APRIL
Newsletter
COLLEGE EDITION
April showers...
April brings new opportunities with students and staff returning to school recharged and ready to go. We are coming back at the end of the 5th grading period and there is only April and May left before the school year comes to a close. So much like the rain in April brings May flowers students and staff are reengaged and ready to bring their energy this month in order to finish the school year strong. We are ready and willing to help where we can to get your students whatever they need to find success. Please reach out if there is anything we can do to help.
Respectfully,
Your BHS Counseling Team
Research Colleges through Schoolinks
In schoolinks you can research various colleges, take virtual tours (if available), look at overall cost and estimated student loan payments for each school, search weather, demographics, enrollments, endowments, shcolarships. There is so much SchooLinks can offer you and your students when it comes time to research schools. Go to app.schoolinks.com and click the button "Sign in with Clever".
2023-2024 Tutoring Supports at BHS
Here are the tutoring supports at BHS for your students to get extra help if needed.
Whats happening this month...
Seniors- should be starting to receive their FAFSA awards information. This is delivered to the student not the parent/guardian so have your student log in for you to access and discuss any FAFSA awards. Also, graduation is fast approaching your Seniors should be doing one of the following:
Finishing up resumes for jobs they want to apply to after graduation
Finalizing Trade School or Junior College enrollments
Committing to their College/University of choice and getting out to any admitted student activities hosted by the institution, including making dorm room selections and deposits. Have them update their enrollment selections in SchooLinks so counselors know where to send their Final Transcripts after Graduation.
Juniors- should be online signing up to go out and attend college visits at any college or university of interest. You can search any college with the search term college visit to see their calendar of availability. These fill up fast and its best to go while school is in session to get the best "feel" for the school, even though summer is a great runner up. This is the most important, and fun, part to starting their college journey, get on campus, get on campus, get on campus.
This Newsletter Edition is most important for you, the other students are through it or still steps away but you are now in it. College Applications open for your students in 4 months, August 1,2024!!!
Sophomores- should be finishing the year strong to keep their GPA's high. They should also have their Post-Secondary caps on at this point and really start their search for education after high school. Get ready parents, your students will soon be Juniors and in one school year the note above will apply to you.
Freshman- Just like Sophomores they should be staying on track with academics and keeping their GPA's high. Out of all four grade levels, 9th grade is when the GPA is most important because it sets the tone for the rest of high school. Our Freshman should really be thinking about careers and trying to focus in on two or three at this point, this theme will continue through Sophomore year.
Illinois Science Assessments for juniors
Illinois administers a federally required science assessment to all students in fifth, eighth, and eleventh grade. The Illinois Science Assessment aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and the Illinois Learning Standards for Science.
Grading Period 5 report cards
The grading period 5 report cards will post to Infinite Campus on April 15th between 4:00 - 4:30pm.
Official School Day SAT Exam
The SAT will be held on April 16th during the regular school day. This will be an early release day for students.
*Juniors and Seniors - The official SAT school day test is a graduation requirement in the state of Illinois. All juniors should be taking it along with any seniors who missed last years test.
graduation Cap and gown order distribution
Any Seniors who ordered a cap and gown can pick them up from Jostens during lunch periods on April 18th and 19th.
Whats Happening Next month...
final exams
May 21st - 24th
Senior prom
May 4, 2024
scholarship recognition night
May 7, 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
LAst Day for Seniors
May 16, 2024
Graduation Ceremony
May 20, 2024 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the BHS Athletic Field House
College and Career corner
Information Technology Careers Earning Potential: $60,000 to $355,000+ a year (source: www.salary.com)
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Education level: Bachelors Degree
Best Technology Jobs
We use technology more than ever these days to connect with friends and family, stay up to date on the latest and greatest happenings in the world, and sometimes just to pass the time. With all the computers, tablets, smartphones and other high-tech devices society depends on, we need the skills of technology professionals. U.S. News' Best Technology Jobs of 2024 are high-paying and boast low unemployment rates. (Click here for this article from money.USNews.com)
Information Technology is a growing field, with more and more students looking to major in IT or a related subject. If you're thinking of an IT major or maybe even a master's degree, it's vital that you know what the best information technology schools are. (Click here for the article from usnews.com)
BHS college information
Get excited there is soooo... much college to explore
The next round of Colleges Applications open August 1, 2024
Junior students Your Up!
4 months, then College Applications open for the 2025-26 School Year
BHS Provided College Support Programs
Schoolinks now has Parent accounts
You can now access Schoolinks from your own parent account. SchooLinks is a College, Career and Military Ready platform that your student is using here in the Valley View School District. Your student is using this platform about twice a month during Future Ready, but can also access this platform from home!
