Junior-Senior Year Handbook

for the Class of 2012

All the information you need

(and some you don’t) to plan

for the future!

Created by the

BHS Counselors

40 Allen Street

Brockport, NY 14420

BROCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL 40 Allen Street, Brockport, NY 14420

Counseling Offices: Main Office: 637-1870 Fax 637-1867

1st Floor Office: 637-1873 Fax 637-1853

Ground Floor Office : 637-1973 Fax 637-1953

COUNSELORS

1st Floor Office

Martha Terilli A-Coo

Kathy Kalua’u Cop-Gl

Main Office

Marcia Bartalo Gm-K

Brenda Hamling L-Og

Ground Floor Office

Christine Howlett Oh-Sl

Peter Kramer Sm-Z

Dear Juniors and Parents of Juniors,

The spring semester of your junior year is an important and exciting time in your

high school career. There are many decisions to be made, and one of the most important

is what to do after high school graduation. You might be planning to pursue a college

education at either a two or four year institution. Other options might include pursuing

employment, military service, or attending a vocational or technical school. These

decisions need careful planning and research, so there is no time like the present to begin!

This handbook is intended to provide basic and timely information for students

and parents. This information will be of increasing importance as you approach

graduation and make plans for the future. We invite you to explore this exciting stage by

using this handbook as a tool to begin this important process. We suggest that after

reviewing this information, you make an appointment with your School Counselor and

visit the Career Center to more thoroughly explore your future plans.

Sincerely,

The High School Counselors

Table of Contents

The Career Center 1

―Bridges‖ to Everywhere 2

Websites 3

Planning to Attend College? 4

College Entrance Exams (SAT and ACT) 5

SAT Subject Tests 6

College Visits 7

Senior Year Guidelines: College Applications 8

Student’s Role 10

Brag Sheet 12

Activities Resume 14

Parent/Guardian’s Role 15

Release Form 16

School Counselor’s Role 17

College Application: Who—What—Where—When? 18

College Office Process 19

Admission Categories 20

College Terminology 21

Junior Year Financial Aid Search 22

Financial Aid 23

―Bridges‖ to Careers 24

Ready To Work? 25

Military Information 26

Resume for the Workforce 27

The Career Center

The Career Center in the High School serves the needs of students and their

families regarding to career/college search and planning. We invite you and a

parent or guardian to come to the Career Center to utilize the resources available.

It is open every school day (7:30 AM – 3:00 PM.) The Career Center specialist,

Mrs. Wegman, is available to assist students and parents. Schedule an appointment

to spend time in the Career Center. Note: Parents need to call ahead and make an

appointment to avoid scheduling conflicts (637-1827.)

The Career Center Web Page is the best way to get day-to-day information.

Check it out for yourself at www.bcs1.org/cc.

COLLEGE: Computers are available to access college websites and applications

online. (Many college catalogs are now printed exclusively on the college website,

although the Career Center has a small number of them to peruse.) Scholarship

applications are also available in the Career Center and online. In addition to

signing up for the visits of more than 60 college admission representatives to

BHS, individual appointments can be made with college representatives at

student request.

MILITARY: There is also information available on the four branches of the

military. This includes publications about ROTC, military academies and active-

duty enlistment. In addition to scheduled visitation

dates, individual appointments can be made with military

representatives at your request.

CAREER SEARCH AND PLANNING: There are many

publications and resource manuals available to assist

you in your exploration of career paths. There are also several career assessment

inventories available to aid in this process (i.e., Bridges, Collegeboard, etc.).

THE CAREER CENTER contains computer terminals with several different

programs that aid in the career and/or college search. Internet access is available

on all computers, with many websites bookmarked pertaining to college, career,

financial aid, and scholarships. Please go to www.bcs1.org/cc for more information

concerning the Career Center.

1

“Bridges” to Everywhere

BRIDGES: This program has loads of vocational assessment to help you determine

your interests, abilities, work values, basic skills and a whole lot more! And once

you have learned about the many career possibilities that suit you, Bridges has info

for 7,661 colleges, and trade and technical schools that you can research to match

potential careers.

AVAILABLE ONLINE: 1. RETURNING USERS: Simply go to www.bridges.com and put in your portfolio

name and password.

2. NEW USERS: Student or parent go to www.bridges.com and click on ―Create a

New Portfolio” in the Student Sign In section.

3. Enter your required information, including your SITE ID: 0100968 and

Password: brockport (all lowercase.) Whenever you work within your portfolio,

all work and assessment results will be automatically saved.

4. Try both options: Choices Explorer and Choices Planner.

Choices Explorer: It’s fast and fun! Explore your career and education options. Read

interviews with people doing interesting work and learn things you care about. WORK: Start thinking about your future by finding some careers that interest you.

LEARN: Plan your high school courses and explore your post-secondary options.

LIFE: There’s more to life than just work. It is a healthy practice to balance work and

other outside activities. Explore descriptions of interesting and sometimes unique

recreational and volunteer activities.

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS: Not sure which career area to choose? Exploring different

options can help you find occupations that match your interests and abilities. New careers

are featured every week!

Choices Planner: Learn about yourself with in-depth assessments and connect your

course plans, post-secondary options and career goals. WORK: Check out career profiles and clusters as well as complete comprehensive personal

assessments: Career Finder, Basic Skills Survey, Work Value Sorter, and the Interest

Profile

LEARN: Explore the training and educational institutions that match the many careers that

could be the ones for you!

www.bridges.com

Enter your ―Portfolio name‖

And…off you go!

