• Check www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org for fall test dates and deadlines. October and November test dates fill up quickly!

Be sure to have an OFFICIAL SCORE REPORT sent to colleges

• Most colleges do NOT accept the unofficial BHS standardized score report. Double check to see if your college(s) require OFFICIAL score reports. The best time to have score reports sent is when you register for the SAT/ ACT.

SAT: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores/
ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/scores/send/

Schedule an appointment with your guidance counselor

• Students considering applying early should see their counselor ASAP (September/October)!
• Arrive with the list of 6-8 potential college you have researched over the summer
• Need help? Visit the senior page on the guidance website: For Seniors
• Be sure to submit the student questionnaire to your counselor: Student Questionnaire (download, complete, save and email)

• Check in to ensure that the teachers you spoke to in the spring are still willing to write you a letter of recommendation
  • If a teacher does not have their own form be sure to complete and submit a TEACHER QUESTIONNAIRE FORM
• Once you know the colleges you will be applying to:
  • Check each college application: Is there a teacher recommendation form? If so, your teachers must submit this form with your recommendation and you must provide it. If not, they must write their letter on BHS letterhead.
  • Provide teachers with a list of the colleges that you will be applying to and each college’s application deadline. You should also give them the required forms and a stamped envelope addressed to each college’s office of admissions.

Some teachers prefer to give their recommendation to your guidance counselor to send with your transcript package. In this instance, you do not need to provide an addressed, stamped envelope. Please discuss with your teachers.

• Give teachers plenty of time (at least three weeks!) to write your letter of recommendation and be sure to thank them once your applications are in!

• In order to complete your application, a copy of your transcript and the Belmont High School profile must be mailed with your guidance counselor’s recommendation to colleges. These three things make up your transcript package. An unofficial copy of your SAT/ACT/AP scores can be included in your transcript package, though most colleges require that an official score report be sent.
• In order to have a transcript mailed to colleges you must do the following:
  • Pay your application processing fee
  • The application processing fee is determined by the number of colleges to which you apply. The fee covers the cost of the envelopes and postage that are required to mail your transcript package, midyear report, and final transcript to your selected schools.
  • Below are the application processing rates:

1-10 colleges $15
11-15 colleges $20
16-20 colleges $25

• Please bring your payment in the form of cash or a check made out to Belmont High School to Mrs. Sceppa in the guidance office.
• Fill out and submit a TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM to Mrs. Sceppa. If your school’s application has a SCHOOL REPORT FORM (common application does), be sure to complete the student section (name, classes, signature etc.) and turn it in with your transcript release form.
• Follow the directions posted on the senior bulletin board in the guidance office for a step by step explanation.
• Remember, your counselor cannot write you a letter of recommendation unless you submit your Student Questionnaire

The transcript release form must be submitted 3 weeks before the college application deadline!!!

• Usual early decision/ early action deadlines: Oct 15th, Nov 1st, Nov 15th, Dec 1st
• Usual regular admission deadlines: Jan 1st, Jan 15th, Feb 1st, March 1st
• If a college has rolling admission, the sooner you get your application in the better, especially for state schools!

THE COMMON APPLICATION

• Do any of your schools accept the Common Application? Find a complete list of colleges that accept the Common App at: www.commonapp.org
• If a college accepts the Common App, be sure to check if any supplemental materials (essays, etc.) are required
• Start the Common Application online or get a hard copy down in the guidance office. If you choose to complete the Common App online, there will be pages that you will need to print and give to your teachers and guidance counselor (e.g. Teacher Evaluation Form, School Report Form).

ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS

• Go to your selected college’s website and either 1) start an online application or 2) request that a hard copy is mailed to your home address.
• If you choose to complete the online application there may be pages you will need to print and give to your teachers and/or guidance counselor

• General application (basic information, double check!)
• Extracurricular activities. You may want to create a separate resume of your activities and achievements. Your resume should not exceed one page.
• Essay(s)/personal statement. This is your opportunity to stand out! Take the time to write a strong, well thought out essay. Make sure your voice is heard!
• School Report Form (if applicable). Submit with transcript release form (see processing your application)
• Teacher Evaluation Form (if applicable). Give to teachers with single stamped envelope addressed to Undergraduate Office of Admissions. Some teachers prefer to give their recommendation to your guidance counselor to send with your transcript package. In this instance, you do not need to provide an addressed, stamped envelope. Please discuss with your teachers.

• Most colleges with early decision/action require a copy of your first quarter grades. Once first quarter grades are posted, an announcement will be made for early applicants to come to the guidance office to verify their Q1 grades and indicate the colleges to which they would like to have their grades mailed.

• Many colleges factor an applicant’s first semester grades and course selection into the admission decision. Belmont High School will send a MidYear Grade Report to every college to which our students have applied automatically.
• The day that students receive their first semester report cards, they will also receive a computer-generated list of the colleges to which we have sent their transcripts. Students will review the list of colleges and make appropriate additions and/or deletions. We will then do a bulk mailing of all MidYear Reports to all schools.

The MidYear Grade Report that will be sent to colleges includes one grade per class – the average of first quarter, second quarter and the exam. It will look something like the following:

• Visit college websites to research financial aid options, availability, and requirements. Request that financial aid information be mailed to your home address.
• Fill out the CSS profile online in the fall https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/
• January 1st –February 15th is the general time period for applying for financial aid. Check with colleges and universities for institutional deadlines.
• Fill out the FAFSA online. It can be submitted starting January 1st. www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• Attend the BHS Financial Aid Night on December
• Schedule an appointment at the TERI College Access Center in the Boston Public Library: www.tericollegeaccess.org

• MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS: Visit college websites for details regarding possible merit scholaships. Some schools require a separate application for merit scholarships while others consider all applicants based on the admission application. If you are interested in being considered for any merit scholarships, make sure you are aware of any special applications, essays or recommendations that may be required.
• OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS: Many organizations and foundations offer scholarships for students attending college. Conducting a search for scholarships in the community or on the web www.fastweb.com may provide opportunities
• TERI College Access Center: Schedule a free appointment at the TERI College Access Center in the Boston Public Library: www.tericollegeaccess.org
• Check the scholarship binders in the guidance office starting in November.
• Information for town related scholarships will be mailed in February.

• At most colleges, May 1st is the date by which accepted applicants must indicate their intention to enroll. By use of a common reply date, students may evaluate all notices of admission and financial aid awards before deciding on any one college. College Financial Aid Offices are available to answer specific questions.
• Talk over your options with your parents/guardians and counselor.
• Make a list of pros and cons for each college you are considering.