEARS
JUNIOR & SENIOR YEARS
Your freshman and sophomore years are about adjusting to
a big transition and preparing yourself for advanced levels
of coursework. Learn to balance your activities and your
challenges so you can continue to define your interests.
During your junior and senior years it is important to maintain
your academic course of study while exploring and ultimately
applying to the colleges and universities that match your needs
and interests.
❑
Work with counselors and teachers to
plan your high school course selection.
❑
Research the requirements for an
advanced studies diploma.
❑
❑
❑
Take honors classes.
❑
Join sports teams, clubs, and afterschool activities.
❑
❑
Do community service.
Take Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
Research the requirements for an
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
Check out the high school I am the One
Planner for more information.
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
Begin a college search.
❑
Check out the high school I am the One
Planner for more information.
Get copies of your transcripts.
Practice college essay writing.
Take the SAT.
Take the ACT.
Visit different colleges.
Fill out and submit college applications.
Look into applying for FAFSA.
Take dual enrollment courses.
Visit college fairs.
Search for scholarships and begin
applying for them.
college & beyond
All the pieces of the puzzle will fit together once you are able to match your learning styles, interests, talents, skills, abilities, and goals to find
a college or university that is right for you. It’s not too early to think about the characteristics you might prefer in a college. Do you want to go to
a two-year community college or a four-year college/university? What type of major or minor are you considering? Will you live on-campus or be
a commuter student?
As you grow and change, so will your plans for the future. Continue to learn about yourself, and
keep exploring!
11
PUBLIC Colleges in Virginia
There are many great colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
You can use the postcard in the back of this planner to get more information about
any college or university you choose.
MARYLAND
29
Winchester
Middletown
WEST VIRGINIA
4
Bridgewater
81
Front Royal
Harrisonburg
66
21
64
Clifton Forge
23
26
Locust Grove
Blacksburg
Bluefield
39
30 11
Richlands
81
Wise
20
Big Stone Gap
42
Abingdon
Emory
Bristol
TENNESSEE
Dublin
44
Wytheville
77
31
15
18
Salem
8
64
Buena Vista
Lynchburg
5
Ferrum
38
17 33
Martinsville
19
295
Richmond
Farmville
Hampden-Sydney
24 16
Ashland
12 27
Sweet Briar
Roanoke
Radford
95
Charlottesville
Lexington
43
Fredericksburg
9
35
13
22
KENTUCKY
10
Washington D.C.
Fairfax
Annandale
32
3
Weyers Cave
Staunton
Ashburn
Arlington
Alberta
64
2
95
South Boston
Danville
7
6
41
Virginia Beach
34
Franklin
NORTH CAROLINA
PUBLIC FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS
12
1
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
2
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
3
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
4
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
5
LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY
6
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
1 University Place, Newport News, VA 23606
www.cnu.edu
Suburban, approx. 4,800 students; Mascot: Captains
P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187
www.wm.edu
Suburban, approx. 5,800 students; Mascot: Griffins
4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
www.gmu.edu
Suburban, approx. 18,200 students; Mascot: Patriots
800 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
www.jmu.edu
Rural, approx. 16,600 students; Mascot: Dukes
201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909
www.longwood.edu
Rural, 3,971 students; Mascot: Lancers
700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504
www.nsu.edu
Urban, approx. 5,500 students; Mascot: Spartans
Melfa
Glenns
Williamsburg
Petersburg
1 40
14 37
Hampton
Newport News
Norfolk
Chester
85
28
25
36
7
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
8
RADFORD UNIVERSITY
9
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
10
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
11
UVA’S COLLEGE AT WISE
12
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
5215 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529
www.odu.edu
Urban, approx. 17,000 students; Mascot: Monarchs
East Norwood Street, Radford, VA 24142
www.radford.edu
Rural, approx. 8,100 students; Mascot: Highlanders
1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
www.umw.edu
Suburban, approx. 4,100 students; Mascot: Eagles
P.O. Box 9011, Charlottesville, VA 22906
www.virginia.edu
Suburban, approx. 13,900 students; Mascot: Cavaliers
1 College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293
www.wise.virginia.edu
Rural, approx. 1,600 students; Mascot: Cavaliers
910 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284
