The

Handy, Dandy,

Everything You

Need to Know,

Super Duper

Guide to

Bishop McNamara

High School’s

Procedures for

Applying to College

@BMHS_to_College

The Application

Always read and follow all directions carefully.

It is your responsibility to meet all requirements and deadlines.

Have an adult proofread your application for completeness and accuracy.

Do not push the send button (or mail) until it is perfect!

When it says “optional essay” you should seriously consider completing it to show your interest and motivation.

Bishop McNamara uses a 4.0 grading scale with a weighted class rank and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

Remember: The earlier the better!

Tips:

Complete the FERPA waiver on the “Colleges I’m Applying To” tab in Naviance and on the Common Application.

Complete the Common College Application (www.commonapp.org) and use it for any of your colleges that participate. Do not select Early Decision without talking to a counselor first.

For multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) go to: commonblackcollegeapp.com where you can apply to 50 HBCUs for one fee of $35.

Complete the optional Parent Brag Sheet. Suggested due date is October 15th.

Some colleges have a test optional application option.

Plan fall visits to your top few colleges.

Attend college application workshops.

Follow us on Twitter @BMHS_to_College

You should receive acknowledgement of receipt of your application. If you have not heard anything feel free to call the admissions office and check on the “status” of the application. You may also check Naviance to see when and how your documents were sent from the Counseling Center.

If you receive any notification regarding missing transcripts or

recommendations please bring the actual notification to your counselor or the teacher and verify if the documents were sent. There are often cross mailings but it is better to check with your counselor and follow up on any communications from the colleges.

http://www.commonapp.com/

Standardized Testing

SAT Reasoning Test dates Registration Deadline 10/01/16 09/01/16 11/05/16 10/07/16 12/03/16 11/03/16 01/21/17 12/21/16

Set up an account at www.collegeboard.com in order to register, check your scores and send scores to colleges. Keep your ID and password in a safe place — it is very difficult to retrieve a forgotten password.

Always use the Bishop McNamara School Code 210532 to be sure a copy of your test results will be included on your transcript. To choose Bishop McNamara as the location where you take the SAT use Bishop McNamara’s Test Center Code: 21291.

List up to four colleges to receive your scores…any schools above four will cost $12 each; scores requested after the test date cost $12 each as well. When scores are sent to colleges, ALL previous scores are included. Most colleges will take the highest scores in each area when evaluating candidates. Do not use score choice! It usually is NOT worth the cost to “rush” scores! Full-length practice tests are available with Method Test Prep on Naviance. *Do not take the optional essay unless your school specifically asks for it.*

SAT-Subject Tests Subject tests are required by some colleges and universities and are used

for placement. You may take up to three subjects per test date. Some colleges specify which subject tests must be taken while others leave that decision to the student (pick the subjects you think you will score best in). These are given on the same dates as SAT Reasoning so schedule accordingly. Tests are available in math, literature, sciences, foreign languages, and social studies.

ACT The ACT is an alternate test to the SAT which all colleges and

universities will accept. Usually they will take the best scores from either test. Students who struggle with the SAT may want to try the ACT as well for an additional chance to meet admission standards. Two full-length practice tests are available with Method Test Prep on Naviance. There are four sections to the ACT: Reading/English, Math, Science and Social Studies. The Writing portion is optional. For more information visit www.actstudent.org.

Test Dates Registration Deadline 10/22/16 09/16/16 12/10/16 11/04/16 02/11/17 01/13/17

Student Athletes

Athletes who have been contacted by a Division I or Division II

coach to play at the collegiate level should follow the procedures outlined below.

1. In your junior year you should have completed the BMHS Athletic Transcript Release Form and returned it to the Counseling Center. If you have not done so, do so now. Please note this form gives coaches and counselors permission to release a copy of your unofficial transcript and report cards to any college or coach.

2. You may begin the registration process with the NCAA

Eligibility Center at the end of junior year. To do so, visit their website at www.eligibilitycenter.org and pay the $80 registration fee. The NCAA will add you to Bishop McNamara’s account and your name will appear on our list of registered student-athletes.

3. In the fall of your senior year, complete the Official Transcript

Request form for the NCAA and give it to your counselor. We will upload a copy of each registered student-athlete’s final junior year transcript through our NCAA Eligibility Center account. If a student has attended more than one high school he/she must request a separate transcript directly from each high school attended.)

4. When registering for the SAT or ACT, request that your scores be

sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center, Code 9999. 5. Make good use of the BMHS Student Athlete Handbook. It

contains a wealth of information on the NCAA, tips on marketing yourself as a student athlete, finding the right program for you, and making sure you’re eligible for college athletics.

