June, 2013
Guidance Department Newsletter
Blue Hills Regional Technical School
800 Randolph St., Canton, MA 02021
Tune Your Engine
Whether you realize it or not, June 11 has a significant impact on the Class of 2014.
At the moment when the seniors turn their tassels, current juniors replace them as the
highest ranking enrolled students. Now, as Rising Seniors, you begin the final year of
preparation for life after high school. Soon, you’ll be the one taking off on adventures!
To ensure smooth performance in your senior year, invest the time between June
and September in routine maintenance, and take care of any small repairs that could slow
you down later. Top off your tank, and set the stage for a smooth and enjoyable ride.
Find a job that will help you with your long-term career goals or financial needs
Outline your network of teachers, coaches, employers, and community
representatives who will provide references for college and career applications
Investigate colleges and training programs for fall application; if possible, visit one or
two that look most promising.
Volunteer in a new place or for a different activity and get a sense of what type of
environment and involvement bring you personal satisfaction.
Take your SUMMER READING seriously: take notes you can use to review for the
test that waits for you in September. Remember that your Term 1 grades
will be on the transcript sent out with fall applications.
Sleep… play… laugh… love… learn… eat… think… dream
SAT Question of the Month
Did you take the PSAT this year?
MyCollegeQuickstart provides a great way to
get ready for the SAT. Available exclusively to
PSAT/NMSQT takers, MyCollegeQuickstart
includes a personalized SAT study plan that
enables students to:
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Review test-taking approaches
Take an official SAT practice test
Try a SAT essay and compare it to scored samples
Learn from the explanations of right and wrong
PSAT/NMSQT answers
Log in to www.collegeboard.com/quick to set up
a demo account and more !
Part of the sentence is underlined. Beneath the
sentence are five ways of phrasing the
underlined material. Select the option that
produces the best sentence. If you think that the
original phrasing produces a better sentence
than any of the alternatives, select choice A.
Unlike her sister Heather, who would always
put spiders safely outside if she found them
in the house, Joanne’s fear kept her from
going anywhere near the creatures.
A. Joanne’s fears kept her from going
anywhere near the creatures.
B. Joanne’s fear is what kept her from
going anywhere near them.
C. fear is why Joanne had not gone
anywhere near them.
D. Joanne was too afraid to go anywhere
near the creatures.
INeedaPencil.com was created by students at
E. they scared Joanne too much to go
anywhere near them.
Harvard University to provide high school students
with free online SAT prep materials. Log on for
samples, test strategies, study guides, and tips.
Students who meet the federal income guidelines
for free or reduced school lunch may also
obtain SAT Fee Waivers in the Guidance Office.
After completing the SATs, up to 3 waivers can
be obtained for following college application fees.
ou h
Do you have a Summer Birthday?
Remember that all males between the
ages of 18 and 25, US citizens and alien residents,
must be registered with the Selective Service
in order to maintain eligibility for student loans,
federally funded vocational programs, and
employment opportunities. Be sure to register
online, www.sss.gov, or fill out a registration card
at your local Post Office.
Visit Fafsa4Caster.com to glimpse a
long-range prediction of your potential
financial aid situation. The US
Department of Education offers this
handy calculator to help you estimate
your future eligibility and plan for
anticipated expenses.
TERI College Planning Centers’ staff
provide free, personalized advice and
information on college selection, training
programs, financial aid and scholarships.
Call 866-891-4716 or visit local offices in
Boston and Brockton.
www.tericollegeplanning.org
Community College Might be a Student’s Best Choice
Career Directions Update Newsletter, May, 2009
Two-year community colleges could well be U.S. Department of Education's best kept secret!
Community colleges offer options that enable a wide range of students to meet their education/training
goals in an economical way, not afforded by 4-year colleges.
Who can benefit from attending a community college?
1. Students who want to be prepared to enter the work-world fully trained in two years or less
Community colleges offer a wide variety of certification programs. For example, currently nearly
80% of first responders (police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians) and 60% of
nurses and other health-care professionals entering the job market receive their certification at a
community college.
2. Students who don't meet entrance requirements at the 4-year college of their choice By
attaining a high GPA for the first year or two at a community college, and then applying to
transfer, students get a 2nd chance at graduating from the college of their choice!
3. Students who haven't chosen their major field of study Because community colleges offer
classes in a variety of fields, students can easily and inexpensively "sample" several different
fields of study.
4. Students who are looking for ways to reduce their overall education expenses Do the
transferring to the college of choice, the total cost for education will be greatly reduced!
5. Students who prefer smaller classes and more interaction with their professors The teacherto-student ratio is typically much smaller at community colleges. Also, students have more access
to professors outside of the classroom because community colleges don't usually require faculty
to conduct research, as is the case at many 4-year colleges.
6. Students who are returning to school after several years of being out of the education
system Community colleges often tailor class schedules for working students. Evening and
weekend class schedules allow students to maintain their jobs and family responsibilities.
7. Students who need additional education/training for a career promotion or change
Oftentimes, with certification programs lasting two years or less, students can manage their
current jobs while preparing for a promotion or a career in a new field.
What is MASS Transfer?
Under the Mass Transfer Contract,
students who complete associate degree
requirements at a public community
college and maintain a 2.5 GPA can make
direct transfer into a corresponding
program at a public college or university to
complete the final two years of a
baccalaureate program.
Graduates from a Massachusetts public
community college who maintain a 3.0
GPA will receive a 33% tuition waiver
for the final two years of study.
Massachusetts Community Colleges
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Berkshire Community College
Bristol Community College
Bunker Hill Community College
Cape Cod Community College
Greenfield Community College
Holyoke Community College
Massachusetts Bay Community College
Massasoit Community College
Middlesex Community College
Mount Wachusett Community College
North Shore Community College
Northern Essex Community College
Quinsigamond Community College
Roxbury Community College
Springfield Technical Community College
MONEY
MATTERS
Visit elearning.makingitcount.com for
an interactive overview of the college
financing process. Parents and students can
use this free site to create their family’s
personal college funding strategy.
Need money for college? Register at
www.fastweb.com for a free personalized
search of over 600,000 scholarships.
Automatic email updates keep you informed
on sources that may suit your specific needs.
www.GoCollege.com is one of the oldest and
most trusted resources to guide students on
how to finance and succeed in college.
Save for Senior Year!
SAT registrations, Application fees,
Class ring, Yearbook, Prom
College visits, Interview outfit
Buying a car? Look for
Safety: anti-locking braking systems,
daytime running lights,
electronic stability control,
airbags and adjustable/
lockable head restraints
Affordability: consider a previously
owned model with good safety features;
include costs of insurance, fuel, regular
maintenance
Reliability: warranty, maintenance and
crash histories; mileage, pre-purchase
inspection
Horizons Online at www.AAA.com
College Search:
Looking for Clues?
Investigate these sites
Log on to www.careercruising.com and
complete the Matchmaker; follow the trail to
discover careers that may suit your interests.
Make the link to employment information,
educational requirements, training programs,
college degrees. To save your portfolio, use
the username: Blue and password: Hills
Not just for SAT, www.collegeboard.com
provides college search assistance related to
your academic and vocational interests.
Compare costs, programs, requirements.
Take the guesswork out of planning with
CollegeAnswer.com. Step-by-step guides
walk you and your family through choosing a
college, admission timelines, scholarship
search,
and a parents’ primer on financing education.
Order your free college planning guide at
www.Key.com/collegeguide. Includes
tips, tools, and advice that will get you headed
in the right direction. For scholarship
information,
visit www.Key.com/win.
www.CollegeEdge.com offers many
services, including detailed information
on colleges and universities across the
country.
2013-2014 College Planner
Blue Hills Regional Technical School
800 Randolph Street
Canton, MA 02021
CEEB# 220-544
Ms. Sarah Titus, Lead Counselor 781-828-5800 x220
Ms. Sarah England 781-828-5800 x 219
Mr. John-Henry Davis 781-828-5800 x 225
April-May
Plan to take the May or June SAT I. See registration dates above. Check to see which of
the schools to whom you are applying require SAT II testing. Not all schools require this
test. You will want to register again for the SAT I in the early fall.