www.vcu.edu
Urban, approx. 21,000 students; Mascot: Rams
13
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
14
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
15
319 Letcher Avenue, Lexington, VA 24450
www.vmi.edu
Rural, approx. 1,400 students; Mascot: Keydets
P.O. Box 9001, Petersburg, VA 23806
www.vsu.edu
Suburban, approx. 4,400 students; Mascot: Trojans
28
JOHN TYLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
29
LORD FAIRFAX COMMUNITY COLLEGE
30
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
31
NEW RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
32
NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
33
PATRICK HENRY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
34
PAUL D. CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE
35
PIEDMONT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
36
RAPPAHANNOCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
37
RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE
38
SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
(CHRISTANNA CAMPUS)
VIRGINIA TECH
201 Burruss Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061
www.vt.edu
Rural, approx. 23,400 students; Mascot: Hokies
OTHER PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS
16
INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LEARNING AND RESEARCH
17
NEW COLLEGE INSTITUTE
18
ROANOKE HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER
19
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER
20
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER
150 Slayton Avenue, Danville, VA 24540
www.ialr.org, Rural
29 Jones Street Courthouse Square, Martinsville, VA 24112
www.newcollegeinstitute.org, Rural
108 North Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24016
www.education.edu, Suburban
820 Bruce Street, South Boston, VA 24592
www.svhed.org, Rural
One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24212
www.swcenter.edu, Rural
PUBLIC TWO-YEAR SCHOOLS
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
P.O. Box 80, Weyers Cave, VA 24486
www.brcc.edu, Rural
CENTRAL VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
3506 Wards Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502
www.cvcc.vccs.edu, Suburban
DABNEY S. LANCASTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
P.O. Box 1000, Clifton Forge, VA 24422
www.dslcc.vccs.edu, Rural
DANVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1008 S. Main Street, Danville, VA 24541
www.dcc.vccs.edu, Rural
EASTERN SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
29300 Lankford Highway, Melfa, VA 23410
www.es.vccs.edu, Rural
GERMANNA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2130 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove, VA 22508
www.germanna.edu, Rural
13101 Jefferson Davis Highway, Chester, VA 23831
www.jtcc.edu, Suburban
173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645
www.lfcc.edu, Rural
3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
www.me.vccs.edu, Rural
Drawer 1127, Dublin, VA 24084
www.nr.vccs.edu, Rural
4001 Wakefield Chapel Road, Annandale, VA 22003
www.nvcc.edu, Suburban
P.O. Box 5311, Martinsville, VA 24115
www.ph.vccs.edu, Rural
P.O. Box 737, Franklin, VA 23851
www.pdc.edu, Suburban
501 College Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22902-7589
www.pvcc.edu, Suburban
12745 College Drive, Glenns, VA 23149
www.rcc.vccs.edu, Rural
11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg, VA 23805
www.rbc.edu, Rural
109 Campus Drive, Alberta, VA 23821
www.sv.vccs.edu, Rural
39
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
40
THOMAS NELSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
41
TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
42
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
43
VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
44
WYTHEVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
P.O. Box SVCC, Richlands, VA 24641
www.sw.vccs.edu, Rural
P.O. Box 9407, Hampton, VA 23670
www.tncc.edu, Suburban
P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, VA 23509
www.tcc.edu, Suburban
P.O. Box 828, Abingdon, VA 24210
www.vhcc.edu, Rural
P.O. Box 14007, Roanoke, VA 24038
www.virginiawestern.edu, Suburban
1000 East Main Street, Wytheville, VA 24382
www.wcc.vccs.edu, Rural
J. SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
P.O. Box 85622, Richmond, VA 23285
www.jsr.vccs.edu, Suburban
Institution classifications and enrollment numbers courtesy
of the Virginia Wizard 2012 (www.vawizard.com).
13
PRIVATE Colleges in Virginia
MARYLAND
65
Winchester
Middletown
WEST VIRGINIA
49
Bridgewater
47
81
64
Locust Grove
64
67
66
Sweet Briar
KENTUCKY
46
Bluefield
Richlands
Wise
Big Stone Gap
Abingdon
TENNESSEE
50
81
Wytheville
Emory
Blacksburg
Dublin
77
Radford
Salem
64
51
Farmville
Hampden-Sydney
Roanoke
Ferrum
Alberta
Martinsville
69 Bristol
45
Fredericksburg
62
Ashland
295
68 Richmond
70
57 Lynchburg
58 61
53
55 56
60
Washington D.C.