2

Websites

Searching online for the career paths, college programs and colleges is the

best way to navigate through the barrage of information you are receiving.

Use the websites listed below as good starting points in your career, college

and financial aid search.

CAREERS The Occupational Outlook Handbook: great for searching specific careers:

www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

The Brockport High School Career Center (an excellent source for BHS info, too):

www.bcs1.org/cc

COLLEGE SEARCH www.collegeboard.com home of SAT and the College Search

www.collegeview.com

www.nextstepmagazine.com

www.petersons.com

www.nycolleges.org New York’s Private Colleges

www.suny.edu SUNY Colleges Website

www.bridges.com a career/college search (Site ID: 0100968, password: brockport)

SCHOLARSHIPS www.petersons.com

www.scholarships.com

www.collegenet.com

FINANCIAL AID www.fastweb.com

www.collegeboard.com

www.petersons.com

www.collegenet.com

www.hesc.org

www.supercollege.com

www.wiredscholar.com

www.finaid.com

www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

3

Planning to Attend College? The college search process can be overwhelming and confusing. If you start by

answering the following questions, you can get a head start.

How far is too far away from home?

If I am going away, how will I get home for holidays, vacations, and breaks from

school?

What size school would I like to attend?

Do I want to attend college in a quiet countryside setting or in a large city?

How much is too much money to pay per semester for college?

Do I know my Grade Point Average (GPA), my class rank, my SAT/ACT scores?

Do I have any idea about the career I want to choose for myself?

What are my goals? What do I want out of life?

Definitely not easy questions to answer, but exploring these will really help you in finding

some direction in your college search.

Develop a criteria list The next step is considering all of these things in much, much deeper detail. You should

make a list of all the things you want to check out in different colleges.

♦ Admission standards ♦ Quality of the college

♦ Academic programs ♦ Size of the college

♦ Size of student body ♦ Public or private

♦ Costs ♦ Rankings

♦ Location ♦ Nature of education offered

♦ Degree desired: certificate, associate or bachelor ♦ Social life/extracurricular

activities

Academic programs Determine which colleges have academic programs of interest. If you are not sure which

career you want to pursue, then choose a college that is well rounded and has several

different types of academic programs.

Admission standards When you have settled on a school that matches with your personal preferences, you can

compare your grades to those of students who are typically accepted for admission to that

particular college. Be realistic. Don’t waste money on application fees if you know without

a doubt that you don’t meet the admission standards.

Narrow it down As soon as you have listed the criteria and know the qualities you believe desirable in a

college, compile a list of all the colleges that are available to you and compare them with

your list of criteria. The internet can be your best resource for this process. The website

page (p. 3) in this handbook gives you several good websites for your search. Use the

criteria list to narrow down the number of colleges; once you have done this, you should be

left with no more than ten colleges. If possible, visit these colleges to get better sense of

them. Visiting the actual colleges can make a big difference in their appeal. Decide which

colleges you liked the best and then…onward!

4

College Entrance Exams

College entrance tests are designed to measure a student’s ability to do

college level work and are required by most four year colleges and some

two year colleges. By reviewing a standardized set of test scores for

every student applying to a college, the admissions personnel are able to

compare students from different states, schools, and academic

backgrounds.

JUNIORS: ACT or SAT: taken in the spring of the junior year to provide

additional information to the college(s) of your choice.

SENIORS: SAT: taken in October, November or December if junior year

SAT scores are lower than you think they should be or if you

didn’t take the exam in your junior year.

ACT: taken in October or December (if not taken in junior year.)

SAT Subject Tests: if a subject test is required by the college

to which you are applying, then this test should be taken in

November, December or January of your senior year. To register online for SAT go to www.collegeboard.org and to register online for ACT

go to www.actstudent.org When registering, use the BHS Code 330-525. By using

the Brockport High School code, you ensure that the High School will receive a copy of

the results for your cumulative folder. Online registration is the fastest and easiest

way to register. It is your responsibility to direct the testing organizations to send

your official test scores to the colleges of interest. What’s New? The SAT now has a writing component to the test, and all students who

take the SAT must take it. ACT has two test options: The ACT assessment or the

ACT Plus Writing. Please see the appropriate test website for more information

concerning the writing test, practice assessments, strategies to prepare for the test,

and what to expect on the test day. Test Dates for Spring 2011

The following college admissions test dates have

been set for this spring. SAT Saturday March 12, 2011

SAT Saturday *May 7, 2011

SAT Saturday June 4, 2011

ACT Saturday April 9, 2011

ACT Saturday June 11, 2011

*Please note: Brockport High School is

a test center for the May 7, 2011 test.

Sign up

now!

SAT Preparation Classes

are offered through the

district’s Continuing

Education program.

Consult the Focus

publication or call

Continuing Education at

637-1865 for more info. information.

5

SAT Subject Tests

DO YOU NEED TO TAKE ANY OF THE SAT SUBJECT TESTS? Selective colleges sometimes require or recommend one or more of the one hour SAT

Subject Tests for admission or placement. You can learn whether or not the colleges

in which you are interested require or recommend a Subject Test by contacting a

college directly or checking the college’s website. SAT SUBJECT TESTS should be taken only if your prospective colleges require

them. Registration for these tests should be done in November, December or January

of your senior year. These one hour exams measure your knowledge or skills in a

particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge. The tests fall into five

general subject areas: English: Literature

History and Social Studies: United States History, World History

Mathematics: Mathematics Level 1, Mathematics Level 2

Sciences: Biology E/M (Ecological/Molecular), Chemistry, Physics

Languages: Reading Only: French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, and

Spanish. Reading and Listening: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean,

Spanish, English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT).

