James Hubert Blake High School School Counseling Office

300 Norwood Road Silver Spring, MD 20905

301-879-1310

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

A step-by-step guide to navigating the college application process

Stay informed and follow us! @BlakeCounselors

James Hubert Blake High School School Counseling Office

301-879-1310

Dear Senior: This year will be the busiest and most important year of your high school career. Make sure that you complete all necessary courses and earn the required student service learning hours to graduate on time. Work hard and smart to achieve the best possible grades and avoid the temptation to cruise through second semester! What will you do after you leave Blake High School? Inside this packet you will find the information needed to apply to college or vocational schools. Please read each section carefully. We’re here to help along the way:

Your COUNSELOR … - Insures you have all necessary courses to graduate (You must earn the credits!) - Gives advice on researching & investigating post-secondary education - Provides information about potential schools that “suit you.” - Supports & advocates for you through letters of recommendation

The COLLEGE & CAREER INFORMATION COORDINATOR … - Provides research materials & programs (catalogs, books, websites, etc.) - Offers assistance with college & career computer program searches - Advertises college & local scholarship opportunities, as well as financial aid information - Provides college testing & career assessment test information - Posts a wealth of information on the Blake website regarding colleges & careers - Hosts college representative visits in Career Center during school hours

The REGISTRAR … - Assists with processing application materials (both college & scholarship) - Processes Secondary School Report Form (counselor recommendation) upon request - Provides unofficial/official student transcripts & collects fees - Maintains deadlines (15 days notice required for processing) - Sends mid-year & final transcripts to college(s) upon request

Best wishes for a successful school year!

The Blake High School Counseling Office

Blake High School Code: 210959

COLLEGE ADMISSION POLICIES

EARLY DECISION: A binding agreement in which a student applies in October or November, learns if they

are accepted in December or January, and agrees to matriculate to the college that accepts them early. This is suggested only for students who have a strong academic record, know positively which college they want to attend, regardless of the cost to attend.

EARLY ACTION: This differs from early decision in that students are not required to accept admission or

withdraw other applications if accepted by the college early. Students may apply to more than one college early action. *

PRIORITY or EARLY NOTIFICATION: A program in which a student files their application by November 1

in order to receive an admission decision by early February. Student has until May 1 to decide whether or not they will attend the college. *

ROLLING ADMISSION: A program in which applications are evaluated upon receipt of the application and

applicants are notified quickly of the admission decision (within 3-4 weeks). Applications are considered until spaces are filled. Submitting your college application early is encouraged.

REGULAR ADMISSION: A program used by most schools. Typically, January 1st is the deadline for

applications and the student is notified before the first week of April. A large envelope from the college generally means that you have been admitted and a small envelope generally means that you were denied.

OPEN ADMISSION: Most community colleges offer open admission. All students who apply are accepted,

but must take a placement test (Accuplacer) prior to enrolling in classes. The test scores are used for college course placement purposes. If students do not do well on the Accuplacer, they will be placed in remedial, non-credit classes. * Many colleges accept the majority of their applicants by the early action, priority or early notification deadlines. Early action or priority deadlines are encouraged for students who hope to be considered for merit scholarships awarded by colleges. Be sure to check with each college to determine if there are separate applications to be completed for scholarship consideration.

ADHERE TO ALL DEADLINES

JAMES HUBERT BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS CHECKLIST

__ Complete the Student Reflection Form and Parent Reflection Form in Naviance under “About Me” tab by October 1.

__ Complete & sign one Permission to Release Student Records card (located in Counseling Office) and give to Registrar.

__ Review the steps on the Students’ Guide to Family Connection/Naviance.

__ Once you have started your applications move colleges from “Colleges I’m Thinking About” to “Colleges I’m Applying to” in Naviance.

Common Application reminders:

Common Application colleges MUST be added to your Common Application account.

Complete the Common Application and SIGN the FERPA waiver.

