Seniors,

We made it through our first cycle of seminar, and we've entered our second session! If you were not in attendance, BE SURE TO BE THERE NEXT WEEK! Bring your charged laptop as we'll be working in Naviance and Common App.

STUDENTS: Remember, this post-secondary journey is a process all about YOU! We are here to help you find the right fit when it comes to your choices for after high school. Here is a great article I came across : https://hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2021/09/friends-dont-let-friends-us-news.html

HAPPY HOMECOMING - GO BRUINS!!

Best,

BHS Counseling Office

(585) 242-5000 x4526

https://www.bcsd.org/domain/122

Your go-to spot for everything you need this fall to apply. Be sure to bookmark the page so you can refer to it as needed.

We've wrapped up Seminar 1 - where we audited our transcripts and ensured we're all on track to graduate :)

During Seminar 2, we are going over the official letter of rec request process and how to link Common App to Naviance. BRING YOUR LAPTOPS!

It's not too late to help! We would love to hear about your children through your eyes. If you have not done so already, please take a few minutes to complete the parent brag sheet. As counselors, we love to include your thoughts!

PLEASE COMPLETE BY OCTOBER 1

Parent brag sheet:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ZLm1_AgyPkeLzTMrIV6bE1FNnWpNYnRGluEgXgoFHwJUQzgzUVE2MVJDRU5PS1ZHMlpCQlk3STkxQS4u

Here are a few things to finish up this fall:

1. Finalize your list of potential post secondary options
2. VISIT & RESEARCH your options in person or virtually
3. Sign up to take or retake the SAT and/or ACT (BCSD prep courses available this fall!)
4. Create your Common App account if you are thinking of applying to 4 year colleges and complete the application.
5. Write your application essay (register for BCSD essay writing course this fall if needed). Here is a great article to get you going: https://collegeadmissionsstrategies.com/topics-you-should-seriously-consider-avoiding-in-your-essays/
6. Register with NCAA if planning to play DI or DII sport
7. Touch base with your counselor or Mrs. Stern for help!

We will be reviewing these steps in more detail during seminar!

BHS Counselors will be available for SENIORS only to help support you with your post-secondary planning. We will be covering a lot in seminar, but we want to make sure you are well supported in this process. We are here to help!!

No sign up needed- just drop in to office hours whenever you are free. Stay for 5 minutes or stay for hours. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, work on applications with support or just a quiet place to work on your plans.

Please see the poster below for more info and times.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your counselor. We hope to see you all soon!

In case you missed our BHS College Application Night, our presentation and materials are posted on our website: https://bhs.bcsd.org/46748_3

Reps are back at BHS this year!

Reps will be visiting in-person and virtually. Colleges have already begun to snag spots at BHS, so check Naviance regularly for our schedule.

• Be sure to SIGN UP for the visit in Naviance.
• If a rep is in person, they will be in room 257 (the conference room across from the Counseling Office)
• If they are virtual, you will be able to access a link to their zoom via Naviance. You may come to the Counseling Office and we can help find you a quiet space to attend if needed.
• In person or virtual, you will need teacher permission to attend if the visit takes place during a class. Grab a pass from the counseling office.

You are welcome to sign up for as many visits as you'd like! We encourage you to sit in on the ones you know, as well as some that you've never heard of before. There are so many INCREDIBLE institutions all over the country with phenomenal opportunities. You just don't know about them yet!

We will list the next week's visits in the newsletter. Be sure to check out Naviance & the College Visits page on the BHS Counseling Website for a complete list of ALL visits this season. Check often- we get new visits scheduled every day!

SCAN OUR QR CODE! Posters with this code are around school and will lead you directly to our College Visit Website. Check often and bookmark the page!

The college search and application process is about finding the right fit. It’s a chance for students to define what matters most—whether it’s the right program, campus, or opportunities for growth. While it can feel overwhelming, it’s also a time to take control and ask the right questions.

That’s why we created the College Prep Series—to provide the tips, tools, and guidance to help students feel confident throughout the journey.

Here’s what’s coming up:

• October 15: Maximizing Your College Visit
• November 26: Application Do's & Don’ts

*All events are virtual and start at 6:30 p.m. EST.

