Senior Resources

Welcome, Class of 2026!

Graduation Information

Cap and gown orders, senior grad ads for yearbook, and more.

Junior Night 2026

Click here to view presentation

On Wednesday, March 25th, BHS Counselors hosted our annual Junior Night for the Class of 2027. If you missed the presentation or would like to review the presented content, please follow the link above.

Post-Secondary Resources

4 Year College

4-Year Colleges/Universities

To visit individual college websites, both public and independent, visit the link below

www.a2zcolleges.com/undergrad/washington.html

Expand the appropriate tab to explore more information.

Timeline

Summer/Fall

Visit colleges –Universities have in-person or virtual tours available.

Narrow your list of potential colleges. Consider applying to 3-5 colleges.

Check priority application deadlines for all colleges on your list.

Begin the application process now by creating application accounts.

Common Application website: https://www.commonapp.org

Attend college talks in the BHS commons and tabling at lunch.

Create a calendar of test dates/fees/registration deadlines; college application deadlines; and financial aid application deadlines.

Meet with your school counselor to check your credits and graduation requirements.

Begin to understand the FAFSA- Financial Aid 101

Tip: Avoid the urge to ease up on your studies during senior year. Colleges look at how well you can balance your schoolwork and activities—and still maintain a strong GPA.

October

FAFSA or WASFA application opens OCTOBER 1 www.fafsa.gov

Attend College Fair at Sehome High School in October

Over 50 admissions officers from 2-year and 4-year colleges will be present

Continue your college search and visits.

Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and employers. Complete the “Letter of Recommendation Request” Please give your recommender at least three weeks prior to when you need completed letter.

If you are completing the Common Application, it requires one counselor and possibly two teacher recommendations. The counselor and teachers must be “invited;” all email addresses are available on the BHS webpage.

Tip: In addition to the Common Application essays, some colleges have supplemental essays; double check university/college website.

November:

If you apply for EARLY college admissions, many deadlines are in November/December. Double Check Deadlines!

Does your college need the CSS Profile? CSS Profile Home – CSS Profile | College Board Double check college website

If your application requires a “School Report,” be sure to allow at least two weeks for your teacher or counselor to complete their portion.

Attend college talks at BHS- calendar in Counseling Office and online

University of Washington application due November 15th (application available NOW)

Tip: know your deadlines: Early Action/Early Decision application are due Nov/early Dec.

December:

Be aware of university application and Scholarship deadlines.

Check the status of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC tells the amount of money your family is expected to contribute and your eligibility for federal grants and loans.

January:

Know the Financial Aid deadlines for your colleges

check BHS Scholarship Bulletin weekly for new scholarship opportunities

Washington State College applications are due late January (check college websites)

Finish semester 1 strong

Tip: use Otterbot to help answer your financial aid questions. Available 24/7 OtterBot | WSAC (wa.gov)

February:

Continue researching scholarships on BHS Website. Both local listings and free online scholarship search programs are available @ scholarshipbulletin8-28-2025.pdf

Whatcom Community Foundation opens – local scholarships available to BHS students. See Mark Jacques in Counseling Center

Once semester 1 grades are final, double check Skyward to ensure you have all your graduation requirements. See your counselor for any questions.

Tip: Make sure all college applications are complete with transcript and fees paid!

March-June

Complete and Turn in High School Beyond Plan with Resume to Hawk Hour Teacher or Mark Jacques.

Acceptance letters should begin to arrive along with financial award packages! This is a big decision that requires careful review. Check with your counselor if you need assistance with this decision. Traditionally, May 1 is the deadline for 4-year college acceptance.

Continue to search for and complete scholarship applications.

Sign Clearance Form and Transcript Form. The Counseling Office will send your final transcript to your school, we CANNOT send transcripts without your signature.

June -- GRADUATE! Woohoo

Holistic Review

What Do Colleges Look For?

A Holistic Review

Academic Preparation & Performance

Colleges look at many factors in reviewing applications for admission. Academic preparation and performance are primary indicators of preparation and performance. This includes:

An overall strong level of academic achievement as demonstrated by rigor of curriculum, GPA, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities and academic distinctions.

