Class of 2017 - What to Know, Do, When and How…
Needed to Graduate:
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26 credits, completer program, meet HSA/PARCC requirements, 75 service learning hours
What’s My Completer?
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World Language (2 credits of the same language)
Advanced Technology (2 credits of advanced technology courses)
University System of MD (Alg. 1, Geometry, Alg. 2 and a rigorous math course senior year)
Early Childhood (Child Development courses and internship senior year)
Career
o CAT-South program through Level 2
o Work Program – take Computer Skills, Principles of Business, Career Research and work senior year
What to do after high school:
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Four year university – competitive application process
Community college – application and placement test, prep for career or transfer to university
Career/Training school – intern or apprentice in a career-related field, community college programs
Military – enlist with a recruiter, plan to take the ASVAB test to determine readiness and placement
Work – consider career completer - begin to learn job readiness skills and work part-time senior year
Grades/Transcript
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Your transcript includes all of your grades used to determine your cumulative GPA. Your final semester
grades are the ones that count as final toward the cumulative GPA calculation.
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Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process, because they are a measure
of how well you will do in college. Grades also are used to determine scholarships and grants for which you
may be eligible, so put in the extra effort and keep those grades up! Colleges’ receive your transcript which
includes all of your 9th, 10th and 11th grade classes and grades, as well as your senior year courses. Your
Grade Point Average and Class Rank are updated every semester in Naviance/Family Connection under
“my profile.” Have a goal for 2nd semester to raise your GPA.
Senior Year Level of Courses
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When selecting your senior courses, be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically. Many colleges
expect to see a minimum of 4 academic subjects for senior year; English, Math, Social Studies, and
Science. Some colleges are asking that students take at least 2 or 3 foreign language classes in high school
as well. Avoid the Senior Slump and don’t slack off your senior year. Colleges see you senior schedule and
may ask for 1st and 2nd marking period grades.
SAT or ACT Scores (required by most 4 year colleges for admission)
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You should have taken the PSAT test October of this school year. Use the PSAT Score Report Plus to
prepare for the SATs in the Spring. The PSAT is the best indication of how you will do on the SAT test. On
your Score Report Plus, there is an access code number to use a test preparation site called college
quickstart which is available on the Naviance/Family Connection website. Register at the
www.collegeboard.com website and access test preparation before taking the SAT. Prepare for the SAT or
ACT well before the test date to do your best
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You should plan to take at least one of these tests in the spring and again next fall during your senior year.
The SAT and ACT test calendars are listed on a link on Naviance/Family Connection. Dates below:
2016 Test Dates
January 24
February 6
March 5
April 9
May 7
June 4
June 11
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Test
SAT & Subject Test
ACT
SAT Only
ACT
SAT & Subject Test
SAT & Subject Test
ACT
Registration Deadline
December 29
January 8
February 5
March 4
April 8
May 5
May 6
Register for the SAT or ACT online using the link on Family Connection. The test is given on Saturday
mornings at local high schools. There is a fee for the test and students with financial need can receive a
fee waiver to cover the cost. See your counselor if you need one. Register before the deadline to ensure
your first choice of test centers. Score results are available online in 3 weeks.
When taking the SAT or ACT use the Broadneck school code 210011.
If you will be applying to very selective colleges, SAT Subject Tests may be required or recommended. Go
to the college’s admission website and click on their freshman/undergraduate admissions page to determine
the college’s admissions qualifications.
Extra-curricular Activities
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If you haven’t participated in many activities outside of school, now is the time to do that. Consider clubs at
schools, team sports, leadership roles, or involvement in your religious or civic community groups. Colleges
also value students who work and have internships. Colleges are interested in well-rounded students who
have a healthy, active life outside of the classroom. Your ability to manage a challenging course schedule
in school with activities outside of school or maintaining a part-time job shows colleges that you will be
successful doing so in college.
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Start developing a résumé – a record of your accomplishments, activities, and work experiences. This will
be an important part of your college application. Think back to 9th and 10th grades and what you are doing
now to develop a complete list of your high school activities. Go to “my resume” in Family Connection
and “Build your Resume” to get started.
