College Application Process Counseling Center Resources and Timelines
During the next several months, many Bellevue High School seniors will be applying for admission to public and private colleges. The application process can be time consuming but the Counseling Center has procedures in place to help students make this process easier. Below is a brief description of the steps involved in applying to two and four year colleges and a list of some resources that the Counseling Center provides to assist seniors with the application process:
Senior Blitz and Classroom Presentations
During the last two weeks of September, counselors meet with each senior to review graduation requirements and discuss the student’s post-secondary plans. Counselors also talk with seniors in a classroom presentation and describe the steps involved in the college application process and related timelines. The information packet distributed in class, Seniors and the College Application Process can be found on the Bellevue High School Website.
Please note that throughout the year, counselors are available to meet with seniors who have additional concerns or questions about the college application process or post-secondary plans. They are here to help, so please don’t hesitate to ask!
Applying to Two Year Community and Technical Colleges
Students can apply for Fall 2012 admission once they turn 18 or once they graduate from high school, whichever comes. First. Some community colleges have instituted a late spring deadline for Priority Fall Admissions and students don’t need to wait until they turn 18 or graduate from high school to apply. For example, Bellevue College now allows early admissions with a fall priority registration date of May 18, 2012.
Applying to Four Year Public Colleges
Students will apply online and send in paper copies of their official transcript (transcripts are not needed for the UW). To order transcripts, students should stop by the Counseling Center and fill out the “Request for Official Transcripts Form”. When the transcript is ready (usually within 5 school days of submittal) a note is sent to the student notifying them to come to the Counseling Center to pick up their transcripts. Official transcripts will be ready for processing after during the week of October 10th. Each student will receive three free paper copies of their “official” transcripts in sealed envelopes. Additional copies will be made available for $5.00 each payable to Bellevue High School with the school accountant. ACT and SAT test scores should be sent directly from the testing agencies to the colleges.
Applying to Four Year Private Colleges
Students will apply online and request ACT and/or SAT test scores be sent directly from the testing agencies to the colleges. For Letters of Recommendation and transcript procedures, see below:
Private College Letters of Recommendation
Many private colleges require that counselors and teachers submit letters of recommendation on behalf of a student’s application. If needed, students should ask two teachers for letters of recommendation and ask their counselor for a letter as well. As background material for the counselor letter, students will be asked to fill out a “Private College Letter of Recommendation Packet” which includes background questions for parents/guardians and the student. Due to the volume of letters that counselors write, all background materials need to be returned to the student’s counselor at least three weeks prior to the first private college application deadline.
There are three ways to provide private colleges with counselor and teacher recommendations.
- For schools that use the Common Application (the online application service used by most private colleges), counselor and teacher recommendations and the student’s official transcript will be submitted online. Students must “invite” their counselor and selected teachers to the Common App (follow instructions on the website).
- For private colleges that DO NOT USE the Common App, but allow for online teacher recommendations, students will need to follow the individual school’s instructions for “inviting” counselors and teachers.
- For schools who DO NOT ACCEPT ONLINE recommendations, the student is responsible for submitting addressed letter size envelopes with 3 first class stamps to the BHS Counseling Center for every letter and transcript that needs to be mailed. All school required forms/reports need to be included.
Transcripts for Private Colleges
For private colleges that utilize the Common Application, there is no need to request an “official” copy of a student’s transcripts. This information will be automatically uploaded by the Counseling Center. For private colleges that do not use on-line submission, students should stop by the Counseling Center and fill out the “Request for Official Transcripts Form”. When the transcript is ready (usually within 5 school days of submittal) a note is sent to the student notifying them to come to the Counseling Center to pick up their transcripts. Official transcripts will be ready for processing after October 1st. Students will receive three free paper copies of their “official” transcripts in sealed envelopes. Additional copies will be made available for $5.00 each payable to Bellevue High School with the school accountant.
College Visits to the Bellevue High School Campus
Many college admission representatives visit Bellevue High School in the fall to meet prospective applicants. A list of public and private colleges who will have in-person visits on the Bellevue High campus can be found on the home page of the Bellevue High School website as well as listed in the daily bulletin and in the Counseling Center. Visits take place before, after or during school hours. For those visits taking place during their 5th period class, students need to sign up in advance in Counseling Center to receive a pass to give to the 5th period teacher to receive their permission to attend.
College Scholarships
A list of various scholarships can be found on the home page of the Bellevue High School website and in a binder located in the Counseling Center.