Homework Requests
When your teenager is out ill for several days, we are happy to collect homework for you. However, our staff requests 24 hours to get it together. You can request homework at 361-3029. Make sure to state your teen's name and the number of days you want work for, starting with the day he or she is first absent. AND PLEASE, remember to pick it up in the Counseling Office. It's OK to ask a student/friend to bring it home for you.
ACT Test Dates for Juniors and Seniors
The ACT will be given at Beloit Memorial December 10th, February 11th and April 14th. The test fee is $34. The writing Test is an additional $15.50. Juniors planning on applying to a 4-year college or university are encouraged to take the December, February or April test. Seniors should take it as soon as possible. You can complete an on-line application at www.actstudent.org.
What are the two best predictors of success in adult life? The amount of Math you took and how involved you were in high school.
Scholarship Scams
Parents may be getting mail from various scholarship search businesses promising lots of scholarships and "free money" for your children. Beware!! No one can guarantee a scholarship. Scholarships are competitive and the companies doing this provide data only. They are not the ones making the selections. You should not have to pay to apply for a scholarship and searching is free on the Internet. See our web site for links.
College Entrance Requirements
The UW System entrance requirements include four years (or credits) of English, three years of math beginning with Algebra I or Core Math 1, three years of science, and three years of social studies. Students need to be aware that these are MINIMUM requirements. All the schools recommend that a student take as many challenging classes as possible to prepare for the rigors of higher education. It is also important for the applicant not to "dumb down" the senior year. Do not take an easy load the senior year. Admission to all UW schools is competitive and selective. Any admission invitation is conditional upon successful completion of a student's senior year. Early graduation is discouraged. On-line application is encouraged.
And for Madison
UW-Madison, looks for more than four credits of English, at least four years each of Math, Science, and Social Studies, and at least 2-4 years of a single foreign language. Most students accepted at UW -Madison have a GPA of at least 3.50 and an ACT Composite of 25+ and the written portion of the ACT is required. In the admissions process, extra emphasis is placed on the applicant's personal statement or essay, extra-curricular and community service, and recommendations included with the application. U.W. Madison requires on-line applications.
Changes to Senior Schedule
Seniors, if you have applied to or been accepted by any college or university, you cannot change your schedule until you get written permission from those schools. Your acceptance decision is partially based on your senior year curriculum and if you are contemplating a change, the admissions offices need to know about it.
Wisconsin Private Colleges/Universities
In addition to the many public universities in the state, Wisconsin has twenty private schools not supported by taxpayers, thus costing more for tuition and fees. The financial aid packages offered by these schools many times surpass anything the public universities may offer, thus making them affordable for all. Many times the total price the parent pays is the same, regardless of public or private. Need more information? Call 1-800-4-DEGREE.
Paying for College or Technical School
So many students think that scholarships will pay for their higher education. Sadly, for the majority, that is not the case. While scholarships range from $100 - full costs, the average student receives only a few hundred dollars, if anything, in scholarships. And the majority of financial aide is in the form of student loans. The solution? Save, save, save. Have a realistic conversation with your teen about costs. As a fall back plan, choose a less expensive school. Apply for financial aide, and then make your final choice. The least expensive way to get a college education? Attend a 2 year college and then transfer to a 4 year UW campus as a junior. Be prepared, take a full load, don't drop classes, and graduate in 4 years.
Fee Waivers for College & Tech School Applications and Tests
Fee waivers for the ACT and some college/university/technical schools applications are available to those students who are on free or reduced hot lunch. Some scholarships may be specifically available also. Students must apply for free/reduced hot lunch to qualify by filling out the application. Forms are available in the main office
Applying for Financial Aid??
If so, get your PIN number now. Having a PIN number will allow you to make corrections quickly and easily. A PIN is an electronic signature that is required if you apply on-line. Log on to pin.ed.gov to get yours. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available on-line January 1. You will need to get your 2011 Federal and Wisconsin Income Tax information together to complete these forms.
A Resume will enhance your chances of getting a job, being accepted into college, or maybe winning a scholarship. Do you have yours finished? If you need a sample or a template, go to wiscareers.wisc.edu or access.bridges.com
Check Out Our Website
The counseling website, has over 500 links to information about helping your son or daughter make decisions concerning careers, colleges, technical schools, the military, apprenticeships, financial aid, scholarships, etc. Check it out.
Did You Know?
It now takes an average of 5 years snd 8 months to get a "4-year" college degree. Ways to speed this up? Don't change your major. Don't drop classes. Prepare well so that remedial course work is unnecessary. Take a full load of credits. Pass everything.
What's your teen's email address?
So many teens do not realize the importance of presenting an appropriate/professional face to the world. So they choose an e-mail address that is often inappropriate or offensive. Do you know what your teen uses? Often teens have several e-mail accounts. Please talk with your student about what is proper and when to use what.
Myths About College
-You can't get into a college if you did poorly in ninth or tenth grade. Colleges look for improvement in performance as a sign that a student can and will do the work. Vast improvement as a junior and senior indicates to a college admissions panel that the applicant has grown as a student. However, one good semester as a senior will not make up for three poor year.
- A lot of extracurricular activities will make up for poor grades. Although colleges consider extracurricular activities such as athletics or the arts when they review an application, they assess academic performance first.
- Only the very best students receive financial aid from colleges. Although high-ability students or students with special talents may receive merit-based scholarships, many scholarships are based on financial need.
Scholarship News:
Scholarships continue to come in weekly and are available to view in the School Counseling office. Sheets are posted outside the Counseling office to keep the students informed of current scholarships. Please encourage your student to check with their School Counselor if they have specific questions.
Tara Tinder will be available during the December 8th Parent/Teacher conferences from 5:00 to 7:00. Ms. Tinder is the Executive Director of the Stateline Community Foundation. She will be discussing the scholarship opportunities available from the Stateline Community Foundation and the application process. Please feel free to visit the website at www.statelinecf.com. These scholarships will not be available until after January 1, 2012. If your child is accepted to the following university or college they may be able to receive the following scholarships:
Tenth Grade Parents Save The Date!
Beginning December 6th and running through December 16th, BMHS Counselors will be scheduling parent conferences with our tenth grade students and their parents. Look for more information coming in the mail soon.
