College Planning Information

Senior College Planning Information 2022-2023

Financial Aid Events

• Ballard HS Financial Aid Night, was held on October 17 in the BHS Performing Arts Center (PAC)
• 12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Completion Events

FAFSA/WASFA

• All Seniors should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) to be eligible for financial aid. A person should complete the WASFA if they are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of immigration status.  Everyone else should complete the FAFSA. 
• Note! Changes coming to the FAFSA when it opens on Oct 1, 2022
• Complete the FAFSA online studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for
  Complete WASFA online
• The FAFSA and WASFA are available starting Oct 1(fill out the application for 2023-2024)

College Visits at Ballard

• College admissions reps from all over the country will be hosting college visits at Ballard throughout the fall. To sign up, log onto Naviance, select “What’s New,” then “More Info” to sign up for visits.  Email Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol, chbristol@seattleschools.org if you have questions. Visit the BHS College Visits page for a list of upcoming visits.

ACT/SAT

Many institutions are now test optional – check with your school to see if they accept / require test scores

• ACT Fall Test Dates – October 22, December 10
• SAT Fall Test Dates – October 12 (Ballard during the school day), November 5, December 3
• Do not wait for the deadline to register – testing sites fill up early
• SAT Subject Tests – Be sure to check your college websites to see if they require these additional tests
• If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, please see your counselor for a fee waiver for the ACT or the SAT

Additional Resources

• Ballard HS Counseling Center
• WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange Program) – tuition break for some out of state colleges
• Naviance – online college & career planning tool; access Naviance by logging in to the SPS student portal
• Career Bridge
• NCAA Eligibility Center – to be academically eligible to participate in Division I or Division II college athletics, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and make sure you have completed the necessary academic requirements
• College Search Websites
  • collegesearch.collegeboard.org/home
  • ucan-network.org
  • nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator         

4-Year College/University Applications

Common Application One application sent to all schools that use it.  Student requests recommendations from teachers and counselor through the application. Counselor completes the Secondary School Report includes GPA, class rank, and recommendation (if needed).  BHS reports weighted rank (decile/percent), unweighted GPA (4.0 highest). Transcript is attached electronically by counselor (no paper copy needed).

Coalition Application  Similar to Common app, used by less schools.

College/University specific application: See school’s website for more information.  Many schools offer options for using the Common app or their college specific application.  Often the college specific application is easier/faster (i.e. Central, WSU, Western), and is a simpler choice if you are not applying to other schools on the Common App.

Letters of Recommendation 

Update March 2023: Please see your school counselor if you need a letter of recommendation at this point in the school year.            

To request a letter of recommendation from your school counselor, complete the Letter of Recommendation Student Information Sheet (Windows Form) online at least 2 weeks before your application deadline.

If requesting a letter of recommendation from a teacher, you need to ask them if they would be willing to write you one (don’t assume – they sometimes reach their limit and aren’t able to write more).

Class Rank

On a weighted scale, will be given as a decile (i.e. top 10%, top 20%, etc.), available Sept 30.

Contact Ms. Bristol, Counseling Secretary at chbristol@seattleschools.org or come see her in the Counseling Office.

ACT or SAT Test Scores

Most colleges and universities are test optional and do not require test scores as part of the application process. If you need to/choose to send your scores, you must order and send them directly to the colleges/universities from your ACT or SAT account. To access your SAT score access/create an account.

NCAA Eligibility Center

If you are considering participation in athletics at the university level (NCAA), you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

Seattle Promise and 2 Year College Application

Visit the Seattle Promise site

All Seniors should complete application for free 2 years at North, Central or South Seattle Colleges.

Technical/Trade School or Program

Visit the Wa State and Technical College for information about community and technical colleges and programs of study.

Military

Visit Today’s Military for more information and help.

Gap Year

About overseas programs for more information and assistance.

Support Personnel

BHS Counselors (by students’ last name):  

• Ms. Petersen (A – Cop): slpetersen@seattleschools.org                   
• Ms. McKenzie (Coq – Hop): mnmckenzie@seattleschools.org     
• Mr. Kramer (Hoq – Nat): tkramer@seattleschools.org             
• Ms. Olson Laing (Nau – Str): gsolsonlaing@seattleschools.org     
• Ms. Huguenin (Sts – Z):  kwhuguenin@seattleschools.org    

Counseling Secretary, Carol Bristol at chbristol@seattleschools.org

Updated March 2023