Plan to meet with your guidance counselor sometime during the spring to discuss your
plans for next year. It is the responsibility of each junior to meet with their guidance
counselor. Please don’t be shy…get to guidance and fill out an appointment slip.
Ask 3 or 4 teachers for letters of recommendation in late May or early June. You can give
them to your guidance counselor to hold onto or start a folder for college materials.
Make a list of potential colleges that you might be interested in. Make sure you visit
www.collegeboard.com or www. www.careercruising.com to do a college search. Before
you leave for the summer or during the summer, e-mail or write to these colleges and
request catalogues and applications. The information is also available on the college
websites.
Summer
Read college catalogues and start visiting colleges. Go to the college websites and print
off the application. Create a folder for each school you are thinking about applying to.
This is good time to start your college essay and your resume. Guidance has sample
packets for writing both your essay and your resume. Anything you can do over the
summer that will save time in September will be helpful!
Summer jobs may be hard to find, and you are likely to face a lot of competition for any
available employment. If you are fortunate to find (or already have) a steady source of
income, make sure you limit your overhead in order to save as much as possible for
senior year expenses and long-term needs.
Invest regular time each week in a college financial aid search; locating and completing
applications early can reap significant scholarship benefits which could exceed what
you’ll be able to earn during July and August.
September
If you plan to take the fall SAT, be sure to watch the deadlines for registration. Finalize
your college choices and start filling out applications. In order for your counselor to write
a letter of recommendation, you must complete the student and parent questionnaire.
Go to your teachers and ask if they have your recommendation letter ready. If you are
applying early decision or early action please let your counselor know as soon as you
return to school. Most schools have a November 1 or November 15 deadline.
October
Your teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, other recommendations,
transcript, school report should be assembled in October. If you are applying early, make
sure you have completed the CSS Profile if school requires it) and/or the school’s
Financial Aid Form.
SAT I scores and SAT II scores should be sent to the colleges directly from the
College Board for all students whether applying early or not.
Athletes: Students who wish to play Division I or Division II athletics must complete
the NCAA Clearinghouse form sometime during the fall or winter. This can be done on
line.
November
Nov. 1 is the deadline for most Early Decision Early Action Applicants. Have your
SAT scores sent to the college directly from the College Board in Princeton, NJ. There is
a $10.00 fee for each school after your initial 4 free ones.
Students should pay close attention to college application deadlines; they vary. Some
colleges have Rolling Admissions meaning that you can apply any time usually after
first term grades are available. However, if the program you are applying to is full,
things stop rolling for you! You will be waitlisted. You usually hear within 4-6 weeks
after the application is received.
Many colleges accept applications via e-mail. If you are applying on line, make sure
you print the completed application before you press send! Keep a hard copy in a
folder in case disaster should strike and they lose your application! Let your counselor
know that you need supporting materials sent and fill out a transcript release from Mrs.
Russo.
We request a two week turn around time for sending out transcripts and supporting
materials.
December
Pick up CSS Profile and FAFSA( Free Application for Federal Student Aid). FAFSA
cannot be mailed before January 1, 2014. The CSS Profile is not required by all
schools. Both forms may be completed on line. There is no charge to file either form.
Plan to attend the Financial Aid Night in January sponsored by MEFA at Blue Hills. You
will be notified of the date and time and will be reminded via ConnectEd.
January
Parents should file FAFSA.
Give Mid term reports to your guidance counselor.
February
March
Continue to meet application deadlines for admissions and financial aid.
Local scholarship packets will be coming out. You are eligible to apply to local
scholarships from you r home town. Check with guidance.
Read the Senior Newsletter and research scholarships.
April
May
Apply for scholarships
Inform the college you plan to attend by May 1 st –candidates reply date unless asked
to decide earlier. You must send a non-refundable deposit to hold your spot. Inform your
counselor of your decision.
Thank all of those people who wrote you letters and tell them where you are going.
Complete Senior Survey
June
Graduation!!!!!!
Common Application Releases New Essay Prompts
By TANYA ABRAMS
The new Common Application has released five new essay prompts for the 2013-14
admissions season, Inside Higher Ed reports.
Students who plan to use the Common App, a form that allows students to apply to multiple
colleges and universities simultaneously, are advised to keep these essay prompts in mind. Savvy
juniors, and regular readers of this blog, know that the earlier a college applicant starts
drafting his or her essay, the more prepared they are.
