LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL James Hubert Blake High School

James Hubert Blake High School
School Counseling Office
300 Norwood Road
Silver Spring, MD 20905
301-879-1310
LIFE AFTER
HIGH SCHOOL
A step-by-step guide to navigating the college application process
Stay informed and follow us!
@BlakeCounselors
James Hubert Blake High School
School Counseling Office
301-879-1310
Dear Senior:
This year will be the busiest and most important year of your high school career. Make sure that you
complete all necessary courses and earn the required student service learning hours to graduate on time.
Work hard and smart to achieve the best possible grades and avoid the temptation to cruise through second
semester!
What will you do after you leave Blake High School? Inside this packet you will find the information needed to
apply to college or vocational schools. Please read each section carefully. We’re here to help along the way:
Your COUNSELOR …
Insures you have all necessary courses to graduate (You must earn the credits!)
Gives advice on researching & investigating post-secondary education
Provides information about potential schools that “suit you.”
Supports & advocates for you through letters of recommendation
The COLLEGE & CAREER INFORMATION COORDINATOR …
Provides research materials & programs (catalogs, books, websites, etc.)
Offers assistance with college & career computer program searches
Advertises college & local scholarship opportunities, as well as financial aid information
Provides college testing & career assessment test information
Posts a wealth of information on the Blake website regarding colleges & careers
Hosts college representative visits in Career Center during school hours
The REGISTRAR …
Assists with processing application materials (both college & scholarship)
Processes Secondary School Report Form (counselor recommendation) upon request
Provides unofficial/official student transcripts & collects fees
Maintains deadlines (15 days notice required for processing)
Sends mid-year & final transcripts to college(s) upon request
Best wishes for a successful school year!
The Blake High School Counseling Office
Blake High School Code:
210959
COLLEGE ADMISSION POLICIES
EARLY DECISION: A binding agreement in which a student applies in October or November, learns if they
are accepted in December or January, and agrees to matriculate to the college that accepts them early. This is
suggested only for students who have a strong academic record, know positively which college they want to
attend, regardless of the cost to attend.
EARLY ACTION: This differs from early decision in that students are not required to accept admission or
withdraw other applications if accepted by the college early. Students may apply to more than one college
early action. *
PRIORITY or EARLY NOTIFICATION: A program in which a student files their application by November 1
in order to receive an admission decision by early February. Student has until May 1 to decide whether or not
they will attend the college. *
ROLLING ADMISSION: A program in which applications are evaluated upon receipt of the application and
applicants are notified quickly of the admission decision (within 3-4 weeks). Applications are considered until
spaces are filled. Submitting your college application early is encouraged.
REGULAR ADMISSION: A program used by most schools. Typically, January 1st is the deadline for
applications and the student is notified before the first week of April. A large envelope from the college
generally means that you have been admitted and a small envelope generally means that you were denied.
OPEN ADMISSION: Most community colleges offer open admission. All students who apply are accepted,
but must take a placement test (Accuplacer) prior to enrolling in classes. The test scores are used for college
course placement purposes. If students do not do well on the Accuplacer, they will be placed in remedial,
non-credit classes.
* Many colleges accept the majority of their applicants by the early action, priority or early notification
deadlines. Early action or priority deadlines are encouraged for students who hope to be considered for merit
scholarships awarded by colleges. Be sure to check with each college to determine if there are separate
applications to be completed for scholarship consideration.
ADHERE TO ALL DEADLINES
JAMES HUBERT BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS CHECKLIST
__ Complete the Student Reflection Form and Parent Reflection Form in Naviance under “About Me” tab by October 1.
__ Complete & sign one Permission to Release Student Records card (located in Counseling Office) and give to
Registrar.
__ Review the steps on the Students’ Guide to Family Connection/Naviance.
__ Once you have started your applications move colleges from “Colleges I’m Thinking About” to “Colleges I’m Applying
to” in Naviance.
 Common Application reminders:
 Common Application colleges MUST be added to your Common Application account.
