Pathway to the Baccalaureate

pathway logo The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program provides support to students as they make the transition from high school to Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), and as they transfer from NOVA to George Mason University or another university.

The Pathway program currently operates in 30 high schools and centers in Alexandria City and Arlington, as well as Fairfax and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. In Fairfax, Pathway is offered in the following high schools:

Annandale, Edison, Fairfax, Falls Church, Hayfield, Herndon, Lee, Marshall, Mount Vernon, South Lakes, Stuart, West Potomac

Pathway Services:

One-on-one meetings with a Pathway counselor
Regular workshops on college transition issues
Early placement testing and priority registration
Learning community/cohort courses and programming at NOVA and George Mason
$300,000 in grant and scholarship funding dedicated to program participants
Participation in academic, social, athletic and cultural events and dual enrollment opportunities at NOVA and George Mason

Designated counselors on campus who use a one-stop, case management model
Assistance with transferring to a four-year college or university
Guaranteed admission to Mason with a 2.5 GPA and completed Associates Degree

Students apply to the Pathway program in their senior year of high school. Ninety three percent (93%) of the students accepted into the program meet one or more US Department of Education criteria known to adversely affect academic persistence in college. The criteria are based on ethnicity, socioeconomic status, first generation college and disability.

Pathway Connection:

The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program is designed to enhance access to baccalaureate higher education for qualified Northern Virginia high school graduates. The program enrolls students in the 12th grade and provides a smooth transition for students through Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to George Mason University. Pathway Connection is a pilot program for students in grades 10 and 11 that is designed to reduce the number of high school graduates who require remedial course placement at NOVA. Pathway Connection is a feeder/companion program to Pathway to the Baccalaureate.