Each Subject Test is a one hour test, and consists

entirely of multiple-choice questions. The use of a

calculator is prohibited on all Subject Tests

except Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 2. You

can take a maximum of three tests at any one

sitting.

If you took the PSAT in October

2010, crack open the test booklet

and scores you were given when

your individual PSAT scores arrived

at the high school. This is a great

way to learn how you might improve

your scores!

Things to bring on test day:

your admission ticket, photo

ID, two #2 pencils,

calculator, one pen, and a

watch.

And...turn off your cell!

6

College Visits TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE VISIT

Make an appointment in advance with the admissions office.

Plan to visit when classes are in session.

Encourage your parents or guardians to accompany you.

Identify other colleges in the same general area and consider visiting them as

well.

Visit the college website.

Take along a personal resume (which contains extracurricular activities, work

experience, and/or special interests from grade 9-12), a high school transcript

and test scores.

Bring a small notebook for recording information and taking notes.

Visit a class in your area of interest, if possible.

Ask for a tour of the campus.

Talk to your tour guide and other students you meet about the campus.

Have a list of questions ready to ask…and then ASK!

QUESTIONS FOR COLLEGE VISITS What type of housing is available for freshman? On or off campus? Singles,

doubles or triples?

How many roommates will I have? Can I choose a specific roommate?

Where will I eat? What types of meal plans are available?

Are there stores nearby?

Where do the students study? Are quiet hours observed in dorms?

Is there tutoring available? Is there a Tutoring or Learning Center?

Are there phones in the rooms? Cable? WiFi? Refrigerators? Kitchens?

How far are the dorms from classroom buildings? The Student Center?

How many computer labs are there? What types of computers and computer

software are accessible? What are the lab hours?

Are the campus walkways well lit? Do you have security to escort students at

night? Are the residence halls secure?

Is there a bus system on campus? Are the student parking lots well maintained

and lit?

Is there a student union building that’s open on weekends and evenings?

Where do students spend their free time?

What sports activities are offered?

How active is the student government?

Is there a bus into nearby communities?

How do you get to the airport, bus or train station without a car?

What’s the library like? Is the library open late during weeknights and is it

open on the weekends?

What types of social activities does the college sponsor? Cultural? Athletic?

7

Senior Year Guidelines: College Applications

◊ AUGUST ►Now is the time to review all your research results and decide which type of school

is right for you. Large or small? Public or private? Near home or away?

►Now is also a good time to consider military options: academies, ROTC or enlistment.

►Visit prospective schools! It helps you narrow down your choices. Contact the

schools in which you are interested to arrange a personal tour. Sometimes high school

students are given application fee waivers by the college in appreciation for the extra

interest!

◊ SEPTEMBER ►Use the internet to search for college options.

►Meet with Admissions representatives who are visiting our school.

►Visit the schools you are interested in. Call ahead to set up tours and interviews.

►Ask for letters of recommendation. Put your request in writing and consider

including a copy of your BRAG SHEET (p. 12 ) and/or resume. Teachers, employers,

friends in the community or club advisors are typically good choices. It is important to

get an early start on this!

►Determine which college entrance exams are required by your prospective schools

(SAT, ACT,

and/or SAT Subject tests) and register for them if you didn’t take any in junior year.

Be sure to direct the testing organization to send your scores to the colleges where

you plan to apply.

◊ OCTOBER ►Work on your application essays. Ask your English teacher to review them.

►If you are applying ―Early Decision‖ submit your application now.

►Attend college fairs at nearby malls and convention centers.

►Schedule an appointment with your School Counselor for your ―Senior Interview.‖

This interview will cover graduation requirements, college application process, financial

aid, etc.

►Continue to use the internet to search for college options.

◊ NOVEMBER ►Finalize your college applications.

►Submit your admissions application and any additional information the schools may

request. Although colleges vary widely with application deadlines, earlier is better!

►Find out which financial aid application(s) is required by the colleges to which you are

applying.

►Apply for the US Department of Education PIN at www.pin.ed.gov . This pin serves

as an identifier to provide electronic access to personal federal student aid

information.

►Obtain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) worksheet at

www.fafsa.ed.gov. Use this tool to help gather the information needed to complete the

official FAFSA.

8

◊ DECEMBER ►Research additional sources of financial aid: checking in the Career Center and look

online for scholarship information.

►Prepare FAFSA form online to send after January 1. Check to see if you need the

CSS Financial Aid PROFILE form.

◊ JANUARY ►Fill out and submit your FAFSA form online.

►Fill out and submit the CSS Financial Aid PROFILE form online.

►Fill out and submit the Need Analysis form required by some schools.

►Make and keep copies of all the forms you submit.

►Attend Financial Aid Night in January at Brockport High School.

◊ FEBRUARY ►Check with the secretary in charge of college applications in your Counseling Office

to make sure your mid-year grades have been sent to the schools you to which you have

applied (if the college requires this.)

►Submit your FAFSA form if you haven’t done so yet.

►Register for Advanced Placement (AP) exams if applicable.

◊ MARCH ►Check your mailbox or email…admissions decisions start arriving!

◊ APRIL ►Schools will be notifying you about your acceptance and financial aid packages.

Compare the financial aid offers you receive.

►Now’s the time to make your final decision on the school you want to attend and send

in your deposit by the deadline. Be sure to notify those schools you are not going to

attend.

