CLASS OF 2017

1. CLASS OF 2017

2. SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE COUNSELORS ASSIGNED ALPHABETICALLY LAST NAME • A-E: Mrs. Caitlin Hawkins chawkins@boyertownasd.org • F-K: Mrs. Beth Shive bshive@boyertownasd.org • L-Rh: Ms. Sandra Gallagher sgallagher@boyertownasd.org • Ri-Z: Mrs. Christy Greener cgreener@boyertownasd.org CLERICAL STAFF • Counseling Secretary: Mrs. Tracy Ali • Career Assistant: Mrs. Susie Groff

3. COLLEGE TIMELINE – SENIOR YEAR

4. COLLEGE TIMELINE – CONTINUED

5. TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION PROCESS: • There is always a portion of your application that must be completed by your school counselor • Sometimes just transcripts, sometimes includes a school profile or counselor recommendation • We process the school portion of the Common Application online • We do not process any other applications online • Make sure your counselor has at least 10 school days to complete her portion before the application is due (this includes all scholarships) • Make sure you provide stamped, addressed envelopes for your school counselor and the teachers sending your recommendation letters • Make sure that your SAT or ACT results have been sent to the colleges you are applying to (does not apply to Community Colleges and most trade and art schools – ask your counselor for clarification) • If your application requires a counselor recommendation, please be sure to update your resume and have your parents fill out the “Parent Brag Sheet” • Make sure you sign and date all applications • MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF ALL DEADLINES – SCHOOLS WILL NOT PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION IF IT IS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE HAS PASSED!

6. TIPS FOR ONLINE APPLICATIONS • PROOFREAD everything before hitting send • Print a copy for your records before hitting send • Look for e-mail confirmation within 48 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation email, make sure that the application was received. • Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application • Know the college’s policy for supplying supporting documents, such as letters of recommendation • Be aware of deadlines

7. SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION • Scholarships will be posted on the BASH Website (Resources/School Counseling/Scholarship Information) • Additional scholarships can be found on websites such as: • www.fastweb.com • www.schoolsoup.com • Individual college websites • Questions on Financial Aid and grants should go through individual college Financial Aid Offices

8. BASIC SCHOOL INFORMATION • Boyertown Area Senior High120 North Monroe StreetBoyertown, PA 19512 • Phone number: 610-473-3690 • Fax number: 610-473-3709 • CEEB or School Code: 390390

9. FINANCIAL AID TIMELINE http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

10. The “2017-2018 school year” refers to the year that your student will begin their freshman year of college, NOT the year that the FAFSA is completed (during their senior year of High School)

11. Schools may be unaware at this point of how their admissions offices are handling this change. We still encourage you to submit as early as possible. Make sure that your 2015 tax information is readily available so that you can use this to complete the forms.

12. FSA ID – Create yours now!

13. New SAT • Essay portion is optional – check collegeboard.org for list of schools that require the essay • Schools may not combine scores from “old” test and scores from “new” test • No longer a penalty for wrong answers – no reason to leave anything blank! • Students are still encouraged to take both the SAT and the ACT

14. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS • High School Began in 9th Grade! • 24 Credits • 4 years of math, social studies, English, phys. ed.(except NJROTC) • 3 years of science • 2 years of wellness (grades 10 and 11) • electives • Career Portfolio (non BCTC students) • Senior Project (BCTC students) • It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to make sure that all requirements are completed before graduation

15. SENIOR PROJECT (BCTC STUDENTS) • Culminating project in content (“shop”) area • Completion of several learning guides • Presentation prior to spring/Easter break of senior year • Work directly with your instructor to ensure timely completion of this project

16. CAREER PORTFOLIO (NON BCTC STUDENTS) • Grade 9 • Career Matchmaker • Resume • Grade 10 • Career Matchmaker • Business Visitation and Reflective Essay • Decision Making and Career Research Chart • Grade 11 • Job Shadow • Grade 12 • Early 2016 – Portfolio Completion Night (sign-up only, information will be sent home via Week in Review and available on the website)

17. Job Shadow • Students will not have the opportunity to take advantage of SR privileges if the Job Shadow is not completed by May 27th of this year • Arrange and secure an experience – students may not job shadow a parent/guardian or a BASH employee • Get excused from school with an Educational Trip Form • Complete all Job Shadow forms necessary. Upload the Job Shadow Reflection sheet to the portfolio and turn in the Sponsor Evaluation form to the advisor • All information regarding the portfolio may be accessed via the BASH website

18. Career Portfolio Presentation Sample Outline Remember: Your presentation should be between 8 and 10 minutes 9th Grade and 10th Grade Components • Review, discuss, and explain all necessary components: • Resume must be current • Career Matchmaker Activity • Business Visit Reflective Essay • Career search chart completed during Health • Discuss the relationship between the components and how the results of one may or may not have influenced your decisions with class choice, future job shadow, part time work, etc. 11th Grade Component – The Job Shadow Experience • Discuss and Explain your job shadow experience and its connection to the earlier components of your portfolio *Please feel free to include any other activities completed either through Career Cruising or in other areas. Personal Reflection • Your own personal reflections, what you have learned about yourself, and your personal growth should be evident throughout the presentation • This should include, but is not limited to: • How your career paths have changed or stated the same through the process and why. • What you discovered as strengths/needs about yourself throughout the career portfolio process. • How the portfolio process influenced your choices in the course/elective selection process for classes at BASH and/or part time job employment. Visual Aid • The use of technology is expected for the visual aid. • Suggestions: PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Docs, Corel, etc. • If you choose to imbed a video in your presentation, be sure the video does not monopolize the presentation. A video should add or enhance the presentation, not take the place of the presentation. • *You must bring a removable drive with your portfolio on it to the presentation As always, if you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Cassidy, Mrs. Shive, or Mrs. Mason.

19. Tech Tips • Students should be establishing a professional looking email address (i.e. fullname@email.com instead of coolerthanyou@email.com) • Students should be cognizant of what is posted on social media sites – once it’s on the internet, it’s out there forever! • Students should be using correct grammar and good etiquette when sending emails • Students should be checking their email on a regular (daily) basis and responding promptly • Students should follow up with emails that are sent – remember that “thank you” goes a long way!

20. Remind.com • Receive important information about your child’s graduating class • Information may include: • Scholarship updates • Seminar reminders • Unique opportunities • Text 81010 with the message “@boy17” • If you have trouble with 81010, try 484-334-4496 • Standard text messaging rates apply

21. IMPORTANT WEBSITES • www.boyertownasd.org • www.collegeboard.org • www.actstudent.org • www.careercruising.com • www.fafsa.ed.gov

22. Questions?