Planning Your Educational Future

BHS Class of 2016 Your BHS Counselors: A – F, Ms. Tomica Fletcher G – O, Mrs. Lisa Street P – Z, Ms. Amanda Nersasian

BHS Class of 2016 Attendance Policy for 2015/2016  Full Year Courses: 13 absences = NO CREDIT Do not rely on an attendance appeal for your absences. It is not guaranteed!

BHS Class of 2016 Appointments Process  All seniors are responsible for setting up their own college appointments.  All appointments are to be made through Mrs. Steffin, the Counseling Secretary.  The Info/Brag Sheet packet should be completed at the time of the appointment.  Students should also know their collegeboard.org user name & password at the time of their appointment.  During the appointment we will review the transcript, students will update their counselor on their post- secondary plans & a college search will be conducted if necessary.

BHS Class of 2016 Other Information  Discipline Keep in mind that all detentions, suspensions, & convictions may be disclosed on college applications.  College Representatives College representatives visit BHS throughout the school year. Students are encouraged to sign up to meet with college reps. Students will learn about various colleges, many which are unknown to the student. Some students rarely utilize these privileges. College reps sometimes offer on-the-spot acceptances!! Dates & times are posted on various bulletin boards throughout the school, in the Counseling Office, and on the daily announcements .

BHS Class of 2016

Senior Folder Contents  Unofficial Transcript  Blue Transcript Request Form  College Application Procedures Packet  Request for Diploma

BHS Class of 2016 Transcripts

BHS Class of 2016 Credits/Courses/Grades  All students have been given a copy of their unofficial transcript.  Students should be aware of what classes they need in order to graduate.  The transcript includes courses students are taking this year.  Look at your transcript & compare it to the graduation requirements.

BHS Class of 2016 Class of 2016 Graduation Requirements *Only 2 World Language credits are required for graduation, however 3-4 credits at the high school level is recommended for 4-year colleges. English4 Math4 Science3 Social Studies3 World Language2 Physical Education1 Health.5 Career Pathway3 Electives3.5 Total Credits Required24

BHS Class of 2016 Application Process  Application Procedures Packet READ EVERYTHING CAREFULLY & COMPLETELY!! Share with your parents!! Fill out applications completely If required, ask teachers for recommendation letters Blue Transcript Request Forms (This is the only way a transcript will be sent)

BHS Class of 2016 Applying to Delaware State or West Chester Univ. or any school that DOES NOT use the Common Application & does not have counselor online access….

BHS Class of 2016 Applying to UD or any school THAT DOES use the Common Application….

BHS Class of 2016 Application Process Continued…  Be mindful of deadlines – SUBMIT TO COUNSELING OFFICE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE.  Turn in a completed Personal Info/Brag Sheet during your individual appointment or before requesting transcripts.  Submit a completed application to the Counseling Office, not piece by piece.  Create a Parchment account and order transcripts for each school that is not on Parchment. Parchment

BHS Class of 2016 Student Information & Brag Sheet Student Information/Brag Sheet

BHS Class of 2016 Application Components Student Items Information & Brag Sheets Completed Application (Proofread, Signed, Dated & Sent) Essay SAT, AP & ACT Scores (collegeboard.org or actstudent.org) Fees (online or a check) Recommendation Letters Secondary School or Counselor Report Blue Transcript Request Form Parchment Account & Order Senior Survey – in May Counselor Items Transcript Full Year Schedule Counselor Recommendation Letter, if required Secondary School or Counselor Report (If provided by the student) Mid-Year Report/Report Card School Profile Final Transcript

BHS Class of 2016 Request For Diploma  Fill this out sheet out now and return it before you leave.  Fill out and return to Mrs. Janice by Wednesday September 30, 2015

BHS Class of 2016 College Planning For Seniors

BHS Class of 2016 Factors to Consider in Choosing a School Cost Selectivity 2 year/4 year Major Enrollment Size Distance Location Housing Diversity Activities/Athletics Quality & Quantity of Faculty

BHS Class of 2016 How to Build a College List Bigfuture.org/college-search

BHS Class of 2016 College Application Checklist Options: Big Future College Application Checklist Option 1 College Application Checklist Option 2 College Application Checklist Option 3

