Counselor Breakdown
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your students counselor is determined by the alpha last name.
Department Chair
Chelsea Singer (A-Coa) CSinger@aacps.org
9th-12th Grade
Margaret Drummond (Cob-Hin) MDrummond@aacps.org
Leigh Smith (Hio - Lim & IT3) LRSmith1@aacps.org
Adrian Hackney (Lin-Sam) AHackney@aacps.org
Juliann Lorditch (San-Z) JLorditch@aacps.org
Kristin Krycia (STEM) Kkrycia@aacps.org
Guidance Secretary
Mary Davis MEDavis@aacps.org
Registrar
Cathy Lamp CLamp@aacps.org
Mission
The North County High School Counseling Department are here to create an enjoyable and rigourous high
school experience that will inspire the student to want to learn beyond the high school years. Educating and
empowering students to pursue higher education or career goals is our mission.
Vision
North County High School Counselors are professional educators who are committed to bringing the best
academic guidance counseling experience to our students. Our goal is to help each student set an obtainable
plan for after graduation.
Our services for this delivery system include:
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Academic planning, monitoring, and advisement;
Parent conferencing and information sessions;
Career and post-secondary planning; Individual and group counseling; Conflict/resolution peer
counseling;
Program assessment support: HSA, Bridge, SAT, PSAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER, etc.
College Planning: A huge piece of preparation for College is making sure you have the requirements met.
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G.P.A. & Class rank
SAT (practice guides & links to online classes here)
Extracurricular Invovlment
Teacher Recommendations
Parents-we have a page for you!!!
Enrollment/Registration for your student--Click here or in the links bar.
Other Services
The Counseling Secretary will complete all transcript and work permit requests once they are signed by student,
parent, and employer. They also handle registrations for college visits, the in-house Accuplacer and AACC's
Personal Registration Day.
The Registrar handles MVA-learners permit forms & new student registrations. New students registrations
require: Three proofs of residency, copy of lease or mortgage statement, two bills, and a copy of your driver’s
license.
SENIORS
ACCEPTANCES: Be sure to bring your acceptance letters to your counselor so they may make a copy and
record the information. If you would like this information shared with our student body, please make sure to
note that with the secretary. There will be a binder available in the Counseling Center with goldenrod forms to
fill out your acceptances and scholarship winnings/earnings.
A Profile of North County from 2012
Advanced Placement Accomplished
STEM Magnet
AVID Certified-AYP Met
PBIS-Gold Ribbon School
AACC Partnership
Towson University Professional Development School
College Board Code: 210710
Advanced Placement courses include:
-English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition
-Modern European History, U.S. History, U.S. Government and Politics, Psychology, Human Geography,
Economics
-Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics B & C
-Calculus AB and BC, Statistics
-French Language, German Language, Spanish Language
-Computer Science A and AB
-Studio Art: Drawing, Studio 3D, & Art History
Class of 2012
Advanced Placement:
Test data for 2012
Total students tested 1029
Total number of tests taken 1135
% of grades at 3 or higher 25%
Post-Secondary Plans – Class of 2012*
College (4 year) 43.6%
College (2 year) 47.3%
Military 3.0%
Specialized Schools 6.1%
The Graduating Class of 2012 was awarded more than $10.8 million in scholarships and awards.
Self-reported by seniors*
Graduation Requirements
Our graduates must successfully complete 26 credits of coursework that includes the following:
English 4
Social Studies 3*
Mathematics 4**
Science 3***
Fine Arts 1
Basic Technology 1
Physical Education 1
Health ½
Electives 8.5
* includes US History, National, State & Local Government, and World History
** includes Algebra and Geometry
*** includes Biology and physical sciences with lab
Service Learning 75 hrs
And one of the following:
• 2 Foreign Language credits
• 2 Advanced Technology credits
• State Approved Career & Technology program
GRADING (yearly value)
UNWEIGHTED / AP COURSES / HONORS
A=4
B=3
C=2
D=1
E=0
A=5
B=4
C=3
D=1
E=0
A = 4.5
B = 3.5
C = 2.5
D=1
E=0
Important Data about NCHS in 2011
(**updated with MDReport Data)
Attendance Rate 92 % HIGH
2012 Graduation Rate 96%
Drop Out Rate 4%
Enrollment 1950
Student Mobility 20.2% HIGH
Certified Teachers 97%
**Please see the Counseling Office if you need a copy of your transcript and the school profile for college
applications.**
The SAT
The SAT is crucial for applying to colleges/universities everywhere.
It is important to take the SAT at least once, if not 2x's before you graduate. Once your junior year, the next
your senior year prior to November.
