By: Your BHS High School Counselors

Graduation Requirements - Class of 2013 *World Language is not required for graduation, but 2-3 credits at the high school level is recommended for 4-year colleges.

Housekeeping Items  Appointments Process All seniors are responsible for setting up their own college appointments. During your appointment we will review your transcript, students will update counselor on plans, a college search will be conducted if necessary & you will ask questions All appointments are to be made through Mrs. Steffin, the Counseling Secretary Your Application Procedures Packet including your collegeboard.org user name & password should be completed at the time of your appointment  Attendance for 2013/2014 school year No more than 13 absences for a semester class equals no credit. No more than 26 absences for a year long class equals no credit. Do not rely on an attendance appeal for your absences. It is not guaranteed.  Credits/Classes/Grades Know what you need to graduate. Look at your transcript & compare it to the graduation requirements

Housekeeping Items continued…  Get your SSP’s Done  Your Discipline Keep in mind that all detentions, suspensions, & convictions will all need to be disclosed on college applications  Your Support Wellness Center, Counselor, Teachers and Parents  Your College Representatives Attend visits from schools on your list for face time with the admission representatives. They sometimes do on the spot acceptances!! There may be some schools you could know more about. Utilize these privileges. They are here for you! Listen to morning and afternoon announcements for all information. Check the bulletin board for dates and time.

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

Resources Available  Counselor  College Representatives  Parents  College Fairs College UD: October 22 nd 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM DE College Del Tech Stanton: March 20 th 7 PM - 9 PM NACAC Philadelphia November 10 th 11AM – 3:30 PM Visit nacacnet.org for information  Books/Directories/Computer Sites  Scholarship Compendium -  College Web Sites – see list attached to the Application Procedures Packet

College Admissions Testing  SAT (10/5/13, 11/2/13, 12/7/13) $51 per exam Tests Critical Reading, Math & Writing Score out of 2400 total points  ACT (9/27/13, 10/26/13, 12/14/13) $36.50 w/out the writing, $52.50 with the writing Tests English, Math, Reading, & Science; Writing optional Score out of 36 total points  SAT Subject $24.50, $13 for each additional exam  AP Exams $89 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

Application Process  Application Procedures Packet READ EVERYTHING CAREFULLY & COMPLETELY!! Share with your parents!! Fill applications out completely Ask teachers for recommendation letters if required Blue Transcript Request Forms (This is the only way a transcript will get sent)

Applying to Delaware State Univ…..

Applying to U of D or any school using the Common Application …..

Application Process Continued…  Be mindful of deadlines –  SUBMIT TO COUNSELING OFFICE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS before the deadline.  Rip off the 1 st & last pages and keep for your records  Turn in a completed packet before requesting transcripts.  Submit all pieces of the application to the Counseling Office AT ONE TIME (not piece by piece)

Admissions Decisions Don’t just meet expectations ; exceed them! Un-weighted GPA & Weighted Rank Activities count!!  GPA  Rank  Academic Rigor  Essay  Legacy  School/Community Activities  Recommendations  Applicant Priority An application is a Comprehensive Snapshot of you.

Application Components Student Pieces Activities & Brag Sheets Completed Application (Proofread, Signed & Dated) 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 Counselor Pieces Transcript Full Year Schedule Counselor Recommendation Letter, if required Secondary School or Counselor Report (If given by the student) Mid-Year Report/Report Card School Profile Final Transcript

Scholarships  Website  Bulletin Board  Counseling Office  Announcements  Senior English Teachers  Senior Homerooms  Delaware Scholarship Compendium  *A SCHOLARSHIP WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO PAY THEM!!!

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

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  A PIN number is required by both students and parents before completing the FAFSA and can be done NOW 

Next Steps  Submit College Application Procedures Packet to Counseling  Ask 2 teachers to write recommendation letters, if required A coach or employer is ok for only 1 letter  Use collegeboard.org for your college searches  Talk with Parents/Guardians about your plan  Schedule an Appointment with your counselor  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!!!

College Application Week (CAW)  November 12 th and 13 th of this year