Seniors and Families,

Last year, I shared that I was navigating the college application process for the first time as a parent with my senior daughter. Having now experienced the full process, including campus visits, applications, financial aid, and the many decisions along the way, I have an even greater appreciation for how exciting and, at times, overwhelming the transition from high school can be.

Going through this process as a parent reinforced how important it is for students and families to have clear information, helpful resources, and people they can turn to with questions. As our seniors begin planning for life after Annandale, I want to highlight the support available to them throughout the year.

Beginning this week, our College and Career Center will host visits from college and university representatives from across the country. These visits give juniors and seniors the opportunity to hear directly from admissions representatives about their schools, admission requirements, financial aid options, campus life, and more.

Students must register for college visits through Naviance. After logging in, students should click “Colleges,” select “College Visits,” and click “Register Now” for each visit they wish to attend. Students will receive a confirmation email after registering.

Passes will be delivered to students’ first class (R1/W2) on the morning of the visit. Students who do not have a first class may pick up their passes in the College and Career Center, Room 103. Please note that only students who register through Naviance will be permitted to attend.

On Wednesday, September 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., we invite all seniors and their families to join us for Senior Parent Night. The evening will help students and families learn more about several options after high school, including four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, and the military. Breakout sessions will be offered for each pathway, along with a session on financial aid. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

We are also offering College Application Help to support seniors throughout the process:

• Monday-Friday During Lunch, College and Career Center: Our College and Career Specialist, Viri Acosta, is available to review applications, answer questions, and provide guidance with any part of the college application process.
• Thursdays After School, Room T-14: AVID students provide assistance from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. with developing a college list, requesting transcripts, completing the Common Application, requesting recommendations, and more.
• Atoms Writing Center: The Atoms Writing Center will be available later this month to help students with college essays and supplemental questions. Additional information will be shared soon.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing our seniors and families at Senior Parent Night on September 23.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

College & Career Events at Annandale HS

September 14 - College Visits Begin: Beginning tomorrow, September 14, our College & Career Center will host visits from representatives for colleges and universities throughout the country. Students will have the opportunity to hear from college admissions representatives to learn what makes their institution unique, admission requirements, financial aid, and more. Students must log into Naviance to register. Click on "Colleges" at the top of the page and then click on "college visits." Click "register now" for the visits you would like to attend. Once you have signed up, you should receive a confirmation email. Passes will be delivered to your first class (R1/W2) the morning of the scheduled visit. If you do not have a first class you may pick up your pass from the Career Center (Room 103). Open to grades 10-12. Students who are not registered in Naviance for a college visit will be denied entry.

September 23 - Senior Parent Night, 6-8pm: As senior year begins, it's the perfect time for students to start planning for life after high school. Join us on Wednesday, September 23 for an informative evening dedicated to exploring a variety of postsecondary pathways. Whether you're considering a four-year university, community college, trade school, or the military, this event offers a valuable opportunity to learn more about your options and begin shaping your future. Breakout sessions will be offered for each pathway, along with a session on financial aid for students. Students and parents are encouraged to attend.

October 7 - SAT Day at Annandale: On Wednesday, October 7, Annandale High School will offer seniors the opportunity to take either the ASVAB or the SAT during the school day—completely free of charge. This initiative provides students with meaningful options as they plan for life after high school, whether they are exploring college, career pathways, or military service. General information about the SAT School Day format is available on the College Board’s website, and details about the ASVAB Career Exploration Program can be found at asvabprogram.com.

October 18 - FCPS College Fair, 4-6pm: The annual FCPS College Fair is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, and will take place at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena from 4:00 to 6:00pm. This highly anticipated event brings together representatives from approximately 200 colleges and universities from across the country. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a wide variety of institutions, including two-year and four-year colleges, public and private universities, and U.S. Service Academies. More information can be found here.

October 19-23 - Virginia College Application Week (VCAW): During the week of October 20–24, students will have an opportunity to take advantage of College Application Week. Throughout this week, students can receive college application fee waivers for most Virginia colleges and universities, helping to reduce the financial burden of applying to multiple schools. In addition to the fee waivers, support will be available in the Career Center during all lunch periods, where counselors will be on hand to answer questions, review application materials, and guide students through the submission process. Please remember that fee waivers are only valid if your application is submitted during this designated week.

October 19 - FCPS Virtual Postsecondary Night: FCPS will be offering a series of virtual workshops designed to support students and families as they navigate the college admissions process. These sessions will cover a wide range of important topics, including how to prepare and apply for college, understanding and securing financial aid, and exploring various postsecondary educational pathways such as community college, vocational training programs, and military options. To view FCPS previous recordings with this information, click here.

November 4, December 1, and January 21 - Financial Aid Completion Workshops, 5:30-7:30pm: Annandale High School will host a College Financial Aid Workshop where students and their families can receive hands-on assistance with completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the VASA (Virginia Alternative State Aid) application for undocumented students. Note: Students and Parents should bring their 2025 federal income tax returns.

Free Kaplan SAT Prep Access

Annandale students have free access to Kaplan’s online SAT preparation resources through October 31. Students can use these resources to build their skills, practice test-taking strategies, and prepare for upcoming SAT administrations. To get started, access Kaplan SAT Prep using your FCPS username and password.

Preparing for College Videos

Whether you are just getting started or looking for guidance on specific parts of the process, the recordings below are a great resource to guide you along the way.

Paying for College: Overview of the financial aid process (Bonnie Horowitz, College Access Fairfax)

Scholarship 101: How to find and apply for scholarships (Bonnie Horowitz, College Access Fairfax)

Are You Common App Ready?: Guidance on using the Common App effectively (Jameia Tennie, Common App Director of Student Engagement Programs)

Senior Pictures

Senior Pictures: Class of 2027 students should have received an email from our photography company, Legacy Studios, with instructions to schedule their appointment between 8:00am and 3:00pm on several upcoming dates (October 14-16, November 5-6, & 23-24). 

If you haven’t received an email, don’t worry! You can still register for your senior pictures by going to Legacy's Scheduling Website. Details of each sitting level are there for you to review. Once selected, scroll down the page to make your selection. Choose "set time zone," select the date and times you prefer, then click "continue." Enter your name and payment information (if applicable - note, there is no fee for a yearbook picture). Once your appointment is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email.

If you have any questions, please contact the Legacy Studios Senior Portraits Assistance for Parents/Students line at 716-512-6336 or email customercare@legacystudios.com.