◊ MAY ►Complete the application for a Stafford Loan, Supplemental Loan for Students

(SLS), or Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) and send it to the Financial

Aid Office at the school you will be attending.

►It is a nice gesture to send thank you notes to the faculty members,

parents, and others who have helped you to get on your way.

►If you have questions about financial aid, call the Financial Aid

Office at the college you will be attending.

◊ JUNE ►Ask the secretary in charge of college applications in your Administrative Office to

forward your final records to the school you will be attending.

►Have fun at Graduation!

►Have a great summer, but be sure to put some of your paychecks away to cover your

expenses for next fall. Once you’re at school, you’ll be happy to have the extra money.

9

Student’s Role

As a senior, you have a number of distinct responsibilities, some of which need

to be carried out during the summer prior to your senior year. Visiting colleges

is an excellent idea. Even if you are still not sure of a particular choice, you will

certainly learn valuable information through a visit to a college. (Appointments

should be made by calling the college well ahead of the intended visit.)

Preparation for college essays is another worthwhile pursuit. The summer

affords the convenience of time, a luxury few of us have in the fall. Since most

application essay questions are autobiographical, it is a good idea to do some

substantial thinking and writing about yourself. Maybe later it can be used into

your college essays.

Another spring and summer responsibility is continued reading and research on

colleges. You learned about the Career Center and great websites earlier in

this handbook; college websites offer more these days than the massive old

catalogs of yore! You can ―tweet‖ current students, email college

admissions reps…and quite often there is a live admissions person available

on the site who will be very happy to answer any of your questions!

In the fall, each senior has a rather daunting list of ―must-do‖ items with

numerous details. Here are some of the most important:

Make an appointment with your counselor in September for a SENIOR

INTERVIEW to ensure that all requirements for graduation will be met. Keep

your school counselor informed of all changes and final choices.

Check online for college applications.

Be aware of APPLICATION DEADLINES as well as your

Counseling Office’s deadlines.

Consider whom you will ask to write letters of recommendation. Ask in person

and then put your request in writing. Provide a completed Brag Sheet and/or a

resume. Think about providing a completed Brag Sheet to the individual(s) who

will write a supportive letter of recommendation for you; it has proven helpful

to many writers in composing a more personal letter. You must ask early enough

so the individual will have time to meet the application deadline. Not doing this

in a timely manner is one of the most common reasons for missing deadline

dates.

10

Records Release Form: This form must be signed by either you or your

parent/guardian and returned to your Counseling Office before any

records---application, transcript, letter of recommendations, etc., can be

sent to another institution. (You’ll find an example of this form on p. 16.)

Make arrangements to visit colleges early in the fall. Individual colleges

have different procedures in place to deal with visitations. Please

contact the admissions office of schools you plan to visit to make

arrangements.

Follow through on all parts of the application process, including the

teacher recommendations, secondary school reports, and financial aid

forms. Always make duplicate copies for your own records, and back up

all of your computer files.

11

Brag Sheet

Part of your tasks is to fill out a brag sheet if you need a recommendation letter. Providing a

completed BRAG SHEET to the individual(s) who will write a letter of recommendation for

you has proven to be helpful in writing a more personal letter. Additional Brag sheets are

available in each Counseling Office.

STUDENT BRAG SHEET

STUDENT NAME__________________________ Home phone _____________

ADDRESS___________________________________ Cell phone _______________

_____________________________________________Email ___________________

How long have you been a student in the Brockport School District? ______________

The more thorough you are in completing this form, the more detailed

I can be when completing your letter of recommendation.

1) What are your plans for following graduation? (List colleges, occupations, and/or

military branch that you are interested in.)

2) What are your proudest accomplishments?

A. Academic 1.________________________________________________

2.________________________________________________

________________________________________________.

B. Personal 1. ________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________

3) List five adjectives that describe you as a person.

4) What are your greatest strengths? ___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

5) What skills do you have? _________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

6) Are there any circumstances in your life that might have had a negative impact

on your academic performance? ____________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

7) What job or volunteer experience have you had and how has it been

meaningful? ___________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

8) List your activities, clubs, & sports (in and outside of school) Be specific:

include the number of years involved, full name of any organizations, the level

(J.V., Varsity, national, regional), etc.

9th grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade

9) List your leadership roles.

10) What are your interests and hobbies? How do you spend your free time?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Did you fill it out completely?

Did you make extra copies for yourself and others?

And don’t forget---your counselor must have this in order to

write a letter of recommendation or fill out a school report!

Resume

A resume is recommended for those students who wish to display their

activities, honors and achievements. It allows the colleges to get a quick

glance at the extracurricular activities you have done during your years at

BHS. Go to www.bridges.com for a resume builder.

___________________________________________________________

LaMar S. Dowd 40 Allen Street

Brockport, New York 14420

(716) 555- 1212

ldowd@rochester.rr.com

EDUCATIONAL To gain admission to a competitive college with the opportunity

OBJECTIVE to pursue studies in sports management

EDUCATION Brockport High School, 40 Allen Street, Brockport, NY 14420

REGENTS Diploma, Graduation Date - June 2011

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

9th Grade Environmental Club

Student Council Representative

Junior Varsity Baseball Team

10th Grade Student Council Representative

Safe School Ambassadors

Mathletes

Junior Varsity Baseball Team

11th Grade National Honor Society

Student Council Representative

Mathletes

Drama Club

Varsity Club

Varsity Baseball Team

12th Grade National Honor Society

Student Council Representative

Mathletes

Varsity Club

Varsity Baseball Team

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE D.A.R.E. Role Model

Leukemia Dance Marathon

CROP Walk

Senior Citizens Prom

Wegmans Food Store

HONORS & AWARDS Inducted in to the National Honor Society

Recognized at the Annual Leadership Breakfast

Scholar-Athlete Award

LEADERSHIP Vice-President of Environmental Club

Secretary of Student Council

Captain of Baseball Team

14

Parent’s/Guardian’s Role

Clearly, the role of parents and/or guardians whose students are applying

to college is a confusing one, and can be fraught with anxiety. (It is

especially stressful if you are going through the admission process for the

first time.) Communication and support are two watchwords that should

guide parents through the next year as you work with your child and school

counselor.

