VIRTUAL CAMPUS VISITS
If possible, we encourage you to visit the websites of many colleges during the summer months and participate in as many virtual “tours” and “information sessions” as make sense for your family. Students should be sure to check out a variety of schools across the full range of their list, not just their “reach” schools. It’s a great idea to have a digital copy of your (or your student’s) transcript (in PDF format) to share with admissions officers and coaches if they request to see one.
Reaching out to students who attend the schools that you are interested in attending is also a way to get more information about a school. Your college counselor may be able to assist you in identifying Berkshire Alumni at many of the schools across the country and globe.
As colleges and universities begin opening their campuses to visitors in the fall, we will keep students updated as to the best ways to visit and explore the colleges that they are interested in attending.
BERKSHIRE CAMPUS COLLEGE ADMISSION VISITORS & COLLEGE FAIRS
More than 100 college representatives visit Berkshire each fall. These visits provide another opportunity for our students to learn more about certain colleges and to make a connection with admission officers. We anticipate that many of these visits will be virtual this year and will work hard to update students as to the availability and access to these “visits.” The status of our series of college fairs with Hotchkiss is currently unclear, but will mostly likely be modified so that it can continue to happen while also fitting the needs of this year.
FIRST SIXTH FORM/POST GRADUATE MEETING WITH BERKSHIRE COLLEGE COUNSELOR
Sixth Form and Post Graduates should make appointments with their college counselors soon after the opening of school to review their college list and to discuss plans for the fall term. Students should not file any application without consulting their counselor, as we need to assure that a school report is sent for each application filed. Students should also not drop or adjust their fall courses without first discussing the impact on the college process with their Counselor.
FALL 2020 TESTING UPDATE
Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate the Covid 19 pandemic. We understand that test centers have cancelled numerous test dates beginning last spring and many students are experiencing unexpected changes of location and cancellations. Please know that this is impacting students across the country and almost all colleges and universities are adjusting their testing requirements as a result. With our delayed return to campus, Berkshire still plans to offer the following tests on campus.
Standardized tests on campus:
October 6th ACT - This is a district test and you do not need to register in advance. Additionally, the test will not appear on the ACT website. Students will be charged only after they test. Please fill out the survey as soon as possible to let us know if you would like to test.
October 14th SAT - This is SAT school day testing and you do not need to register in advance. Additionally, the test will not appear on the College Board website. Students will be charged only after they test. Please fill out the survey as soon as possible to let us know if you would like to test.
October 24th ACT - Students interested in testing on October 24th will need to register online at www.actstudent.org. This test is still restricted to Berkshire students only but will be held on a Saturday national test date and therefore students will need to register and pay online.
FINANCIAL AID
If your family plans to apply for financial aid in college, it is essential that all financial aid forms be carefully completed. You should visit each college’s website to see the specific financial aid formulas they use and to get a cost estimate. Please note that different institutions require different forms for financial aid evaluation. Below are the forms most often required.
● FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is required by all colleges and universities. Online filing is available, but not required.
● CSS Profile: This is required by many private institutions and some state schools.
● Institutional Forms: These are individual institutional forms sent to you by a college or university or found on an institution’s website. You will also need to submit copies of your family’s and your student's tax forms.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
● International students will, in many cases, need to submit original bank statements and an original Certification of Finances form with each college application even if they are not applying for Financial Aid. If possible, students should bring these forms with them to school in September.
● Students whose first language is not English must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. Students should take the TOEFL over the summer if at all possible. In the fall, Berkshire will offer transportation to take the test off campus at an official testing center.
The CSS Profile should be done during the fall term, ideally by Oct. 1. The FAFSA is available on Oct. 1 and should be submitted before November 15 for early applications. These forms take some time to complete. We highly recommend doing them as early as possible. It is essential that you meet each school's filing deadline to receive full consideration for aid.
The FinAid website has helpful financial aid information. Fastweb is a valuable resource for locating scholarship opportunities.
