Brookwood HS Counseling Newsletter

Scheduling appointments with your counselor:

Parents: email your student's counselor directly.

9th/10th grade students : scan a QR code (displayed in most classrooms) email your counselor, or stop by A1, F24, or E24.

11th/12th grade students: scan a QR code ( displayed in most classrooms) email your counselor, or stop by A1.

BHS Counseling Website https://schools.gcpsk12.org/Domain/10032

Dear Brookwood Families, Students, and Staff,

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to share our gratitude for each of you.

To our parents and guardians: Thank you for your constant support and dedication. Your partnership makes such a difference in our students’ success and well-being.

To our students: You inspire us every day! Watching you grow and overcome challenges and support each other reminds us why we love what we do.

To our staff: Your hard work and care create a school community where everyone can thrive. Thank you for all that you do to make Brookwood such a special place.

This Thanksgiving, we hope you take time to relax, enjoy good food, and connect with those who matter most. Wishing you a joyful holiday filled with gratitude and warmth!

With thanks,
Your BHS School Counseling Team

Rising juniors and seniors- If you love serving and mentoring others, then Peer Leadership may be for you! Applications for the 2025-26 school year are available now. Application and teacher recommendations are due Tuesday, January 15, by 3:00 p.m. Click on the image to access the 25/26 Peer Leadership Application.

Peer Leadership is a HOPE-eligible elective that gives students the chance to serve your school and community. Examples of Peer Leadership activities include: facilitating mediations between students who are having a conflict, welcoming new students to Brookwood, and mentoring younger students at our cluster schools.

Are you interested in Dual Enrollment next year, and missed the November 14th College Options Now meeting? Make sure your review the power point presentation and follow next steps. One of them is a mandatory after school advisement meeting. You ( the student) will also need to meet with your assigned counselor to discuss all steps. Click on the image - it will take you directly to our DE page.

Step 1: Review College Options Now Presentation

Step 2 :

• Sign up for after school advisement meeting: https://forms.office.com/r/0MVKiqC3iB
• Set up an appointment with your assigned counselor for Dual Enrollment advisement meeting.

FAFSA will open December 1st. Here are the steps to prepare now:

1. Set up a studentaid.gov account: Before the new form opens, students and their parents (if the student is a dependent) can set up a username and password, commonly called the FSA ID, to access and complete the FAFSA electronically.
2. Gather personal information: Students should have their Social Security number on hand (as should parents, if the student is a dependent, or student spouses, if applicable). However, if a student spouse, parent or stepparent does not have an SSN, they can still register for an FSA ID. The form may also ask for your driver’s license or state identification number. Non-citizens should have their Alien Registration number handy.
3. Federal tax information: Applicants will need tax information from the prior-prior tax year. In this case, that means students should have 2023 tax returns for the 2025-26 FAFSA.
4. Financial records: The FAFSA requires records of the student’s (and the parents’, if applicable) bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate (not including the family home) and other investments. Any records of untaxed income, such as child support or government benefits, should be documented as well.
5. List of schools: Finally, FAFSA applicants should have a list of schools the student is applying to or attending, which will need to be listed on the FAFSA application.

Tips on writing an essay that sounds like you! Click on the image to access the article.

There are other avenues that lead to meaningful, lucrative, and fulfilling careers. An apprenticeship is one of them. Here is a spotlight on an apprenticeship program from Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC):

• The IEC’s apprenticeship program lets you earn while you learn and obtain a national certification by the US Dept. of Labor as an electrician. The program allows you to fast-track your career to a high paying electrician that is high demand.

Click on the image to learn more!

The most recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York projects that the following are the highest paid college majors.

10. Civil Engineering

Median Salary: $95,890 The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states this field will see an estimated 6% increase in growth. .

9. Economics

Median Salary: $115,730 The 10-year growth outlook for economics jobs is 5%, according to the BLS.

8. Mathematics

Median Salary: $104,860 Mathematicians will grow by 11%, which is considered much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

7. Finance

Median Salary: $79,050 The BLS reports that about 963,500 jobs are added annually in the field of finance. This field also spans a breadth of different career options and salary ranges.

6. Industrial Engineering

Median Salary: $99,380 Employment in industrial engineering is projected to grow faster than the average (by 12%) for all occupations for the next 10 years, according to the BLS.

5. Electrical Engineering

Median Salary: $109,010 The BLS estimates that there will be 9% job growth in the next 10 years.

4. Aerospace Engineering

Median Salary: $130,720 The BLS estimates 6% career growth in this field over 10 years.

3. Computer Science

Median Salary: $145,080 Computer science jobs are expected to grow 26% over the next 10 years, which is the most growth of any career listed.

2. Chemical Engineering

Median Salary: $112,100 The BLS estimates this field will see 10% growth in the next 10 years.

1. Computer Engineering

Median Salary: $138,080 Computer engineering jobs will grow by 7% over the next 10 years, according to the BLS. From their Winter 2024 Salary Survey, NACE created a general list of fields that garner the most wages after graduation. Every major has seen a salary increase over 2023 figures. The top in-demand careers seem to be engineering, computer sciences, and business.

11th graders- you will be taking an SAT during the day at Brookwood HS on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025. ( NO COST)

All grade levels: if you need to take an SAT outside of your junior year, please click on button below for dates and registration. Common reasons: applying for Dual Enrollment or wanting to get a better score.

Why ACT? Often, students perform better on one tests compared to the other. We recommend that students take both the ACT and the SAT at least one time.

ACT Changes are coming! Click on the link below to learn more:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-changes-digital-exam

1. GCPS Foundation Scholarships
2. JLV College Counseling - All Scholarships
3. Scholarship Spreadsheet
4. Student Scholarships
5. Georgia Futures Scholarships
6. College Board Scholarship Search
7. For Undocumented/DACA/TPS students, TheDream.US is a dedicated resource.