The period of adolescence can be a busy time for you and your family. Remember that you

play an important role in the college search process, so become an active participant.

Probably one of the best pieces of advice we can offer to parents is to talk with your child.

Here are a few suggested topics for discussion:

What college(s) are you considering?

Do you meet the school’s criteria for admittance?

How far is the school from home?

How is the family planning to pay for college?

Are there any scholarship programs available?

Any particular specific major interest you?

Naturally, these are only a few of the many topics you will want to explore with your child,

but it is a good place to start.

There are many resources available to assist parents with the college search process. One

such resource is your child’s counselor, who acts in the capacity of advisor to students and

their parents regarding the college search process. Your child’s counselor is available by

phone or by appointment to discuss any questions relating to the college search process.

There are four general rules that apply equally to applicants, parents, teachers, school

counselors and college admission counselors:

We are all in this together.

The parent is not the candidate.

Help your son or daughter be realistic in assessing academic

strengths and weaknesses. If students are sensible in matching

their attributes to college choices, it is likely they will be

admitted to a college of their liking.

If your child is mature enough to be considering college, he or

she is mature enough to handle most of the admission process.

(Whew…isn’t that a relief?!)

15

Records Release Form

The Records Release Form must be filled out, signed and returned to your Counseling

Office before any information concerning the student can be sent to colleges.

RECORDS RELEASE FORM

Brockport High School Counseling Office BROCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE

Name: _______________________________________________________

Last Name First Name Middle

Social Security # _________________ Date of Birth: __________

Mailing Address:_______________________________________________

Street Address

_____________________________________________________________

City/Town State Zip Code

Home phone #: ( )____________ Cell phone #: ( )_____________

I give permission for my transcript, SAT and/or ACT test scores, letters of recommendation, etc. to be

sent to colleges, scholarship programs, NCAA or other(s) __________________________.

(Specify – ex: college football coach)

I waive my right to access all letters of recommendation used for educational and employment purposes:

YES NO

_________________________________ _________________________________

Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature (if under 18)

_________________________________ _________________________________

Date Date

NOTE: If on file, we will send SAT/ACT scores as part of the transcript. However, if your college

specifically states that it wants “official scores” (this means directly from the SAT/ACT Center),

they must be forwarded from the testing center at your own request and expense. Release forms may

be obtained in each Counseling Office.

Your Counseling Office will send midyear grades (7th semester report card) to the college upon the

request of the student. This is not done automatically.

Your Counseling Office will send final grades (8 semesters on a final transcript) to the college upon

the request of the student. This is not done automatically.

No transcript will be sent until you fill out all information and sign above. Filling out a college

application does not permit us to send your transcript. You must complete this form to allow

BHS to send a transcript with your completed application(s).

Return this form to your Counseling Office or send to the Brockport High School Counseling Office,

40 Allen Street, Brockport, NY 14420.

School Counselor’s Role

The school counselor works with you and your parent or guardian to help

with your post-high school educational planning. In addition, the Counseling

Office provides information for:

Various standardized tests (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT and

others).

The application process for

New York State public colleges and universities

the Common Application (accepted by over 200 colleges)

private school applications

Employment information

Make an appointment to help in any part of the process. Ask questions!

Both junior year and senior year interviews are encouraged.

With your input and with your counselor’s experience, you decide on a

number of post-secondary options. Keep in mind, however, that these

decisions are personal and, after gathering all the information available

and seeking informed opinions, your plans should follow your goals.

Your counselor may not know the answer to a specific question regarding

a school, but he or she can refer you to the person or agency that can.

Counselors review the process for submitting college applications during

the senior interview. Post-high school training and employment is a topic

as well. Please refer to the sections in this handbook that address the

procedures regarding these items.

You must submit a Brag Sheet to your counselor in order for the

counselor to write recommendations in support of college, scholarship or

employment applications.

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College Applications: Who—What—Where—When?

HOW MANY APPLICATIONS? This answer depends upon you, your record, your career goal and the schools you

choose. Ordinarily, if you choose wisely and diversify your choices (e.g., consider

schools with a variety of characteristics) no more than five applications should be

necessary. A good rule of thumb for your choices? Submit one application to your

―dream‖ college, others as genuine possibilities, and at least one as your ―safety net,‖

i.e., a school where you would be likely to be accepted because you easily fulfill the

admission requirements.

WHEN TO APPLY TO COLLEGE? You need to apply to colleges as early in your senior year as possible. An early start

helps to distribute or equalize the tremendous load of processing of papers by the

colleges as well as the high school.

Pay close attention to the application deadlines. Some

applications are due 11/15, 12/1, 1/1, etc.

The turnaround time from the time applications/transcript requests are submitted to

the Counseling Office to the time they are mailed from the Counseling Office will be at

least two weeks. Please know applications, transcript requests, and school reports are

processed in the order in which they are received. (We’re not kidding.)

