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  1. Counseling
  2. College Planning
  3. College Planning: Overview

College Planning: Overview

Post High School Planning Information For Spartans 

  • Post High School Planning Timeline: What should students be doing each year to prepare for the future?
  • BHS College Application Process: For students interested in applying to a 4 year college, please read this FIRST and follow these directions carefully when applying to public and/or private colleges and universities. This will inform students what they need to turn into the counseling office and next steps for applying to college.

Important Documents Students Will Need When Applying

  • BHS College Tracking Form - Seniors applying to ANY college (2 year, public or private) must submit ONE College Tracking Form (listing all colleges) to Ms. Hughes in the counseling office. Additional colleges may be added later. See form for details.
  • BHS Counseling Office College Form Deadlines- Students must complete the necessary paperwork and meet with their counselor within this time frame. We recommend students send test scores (SAT/ACT) and transcripts by these dates as well. Deadlines are based off of the student's FIRST application deadline.

  • Counselor Letter of Recommendation- For students needing a Counselor Letter of Recommendation for their college applications, the below two forms are required along with the College Tracking Form (above) at least 4 school weeks prior to their first application deadline. Forms are fillable- please download and "save as". Please do not "Open in Docs" and fill this out because it doesn't show you the fillable boxes.

  • BHS College Application Process Worksheet - Useful tool to organize college applications.

 Typical Application Platforms

Students should research which platform their college(s) use and create an account.

  • Common Application - Official Site 
  • Many colleges use their own application platform
    • For example, Western Washington University has students apply through their own application. 
  • University of Washington, University of California, and Cal State Schools:
    • The UW uses the Common Application and UC and Cal State use their own application  
    • Be sure to follow the instructions of  UC/Cal State universities carefully.
    • Students will self-report their courses for these schools. 
    • These schools DO NOT want letters of recommendation (from teachers or counselors), unless specifically requested.
    • They WILL require an official transcript for admitted students in June after you graduate. 
    • UW application is open between October 1 and November 15.  
    • UC and Cal State applications can be submitted only between October 1 and November 30.

Students Athletes Wanting to Play in College

If you are a student athlete who is considering playing collegiate, there are specific course requirements associated with the NCAA and eligibility. Please refer to the links below for more information and discuss your plans with your counselor.