QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM
SENIOR PARENT MEETING, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
Question #1:
If my child will be getting a college recommendation from an MCPS teacher who does not teach at BCC,
how is that done? Can it be done through Naviance?
Answer #1:
The student can ask his or her counselor to ADD the teacher’s name to the list of teachers on Naviance.
Once the teacher’s name has been added, the student can request the recommendation from the teacher
through Naviance, just as they would do with a BCC teacher. Important note: The student should first
personally ask and get a “yes” answer from the teacher before requesting any teacher recommendation
through Naviance. Students should also thank the teacher once it is completed.
Question #2:
Can the student add their college essays to Naviance?
Answer #2:
No. College essays are not handled through Naviance. Follow instructions for each college on how to
submit essays.
Question #3:
Once the student has requested a transcript sent to colleges, can s/he (she or he) request any more?
Answer #3:
Yes. The student can continue to add colleges to the list of schools s/he is applying to at any time.
Naviance is updated every day. If students have any questions about this, they can go and talk to Ms.
Peebles, the BCC Registrar. The first three transcripts are free. After that, each transcript must be paid for
before it can be sent. Each additional transcript costs $5. The student needs to give Ms. Peebles a check
for the correct amount. Please allow one month for a transcript to be processed!
Question #4:
Is there a dress code for senior pictures?
Answer #4:
Please note the following from Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits:
“For your personal convenience and comfort, ladies may prefer to bring a spaghetti strap top to wear
under the yearbook clothing. Gentlemen should wear a shirt and tie in Cap & Gown styles. Tux and black
drape for photographs will be provided.”
Please note the following from the yearbook committee:
“Senior girls who would like to be pictured in the yearbook must be photographed in a standard black
drape with a light blue star burst background. No props. Drape will be provided by our school
photographer. Senior boys who would like to be pictured in the yearbook must be photographed in a
standard black tux and bow tie with a light blue star bust background. No props. Tux and tie will be
provided by our school photographer.”
Question #5:
For teacher recommendations, how will the teachers know if there is an early deadline?
Answer #5:
Naviance shows the deadline for the college to which the student is applying.
Question #6:
What are the policies for NCAA official visits for athletes?
Answer #6:
The student should speak to Mr. James Tapley, BCC’s Athletic Director about that.
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Question #7:
If my senior is taking the October SAT, should s/he send the SAT scores to colleges now or wait for the
October results?
Answer #7:
The student can wait for the results. Even for early deadline college applications, October test scores will
be available in time.
Question #8:
How are college meetings with my child’s counselor set up?
Answer #8:
The student initiates it and can contact his or her counselor to set up the appointment.
Question #9:
On Naviance, on the list of colleges that a student selects, there is something called “Expected Difficulty”
but it is not filled out.
Answer #9:
The student should ask his or her counselor about the expected difficulty in getting into the colleges on
his or her list at the college meeting with the counselor. Naviance states that this means “Difficulty of
admission specifically for you as estimated by your counselor.”
Question #10:
Can a college recommendation be from someone outside of the school?
Answer #10:
Typically the colleges want two recommendations from your high school. If you are getting any external
recommendations, you need to provide the recommender with a stamped addressed envelope for the
recommendation.
Question #11:
Regarding paying for transcripts, do you have to say which colleges the payment is for when you give
Ms. Peebles the check?
Answer #11:
No. The student just needs to tell Ms Peebles how many transcripts she needs. The student will request
the transcripts on Naviance (unless the college requires transcripts to be mailed from the school).
Question #12:
By when should my child decide which colleges s/he is applying to?
Answer #12:
The student should set up a meeting with his or her counselor to discuss that.
Question #13:
I have heard that some kids applied and were accepted Early Action to colleges, and then were offered a
financial incentive to attend the school.
Answer #13:
We do not have information about that.
Question #14:
What is the different between early Action and Restrictive Early Action?
Answer #14:
If a college uses Restrictive Early Action, the student can only apply early to that one school (with some
specific exceptions). If s/he is accepted, s/he does not have to decide whether or not to attend until the
regular May 1 decision deadline.
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If a student applies and is accepted Early Decision, it is binding and the student must attend the school.
Students should check a college’s website for specific limitations on early application programs.
Question #15:
Can a student give Ms. Peebles the registrar a check for a large amount, such as $100, and then the
student can just submit transcript requests anytime as needed?
Answer #15:
No, the student needs to give Ms. Peebles a check for the correct amount of transcripts. The first three
transcripts are free; additional transcripts are $5 each. Transcripts must be paid for before they are sent.
Question #16:
Where can we find the Secondary School Report about BCC?
Answer #16:
It is on the BCC High School website, under information about the Counseling Department.
Question #17:
What must be done before BCC can send a student’s transcript to colleges?
Answer #17:
Before BCC can send a student’s transcript to any college, the student needs to complete the
“Authorization for Release of B-CC records” and the parents must sign it. It only needs to be submitted
once.
Question #18:
How does a student submit AP scores to a college?
Answer #18:
AP scores need to be sent officially, which means directly from the College Board to a college.
Question #19:
What do we do if a college requires a paper application?
Answer #19:
The transcripts must be mailed from BCC. The student needs to give Ms. Peebles a 9 inch X 12 inch
addressed envelope with three regular stamps on it for the transcript and secondary report. The student
needs to give each teacher completing a recommendation a stamped envelope addressed to the college.
Question #20:
Are parents invited to the college meeting with the counselor?
Answer #20:
Yes, parents are encouraged to attend the college meeting with the student and his/her counselor.
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