The Road to College

oday’s universities seek students who exceed minimum expectations, who are well rounded, who can think critically and creatively, and who are prepared for the intellectual and independent work of college. Competitive colleges look for student resumes with rigorous classes, high standardized test scores on the SAT or the ACT, interesting and accomplished extracurricular activities, and dedicated community service. Students are also admitted based on excellent writing skills and articulate personal interviews.

BCA works to prepare our students in each of these areas beginning as early as their freshman year. To prepare for the road to college, our students meet with the Associate Dean of the Upper School annually to plan individualized paths with the right level of class work, the appropriate academic and technical tracks, and engaging extracurricular activities. During the sophomore year, custom college guidance includes thorough test preparation for the PSAT, provided by our partners in college test preparation, The Princeton Review. The PSAT gives students estimated scores for the SAT and valuable information regarding areas of strength and weakness for additional study, as well as qualifying students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. During the spring of sophomore year, students with GPAs of 3.5 and above, good character, and leadership skills are inducted into the Bradford Christian Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society, a prestigious academic honor and highly valued by rigorous colleges.

College preparation intensifies during the junior year with challenging classes, including AP courses, and our semester-long SAT Preparation Class taught in partnership with The Princeton Review. Students who take the SAT preparation class on average score 150 points higher on their SAT scores.  Individualized college guidance continues as BCA identifies students’ talents, interests, competencies, standardized test scores, and GPAs and discusses appropriate colleges and universities with each institution’s admissions criteria.

By the fall of senior year, seniors have identified colleges that are good fit and reach schools, and with the guidance of the Dean and the Associate Dean of the Upper School, students create organized binders with college application deadlines, necessary forms, scholarship information, letters of recommendation, transcripts, standardized testing, and personal essays. Students are coached on proper interview techniques, attire, and etiquette. We also host college preparation workshops for families, bringing in guest speakers to instruct on issues such as college financing strategies and scholarship options.

BCA is very proud of the hard work and dedication of our students and the acceptances and scholarships received by our graduates. Our college acceptances include the following US News & World Report Top 100 Colleges and Universities:

Our graduates have also been accepted into the following excellent colleges and universities: