Jump to section
- Postsecondary Education Options
- What Are Colleges Looking For?
- Selective Institutions Where 100+ PWCS Students Apply
- PWCS Student Acceptance Rates at Popular Colleges
- College Admission Standardized Testing Framework
- What is Your College Pathway?
Postsecondary Education Options
Students are encouraged to identify their best-fit choice opportunities that align with student-driven values, interests, and goals. Accreditation and state licensures ensure the quality of the education recognized by other organizations. Learn more about accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education.
Trade and Technical Schools
A trade school (also known as a technical school) is a postsecondary educational institution designed to train students for a specific job in a skilled trade career. Most importantly, a trade school offers hands-on training to prepare students for actual work in their chosen field. Trade school programs are concentrated entirely on relevant job and skills training. “Skilled” means that special skills need to be developed in order to do the job—not just anyone can do it. A trade school gives students the knowledge needed in order to start a career in a field that requires technical expertise and hands-on experience. In some cases, the job may require certifications or licensing.
Community College/Junior College (Two Year)
Students are seeking a traditional academic continued education, including core subject course work in addition to elective/major concentrations. Degrees offered include associate degrees, certificates, and applied studies. Often students seek community college with the intention of transferring to a university to complete their bachelor's degree with two remaining years following the completion of an associate degree. Virginia Community College System partners with the Virginia public colleges in guaranteed admissions agreements specific to the university's expectations. See Northern Virginia Community College to learn more about these agreements and program offerings.
University and Four-Year College Institutions
Students are seeking a traditional academic education with core subject course work in addition to majors of study. These institutions often offer graduate degree programs after the completion of a bachelor's degree. Degrees offered include Bachelor of Arts and/or Science, and some also offer associate degrees, certifications, and graduate level degrees. Schools may be public, receiving funding from the state, or private, not receiving funding from the state. Financial opportunities exist at each type of institution and should be researched prior to applying.
Take a deep dive into your postsecondary education options.
What Are Colleges Looking For?
Colleges take a holistic approach to the application process. Admissions officers report that course rigor in areas that interest the student is key to demonstrated college readiness. The overall best match between the student and institution is a high predictor of success and college completion. College entrance exams, while optional for admissions in some cases, could still be used for qualifications for merit scholarships and/or honors programs. Students should create a list of schools that match their values, interests, and goals. Then, students should take a deep dive into each institution's programs of study, scholarships, and honors programs.
Selective Institutions Where 100+ PWCS Students Apply
Data below is based on student self-reported acceptance information reported on the class of 2024 senior survey for Prince William County Public Schools.
|
Type of College |
Student Reported Acceptance Rate |
Average GPA of accepted students |
Average SAT of accepted students (combined Verbal and Math) |
Average ACT of accepted students (composite score) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Most Selective - National |
1-5% |
4.4 |
1387 |
30 |
|
Highly Selective - VA |
8-27% |
4.3 |
1282 |
34 |
|
Very Selective - VA |
49-63% |
3.8 |
1075 |
29 |
|
Moderately Selective - VA |
46-62% |
3.6 |
1038 |
24 |
PWCS Student Acceptance Rates at Popular Colleges
The class of 2024 reported admission decisions prior to graduation. Below are the student self-reported acceptance rates of colleges where more than 85 students applied.
| College | Percentage |
|---|---|
| American University | 39% |
| Boston University | 8% |
| Bridgewater College | 58% |
| Christopher Newport University | 62% |
| Clemson University | 31% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1% |
| Cornell University | 5% |
| Duke University | 2% |
| East Carolina University | 59% |
| Florida State University | 18% |
| George Mason University | 58% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | 4% |
| Hampton University | 45% |
| Harvard University | 2% |
| Howard University | 29% |
| James Madison University | 50% |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1% |
| Liberty University | 47% |
| Longwood University | 60% |
| Mary Baldwin University | 45% |
| Marymount University | 49% |
| Morgan State University | 45% |
| New York University | 3% |
| Norfolk State University | 42% |
| North Carolina A & T State University | 37% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 27% |
| Northern Virginia Community College | 48% |
| Northern Virginia Community College - Manassas | 59% |
| Northern Virginia Community College - Woodbridge | 56% |
| Old Dominion University | 57% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Main Campus | 53% |
| Princeton University | 2% |
| Radford University | 59% |
| Roanoke College | 53% |
| Shenandoah University | 63% |
| The George Washington University | 28% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 15% |
| University of Lynchburg | 65% |
| University of Mary Washington | 52% |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 21% |
| University of Miami | 13% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 11% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 4% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4% |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 48% |
| University of Richmond | 8% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | 40% |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 17% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 62% |
| Virginia State University | 64% |
| Virginia Tech | 27% |
| West Virginia University | 67% |
| William & Mary | 19% |
| Yale University | 5% |
College Admission Standardized Testing Framework
The coronavirus pandemic introduced college admission changes to the testing options for the admission into many colleges, several of which have chosen to continue with these options currently. Each institution decides what requirements and options exist around standardized testing and admission into their institution. Testing policies around optional, blind, or flexible reporting differ from college to college (ex. eligible GPA).
- Test-blind admissions is exactly what it sounds like: whether or not a student decides to send their test scores, they won’t be considered as part of the application evaluation.
- Test-optional lets students decide whether or not they want to submit test scores with their application. Most test-optional schools will consider SAT and ACT scores if they are submitted but focus on other factors they believe are stronger predictors of a student’s potential.
- Test flexible colleges or universities allow students to choose which type of test (or tests) they’d like to submit with their application. If students want to submit the SAT or ACT, they’re welcome to do so. Other options include an Advanced Placement test or International Baccalaureate exam.
*Note: Student SAT/ACT test data does not represent admission outcomes related to test scores. These students may have applied test optional or test blind. It is always best to check the admission requirements and statistics on the college or university's website.