Fairfax
Annandale
95
Charlottesville
Lexington
Buena Vista
66
Arlington
Weyers Cave
59
72
Front Royal
Harrisonburg
Staunton
Clifton Forge
48
52 Ashburn
Chester
85
Melfa
64
Glenns
Williamsburg
Petersburg
54
Hampton
Newport News
Norfolk
95
Danville
71
63
Virginia Beach
Franklin
NORTH CAROLINA
PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATE
IN THE VIRGINIA TUITION ASSISTANCE
GRANT PROGRAM
45
AVERETT UNIVERSITY
46
BLUEFIELD COLLEGE
47
BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE
48
49
14
420 West Main Street, Danville, VA 24541
www.averett.edu
Suburban, approx. 770 students; Mascot: Cougars
3000 College Drive, Bluefield, VA 24605
www.bluefield.edu
Rural, approx. 750 students, Mascot: Ramblin’ Rams
402 East College Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812
www.bridgewater.edu
Rural, approx. 1,500 students, Mascot: Eagles
50
EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE
51
FERRUM COLLEGE
52
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
(ASHBURN CAMPUS)
53
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
54
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
EASTERN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY
1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.emu.edu
Rural, approx. 950 students; Mascot: Royals
P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088
www.ferrum.edu
Rural, approx. 1,300 students; Mascot: Panthers
20101 Academic Way, Ashburn, VA 20147
www.gwvirginia.gwu.edu
Suburban, approx. 650 students; Mascot: Colonials
CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE
134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630
www.christendom.edu
Rural, approx. 420 students, Mascot: Crusaders
P.O. Box 947, Emory, VA 24327
www.ehc.edu
Rural, approx. 890 students; Mascot: Wasps
P.O. Box 667, Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943
www.hsc.edu
Rural, approx. 1,100 students; Mascot: Tigers
1st Floor, Whipple Barn, Hampton, VA 23668
www.hamptonu.edu
Suburban, approx. 5,400 students; Mascot: Pirates
55
HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
P.O. Box 9707, Roanoke, VA 24020
www.hollins.edu
Suburban, approx. 790 students; Mascot: N/A
66 SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
One University Hill Drive, Buena Vista, VA 24416
www.svu.edu
Rural, approx. 690 students; Mascot: Knights
56
JEFFERSON COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
67
SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
57
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
68
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
58
LYNCHBURG COLLEGE
1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501
www.lynchburg.edu
Suburban, approx. 2,100 students; Mascot: Hornets
69 VIRGINIA INTERMONT COLLEGE
1013 Moore Street, Bristol, VA 24201
www.vic.edu
Suburban, approx. 520 students; Mascot: Cobras
59
MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE
70
VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY
71
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
72
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY
920 S. Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24016
www.jchs.edu
Urban, approx. 900 students; Mascot: N/A
1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg, VA 24502
www.liberty.edu
Suburban, approx. 21,500 students; Mascot: Flames
318 Prospect Street, Staunton, VA 24401
www.mbc.edu
Suburban, approx. 1,400 students;
Mascot: Fighting Squirrels
60 MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207
www.marymount.edu
Suburban, approx. 2,200 students; Mascot: Saints
61
RANDOLPH COLLEGE
62
RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE
63
REGENT UNIVERSITY
64
ROANOKE COLLEGE
65
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
2500 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503
www.randolphcollege.edu
Suburban, approx. 550 students; Mascot: Wildcats
134 Chapel Road, Sweet Briar, VA 24595
www.sbc.edu
Rural, approx. 650 students; Mascot: Vixens
28 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, VA 23173
www.richmond.edu
Suburban, approx. 2,700 students; Mascot: Spiders
1500 N. Lombardy Street, Richmond, VA 23220
www.vuu.edu
Urban, approx. 1,500 students; Mascot: Panthers
1584 Wesleyan Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
www.vwc.edu
Suburban, approx. 1,300 students; Mascot: Marlins
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
www.wlu.edu
Rural, approx. 1,700 students, Mascot: Generals
P.O. Box 5005, 204 Henry Street, Ashland, VA 23005
www.rmc.edu
Suburban, approx. 1,200 students;
Mascot: Yellow Jackets
1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
www.regent.edu
Suburban, approx. 1,500 students; Mascot: N/A
221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153
www.roanoke.edu
Suburban, approx. 2,000 students; Mascot: Maroons
1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601
www.su.edu
Suburban, approx. 3,000 students; Mascot: Hornets
Institution classifications and enrollment numbers courtesy
of the Virginia Wizard 2012 (www.vawizard.com).
15
TEXTING Glossary
When it comes to learning about different educational and training choices, you
will hear lots of new terms. Just like when you text, abbreviations are used to
identify the different levels of degrees and achievement. Don’t be puzzled; simply
review the glossary of terms below and LOL!
• A.A. (Associate Degree):
You receive this degree after completing a two-year program at
a community college. Many people also choose to transfer their
credits to attend a four-year college or university.