Here are the new essay prompts:
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Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then
please share your story.
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Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you,
and what lessons did you learn?
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Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?
Would you make the same decision again?
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Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do
or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
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Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your
transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
The Common App will still be a stickler for essay lengths, as we reported in October.
However, the maximum has increased to 650 words. (The previous limit was 500 words.)
The Web-only application will not accept essays with fewer than 250 words.
Select a square or toss a penny and follow the instructions.
Answer the SAT
Sort your laundry and
Create a resume
Question of the Day
throw away all your
www.careertrain.com
www.collegeboard.com
one-of-a-kind socks
password: CD0202121
Pull everything out from under
your bed; set aside any Blue Hills
library or textbooks found and
return them in September.
Begin your
SUMMER READING
(Start a notebook)
Avoid a Book Bill !
Clean out one desk drawer
Make a personal budget
and make space for your
ultimatemoneyskills.com
college planning file.
Watch your money grow!
Take a VIRTUAL college tour
Finish your
www.campustours.com
SUMMER READING
Save gas: travel from home.
(Keep the notebook)
Volunteering can provide you with a chance to
experience a new environment, learn about a
different career, gain employable skills, work
with interesting people, apply a hobby, or just
have fun. Many local agencies need assistance
during staff vacation months, and you can begin
to build a base of strong references as you
provide helpful services.
Community involvement will also add credibility
to your college applications, job searches,
scholarships, and awards. Contact your local
school or community administration for local
needs, or brainstorm ideas with your teachers,
parents, or Guidance Counselors.
Soft skills can be your #1 assets !
According to employment advisors, your personal values and habits (SOFT SKILLS) can be
your best tickets to landing and holding a position. Make sure to include examples of the
following traits in your resume, application, and interview:
 Honesty: serves customers and company with integrity; is trustworthy
 Flexibility: adapts to new ideas and unexpected situations; solves problems
 Dependability: comes to work on time, follows schedules, completes tasks
 Team spirit: cooperates with coworkers and supervisors to promote success
What do Employers Really Want? Top Skills and Values Employers Seek from Job-Seekers 5/30/2013
Summer Offerings at MassBay Community College:
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Summer Bridge: July 8th –July 19th, Wellesley Hills campus
A 10-day Summer Bridge Program for high school students interested in a fun, hands-on experience this summer. Learn
about state-of-the-art engineering, robotics and digital media techniques, while earning college credits! The cost is only
$100 per student for two weeks.
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Summer STEM: July 8th –July 19th, Wellesley Hills campus
A 10-day enriching Summer STEM Program for middle school students entering grades 7 and 8:
 Students investigate, design, create and learn
 Students participate in class projects that will strengthen Math, Biology, Physics and Chemistry concepts, while
having fun!
 The cost is only $300 per student for two weeks
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Summer Scholars: July 8th – August 15th, Wellesley Hills campus
A tuition free program for new and returning students who need to take College Writing (EN 100) & Preparation for
College Math (this course is a self paced course for Basic Math (MA 90). Introduction to Algebra (MA 095), or
Intermediate Algebra (MA 098).
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Summer Basketball Camp at the Framingham Campus:
 For ages 9-15, all skill levels
 The cost is $200 per session
 Session I June 24 – June 28
 Session II: July 8 to July 12
Contact us at (781) 239-2700 or ksutherland@massbay.edu.
Career Days at BHCC: FREE 2-week classes investigating choice of 8 career fields
Available for high school juniors, seniors, and college freshmen
Contact Patrick Crozier (617) 228-2389 or pcrozier@bhcc.mass.edu.
Future Leadership Camp at Norwich University: 2-week summer adventure
and leadership program for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
fic@norwich.edu 802-485-2531 www.norwich.edu/admissions/summerprograms
Aviation Career Education Summer Academy: August 5-9
Bridgewater State University and the FAA
A fun way to explore a career options in aviation for grades 7-12
508-531-1250 externalprograms@bridgew.edu
Still fishing for a summer job? Try these sites:
www.snagajob.com
www.craigslist.com
www.monster.com