2007-2008 Co-chairs Michaela Barnes Mabarnes9@aol.com Peggy Schwartz peggyschwartz@comcast.net ACCESS B-CC COUNSELING PAGES ACCESS B-CC CAREER CENTER PAGES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRACTICE ACT TEST TO BE ADMINISTERED MARCH 15, 2008
Unfortunately, the closing of the schools on the morning of February 23rd meant we had to postpone the test until the snow date, March 15th.

If you've already signed up for the test and can make the March 15th date, all you have to do is show up (same deal, 8:30 AM B-CC cafeteria).

Even if you didn't sign up for the last date, there's still time to sign up for the 3/15 date. You can sign up by filling out the registration form and returning it with payment (or check the fee waiver) to the box in the front office marked Practice ACT. Registration forms can be found in the front office, the counseling office, or on the Guidance and Advisory Page of the B-CC web site. To get to that section go to the home page of the B-CC web site, click on the PTSA link on the upper left hand corner, then click on the Guidance and Advisory link on the right side. We're exploring getting the online payment back up, but I'll send something separate via the list serve if we can.

If you signed up for the 2/23 test, but can't make the 3/15 snow date, you can:

* Donate to a fund to pay for a
SAT prep classes for a B-CC student that can't afford it. Previous to
last year, when MCPS ran their SAT Prep course, students that couldn't
afford it could get a waiver and take it for free. Up to 40% of
students were on waivers. Now the class is administered by Montgomery College
and there is no fee waiver available It's $350. For many of us
that's not a big charge, but for some it might as well be thousands of
dollars. We'll? put the money towards a deserving B-CC student's MCPS
SAT prep class. If you'd like this option, please reply to me (reply, not reply all) and I'll funnel that to the right place.

Or

* If you paid by check, we can destroy your check (we've not deposited them yet),
* If you paid by cash, please let us know where to send the money back; or
* If you paid online, also please tell us where to send the refund. But, to simplify things, we'll write those checks after the March 15th test so we can do that all at once.

If you'd like the refund, please reply to me (reply, not reply all) with your student's name (on the registration we only get the students name, so if it's different? than your own, we'll need to know that), how you paid (if you remember) and full address to send the returns for cash or online registration.

Thank you for your understanding.

Michaela Barnes
Allegra '10
Co-GAC Chair

Here are some informational pieces...and a registration form

SAT vs ACT - SHOULD YOU TAKE THE ACT?

ACT FAQs

REGISTRATION FORM

The online store is now set up for registering for the Practice ACT; which will be given at B-CC on February 23rd at 8:30. It's a great chance to try out the ACT test, which is accepted as widely as SATs by colleges, but is a different kind of test. And, some colleges take ACT scores in place of SAT II or Subject Tests.

To get to the online store, got to the main B-CC page, click on the school store button on the left hand side. The Practice ACT registration is under tickets and passes. The price is $20 (or fee waiver if needed) with a small fee with online registration to pay for processing.

You can also sign up via paper registration (with no processing fee). The paper form can find on the B-CC web site. The form is also currently winging it's way to your snail mail mailbox. Return the form filled out, with payment (or check fee waiver) to the box in the front office marked Practice ACT.

If your child is taking the practice ACT on Feb. 23rd, please consider
volunteering. We will need parents to proctor the exam, and to help with set up and registration.

We need volunteers as follows:

*Set up *
6:30 to 8:00
2 volunteers

*Registration*
7:30-8:30
6 volunteers

*Registration/Proctoring*
8:15 to 11:00
8 volunteers

*Registration/Proctoring*
10:30 to 12:30
8 volunteers

Also, one parent who is willing to stay a bit past 12:30 if there are any
kids taking extended time on test.

If you can volunteer for any of these times slots, please email me at
alwaysmlo@gmail.com or call at 301-933-0899 (after school).

Thanks, and you can volunteer even if your child is not taking the exam, and
no special knowledge required for this task.

Peg O'Donnell

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GUIDANCE & ADVISORY COMMITTEE SCHEDULED EVENTS FOR 2007-2008
The Guidance and Advisory Committee is a PTSA-sponsored group that supports B-CC's Guidance Department. In addition to sponsoring the old favorites such as Alumni Breakfast, Admissions Night and the Practice SAT, we're working on adding a practice ACT test this year. Below is the current 2007/2008 GAC schedule, but it is subject to change based on other conflicting activities.

Making the Most of B-CC Sept. 18 (with the Parent Peers)
FAFSA Night Oct. 10 (Explaining how to fill out the financial aid forms)
MD Financial Aid Night Nov. 14
Prep for the Test Nov. 27
Alumni Breakfast Dec. 20
Practice SAT Jan. 5
Practice SAT follow up Jan. 17 (Results reviewed)
Practice ACT Feb. 23
College Process Feb. 26 (Reviewing, selecting, applying to, touring colleges)
Powerpoint Presentation
College Admissions Night April 15 (Admissions officers panel)

We'll inundate your inbox (electronic and snail mail) with more details as we get closer to the events. And we might have a few other events to sprinkle in. On the B-CC website, there is lots of information: some presentations from past events, notes from speakers, FAQs, forms and a glossary of terms.
If you have questions, contact either of the committee co-chairs: Michaela Barnes at MABarnes9@aol.com or Peggy Schwartz at peggyschwartz@comcast.net.

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Two good sources of information on college financial aid of all types:

1. An excellent powerpoint presentation made at the GAC/Counseling Department’s Financial Aid overview Program on Oct. 27, 2005.

2. The Maryland Higher Education Commission’s website which has info on all MD need-based, merit-based, and career-related scholarships.

   Note especially the sections:

   •  "State Financial Aid Assistance Programs & Applications" which describes all the available programs
      
   •  College Aid Calculator which allows you to estimate your EFC or Estimated Family Contribution, the amount your family is expected to pay towards your child’s college costs
      
   •  The Academic Common Market

   The site also has a wealth of information on many schools and academic programs in public and private Maryland schools.