RRHS: College/Career News 09/04/26

Our weekly newsletter is published every Friday at 7 PM. This newsletter is packed with valuable resources and opportunities to help families navigate the path after high school. Whether your student is pursuing college, military service, or entering the workforce, you'll find information, tools, and updates to support informed decision-making. We’ll also highlight summer programs, internships, and enrichment opportunities as they become available.

For any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Marchante at tiziana.marchante@lcps.org or schedule a meeting using this link.

- September 22 | Information Session: 2027 Summer Residential Governor's School (10 & 11 graders only)
🕕 6:30pm - View it here - See more information under Sophomore & Juniors section

- September 23 | Financial Aid Information Night
🕕 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Briar Woods High School
- September 25 | RRHS Virtual Parent Coffee
🕣 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
Topic: Higher Education Process | All Grades | Register here
- September 26 | Virginia Tech Open House
🕣 TBA | Registration available end of August

- September 27 | PCACAC College Fair
🕣 4:00 PM- 5:30 PM | At the Catholic University of America | Register here

- September 27 | PCACAC College Fair
🕣 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM | At Howard Community College | Register here

- October 6 | Deadline - 2027 National Arts Competition - (Grade 10-12)
🕒 8:00 PM
Learn More
- October 7 | FAFSA Application assistance
🕒 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Briar Woods High School
- October 4 | LCPS College Fair
🕒 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM | Riverside High School - Sensory Friendly

🕒 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Riverside High School
Register here
- October 12 | George Mason University Fall Visit Day & Open House
Register Early
- October 14 | PSAT at RRHS
🕓 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- October 14 | ASVAB Test at RRHS (Seniors Only)
🕓 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Register here!

- October 17 | Christopher Newport University

🕓 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Register Early
- October 18 | Fairfax County College Fair
🕓 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Learn More
- October 21 | NACAC National College Fair
🕘 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🕕 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Baltimore Convention Center
Learn More

High school students interested in pursuing medical careers are invited to learn more about Washington & Jefferson College's Pre-Health Programs during upcoming virtual information sessions. These programs offer direct pathways to medical school through partnerships with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (BA/MD) and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).

Students and families can attend a virtual session on September 3 at 6:30pm EST or October 14 at 6:30pm EST to hear from program directors, learn about admission pathways, and ask questions about these unique opportunities.

Students in grades 9–12 have the opportunity to meet with college or military representatives visiting Rock Ridge. Please note that visits are scheduled based on representatives’ availability, and not all colleges or branches will be able to attend.

To register for a visit, log in to LCPSGO, search for SchooLinks, and sign in. Some students may need to complete a short onboarding process first. Once on your dashboard, click on Events at the top to view and register.

Students must submit a pass in order to attend at the teacher's discretion.

Those sessions are during school time and only for students.

View the video to learn about your Senior college process

On September 2 at 6pm, the LCPS district office held a webinar on to learn how the SchooLinks platform can support your senior as they apply to colleges.

The webinar will be posted on the School Counseling website.

This is your year! Now is the time to decide which path is the best fit for you after high school. Throughout this journey, you’ll work closely with your teachers, school counselor, and College & Career Specialist, Mrs. Marchante.

This newsletter, along with the RRHS Senior Update newsletter sent out every Sunday by your Senior Sponsors will be your primary sources of important information and updates.

Review the presentation and workshop from the College Jumpstart of August 14.

The Counseling office is excited to share with you some insight into how we will be helping Senior Students with their post-graduation plans.

Mandatory Senior Advisement Meeting

Students may now schedule their mandatory Senior Advisement Meeting with their assigned School Counselor. Meetings will run from September 10th-October 9th. You may schedule your appointment via this link: Rock Ridge Senior Booking

Students may have a different assigned School Counselor this year; please see the breakdown below.

Mrs. Domingues (A-Bri)

Mrs. Rodas (Bro-F)

Ms. Gardner (G-Kau)

Ms. Erestain (Kav-Moh)

Ms. Leach (Mol-P)

Ms. Buck (R-Sri)

Ms. Bryan (Sro-Z)

What to Expect from the Senior Meeting

Based on each student's interests and goals after High School, Counselors will outline the process for applying to colleges and/or provide information regarding military opportunities, community college, gap year, etc. In addition, counselors will review websites, forms, and items needed.

Students Applying to College

Transcript Checklist forms are available in the school counseling office OR via this link: 2026-27 Transcript Checklist Form. Only one transcript checklist form is needed.

A Note about Transcript Request Forms

As a reminder, the Counselors follow College & University application deadlines only. That is, if you submit a transcript request form "much" earlier than the college deadline, the Counselors will still abide by the College/University deadlines. The Counseling office provides internal department submission deadlines for all forms that students will be required to follow. These deadlines allow Counselors enough time to prepare forms and send a completed packet to each College by the College & University application deadline.

For Senior students who may have an October 15th college application deadline; the deadline for submitting your Transcript Checklist form to the Counseling office is September 24, 2026. These students should also set up their Senior meeting as soon as they can.

Two step process to get your application set up with Common App and SchooLinks. Student must do this process in order to start the college application process.

Seniors:

Seniors will have a mandatory senior meeting with their counselor starting September 10. A link will be shared to students to start booking their appointment.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® form) will be available to all students on October 1.

Deadline to complete it varies per universities. Generally, it is better to have it completed as soon as a college application has been submitted or by March 1, the latest.

For more information, the following information sessions & workshops have been set up for students and parents:

1. September 23, 2026 - Family Financial Aid Night -6pm-8pm at Briar Woods High School
2. October 7, 2026 - FAFSA Application Assistance at Briar Woods High School
3. January 8, 2027 - RRHS Virtual Parents' Coffee - 8:30am- 9:15am Scholarships & Financial Aid - Registration coming soon!
4. February 27, 2027 - RRHS FAFSA Workshop - 1pm- 3pm - Open to all LCPS - Register here!