To sign-up to take the SAT use the link below:
http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-dates
**Please note if your child gets Free/Reduced Lunch they are eligible for a fee waiver, if you haven't applied for
your child but they would recieve Free/Reduced Lunch, please do so now to qualify them for the waiver. They
will also need to have at least a 2.0 gpa to receive the waiver.
Practice SAT Test(http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-test
Kaplan SAT Test Prep Programs- Virtual Seminars & Classes(http://www.kaptest.com/enroll/SAT/21061/events
Princton Review SAT Prep - Virtual & In-Person Courses (Cost $)
(http://www.princetonreview.com/ChooseProducts.aspx/Search.aspx
Here is a great website filled with SAT Math tutorials that focus on practice tests from the CollegeBoard SAT
Guide. You DO NOT have to buy the book, you can rent it from the library.
http://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Kaplan's Free Practice Tests & College Application Guides (http://www.kaptest.com/College/Getting-intoCollege/free-practice-tests-workshops.html?tb=live-events
Wondering if you would do better on the ACT versus the SAT??
http://www.collegebasics.com/planning-for-college/admissions-testing/163-should-i-take-the-sat-or-the-act.html
Senior Year Planning & Beyond
Counselors meet with their seniors to go over requirements and game plans for post-high school goals.
1.
Action Plan for seniors planning on going to college: Click
Here (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/make-a-plan)
2. Brainstorming how you are unique and how to plan the college search process. Planning Packet by
Cappex (http://www.cappex.com/media/fitkit.pdf)
3. Picking a Major for college: This is a great article about how to pick the best fitting major that you will
enjoy for the rest of your life. (http://www.scholarships.com/resources/college-prep/choosing-amajor/10-things-to-consider-before-choosing-your-major/)
4. Choosing the right college/university: This article helps guide you through the exciting, yet challanging
path of picking the right college. (http://www.scholarships.com/resources/college-prep/choosing-theright-school/)
5. Applying to College http://www.scholarships.com/resources/college-prep/applying/
6. College Application Process http://www.scholarships.com/resources/college-prep/applying/the-collegeapplication-process-what-students-should-know/
8.
7. Common Application Information & Common Application Website
Request a transcript from the Counseling Center (Midyear and final maybe required by certain schools)
See below for request form.
Determine how you are paying for college..........click here.
Important Dates for Seniors
Seniors Dues must be paid in order to get your cap & gown. See Ms. Brewer or Mr. Joffe to find out what you
owe.
Senior Prom: TBD
Seniors Last Day: May 30, 2013
Graduation: June 4th @ 10am at Towson University
Below are the documents your counselor will be handing out in your Senior Conference Packet.
Stay tuned as more documents will be added concerning college acceptance terms, etc.
Files:
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ActivitySheet.doc
CappexPlanning Guide.pdf
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College Admission Options.doc
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College Application Checklist.docx
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Requestiong a Rec Sheet.doc
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Steps for Transcript.docx
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TranscriptRequestForm.doc
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Your School Counseling Department is proud to present.....
Family Connections
Your student's very own Online Career & College Planning Portfolio
Here's a little taste of what your students will be doing each year.
Freshmen: Sampling the website, getting access & reviewing their 6 year Plans
Sophomores: Personality Inventory (Myer's Briggs)
Juniors: Career Interest Profiler (Holland Code) & begin College Searches
Seniors: College Searches/Lookups, Apply online, Scholarship searchs & so much more.
How & Where???
Log-onto Northcountyhs.org and click on "Academics", then "Counseling Center". Click on this page titled
"Naviance/Family Connections" and click "Family Connections" here or above. All your student needs to log-on
is their User Name, which is their email address that they provided to their counselor (9th grade) OR the email
they inputted during their Classroom Guidance lesson last year. If your student does not have an email
address they will use their ID # as their User Name, until they provide us with a working email address.
Passwords will always be your student's ID #
It's that simple!
Parents, you can have access too if you just email Miss Singer (csinger@aacps.org) your email address that
you want to use, the program will send you an email on how to get onto Family Connections as well.
"Guiding our students to broader opportunities & bigger dreams." NCHS School Counseling Department
Early College Planning for Parents
The College process can be overwhelming and time consuming, however with the right information & resources
you, as a parent, can start off on the right path.
Check out the powerpoint by Collegeboard below. It is composed as an all-encompassing information packet
on everything you need to know about the college process from 9th grade until graduation.
Click here for CollegeBoard's Net Price Calculator helps you estimate your potential financial aid and plan on
what you can contribute to your child's tuition and how much you need to cover the difference. This is where
different types of Aid like loans, and scholarships come in handy.
