High School Counseling

FALL

• Create a log or system including all extracurricular activities, awards, community service, and honors. Update it minimally every semester.
• Work up to your potential—the grades you earn become part of your cumulative grade point average (GPA). 
• Get involved in extracurricular activities. Post-secondary institutions and colleges look for well-rounded students.
• Start off high school right by making good grades. Make studying your number one priority!
• Complete a minimum of 10 community service hours. 
• Plan “Go Week” for next semester
• Arrange a meeting with your counselor to discuss tutoring options, if needed. 
• Register for AP exams, if needed.
• Make sure you are enrolled in classes that challenge you and are setting you up for future career goals.
• Take the PSAT 9 and review your scores once released.
• Review your AP Potential Report from College Board.
• Complete a career interest quiz and explore occupations. 

SPRING

• Obtain a copy of your transcript from your counselor and a credit check sheet to track your grades. Calculate your cumulative GPA.
• Sign up for challenging classes for 10th grade.
• Complete a minimum of 10 community service hours.
• Volunteer for “Go Week” and document your experience.
• Take any AP exams for courses you may be enrolled in.
• Register for dual enrollment opportunities for the fall. In addition, if a summer class is desired, work with your counselor to finalize your application and registration.
• Review and revise your Personalized Education Plan with your counselor. 
• Explore and apply for summer programs that may benefit your career and personal goals. 
• Learn about scholarship platforms and sign up for one or more.  
• Prepare for summer reading assignments.

FALL

• Continue to log extracurricular activities, awards, community service, and honors. 
• Make sure you are enrolled in classes that challenge you and are setting you up for future career goals.
• Take the PSAT and review your scores once they are released to determine strengths and weaknesses. 
• Review your AP Potential Report from College Board.
• Be a self-advocate and do not let yourself fall behind in classes.
• Meet with teachers as necessary to review course work, tests, and other academic work.
• Arrange a meeting with your counselor to discuss tutoring options, if needed. 
• Register for AP exams, if needed.
• Make a college and/or post-secondary institution list.
• Begin to consider the various types of colleges and universities available and the types of programs they offer.
• Monitor your grades and make goals to earn a GPA that will meet scholarship requirements.
• Complete a minimum of 10 community service hours. 
• Plan “Go Week” for next semester
• Take the PSAT and review your scores once they are released.

SPRING

• Obtain a copy of your transcript from your counselor and a credit check sheet to track your grades. Calculate your cumulative GPA.
• Log extracurricular activities, awards, community service, and honors. 
• Set up a college or post-secondary school visit. 
• Students interested in the military should begin meeting with a recruiter to learn about opportunities. 
• Complete virtual college tours of colleges you are unable to tour in person. 
• Complete a minimum of 10 community service hours.
• Volunteer for “Go Week” and document your experience.
• Sign up for challenging classes for 11th grade.
• Register for college summer courses. Meet with your counselor to discuss options. 
• Seek out summer programs, internships, or opportunities that may benefit your career and personal goals. 
• Take any AP exams for courses you may be enrolled in.
• Prepare for summer reading assignments. 

Junior year is critical for preparing for post-secondary plans because it has the biggest impact on post-secondary admissions and scholarships. It’s the last full year of grades colleges see, making a crucial impression for admission teams. 

Here are some essential points to remember for this significant year:

• Talk with college representatives and establish contact with various colleges or institutions of interest to you. 
• Build connections when college representatives visit BCHS for visits.
• Take the PSAT in October and review your scores once they are released. 
• Review your AP Potential Report from College Board.
• Take the ACT and SAT. Determine scores you will aim to achieve for admissions to your top desired colleges or institutions. 
• Meet with teachers as necessary to review course work, tests, and other academic work.
• Consider standardized test prep courses and tutoring resources. 
• Attend a local college fair. 
• Make plans to visit college campuses of interest to you and build connections with admissions team members. 
• Complete a job shadow experience.
• Register for AP exams (if needed).
• Continue to log extracurricular activities, awards, community service, and honors. 
• Monitor your grades and make goals to earn a GPA that will meet scholarship requirements.
• Complete a minimum of 10 community service hours per semester.
• Plan and volunteer for “Go Week.” Document your experience.
• Make summer meaningful! Consider internships, enrichment programs on college campuses, work experience, mission trips, etc.
• Complete summer reading assignments.

Important Tips:

• Sign up again for the SAT or ACT, if necessary. 
• Continue test prep if appropriate. 
• Schedule a meeting with your counselor to receive individualized guidance on the college application process and to review your transcript.
• Ensure that you are taking any final course needed for entrance into the college of your choice.
• Continue to make plans to visit college campuses. Finalize your college list. 
• Early Action usually opens late summer and may close mid-October to mid-November.
• Fill out the “Senior Information Sheet” to submit to your counselor (needed for recommendation letters).
• Follow application instructions for each individual college. Submit all applications through Common App or college/institution websites. Watch deadlines!
• Attend fall senior parent night (for students and parents/guardians). This event provides an overview of senior year and will include a financial aid representative.
• Complete a minimum of 10 community service hours per semester. 
• Plan and volunteer during “Go Week.” Document your experience.
• Schedule a senior meeting with your college counselor to receive individualized guidance in the college application process.
• Check on the financial aid and scholarship process at the specific colleges you are considering. 
• Review your academic achievements and activities at BCHS. At the beginning of the second semester submit any new information to your counselor to add to recommendation letters or scholarship applications for your mid-year report.
• Don’t get SENIORITUS! Finish the senior year strong.
• Enjoy your senior year! You’ve earned it!

Senior Year Calendar Items:

• Initial transcripts will be available to be sent to colleges in August –  Request your initial transcript to be sent to colleges from your college counselor.
• The FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) opens late September.
• Transcripts will be updated with first semester grades in January.
• The deadline to apply for the Promise Scholarship is March 1. 
• The priority deadline to apply for WV is April 15. 
• The deadline to qualify for the WV Higher Education Grant is April 15 (must complete FAFSA). 
• Communicate to your counselor what college or post-secondary institution to send your final transcript to be sent to after graduation.