Sophomore Year

• Grades count for college admission this year. (NOTE: colleges may drop grades for PE – don’t count on those A’s to keep your GPA up but make sure even the PE grade is high for overall GPA qualifications.)
  
• Grades count for Cal Grant qualification.
  
  • depending on funding, Cal Grant requires a certain GPA – this fluctuates so keep it as high as possible)
    
  • look up the Cal Grant qualifications online (www.csac.ca.gov)
    
• Go online to look at different colleges (even if you student as no idea of where to go)
  
• Familiarize yourself with the admission qualifications for Junior College, State Univ., Christian/Private Univ.
  
  • write down the SAT/ACT requirements
    
  • write down scholarship requirements (GPA, SAT score, class ranking)
    
  • know what assessment tests are required and when
    

Junior Year

• Junior year, academically, is a full load.
  
• Maintain a strong GPA – it will count for CAL GRANT & College Admissions
  
• (remember do not count on the easy A in PE to up your GPA, you want to maintain a high GPA in your core classes & PE)
  
• BCS Math – Algebra 2 will require all Junior’s to take the SAT at the last semester
  
  • To sign up, go to www.collegeboard.com (know the BCS school code)
    

• This will give your student an idea of the test & it is good practice.
  
• If you sign them up early, they can take it locally. If not, they will have to drive to other schools outside the area. They normally do better locally.
  
• If the scores are lower than desired, you have plenty of time to study & take the test over before College admission requirements in the senior year.
  
• Talk with the college counselor at BCS regarding the SAT or ACT tests.
  
  • ACT test is also another type of college admission test acceptable to most schools. (again be familiar with what you need for the school of your choice) www.act.org
    
  • Some students do better with one type of test versus the other test. Just familiarize yourself with both.
    

Senior Year:

(Encourage your student to NOT GET SENIORITIS! - senior grades count too & will effect their scholarships)

SUMMER BEFORE:

• August: sign up for the SAT and/or ACT test dates of November/December
  
• August download all admission requirements
  

AT BCS:

• Sign your student up for the BCS COLLEGE ALGEBRA CLASS (this class requires 2nd SAT Test)
  
• Discuss Honors classes with BCS counselor – seek if this is a good fit for your student.
  
• In Jan & Feb. – get the FAFSA GPA Verification Form
  
• In April call MSJC for a May appoint for the College Algebra Clep test.
  
• If you student takes College Algebra at BCS, they can take a “clep” test at MSJC. If they pass, they will not be required to take College Algebra at the college level. Make this test appointment in May before the Hawaii trip but later in the month because they review for this in class.
  

IN FALL:

• Download all admission requirements for your choices
  
• In BCS Senior English:
  
  • A Student profile sheet is required (go to the profile you started in their freshman year)
    
  • Practice College Essays are required (know the questions your school’s want answered)
    
• Apply to colleges and university’s (WATCH DEADLINES CLOSELY)
  

1. Complete an application (watch deadline)
   
   • Applications require organized essays (give this process plenty of time & check for errors)
     
2. Complete Reference forms (from either a pastor, mentor, and friend – watch deadlines)
   
   • give the person completing the reference form a GOOD 3 weeks prior to deadlines!
     
   • Give them the reference form
     
   • And a stamped envelop with school address completed
     
   • Give them a profile of your high school GPA, desired college major, honors, and activities (just so they can refer to this if necessary)
     
   • Remember they send in the form – unless the college requires otherwise.
     
3. Interview (Some schools might require this…especially for honor programs/specific majors/specific university)
   
4. Follow-up: Call school a week prior to deadline and check if all forms needed are in.
   

• Apply for ALL Scholarship (watch deadlines)
  

IN JAN: APPLY FOR FAFSA (Financial Aid Government Reporting)

• Starting Jan 1st, you may apply. This has a specific DEADLINE! DO NOT MISS THIS DEADLINE
  
• Schools still require this form (even if you think you don’t qualify or go out of state – apply!)
  
• Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
  
• Familiarize yourself with the Cal Grant - http://www.csac.ca.gov/
  
  • Get a GPA verification form (online or at BCS)
    
  • Have BCS complete and YOU send it in (before the deadline)
    
  • Apply for the FAFSA (use the worksheet beforehand to practice)
    
  • You will not see a response until mid-April.
    
  • (You may also check your status online at http://www.webgrants4students.org/ . If the grant has been declined, but you know you qualify, call your school’s financial aid office and discuss the problem. Changes can easily be made and most school’s are very willing to verify all your information and help you make those changes online. Be proactive!)
    

IN SPRING:

• Visit schools (check for the college preview days)
  
• Apply for all scholarships/grants/sports teams scholarships/major scholarships available. (these you do not have to pay back)
  
• Be in contact with your school’s admission counselor.
  
• After you receive your letter of acceptance & award letter of grants or scholarships
  
  • Make an appointment with your college admission counselor & financial aid to clarify specific
    
  • Follow the school’s specific instructions carefully.
    
• Make the BIG DECISION: (usually by May 1st)
  

Getting a Jump Start in College at MSJC

• Juniors & Seniors may take college classes at MSJC for free (books must be purchased). Here’s the requirements:
  
• take an assestment test
  
• go through orientation
  
• apply for classes (most likely you will be waitlisted because Jr & Sr are not MSJC priority students)
  
• you may only take 2 courses a semester & they are college level classes. (your student must know how to write at the freshman college level)
  
• A form must be completed with BCS permission & parent permission.
  
• You may NOT take any PE classes
  
• In early April of your Senior Year: Change your status from High School student to High School graduate.
  
  • Get a letter from BCS stating that you will be graduating in June with the Principal’s signature
    
  • Go to Admissions at MSJC and ask for their status to be updated.
    
  • This will give them earlier priority registration for summer classes and option of PE classes.
    
  • Do this before summer class registration at the end of April/early May
    

Important On-Line websites:

http://www.collegeboard.com/ (SAT Testing)
http://www.act.org/ (ACT Testing –more Math &Science related)
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ (Cal Grant/Pell Grant/Financial Aid)
http://www.webgrants4students.org/ (check online status of state grants)
http://www.csac.ca.gov/ (Cal Grant qualifications)
http://www.msjc.edu/ (Clep Testing, Headstart program)


(helpful hint: keep all passwords in a safe place, ready to access – you need them often)