Yearly College Prep Planner
Cappex College Planning Packet
NextStepU - This website is a great resource for high school students. They offer a $10,000 scholarship twice a
year, helpful videos, a scholarship search tool, a college matching tool, a career searching tool, a digital and
mobile edition, plus tons more. And…it’s all free!
Files:
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CappexPlanning Guide.pdf
planning-for-college-ppt-cb_1_.ppt
Scholarships
How do i help fund my college education or pay for books???
Answer: Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most scholarship money comes from the Colleges/Universities, please call their financial aid offices for more
information.
All local, community-based, and North County scholarships are posted on the Family Connections website.
Please either visit the link to the right OR go to http://connection.naviance.com/northcountyhs
Sign in using your student's login (email address) and password (student's id number).
Scholarships are listed under the "College" tab, at the bottom of the screen under "scholarships & money", then
click on "scholarships list".
Please use the categories as much as possible. The scholarship info will note if the scholarship is available to
download, in the counseling office "file" or if you go to the website to apply/download their application.
One scholarship that all seniors can do is the "Local Scholarship". Make sure you return it to Miss Singer in the
Counseling Office before the deadline.
Please remember:
1.
The more scholarships you apply for, the better your odds of being awarded money.
2. Make sure your FAFSA is completed before March 1st to qualify for federal funds.
If you need an official transcript they must be requested at least a day before you need them from the
Counseling Office Secretary.
4. Check out Maryland's Higher Education Website for more scholarships/grants at
3.
http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialaid/osfamdcapslive.asp
5.
See who your elected officials are from www.mdelect.net and determine if you qualify for the
scholarships they offer. Your FAFSA must be completed to qualify.
Click here to go to our FAFSA information page.
Don't forget to check out our North County Alumni Scholarship(this is for current
seniors) www.nchsalumnischolarship.org Due March 31st!!!!
**Check out Fastweb.com for many more scholarships not offered on our website.**
Senior Awards Ceremony was held May 23rd at 6:00pm in the Auditorium.
Stay tuned for the date of the Class of 2013's Awards Night
Scholarship Money/Awards:
Many of our students are recieving college acceptance letters along with scholarship money; please email Miss
Singer, csinger@aacps.org, and bring your paper work to the Counseling office with the details. It is important
for us to know EXACTLY how much our students are being offered even if the money is not going to be
used(ex. you are not attending that college.)
Class of 2012,
As North County grows we are seeing amazing growth in scholarship awards, congratulations Class of 2012 on
earning over 10.8 Milliion Dollars in scholarships this year.
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A total of 103 seniors won 312 scholarships from schools and/or independent scholarships
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46 students won a total of $492850 at the Senior Awards Ceremony alone.
An amazing class to bring our school from $7.1 Million last year to $10.8 this year.
Class of 2011,
a big Congratulations goes out on earning over 7.1 Million Dollars in scholarships this year.
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97 Seniors are getting scholarship money to help afford either a 2 or 4 year college, university or
technical school.
 14 Seniors were offered a FULL RIDE to at least one School
 145 students applied to 41 different Colleges/Universities
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More than 80 Students were honored at the NCHS Awards Ceremony bringing in over $80000.
A special thanks goes out the the Counseling Department, Teachers & parents for all your help in the
Scholarship process we couldn't have done it without you.
Check out our Senior Award Winners on the right....
FAFSA
www.fafsa.ed.gov
This is the first step to any financial aid process.
(Make sure it is "ed.gov" NOT ".com" and you should NEVER have to pay.)
Must be completed by March 1st of each year. Opens January 1st of each year.
Many scholarships require the FAFSA to be completed/submitted before qualifying for their scholarships.
Step-by-step directions are provided. Use this worksheet to help get organized
Make sure you not only fill out the FAFSA form, but apply for a pin (your electronic signature) for both student
and parent.
******Any website that asks you to pay, IS NOT THE OFFICIAL FAFSA SITE. *******
All families should fill the FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) out to determine how much
financial aid/support they qualify for from the colleges or federal government. Read on to help explain.
Hot off the Press!!!!
North County School Counseling office in conjunction with Anne Arundel's Education Talent Search is offering
a FAFSA line-by-line help night at North County High.
February 12th, 2013
Time: 6:00pm-7:45pm
Where: North County Downstairs computer labs
See flyer below on what to bring for this night.
RSVP to the ETS Office: 410-777-2814
Types of Financial Aid
Colleges generally expect students and their families to make some financial contribution toward college costs.
This amount is usually based on the family's ability to pay, but also includes what the student can reasonably
be expected to earn during the school year and through summer employment.