WHERE TO FIND APPLICATIONS? Electronic mail is here to stay…many colleges applications are available on their

websites. For an increasing number of colleges, the application is available only on their

websites. However, the Counseling Office has some paper applications for some of the

local community colleges, the four-year SUNY schools, and the Common Application

(which is most frequently used by private schools, but state-funded schools are using it

as well.) In addition to these, we have a few applications available in the Career

Center. If you are unable to find an application for your prospective schools, call,

write, or e-mail directly to the college or university for the forms. Scholarship

information can also be requested at the same time you are requesting the application.

APPLICATION FEES Application fees vary greatly; a few colleges have no charge, but the majority have

anywhere from $20 to $60 fees each. (Students who visit the colleges or meet college

representatives at college fairs are often given fee waivers as an incentive, so visiting

colleges and fairs can save you money!) Qualified students may receive fee waiver

forms from their school counselors, but parents must verify with the college that their

income qualifies them according to the standards set by the government.

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Admission Categories

EARLY DECISION

―Early Decision‖ is designed for students with superior academic records and test

scores who have made a firm decision about the college that they wish to attend. Most

colleges will ask that you agree to withdraw any and all other applications to other

colleges if you are accepted on an Early Decision basis. Deadline dates for applying

vary widely among colleges. Check the college’s website information carefully and

consult your counselor early on all details for a particular college.

EARLY ACTION Colleges sometime offer an option called ―Early Action‖; if you apply to their school by

a specified date, in return you will receive your admission decision from them earlier

than other students who apply by the Regular Admission Deadline, sometimes by one

month or two. Unlike ―Early Decision,‖ however, ―Early Action‖ is usually not binding.

That means you can still apply to other colleges with no strings attached by the school

who granted you early admission. If a student is a little nervous that his or her

application is a little weaker than the typical applicant, or if you just love a

particular school and would like to know early in senior year if you have been

accepted, ―Early Action‖ can be the way to go.

WAIT LIST The college to which you applied as an ―Early Decision‖ candidate has informed you that

they have not accepted you as a student at this time. The college may either a) shift

your application to the regulation admission category, or b) inform you will not be

offered admission under any category.

REGULAR ADMISSION All colleges have some sort of deadline, and the most common one is ―Regular

Admission.‖ This one is easy to understand—for example, if the college states that

Jan. 15th is its deadline, all your materials for consideration must be in by Jan 15th.

(See how easy some things can be?)

ROLLING ADMISSION Some schools have ―Rolling Admissions.‖ This means the college offers admission to

qualified students as they apply. But do not interpret that to mean that they have no

deadline. For example, if you are a terrific candidate for a school’s nursing program

but apply in April of your senior year, the program may be full. With ―Rolling

Admission‖ there is often a little less pressure than the other admission categories,

but you should still be prudent and get your application to the college in a timely

manner.

OPEN ADMISSIONS

A policy adopted by a number of institutions-mostly public-that allows virtually all

applicants to be accepted, without regard to such traditional qualifying criteria as test

scores, class rank, grades, etc. Community colleges typically have open admissions.

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College Terminology Forget BHS acronyms and buzz words like LGI, Advisement, block

scheduling, agenda book, 1 out of 4 elective, 3-1-3, WEMOCO, 1st or 2nd

or 3rd lunch…you have a whole new college vernacular to learn!

Grade Point Average: A system of scoring student achievement used by many

colleges and universities. A student’s GPA is computed by: multiplying the numerical

grade received in each course by the number of credits offered for each course, then

dividing by the total number of credit hours. Most institutions use the following grade

conversion scale: A = 4, B= 3, C= 2, D= 1, E and F=0.

Liberal Arts: Courses in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences as opposed

to technical or professional subjects.

Degree: You will be asked to indicate if you are applying for a certificate degree

(usually a program six months to a year in duration), an associate’s degree (a two year

program), or a bachelor’s degree (a four year program.) Don’t get confused by the

―alphabet soup‖: ask what a degree name means if you aren’t sure!

FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a document all students

must complete in order to receive any federal government aid. Most colleges use the

information from this form to create financial aid packages for accepted students, too.

To submit this form, you must go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. and complete the form online

using the tax return info that your parents/guardians and you submitted to the

government for the year prior to your intended enrollment at college.

SAR: The FAFSA generates a document known as a Student Aid Report, commonly

called a ―SAR.‖ This form shows the amount of money that the government has

determined you and your family can contribute in the upcoming year toward your

educational expenses.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC): The amount the SAR estimates that you and your

family should be able to contribute to the cost of your college education, as

determined by such factors as your parents’ income, assets and debts, your earnings

and savings, and the number of children in your family currently in college.

Enrollment Deposit – A nonrefundable deposit required of accepted students at many

colleges and universities to reserve a space in the incoming class.

Matriculation: Full-time enrollment at a college or university to begin work toward an

academic degree.

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Counseling Office Process

PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Complete a Records Release Form and turn it in to your Counseling Office. All completed applications, official transcript requests and school report requests must

be turned in to your Counseling Office by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011 IN ORDER TO BE SENT OUT BEFORE CHRISTMAS BREAK. Please be advised that this includes all applications with a due date through January 15, 2012.

Because of the number of applications the Counseling Offices receive, there is no such

thing as a simple application that can be processed immediately. THE TURN-AROUND TIME WILL BE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IF SUBMITTED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 16th or after JANUARY 1st. Please know that applications, transcript requests, and school reports are processed in the order in which they are received.