To further explain SchooLinks, we have created a very short video overview, as well as written instructions as to how to access SchooLinks and begin to discover all this tool has to offer.
Introduction to SchooLinks Video - Click Link here
SchooLinks Guardian Account Overview Video - Click Link here (Guardian Account @ time stamp 1:13)
How to Log-in to your Guardian Account:
Ensure you are on the"Guardians & Members tab"
Click "Log in with Google" OR select "Forgot Password"
College Guidance Network
College Guidance Network brings the top experts on the college admissions process into the homes of students and families across the country. After activating your account using the instructions below you will be able to tailor a roadmap outlining processes and key dates for your students specific future path.
In order to introduce you to the network, please watch this short overview video.
CGN video overview: Click here to access video
Activate your account.
When asked for a PIN number, enter 715432
Activation only takes a minute -- literally! Once you have activated their account, you'll be able to customize a College and Career Roadmap for your student according to the factors that matter to them and to you.
More detailed instructions can be found at: https://www.cgnroadmap.com/guide/140367
Colleges and College Majors Rankings
Find out about some of the top colleges in the country or region
Figure out which is the best school for your college major
Free Virtual and video tours
Appily
Appily features virtual tours of some of the most popular colleges in the country. These videos work online in your web browser and also with your favorite VR equipment like the Oculus VR headset.
The college tour
The College Tour features shows that tour various colleges. Episodes are hosted by current students who share their major and experiences on campus. Featured on Amazon Prime TV and YouTube!
campus reel
Campus Reel features short videos of the most popular college campuses. All videos are shot by current students giving viewers an insiders view on the day to day life of a a college student living on campus.
Create a free account.
College Applications
Common Application
The Common Application opens up on August 1st of a students senior year of high school. It is the premiere way to apply to college, just go to their website and click Create New Account. Complete one application and send it to any of the 1,000+ colleges or universities in their network.
Common Black College App
The Common Black College App is similar to Common App but focuses solely on HBCU's. Fill out one application and send it to any of the HBCU's in the country. HBCU's are also on Common App but Common Black app does not require the 650 word essay like Common App does.
The College Essay Guy
Who doesn't need help writing their college essays? This website offers "pay to attend" presentations but he does have options for low socio-economic families to pay what you can or apply for free admission. Also, many of his past, full length, presentations are on YouTube.
College Campus tours & BHS College Rep Visits
College Campus tours
Heads up Junior year families. There are lots of reasons why getting on campus is your best bet. Many students describe the moment they stepped on campus as "feeling like they are home". A tour is the best way for a student to decide, and for a parent to feel comfortable sending their child there. Here is a video from Khan Academy explaining the College Visit; how they are a benefit, questions you can ask, etc... Some will even fly you out or provide transportation and lodging if there is a financial hardship.
College Rep Visits at BHS
Sometimes its hard to get away to go to a campus so we have the next best thing, we bring the college rep to your student! Now that parents have their parent SchooLinks account you can log in and see what colleges are planning to come to BHS under School Events. You cannot sign up for your student but you will know when they are coming and can encourage them to sign up. If you do not see a college coming let us know and we can try and get them out, but please understand not every college will come out.
Attend College Fairs
At a college fair, you can gather general information about your schools of interest…anything from majors offered to life on campus. Even better, standing face-to-face with a college rep allows you to go beyond general inquiries; you can ask questions that are unique to your circumstances. This will go a long way towards helping you narrow the colleges that are good fits for you. You may even come across some “best in show” schools that you never even heard of before attending the fair.
Illinois National College Fair - Hosted by IACAC
The Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting this fair on Saturday April 6th, from 10am - 1pm at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos (30 minute drive from Bolingbrook).
300+ Colleges/Universities from across the country
Multiple Q&A Stations
Financial Aid Booth
Prizes, and more...
*Here is a brochure you can print and take with you outlining various questions you can ask on your college visit. Click Here
Financial Aid & Scholarships
College Financing & Fafsa
This is usually the biggest and most complicated subject when it comes to the college process. There is so much information and disinformation that it is easy to get lost and discouraged which can end up with us discounting college by saying "we can't afford it". Below I have a series on videos for you to watch which will hopefully help to make sense of the complicated puzzle that is Financial Aid.