Enrollment in core subjects beyond the minimum required for college entrance. (Core subjects are English, math, science, social studies and world language.)

Taking advantage of college preparatory courses during high school, such as Advanced Placement (AP), College In the High School/Dual Enrollment, Running Start and other meaningful academic choices.

Taking a rigorous course load during senior year

Demonstrating a pattern of academic improvement and growth

Demonstrating exceptional talent and achievement in a specific area(s)

Personal Achievements and Characteristics

In addition to academic preparation and performance, personal achievements and characteristics are also carefully reviewed by college admission counselors. These include:

Demonstrating a commitment to community service and leadership

Exercising significant responsibility in your family, community, employment or through activities

Attaining a college preparatory education in the face of personal adversity, economic disadvantages or disability

Demonstrating cultural awareness or unique perspectives/experiences

Demonstrating notable tenacity, insight, originality or creativity

The entire application, including the personal statement, is important in the individual application review. A high degree of care should be evident in both the content and mechanical/grammatical accuracy of all materials.

Note: Colleges are seeing a trend of personal statements written by parents. Don’t even think about using Chat GPT or AI. This is easily recognizable and must be avoided at all costs!

Source: Adapted from University of Washington

Common Application

When completing the common application, please reference our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this section

The Common App allows you apply to multiple colleges with just one application. It’s easy, efficient, and widely accepted by over 1,000 colleges and universities.

1. Start Your Common App Today

Visit: www.commonapp.org
Create your account
Explore colleges and requirements

2. Request Letters of Recommendation EARLY

Ask at least 3 weeks before your application deadline
- Ex: if your application is due October 15, request your letters by September 24!
Give your teachers/counselors time to write thoughtful letters
Provide them with your resume and information sheet to help them highlight your strengths

Be polite and professional when making your request
Follow up with a thank-you note
Check each college’s specific requirements for recommenders

When completing the Common Application, you will be required to include one counselor and possibly two teacher recommendations. The counselor and teachers must be “invited;” all email addresses are available on the BHS webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference the Bellingham School Profile when completing application questions.

What how many seniors are on track to graduate in the Class of 2026?

321

Does BHS use weighted or unweight GPA?

Unweighted GPA

How can I learn what my class rank is?

BHS eliminated class rank in 2020-2021

Where can I get the School Profile for BHS?

Click here to download a copy of the School Profile

How can I see my previous courses and grades from BHS?

Request an Unofficial Transcript from Evan Walker in Student Services. The easiest and fastest way to obtain your transcript is to email Evan at evan.walker@bellinghamschools.org using your school email address.

Letter of Recommendation

Transcript Request

Requesting your BHS Transcript

If applying to college through the Common Application, invite your BHS Counselor to upload a copy of your Transcript. For all other college applications, see the directions below.

To request a copy of your Bellingham High School transcript for direct applications, please send an email with the following information:

Full Name as it appears in Skyward
What format type (Electronic/Email or Printed/Mailed)
Where you need us to send them to
Whether you need an Official Transcript or Unofficial Transcript
Date of Birth
Graduation Year/Anticipated Graduation Year

Please send your request to Evan Walker at evan.walker@bellinghamschools.org during the school year.

We heavily discourage transcript requests submitted via phone call or voicemail. Specific information must be articulated in a transcript request and voicemails leave a significant room for error. Transcript Request submitted via Phone Call or Voicemail will also have a significant delay in fulfillment time. All time-sensitive transcript requests should be submitted via email or requested in-person. Transcript Request submitted via Phone Call or Voicemail over the summer will not be fulfilled until the end of August.

Official Transcript

Format: sealed in an envelope with the school seal and verified signature OR sent directly to an institution/organization/employer from BHS

Uses: transferring credits, application for employment, important step after admittance to college/university

Why Official: ensures the document is certified and free of tampering or altering when received

Unofficial Transcript

Format: printed on plain paper OR emailed as a PDF to requestor

Uses: preliminary admission to college/university, insurance discount, personal tool for academic standing

SAT / ACT

SAT or ACT:

Students interested in four-year college CAN take the SAT or ACT.

