Class of 2021: Your PSAT scores were released online Dec. 10, 2019. Login at https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home to see the scores, test performance feedback and more. Take advantage of these opportunities:
Other Career/Testing Opportunities
Register for the SAT
Take the next step toward college by registering. Juniors (class of 2021) should register for a March or May SAT (both offered at BCHS), and select up to four colleges to receive scores for free (COLLEGES REQUIRE SCORES DIRECTLY FROM THE COLLEGE BOARD AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SEND THEM FOR FREE). https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register.
12:00 am School begins
Nothing helps students and families more in the college search process than making an official college visit to schools of interest. Many college visits can take place on non-BCHS school days, but there are times when it is necessary to take a day off of school.
Every senior should try to take advantage of the opportunity to visit a college when the underclassmen take the PSAT/PLAN exams, usually in early-mid October. Seniors may choose to use additional days for college visits according to the following guidelines:
Juniors are permitted a limited number of college-visit days.
Updated May 2019: method of reporting the absence See Student Handbook for other details.
We look forward to helping you reach your post-secondary goals. Basic information for the summer of 2019 is included below. Please contact Mrs. Nixon if you have any questions.
Students often have questions regarding their potential to earn college credit as they evaluate which senior English course to take. This chart shows what credit some local universities currently award for AP Language, AP Literature, and W131.
A few reminders as you review this information:
|
|
AP Language | AP Literature | W 131 |
| Ball State University | ENG 103 (3 or 4)
ENG 103 & 104 (5) |
ENG 206 (3, 4, or 5) | ENG 103 |
| Butler University | EN 185 (4 or 5) | EN 185 (4 or 5) | General elective: 100 level credit |
| Indiana University | W 131 (4 or 5) | X 101 (3, 4, or 5) | Grade is taken in GPA |
| Marian University | ENG 101 (4 or 5) | ENG 101 & ENG 112 (4 or 5) | ENG 112 |
| University of Notre Dame | WR 13100 (4 or 5) | No credit transfers | No credit transfers |
| Purdue University | ENGL 10600 (4 or 5) | ENGL 23100 (4 or 5) | ENG 10300 |
College coaches often ask Bishop Chatard for copies of the current transcript of a student-athlete as part of their eligibility screening process. For the school to release your transcript, the school needs your permission. Please complete the BCHS Transcript Release Form now in order to save yourself a step later. Return completed form to the School Counseling Office.
Résumés are an important part of the college application process. The College Board offers some tips on the key features of an effective résumé and how to adapt it to various audiences. View the CollegeBoardtipshighschoolresume for suggestions.
Did you know…
This helpful site allows you to see how some colleges and universities in Indiana accept AP credits. Indiana state law requires all two and four-year Indiana public colleges and universities to award college credit that counts toward a degree for scores of 3 or higher.
Any student who plans to play sports in college should visit the NCAA Eligibility Center to sign up and begin the required academic verification process. Visit www.eligibilitycenter.org to get started. It is recommended that this process be initiated by the summer prior to senior year. View Athletics for further information and tips on playing sports in college.
Indiana-Based
National Links
College Fairs are events where students of any grade can get acquainted with the multiple colleges at the fair in one evening or afternoon. BCHS posts College Fair information we receive during the school year.
We recommend this article from the University of Colorado for tips and top questions to ask at a college fair.
Here is one suggestion from Ruth P., from Louisville U.:
I made 4 lists that were the backbone of my search. The first contained my extracurricular activities, skills/abilities, leadership roles, community service, honors/talents and awards. The second held potential effective recommenders. The third consisted of scholarships that I qualified to apply for, based on my ACT score and GPA. And, finally, the fourth, a list of colleges that fit my intended major.
I turned the first list into a resume, the second into actual recommendations, the third into applications that I filled and submitted, and the fourth into colleges that I applied to, based on my intended program/major.
After getting accepted into my college choices, I then made the decisions considering “location, tuition, advantage of my intended program/major, involvement opportunities.”
Taylor Keasey, BCHS Class of 2016, offers her advice:
If you can, visit when campus in in full swing during the academic year. But if that’s not possible, a Saturday or in the summer will still give you the campus flavor.
Do both. An organized tour will allow you to understand process, logistics, dates and deadlines and all the nitty gritty. Hanging out helps you get a feel for the environment.
Ask questions that aren’t about facts and figures you can find on their website. And don’t judge a university by just one tour guide or the weather on the day. After your visit is over, everybody should compare notes. Mom may have noticed something that perhaps the student didn’t. Remember, you can always visit again.
These insights are from Mitch Warren, Purdue Director of Admission, 2016
Visit the BCHS Senior Page . On that page, go to the ‘College’ tab to find out what you need to do if the visit is during school hours.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is nationwide application that calculates the EFC (Expected Family Contribution), that is used to determine federal, state and institutional financial aid and sometimes scholarships for a college student.
Application generally opens around October 1 with early submission recommended by December 1. Students must submit the FAFSA application in order to be eligible for both Indiana and Federal Student Aid.
You do not need to send AP scores during the application process. Colleges typically use AP scores for placing you in classes and awarding credit, not for admissions. When you take your senior year AP tests, you can enter the code for the school you will attend and they will automatically send them all of your scores, so you won’t have to order them. Another option is to order them to one school only after you decide where you will enroll. You do need to send your SAT and ACT scores directly from the testing service in order for your application to be considered complete, however. It takes approximately 3 weeks for scores to be received.
Use this College Application Checklist, from Collegeboard!
Students who qualify for free/reduced school meals are encouraged to contact BCHS College Counselor Pam Nixon (pnixon@bishopchatard.org) for information about SAT/ACT test fee waivers and possible college application waivers.
Your household size is the number of people living in your home who are dependent on the primary unit for 51% or more of their finances. For example, if your grandparent lives with you but does not have an income, he or she would count in the household size. If your brother is employed and moves home while he is building his first house, he does not count in your household size. If your parents are not involved in financially supporting you and you live with another family member who does not have legal guardianship, but who does support you financially, you will want to complete a dependency verification form. If your parents/guardians cover your living costs but cannot contribute to financially supporting the costs of your tuition and living expenses, you are not an independent student. Their income must be counted on the FAFSA; your EFC should reflect your financial need. If the parents are separated, but live together, they must select “Married or Remarried” when filing the FAFSA. If the student’s legal parents are divorced or separated, and do not live together, the parent with whom the student primarily lives (often called the custodial parent) should complete the FAFSA. Additional information is available at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/dependency. The best resources for these questions are fafsa.ed.gov, INvestEd, and the financial aid offices at the colleges and universities to which you are applying. They are experts and are very willing to help.
College Board has a wonderful article they call the Ultimate Guide on Choosing a College Major. It is a good place to start. They suggest
John Michael Mason, BCHS Class of 2016, offers this advice:
Sami Katra, BCHS Class of 2016, offers her experience:
First: Congratulations on looking here to see how to find out how you can get help!
Listed are some of the options at the school that are available to all:
Stressed?
It’s inevitable that we all experience stress in our daily lives. Some stress is actually good for us but too much stress can be harmful. Check out the special edition School Counseling Newsletter specifically addressing stress and how to effectively manage it.
Inside you will learn about…
•Tips for staying healthy
•How to create a stress plan
•Who you can talk to if you are stressed
•Apps to help you identify and manage your stress/anxiety
•Deep breathing exercises
•And more!
A really good way to view upcoming and new items is to follow Mrs. Nixon’s and the College Counseling twitter, @BCHSCollege. Mrs. Nixon tweets on many topics, some not found on this website. Of course, checking this website will help you find college, career and scholarship topics too, many not found in her tweets.