6. Use CoreCourseGPA.com to calculate your core GPA and to

perform an unofficial preliminary eligibility evaluation. School ID: 210532 School Code: 791303061 7. The Counseling Center will automatically upload a final transcript

to the NCAA Eligibility Center for all registered student-athletes after graduation.

http://www.eligibilitycenter.

Transcripts

Almost every college application requires an official transcript to be sent directly from the high school. Whenever possible these transcripts and accompanying forms will be sent electronically via Naviance.

When requesting an official transcript:

Complete the “Brag Sheet Survey” on Naviance.

Complete the “Transcript Request Form” with instructions and deadlines. Forms are available in the Counseling Center, on Naviance, and on the Student Forms & Docs page of the Student Life section of the BMHS website.

When applying to an institution that does not accept electronic documents, the student should bring any forms from the college (Secondary School Report, Counselor Recommendation Form, Recommendation Form, etc.) directly to your counselor.

Be sure to have all identifying information completed and sign waivers, including the FERPA agreement, when applicable.

There is a $3.00 fee for each transcript.

Hand ALL materials to your counselor at least two weeks prior to the college’s deadline. If your school’s deadline is one of the dates shown below you must submit your paperwork to your counselor by the deadline shown below to ensure the Counseling Center has enough time to process and submit your request.

College Deadline Counselor’s Deadline 10/15/16 09/23/16 11/01/16 10/14/16 12/01/16 11/04/16 01/01/17 12/01/16

Since the recommendation can be a valuable piece of the admissions decision, your counselor will usually send a recommendation along with each transcript unless directed not to. The Brag Sheet Survey is used to enhance the recommendation.

All colleges require a mid-year update. A full official transcript with new rank and cumulative GPA is automatically sent in February to every college to which a student has applied. Give any Mid-Year Report forms to your counselor when requesting your initial transcript. Please let your counselor know by February 1 of any applications you have decided not to complete so we do not send mid-year reports to that school.

All colleges require a final official transcript as well and these will automatically be sent after graduation to the college you indicate as your final choice on Naviance.

College Visits

Each fall admissions counselors from over 70 colleges and universi-ties visit Bishop McNamara to share information about their schools with our seniors. These visits are an excellent way for you to find out more about a college you are interested in from someone with a wealth of knowledge about that school. It also offers you the opportunity to meet and make a good impression on the admissions counselor who will most likely be the first in line to review your application.

College visits are usually held in the Counseling Center. Click on the College tab on your Naviance home page; a link to a comprehensive list of scheduled college visits is on the right. This list also appears on the “College Visits” link on the Counseling page on www.bmhs.org. Infor-mation about college visits is also posted on the bulletin board as you enter the Counseling Center; check it frequently for updates/changes.

Follow these procedures to sign up for and attend a college visit:

Check the information on Naviance and the Counseling Center bulletin board frequently and identify the college visits you wish to attend. You will receive an automatic e-mail when a college on your “I’m Thinking About” list schedules a visit but you must still sign up for that visit on Naviance.

Use Naviance to sign up for the college visit of your choice by noon the day before the visit. Choose your visits wise-ly and attend only those for colleges you are truly interested in to avoid missing time in the classroom!

The Counseling Center will tweet reminders for upcoming college visits so be sure to follow @BMHS_to_College on Twitter.

Mrs. Mendiola will e-mail reminders the night before any college visits you have signed up to attend. On the morning of a visit you must pick up your College Visit Pass from Mrs. Mendiola in the Counseling Center. Your teacher must sign that pass to excuse you from class. Teachers may re-quire you to remain in class for a test. You are responsible for all work missed while attending college visits.

Give your signed pass to Mrs. Mendiola in the Counseling Center.

Give the admissions counselor your undivided attention. Come prepared to ask thoughtful questions and make a great first impression!

Retrieve your signed pass from Mrs. Mendiola and return to class at the end of the visit.

Teacher Recommendations

Some colleges require teacher recommendations, while others welcome recommendations. Some don’t want recommendations at all. Please follow the guideline regarding recommendations published by each college.

When choosing a recommender look for a teacher:

From junior or senior year

Who taught a core academic subject

Who knows you well (not just an easy A) in and out of the classroom if possible

Who consents to writing a positive recommendation

Please limit the number of recommendations to a total of 2 teachers and your counselor; use the same two teachers for ALL requests. Do not ask 10 different teachers to write your recommendation!

Follow the procedures below:

1. Choose the teachers you will ask to write your recommenda-tions as early in the school year as possible and give their names to your counselor so we can add them to your Naviance ac-count. Speak to your chosen teachers absolutely no less than 2-3 weeks prior to your first application deadline.

