In the October edition of our newsletter, there has been scholarships added as well as upcoming events and resources.

Ms. Valian and Ms. Raley have now visited all senior English classes to go over Xello and the college application process with students. If you missed the presentation, please reach out to your counselor.

Please Join the School Counseling Schoology Group for your Grade:

Grade 9- 68DB-5C9Z-W8PTH

Grade 10- XKN8-R334-6237D

Grade 11- DSC8-FF93-MFBJM

Grade 12- HDJX-XQWK-CZ6TF

You can sign up for college visits on Schoology!

They will be listed on the right side under "Upcoming Events."

Below is the list of schools visiting us in October:

10/1 Lafayette College - 10:00am

10/1 Johns Hopkins University - 11:00am

10/1 Mount St. Mary's University - 12:30pm

10/4 Towson University - 10:00am

10/4 University of Chicago - 10:30am

10/4 George Washington University - 12:00pm

10/8 Fordham University - 8:00am

10/8 Marymount University - 9:30am

10/8 SCAD - 10:00am

10/9 Louisiana State University - 10:00am

10/9 College of Charleston - 10:30am

10/9 Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation

10/10 Miami University of Ohio - 10:30am

10/10 University of Alabama - 11:00am

10/10 Alvernia University - 12:00pm

10/10 Depaul University - 12:30pm

10/11 Oberlin College - 11:30am

10/11 American University - 12:00pm

10/15 University of Michigan - 9:30am

10/15 Chatham University - 11:30am

10/15 Kutztown University - 12:30pm

10/16 Hobart and William Smith Colleges - 8:00am

10/16 Washington and Lee University - 11:30am

10/16 Dickinson College - 12:00pm

10/16 Coppin State University - 12:30pm

10/17 Penn State University - 9:00am

10/17 Auburn University - 9:30am

10/22 Binghamton University - 8:00am

10/22 Roanoke College - 10:30am

10/22 James Madison University - 11:00am

10/22 Washington College - 12:00pm

10/23 Temple University - 10:00am

10/24 Kean University - 11:30am

10/24 University of Maryland - Baltimore County - 12:30pm

10/25 Columbia University - 10:30am

CCBC representatives are here to help you navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Whether you’re applying for the first time or need a refresher, these sessions provide personalized guidance, with opportunities to ask questions and receive hands-on support.

Workshops will be available both virtually and in-person across the district.

To secure your spot, check out the Financial Aid Information Session flyer to register. For virtual attendees, a link will be emailed before the session.

Xello is the new BCPS college and career exploration online platform that helps students build the skills, knowledge and plans to be future ready. The program uses an investigative, discovery-based learning process. Students better understand themselves, their future career options, and the 21st century skills they’ll need to succeed.

All high school students and families now have access to the Xello college and career platform. We invite parents to learn more about how to support their students in getting the most out of this post-secondary planning tool.

Families of high school students are encouraged to join us during the virtual Hello Xello Parent/Student Information Sessions on October 3, 2024. To accommodate Spanish-speaking families there will be two concurrent sessions available.

You may join the sessions at that time using the link below:

English: Getting Started for High School Parents and Students

Spanish: Getting Started for High School Parents and Students

Additional Family Resources

· Welcome to Xello Family (English)

· Welcome to Xello Family (Spanish)

· Welcome to Xello Family Brochure (English)

· Welcome to Xello Family Brochure (Spanish)

· Getting Started for Families (English)

· Getting Started for Families (Spanish)

Towson University's College Readiness Outreach Program provides college and career guidance to high school students by pairing them with college mentors and offering virtual information sessions to prepare students for their future. There is an upcoming virtual session welcoming all the students who participate in CROP back to the program for the 2024-2025 school year. This session is for students in grades 9-12 and will include fun, engaging, and informative programming. The session will occur on Wednesday, 10/2, on Zoom from 5-6 PM. The Zoom link is included below.

