Overview
Students and their parents are guided through each step on the path to college selection, from choosing college preparatory classes to making the final commitment to a university.
Individual conferences and small group workshops are held throughout the year to further assist students in essay writing, SAT preparation and any topics related. Presentations by admissions officers from colleges and universities are scheduled during the year and students are encouraged to visit the institutions they are interested in.
Event Calendar
AUGUST 2011
Aug. 7 - Registration deadline for the Sept. 12 ACT.
Plan to work really hard this term. Even though most of your applications go out to colleges in the Fall semester of your senior year, colleges do get to see your senior year transcripts, and greatly weight senior year grades
Meet with your College Counselor to discuss your final college list and discuss application deadlines.
Sept. 9 - Registration deadline for the Oct. 10 SAT (offered at The Prep) Sept. 9 -Manatee County College Fair
Sept. 12 - ACT Test Date
Sept. 18 - Registration deadline for the Oct. 24 ACT
Begin working on your applications if you are planning to apply Early Decision or Early Action. Ask teachers who know you well and with whom you have a good relationship to write a letter of recommendation for you (if required by the college and typically no more than two). Provide teachers with the proper request form, your resume, a stamped return card, and a pre-addressed stamped envelope with the college's complete mailing address
Meet with college representatives who visit BPA (Sept. - Nov.)
Review final list of colleges with your teacher, and start gathering applications. To see if your colleges and universities accept the common application, go to www.commonapp.org. Once you received the application forms, begin working on the essays.
For those students who plan on competing in college athletics--Register with the NCAA Clearing House at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. The Clearinghouse processes academic qualifications for all prospective Division I and Division II athletes and determines whether they are eligible to compete.
Upon the completion of the NCAA Clearinghouse form you must print and submit to Mr. Cobb the Copy of the Release form, which will allow the school to send your transcripts to the NCAA.
OCTOBER 2011
Oct. 1 - Registration deadline for the Nov. 7 SAT
Oct. 1 - Target date for college applications to be sent out to submit application
Oct. 10 - SAT Test Date (offered at BPA)
Oct. 24 - ACT Test Date
Oct. 30 - Registration deadline for the Dec. 5 SAT
Research scholarships that are available. www.fastweb.com is a great site of available scholarships.
NOVEMBER 2011
Nov. 1 is Early Decision and Early Action application deadlines for many colleges.
Nov. 7 - SAT Test Date
Nov. 6 - Registration deadline for the Dec. 12 ACT
Nov. 16 - Registration begins For Dual Enrollment at MCC for Spring 10.
See your teacher for Application and Approval Forms.
DECEMBER 2011
Dec. 1 - Deadline to submit all remaining applications.
Dec. 4 - Registration ends for Dual Enrollment at MCC for Spring 10.
Dec. 5 - SAT Test Date
Dec. 12 - ACT Test Date
Dec. 15 - Registration deadline for the Jan. 23 SAT (offered at BPA)
Dec. 17 - Graduation
JANUARY 2012
Jan. 1 - You may file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Jan. 5 - Registration deadline for the Feb. 6 ACT
Jan. 23 - SAT Test Date (offered at BPA)
FEBRUARY 2012
Feb. 4 - Registration deadline for the March 13 SAT (SAT only, no SAT Subject Tests offered)
Feb. 6 - ACT Test
Verify that all your application materials have been received by calling the admission department of the schools you applied to.
MARCH 2012
March. 5 - Registration deadline for the April 10 ACT
March 13 - SAT Test
March 29 - Registration begins For Dual Enrollment at MCC for Summer 10. See Mr. Houston for Application and Approval Forms.
March 25 - Registration deadline for the May 1 SAT
APRIL 2012
April 15 - Final Notification date for colleges. Evaluate colleges/universities for which you were accepted. Study financial aid offers. Decline any offers of admission in writing so that colleges can admit other applicants.