Need-based financial aid is available for those who qualify. A family may calculate its expected contribution
using the financial aid calculator at http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml.
Once the family's parental contribution is determined, assistance may be available in many forms. These
include:
Loans: These are available from the federal government, state governments,
colleges, and commercial banks. They often have a low, fixed interest rate.
They must be repaid, but are usually not due until after graduation.
Grants: This is money that the government and/or colleges gives to qualified
students. Grants do not need to be repaid.
Work Study: Colleges make many different jobs on campus available to students.
A student may be asked to take one of these jobs as part of his or her
financial aid package.
Both students who qualify for need-based financial aid, and those who don't, may be eligible for non-needbased scholarships. These come in two forms:
Merit Scholarships: Many colleges award these scholarships to students with
strong academic records. To determine what is available, check with
individual schools.
National and Local Scholarships: A variety of institutions invite students to
apply for scholarship money. Students should begin investigating and
applying for scholarships in their junior year. Scholarship applications can
be lengthy and complicated, so starting early is a good idea.
Scholarships
NextStepU -
This website is a great resource for high school students. They offer a $10,000 scholarship
twice a year, helpful videos, a scholarship search tool, a college matching tool, a career
searching tool, a digital and mobile edition, plus tons more. And…it’s all free!
Files:
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FAFSA line-by-line postcard-NCHS.doc
Registration Procedures 2012 - 2013
Summer Schedule
Enrollments will begin on July 10th. Open enrollment will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 am
– 11:00 am until August 16th. After August 16th, enrollment will be by appointment only. If you have any
questions, please contact Ms. Lamp, Registrar at 410-222-6970.
The following information must be presented in order to enroll a student at North County High School:
• It is the responsibility of the custodial parent/guardian to acquire the student’s information from the previous
school. North County High School will not be responsible for the acquisition of this information.
• If last school attended was a Maryland public school, a completed Maryland Student Transfer Form is
required and should include transfer grades, Birth Certificate and immunization records.
• If the last school attended was a private or non-Maryland school, a withdrawal form from the previous school
is required and must include transfer grades, a Birth Certificate, and Immunization records.
Residency Verification in the form of:
• 1ST Proof Mortgage
Lease
Deed
Contract of sale
• 2ND Proof Utility Bill (Recent BGE / Water Bill)
• 3RD Proof Home phone bill
Bank Statement
Voter Registration card
W-2
Valid VISA or Passport
Social Services Mail
Files:
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REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.docx
Scheduling Process
Scheduling is conducted every year during the week of Fall semester finals.
During the months/weeks prior to finals, there are Advisory lessons to speak about picking classes, Major fairs
in the library, AP info nights, and Scheduling Nights for current students & incoming freshmen and non-public
schools.
Please keep your completer in mind as you are picking courses, each student needs a completer to graduate
from high school. The Completer categories are listed below:
Completer Programs:
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 2 credits of the same foreign language or,
State approved career and technology program (see Program of Study on the right to see what
programs North County or Cat North offer, these include our IT3 signature program).
Counselors meet with rising seniors and parents individually between June and September to go over their
credits and graduation requirements.
Promotion status is based off credits earned:
6 credits to be promoted to Sophomore Status
13 credits to be promoted to Junior Status
20 credits to be promoted to Senior Status
**Credits will be withheld if absences are an issue, please contact your administrator if this is a
concern. Legitimate absences i.e. doctor's notes, field trips, etc need to be cleared with the attendance clerk or
coded by your homeroom teacher.
Files:
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Freshman Registration Form.pdf
Junior Registration Form _2_.pdf
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NCHS course of study.docx
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Senior Registration Form.pdf
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Sophomore Registration Form.pdf
AP Program at NCHS
North County High School has a well established Advanced Placement (AP) Program. If you are looking for a
unique learning experience that will help you succeed in college then our AP Program is for you! Through AP's
college-level courses and exams, you can earn college credit and advanced placement, stand out in the
admission process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers at North County
High School.
A Different Kind of Class
From the moment you enter an AP classroom, you'll notice the difference—in the teacher's approach to the
subject, in the attitude of your classmates, in the way you start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on
memorizing facts and figures. Instead you'll engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and
learn to write clearly and persuasively.
Find Your Passion
With over 20 AP courses to choose from you'll be able to explore your interests and discover new passions. In
AP classes, you'll study fascinating topics and ideas that just might become the foundation of your future
college major or career.
Prepare to Succeed in College
AP courses can help you acquire the skills and habits you'll need to be successful in college. You'll improve
your writing skills, sharpen your problem-solving abilities, and develop time management skills, discipline, and
study habits.
