College Advising

College, Career, & Financial Aid Advising

The Scholarship Fund’s college advisers are available to meet with students and families in our offices at the Alexandria City High School King Street campus all year round (including summer). We would be happy to assist you with anything from mapping out a college preparatory schedule, editing college essays, to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and more. We also host evening programs throughout the school year and provide classroom presentations. Our doors are open to all ACHS students and alumni, but we specifically seek to serve first-generation to college and lower-income families.

Grades 9-10: The college application begins in 9th grade. A student’s high school transcript (summary of 9th -12th grade courses/grades) is the most heavily weighted portion of his/her application. We’ll make sure you’re staying on track to be admitted to the school of your choice!

Grades 11-12: Junior and senior year can be a stressful time. We are here to support you with selecting match and fit colleges, filling out applications, brainstorming and editing essays, submitting scholarship and financial aid forms, and more.

Titan Alumni: Once a Titan, always a Titan. No matter how many years since you’ve graduated, we are still available to help with college course selection, navigating Guaranteed Admissions Agreements, the transfer process, scholarship applications, FAFSA renewals, and career advising.


Tips for 9-10th Graders

Although college might still feel a long way off, 9th grade marks the start of the college application process for students. The most important piece of the college application process is your high school transcript. Your transcript is a summary of all the courses you’ve taken and the grades you’ve received in those courses from freshman through senior year. So what can you be doing in 9th and 10th grade to ensure you’re on the right path to achieving your goals?

  • Take classes that challenge you
    • The #1 thing that colleges want to see is that you have pushed yourself to take the most challenging courses available at Alexandria City High School from freshman through senior year
    • What does a sample 9th grade schedule look like?
      • Honors English 9
      • Algebra 1 (or higher)
      • Honors World History & Geography: Part 1
      • Foreign Language 1 (or higher)
      • Honors Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.)
      • Honors Science OR Elective that you plan to stick with throughout High School (ex: Photography)
      • Health/PE 9
    • Colleges want to see 4 years of English, Math, Science, History, and Foreign Language—and when possible, AP, Dual Enrollment, and Honors courses
  • Get good grades and make college affordable
    • Good grades = money for college
      • If your family does not have enough money to pay for college, that doesn’t mean you can’t go
      • Typically, the more selective the college is (or the better your grades have to be in order to get accepted), the more scholarships and financial aid the school gives away – so focus on your GPA!
  • Know how your Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated
    • Every course counts, meaning all grades from Minnie Howard courses count toward your final GPA
    • Colleges will see the letter grades you’re receiving in your senior year courses, but the GPA they will judge you by will only include 9th, 10th, and 11th grade courses
  • Get involved
    • Choose a sport, a club, a theater production, or volunteer opportunity that you enjoy and commit to it for all 4 years of high school, preparing yourself to take on leadership positions junior year
    • As you get involved with activities, start building a résumé to keep track of what you have done
  • Visit the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA)
    • Contact information for SFA College Adviser for 9th and 10th graders will be coming soon! 


Tips for 11-12th Graders

Junior and senior year make up the most critical time in the application process. Colleges want to see students on an upward trajectory as they prepare to leave high school. They expect students to begin enrolling in college level courses (AP or DE) and to continue to earn high grades (As and Bs). We are here to support you with planning out a college preparatory schedule and selecting colleges that are a good match for your career interests, academic performance, personality AND family financial situation. We will walk with you through the process of filling out applications, brainstorming and editing essays, submitting scholarship and financial aid forms, and more. Please see the links below for more information:

SFA FAFSA Workshops and Breakout Sessions: ACHS seniors and families, have you started thinking about how you’re going to pay for college? Your first step is to complete the FAFSA! Save the date for the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria’s FAFSA information sessions starting in October. This year, FAFSA is undergoing some sweeping changes and we want to help guide you. All seniors should plan to attend an information session! Translation will be offered in Spanish, Arabic, and Amharic. Registration will be required as space is limited. More information and registration link is forthcoming. 

Ready to Learn More?
Reach out to Ms. Christine Miller, Director of College Advising for grades 11-12.

Christine Miller
Director of College Advising for grades 11-12.

[email protected]
(703) 824-6685
Alexandria City High School, Room A-115

Make an appointment with Ms. Miller:

Christine Miller


Tips for Alumni

Once a Titan, always a Titan! No matter how many years since you’ve graduated, we are still available to help with any questions or concerns. Whether you’re trying to decide on a college major, considering transferring schools, needing help with renewing financial aid, or just wanting to chat with someone about challenges you may be experiencing in college, we would love to help! Please don’t hesitate to reach out!


Ready to Learn More?
Reach out to Ms. Alyssa Samuel, Director of Scholarship Programming. We’d love to get to know you and support your family in making college dreams a reality. Please contact us!

Alyssa Samuel
Director of College Advising and Scholarship Programming
[email protected]
(703) 824-6685

Alexandria City High School – King Street Campus, Room A-121
8am-4:30pm Monday – Friday (school year)
9am-3:30pm Monday – Friday (summer)

        Make an appointment with Ms. Samuel:

Alyssa Samuel