Senior Review:

         Seniors need to come to the Counseling Office and schedule a Senior Review with one of the counselors.  During their Review, we will discuss their progress toward meeting graduation requirements and their post secondary plans. Information will be available on 2 and 4 year colleges, vocational and technical schools, specialty schools, applications, financial aid, scholarships, military, gap year, and other related topics.

 Complete the release of Transcripts Form:

Come to the counseling office and pick up a blue “Senior Records Request Form”. This form needs to be signed by parents, if you are not 18 years of age. The form must be on file in the counseling office before transcripts can be sent. This form only needs to be completed once.

 Official & Unofficial Transcripts:

For a transcript to be considered “official”, the transcript must be stamped with the Broomfield High School seal, signed with an authorized signature, and mailed from the high school.

Cost of Transcripts:

The cost of the first transcript is $4.00; which covers the first and final transcripts; each additional transcript costs $2 each. If paying by check, make check payable to BHS. 

 NCAA:

Students planning on participating in collegiate Division I or II sports must register with the NCAA Clearing House online and pay fees online.  In order for the counseling office to send transcripts, print out the “Transcript Release Authorization” forms (both 1 and 2) on the NCAA website; sign the forms and bring both forms to the counseling office. Cost for transcripts is $4.00 (first and final). If paying by check, make check payable to BHS.

The NCAA website is:      https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

 ACT & SAT Testing:

·        Register to take the ACT or SAT test in the fall of your senior year to improve scores or if you have not taken them before.

·        Go on-line to register for the tests at www.actstudent.org (ACT) or www.collegeboard.com (SAT).  Have ACT or SAT scores sent to your colleges of interest (up to four colleges can be listed).

Naviance:

Workspace K12/Naviance is a database system that helps our students in the sometimes overwhelming college selection/application process.  It is a college research and application tracking tool; as well as a way for the BHS Counseling Office to communicate with you about important events such as college visits, scholarships, and test preparation.  Students and parents can access Family Connection, the student/parent portal, from school or home to assist them in the college/career selection process.  With Family Connections, students and parents can research colleges nationwide, create a list of schools that interest them, and browse and apply for the large number of scholarships that come through our office.

 If you do not have a log-on, access information is available in the counseling office.

Colleges you are interested in:

·        Read the freshman admissions section on the college’s individual website or in their catalog.

·        Check requirements needed-ACT, SAT I, SAT II testing, academic units, letters of recommendation and personal essays. 

College admissions deadlines:

Deadlines are different for each college - note dates for admissions, housing, scholarship, and financial aid. Be aware of when application materials need to be postmarked. 

Completing Applications:

·        Most applications can be done online and some colleges may waive the application fee for completing online applications.

·        Follow all directions. (Some colleges have you print forms that require a counselor to complete.)

·        If not applying online but filling out a paper application make sure it is neat and complete.  Photocopy the application and complete a rough draft first.  Remember, your applications establish a first impression – type or neatly print, using black ink.

·        Note deadline dates

·        Sign and date the application.

·        Verify that the college will accept ACT/SAT test score from BHS. Some colleges will only accept scores from the testing agency.

·        Double check application to ensure that all questions have been answered

·        Either pay application fees online or bring a check to the Counseling office when you request transcripts to be sent. 

Paper Applications Not Requiring Counselor Input:

Bring in the application, application fee (if paying by check; make check payable to the college), optional essay, and a stamped envelope addressed to the college admission office.  

Applications Requiring Teacher Recommendations:

Students should contact the teacher as soon as they know a recommendation is needed.  Students must complete a teacher recommendation questionnaire which is available in the counseling office and give it to the teacher to help him/her write the letter of recommendation.  Request the recommendation 14 school days before the recommendation is to be mailed.  Please provide the teacher with a pre-addressed stamped envelope. The teacher will mail the recommendation directly to the college.

Applications Requiring Counselor Input /Recommendation:

During the online application process, some colleges will require you to print forms that must be completed by the counseling office. Students complete their portions of these forms and sign the form before bringing them to the Counseling office Secretary.

 If the college requires a letter of recommendation from a counselor, make an appointment in the counseling office to talk with a counselor as soon a possible.  The counselors need 14 school days to complete the letter.

 Sending Applications:

·        Allow 14 days for the application to be processed through the Counseling office

·        Bring the completed application to the counselor, including the mid-year report, and a stamped enveloped addressed to the college admissions office.  If not paying fees online, attach a check payable to the college for the admission fee.  Colleges generally require an application fee ranging from $30-$50.

·        Attach $2 for transcript fee, (the first application is $4 this includes the $2 for your final transcript.

·        The counselor will complete his/her section of the application.

·        It is not necessary to wait for ACT/SAT test scores before applying. 

Acceptance:

·        Regular decision applicants are generally informed in the spring.

·        Early Action and Early Decision applicants will generally be informed in January or February.

·        For colleges that use rolling admissions, such as University of Colorado-Boulder, students will received admissions decisions based on the quality of the applicant.  Most students will receive information in 4 – 6 weeks

·        Colleges communicate directly with the applicant.

·        Inform the counseling office when you are accepted. 

Scholarship Information from BHS:

All scholarship information will be placed on the Naviance Database System which is available to all students and parents at BHS.   Scholarships are added weekly to Naviance; students are urged to check this system regularly.