 Complete the Common Application and SIGN the FERPA waiver.
 Match your Common App account to Naviance by entering your email and birthdate under
“College’s I’m Applying to” page.
__ Review your college application requirements and submit college applications & fees online before requesting
transcripts or recommendations so that you know what is needed for each college.
__ Send SAT scores (www.collegeboard.org) or ACT scores (www.actstudent.org) directly from the testing website.
Once you are accepted to college(s), send your AP scores (www.collegeboard.org) only to the college you plan to
attend. Blake’s High School code is: 210959. Your high school does NOT mail test scores.
__ Request recommendation letters from your TEACHER(S) 3 WEEKS (15 school days) before your deadlines.
 Ask your teacher IN PERSON well ahead of your deadline.
 Provide a Request for Recommendation Letter form with a list of colleges, deadlines & delivery type.
(sample attached & blue form is available in the counseling office)
 Grant access to teachers for electronic submission through Naviance, “Colleges I’m Applying to”, click
add/cancel requests and find your teacher(s) name in the drop down box. Write email to teacher.
 For MAILED recommendations provide a stamped, letter-size envelope (4” x 9”) addressed to each college.
(see example below). Do NOT put a return address, but write your NAME only in the top-left corner.
__ Request recommendation from your COUNSELOR 3 WEEKS (15 school days) in advance using an Official Transcript
Request form. Be sure that the Student & Parent Reflection Forms are completed before asking the counselor to
write a recommendation for you. Most recommendations will be sent electronically through Naviance/eDocs.
__ Request transcripts 3 WEEKS (15 school days) in advance by completing an Official Transcript Request form for
EACH transcript needed, whether or not you are using eDocs or mail to send it. This form can be found in the
Registrar’s Office (sample attached). Give any required Secondary School Report forms to the registrar.
Transcript fees: 1-3 transcripts (free); 4 or more ($3.00 each)

For MAILED transcripts: Provide a stamped, letter-size envelope (4” x 9”) addressed to each college. Do
NOT put a return address, but write your NAME only in the top-left corner.
Transcript Request Due Dates (15 Days Notice)
College Deadline
October 15
November 1
November 15
December 1
December 15
January 1
January 15
Blake Deadline
September 22
October 10
October 21
November 4
November 22
December 5
December 16
__ Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for 2017–18 as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than
beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete
and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year.
 Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will report income information from 2015 tax year.
 https://fafsa.ed.gov/
 Check financial aid requirements & deadlines for all colleges. FAFSA submission dates may vary and some
schools require the CSS Profile (www.collegeboard.org), as well.
__ For MID-YEAR (February)
 Complete the Request for Mid-Year Transcripts form available in the counseling office for any schools
requesting a copy of your Semester 1 senior year grades.
__ By May 1st notify Mrs. Moore (College & Career Coordinator) of all acceptances, denials and waitlists, as well as
scholarships awarded, even those you are not accepting. This data is used to keep Naviance scattergrams accurate
and confidentially reported to MCPS Board of Education.
__ FINAL TRANSCRIPTS (June):
 Inform the Registrar where to send your final transcript electronically.
 For MAILED transcripts provide a stamped, letter-size envelope (4” x 9”) addressed to the college. Do NOT
put return address, but write your NAME only in the top-left corner.
__ If you took college level courses at our community college while in high school, request that Montgomery College
mail your college transcript to the school you plan to attend.
Here’s an example of how to address a letter-size envelope:
STUDENT’S NAME
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Name of College or University
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
US
postage
stamp
James Hubert Blake High School
Students’ Guide to Family Connection/Naviance
Applying to college? Applying for scholarships? Be sure to follow these steps for success!
1. SIGN IN TO YOUR FAMILY CONNECTION ACCOUNT
Go to http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/. On the left side of your screen, click on
CAREER CENTER and choose NAVIANCE-FAMILY CONNECTION - Login. Your username is your email address;
password is your 6-digit student I.D. (unless you have changed it). Make sure your email is current in your
profile under the “About Me” tab.