In the meantime, to complete the FAFSA, create your FSA ID, if you don't have one already. This unique username and password will help parents and students access their portion of the FAFSA. ONE FSA ID per person (Student and parents/guardians). If you already have one due to another child or yourself in college, you do not need to create one.

Documents should not be needed as the FAFSA connects directly with the IRS. In case the connection does not work, you will need to bring your taxes from 2025.

Mrs. Marchante is always available to guide you with the FAFSA completion and can sit with you and families.

You can log into LCPSGO>Schoolinks and click College>Scholarship Matching on the left hand side. You can filter by district-posted and by upcoming deadlines. Deadlines go as far as June.

It is recommended to dedicate at least one hour each weekend to apply to as many as possible.

Students can start applying now!

In addition, I will share specific RRHS Scholarships or specific college scholarships that require the school nomination.

This website sends out monthly scholarships availability. I highly encourage to sign up for their newsletter or bookmark this link.

In addition, students are highly encouraged to apply to their foundation scholarships. University foundation scholarships are funded by philanthropic organizations and alumni and awarded to students based on a variety of criteria, including academic merit, financial need, and field of study. These are found by doing a search on the university website or under their financial and scholarships department.

Junior Year (The Crucial Year)

• Take SAT/ACT:

  Complete these standardized tests in your junior year to get them out of the way
• Apply for Nominations: By the spring of your junior year, contact your congressional representatives (U.S. Representative and both U.S. Senators) to apply for a nomination.
• Start the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire found in each academy website: Begin the preliminary steps by filling out the pre-candidate questionnaire (PCQ), which opens in the spring of your junior year and remains open through your senior year.
• Visit the Academies: Visit the academies to see firsthand what life is like.

Senior Year (Applying & Finalizing)

• Finalize Applications: Complete the full application, including your high school transcript, recommendations, and essays, by the various fall or early winter deadlines.

• Submit Full Application: The deadline for submitting the full application is generally around December 31st or early January of your senior year.

If you are a current sophomore or junior in Loudoun County Public Schools looking for a once in a lifetime summer experience you are in the right place! The Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School (SRGS) programs cover a huge range of interests! Dip your toe into the college-life as you explore your chosen field in depth. Spend a few weeks on a Virginia college campus with students from around the state that share your interests and make life-long memories and connections through this prestigious experience. Another great thing - these programs are (mostly) FREE! Explore this website to discover what this opportunity has to offer, how to apply, and tips to make your application stand out in the selection process. The information on this site is also in our Schoology group if you prefer that platform. Join info is below:

Go to Schoology, Groups (top), My Groups (upper right), Join Group (right).

Enter access Code: NWDS-XSN2-2N9VT

Virtual Info Session:

Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30pm

• Join the meeting now

• If you do not have Microsoft Teams installed on your device, click the Meeting Link, type in your name, and select “Continue in Browser.”

• If you do have Microsoft Teams installed on your device, the link will take you directly to the meeting

Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is a FREE program for high school sophomores.

Application is from August 15 - October 26

Begin volunteering and explore summer programs for your upcoming grade. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want to do in the future and where you’d like to work or attend college. Be sure to review the job and volunteering opportunities listed below.

Freshmen are encouraged to complete all the SchooLinks assessments to evaluate their strengths, skills, and potential college and career pathways. Take a personality test to better understand your abilities and areas for growth, then meet with Mrs. Marchante to review and interpret your results: 16 Personalities Test.

How to search?

Go on Indeed.com with key words "HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT" & "ASHBURN, VA"

Visit job postings on Loudoun Workforce Center Jobs

Did you know you can develop your resume with SchooLinks?

Check this link and come to the career center to make it even more professional!

Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to learn how to build their resume and look for jobs!

Friends of the Brambleton Library is currently seeking individuals to serve as student members on our board for the 2026-2027 school year. FOBL is a 501c3 organization that works to directly support the Brambleton Library in Ashburn, VA. Students on the board can enjoy working together with our current adult and teen members to plan and execute our large yearly book sale, as well as smaller pop-up sales throughout the year. Teens will also have the opportunity to use their creativity to help promote events to their community.

Visit the website for more information.

Sign up to volunteer

The Big Dig of Northern Virginia, presented by Van Metre, is a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly event where kids (and kids at heart!) can climb into the driver’s seat and experience the thrill of operating heavy machinery—like excavators, scissor lifts, and more—under the guidance of trained construction professionals.

Since launching in 2021, Big Dig NOVA has raised over $621,000 in the fight against pediatric cancer, becoming a beloved community tradition with a powerful mission. We are proud to partner exclusively with Inova Children’s Hospital to support children and families in Northern Virginia facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Proceeds from the event will fund vital cancer care initiatives at Inova Children’s.

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 43045 Van Metre Drive, Ashburn, VA 20148
Rain Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026

Wheatland Equestrian is a nonprofit equestrian program that provides therapeutic riding and inclusive equestrian opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. Riders participate in the program with a wide range of physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, and volunteers play an essential role in making these services possible.

Wheatland Equestrian is currently welcoming high school students ages 16 and older to join its volunteer team. Volunteering offers students a meaningful opportunity to earn community service hours for school and college applications while gaining hands-on experience, developing responsibility and leadership skills, and making a positive impact on the lives of riders and their families.

Students can see me at any time during school time and parents can schedule a meeting with me using the link below.

Book an appointment

Email: tiziana.marchante@lcps.org

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