SAT registration at http://sat.org/register

ACT registration at http://www.actstudent.org/register/.

SAT and ACT Test Dates

Check your college/university to see if they are test-optional or not.

This is no longer an admissions requirement for WA state schools.

SAT dates

Test Date	Registration Deadline
May 2, 2026	April 17th
June 6, 2026	May 22nd
August 22, 2026	TBD
September 12, 2026	TBD

ACT dates

Test Date	Registration Deadline
June 13, 2026	May 8th
July 11, 2026	June 5th
September 3, 2026	TBD
October 17, 2026	TBD

WUE

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

What is WUE?

WUE is the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a program coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students in Western states may enroll in participating 2-year and 4-year public college programs at a reduced tuition level. In all cases, WUE tuition is considerably less than nonresident tuition.

Which States Participate? (Only some colleges in these states are part of WUE- see website for full list of participating 2- and 4-years school)

Alaska	Hawaii	North Dakota	South Dakota
Arizona	Idaho	Nevada	Guam
California	Montana	Utah	Washington
Colorado	New Mexico	Oregon	Wyoming

Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands

WUE Online

To learn about the wide variety of programs available, consult WUE Online, at www.wiche.edu/wue. For additional details, follow the links to the receiving institution websites.

Application and Admission

Apply directly to the institution of your choice for admission and WUE tuition status. Be sure to communicate on the institution’s application that you are seeking admission as a WUE student.

Save On Tuition | Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) (wiche.edu)

WAGAP (Automatic Admission)

The Washington Guaranteed Admission Program (WAGAP)

Guarantees admission to select WA state public universities IF you have a current cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher and have completed BHS graduation requirements by the time you graduate. You must complete the application process, and you are guaranteed admission to the participating universities:

Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University
The Evergreen State College
University of Washington Tacoma
Washington State University
Western Washington University

CADR's Requirements

Minimum College Admission Standards

An Overview for Students and Parents

College Academic Distribution Requirement (CADR):

CADRs are the requirements that students must complete during high school to meet college admission standards.

College admissions decisions are made by individual colleges and vary depending on the type of institution and other factors. While high school graduation (or the equivalent) is typically required, meeting high school graduation requirements is not the same as meeting college admissions standards.

Check the college/university website to see what each College requires as the minimum entry course requirements

2 Year College

2-Year Community/Technical Colleges

Interested in a Washington State Community College? Visit this webpage for all institutions within the state.

Click here to visit the CTC Application for all 2-year college and community college opportunities

Visit our Financial Aid and Scholarships page for more information on tuition and payment relief.

Senior Year To Do List

Summer/Fall

Visit colleges –Universities have in-person or virtual tours available.

Narrow your list of potential colleges. Consider applying to 3-5 colleges.

Check priority application deadlines for all colleges on your list.

Begin the application process now by creating application accounts.

Common Application website: https://www.commonapp.org

If needed, register for the SAT or ACT test. Bellingham High School code: 480 094

Attend college talks in the BHS commons and tabling at lunch.

Create a calendar of test dates/fees/registration deadlines; college application deadlines; and financial aid application deadlines.

Meet with your school counselor to check your credits and graduation requirements.

Begin to understand the FAFSA- Financial Aid 101

Tip: Avoid the urge to ease up on your studies during senior year. Colleges look at how well you can balance your schoolwork and activities—and still maintain a strong GPA.

October

FAFSA or WAFSA application opens OCTOBER 1 www.fafsa.gov

Attend College Fair at Sehome High School in October

Over 50 admissions officers from 2-year and 4-year colleges will be present

Continue your college search and visits.

Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and employers. Complete the “Letter of Recommendation Request” Please give your recommender at least three weeks prior to when you need completed letter.

If you are completing the Common Application, it requires one counselor and possibly two teacher recommendations. The counselor and teachers must be “invited;” all email addresses are available on the BHS webpage.