Zoom Link:

https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/2847520642?omn=97773704020

• Utilize Xello and other websites to finalize the list of colleges you'd like to apply to
• Stay organized! Use a calendar to keep track of college application deadlines
• Register for college visits on Schoology. In Schoology, you will see "Upcoming Events" on the right hand side. It will then show a list of the colleges, dates, and times they will be here. I also included the list on this newsletter above. All visits will take place in the library unless noted otherwise.
• Arrange campus visits
• Make a college counseling appointment with your school counselor
• Search for scholarships and grants (an all year process)
• Begin working on your college applications
• Revise your resume and activities list
• Write and revise your college essay

If you have an October 15th or November 1st deadline, make sure that you have completed the following:

• Connect Xello with your Common App account
• Check that your deadlines are correct
• If applicable, send SAT and ACT scores from College Board to your colleges
• Make sure that you requested teacher letters of recommendation in Xello
• Complete your Brag Sheet in Xello
• Assign the correct school counselor to process your college documents

If you are not sure how to complete one or more of these tasks, please reach out to your school counselor. Ms. Valian is available every Tuesday from 2:00-2:35 on Google Meet or in the counseling office until the end of October.

Some bachelor degree granting institutions do not require all or most recent U.S. high school graduates applying for fall 2024 to submit ACT/SAT results before admissions decisions are made. Some schools only exempt applicants who meet minimum grade or class rank criteria; others use ACT/SAT scores solely for course placement. Please check with individual schools for details.

Click here for more information: https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/

Keep an open mind to the possibilities:

You want to select the college that will best satisfy your needs, interests, lifestyle, and personal and professional goals. A good "match" between you and your college will be the key to your success and happiness over the next four years. Establish with your parents the budget for application fees and only apply to colleges that you really would attend if accepted. To help you make that difficult final decision, the following "helpful hints" may assist you in determining which college is right for you.

Colleges offer open house programs in the fall for seniors and their parents. Physically placing yourself on the campus and talking to staff and students gives you a better sense of yourself in that environment.

There are also virtual tours and interactive communication sites with current students on the internet that can help in your search for the college that is the best fit for you.

We will advertise any college fairs that come to the area. College fairs are an opportunity for you to speak with college representatives in person.

Representatives from many colleges schedule visits to Towson High school throughout the first semester. You must sign up ahead of time on Schoology to attend a presentation. Information about the visits will be published on a regular basis through the school counseling office.

Things to Consider When Choosing a College:

-Academic program

-Location (urban, suburban, rural)

-Size (small, medium, large)

-Extracurricular activities

-Housing accommodations

-Actual cost of attending

-Technology resources

-Job placement services after graduation

Athletes

If you are planning to participate in Division I or II sports in college, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse ASAP at www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org.

“Applying Early” Definitions

Many students like the idea of applying to colleges early, having the process completed by Thanksgiving. Below is an explanation of some of the terms used to describe the various ways of applying early:

Early Decision

Some colleges offer an Early Decision deadline. The Early Decision admission deadline is for those students who are certain of their college choice. Application deadlines for early decision deadlines are usually in October or November. A student who applies to a school under an early decision deadline must sign a contract (as do the student’s parents and school counselor) which states that the student will attend that school if accepted. The student also states that they will withdraw any and all other applications submitted to other schools and that they will not submit any others. Applying to a school Early Decision is a serious and binding commitment. You should speak with your counselor and parents before deciding to apply Early Decision.

Early Action

Early Action deadlines are similar to that described above, but the important difference is that your acceptance is not binding. Most early action deadlines are in November and December, and you will usually receive a decision before winter break. You will have until May 1st, however, to decide whether or not you will attend that school. You may still apply to other schools even if accepted under this deadline. Decisions under this deadline are made primarily on the basis of your performance through junior year. .

How to Obtain a College Application

Apply online via the college website or go to: www.commonapp.org you can use this one application for multiple colleges to save you time. Make a copy of your completed application before you submit it. Also, print your confirmation page/email when you submit the application.

Application Essay

The application essay is a perfect opportunity for you to directly address the college’s admission committee to introduce them to you from a personal perspective. You can share your reasons for applying to a particular college, career goals, insights, and opinions as well as your accomplishments. Through your essay, the committee will be able to assess your communication skills, while acquiring a broader understanding of your attitudes, feelings, imagination and creativity. The essay should help them to distinguish you as an individual from the other applicants.

