T HE COUNTDOWN BEGINS … The time to prepare for senior year starts NOW!

Y OUR “G O T O ” T EAM … A – GONMrs. Zamora AP - Mr. Gosselink GOO - OGRMrs. Rector AP - Mrs. Schuelke OH – ZMrs. Field AP - Mrs. Bennight Follow the Counselors on Twitter for the latest news and Announcements are also on the BHS Academics>Counseling Center

G RADUATION R EQUIREMENTS – English-4 credits Math-4 credits (Alg1, Geom, Alg II) Science-4 credits (Bio, Chem, Physics) Social Studies-4 credits (WGeo, WHist, USHist, Gov/Econ) Communication Applications-.5 credit Fine Arts-1 credit Foreign Language-2 credits Physical Education-1 credit Electives-5.5 credits TOTAL = 26 Students must also pass all STAAR EOC tests - English I, II, Biology, Algebra I, & US History

RIGHT NOW… Sign up to take the ACT or SAT test SATACT May 7deadline: April 8April BHS deadline: March 4 June 4 deadline: May 5June 11 deadline: May 6 Benefits to taking the test this year: Prepare for college/scholarship applications right away Have time to retake the test if you don’t do well Fee waivers for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch (Go to the College and Career Center for more information.) Misc: SAT Prep Classes start Feb. 9 & Feb. 13 (Take Flyer) Interested in playing college sports? Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse – See Mrs. Johnson in the CCC

D UAL C REDIT P ROGRAM Juniors still have time to take dual credit courses through ACC via the Dual Credit program Students can take 2 during the summer and 2 each semester in their senior year. SUMMER & DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR: EDUC 1300: Effective Learning - Strategies for College Success ART 1301: Intro to Visual Arts GOVT 2306: Texas State and Local Government (SUMMER ONLY) DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR: ENGL 1301 & 1302: English Composition 1 & 2 USHIST 1301 & 1302: United States History 1& 2 ENG 2301: Brit. Lit (If they have already taken Comp1 &2.) GOVT 2305: United States Government ECON 2301: Principles of Macroeconomics SOCI 1301: Intro to Sociology SPCH 1311: Introduction to Speech Communications

B ENEFITS OF DUAL CREDIT Free college classes are offered here at BHS during the day. Option to go to other ACC campuses or take online for $150 fee). Students may already be eligible based on past PSAT, ACT, or SAT scores! We will offer the college readiness test here, the TSI. Register in the CCC to take the TSI test. March 8 April 20 SAVE MONEY! FINISH COLLEGE FASTER!

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR? GPA/Grades/Rank Courses (Rigor) Test Scores Essays Letters of Recommendation Extracurricular activities (should illustrate leadership/dedication) For the Class of 2017, UT will only automatically accept students in the top 7% of the class.

THIS SUMMER… Collect information on options after high school - Request information from colleges - Schedule campus visits to see if the school is a good fit - Research college/career options Volunteer and get involved! It looks great on applications. Create or update your resume to have it ready for applications next year. Retake STAAR EOCs! (if needed)

IN THE FALL… Meet with your counselor to check your credits and plan out your year. Letters of Recommendation Ask at least 3-4 people to write you one. Make sure to give them plenty of time to write it! Provide them with a resume and a date you need it completed. People to ask: teachers, administrators, counselors, club sponsors, employers, pastors, etc. Scholarships Local scholarship information will be available online mid-year. Books will be available in the CCC. Other scholarships will be posted on the BISD website, Twitter, on the bulletin board outside the Guidance Office, and in the CCC.

IN THE FALL… College Applications * Check on the college websites for information on deadlines * Additional sites: ****UT & A&M applications are due Dec. 1 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FSA ID # Your FAFSA will be completed after Jan 1, However, each senior and his/her parent should register for a FSA ID # (your “electronic signature”) prior to January. MILITARY – Speak with a recruiter about scholarships for college and then going into service. NAVY – deadline is Jan. 31.

HELPFUL HINTS If you ever need your official transcript, see Mrs. Crouch in the Registrar’s Office (form and $2). When colleges request your SAT or ACT test scores, you must request them to be sent directly from the testing company, not BHS. If you have attendance hours to make up, see Mrs. Malina for information on how many you owe and when you can make them up. If you’re struggling in a class, attend tutorials or set up additional time with your teacher. Teachers are available most mornings from 8:00-8:35 or after school at 4:15 – tutorial schedules are posted outside each teacher’s door.

C OMPUTER L AB S CHEDULING Monday Feb. 15

Q UESTIONS … This presentation can be found online at BHS> Academics> Counseling Center > Parent University Presents