Sponsored by Bella Vista PTSA

College & Career Center

Sophomore Newsletter

The CCC Has Information for the College-Bound and Non College-Bound Student. We are staffed by volunteers during lunch Monday through Friday. If you need help in determining a career path, we have career guides. If you plan to attend a two-year or four-year college after graduating from high school, we have information on California colleges and many other US colleges. It’s never too early to start thinking about scholarships for your college or career education. Some scholarships and contests are open to all high school grade levels and most do not require a 4.0 GPA. Visit the CCC to see what is available.

If you are considering technical or vocational training, the CCC has information on many careers that require only a few weeks to months training in order to qualify for employment. If you are interested in exploring job opportunities while still in high school, speak with BV’s ROP (Regional Occupational Program) technician. ROP is available to juniors and seniors to earn elective credits while preparing for or exploring a career.

If you are considering the military, the CCC has information about the many opportunities in all of the branches of the US Armed Forces. It is highly recommended that you speak with the military recruiters in our area for the latest, in-depth knowledge of what the military has to offer.

If you are considering attending a community college, start researching the programs offered at several schools. You can use the materials in the CCC as well as the internet to explore your options at the community college level. Community colleges do not require ACT or SAT for admission unless you are an athlete. You may need one if you transfer early to a 4-year college, however, and some scholarships require them, so you should consider taking the ACT or SAT in the spring of your junior year while the subject matter is fresh in your mind.

If you are considering attending a 4-year college or university, start now to investigate schools that offer the types of programs you desire. You do not have to have a 4.0 GPA to apply to a 4-year college. Colleges vary in the selection criteria all the way from ‘non-competitive’ to ‘most difficult’. You can get information from the CCC or the internet. You can also request this information from the individual schools. Learn the criteria for acceptance at the colleges you are interested in.

Naviance – Education Planning. Naviance Family Connection website is active for students and parents. This electronic college data management system is used to keep track of Bella Vista student data including student GPAs, standardized test scores, college choices, college application information and a personality and career assessment. Students can visit the site to do career exploration, college searches, and many other independent activities. Parents can view their student’s sites in order for them to work together with these tools. Students use their Zangle(Q) username (Student ID #) and Google password to enter the site. The Naviance Family Connection website has instructions for parents to register. Parents will need to use their Zangle(Q) seven digit code from Zangle(Q) Parent Connection.

Plan your high school program. Certain courses are required for entrance to 4-year colleges. Meet with your counselor early to make sure you are taking the right courses. Athletes, make sure that your classes meet National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility requirements. See more information. Colleges pay a lot of attention to the grades you earn and the courses you take. The more challenges you seek and the more successful you are, the better your chances of acceptance to selective colleges. In addition, some colleges give credit for Advanced Placement (AP) classes taken in high school based on the results of an AP exam. Join clubs and activities or volunteer if you are not already involved in extracurricular activities, and take a leadership role when possible.

Attend college open houses. Many colleges and technical schools have college visit days at BV. Keep an eye on the Student Bulletin for schools and dates. Take advantage of spring and summer breaks to visit colleges and be sure to take the tours offered by the schools. The college websites will have tour information; some require reservations. Remember, the college you attend will be your home for four years. Attend college fairs and information nights held in the Sacramento area. The CCC provides information about these events in the daily Student Bulletin and the weekly BVNewsFlash. Also, flyers are posted in the CCC and our bulletin wall at the east end of A-wing.

Prepare for college entrance exams. You shouldstronglyconsider taking the PSAT in the fall. This is a good way to practice for the SAT and scores are not used in college admission selection. Plan to take the PSAT again as a junior as scores on this test are used to identify semifinalists in scholarship competitions run by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

In the spring of your junior year take the SAT and/or the ACT. You can take these tests multiple times- many colleges will use your best scores when they review your application in the fall of your senior year. Some colleges also require SAT Subject Tests as part of their application. For this reason, it is strongly suggested you start now to look at different colleges, either online or by visiting the campuses, to determine which tests are required by colleges you are interested in. Many colleges, like the UCs, require either the SAT or the ACT (with the writing option). While SAT Subject Tests are not required, some UC campuses recommend them for specific colleges or schools and majors. Even if SAT Subject Tests are not required, they do add merit to a student’s application. Information on recommended SAT Subject Tests can be found at The CSUs require either the SAT or the ACT but not SAT Subject Tests.

Working on your vocabulary is another good way to prepare for entrance exams as is taking the practice tests available on the SAT and ACT websites, as well as PrepMe trough theNaviance website. Go to the SAT and for the ACT. The registration booklets for these tests are available in the Counseling Office.

Search for scholarships. Start looking now for money to pay for your post high school education, whether you decide to go to a career-training school, community college or a 4-year college. Many scholarships are awarded in the junior year, so it is important to start your search early. Not all scholarships are based on academic achievement. More information on scholarships and financial aid can be found on the CCC website.