All things College!

Interested in Trade Schools, Apprenticeships, Military, Gap Year or going straight to work? 

Visit the Career Center page for information and resources for these options and much more!

Overview of College Research 

College Kickoff

College Research Resources

Tracker to stay organized!

My College List Research + Essay Tracker

Virtual Campus Tours

 The College Tour TV series on Amazon Prime!
 CampusReel
 YouVisit

Contact College Admissions Representatives + Admissions Websites!

Colleges have admissions counselors/representatives assigned BHS!  Call or email or call to connect with admissions counselor to ask questions, get contact information regarding a major/program!  Go to colleges' undergraduate admissions websites and look for "Meet our Team" or "Find my rep".  
Sign up for email updates or request more info on the colleges' undergraduate admissions websites!  
Follow colleges on social media!
Arrange an in-person tour or virtual tour!  Visit colleges' undergraduate admissions websites to schedule a tour.

College Search Engines + Websites

BigFuture
Cappex
College Confidential

"How to College" Playlist from CrashCourse

College Planning Guides

Berkley High School + College Essay Guy -- A Family's Handbook to College Admissions

A Guide for Families in the College Admissions Process, from the National Association of College Admissions Counselors

Step by Step Guide on College Awareness and Planning for 9th & 10th grade, from the National Association of College Admissions Counselors

Step by Step Guide on College Awareness and Planning for 11th & 12th grade, from the National Association of College Admissions Counselors

College Application Timeline

College Admissions Timeline (detailed from 9th-12th grade)

Recommended Reading

Important Preparing for College Tips
"Where You Go Is Not Who You Will Be"
"College Is Yours 2.0"
"Colleges That Change Lives"
"Looking Beyond the Ivy League"

Michigan Assured Admission Pact (MAAP)

Have a 3.0 GPA or higher?  Be admitted to....

• Central Michigan University
• Eastern Michigan University
• Ferris State University
• Lake Superior State University
• Northern Michigan University
• Oakland University
• Saginaw Valley State University
• University of Michigan - Flint
• University of Michigan - Dearborn
• Wayne State University

https://maap.org/

College Application Requirements

Great tool to stay organized!

My College List Research + Essay tracker

Colleges on Common App

Use Common App's explore colleges feature to find out which colleges use Common App!

Common App Overview Tour

Common App Overview Tour

Common App Tips

 How to Make Your Common App a Lot Less Common, from Collegewise
 Tips for Activities Section of Common App from the College Essay Guy

Check out the right side of your screen for BHS-specific information to complete the Education section of Common App!                                                                           

Help + Resources from Common App

 Common App Writing Requirement Resource - find out colleges' essay requirements!
 Common App playlist for First-time applicants
Common App for mobile
 How to complete the Common App "Activities" section
 Common App Ready's Application Dictionary
 College readiness tool for families

Sending high school transcripts to Colleges + Universities

Applying via Common App?

BHS counselor will send transcripts via Common App, provided they have been listed in the student's Common App.  To invite/list their BHS counselor, the student must complete the Education & FERPA/Recommender sections in Common App.

The BHS Counselor will also send mid-year report with transcript at the end of semester 1 to schools listed in student's Common App. 

Applying via college website application?

Berkley High School has partnered with Parchment to order and send students and alumni transcripts securely.  Students must order their transcripts using Parchment.  Students will have to create a "New Learner" account.  Students should only complete the required* fields.  

Students must indicate where they would like their transcripts sent (referred to as "Destination" in Parchment).  Transcripts orders are fulfilled by the BHS registrar in 2-3 school days.

When to send transcripts?

1. When you are applying to colleges during 12th grade.  Colleges will not review your application unless they have received your transcript via Parchment.
2. In May of 12th grade, once you know for sure which college you are attending the follow fall.  When you request your final transcript be send to the college you will be attending, you must select "Hold for Grades" in Parchment.  BHS will send your final transcript once 2nd semester grades are posted onto your transcript (a few days following graduation).
3. -Sometimes-, colleges will ask to see your 1st semester grades from 12th grade (7th semester grades) before they make an admissions decision.  If that is the case, you must order your transcript in Parchment and select "Hold for Grades".  BHS will send your transcript once 1st semester grades are posted onto your transcript (a few days after the start of 2nd semester).

Sending SAT/ACT Scores to Colleges/Universities

If you would like to submit your tests scores to colleges (and you didn't do so when you registered for the test), you need to order your scores in either your ACT account portal or College Board account portal. 