Apr 29 - Registration deadline for June 5 SAT (offered at BPA)
MAY 2012
May 1 - Decision Day, The deadline for you to notify colleges of your decision. Place only one deposit.
May 3-14 AP Exams
May 10-14 - Senior Exams
May 15 - Graduation Day for The Prep Academy Class of 2012!!!
JUNE 2012
June 5 - SAT Test (offered at BPA)
Please complete the End of Year Contact Information Form and turn it in to your teacher. This is where you request your final Transcript to be sent to the college you will attend.
College Applications
The following is a list of helpful tips when completing your applications:
- Apply early. (By October 1st)
- Complete a Common Application, as nearly 300 colleges accepts this. It is good practice even if your targeted list of colleges does not accept it.
This application can be found at here . - Apply online if available.
- Print legibly so college admissions personnel can read them.
- Review information carefully. You only get one chance for a first impression.
- Contact your colleges and confirm that all necessary items have been received.
- Answer the question they ask.
- Answer the questions within the space provided.
- Request letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors well before application deadlines.
- Make a copy of everything you submit.
- Be prepared to show a genuine interest in the school which you are applying. If you can't, you should reconsider your choices.
- Begin on your essays as soon as you know the topics of choice from your prospective colleges.
- Be yourself.
College Search
The College Search is one of the most important decisions you will make. The following websites will help you explore different colleges in order to find the best fit for you. These sites will look at size, location and majors offered to name a few.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student - College Board's Find a College
http://www.collegelink.com/ - FastWeb
http://www.petersons.com/ - Peterson's Planner
http://www.princetonreview.com/ - Explore schools and careers by The Princeton Review
http://www.collegequest.com/ - College Quest
www.usnews.com/sections/education/index.html - US News
http://www.collegesofdistinction.com/ - College of Distinction
College Reps
Scheduling a visit to BPA:
Our school day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If at all possible, our preferred times for visits are shown below. However, if your schedule will not allow you to make one of these times, we will be happy to work with you.
| MTWF | 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. |
| Th | 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
Generally, college rep visits are held in the College Counseling Office. Any interested high school students are welcome to attend with the permission of teachers whose classes they will miss.
To arrange a visit, please contact:
The Preparatory Academy LLC
7700 Cortez Road West
Bradenton,
FL 34210
Tel: 941-792-1000
Fax: 941-798-9920
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Financial Aid
What is Financial Aid?
Financial Aid is generally divided into two subgroups---need-based financial aid and merit based scholarships---with each having its own definitions, sources, methods of applications, and deadlines.
Need-Based Financial Aid:
This type of aid can come from the federal government, state government, colleges and universities, and private sources. It can be awarded in three forms: grants, which do not have to be repaid; loans, which have to be repaid; and work study, which provides income from a part-time job through the college the student is attending.
Merit-Based Scholarships:
This type of aid is given to a student who has earned the scholarship based on his/her talents or performance in a variety of areas: academics, athletics, leadership, art, music and more. Need-based component may or may not be attached to merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships come from a variety of sources: federal and state governments, individual colleges and universities, faith-based organizations, community organizations, extracurricular organizations, and parents' and students' employers, to name just a few. Scholarships typically do not have to be repaid.
Student Aid Report (SAR):
The information you will receive approximately 2-4 weeks after your FAFSA has been process. It will report the information from your application and, if there are no questions or problems with your application, your SAR will report your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
What is the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program?
In 1997, the Florida Legislature created the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. This Florida Lottery-funded scholarship rewards students for their academic achievements during high school by providing funding for them to pursue postsecondary educational and career goals in Florida.
