College Topics for the Summer

The Guidance Department will host a breakfast called “College Topics for the Summer”. 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. Although this event is geared for parents of juniors, ALL parents are welcome to attend. Please join us for this informative event. We look forward to seeing you on June 8th at 8:30 AM in the Burlington High School Guidance College and Career Center. We ask that parents RSVP by calling 781-270-1780.

Advice for the Class of 2020

Here is the annual list of advice to the incoming 9th graders from the current 9th graders about transitioning to high school. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you all when you come to BHS in September.  Have a relaxing, safe, and productive summer!


Ask if you don't know anything.

Visit BHS beforehand and check all the stairwells to see where they go.

Don't expect you can figure everything out on the first day.

You need to study.

Don't worry too much. Just pay attention, be positive and you'll be alright.

Participate.

The amount of work done at home will show on the test.

Work hard from the first day of school.

Keep a planner.

If you fall behind, ask for help from a peer or a tutor.

Learn the maps of the school as fast as you can.

Don't stress about transitioning too much.

It gets easier.

Get your schedule down early so you aren't confused.

Do your homework because they are little study guides.

Be friendly and hold doors for people.

Don't be nervous, just have fun.

Figure out where your classes are located during the
summer; it will make it easier in the fall.

Try different activities and do what you really like.

The work load will seem like a lot at the beginning but you will get used to it.

And most importantly:

Arlington High School College Fair

All Students, Parents, and Neighboring High Schools are invited to The Arlington High School Spring College Fair!

This event will be held in the TOZ (Red) Gym on May 19, 2016 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This year, 125+ colleges from across the country will take part in the AHS College Fair. Many of the college representatives who attend the fair are the same as those who make the admissions decisions for our geographic area. This is a great opportunity to meet the representatives and/or alumni face-to-face, to ask questions about a particular college major, and to inquire about general admissions requirements.

The College Fair is free and open to all students and their parents. Junior year students are strongly encouraged to attend. All neighboring high schools are welcome to invite their students to attend the fair as well. Please note the attached ‘Guide to Making the Most of your College Fair Experience’, which is meant to be used as an aid when speaking with the various college representatives. A comprehensive list of colleges that will be represented at the fair is also attached, although colleges are continuing to register.

Arlington High School College Fair

Henry Toczlyowski Gymnasium

Thursday, May 19, 2016 - 6:30pm – 8:00pm

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

The College Fair program is a FREE opportunity for you and your family to meet with the representatives from colleges and universities throughout the country without actually leaving your home state. There will not be enough time to visit with every college and university at the fair, so we have listed some suggestions on how to use your time most effectively.

BEFORE THE FAIR…

Before the fair, it’s a good idea to do a little preparation.

1. Answer the following questions to help you determine what kind of school would best suit you:
• Do you want to attend a two or four year institution? Co-ed or single-gender?
• What size school do you want to attend?
• Which programs of study are you considering?
• How far from home are you willing to travel?
• Do you wish to participate in any specific extracurricular activities or athletics?
• Do you want to attend a school located in an urban, suburban, or rural environment?
• Do you require any special services (i.e., tutoring, note taker, readers, interpreters)?
2. Discuss your college plans with your guidance counselor, family, teachers, and friends.
3. Research your colleges of interest on Naviance via the Internet in the guidance office, media center, computer lab or your home.
4. Check dates and registration deadlines for college entrance examinations.
5. Create labels or profile cards with your name, address, email, and phone number, name of high school, year of graduation and your area of interest .  This will help avoid time spent on filling out Information Cards on College Fair night.
6. Bring a pen or pencil and a notebook to jot down notes about the conversations with individual college representatives, and pick up the cards of college representatives for future reference.  It is helpful to have a specific name when requesting information or and interview!

AT THE FAIR…

1. Pick up a bag and fair directory.
2. Visit with colleges and universities that meet your criteria.
3. Talk with a representative at the Information Table if you have any questions or need help with your college search.

QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES...

·      How can I arrange a campus visit? Are there any special college visitation days?

·      What are the application deadlines for admission and financial aid?

·      How do you assign faculty advisors to students, especially those who are undecided about their major?

·       What percent of students are commuters?

·       When must I choose a major?

·       What types of extracurricular activities exist on campus?

·       How accessible are the professors outside of class?

·       How are roommates selected?

·       How safe is your school?

·      What additional academic services do you offer to students (tutoring, career counseling, study skills workshops)?

·        What types of internship/co-op experiences are available?

QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING DISABILITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS

·        Are there specialized programs available?  

·        Are there special admissions procedures?

·        Which standardized tests are required?

·        What types of documentation are needed to request accommodations?

·        Should testing and/or an IEP be sent with my application?

·      What types of accommodations (note-takers, tape recorders in class, etc.) are allowed?

·       Are there extra fees for learning disability related services?  If so, what is the approximate cost?

Still have questions? Please feel free to speak with your guidance counselor about any college-related questions.

COLLEGES ATTENDING THE COLLEGE FAIR

May 19, 2016

TOZ (Red) GYM – 6:30-8:00 P.M.