Arrange with your English teacher to have him/her read the rough draft of your essay and assist you with changes, as needed. Remember, this is a process that takes time. Start early to afford yourself the time to create a well written essay that you will be proud to submit to the admission committee.

Follow-up after Completion of the Application

Check your account on the college website after the application has been submitted online to make sure it has been received. Periodically check your college account to make sure your transcript, letters of recommendation and your SAT/ACT scores have been received before the application deadline. The School Counseling Office does not send test scores. You will receive communication from the college at varying times regarding additional information that may be needed as well as the admission decisions.

Please communicate with your school counselor should you have any questions or need assistance.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Counselor Recommendation:

Your school counselor will automatically write a letter of recommendation for you once you request a transcript via Xello. Complete the Brag Sheet in Xello. Your counselor will use these when completing your recommendation letter.

The counselor will need at least TEN (10) school days to complete the counselor documents before it is submitted to the colleges to which you are applying. Please watch your deadline date to assure that your paperwork will be completed by the date designated.

Teacher Recommendation:

Most colleges require teacher recommendations. Carefully consider two academic teachers; preferably ones who you have worked closely with and that you feel confident will write a complimentary recommendation for you. It may be a teacher from a previous year. After speaking with your teacher, request a teacher recommendation via Common App. If your school is not in Common App, you will request the letter through Xello.

To request teacher letters of recommendation:

1. Speak with your teacher.

2. Sign on to Xello.

3. Click on "College Planning" on the home page.

4. Under college applications, select the institution.

5. Under application checklist, find recommendation letters.

6. Click request.

Official Transcript Permission Form

An essential step in the college application process is to have your high school transcript sent to the colleges to which you are applying. Have your parent/guardian sign the Official Transcript Permission Form, which allows our staff to send your official high school transcript. Designate on your Xello account the colleges to which you want your transcript to be sent. The form is also available in the School Counseling Office. Complete the required information and return the form to the counseling office at the beginning of senior year if you have not already done it during your junior year.

At mid-year, your transcript will be sent automatically to your colleges with your mid-year grades.

After you graduate, one final transcript will be sent to the college that you are attending in the fall. You will need to indicate on Xello the name of the college you plan to attend in the fall.

Please observe all deadline dates. We process a very high volume of applications. Allow at least two weeks for transcript requests to be processed.

Financial aid is any type of money given to help you pay for college or trade school, and it can come in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study programs. The money can come from state, local, or federal government, individual colleges, or private donors. Financial Aid can be very complex, so be sure to attend any information offered by your school and to reach out to the financial aid offices of schools that you’re applying to if you have questions. You can also view our Financial Aid 101 Smore Here: https://secure.smore.com/n/mkaun

Grants – This type of aid does not have to be repaid, but there may be an obligation regarding grades while in college, selection of major, or employment upon graduation. Grants are awards that may be based on financial need or other eligibility criteria.

Scholarships – Scholarship recipients may have to meet criteria such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement, etc. They may also require certain criteria to be met while in college.

Loans – These usually have lower interest rates than commercial loans and must be repaid generally after you have graduated or left college.

Student employment or work aid – This may mean a job that the college located for you or employment you found on your own.

How to Apply For Financial Aid

Use free websites to do scholarships searches. Start your search for scholarships in September of your senior year. Scholarships are available throughout the year. Criteria for scholarships vary widely: academic merit, leadership, service to school and community, talent, financial need, etc.

The FAFSA is the U.S. Dept. of Education’s free application for federal student aide. The form should be done online at: studentaid.gov. Most colleges award financial need monies based on the determination of need on the FAFSA report. You will need a FSA ID to access the FAFSA.

The State of Maryland requires that you complete the FAFSA to be considered for any State financial aid programs. The State deadline is March 1 of your senior year. Information about scholarships available through the Maryland Higher Education Commission can be accessed at: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.aspx

International and Undocumented Students

International and undocumented students are not eligible for federal aid but may still be eligible for aid from the State of Maryland by completing the MSFAA, or institutional aid by contacting the colleges they are applying to. Additionally, there are a number of private scholarships and organizations available to help undocumented or international students.