The following websites will help you explore different types of financial aid.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
http://www.finaid.com/ - The SmartStudentTM Guide to Financial Aid
http://www.financialaidforcollege.com/ - Financial Aid for College
www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/ - Florida Bright Future Scholarship
http://www.fastweb.com/ - Fastweb
http://www.scholarships.com/ - College Scholarships
www.usnews.com/sections/business/paying-for-college/index.html - US News
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/ - College Board
Career Planning
Career research is an important step in preparing for college and beyond. The following websites will help you explore career options and trends in employment that will aid in your decision-making process.
http://www.facts.org/ - Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for students
http://www.dowhatyouare.com/ - Human eSources' Do What You Are® program
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/ - Mapping Your future
www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/ - College Board's Majors & Career Profiles
www.stats.bls.gov/oco - US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.careerplanner.com/ - Career Planner
http://www.careerbuilder.com/ - Career Builder
http://www.goarmy.com/ - U.S. Army
http://www.navy.com/ - U.S. Navy
http://www.marines.com/ - U.S. Marines
http://www.airforce.com/ - U.S. Air Force
http://www.acinet.org/ - Career One Stop
http://www.asvabprogram.com/ - ASVAB Career Exploration ProgramWho should register with the NCAA Clearinghouse?
Any student who plans to attend an NCAA Division I or II institution AND who wishes to participate in intercollegiate athletics should register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Visit the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse website at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/.
How soon should I register with the NCAA Clearinghouse?
You should apply for certification at the conclusion of your junior year in high school or the beginning of your senior year. The Clearinghouse will not process a transcript with fewer than six semesters shown on the transcript.
How do I register with the NCAA Clearinghouse?
- Students should register on-line at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/.
- Before "officially" submitting to the clearinghouse, print two (2) copies of the completed Student Release Form (SRF).
- Give extra copies of SRF to The Prep College Counseling Center
- Registrar will send one copy to Clearinghouse with transcript showing grades from 9th - 11th (six semesters)*.
* Students who have earned high school credit at a school other than The Prep must also request that a transcript be sent from their previous school - Student should request that standardized test scores be sent to the Clearinghouse.
There are three ways to report SAT/ACT test scores to the Clearinghouse:
- Write in code 9999 when registering for the SAT and/or ACT
- Contact SAT/ACT and request that scores be sent to the Clearinghouse
- Test scores may be reported with the official high school transcript
After graduation, our Registrar will send the final copy of the SRF to the Clearinghouse with the final transcript showing all grades earned from 9th - 12th. The final transcript must show proof of graduation.
For information on your Clearinghouse status
For questions about whether your transcript, student release form, etc., were received, or about when you will be cleared, call the clearinghouse customer service line at 877/262-1492. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. (You will need your Personal Identification Number [PIN] and Social Security number.)
Standardized Testing
PSAT/NMSQT
*All 9th - 11th graders will sit for the PSAT exam. The Prep Academy will administer the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). Results from this test do not directly impact the admission process. In December the student will receive a Score Report which will provide feedback of where the student stands in each subject area tested. The PSAT/NMSQT is the first step in the National Merit Scholarship process. The National Merit Selection Index is determined annually for juniors. Minimum score required to receive national recognition varies from year to year.
Visit http://www.collegeboard.com/.To learn more information about the PSAT/NMSQT.
SAT Information SAT I
Students generally should take the SAT I in the spring of their junior year. If necessary, the student can take it once or twice more in the fall of their senior year. Colleges will receive all test scores even though most schools only use the best score.
SAT II Subject Tests
Students need to be aware of the requirements or recommendations regarding SAT II tests of the colleges in which they're most interested. Students planning to apply to the most selective colleges should consider taking three SAT II Subject Tests by the end of the junior year.
Go to http://www.collegeboard.com/ to register for any SAT.
The Prep CEEB code is 100-142
*Offered at The Prep
ACT Information
This testing program is used mostly by colleges in the South and Midwest but almost all schools will accept this test in place of the SAT I. Students receive a score for each subject-related test (English, mathematics, science, and social studies) as well as a composite score that ranges from 1 to 36.
To register for the ACT, go to http://www.act.org/.
The CEEB code for The Prep is 100-142.