Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Free SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test

On November 14th  there will be a free SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test held by Kaplan Test Prep to help students decide between the SAT or ACT.  The practice test will be held at Melrose YMCA, 497 Main St., Melrose, MA. Please visit kaptest.com/whichtest or call 1-800-KAP-TEST to sign up today.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

College Fair Co-Sponsored by BHS Guidance

On Tuesday October 28th from 6:30 -8:30 p.m., a college fair will be held at the Shriner's Auditorium in Wilmington, MA. The Burlington High School Guidance Department co-sponsors the event with many other Middlesex League High Schools. Usually over two-hundred colleges will attend. A college fair can be a very overwhelming experience for parents and students. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has developed a very helpful list of questions that you can bring to the fair. We also recommend bringing a pre-determined list of colleges. Make it a priority to visit the schools on your list, then time permitting check out some others. Please remember you are not obligated to stay the whole time, many students spend about an hour at the event.  Below is the most up to date list of colleges attending:


Confirmed Colleges as of October 15
Albany College of Pharmacy
American International College
Anna Maria College
Assumption College
Bay Path College
Bay State College
Becker College
Benjamin Franklin Institute
Bentley College
Binghamton University
Boston University
Brandeis University
Bridgewater State University
Bryant University
Castleton State College
Champlain College
Clarkson University
Colby-Sawyer College
College of Mount St. Vincent
College of New Jersey
College of Our Lady of the Elms
College of Saint Joseph
College of St. Rose
College of the Holy Cross
Columbia College-Chicago
Curry College
Daniel Webster College
Dean College
Eastern Connecticut State University
Eastern Nazarene College
Elms College
Emerson College
Emmanuel College
Endicott College
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Fisher College
Fitchburg State University
Florida Institute of Technology
Framingham State University
Franklin Pierce University
Gordon College
Hamilton College
Hampshire College
Harvard College
High Point University
Hofstra University
Husson University
Iona College
Ithaca College
ITT Technical Institute
Johnson and Wales University
Johnson State College
Keene State College
Laboure College
Lawrence Memorial/RC Nursing & Med. Radiography
Lesley University
Long Island University
Lyndon State College
Manhattanville College
Marian Court College
Marietta College
Marist College
Massachusetts Air National Guard
Massachusetts Army National Guard
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Merrimack College
Middlesex Community College
Millenium Trianing Institute
Mount Holyoke College
Mount Ida College
National Aviation Academy
New England College
New England Hair Academy
New England School of Photography
Newbury College
Nichols College
North Shore Community College
Northeastern University
Northern Essex Community College
Northwestern University
Paul Smith's College
Pennsylvania State University
Personal Financial Management Plus
Pine Manor College
Plymouth State University
Providence College
Purdue University
Quinnipiac University
Reading Cooperative Bank
Reading Scholarship Foundation
Regis College
Rivier College
Roanoke College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roger Williams University
Rutger's University
Sacred Heart University
Saint Anselm College
Saint John's University
Saint Joseph's College - Maine
Saint Lawrence University
Saint Leo University
Saint Michael's College
Salem State University
Salve Regina University
Savannah College of Art & Design
School of Fashion Design
Siena College
Simmons College
Smith College
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern Vermont College
Springfield College
Stonehill College
Stonybrook University
Suffolk University
SUNY - Cobleskill
SUNY-Genesco
Texas Tech University
Thomas College
Trinity College-CT.
United States Air Force
United States Army Recruiting Station
United States Marine Recruiting Office
United States Navy Recruiting Office
Unity College
University of Alabama
University at Albany
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Maine-Farmington
University of Maine-Orono
University of Massachusetts - Boston
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
University of New England
University of New Hampshire
University of Rhode Island
University of Rochester
University of Saint Joseph's
University of Scranton
University of South Carolina
University of Southern Maine
University of Tampa
University of Vermont
Utica College
Vermont Technical College
Walsh University
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Western New England University
Westfield State College
Wheaton College
Wheelock College
Wittenburg University
Worcester State University

Friday, October 17, 2014

College Topics for Senior Parents

The Guidance Department will host a breakfast called “College Topics for Senior Parents”. The purpose of this breakfast is so the counseling staff can give a very brief overview of important tasks associated with the college selection and application process. This event is geared for parents that missed the Senior College Planning Night on 10/9/14. Please join us for this informative event on October 22nd at 8:30 AM in the BHS Guidance College and Career CenterParent's MUST RSVP at 781-270-1780.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Roadmap To College Admission - With Special Guest: Dr. Mark Montgomery

Date: Thursday October 23rd
Time: 6:30PM– 8:00PM
Location: Burlington (MA) High School Auditorium

The college admission process is stressful.  It all seems more competitive, more stressful, more expensive, and more unpredictable than ever before. 
How will I pick the right college for me?
What is the secret to admission to highly selective colleges?
What if my SAT or ACT scores are lower than I want them to be?
What if I got a C in chemistry…am I doomed?
 My GPA suffered freshman year (I was temporarily possessed by
 aliens); can I still get into a good college?
Which activities should I pursue to stand out from the crowd?
Why do smart people attend community college?
Will I ever be able to afford to go to college, even if I can get in?
With only 24 hours in a day, how can I be a high school superstar?

