CLASS OF 2018

SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE COUNSELORS ASSIGNED ALPHABETICALLY LAST NAME A-Di: Caitlin Hawkins chawkins@boyertownasd.org Dj-Ho: Beth Shive bshive@boyertownasd.org Hp-Mila: Karen Virtue kvirtue@boyertownasd.org Milb-Sc: Sandra Gallagher sgallagher@boyertownasd.org Sd-Z: Christy Greener cgreener@boyertownasd.org Counseling Office Staff Counseling Secretary: Tracy Ali Career Assistant: Michelle Bright

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 9th -12th grades 24 Credits 4 years of math, social studies, English, P.E..(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

ASPIRE/PSAT * the practice tests* ASPIRE- sophomore year PSAT- October 2016 We have just been informed that the paper results will not arrive until the end of this month, however results have been available online since last month. You and your child may create an account and access the scores ahead of time at the following link https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores/student-score-reports

ACT & SAT Students should register for and take the ACT and/or SAT as soon as possible, so they have the opportunity to take both and/or retest before the conclusion of this school year. These tests are not offered over the summer Registration, fees, testing dates and testing center information is available on the following websites: www.actstudent.org www.collegeboard.org

SENIOR PROJECT (BCTC STUDENTS) Culminating project in the student’s content (“shop”) area Completion of several learning guides Presentation prior to spring/Easter break of senior year Students work directly with theirr instructor to ensure timely completion of this project

CAREER PORTFOLIO (NON BCTC STUDENTS) Grade 9 Career Matchmaker Resume Grade 10 Business Visitation and Reflective Essay Decision Making and Career Research Chart DDL Grade 11 Job Shadow Grade 12-Fall 2017 Senior Career Portfolio Presentations Prior to that date-Portfolio Completion Night (sign-up only, information will be sent home via Week in Review and available on the website)

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. Virtue, or Mrs. Mason.

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! The Career Portfolio’s DDL activities review this yearly with students. 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!

COLLEGE TIMELINE – SENIOR YEAR September Start applying! (college and scholarship apps) Start gathering information for Financial Aid Ask for letters of recommendation October Attend Financial Aid Night Send in FAFSA paperwork (or attend FAFSA Completion Night) Send in applications for Early Decision/Early Action November Last testingadministration for December deadlines Attend college fairs/open houses/visit schools December/January Complete applications for later deadline schools Early Decision – must commit if accepted, Early Action – do not need to commit if accepted Financial Aid Night – first week in January Tri-County COC College Fair – 10/4 – info will be sent out

COLLEGE TIMELINE – CONTINUED March Continue to apply for scholarships Rank your schools April/May Expect to hear from most schools Review Financial Aid packages Send in deposit once decision is made June Graduation! Final transcripts sent

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 ARE AWARE OF ALL DEADLINES – SCHOOLS WILL NOT PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION IF IT IS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE HAS PASSED!

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

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

FINANCIAL AID TIMELINE Talk to your parents about your budget Attend the BASH Financial Aid night – ask questions! Gather 2015 tax information Submit your FAFSA anytime after October 1st Review Financial Aid packages offered by schools http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

FSA ID – Create yours now!

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 “@boy18” If you have trouble with 81010, try 484-334-4496 Standard text messaging rates apply

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