If you completed an application online you must notify your Counseling Office (ASAP)

that you have completed the application, and request that your Counseling Office sends an official transcript and/or supporting documents. (Help us help you look good!)

Some college applications are relatively simple to complete. However, many have two

or more parts. And---to make it more complicated---those parts don’t always have the same deadlines! Pay close attention to those deadlines, and remind those writing your letters of recommendation and others who are involved in your application of the dates they must have their part done, too. (It will be fun to bug others about their deadlines for a change, won’t it?!)

All applications must be completely filled out by the applicant, i.e., name on all sheets

(where applicable), school name and address: Brockport High School, 40 Allen Street, Brockport, NY 14420, CEEB Code 330-525.

Many colleges are asking teachers and counselors to submit data online. However, if

paper versions of recommendation are needed, please submit them with the application or inform the college applications secretary in your Counseling Office that the letters will be forthcoming. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your Counseling Office receives letters of recommendation in time to meet your college deadlines.

OPTIONS TO CONSIDER: OPTION A: Complete your application(s) online (some application fees are waived by the

college if you apply online.) Inform the secretary in charge of college applications in your Counseling Office that you have applied online, and request in writing that an official transcript and/or supporting documents is sent to those colleges.

OR OPTION B: Submit application(s) to the secretary in charge of college applications in your

Counseling Office. Be sure that your applications are complete. Include essay(s), payment, and your signature wherever necessary.

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Financial Aid

Many students and their families face the challenge of financing a college

education today when costs are at an all-time high. Even though the

family is still primarily responsible for meeting college costs, financial

assistance is available. Sources of aid are available from federal and state

governments, private programs, and colleges. Colleges try to make your

financial aid package as attractive as possible, but don’t leave it up to

them…pursue all avenues of financial aid.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID? Financial aid is assistance in meeting the cost of your college, vocational, or trade

school education. This aid can be applied to direct costs such as tuition, fees, books,

and for living expenses such as food, housing, and transportation.

HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID? In order to apply for financial assistance, you must complete the appropriate

application form(s). The two forms that are available are:

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or more commonly called the

FAFSA form. Request a PIN www.pin.ed.gov (one for student and one for

parent); this is your electronic signature. Obtain the online FAFSA

worksheet at www.fafsa.ed.gov Register online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Note: There is no fee to apply for the FAFSA. 2. College Scholarship Service/Financial Aid Profile (CSS/Financial Aid

PROFILE): you must complete only if the college requests it. Register

online at www.collegeboard.com Note: There is a fee to apply for the

CSS Financial Aid Profile.

WHEN DO YOU APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID? The FAFSA form listed above must be filed as soon as possible after January 1st of

the calendar year in which you will start college. The CSS PROFILE form can be

submitted after October 1. The forms must be re-filed every year at the same time

while you are attending college. Please go to the appropriate website for more

information.

January is Financial Aid Awareness Month! Families can obtain free information

and advice from the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association at

www.nysfaaa.org or http://www.nygearup.org/collegesense/expert/index.htm

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Junior Year Financial Aid Search

Your Junior Year is the perfect time to get started The junior year of high school is the perfect time to begin researching private

sources of financial assistance. Start with the BHS Career Center:

www.bcs1.org/cc. You can discover many resources for outside scholarships and

grants. The Young Adult section at most public libraries or our own high school

library is another good source. And…don’t forget the internet! There are

several free scholarship searches offered on the World Wide Web. For

websites, please refer to the list below.

SUNY Brockport offers help!

The STAR Center at SUNY Brockport has opened its doors to all Brockport

community members. You can receive help in filling fill out your financial aid

forms, as well as help students with the scholarship search process. These

services are FREE (with the exception of one scholarship search program)!

Please call the Star Center for an appointment at 395-2501.

Every year in the month of January, Brockport High School will host a

financial aid information night for junior and senior students and their

parents. Please watch for the date in the 2011-12 Focus newsletters.

SCHOLARSHIPS www.fastweb.com

www.collegeboard.com

www.petersons.com

www.scholarships.com

www.collegenet.com

FINANCIAL AID www.fastweb.com

www.collegeboard.com

www.petersons.com

www.collegenet.com

www.hesc.org

www.supercollege.com

www.wiredscholar.com

www.finaid.com

www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

US DEPARTMENT OF

EDUCATION WARNING:

“Warning: Be wary of organizations

that charge a fee to submit your

application or to find you money for

school. In general, the help you pay

for can be obtained for free from your

school or from the US Department of

Education.”

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Ready to Work?

Does employment directly after high school graduation interest you? Then

junior year is the time to work toward that goal. But first…a reality

check.

Job Skills

Except for those who attended WeMoCo, the BOCES 2 technical school, you will

need more training/education beyond high school in order to become a skilled

worker, and earn what’s commonly known as a ―living wage.‖ Lucky for you,

there are more than a few ways to pursue post-high school training!

WEMOCO

If you haven’t considered a program at WeMoCo, it’s not too late. There are

one-year programs you might find worthwhile for your senior year, as well as

help you get a jumpstart into the skilled worker category. If you attend

WeMoCo already, remember to see the counselor or your teacher at WeMoCo

to learn internships and post-graduation job placement. Some students choose

to augment their WeMoCo training with college, so don’t forget that option, too!

On-the-Job Training or Apprenticeships

Imagine how much fun it would be to learn and earn at the same time? Some

fields are red-hot for these kinds of opportunities. An important local resource

is the regional office of the Department of Labor, which maintains

apprenticeship listings that have met the standards of the US Dept. of Labor.