To answer these questions and to arrive at your chosen destination, you need a map.  This presentation will be your personal GPS for choosing the right college—and getting in.

Join us for an entertaining, informative, and stress-reducing presentation by a national expert in higher education. This presentation is aimed at students in 8th through 11th grade.  Students are encouraged to attend with their parents.

Mark Montgomery, Ph.D., is an independent college consultant serving a national and international clientele from offices in Denver, Colorado, Westfield, New Jersey, and Hong Kong, China.  As a former college administrator, admissions officer, professor of international relations, and high school teacher of French, Dr. Montgomery brings a wealth of educational experience and perspective to the process of college selection and admission.  He speaks to audiences around the world about how to choose the right colleges—and get in. 

College Planning Night on BCAT

For senior parents that missed College Planning Night hosted by the BHS Guidance Department please tune it to BCAT. College Planning Night will beginning Monday October 20th to Friday October 24th at 6:30 PM, then on Saturday and Sunday 12PM and 6PM.

If you would prefer to view this event at another time feel free to watch the streaming video recording at http://www.bcattv.org/programming/video-on-demand/.


Support Students During Tomorrow’s Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Telethon


It’s time once again to help Burlington students looking to further their education by attending a college or university.
The 20th Annual Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation’s (BCSF) Dollars for Scholars Telethon will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will run live on Burlington Cable Access Television’s Education Channel (Comcast – 22, Verizon – 40, RCN – 13).
The telethon, hosted by BCSF President Jack Ferren, will featuring three segments – one on education, one with businesses and a third with town officials. The groups come in and give donations and speak about their work.
“It’s Burlington on TV,” Ferren explained.
Viewers looking to support scholarships for Burlington students will also be given a chance to call in and make a donation. Also, from Tuesday, Oct. 14 to Thursday, Oct. 16, student volunteers will be calling residents to solicit donations to the cause.
BCSF, a non profit 501c3e, was founded in 1988 with the mission of helping Burlington residents defray college expenses, Ferren said. Since it began the organization has awarded $8 million in scholarships.
In 2013, The BCSF awarded 38 scholarships to high school graduates for a total of $80,000. The Adopt a Class program sponsored by Northern Bank & Trust awarded 28 scholars for a total of $22,500. Also last year, BCSF awarded six scholarships to Burlington Adults who have returned or began school, totaling $12,000.
Additionally under the BCSF umbrella the Burlington High School awarded $205,000.
“The grand total for 2013 in total scholarship awards collectively with the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation and BHS program are; 397 individual scholarships totaling $315,000,” the organization’s annual report states.
Also in 2013 the organization became part of the Dollars for Scholars National Association, Ferren said.
“We took the foundation from local to global,” he said. “Graduates are now eligible for scholarships all over the world.”
Along with making a donation during the week of the telethon, Burlington residents can also support the foundation when they pay their town real estate tax, excise tax or water bill.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Senior College Planning Night

Senior College Planning Night was well attended with roughly 125 parents. Many aspects of the college planning and application process were covered. For parents that missed the event, BCAT will stream the event within the next few weeks. Informational packets were distributed to all that attended. If you would like to pick up a packet please feel free to stop by the Guidance Office.

Also for parents that missed the event last night we will hold our annual "College Topics for Parents of Seniors" breakfast on October 22nd at 8:30 AM in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center. This informative event will cover the various topics relating to the college selection and application process for parents of Burlington High School seniors.

In terms of financial aid, two very important forms were mentioned last night. The FAFSA and the CSS profile. We encourage parents to investigate both applications ASAP. Please remember that the BHS Guidance Department will host a Financial Aid Night on Thursday January 8, 2015 and BHS will be a location this year for FAFSA Day on January 25th.

One "new" process this year for seniors and parents to remember is using the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Web-site. All seniors should create a profile ASAP.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

PSAT at BHS on 10/15/14

Sophomores and registered juniors taking the PSAT are reminded to bring three sharpened number 2 pencils and a calculator on Wednesday October 15th. Burlington High School has a very limited amount of calculators on hand. Although the math sections can be completed without the aid of a calculator, having one can be very helpful.

As a reminder sophomores do NOT need to register for the PSAT, they will automatically take the test. However, Juniors MUST register. The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 8th.

On Friday room assignments for juniors will be posted near the caf. and main lobby. Sophomore assignments will be announced in homeroom.

Friday, October 3, 2014

College Planning Night will be held on 10/9 at 6:30


Senior Parents and Seniors are reminded that College Planning Night will be held on Thursday October 9th, 2014 at 6:30 in the Burlington High School Auditorium. The evening will cover a variety of topics in regard to the college selection and application process. The entire guidance staff will be at this event and we look forward to seeing you.

If you cannot make the event, it will be televised on BCAT. The showtimes will be posted soon.