Colleges want to receive test scores directly from these portals, not from BHS.  Note: BHS does not have access to student portal login information.

Click below for more information and detailed instructions:

• Sending ACT scores
• Sending SAT scores

Does your application require a Letter of Rec?

 Check the Common App Dashboard!

Once you created your Common App account and added the colleges you plan on applying to in the "My Colleges" tab, then you can click on the college and view their requirements. 

In Common App, Teacher Evaluation (TE) = teacher letter of recommendation

  Not using Common App?

Check the application requirements on the colleges' admissions websites!

Teacher Letter of Recommendation Request

Request form must be completed

All students who require a teacher letter of recommendation for college or scholarship application must complete this form.  The form may be completed more than once.

Does your application require an Essay?

Check the Common App Writing Requirement Resource!  
Common Application Essay Prompts
 If your colleges aren't on the Common App, check the colleges' admissions websites!

Essay Tips + Resources

How to Write a College Essay: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide from the College Essay Guy
Strong Personal Statements Blog - Emory University
Essays That Worked - Johns Hopkins University
New York Times - College Essays
Helping Juniors Get a Jump on The College Essay
How to Write an Effective College Application Essay: The Inside Scoop for Students

FREE Essay Editing Services for Seniors!

DePaul Essay Editing

Thinking of transferring?  Check out this video!

Plan your Transfer

Planning your transfer is an important step to earning your degree.  Students in Michigan have several options when it comes to transferring. 

You may want to:

1. Transfer a course
2. Complete the Michigan Transfer Agreement
3. Complete an entire associate degree before transferring to earn your bachelor's degree. 

Use the resources on Michigan Transfer Network to help plan your transfer!

Transfer your Courses

The Michigan Transfer Network allows students and advisors to view transfer course equivalencies between many Michigan colleges and universities.  You can search for courses by sending institution (the institution where you completed the course) or by the receiving institution (the institution where you plan to transfer the course).  This information is provided as a resource to identify potential transfer credit and is not an official credit evaluation or a guarantee of transfer credit.

Michigan Transfer Agreement

The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) allows students to complete general education courses at participating colleges and universities in Michigan.  Students may complete the MTA as part of an associate degree or as a stand-alone package at Michigan institutions.

To fulfill the Michigan Transfer Agreement, students must successfully complete at least 30 credits, with at least a 2.0 in each course and at least one credit completed at the institution awarding the MTA. 

These credits should be met according to the following distribution:

• One course in English Composition
• A second course in English Composition or 1 course in Communications
• One course in Mathematics from one of three pathways: Pathway to Calculus (includes College Algebra), Statistics, or Quantitative Reasoning
• Two courses in Social Sciences (from two disciplines)
• Two courses in Humanities and Fine Arts (from two disciplines, excluding studio and performance classes)
• Two courses in Natural Sciences including one with laboratory experience (from two disciplines)

Transfer your Associate Degree

Students can complete an associate degree at a community college in a program of study and transfer to a participating university.  Colleges and universities maintain articulation agreements and transfer guides to help students navigate the transfer process. 

Use these guides to help plan your transfer pathway!

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are transfer agreements between two institutions of higher education ensuring that courses transfer to specific academic programs.  

Transfer Guides

Transfer Guides are published by colleges and universities to help students understand how courses transfer to selected academic programs.  

MiTransfer Pathways

MiTransfer Pathways provide guidance about transferring courses in specific academic programs to multiple colleges and universities in Michigan. 

Oakland Community College Transfer Information

When transferring from OCC to another institution, it is up to the receiving school which classes will be accepted and how your credits will transfer. Students should work with an OCC counselor to discuss transfer credits and academic planning to ensure they stay on track for degree completion.

• Students may find the Michigan Transfer Network to be a useful source of information. 
• In addition, transferring students are strongly encouraged to explore transfer opportunities that exist with post-secondary articulation agreements between OCC and many four-year colleges and universities.

Oakland Community College Short-term Programs

• Training programs that prepare students for jobs in fields such as supply chain logistics, advanced manufacturing, CNC, sterile processing, CNA, and computer security.
• Pre-apprenticeship programs where students can explore a trade or technical occupation and develop the skills and knowledge needed to prepare themselves for employment or apprenticeship opportunities. 
• Apprenticeship programs where students receive the related technical instruction to complete a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program while earning wages from day one. Students are also advised on certificate and associate degree options after successful completion of an apprenticeship.