2. Fill out the form letter (see back page) for each teacher from whom you are requesting a recommendation.

3. Give the teachers the form letter and be prepared to answer any questions they may have. Let them know your Brag Sheet Sur-vey is available on Naviance.

4. Give a very BIG thank you!

Filling in the Blanks

Below is some of the information that is commonly requested on teacher/counselor recommendation forms. Please use it to ensure your completed forms are correct. Proofread carefully!

School: Bishop McNamara High School Fax: 301-735-0934

Address: 6800 Marlboro Pike Phone: 301-735-8401 Forestville, MD, 20747-3270 Prince George’s County CEEB Code: 210532 Counselor: Miss Clare M. Treichel Phone: (A-J) Director of Counseling 301-735-8401 Clare.Treichel@bmhs.org Ext. 140

Counselor: Mrs. Jennifer Auchmoody Phone: (K-Z) Assistant Director 301-735-8401 of College Counseling Ext. 144 Jennifer.Auchmoody@bmhs.org

Applying for Financial Aid New for 2017-2018

1. Apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) at StudentAid.gov/fsaid.

A. both student and parent need to apply B. provide legal name, social security number, date of

birth and email address.

2. Beginning October 1, 2016, complete the FAFSA for 2017-2018 at www.fafsa.gov.

3. In order to complete the FAFSA you will have to use the IRS data retrieval tool to upload your 2015 tax information. When your application is complete, sign and submit it using your FSA ID.

4. Check the priority filing deadlines at the colleges you are inter-ested in and be sure to meet them.

5. If you have any questions about filling out the FAFSA call their help line at 1-800-4FEDAID.

6. Check to see if your colleges require the 2017-2018 CSS Profile. If required go to css.collegeboard.org. Be sure to meet any priority deadlines. You can add colleges at any time.

7. Research available financial aid and application processes for each school you are applying to. Look for information regarding any institutional grants and scholarships that are not need-based.

8. Investigate private sources of financial aid for college. Check local libraries, local business and civic organizations, and par-ents’ employers. Check useful free resources such as:

The scholarship tab in Naviance

Fast Web Scholarship Search at www.fastweb.com

9. In January contact the Maryland state delegates and senator from your legislative district and request applications for Senatorial and/or Delegate Scholarships. Complete forms as directed. Call 301-341-7300 or visit www.mdelect.net if you need their contact information.

10. D.C. residents file D.C. Tuition Assistant Grant forms in Febru-

ary online at osse.dc.gov/dctag.

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Date __________________

Dear ____________________________,

Thank you for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation for me.

You taught me __________________________________________ in

___________ grade and I received a grade of ____________. The thing I most

remember about your class is:

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

I have completed my Brag Sheet Survey on Naviance to help you as you write your letter. You may view it by clicking on the Plan tab on my page in Naviance. When your letter is complete please upload it to my e-documents page in Naviance by __________________________.

(date due)

Please return this form to Mrs. Mendiola in the Counseling Center. Your signature below will serve as permission to send this letter to any college/university/scholarship to which I apply.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to write this letter of recommendation for me. I truly appreciate it!

Sincerely,

______________________________ ______________________________ (print name) (signature)

I give permission for the Counseling Center to send the letter of recommendation I have uploaded to Naviance for _______________________ to any college/university/scholarship requested by this student.

______________________________ _______________ Teacher’s Signature Date

Using Naviance

Naviance is a web-based application which allows students to perform col-lege searches based on their interests and preferences, access information on any college, gauge their potential for success at a particular school, track applications, and keep abreast of scholarship opportunities. In addition, Naviance allows us to easily communicate with you via e-mail and to better manage the submission of counselor and teacher recommendations and transcripts. Please get started in Naviance by completing the following tasks:

Complete the game plan on the “About Me” tab .

Complete the Brag Sheet Survey on the “About Me” tab.

Complete the personality test on the “About Me” tab.

Complete the Strengths Explorer assessment on the “About Me” tab.

Use the tools in Naviance to research colleges that offer the en-vironment and academics you are looking for. Add those you think are a good match for you in your “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list on the “College” tab.

Any school you plan to apply to must appear in your “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list. It will become an active application and be moved to your “Applying To” list when you give your counselor a transcript request form for that college.

See your counselor to begin the transcript and recommendation request process for each college you decide to apply to.

NOTE: In order to use the electronic Common Application you must go to www.commonapp.org to open an account. Make a note of your account log in and password. Be sure to complete the FERPA agreement on Common App. We cannot send any common applications for you until you have com-pleted the FERPA agreement on Naviance and on your Common Application.

Updated September 14, 2016 Bishop McNamara High School Counseling Center

@BMHS_to_College