We are excited to launch the Empower Series! With a total of 5 virtual information sessions, we will provide guidance and support tailored specifically for first-generation students and their families.

Session 3: September 23 | 6 p.m.

"Is College Worth It?" Intergroup Dialogue Session

Session 4: October 21 | 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Affordability & Financial Aid Presentation (presented in English at 5 p.m. and in Spanish at 6 p.m.)

Session 5: November 7 | 6 p.m.

Essay Workshop

Register here: Visit Nazareth University

Although you may not be able to physically get on campus, there are great opportunities to take a virtual trip! Check out these resources:

• Individual college websites
• Naviance (many of the colleges have videos and interactive information posted there)
• www.campusreel.org - over 15,000 real videos, tours and experiences from 300+ college campuses, created by current students
• Thanks to an incredible colleague in a College Admissions Counselor group who put together this working excel file. Including demographic data from College Board, she lists colleges in the US and Canada who offer virtual tours, youtube channels, etc. UK coming soon! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sO7pVos0EvK0BvXoMbnyg00K6r7hXbOQE0HNXF4N4eM/htmlview

This fall we will be offering Instant Decision days with 14 phenomenal institutions!

Students will have the chance to meet with an admissions representative and receive instant feedback on their application- most students will be informed of their admissions decision that day!

We will provide much more detail in Senior Seminar, but below are the general instructions. This is SUCH a great opportunity to learn more about what the college has to offer you and get some early feedback. Save the dates if you are interested!

If interested, please follow the instructions below:

1. Use the link on the poster to sign up for your 15 min admissions appointment with any of the institutions you are interested in.
2. Submit your college application at least 1 week prior to the instant decision date, but no worries if you can't!
3. An admissions counselor will review your materials and could provide an admissions decision and estimate of your scholarship package that night! (some colleges may require a few additional days to process materials)
4. Please note- Geneseo is an ADMISSIONS INTERVIEW ONLY. This will be used as part of your application to be reviewed later. No decision will be made that this time. If interested in Geneseo, we highly recommend taking advantage of this.

Links to sign up on BHS Counseling- Junior/Senior Information Page:

https://bhs.bcsd.org/46752_3

A few recommendations:

• Show up a few minutes early- you don’t want to be late!
• Wear appropriate attire- no need to dress up, but please look presentable. This is YOUR opportunity to show them who you are other than a name on a piece of paper!
• Come prepared with questions about the school- we are happy to help you with this.

If you have any questions about these opportunities, please contact Mrs. Stern!

Here's what this means for you:

-You may apply up to 5 SUNY schools for FREE!

-Registrar deadline for SUNY ONLY is October 23 (to meet November 1 deadline)

All other schools are still due October 11th.

-The free application applies to COMMON APP too.

Any questions, just ask! Stop in Senior Office Hours or see your Counselor.

As you'll learn in Senior Seminar, we need 15 SCHOOL DAYS to process your application materials to ensure they are submitted by the deadline. This means you need to be ahead of the game and must have your applications submitted at least 15 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the actual application deadline. More details to come in seminar.

Check out the Registrar deadlines- based on the college/job/scholarship deadlines, the dates below are when your application is DUE TO THE REGISTRARS OFFICE.

BHS Standardized Exams being offered this fall. Remember, BHS DOES NOT send any standardized test scores to colleges. You are responsible for sending any test scores directly from College Board or ACT to the institutions that need them.

SAT

October 5

November 2

ACT

October 26

*these are exam dates that will allow you to get your scores back in time to send to colleges if needed.

If you have questions specific to BHS testing procedures, please reach out to Deirdre Carter: deirdre_carter@bcsd.org. As things are changing so often, please refer to the testing sites for updated information:

ACT- www.actstudent.org

SAT- www.collegeboard.org

SAT/ACT Boot Camp at Brighton HS on September 24, 25, and 26 from 3:30-5:30pm. This is an ideal opportunity for students with no experience in the PSAT, SAT, or ACT to learn essential skills and foundational content.

*There is a limited number of seats, so register in advance through Brighton Community Education.

PSAT Class – September 28, 6-8ET

PSAT Review – October 6, 6-8ET

Register for one or both here: Events for September 2024 – Chariot Learning

Email: courtney_stern@bcsd.org
Website: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2063
Location: 1150 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 242-5000