Tip: In addition to the Common Application essays, some colleges have supplemental essays; double check university/college website.

November:

If you apply for EARLY college admissions, many deadlines are in November/December. Double Check Deadlines!

Does your college need the CSS Profile? CSS Profile Home – CSS Profile | College Board Double check college website

If your application requires a “School Report,” be sure to allow at least two weeks for your teacher or counselor to complete their portion.

Attend college talks at BHS- calendar in Counseling Office and online
Tip: know your deadlines: Early Action/Early Decision application are due Nov/early Dec.

December:

Be aware of university application and Scholarship deadlines.

Check the status of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC tells the amount of money your family is expected to contribute and your eligibility for federal grants and loans.

January:

Know the Financial Aid deadlines for your colleges

check BHS Scholarship Bulletin weekly for new scholarship opportunities

Washington State College applications are due late January (check college websites)

Finish semester 1 strong

Tip: use Otterbot to help answer your financial aid questions. Available 24/7 OtterBot | WSAC (wa.gov)

February:

Continue researching scholarships on BHS Website. Both local listings and free online scholarship search programs are available @ scholarshipbulletin8-28-2025.pdf

Whatcom Community Foundation opens – local scholarships available to BHS students. See Mark Jacques in Counseling Center

Once semester 1 grades are final, double check Skyward to ensure you have all your graduation requirements. See your counselor for any questions.

Tip: Make sure all college applications are complete with transcript and fees paid!

March-June:

Complete and Turn in High School Beyond Plan with Resume to Hawk Hour Teacher or Mark Jacques.

Acceptance letters should begin to arrive along with financial award packages! This is a big decision that requires careful review. Check with your counselor if you need assistance with this decision.

Continue to search for and complete scholarship applications.

Sign Clearance Form and Transcript Form. The Counseling Office will send your final transcript to your school, we CANNOT send transcripts without your signature.

June --GRADUATE! Woohoo!

Military

Military Services

THERE ARE FOUR OPTIONS FOR MILITARY SERVICE:

ROTC The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a good opportunity for you to get invaluable experience while you earn a college degree. When enrolled in ROTC you learn and develop leadership skills and prepare for a career as an officer in the U.S. Military – Visit website for more information on each branch- https://www.todaysmilitary.com/education-training/rotc-programs

Service Academy Apply for an appointment to a service academy. Members of Congress and the academies themselves appoint students. Each cadet receives his/her education at government expense prior to receiving a commission as an officer in a branch of the service. The application should begin in the spring of the junior year and is an intensive process.

Army (West Point) www.westpoint.edu/

Coast Guard Academy www.uscga.edu/admissions/

Air Force Academy www.usafa.af.mil

Naval Academy www.usna.edu

Enlist after high school Students must be physically qualified, be of good moral character, and qualify on the ASVAB. Enlistees are not usually commissioned officers.

Reserve Unit Join a National Guard or Reserve Unit. After basic training, students meet monthly to continue training.

For a guide describing military occupations, training, advancement opportunities, and employment for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard careers go to: www.careersinthemilitary.com.

Benefits:

Educational opportunities to include up to 100% tuition assistance for college
Free technical training in over 200 different occupations
Job Security
Housing and meals
Medical and dental care at no charge – retirement benefits option
30 days/year of paid vacation
G. I. Bill – tuition for any school
Signing bonuses for some Careers

General Qualifications:

High school graduate
Physically qualified
Good moral character
Qualify on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Bellingham High School can host the ASVAB-- contact see Mark Jacques

Senior Year To-Do List

Spring 2026: Job Fair at BHS from 4:00 to 6:00 (Date: TBD)

Fall

Meet with your counselor to make sure you are taking all the classes you need to graduate.

Continue your career search. Complete lessons in Schoolinks to match interests to careers.

Use Hot Jobs to help find a job to begin building employment skills

Take classes at BHS to help acquire skills related to career interests. Be sure that you are doing everything you can to take advantage of free education/training available within the public schools. Consider taking CTE courses and Dual Credit classes.