Thinking about an HBCU?

• Why choose an HBCU (UNCF)
• There’s an HBCU for You: How to Choose a School (UNCF)
• Find your HBCU match!
• Searchable database of all HBCUs (the 107)
• Steps in the Right Direction: Tips for Parents of College-Bound Kids (UNCF)
• Sign up to receive scholarship, internship, and job alerts via email from HBCU Connect!

Common Black College Application

• Prospective students can apply to dozens of HBCUs for a single $20 fee using the Common Black College Application.

Understanding College SAT/ACT Requirements:

• Some universities, such as Michigan State University, have adopted test-optional policies, meaning they do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission.

• Other institutions, including Ohio State University, MIT, and Brown University, do require standardized test scores.

• However, some colleges have not indicated how they plan to handle standardized testing when it comes to the class of 2027 and we would like to make sure you are prepared. 

• Additionally, many colleges offer increased merit-based scholarships when students submit SAT or ACT scores alongside their GPA.

SAT vs. ACT: Understanding the Differences

• Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests used for college admissions and merit-based scholarships. 

• While colleges accept either test, understanding their differences can help students choose the one that aligns best with their strengths.  It's advisable for students to take practice tests for both to determine which suits them better.

SAT Overview:

• Sections: Reading & Writing, Math

• Length: Approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes

• Format: Fully digital, must use district Chromebook

• Focus: Emphasizes algebra and data analysis

• Time per Question: More generous, allowing deeper thinking

• Students who prefer more time per question and a focus on algebra may lean toward the SAT.

• Cost: $68 for standard registration. Additional fees may apply for late registration or changes.

  • Fee Waivers: Available to low-income students in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Eligible students can receive up to two fee waivers for SAT Weekend tests.

  • Students should contact their school counselor to request a fee waiver or request a fee waiver directly from College Board.

ACT Overview:

• Sections: English, Math, Reading, Science

• Length: Approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes (without writing)

• Format: Primarily paper-based

• Focus: Covers a broader range of math topics and includes a science reasoning section

• Time per Question: Faster-paced, requiring quick reasoning

• Those who excel in science reasoning and are comfortable with a faster pace might prefer the ACT.

• Cost: $65 for the standard test (without writing). Additional fees may apply for late registration or changes.

  • Fee Waivers: Available to eligible students in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Eligible students can receive up to four fee waivers.

  • Students should contact their school counselor to request a fee waiver.

PSAT and SAT testing at Berkley High School:

• All juniors will take the SAT during the school day in April 2026 at BHS, which is a graduation requirement.  This school-administered SAT is provided at no cost to students.

• Juniors will have an opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT next fall during the school day.

• PSAT 10 scores from April 2025 will be available on May 1st in your student’s College Board account.

SAT/ACT National Test Dates: 

Students may choose to take the SAT or ACT on national test dates, which are typically held on Saturdays at local high schools. Participating in these additional tests can provide students with the opportunity to improve their scores or meet specific college requirements.

Testing locations can fill up quickly, especially those close to home. To ensure your student secures a convenient testing site, we strongly recommend registering as early as possible.

SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines   |    ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

Registration Information:

• SAT Registration: Students can register for the SAT here

• ACT Registration: Students can register for the ACT here

SAT/ACT Test Prep:

• Free SAT Prep course: Khan Academy SAT Prep

• SAT Bluebook app: Free practice tests to familiarize students with the digital SAT format

• Free ACT Online Prep: ACT.org

• The Tutoring Center in Birmingham

• Mally A.C.T in West Bloomfield

NCAA Eligibility Center

College-bound student-athletes preparing to enroll in a Division I or Division II school need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure they have met amateurism standards and are academically prepared for college coursework.

• INITIAL ELIGIBILITY FAQ 2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR AND BEYOND

• NCAA Guide for the College-bound Athlete

• NCAA Eligibility Requirements and timeline

• NAIA Eligibility Center

PlayNAIA.org is the official clearinghouse for NAIA eligibility. Every student-athlete must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center to play sports at an NAIA college or university..

• List of NAIA Colleges

Click here to view our school profile, which includes information and statistics regarding:

• Berkley demographics, courses offered, student opportunities, student post-secondary plans, and more.

For a printable copy, please view the BHS Profile for the 2024-2025 school year.