Hi Seniors!

We hope this unique year has gotten off to a strong start for you! Thank you for your patience as we dealt with schedule issues for the first few weeks.  We are eager to move on to Post High School Planning and College Application information!!

 

           

 

1/8/2021: Instructions for Completing High School Beyond Plan

 

Important information about how we will support you with your applications:

 

• November 18th, 2020:  Senior Financial Aid Advising Day in English, in Spanish

 

 

 

Video:  Building a List of Colleges I am Applying To

 

 

Senior lesson on College Application Process 

• Enter the code SEMFO to access the class here.
• The video references Naviance tutorials here.
• Town Hall Q & A 

 

Senior Blitz Appointment

Counselors will meet with each senior for a brief (15 minute) discussion about graduation requirements and post high school plans. We will help you with your next steps and give you helpful resources.

BEFORE your appointment, please:

1. 1. Watch the Senior Lesson in Teams
   2. Complete the Senior Blitz form found in the Class of 2021 Team
   3. Book your appointment with your counselor.

Common Application:

 

• How to match your Common App and Naviance accounts
• How to request a fee waiver for Common App
• Naviance – Sign in with Clever
• Transcripts – All students need to list their colleges in “Colleges I’m Applying To” and request initial transcripts.  Your counselor will send out your transcript with letter of recommendation (if required) by your first application deadline.  Ms. Aldridge will send your transcript to all non-private schools within one week after your requests.
• How to request a Teacher Letter of Recommendation in Naviance
• Complete the following documents from the 2020-2021 Letter of Recommendation for use with Private Colleges/Universities  3 weeks prior to your first deadline:

1. 1. Counselor Questionnaire – provide interesting, unique details that will help us write a rich letter.
   2. Teacher feedback form for Counselor LOR
   3. College application list & deadline
   4. Parent “brag sheet” (recommended, not required)
   5. Upload a resume (example is posted in the Class of 2021 Team & in 2020-2021 LOR packet for Private Colleges)
   6. Submit the Signed BSD FERPA Waiver.  This is a different FERPA from the Common App.
   7. Email completed packet to counselor 3 weeks prior to your first deadline.

2. 

 

Essay Help & College Visits

• • Essay help – Email your essay to Vanessa Lopez-Kopp (lopezk@bsd405.org) and she will have one of the College Corps volunteers provide feedback.
  • How to Write a Great “Why This College” Essay *
  • How to Write a Great Extracurricular Essay *

* Enter “Parent” in the Name bar, leave the Optional bar blank. 

 

 

 

NACAC College Fairs – Sign up to attend virtual college fairs

Naviance College Virtual Visits – check out the list of college reps that will meet with NHS students in Naviance

 

 

Transcripts

• Transcripts for College Applications: 
  • Transcripts will be submitting to colleges beginning in October.  Students may request them at any time.
  • Your counselor will send out your transcript with letter of recommendation (if required) to all common app schools by your first application deadline.
  • Ms. Aldridge will send your transcript to all non-private schools within one week after your requests.
• Make sure you turn in the BSD FERPA Waiver to Ms. Aldridge
• Transcripts for coaches, scholarships, NCAA, etc. please email Ms. Aldridge

College Application Presentations and Resources:

• College Match Self Survey
• Resources Guides on preparing for and going to college
• Preparing for College Guide & Workbook
• Going to College with IEP
• Running Start and Community/Tech Colleges
• College Application Process 101 *
• Choosing a College that Fits You *
• Paying for College – The Basics (Video)
• Paying for College — The Basics (PowerPoint) **

* Enter ‘Parent” in the Name bar, leave the Optional bar blank.

** To hear the presentation, make sure it runs as a slideshow.