Students interested in a military career are strongly encouraged to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery– sign up with Mark Jacques

October

Talk to Mark Jacques about work and apprenticeship opportunities

Visit Jobs Bulletin for jobs available now

Update your resume. Ask teachers/counselors permission before putting their name as a reference on your resume.

WAVE TOUR NW Carpenters Institute at Skagit Valley (date: Oct 21-25 -TBD)

November-December

Attend local military recruiting, apprenticeship and career fairs. See Mark Jacques in Counseling Center

Meet with representatives from the military and/or apprenticeship programs.

Students interested in a military career are strongly encouraged to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Dates determined by Mark Jacques

January/February

Continue to update your resume and develop your employment skills. Meet with your counselor to ensure you have meet graduation requirements.

March-June

BTC Try-A-Trade Day- TBD

WCC Spring Preview - TBD

Marine Trade field trip at Fisherman’s Pavilion TBD

Construction Day at Lynden Fairgrounds TBD

Familiarize yourself with local job placement services, internet sites for assistance, and job search strategies (applications, interviews, etc.) It is helpful to develop a list of at least 3 potential employers with names, contact information, etc.

Complete High School and Beyond Plan with Resume to Hawk Hour Teacher or Mark Jacques.

In June GRADUATE!

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship Resources

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are career-training opportunities combining classroom instruction and on-the-job training under the supervision of a journey-level craft person or trade professional. Apprentices “earn while they learn” and do not have tuition costs to pay. Most apprenticeship programs in WA State are divided into 3 broad career pathways:

Building and Construction (carpenter, plumbing, electrician, iron worker, etc.)

Manufacturing and Machine (diesel, industrial millwright, machinist, etc.)

Service and Support (firefighter, cosmetologist, imaging tech, education paraprofessional, etc.)

Helpful Apprenticeship Websites:

www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Apprenticeship/

Apprenticeships — FuturesNW

Apprenticeship Program Public (wa.gov) - Find an apprentice or apprenticeship Program

HELPFUL CONSTRUCTION WEBSITES:

Associated General Contractors of Washington Education Foundation

www.constructionfoundation.org

NW WA Electrical Industry JATC www.nwejatc.org

Washington Women in Trades www.wawomenintrades.com

Senior Year To-Do List

Spring 2026: Job Fair at BHS from 4:00 to 6:00 (Date: TBD)

Fall

Meet with your counselor to make sure you are taking all the classes you need to graduate.

Continue your career search. Complete lessons in Schoolinks to match interests to careers.

Use Hot Jobs to help find a job to begin building employment skills

Take classes at BHS to help acquire skills related to career interests. Be sure that you are doing everything you can to take advantage of free education/training available within the public schools. Consider taking CTE courses and Dual Credit classes.

BP Cherry Point field trip Fall 2026. Take a tour of BP and learn about potential careers. Sign up with Mark Jacques

October

Talk to Mark Jacques about work and apprenticeship opportunities

Visit Jobs Bulletin for jobs available now

Update your resume. Ask teachers/counselors permission before putting their name as a reference on your resume.

WAVE TOUR NW Carpenters Institute at Skagit Valley (date: Oct 21-25 -TBD)

November-December

Attend local military recruiting, apprenticeship and career fairs. See Mark Jacques in Counseling Center

Meet with representatives from the military and/or apprenticeship programs.

January/February

Continue to update your resume and develop your employment skills. Meet with your counselor to ensure you have meet graduation requirements.

March-June

Teen Job Fair - April 16th, 3-5pm in BHS Gym

Construction Day at Lynden Fairgrounds - May 21st, 8:30am-1pm (See Mark Jacques for sign up)

Familiarize yourself with local job placement services, internet sites for assistance, and job search strategies (applications, interviews, etc.) It is helpful to develop a list of at least 3 potential employers with names, contact information, etc.

Complete High School and Beyond Plan with Resume to Hawk Hour Teacher or Mark Jacques.

In June GRADUATE!