• Esq. (Esquire):
Historically, the abbreviation Esq. has been used as a title of
courtesy and respect. In the United States, the title is generally
used as a title for lawyers, after the full name.
• B.A. or B.S. (Bachelor’s Degrees):
You receive this degree upon completion of a four-year college
program. Many jobs, such as educators and other professional
occupations, require this degree as a minimum requirement for
employment.
• A.B.D. (All But Dissertation):
This refers to a student who has completed all the requirements for
a Ph.D. except for the dissertation. It is used primarily in reference
to doctoral candidates whose dissertation is in progress, to state
that the candidate is eligible to apply for positions that require a
Ph.D. The abbreviation is acceptable in place of the full expression.
• Lt. (Lieutenant):
In order to serve as an officer in the armed forces, you must be in
good health, have a high school diploma, have graduated from a
four-year university and/or attended officer candidate school.
• M.Ed., M.FA. , M.A., M.S., (Master’s Degrees):
This degree comes after a Bachelor’s degree and usually takes two
years of full-time college to complete. Many people choose to get
this degree to give them a better chance of getting a higher paying
job or a promotion.
• J.D. (Doctor of Law Degree):
This degree comes after a Bachelor’s degree and takes three
additional years of full-time college to complete.
For additional information about terms and degrees,
visit www.vacareerview.org and/or connect with your
school counselor.
16
• Ph.D. and M.D. (Doctorate Degrees):
This degree comes after a Master’s degree and usually takes
2–4 years of full-time college to complete. This is also called a
professional degree and it is required for people who want to be
medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians, as well as professors in
four-year colleges and universities. You may get this degree in
most majors offering a four-year degree and/or Master’s degree.
WORD SEARCH FUN
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ACTION-ORIENTED
MEASURABLE
REALISTIC
SPECIFIC
TIME-SENSITIVE
LEARNING STYLES
STRENGTHS
INTERESTS
COLLEGE
DEGREE
CAREER
SCHOLARSHIP
FINANCIAL AID
TRANSCRIPT
FUTURE
SUCCESS
VISUAL
TACTILE
T
H
AUDITORY
INVESTIGATIVE
ARTISTIC
SOCIAL
ENTERPRISING
CONVENTIONAL
A W G
I
Y
STUDY
FRESHMAN
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR
SENIOR
Here are a few simple career exploration activities that you can do at home:
• Name a career related to your favorite school subject.
• Create a career collage from magazines or newspapers.
• Talk about how school skills relate to good work habits.
• Name a job for each letter of the alphabet
• Interview someone about their career.
PLANNING
MY FUTURE
One Piece at a Time
i-am-the-one.com
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
Want more info about
A VIRGINIA COLLEGE
OR UNIVERSITY?
1. Finterested
ind the address
of a school you’re
in on pages 12–15.
2.Fdon’t
ill out the postcard below—
forget the stamp!
3.Tandeardrop
off the completed postcard
it in the mailbox.
Hi, my name is
and I am taking charge of planning my future! I’m
exploring Virginia colleges and universities and would
like to receive information about your school. Please
send materials to:
name
address
citystate
Thank you for helping me plan my future, one piece at a time!
zip
LEARN MORE
You can use the web to plan your future, choose a college,
and find out how to pay for school, too. Check out these
websites for more information.
PLANNING AND TESTING
FINANCIAL AID
I am the One
FAFSA
College Board
FastWeb
KnowHow2Go
FinAid
SAT
VA529
www.collegeboard.com/testing
www.virginia529.com
ACT
CAREERS
www.i-am-the-one.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.knowhow2go.org
www.actstudent.org
U.S. Government’s Kids’ Web Portal
www.kids.usa.gov
U.S. Department of Education
Federal Student Aid
www.studentaid.ed.gov
Mapping Your Future
www.mappingyourfuture.org
The College Board
www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.org
Virginia Wizard
www.vawizard.org
Career Clusters/
Career Technical Education
www.careertech.org
Virginia Career VIEW
www.vacareerview.org
Vocational Information Center
www.khake.com
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
State Council of Higher Education
for Virginia
www.schev.edu
Virginia Department of Education
www.doe.virginia.gov
U.S. Department of Education
www.ed.gov
i-am-the-one.com
The content of this planner was developed by Virginia middle school counselors through a partnership
with the Virginia School Counselor Association. Their professional input was invaluable.
The publication was brought to you by the federal College Access Challenge Grant Program and the State
Council of Higher Education for Virginia. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S.
Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.