Match your Common App account to Naviance by entering your email and birthdate under “College’s I’m Applying to” page.

__ Review your college application requirements and submit college applications & fees online before requesting transcripts or recommendations so that you know what is needed for each college.

__ Send SAT scores (www.collegeboard.org) or ACT scores (www.actstudent.org) directly from the testing website. Once you are accepted to college(s), send your AP scores (www.collegeboard.org) only to the college you plan to attend. Blake’s High School code is: 210959. Your high school does NOT mail test scores.

__ Request recommendation letters from your TEACHER(S) 3 WEEKS (15 school days) before your deadlines.

Ask your teacher IN PERSON well ahead of your deadline.

Provide a Request for Recommendation Letter form with a list of colleges, deadlines & delivery type. (sample attached & blue form is available in the counseling office)

Grant access to teachers for electronic submission through Naviance, “Colleges I’m Applying to”, click add/cancel requests and find your teacher(s) name in the drop down box. Write email to teacher.

For MAILED recommendations provide a stamped, letter-size envelope (4” x 9”) addressed to each college. (see example below). Do NOT put a return address, but write your NAME only in the top-left corner.

__ Request recommendation from your COUNSELOR 3 WEEKS (15 school days) in advance using an Official Transcript

Request form. Be sure that the Student & Parent Reflection Forms are completed before asking the counselor to write a recommendation for you. Most recommendations will be sent electronically through Naviance/eDocs.

__ Request transcripts 3 WEEKS (15 school days) in advance by completing an Official Transcript Request form for EACH transcript needed, whether or not you are using eDocs or mail to send it. This form can be found in the Registrar’s Office (sample attached). Give any required Secondary School Report forms to the registrar.

Transcript fees: 1-3 transcripts (free); 4 or more ($3.00 each)

For MAILED transcripts: Provide a stamped, letter-size envelope (4” x 9”) addressed to each college. Do NOT put a return address, but write your NAME only in the top-left corner.

Transcript Request Due Dates (15 Days Notice)

College Deadline Blake Deadline

October 15 September 22

November 1 October 10

November 15 October 21

December 1 November 4

December 15 November 22

January 1 December 5

January 15 December 16

__ Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for 2017–18 as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than

beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year.

Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will report income information from 2015 tax year.

https://fafsa.ed.gov/

Check financial aid requirements & deadlines for all colleges. FAFSA submission dates may vary and some schools require the CSS Profile (www.collegeboard.org), as well.

__ For MID-YEAR (February)

Complete the Request for Mid-Year Transcripts form available in the counseling office for any schools requesting a copy of your Semester 1 senior year grades.

__ By May 1st notify Mrs. Moore (College & Career Coordinator) of all acceptances, denials and waitlists, as well as scholarships awarded, even those you are not accepting. This data is used to keep Naviance scattergrams accurate and confidentially reported to MCPS Board of Education.

__ FINAL TRANSCRIPTS (June):

Inform the Registrar where to send your final transcript electronically.

For MAILED transcripts provide a stamped, letter-size envelope (4” x 9”) addressed to the college. Do NOT put return address, but write your NAME only in the top-left corner.

__ If you took college level courses at our community college while in high school, request that Montgomery College

mail your college transcript to the school you plan to attend.

Here’s an example of how to address a letter-size envelope:

US postage stamp

STUDENT’S NAME

Office of Undergraduate Admissions Name of College or University Street Address City, State Zip Code

James Hubert Blake High School

Students’ Guide to Family Connection/Naviance

Applying to college? Applying for scholarships? Be sure to follow these steps for success!

1. SIGN IN TO YOUR FAMILY CONNECTION ACCOUNT

Go to http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/. On the left side of your screen, click on

CAREER CENTER and choose NAVIANCE-FAMILY CONNECTION - Login. Your username is your email address;

password is your 6-digit student I.D. (unless you have changed it). Make sure your email is current in your

profile under the “About Me” tab.

