NACAC - College Admission Status Update

As a service to students and families, NACAC is providing an online tool as a central resource for information about changes in college admission events, deposit dates, and more as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The link below includes updates from colleges and universities worldwide. This tool will update in real-time as NACAC receives input from postsecondary institutions. Please also double check college websites.

NACAC hopes this resource will make it easier for students and others to navigate the college admission process during this unprecedented time.

NACAC - College Admission Status Update Page

Test Optional Schools

Due to the COVID situation, many schools have made the decision to go "test-optional" as part of their application process for the Class of 2021.  As you are doing research about colleges and applications, make sure you stay up-to-date with the school's latest requirements.  You may want to check their website or reach out to an admissions representative for the latest information.

Regarding Test-Optional, here are a few lists for you to refer to:

• A National List

• A List of Local Schools Compiled by MCPS CCICs

Virtual Tours & Presentations

Due to the COVID situation, many campuses are closed for campus visits and/or tours.  In the meantime, explore these sites to see virtual presentations and go on virtual tours of campus!  From there, we can address any questions directly with representatives. 

• Click here to see those sites (also listed below)

List of College Visits 

The Common Application

• www.commonapp.org/ - explore nearly 900 colleges and universities using Common App.

• www.commonapp.org/coronavirus - resources and solutions to help students and those who support them during this unpredictable time.

The Common Black Application

• www.commonblackcollegeapp.com/ - apply for all 54 HBCUs for one fee.

Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success

• www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org - the Coalition has developed a free platform of online tools to streamline the experience of applying to college. The initial iteration of the platform—including applications for admission to Coalition schools—is now available for students in high school. The Coalition also offers fee waiver to low-income students.

Early Decision - This is the early admission program offered by many colleges whereby students must commit in advance to attend a certain college if they are admitted under this program. Students should know for sure that this is the one school they want to attend and feel that they meet the stringent requirements for application. It is a binding commitment.

Early Action - This is another early admission program offered by colleges where students must meet the same early application deadlines. However, upon notification of acceptance, students can wait until they have heard from all their schools about acceptance and financial aid before making a commitment.

Regular Admission - This requires students to apply by a set deadline which varies by college.

Rolling Admissions - This means there is no set deadline, but the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting accepted, especially if your qualifications are borderline.

Priority Deadline - This is a set deadline for applications whereby students who are accepted are given PRIORITY consideration for admission, housing, scholarships, and other aid.

Common Application - This allows students to fill out one standard application and submit it to many schools. It is available online.

Academic Common Market - This program is intended to allow degree-seeking MARYLAND residents to enroll at certain out-of-state institutions in undergraduate programs of study not offered at a MD public college/university and to pay in-state tuition. This is a cooperative tuition-reduction agreement among Southern Regional Education Board states, of which Maryland is one.  If PUBLIC institutions in your home state do not offer degree programs in your field of study, it may be possible to arrange a waiver of out-of-state tuition to attend a cooperating PUBLIC institution in another participating state. These programs may change yearly. For more Information, click here.

Montgomery College

www.montgomerycollege.edu/ - click to learn more about Montgomery College.  MC offers more than 130 programs of study, providing a relevant education that prepares students to become active contributors to the workforce or transfer to a four-year degree program.

Benefits of Attending Community College - click to see a Google Slides presentation and learn about the benefits of attending a Community College, specifically Montgomery College.

Montgomery Scholars

The Montgomery Scholars Program is a selective-admission two-year interdisciplinary honors program designed for high school graduates as the first step in completing a four-year degree.

Montgomery Scholars will launch their college studies at a fraction of the cost of most four-year schools. The College will award merit scholarships to each student admitted into the Scholars program. These Montgomery Scholars scholarships cover the cost of full-tuition and fees, for two years of study at Montgomery College (30 credits per year at the in-county resident tuition rate).

Click here to learn more

The ASVAB is administered FREE to interested tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students and is an excellent career exploration tool. It can help identify the student's interests and aptitude in the following areas: verbal, math, science and technical skills. When a student's score is interpreted, he/she will lean how their interests and skills relate to the demands of more than 400 occupations, helping students to identify suitable career options. ASVAB results are released only to the student an not to the armed services. Should students wish to use their results as part of an enlistment conversation with military recruiters, they can provide their scores to the recruiter. Taking the ASVAB in no way involved a commitment to the military. 

The Blake High School ASVAB test date for the 2020-2021 school year is To Be Announced (TBA) pending an in-person learning environment.  Parental consent will be required for a student to test at Blake High School and to have a student's ASVAB scores released to military recruiters.  The ASVAB will be offered once during the school year.  Testing and score interpretations will be during the school day.  The ASVAB permission form will post on this web page.  This form will be required to participate in ASVAB testing.  Visit the NEW Official ASVAB Career Exploration Program web site and enter as applicant for more information on testing and resources.