College Planning

Bay High School counselors support students and families throughout the college search and application process. We provide individualized guidance at every stage, from exploring colleges and building a college list to writing essays and completing applications. Our counselors stay informed about the evolving college admissions landscape and are committed to helping students make informed decisions about their future.

In addition to working with their assigned school counselor, all students and families have access to Mrs. Holden, Bay High School's College & Career Readiness Counselor. This position provides specialized support throughout the college and career planning process, including college searches, application strategies, essays, admissions timelines, career exploration, and post-secondary planning. Whether students have a quick question or would benefit from more comprehensive guidance, this resource is available to support them throughout their high school journey.

Bay High School uses SchooLinks, a college and career planning platform available to all students and parents. SchooLinks provides access to college search tools, application resources, scattergrams, and admissions data to help students identify colleges that are a good fit and navigate the application process with confidence.

Students and families are encouraged to reach out to their assigned counselor or Mrs. Holden with questions at any point in the process.

The College Application Process

  1. Explore careers and colleges

  2. Build a balanced college list

  3. Visit colleges and connect with admissions representatives

  4. Request teacher letters of recommendation

  5. Complete applications

  6. Submit test scores (if applicable)

  7. Complete the FAFSA (after October 1)

  8. Apply for scholarships

  9. Review admission decisions and make a final choice

Important Dates

  • August-September: Senior Meetings with School Counselors

  • September 30: Recommendation Letter Requests Due

  • October 1: FAFSA Opening Date

  • October 3: Last testing date for SAT for November 1 college application deadlines

  • October 17: Last testing date for ACT for November 1 college application deadlines

  • November: Local Scholarship Application Portal Opens

  • January 31: Local Scholarship Applications Due

  • May 1: Deadline to commit to a college

Upcoming Events

College Planning Night 2025