BHS Class of 2016 College Admissions Testing  SAT (10/3/15, 11/7/15, 12/5/15, 1/23/16, 3/5/2016, 5/7/2016, 6/4/2016) $54.50 per exam, +$28 for late or change of date registration Tests Critical Reading, Math & Writing Score out of 2400 total points  ACT (10/24/15, 12/12/15, 2/6/16, 4/9/16, 6/11/2016) $38.00 w/out the writing, $54.50 with the writing Tests English, Math, Reading, & Science; Writing optional Score out of 36 total points  SAT Subject $ $16 for each non-language exam $ $26 for all language exams  AP Exams $91.00 per exam Scores of 3, 4, or 5 for most colleges. Some schools give credit; others advanced standing  Fee Waivers For those who receive free/reduced lunch, in AVID & TRio Program participants

BHS Class of 2016 Admissions Decisions Don’t just meet expectations ; exceed them! Non-weighted GPA, Weighted GPA & Weighted Rank Activities Count!!  GPA  Rank  Academic Rigor  Essay  Legacy  School/Community Activities  Recommendation Letters  Applicant Priority An application is a Comprehensive Snapshot of each student.

BHS Class of 2016 The Holistic Approach to Admissions Most of the country's highly selective colleges and universities have holistic admissions. Holistic Admissions

BHS Class of 2016 Programs/Application/Scholarships  Common Application – commonapp.orgcommonapp.org Fill it out online once and accepted by over 300 schools, but pay each individual application fee  EDU, Inc. (HBCU Common App) – eduinconline.comeduinconline.com Fill it out online once and submit to top 4 schools, paying only one application fee for all schools  SEED Scholarship - SEEDSEED Apply to DTCC or UD AA, file FAFSA, then file SEED application Cumulative 2.5 GPA and no felony convictions  NCAA Eligibility – ncaaeligibilitycenter.orgncaaeligibilitycenter.org Determines eligibility as a college freshman  Academic Common Market (SREB) – sreb.orgsreb.org If UD or DSU does not offer your major, you can pay in-state tuition at a participating out-of-state school. Not guaranteed but worth looking into if it applies.

BHS Class of 2016 College Application Week(CAW)  BHS will participate in CAW - November 17 th, 18 th, and 19 th.  College Application Month (CAM) is a national effort to increase the number of seniors applying to college. ALL students are encouraged to apply!  Prior the CAW, BHS will be participating in school-wide activities, such as a door decorating contest, college shirt day, etc.  Many online DE college/university applications will be FREE during the month of November.  Students are expected to apply to a minimum of 4 colleges/universities.  College representatives, school counselors, and community members will be on-site at BHS during CAW to assist you with your applications. Please ask for help if help is needed!  All students are encouraged to apply for FAFSA. Many scholarships are based upon your FAFSA information.

BHS Class of 2016 What to do before our CAW What To Do Before Your College Application

BHS Class of 2016 Scholarships  Website  Bulletin Board  Counseling Office  Announcements  Senior English Teachers  Delaware Scholarship Compendium  BigFuture.org  *A SCHOLARSHIP WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO PAY!!!

BHS Class of 2016 Federal Financial Aid  Federal Financial Aid consists of scholarships, grants and loans  The FAFSA needs to be completed in order to be considered for all of these funds  The FAFSA is available after Jan. 1 st of your senior year  The FAFSA needs to be completed by students and parents and is due by April 15 th  It is best to complete the FAFSA by 2/14 (Parents’ taxes need to be completed in order to complete FAFSA)  The FAFSA determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) financial aid  An FSA ID is required by both students and parents before completing the FAFSA and can be done NOW 

BHS Class of 2016 Resources Available  Parents  College Representatives  Counselor College Application Week 11/ /19  College Fairs College UD: 11/10/2015, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM NACAC Philadelphia: Sunday, 11/08/2015, 11:00am - 3:00pm Visit nacacnet.org for information  Books/Directories/Computer Sites  Scholarship Compendium -  College Web Sites – see list attached to the Application Procedures Packet

BHS Class of 2016 Your Next Steps  Complete and return your Diploma Request Form  Submit College Application Procedures Packet to Counseling.  Schedule an appointment with your counselor.  Ask teachers to write recommendation letters, if required.  A coach or employer is ok for only 1 letter, application may specify  Use collegeboard.org for your college searches.  Talk with Parents/Guardians about your plan.  Take College Admissions Test(s) if necessary.  Visit Campuses if You Haven’t Already.  Organize Deadlines and Apply.  Learn to Study – Effectively.  Stay Involved and Well-Rounded.  Have Fun While Making Good Choices! DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!