School Counseling

 A special program at NOVA designed for students who:

• Are interested in obtaining a bachelor’s (4 year/college) degree.
• May need assistance with the process and Are interested in starting at NOVA and transferring to George Mason or another 4 year college/university.
• Will graduate no later than August 2020.
• Have a strong desire for academic success.
• No minimum GPA is required to apply.

Pathway Benefits in High School:

• Individual meetings with Pathway Counselor in the Career Center (meet about college transition issues, major/career planning, etc.).
• Workshops on the application process.
• Preparation for placement tests & take placement test.
• Assistance with financial planning – including help with applying for financial aid, scholarships and NOVA payment plan.
• Priority course registration.

Pathway benefits at NOVA:

• Academic, career, transfer, financial aid counseling.
• One-stop shop.
• Can request same counselor at NOVA until transfer.
• Guaranteed admission agreements.
• Special Pathway agreement with George Mason University.
• Special Pathway sections of College Success Skills course.
• Regular academic and social activities.
• Mid-Semester Progress Report.

Important points:

• Applying for and participating in the Pathway program does not bind you to NOVA – you can still apply/go to a 4 year school.
• Pathway students can transfer to ANY 4 year school, it does not have to be GMU.
• All NOVA students can take advantage of the GAA’s, but Pathway students can start the process early and are provided additional support.
• NOVA application and the Pathway application are different.

What do I do now?

• Notify your School Counselor that you are thinking about the Pathway Program.
• Obtain and fill out a Pathway application.
• Return the application to your School Counselor by the deadline (currently closed).
• Acceptance decisions will be mailed out at the end of December/early January.

For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.nvcc.edu/pathway/