2. COMPLETE GAME PLAN (OPTIONAL)

a. Click “About Me” on the Family Connection/Naviance home page

b. Click “Game Plan” and complete each question

3. COMPLETE RESUME (OPTIONAL)

a. Click “About Me” on the Family Connection/Naviance home page

b. Click “Resume” and select the “pull down” headings that apply to you to enter your accomplishments

c. Choose “Customize your printable resume” and check boxes to print

4. SEARCH FOR COLLEGES THAT MATCH YOUR INTERESTS

a. Click “Colleges” and “College Search” (7th link down)

b. Answer the questions, clicking “Next” at the bottom right until you arrive at the end

c. Click “Show Matches” at the bottom of the last page

d. Check out the “Colleges that match your search criteria”

e. Save your favorites to “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list

5. RECORD YOUR COLLEGES

a. Click “Colleges,” then “Colleges I’m Thinking About” and add your selected colleges

b. After researching the colleges on this list, choose which ones you will apply to and move ONLY those

schools to “Colleges I’m Applying To”.

6. NOTE THE SYMBOLS in Naviance

a. Click “Colleges,” and “College Look Up” (6th link down), then find a college.

b. If a college accepts the Common Application you will see a on the college profile page at the

bottom where you see “Application Deadline.”

When the college accepts the Common Application, you should submit that instead of the school’s

application. Your teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, and official transcript can be

sent electronically through Naviance/Family Connections when using the Common Application.

c. If a college does NOT accept the Common Application, you will see an (empty box) on the

college page at the bottom where you see “Application Deadline.”

This symbol means the college accepts eDocs but requires students to complete the admissions

application on the college website. Your teacher recommendation, counselor recommendation and

transcript may be sent electronically through Naviance/Family Connections and there is no need to send

them anything through the US Mail.

d. If a college does NOT accept eDocs, you will see a postage stamp symbol, which means that the

transcript, counselor recommendation, and teacher recommendation must be MAILED.

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For the transcript, give the Registrar a letter-size stamped envelope. Write the address of the

admissions office in the center of the envelope. Apply one stamp in the upper right corner. Do NOT

write a return address, just your name in the upper left corner. Attach the envelope to an “Official

Transcript Request” form*.

Give the Registrar the secondary school report form, if required by the college.

Give the Teacher a “Request for Recommendation” form and a letter-size stamped envelope for each

college. Write the address of the admissions office in the center of the envelope. Apply one stamp in

the upper right corner. Do NOT write a return address, just your name in the upper left corner.

7. SET UP COMMON APP ACCOUNT

a. Go to www.commonapp.org; set up an account to apply to Common App schools. Complete application.

b. Waive your right to view recommendations (complete FERPA statement), so staff can send your letters.

c. Remember to MATCH your common app email with Naviance under “colleges I’m applying to!”

8. REQUEST TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS IN PERSON (3 weeks/15 school days’ advance notice required)

a. Give the teacher a paper “Request for Recommendation” form for eDocs and mailed letters.

b. Click “Colleges,” then “Colleges I’m Applying To,” and scroll down to the “Teacher Recommendations”

heading (at bottom).

c. If you have already spoken to a teacher, please click “Add/Cancel request.”

d. Select the teacher’s name who has agreed to write your recommendation from the drop down menu.

e. Write a note to the teacher in the box provided, asking for your recommendation by the deadline date.

f. Click “Update Request” at the bottom.

g. Follow up with the teacher both by email and personally as the deadline draws near.

9. COMPLETE “PERMISSION TO RELEASE STUDENT RECORDS” CARD (sample attached)

Form is available in the Counseling Office & requires parent signature. Submit to REGISTRAR (1x).

10. COMPLETE “OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST” FORM (sample attached)

This PAPER form is required for EVERY college or scholarship for which you are applying. It must be submitted to

the REGISTRAR regardless of whether your documents are sent electronically or through the mail. Forms are

available in the Counseling Office from the Registrar or posted on the school website.