COLLEGES

Albertus Magnus College

Alfred University

Anna Maria College

Arizona State

Assumption College

Bard College

Bay Path University

Benjamin Franklin College

Boston University

Brandeis University

Bridgewater State University

Bryant University

Bucknell University

Burlington College

Champlain College

Clark University

Colgate University

College of New Jersey

College of the Atlantic

Columbia College of Chicago

Curry College

Daniel Webster College

Denison University

Eastern Connecticut State Univ

Eastern Nazarene College

Eckerd College

Elms College (College of Our Lady of The Elms)

Elon University

Emerson College

Emmanuel College

Endicott College

Fisher College

Fitchburg State University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida State University

Framingham State University

Franklin Pierce University

Gettysburg College

Green Mountain College

Hamilton College

Hampshire College

Harvard College

High Point

Hobart and Will Smith Colleges

Hofstra University

Husson College

Iona College

Ithaca College

John Casablancas Model & Career Centers

Johnson & Wales

Jonhson State College

Keene State College

Lasell College

Lawrence University

Lesley University

Lyndon State College

Manhattan College

Mass Bay Community College

Mass College of Liberal Arts

Massachusetts Institute of Tech

Massachusetts Maritme Academy

Merrimack College

Middlesex Community College

Mitchell College

Mount Holyoke College

Mount Ida College

New England College

New England School of Photography

Newbury College

Nichols College

Pine Manor College

Plymouth State University

Purdue University

Rivier University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Roger Williams University

Sacred Heart University

Salem State University

Salve Regina University

Simmons College

School of Fashion Design

Skidmore College

So New Hampshire Univ

Springfield College

St. Anselm College

St. Bonaventure University

St. John's University

St. Joseph's College

St. Michaels College

Stonehill College

Suffolk University

SUNY Binghamton

SUNY Geneseo

Swarthmore College

Syracuse University

Universal Technical Institute

University at Albany (SUNY)

University of Alabama

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Kansas

University of Maine Farmington

University of Mass Amherst

University of Mass Boston

University of Mass Dartmouth

University of Mass Lowell

University of New England

University of New Hampshire

University of Rhode Island

University of South Carolina

University of Southern Maine

University of Tampa

University of Tennessee

University of Vermont

Ursinus College

Virginia Commonwealth

Wake Forest University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wentworth Institute of Tech

Wesleyan University

Western New England University

Westfield State University

Wheaton College

Worcester State University

Guidance Breakfast- NCAA

On Thursday April 7^th the Burlington High School Guidance Department will host an “NCAA” breakfast. This breakfast will give an overview of the NCAA, and specifically the NCAA clearinghouse. The NCAA clearinghouse certifies whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or II institution. Attending this breakfast is also open to any other interested parent. Please join us for this informative event on April 7th. If you plan to attend please RSVP by calling 781-270-1780. We look forward to seeing you there.

Early College Planning Night Recap- 2016

Early College Planning Night, sponsored by the Burlington High School Guidance Department, was well attended. Parents of students in Kindergarten through 8^th grade were present. Jonathan Hughes from MEFA gave a very detailed and informative presentation. Many facets of financial aid were covered. Click here to view a copy of the slides covered that night.

Jonathan discussed the College Navigator Web-Site which gives tuition prices, % of students receiving merit aid and % of students receiving need based aid. We encourage parents to further research this web-site. The other two hot topics of the night were the Massachusetts U Fund 529 Plan and the U Plan Prepaid Tuition Program. One quote that resonated with the audience was " Children are 3 times likelier to enroll in college and 4 times more likelier to graduate if their parents save for them". 

For Parents that missed the event it will be televised and streamed on BCAT.  Please see BCAT for times.

Early College Planning Seminar

On Thursday March 24th, 2016 at 6:30 P.M. the Burlington High School Guidance Department will sponsor an Early College Planning Seminar for parents in grades K through 8. A representative from the Massachusetts Educational Financial Authority , also called MEFA, will discuss saving for college, specific ways to do so and how that relates to financial aid. We look forward to see you at the Burlington High School Auditorium.

Burlington Scholarship Program Breakfast

The BHS Guidance Department cordially invites parents to join us for the next Guidance Breakfast called the"Burlington Scholarship Program Breakfast". The breakfast will be held in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center at 8:30AM on Wednesday March 9th, 2016.   This breakfast is designed for the parents of seniors and will briefly cover the scholarship application process, but will serve as more of a question and answer session. Please RSVP by calling 781-270-1780. We look forward to seeing you

Freshmen and Sophomore Academic Planning Night

The Burlington High School Guidance Department will host our newly developed Freshmen and Sophomore Academic Planning Night on Wednesday March 2nd at 6:30 in the Burlington High School auditorium. The topics covered will be important aspects of academic and post secondary planning, specifically geared for grades 9 and 10. We encourage parents and students to attend this event. If you cannot make the event it will be televised on BCAT.

Course Selection Process Breakfast

The BHS Guidance Department cordially invites parents to join us for the next  Guidance Breakfast.  The topic will be about the "Course Selection Process". The breakfast will be held in the BHS Guidance College and Career Center at 8:30AM on Wednesday February 24, 2016. Please RSVP by calling 781-270-1780. We look forward to seeing you!

Program of Studies Presentation

Students in grades 9, 10 and 11 met with their respective Guidance Counselor on 2/10/16. The 2016/2017 Program of Studies was discussed. Please feel free to take a look at the 2016/2017 Program of Studies Presentation given today.

Also please be aware of the full timeline for the course selection process.

Feb 10^th - Course planning meetings held for grade 9, 10 and 11.

Feb 22^nd- Feb 29^th (after vacation): Teachers discuss class options and enter recommendations in Aspen.

March 2^nd – During the long period assembly Mr. Murphy will explain the process of making course requests using Aspen.

March 3^rd – March 9^th-Counselors will be available in lower library to meet with students. Student are only allowed to attend during study hall.

March 28^th - Students receive verification of requests in HR.

March 31^st - Deadline for any final changes.

Students should use the next 3 weeks to have discussions with their Guidance Counselor, parents and teachers to make the best decision possible for next school year.