Resources for Undocumented Students: https://www.smore.com/5pw2h

2 Year College: Community College of Baltimore (CCBC)

CCBC can be the perfect place for students to start their college journey, explore options, pursue workforce training, or develop basic skills. CCBC offers degree and certificate programs as well as workforce development training and apprenticeship programs. Acceptance to the college is guaranteed, and with the College Promise Program, tuition may be free for qualifying families.

Honors College

The Honors College at CCBC is open to full and part-time students. An additional application is required, but no previous honors courses in high school are required. The Honors College offers a variety of benefits including additional scholarship money and guaranteed acceptance to many Maryland 4 year colleges.

BCPS High Schools work closely with CCBC admission counselors, so contact your school counselor with any questions or explore your options here: www.ccbcmd.edu

Enlistment: Military Service

The Military is comprised of 13 branches: six Active Duty and seven part-time duty. Each branch has a unique mission, offers various opportunities and has different requirements.

Students interested in military service can begin to explore their options using the following websites:

- https://www.defense.gov/about/our-forces

- www.careersinthemilitary.com

- https://www.usa.gov/military-and-veterans

Additionally, recruiters often visit BCPS high schools during lunch time and are available to answer questions or meet with students. Students can contact their school counselor to find out when a recruiter will be at their school. Students considering application to military academies and ROTC programs must start the process prior to senior year. It is important to seek the assistance of your school counselor with this application process.

4 Year Colleges: College Terminology

American College Test (ACT): A college admission test covering English, social science, natural science, and mathematics.

Advanced Placement Test (AP): The AP program is sponsored by the College Board and offers high school students a chance to do college-level work in a variety of academic subjects.

Common Application (CA): The CA is a college application platform used by more than 900 colleges. Using the CA reduces the time you need to spend composing multiple essays and typing multiple applications.

Common Black College Application (CBCA): The CBCA is a college application platform that allows students to apply to over 65 HBCU’s for a single fee.

Cost of Attendance (COA): All costs associated with attending that institution-tuition, fees, transportation, etc.

Deferred Admission: Under this program, students who have been accepted by a college arrange to postpone their admission for a period of time.

Early Action: This plan allows a student to apply early without making a commitment to attend the college if accepted.

Early Decision: This plan involves a commitment between the student and the college. The student applies early and gets an answer from the college, usually by December. If admitted, the student agrees to enroll at the college and withdraws other applications to colleges.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): This application should be completed and submitted by every student and family.

Fee Waiver: A form available to students having a low family income. The fee waiver form is submitted instead of money when applying for college admission or testing.

Financial Need: The difference between the cost of education and what the family or applicant can reasonably be expected to contribute.

HBCUs: Historically Black Colleges and Universities established before 1964.

Liberal Arts: A broad representation of courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and sciences which compose the curriculum of academic education as distinguished from technical or professional education.

Private or Independent College: A college that operates independently and is primarily supported by tuition fees, alumni gifts, endowments, and investments.

Public or State College: One supported primarily by the state or local governments. State institutions usually charge a higher tuition fee to out-of-state students.

Rolling Admission: Institutions use this plan so that the admission committee can review applications on a rolling basis.

Scholarship: An outright award that does not have to be repaid. It is usually given to a student for academic achievement, outstanding talent, or other special qualifications.

Student Loans: Completion of the FAFSA may entitle students to loans endorsed by the Federal Government. These loans are generally capped at around $6,000.00 per year.

Transcript: This is the official record of a student's high school course work. The high school transcript is required as part of the college admissions process. The high school transcript reflects final grades from 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

Tuition: The charge for educational instruction. The amount varies according to the institution.

Undergraduate: College student who is working towards their bachelor's degree.

Wait List: Student has neither been accepted nor rejected but instead is being asked to wait in line while the college finds out how many of the students it has accepted will actually decide to enroll.

Work-Study: This is a government-supported financial aid program administered through college financial aid offices. It provides part-time jobs for students to help pay college costs.