2.
COMPLETE GAME PLAN (OPTIONAL)
a. Click “About Me” on the Family Connection/Naviance home page
b. Click “Game Plan” and complete each question
3. COMPLETE RESUME (OPTIONAL)
a. Click “About Me” on the Family Connection/Naviance home page
b. Click “Resume” and select the “pull down” headings that apply to you to enter your accomplishments
c. Choose “Customize your printable resume” and check boxes to print
4. SEARCH FOR COLLEGES THAT MATCH YOUR INTERESTS
a. Click “Colleges” and “College Search” (7th link down)
b. Answer the questions, clicking “Next” at the bottom right until you arrive at the end
c. Click “Show Matches” at the bottom of the last page
d. Check out the “Colleges that match your search criteria”
e. Save your favorites to “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list
5.
RECORD YOUR COLLEGES
a. Click “Colleges,” then “Colleges I’m Thinking About” and add your selected colleges
b. After researching the colleges on this list, choose which ones you will apply to and move ONLY those
schools to “Colleges I’m Applying To”.
6. NOTE THE SYMBOLS in Naviance
a. Click “Colleges,” and “College Look Up” (6th link down), then find a college.
b. If a college accepts the Common Application you will see a
on the college profile page at the
CA
bottom where you see “Application Deadline.”
A
 When the college accepts the Common Application, you should submit that instead of the school’s
application. Your teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, and official transcript can be
sent electronically through Naviance/Family Connections when using the Common Application.
c. If a college does NOT accept the Common Application, you will see an
(empty box) on the
college page at the bottom where you see “Application Deadline.”
 This symbol means the college accepts eDocs but requires students to complete the admissions
application on the college website. Your teacher recommendation, counselor recommendation and
transcript may be sent electronically through Naviance/Family Connections and there is no need to send
them anything through the US Mail.
d. If a college does NOT accept eDocs, you will see a postage stamp symbol, ~~ which means that the
~~
transcript, counselor recommendation, and teacher recommendation must be MAILED.
~
~~
~
 For the transcript, give the Registrar a letter-size stamped envelope. Write the address of the
admissions office in the center of the envelope. Apply one stamp in the upper right corner. Do NOT
write a return address, just your name in the upper left corner. Attach the envelope to an “Official
Transcript Request” form*.
 Give the Registrar the secondary school report form, if required by the college.
 Give the Teacher a “Request for Recommendation” form and a letter-size stamped envelope for each
college. Write the address of the admissions office in the center of the envelope. Apply one stamp in
the upper right corner. Do NOT write a return address, just your name in the upper left corner.
7. SET UP COMMON APP ACCOUNT
a. Go to www.commonapp.org; set up an account to apply to Common App schools. Complete application.
b. Waive your right to view recommendations (complete FERPA statement), so staff can send your letters.
c. Remember to MATCH your common app email with Naviance under “colleges I’m applying to!”
8.
REQUEST TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS IN PERSON (3 weeks/15 school days’ advance notice required)
a. Give the teacher a paper “Request for Recommendation” form for eDocs and mailed letters.
b. Click “Colleges,” then “Colleges I’m Applying To,” and scroll down to the “Teacher Recommendations”
heading (at bottom).
c. If you have already spoken to a teacher, please click “Add/Cancel request.”
d. Select the teacher’s name who has agreed to write your recommendation from the drop down menu.
e. Write a note to the teacher in the box provided, asking for your recommendation by the deadline date.
f. Click “Update Request” at the bottom.
g. Follow up with the teacher both by email and personally as the deadline draws near.
9. COMPLETE “PERMISSION TO RELEASE STUDENT RECORDS” CARD (sample attached)
Form is available in the Counseling Office & requires parent signature. Submit to REGISTRAR (1x).
10. COMPLETE “OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST” FORM (sample attached)
This PAPER form is required for EVERY college or scholarship for which you are applying. It must be submitted to
the REGISTRAR regardless of whether your documents are sent electronically or through the mail. Forms are
available in the Counseling Office from the Registrar or posted on the school website.