11. SEEK HELP

If you have questions or need more information, see the Registrar or the College and Career Coordinator, or

your Counselor.

12. VISIT WITH COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES in the Career Center

On the Family Connection/Naviance homepage, click “Colleges” and “View all upcoming college visits,” then click

“Sign up” and print the pass for your teachers. Mrs. Moore will stamp your agenda book with the college visit

start and end time. Attendance is reported.

Registrar: 301-879-1325 College & Career Coordinator: Mrs. Moore 301-879-1324

3/2016

REQUEST FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTER [for Teachers]

DATE: ________________________________________

TO: _________________________________________________________________ ________________________

TEACHER CLASS

FROM: _______________________________________________________ _____________ ___________________

STUDENT I.D. # COUNSELOR

Student: It is your responsibility to request letters of recommendation & follow up with each teacher to

insure that deadlines are met. Please give teachers advance notice (at least 15 school days). Along with

this recommendation request form, provide the teacher with a stamped addressed envelope for each letter that must

be mailed to a college or scholarship. Notify your teacher about colleges who want electronic recommendations

(eDocs).

Teacher: It is recommended that you write one generic recommendation that could be used for college

admission or scholarship purposes. Prepare the recommendation on school letterhead. If the

recommendation letter must accompany a college or scholarship application, place your letter in a Blake H.S.

envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL, seal it & return to the student for mailing. Please note that most colleges

require recommendations to be sent electronically through Naviance/eDocs. [Be sure to save all recommendations!]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------

Student completes the required information below to obtain a recommendation letter:

Name of college or scholarship DEADLINE Mail or eDoc?

1. Student’s cumulative GPA: ___________ _____________ (Obtain GPA from Registrar or Counselor)

weighted unweighted

2. Anything special to be emphasized in the recommendation letter? (examples: financial need, non-native,

first in immediate family to attend college, talents, special honors/awards, leadership roles, etc.)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Extracurricular activities (both in and out of school) athletics, jobs, internships, community service:

_________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

4. What did you get out of this teacher’s class?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Attach resume if you have one.

REQUESTING A COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION

Please complete these forms online before the first week in October.

This information will be used by the counselor to write your college or scholarship recommendation letter.

STUDENT REFLECTION FORM

and

PARENT REFLECTION FORM

For your convenience, these forms are available online through the student’s Naviance/Family Connections account, under the “About me” tab. Go to Naviance/Family Connections: http://connection.naviance.com/blake to log in. Students most often use their email address as their username and their six-digit student I.D. number as their password.

Be aware that the answers you provide on the reflection form will be used to develop the secondary school report and/or counselor recommendation letter. Notify your counselor once the student and parent reflection forms are complete, so he/she may begin composing your recommendation. Be sure to allow 15 days for a college or scholarship recommendation to be completed.

RESUME WORKSHEET

CREATE A RESUME TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR COLLEGE & SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS! (Use this template and try limiting to one page)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your Name

Address Appropriate Email address

Phone numbers

EDUCATION: WORK EXPERIENCE: SKILLS: EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: HONORS/AWARDS:

Naviance/Family Connections makes building a resume simple. Log into your Naviance account, click on the “about me” tab and choose “resume.” Use the pull down menu to start entering your accomplishments under the appropriate headings. To print, “customize your printable resume” by choosing one of the styles offered and check the boxes to include resume sections. Save the resume format with a filename. Students have the ability add to or revise the resume with ease as their involvement increases throughout high school.