A breakdown of all the ways we pay for College. Click Here
Overview: Paying for college. Click Here
A message to parents on paying for College. Click Here
Best strategies for funding college. Click Here
Cost of In-state vs Out-of-State tuition. Click Here
4 Most important considerations in analyzing college costs. Click Here
How to create your FSA ID to start the FAFSA. Click Here
2024-2025 FAFSA Walkthrough by Common App. Click Here
Scholarships
There are two main types of Scholarships the first type of scholarship is Institutional. These are the scholarships which are given out by the college or university through their endowments. The second is Private, or Local, scholarships, these are the types of scholarships given by private companies either nationally or from people in your local geographic area. Both Institutional and Private scholarships can be broken down into two sub categories Merit based or Need based. Merit depends on your academics, and the things you have done or accomplished while in high school. Need based is all based on family income. Below are videos to help better explain the differences.
*Remember you can use your parent SchooLinks account to see all of our local scholarships at BHS under the Finance tab.
Institutional vs. Private scholarships. Click Here
Scholarship options for high schoolers. Click Here
Top College
Cost Estimator
A great education may cost less than you think. Need-based financial aid can make a school like Yale University an affordable option.
See for yourself: estimate your cost in 3 minutes at more than 70 top colleges at MyinTuition.org
Understanding FAFSA
Financial aid processing has started, which means your students should be receiving financial aid offers from colleges and universities soon. We know these can be confusing, but don’t worry, as we have your back!
Check out these free resources:
To better help deciding and deciphering financial aid.
Athletics & Athletic Scholarships
Academics for the athlete
All to often athletes throw everything they have into honing their craft and end up taking the priority off of academics. Colleges are academic institutions first and foremost and grades can determine if a freshman is red-shirted, meaning benched for freshman year. College coaches love talent but they still answer to academics. All the talent in the world cannot escape this unavoidable truth. Here is the link to the NCAA website on Academic Eligibility. Click Here
NCSA College Recruiting
Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) is an organization that helps get your athlete in front of college coaches.
"The best time to start your College Athletics hunt is in Sophomore Year."
The summer after Sophomore year is when coaches can start talking to athletes. Make sure coaches know your athlete is worth knowing.
NCSA has a free profile but full access and functionality requires different levels of membership. This can get very expensive, decide what is best for you and your family.
Watch this video from NCSA. Click Here
Sports Recruits
SportsRecruits fuels millions of recruiting connections every year, helping student-athletes get recruited and play the sport they love in college.
SportsRecruits unifies the college recruiting process to generate exposure, create connection, uncover opportunities, and help student-athletes play the sport they love at their best-fit college.
Just like NCSA there are free profiles and paid profiles. SportsRecruits does allow for multiple highlight videos on their free profiles where NCSA only allows one.
Watch this video from Sports Recruits. Click Here
NCAA Recruiting
Student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to be eligible to play NCAA Division I or II sports in college. *Athletes playing in Division III do not have to register. The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or II institutions. It reviews the student-athlete's academic record, SAT or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules.
You can get more information off of the NCAA website. Click Here
Campus & Community Involvment for the College Application
These are two important components of your college application. Not having any experience in these categories will leave empty sections on your college and scholarship applications.
This can make the difference in receiving Merit Scholarships through the University or not.
The Importance of Campus and Community Invlovement in your college application
There are two spots on your college application. One is for school sponsored activities like sports or clubs and the other is things you have done in, or for, your community.
High School Sports or Clubs: The best extracurricular activities will be pursuits that already match your interests and passions. Rather than joining many different groups or the most prestigious clubs, focus on the ones that spark your talents. Colleges want students who pursue their passions regardless of what it is.
Community Involvement: Getting involved with community opportunities can show admissions committees that you're passionate about making a difference. It also shows them your values and if they're aligned with the college’s values. Participating in these organizations long-term can demonstrate your commitment level and work ethic, which is an important skill to have.
Interesting Reads...
Everyone says write a good essay but what exactly is a good one? Here are some examples of the good ones because responding effectively to college essay prompts is quite different from other essay writing. The combined challenge of addressing a question in an interesting way while staying focused and making yourself stand out, all within a limited number of words, is something that students struggle with every year. With a wide variety of prompts used by each school, alongside the Common App essays, it can be overwhelming to write strong, memorable essays. (Click here for some examples)
A Complete Guide to the College Application Process
The college application process can seem intimidating, especially if students don't have parents or siblings who have already been through it and can offer advice.
Since there are several steps, such as writing an essay and obtaining letters of recommendation, experts say a good way for students to get started is to create a to-do list during their junior year of high school. This article from US News and World Reports can help shed some light on the daunting process that is college applications. (Click here for the article)
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education
The information on this website, provided by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools. This pamphlet also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This article was last modified on 01/10/2020 and at this time is the most current information. (Click here for the article)