11. SEEK HELP
If you have questions or need more information, see the Registrar or the College and Career Coordinator, or
your Counselor.
12. VISIT WITH COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES in the Career Center
On the Family Connection/Naviance homepage, click “Colleges” and “View all upcoming college visits,” then click
“Sign up” and print the pass for your teachers. Mrs. Moore will stamp your agenda book with the college visit
start and end time. Attendance is reported.
Registrar: 301-879-1325
College & Career Coordinator: Mrs. Moore 301-879-1324
3/2016
REQUEST FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTER
[for Teachers]
DATE:
________________________________________
TO:
_________________________________________________________________ ________________________
TEACHER
CLASS
_______________________________________________________ _____________ ___________________
STUDENT
I.D. #
COUNSELOR
FROM:
Student: It is your responsibility to request letters of recommendation & follow up with each teacher to
insure that deadlines are met. Please give teachers advance notice (at least 15 school days). Along with
this recommendation request form, provide the teacher with a stamped addressed envelope for each letter that must
be mailed to a college or scholarship. Notify your teacher about colleges who want electronic recommendations
(eDocs).
Teacher: It is recommended that you write one generic recommendation that could be used for college
admission or scholarship purposes. Prepare the recommendation on school letterhead. If the
recommendation letter must accompany a college or scholarship application, place your letter in a Blake H.S.
envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL, seal it & return to the student for mailing. Please note that most colleges
require recommendations to be sent electronically through Naviance/eDocs. [Be sure to save all recommendations!]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Student completes the required information below to obtain a recommendation letter:
Name of college or scholarship
DEADLINE
Mail or eDoc?
1.
Student’s cumulative GPA: ___________
weighted
_____________ (Obtain GPA from Registrar or Counselor)
unweighted
2.
Anything special to be emphasized in the recommendation letter? (examples: financial need, non-native,
first in immediate family to attend college, talents, special honors/awards, leadership roles, etc.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
4.
Extracurricular activities (both in and out of school) athletics, jobs, internships, community service:
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
What did you get out of this teacher’s class?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Attach resume if you have one.
REQUESTING A COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION
Please complete these forms online before the first week in October.
This information will be used by the counselor to write your college or scholarship recommendation letter.
STUDENT REFLECTION FORM
and
PARENT REFLECTION FORM
For your convenience, these forms are available online through the student’s Naviance/Family
Connections account, under the “About me” tab.
Go to Naviance/Family Connections: http://connection.naviance.com/blake to log in.
Students most often use their email address as their username and their six-digit student I.D. number as
their password.
Be aware that the answers you provide on the reflection form will be used to develop the secondary
school report and/or counselor recommendation letter.
Notify your counselor once the student and parent reflection forms are complete, so he/she may begin
composing your recommendation.
Be sure to allow 15 days for a college or scholarship recommendation to be completed.
RESUME WORKSHEET
CREATE A RESUME TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR COLLEGE & SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS!
(Use this template and try limiting to one page)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your Name
Address
Appropriate Email address
Phone numbers
EDUCATION:
WORK EXPERIENCE:
SKILLS:
EXTRACURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES:
VOLUNTEER
EXPERIENCE:
HONORS/AWARDS:
Naviance/Family Connections makes building a resume simple. Log into your Naviance account, click on the
“about me” tab and choose “resume.” Use the pull down menu to start entering your accomplishments under
the appropriate headings. To print, “customize your printable resume” by choosing one of the styles offered
and check the boxes to include resume sections. Save the resume format with a filename. Students have the
ability add to or revise the resume with ease as their involvement increases throughout high school.