Contact: Cary Cyrkin or Steve DeRenzo, 276 Waring Road, Rochester, New York

14609. Telephone: (585) 258-8885 or email ATCO@labor.state.ny.us.

WEBSITES

For information regarding civil service positions and their requirements,

workers and journeymen unions, and a ton of other Rochester job resources go

to http://www3.libraryweb.org/adults.aspx?id=662. All this info and more is

available through the Monroe County Library System (www.libraryweb.org.)

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Military Information

After graduation, you may be considering future plans that include the

Armed Forces. The Military offers several options including: Military

Academies, ROTC, and active duty or reserve enlistment.

MILITARY ACADEMIES Any junior interested in the United States Military Academies should investigate the

application procedure leading to acceptance. The process includes filling out

application forms, taking the necessary college admissions examinations and sending

test scores to the appropriate institution. Candidates for all but the Coast Guard

Academy must have a nomination, usually from a member of Congress or the Vice

President of the United States. Contact the academy of your choice for additional

information.

ROTC The Reserve Officer’s Training Program (ROTC) is composed of nearly 700 Army, Navy,

and Air Force units at public and private colleges and universities throughout the

country. ROTC training consists of approximately two to five hours of military

instruction per week, as well as some summer training programs.

ROTC graduates fulfill their military obligation by serving on active duty as a regular

officer with the National Guard or Reserves for a stipulated period of time, usually

three to four years. Please contact a military representative for more details.

ENLISTMENT Military representatives from each branch of the service have scheduled times to

come to the high school, and are available to meet with students. Students who plan to

enlist in the Armed Forces must take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude

Battery.) Please contact a military representative for more details.

MILITARY CONTACTS

Airforce Airforce Academy Airforce ROTC www.airforce.com www.usafa.af.mil www.afrotc.com

Army Army- West Point Army ROTC www.army.mil www.usma.edu www.goarmy.com/rotc

National Guard Coast Guard US Coast Guard Academy

www.1800goguard.com www.uscg.mil www.cga.edu

Navy US Naval Academy Navy ROTC www.navy.mil www.usna.edu www.nrotc.navy.mil

Marine Corps www.marines.com

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“Bridges” to Work

Work force preparation and resume builder

To access the Resume Builder and Job Interview Practice start at www.bridges.com.

Log in to your PORTFOLIO, click on Choices Planner, click on the WORK tab at the top

of the page, and then find the section titled ―GETTING READY TO WORK.‖

RESUME BUILDER: You know you're the right person for the job---but how do you

convince an employer? That's where your resume comes in. A resume outlines your

qualifications and skills to potential employers. The right resume can make the

difference between landing that dream job and hitting the pavement again.

But how do you put together the right resume? That's what the Resume Builder is for.

Bridges will guide you through the process. You'll have more luck putting together a

winning resume if you complete the Personal Information and Employability Skills

modules first.

Once your resume is complete, you can add it to your portfolio, export it to a file, or

print it out.

JOB INTERVIEW PRACTICE: the more you practice, the better prepared you'll be

for the toughest interview questions. You have the option to choose one of the

following question sets to practice on: Commonly Asked Questions

Work Related Questions

Administrative Job Questions

Retail Job Questions

Service Industry Questions

Industry Questions

Once you have completed a set of questions, you will be provided a summary of the

questions and your answers. Keep these for your records or your next interview.

Here are the commonly asked questions from www.bridges.com: 1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What is your greatest strength?

3. Can you describe a situation in your past where you learned from a mistake?

4. What is the most difficult situation you have ever faced?

5. Is there anything you would like to improve about yourself?

6. What is the most important thing you are looking for in a job?

7. What are your career goals?

8. What motivates you?

9. Why would you like to work for us?

10. Why should I hire you?

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Resume for the Workforce

For those students who will be entering the workforce upon graduation, having a

resume prepared for prospective employers is a good idea. The resume should

highlight your abilities as well as your uniqueness. Employers are looking for

good skills as well as reliability. Use the resume as a tool to help the employer

to see you as the best person for the job.

Sabrina Graduati

567 Rosewood Lane ♦ Brockport, NY 14420 ♦ (585) 555-1212 ♦ sgraduati@hotmail.com

Objective----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To gain a position in sales.

Profile-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Motivated and personable. Talent for quickly mastering technology. Diplomatic and

tactful with professionals and non-professionals at all levels. Able to handle sensitive,

confidential records. History of excellent time management.

Flexible and versatile. Able to maintain a sense of humor under pressure. Poised and

competent with ability to acknowledge cultural differences. Thrive on deadline-driven

environments. Excellent team building skills.

Skills Summary--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ♦ Computer Savvy ♦ Report Preparation ♦ Customer Service

♦ Written Communication ♦ Time Management ♦ Good Organization

♦ PowerPoint Presentations ♦ Cash Handling ♦ Verbal Communication

Employment History-------------------------------------------------------------------- Bittersweet Store – Brockport, NY

Salesperson 2009- Present

Pizza Hut, Inc – Brockport, NY

Waitress, Cook 2008 – Present

Education--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regents Diploma, Graduation date- June 2011 GPA: 2.87

Brockport High School, 40 Allen Street, Brockport, New York 14420

Computer Skills-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ♦ Microsoft Word ♦ Microsoft Excel ♦ Microsoft PowerPoint

♦ Adobe Acrobat ♦ Microsoft Access ♦ Bridges

Sabrina Graduati 567 Rosewood Lane ♦ Brockport, NY 14420 ♦ (585) 555-1212 ♦ sgraduati@hotmail.com

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