BHS College Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Seniors http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/guidance/ Standardized Testing: Register for the SAT/ACT online as soon as possible! Check www.collegeboard.org and www.actstudent.org for fall test dates and deadlines ● While you can self-report scores on the Common Application or the school-specific application, you should only so if you are also sending an official score report from the testing company Self-reported scores are not sufficient Be sure to have an official score report sent to colleges ● You can have score reports sent when you register for the SAT/ACT, but they can be sent afterwards for an additional fee Schedule an appointment with your guidance counselor ● Students considering applying early should see their counselor ASAP! ● Arrive with the list of 6-8 potential colleges you have researched over the summer ● Need help? Chances are the answer to your question is available on the guidance website or in the BHS College Planning Guide: http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bps/bhs/Departments/Guidance ● Be sure to submit the student questionnaire to your counselor: http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/guidance/docs/Student_Questionnaire.doc Teacher Recommendations: ● Talk to your teachers regarding letters of recommendation: ensure that the teachers you spoke to in the spring are still able to write you a letter of recommendation ● If a teacher does not have their own form, be sure to complete a “Teacher Questionnaire Form” (available in the guidance office and at http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/guidance/forms.htm) ● Once you know the colleges you will be applying to: ● Provide teachers with a list of your colleges on the yellow form and each application deadline ● Give teachers plenty of time (at least three weeks) to write your letter of recommendation and be sure to thank them once your applications are in! ● If your college only takes snail mail applications, you must provide your teachers with addressed and stamped envelopes for each school Sending your Transcript: In order to complete your application, a copy of your transcript and the Belmont High School profile (sent electronically from guidance) will be sent with your guidance counselor’s recommendation to colleges The transcript, profile, school report, and letter of recommendation make up your BHS materials In order to have a transcript sent to colleges you must the following: ● Fill out and submit a transcript release form to Guidance Secretary (forms are available in the guidance office and online at http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/guidance/forms.htm ● An application processing fee of $10 must accompany your transcript release form (cash or check made out to Belmont High School) The transcript release form must be submitted weeks before the college application deadline or we cannot guarantee timely delivery Getting Organized: Go to your selected colleges’ websites and write down their application deadlines ASAP! ● Usual early decision/early action deadlines: Oct 15th, Nov 1st, Nov 15th, Dec 1st ● Usual regular admission deadlines: Jan 1st, Jan 15th, Feb 1st, March 1st ● If a college has rolling admission, the sooner you get your application in the better The Common Application: ● Start the Common Application online (www.commonapp.org) ● Be sure to check if any supplemental materials (essays, etc.) are required These supplemental questions will be listed under the school’s tabs in the Common Application Paper and online applications: (Most colleges use the Common App, but in some cases, you will need to apply via paper or through their online application): ● Go to your selected college’s website and either: 1) start an online application or… 2) access paper application, if applicable ● If you choose to complete the online application there may be pages you will need to print and give to your teachers and/or guidance counselor Be sure to write down your log-in information and save frequently! Parts of the application: Complete all parts of your applications neatly and completely ● General application (double check your basic information) ● Extracurricular activities You may want to create a separate resume of your activities and achievements to organize your experiences and for future scholarship applications ● Essay(s)/personal statement Make sure your essay has “HEART.” This is your opportunity to stand out! Take the time to write a strong, well thought out essay Make sure your voice is heard! Be sure to have someone read your essay before you submit it First Quarter Grades: ● Most colleges with early decision/action require a copy of your first quarter grades Once first quarter grades are posted, you have schools days (regardless of absences) to inform your guidance counselor/secretary of any errors on your report card After days, guidance will a bulk submission of all quarter grades to your colleges BHS Midyear Grade Policy: ● Colleges factor an applicant’s first semester grades and course selection into the admission decision Belmont High School will send a Midyear Grade Report, which includes your first quarter, and the average of your second quarter grade and midterm grade to every college to which our students have applied automatically Missing Information: ● It is your responsibility to request that your transcript package be sent to colleges and ensure that it is received ● If you followed the BHS procedure (see SENDING YOUR TRANSCRIPT), your transcript package was sent to the colleges you indicated on your transcript release form within three weeks of your request ● It usually takes colleges 3-4 weeks to process materials once they are received Do not panic if the college has not updated your application status on their website within the 3-4 week window ● After the 3-4 week window, call the office of admission/log into your account or portal to verify if materials are missing Come to the guidance office ASAP and talk to the guidance secretary/registrar Your materials will be faxed and resent ASAP Starting the Financial Aid Process: Visit college websites to research financial aid options, availability, and requirements ● If one of your colleges requires the CSS profile, fill it out online: https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp Deadlines are often in the fall! ● Attend Financial Aid Night on Thursday, September 27th at 6:30 pm in the Little Theater ● Fill out the FAFSA online It can be submitted starting October 1st: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Check with colleges and universities for institutional deadlines Researching and Applying for Scholarships: ● MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS: Visit college websites for details regarding possible merit scholarships Some schools require a separate application for merit scholarships while others consider all applicants based on the admission application If you are interested in being considered for any merit scholarships, make sure you are aware of any special applications, essays, or recommendations that may be required, as well as specific deadlines ● OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS: Many organizations and foundations offer scholarships for students attending college Conducting a search for scholarships in the community or online Resources include: http://www.fastweb.com https://www.collegegreenlight.com/ and www.finaid.org ● Guidance posts scholarship opportunities through Naviance Information for town related scholarships will be available in the guidance office in February, and applications will be made available through Naviance Making a Final Decision by May 1st: At most colleges, May 1st is the date by which accepted applicants must indicate their intention to enroll By use of a common reply date, students may evaluate all notices of admission and financial aid awards before deciding on any one college College Financial Aid Offices are available to answer specific questions ● Talk over your options with your parents/guardians and counselor ● Make a pro/con list for each college you are considering Sending your Final Transcript: You will receive paperwork to have your final transcript sent to your college of choice (hooray!) at the first graduation rehearsal We also ask that you provide your college acceptance data to the guidance office to help next year’s class with their college choices NAME OF COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY Application Deadline Transcript Package Deadline Application deadline minus wks Check off each item once completed for each college: Student Questionnaire* Turn into Guidance Counselor Transcript Release Form* Including $10 processing fee Teacher Recommendation(s)* Give teacher(s): ● List of your colleges and deadlines ● Completed Teacher Questionnaire Form Official SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT Score Reports have been sent Personal Essay(s) Common App/College Application Supplement(s) to the Common Application (If applicable: check online) Financial Aid Application Scholarship Application(s) * All shaded documents are due by the Transcript Package Deadline* BHS Transcript Release Deadlines College Application Deadline Belmont High School Deadline October 1st, 2018 September 10th, 2018 November 1st, 2018 October 11th, 2018 November 15th, 2018 October 25th, 2018 December 1st, 2018 November 10th, 2018 December 15th, 2018 November 24nd, 2018 January 1st, 2019 (Holiday break begins Dec 22nd) December 4nd, 2018 January 15th, 2019 December 18th, 2018 *All transcript requests that are received by the corresponding deadlines above will be sent by the college application deadlines All late transcript requests will be processed in the order they are received