SAMPLE
BLAKE STUDENT
300 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905
301 879-1300
[email protected]
Education

James Hubert Blake High School • Silver Spring, MD
Unweighted GPA: 3.98, weighted GPA: 4.70
Community service hours: 652
Work Experience


National Institutes of Health • National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases • June-August 2014
Administrative Assistant
Worked on summer project in search of information on specific type of transgenic mice research
Composed statistical information through Microsoft Excel and MS Word
Performed clerical tasks: answering phones, distributing information, data entry, copying,, directing visitors
Montgomery Soccer, Inc. • Fall 2013 - Spring 2015
Player Development Clinician
Taught first graders basic soccer skills through lessons, drills, and games; refereed weekly scrimmages
Skills
Excellent oral & written communication skills
Fluency in English, Cantonese & Spanish Languages
Typing, 75 wpm; Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Adobe Pagemaker, Photoshop
Extracurricular Activities






BHS Leo Club (Leadership, Experience, Opportunity) • 2013-present
President, Blake Leo Club, 2014-present
Treasurer, Blake Leo Club, 2013
BHS Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) • 2013-present
Vice President, SADD, 2013-present
Treasurer, SADD, 2012
BHS Journalism/Student Newspaper • 2013-present
Associate Editor, 2013-present
BHS National Honor Society • 2014-present
Treasurer, National Honor Society, 2014-present
BHS Varsity Golf • 2013 - 2015
BHS Varsity Swimming & Diving • Winter 2013-2015
Volunteer Experiences



BHS Leo Club, participation in numerous service projects to support school and community populations • 2013-present
Blake High School , Office Assistant • Summer 2014 & 2015
Montgomery County Department of Recreation Therapeutic Camps • Summer 2013
Honors/Awards
National Merit Commended Scholar
Maryland Distinguished Scholar Semifinalist
Principal’s Certificate of Achievement Award, 2013 & 2014
BHS Science Department Honorable Mention, 2013 & 2015
Montgomery Area Science Fair – Second Place in Chemistry, 2015
BHS Golf Varsity Award, 2015
Eagle Scout Award, 2015
OBTAIN THIS CARD FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE!
PERMISSION TO RELEASE TRANSCRIPT/INFORMATION
Student Name _________________________________________
Birthdate ____________ Graduation Year ______
Address ____________________________________________
Social Security # ____________________________
____________________________________________
Home Phone # ______________________________
Public Law 98-380 requires parent/ guardian’s signature (or student’s signature if 18 years of age) before records can be released.
We are not permitted to release any information without written authority.
I hereby authorize release of this student’s information:
Parent/Guardian Signature
(print name)
Date
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS TO COLLEGES MUST BE MAILED BY THE HIGH SCHOOL
Fees for official transcripts:
1 – 3 transcripts:
free
4 + transcripts:
$3.00 each
** The final transcript will be mailed mid-July in envelope provided by student. **
BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL CODE:
210959
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Cut Here _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
JAMES HUBERT BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST for REGISTRAR
You must have an Authorization to Release Student Records form on file with the Registrar before submitting this form!
___________________________________
_______________________ ________________ ________________
STUDENT LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
ID #
COUNSELOR
Name of College __________________________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________ State __________
Institution’s mailing due date ________________
Rolling admission___ OR On-the-spot admission___
Delivery type: ___ Common App (College MUST be added CA List) ___ Electronic ___ By Mail*
PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO THIS INSTITUTION:
____Transcript & Profile ____Secondary School (Counselor) Report ____ Counselor Recommendation Letter
(15 school days notice required)
STUDENT: Have you completed the student & parent reflection forms on Naviance under “about me”?
TRANSCRIPT FEE: 1-3 transcripts (free), 4 or more ($3.00 each)
*IF the college does NOT accept the Common App or electronic documents, a letter-size envelope with
postage MUST accompany this form. Write your name only (no address) in the top-left corner of the envelope & mailing
address of the school in the center of your envelope
Please allow 5 school days turn-around time for processing transcript request only.
DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE – FOR REGISTRAR’S USE ONLY
=======================================================================================
Date Submitted__________ Date Sent _________
e-doc__ mail__ Fee paid $_______ Cash__ Check__ Fee Waiver__
Initials____