Employment

Work Resources

On-the-Job Training: Turn a Job into a Career

Students need to be realistic about the types of jobs that are available.

Employees might be willing to teach someone the technical or job-specific skills needed for the job, but the employer expects the new employee to come prepared with good interpersonal skills. These skills include the ability to:

Demonstrate a good work ethic; be dependable, trustworthy, punctual, polite, well-groomed.
Communicate effectively—both verbally and in writing
Work as part of a diverse team
Ability to manage time, money & materials
Use computers effectively
Be a self-starter
Demonstrate leadership skills

Student Job-Hunting Tips

Network. Tell everyone you’re looking for a job. Many positions are filled with friends and relatives of employees.
Attend Field trips to worksites (list available in early September)
Put together a quality resume and cover letter. Learn how to complete applications professionally and completely – make an appointment with Mark Jacques in the Multicultural Center to get the help you need.
Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, coaches and employers. Complete the “Letter of Recommendation Request” Provide a copy of the form to at least three recommenders and give them at least three weeks to complete the letter.
Think about where work opportunities are located. Personally visit and respectfully ask if they accept applications.
Continue to contact the businesses and companies. Inform them of continued interest.
Be prepared for an interview. Know something about the company, dress neatly, be punctual, look and act in a professional manner and be confident.

Sources for Finding Jobs

Make an appointment with Mark Jacques in the multicultural center or log on to the BHS counseling website Hot-Jobs-9-5-2024_

WorkSource Whatcom Career Center- Valuable resources for all job seekers. 101 Prospect St, Bellingham, WA 98225 https://www.worksourcewa.com/ is the broader site for ALL of Washington.

Looking for jobs in Washington State www.NWjobs.com

Looking for jobs locally YESWhatcom.com

Senior Year To-Do List

Spring 2026: Job Fair in the BHS Commons from 4:00 to 6:00 (April 16th)

Fall

Meet with your counselor to make sure you are taking all the classes you need to graduate.

Continue your career search. Complete lessons in Schoolinks to match interests to careers.

Use Hot Jobs to help find a job to begin building employment skills

Take classes at BHS to help acquire skills related to career interests. Be sure that you are doing everything you can to take advantage of free education/training available within the public schools. Consider taking CTE courses and Dual Credit classes.

BP Cherry Point field trip Fall 2026. Take a tour of BP and learn about potential careers. Sign up with Mark Jacques

October

Talk to Mark Jacques about work and apprenticeship opportunities

Visit Jobs Bulletin for jobs available now

Update your resume. Ask teachers/counselors permission before putting their name as a reference on your resume.

WAVE TOUR NW Carpenters Institute at Skagit Valley (2026 date: TBD)

November-December

Attend local military recruiting, apprenticeship and career fairs. See Mark Jacques in Counseling Center

Meet with representatives from the military and/or apprenticeship programs.

Students interested in a military career are strongly encouraged to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Dates determined by Mark Jacques

January/February

Continue to update your resume and develop your employment skills. Meet with your counselor to ensure you have meet graduation requirements.

March-June

Teen Job Fair - April 16th, 2026, from 3-5pm in BHS Gym

Construction Day at Lynden Fairgrounds - May 21st, 2026, from 8:30am-1pm (See Mark Jacques for sign up)

Familiarize yourself with local job placement services, internet sites for assistance, and job search strategies (applications, interviews, etc.) It is helpful to develop a list of at least 3 potential employers with names, contact information, etc.

Complete High School and Beyond Plan with Resume to Hawk Hour Teacher or Mark Jacques.

In June GRADUATE!

Financial Aid

Financial Aid 101 - Available on our Financial Aid and Scholarships page.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WAFSA is available on OCTOBER 1. Students and guardians need separate student aid accounts. The application is available at www.fafsa.gov.

Some universities require the CSS Profile CSS Profile Home – CSS Profile | College Board (see college’s website).

Attend a Financial Aid Event VIRTUALLY for support. Must register in advance through FuturesNW.

To learn more about Financial Aid and Scholarship opportunities, visit our Financial Aid and Scholarships page.