Important Links

GENERAL COLLEGE INFORMATION

Xello (access through the Microsoft apps portal using your BCPS login)

https://www.appily.com/

www.Collegeessayguy.com

The College Board: www.collegeboard.org

ACT: www.actstudent.org

Peterson's: www.petersons.com

College View: www.collegeview.com

Student Gateway to the Government: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

FASTWEB: www.fastweb.com

Princeton Review: http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings.aspx?uidbadge

The Common Application: www.commonapp.org

Historically Black Colleges Common Application: www.commonblackcollegeapp.com

FINANCIAL AID

Compare Financial Aid Packages: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/index.html

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): https://studentaid.gov/

Completing the FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out

CSS Profile: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

Scholarships: www.scholarships.com

ATHLETICS

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - www.ncaa.org

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - www.naia.org

CAREER INFORMATION

ASVAB Career Exploration Program: www.asvabprogram.com

Mapping Your Future - multi-lingual tool kit on career planning: https://www.mappingyourfuture.org/

Occupational Outlook Handbook – provides job descriptions, required education, and future opportunities. www.bls.gov/oco

Job Corps MD – http://www.jobcorps.gov/centers/md.aspx

Xello- access through the Microsoft apps portal using your BCPS login.

EXPLORATION: GAP YEAR

Internship Programs – Listings of +7800 programs and 200,000 positions: http://www.internshipprograms.com/

Study Abroad - www.studyabroad.com

AmeriCorps – http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps

City Year - National Youth Service Organization- www.cityyear.org

Dynamy - An urban experiential education program in Worcester, MA: www.dynamy.org

Gap Year - A host of travel and work ideas for students prior to heading off to college: www.gapyear.com

Earthwatch Institute - Info on this research, conservation and education organization: http://earthwatch.org/

Eurolingua Institute - info on language immersion study abroad programs: http://www.eurolingua.com/

Global Quest Programs - innovative study abroad program in Thailand: http://www.questexchange.org/high-school-study-abroad-program/

Outward Bound - link for adventure-based environmental program: http://www.outwardbound.org/

World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms - dedicated to helping those who would like to volunteer on organic farms internationally: http://wwoof.org/

TeenLife: https://www.teenlife.com/category/gap/?program-type=gap

Peace Corps: Peace Corps Volunteers put their purpose, passion, and skills to work in partnership with host communities in nearly 60 countries. https://www.peacecorps.gov/

Verto Education: Verto Education offers first-year experiences in some of the world’s best places to study abroad across Europe and South America. https://vertoeducation.org/

• Begin to look for colleges that you would be interested in applying to. To search for colleges go to www.collegeboard.com , http://www.princetonreview.com/colleges-majors.aspx or use Xello.
  
• Think about what matters to you in a school. Is it the size, the location, sports, food, majors, Greek life, all of the above and more?.
• Create a list on Xello of about 10 schools that you are considering.
• Talk with your parents about the colleges you are considering.
  
• Attend college fairs to explore your options.

1. Choose Challenging Courses

Colleges and Universities like to see students taking a rigorous course load. This shows that you're motivated, eager to learn, and willing to challenge yourself. The best way to predict your success in college is to see how well you perform in the toughest high school courses, like AP classes. Add more challenging classes each year of high school, demonstrating your continued growth.

2. Keep Your Grades Up

Of course, simply registering for tough classes isn't enough. You'll also need to perform well in these classes. In every class you take, try your best to do as well as you can. Pay attention in class, take notes, and do your homework. If you're struggling, communicate with your teacher and ask for extra help. See the attached peer tutoring schedule in this newsletter as well as the coach class schedule.

3. Explore Extracurricular Activities

It's also important to be involved with extracurricular activities. Whether it's a club, sport, or organization, find something that you have a genuine interest in and stick with it throughout high school. Colleges prefer to see that you commit to a few activities, take on leadership roles, and add value whenever possible. Please see the attached list of clubs and organizations offered at THS below.

4. Build Relationships

Make sure you prioritize building relationships with your teachers and school counselor. You will have to ask them for letters of recommendation when it's time to apply to colleges. Your school counselor is also going to be one of the best resources for you as you decide on post-secondary options.

5. Start Learning about Colleges and Careers

It's never too early to start learning about colleges and careers! Begin thinking about what you like to do, what areas you excel in, and how these talents and interests might translate to a college major and a future career. Attend college fairs and start considering what you're looking for in a college. Talk to your parents, school counselor, and other adults in your life about their careers and about potential careers related to your passions.