College Searches
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In Family Connection click on the colleges tab then click either Super Match or college search. Do a
couple of searches changing your criteria to get a good list of colleges based on the things that are most
important for you.
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Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further. Add all colleges that you
are interested in under “My Colleges” as “Colleges that I am considering” in Family Connection.
Info about scholarships and college visits will be automatically emailed to you if you have the college listed
in your college profile so keep it updated.
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Review your preliminary list of colleges and discuss whether your initial list of colleges meets your needs
and interests (academic program, size, location, cost, etc.) and whether you are considering colleges where
you are likely to be admitted. The scattergrams and college match on Family Connections can help
you to create a list of schools that include safety and reach schools. While GPA, level of courses and
test scores are important factors in determining admission, your extra-curricular activities, essay, and
recommendations help too.
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Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs. Click college then
enrichment programs. Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and
interests during the summer.
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If you are interested in getting a head start on college classes, sign up for the AACC Early College Access
program (formerly Jump Start). Many seniors who take classes at AACC during fall and spring semesters of
their senior year, graduate with a full semester or more of college credits that they use to continue at AACC
or to transfer to a four-year college! Sign up on Naviance College Visits to register for the AACC Advisor
Visit on Tuesday March 8th.
…..Visiting College Campuses
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Get on the road to visit colleges. Seeing the college in person, taking a tour and talking to students can be
very helpful in deciding whether or not a school is right for you. Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the
academic year, going in the summer will be valuable. Admission offices offer tours and Open Houses to
register for.
Continue to refine your list of potential colleges and universities by looking at the pros and cons of each
college and review the list to narrow your choices to colleges to which you plan to apply.
Visit the colleges’ website to access the application online and to see what is required. The Common
Application is a great service that many colleges use to simplify the process. Go to Family Connection
under “links” to access this site. Begin preparing for the actual application process: draft application
essays; collect writing samples; and assemble portfolios or audition tapes.
...Athletes… If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college, contact the coaches at the schools to which
you are applying. They are the best resource for your connection to the college. Register and complete the
NCAA Initial-Eligibility form online. Go to NCAA Eligibility on Family Connection under “links” to access
this site. You may also request your transcript from this website: from “My Planner” go to:
“My Task List” – Click on “Official Transcript Needed” and request a transcript from Broadneck High School. You
will be able to check the status of your NCAA transcript on your Naviance account.
College Admissions Representative Visits to Broadneck
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Sign up to meet with a college admissions representative. Over 100 colleges and universities have
admissions representatives visit Broadneck during the school day in the fall to meet with students who are
interested in learning more about their college. During senior year, sign up by going to Family Connection
under “About College” and click on “visit schedule.” Find the college whose presentation you want
to attend, and click on “sign up.” Please print out the next page with the date, time and admissions rep’s
name and use it as your pass to come to the presentation.
Naviance/Family Connection:
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Complete the survey for 1st semester seniors thoughtfully and completely
Keep your email address and other information current – check your email every day for
updates and information from the Counseling Department as well as Senior information
Keep a list all colleges that you are interested in
Use to sign up for college admissions representative visits
Use to research colleges and scholarship opportunities
Use to request transcripts and teacher recommendations (please do not move to
application list or requests transcripts until you have applied to the college)
REMEMBER YOUR: Username and password (it should be your SIF number for both)
Junior Year Planning Calendar
December 7-23 Talk to your teachers about recommendations for senior
year. Begin thinking about electives to take next year.
December 16th
Junior Parent Night 6:30pm in the auditorium
January 15th
Students receive registration materials in homeroom
~Broadneck Website will have resources to help with course
selections
Student Registration sheets turned in to Math teachers
January 29th
February 4-25
March
Students meet with their counselor to review course
requests
College Counseling Presentations for Juniors
March 8th
AACC Junior Presentation
~sign up in Naviance under college visits
March 18th
Students receive hard copy of Course Request Verification
April
Individual Counseling Conferences with all Juniors