Earn College Credit and Placement
More than 90 percent of four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries
give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. By entering college with AP
credits, you'll have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major or study abroad.
How Do I Enroll?
Talk to your counselor, AP teacher, any of your current teachers, or your administrator at North County about
the course you want to take. Select at least one or more AP courses on your registration form. Remember, we
believe you can do it!
Current AP Students
NCHS believes that greatness is within every student. It is our goal to have 100% of our current AP students
take the AP Examination offered by our school during May. Please complete the AP Exam Registration Form
below and turn it in to your AP teacher or counselor.
Files:
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2013 AP Registration Form.pdf
AP Parent Request 2013.docx
TECH PREP
Graduating Program Pathway Seniors can
Earn FREE AACC Credits!!
Graduating seniors who have successfully completed one of the high school Program Pathways of study with
an average grade of B or higher are eligible to receive Anne Arundel Community College credits.
To have your high school coursework evaluated, seniors are reminded to ask your Program Pathway teacher
(North County Teacher)or High School Counselor for the Request for Evaluation of Program Pathway Credits
form. Complete, mail the form, and enroll at Anne Arundel Community College within one year of high school
graduation. College credits will be placed on your college transcript after completing six credits of AACC
college coursework with a grade of C or higher.
Should you have any questions, please contact your Program Pathway teacher or
Mary Garner (410-777-2891) at Anne Arundel Community College. You may also send questions via email to
mhgarner@aacc.edu.
The following are North County Pathways aka "Completers" that can earn you College Credit at AACC:
Academy of Law & Public Service
Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
Accounting
Baking & Pastry- @ Cat North
Building Construction/Carpentry-@ Cat North
Computer Repair Technology - @ Cat North
Computer Technology
Computerized Desktop Publishing - @ Cat North
Computer/Networking Technology - @ Cat North
Culinary Arts - @ Cat North
Drafting/CAD - @ Cat North
Early Childhood
Marketing Education
Medical Assistant - @ Cat North
Network Applications Technology - @ Cat North
Nutrition & Food Science
Office Systems Management
National Security Agency Eligibility
The NSA internship opportunity is a business education based opportunity. Spend your senior year earning
valuble work experience with NSA. This High School Work Study Program is designed for high school students
who are enrolled concurrently in a year-long business education course as a senior and to participate in a
school-sponsored work experience program during their senior year.
Students must apply using the 2 step application process. First download and complete the applicaiton at the
bottom of this page and follow the step-by-step application checklist provided. Second, go online to
www.nsa.gov and follow the directions.
Students should have an un-weighted GPA of 3.0 at the time of application and maintain the un-weighted GPA
of 3.0 during their entire junior year. The un-weighted GPA of 3.0 is also to be maintained during the entire
senior year.
Students must work a minimum of 4 hours per day, five days per week.
Students must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Students must arrive at work every day between the hours of 10:30am and 12:30pm.
Students must participate in a school-sponsored work experience/release program to be considered.
Students must be enrolled in a business, computer, or office technology course during their senior year of
high school.
For the above reasons, it is important to understand that students who do not meet the eligibility requirements
for participation in the NSA work-study program should not apply. It is a business education opportunity. Only
students who are involved in the below business completers have the opportunity for eligibility and acceptance
in the NSA work-study program.
A chart of completers and their respective required courses can be found at:
http://northcountyhs.enschool.org/album/users/191442/17515.jpg
United States Naval Academy Application Process
Please note that the application process for the Naval Academy is extensive & time consuming, so you must
prepare from the day you step foot in 9th Grade until your senior year to make sure you have your optimal
grades & the requirements necessary to get in.
Visit the US Naval Academy Admissions website to see all the requirements, however here are a few key items
you need:
1) Be at least 17 and not past their 23rd birthday on 1 July of the year they would enter the academy;
2) Complete the Preliminary Application
3) Nomination from an Official Source:
To receive an offer of appointment to the Naval Academy, an applicant must obtain a nomination from an
official source. There are many nomination sources and applicants are encouraged to apply to all available
sources. This normally includes a U.S. Representative, two U.S. Senators and the Vice President of the United
States.
The nomination application process is similar to applying for a school, and being personally acquainted with the
person from whom you are seeking a nomination is not required.
Submitting your letters of application for nominations should be one of your first steps in the
application process. Be mindful of Specific deadlines for different officials.
All North County Students fall under Congressmen John Sarbanes (3rd Congressional District), please make
sure to go to his website: www.sarbanes.house.gov for more information & deadlines.
4) SAT or ACT
5) Pass the Medical Examination
The attachment provides additional information on the application & nomination process for other academies.