PLANNING YOUR EDUCATIONAL FUTURE

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 yearNo 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 Night @ UD: October 22nd 6:30 PM - 9:00 PMDE College Night @ Del Tech Stanton: March 20th 7 PM - 9 PMNACAC Fair @ Philadelphia November 10th 11AM – 3:30 PM

Visit nacacnet.org for information Books/Directories/Computer Sites Scholarship Compendium - www.delcf.org 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 PacketREAD EVERYTHING CAREFULLY & COMPLETELY!!Share with your parents!!Fill applications out completelyAsk teachers for recommendation letters if requiredBlue 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 1st & 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!!

GPARankAcademic RigorEssay

LegacySchool/Community ActivitiesRecommendationsApplicant 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

www.delcf.org www.FastWeb.com

*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 www.eligibilitycenter.org

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. 1st of your senior year The FAFSA needs to be completed by students and parents

and is due by April 15th 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 www.fafsa.ed.gov

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 12th and 13th of this year