SAMPLE

BLAKE STUDENT 300 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905

301 879-1300 BennyBengal@hotmail.com

Education

James Hubert Blake High School • Silver Spring, MD Unweighted GPA: 3.98, weighted GPA: 4.70 Community service hours: 652

Work Experience

National Institutes of Health • National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases • June-August 2014 Administrative Assistant

Worked on summer project in search of information on specific type of transgenic mice research Composed statistical information through Microsoft Excel and MS Word

Performed clerical tasks: answering phones, distributing information, data entry, copying,, directing visitors

Montgomery Soccer, Inc. • Fall 2013 - Spring 2015 Player Development Clinician

Taught first graders basic soccer skills through lessons, drills, and games; refereed weekly scrimmages

Skills

Excellent oral & written communication skills Fluency in English, Cantonese & Spanish Languages Typing, 75 wpm; Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Adobe Pagemaker, Photoshop

Extracurricular Activities

BHS Leo Club (Leadership, Experience, Opportunity) • 2013-present President, Blake Leo Club, 2014-present

Treasurer, Blake Leo Club, 2013

BHS Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) • 2013-present Vice President, SADD, 2013-present

Treasurer, SADD, 2012

BHS Journalism/Student Newspaper • 2013-present Associate Editor, 2013-present

BHS National Honor Society • 2014-present Treasurer, National Honor Society, 2014-present

BHS Varsity Golf • 2013 - 2015

BHS Varsity Swimming & Diving • Winter 2013-2015

Volunteer Experiences

BHS Leo Club, participation in numerous service projects to support school and community populations • 2013-present

Blake High School , Office Assistant • Summer 2014 & 2015

Montgomery County Department of Recreation Therapeutic Camps • Summer 2013

Honors/Awards

National Merit Commended Scholar Maryland Distinguished Scholar Semifinalist Principal’s Certificate of Achievement Award, 2013 & 2014 BHS Science Department Honorable Mention, 2013 & 2015 Montgomery Area Science Fair – Second Place in Chemistry, 2015 BHS Golf Varsity Award, 2015 Eagle Scout Award, 2015

OBTAIN THIS CARD FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE!

PERMISSION TO RELEASE TRANSCRIPT/INFORMATION

Student Name _________________________________________ Birthdate ____________ Graduation Year ______

Address ____________________________________________ Social Security # ____________________________

____________________________________________ Home Phone # ______________________________

Public Law 98-380 requires parent/ guardian’s signature (or student’s signature if 18 years of age) before records can be released.

We are not permitted to release any information without written authority.

I hereby authorize release of this student’s information:

Parent/Guardian Signature (print name) Date

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS TO COLLEGES MUST BE MAILED BY THE HIGH SCHOOL

Fees for official transcripts:

1 – 3 transcripts: free

4 + transcripts: $3.00 each

** The final transcript will be mailed mid-July in envelope provided by student. **

BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL CODE: 210959

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JAMES HUBERT BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST for REGISTRAR You must have an Authorization to Release Student Records form on file with the Registrar before submitting this form!

___________________________________ _______________________ ________________ ________________ STUDENT LAST NAME FIRST NAME ID # COUNSELOR

Name of College __________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________ State __________

Institution’s mailing due date ________________ Rolling admission___ OR On-the-spot admission___

Delivery type: ___ Common App (College MUST be added CA List) ___ Electronic ___ By Mail*

PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO THIS INSTITUTION:

____Transcript & Profile ____Secondary School (Counselor) Report ____ Counselor Recommendation Letter (15 school days notice required)

STUDENT: Have you completed the student & parent reflection forms on Naviance under “about me”? TRANSCRIPT FEE: 1-3 transcripts (free), 4 or more ($3.00 each)

*IF the college does NOT accept the Common App or electronic documents, a letter-size envelope with postage MUST accompany this form. Write your name only (no address) in the top-left corner of the envelope & mailing address of the school in the center of your envelope

Please allow 5 school days turn-around time for processing transcript request only. DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE – FOR REGISTRAR’S USE ONLY

======================================================================================= Date Submitted__________ Date Sent _________ e-doc__ mail__ Fee paid $_______ Cash__ Check__ Fee Waiver__ Initials____