College Counseling

The Military Academy Information Session  was conducted in January 2023 and helpful resources for any student considering a Military Service Academy can now be found on their webinar recording. Juniors should start the process in the coming months.

Please contact Abbey Saurine at asaurine@bishopchatard.org with any questions.

There is a great deal of information to consider, so the most important step in jumping in and getting started. Taking action makes the process much less overwhelming. Set weekly goals, pay attention in class each day, read your email, and check Canvas!

AUGUST

• Check Scoir.com to sign up for college meetings with reps who are visiting Bishop Chatard or offering virtual presentations specifically for our students.
• Visit the School Counseling Canvas page. Check out the resources available.
• Get your school year off on the right foot by using your planner, studying in advance of tests, and checking in with teachers to ensure that you fully understand the material. 
• Keep your CollegeBoard login information in a safe place that is accessible to you and your family. Merging accounts can be time consuming, so it is helpful to be sure you don’t accidentally create an extra account when using the site for PSAT, SAT, and AP. 
• Come up with an organizational system for your college information. You will see an increase in mail and emails from schools this year. Don’t pile them up in the corner; browse through them to see what you think. 

• If you are interested in what you see, file the brochure or email in a “Learn More” folder  so that you can read through it, explore the website, and view the online campus tour. 
• If you are not interested in what you see, recycle the brochure and delete the email. In addition, unsubscribe from the mailing list. The website and/or email you received should have a way to indicate you are not interested. This will save you time and save the college or university time and money; it’s a win-win for everyone.

SEPTEMBER  

• Check Scoir.com to sign up for college meetings with reps who are visiting Bishop Chatard or offering virtual presentations specifically for our students.
• Prepare to take the October PSAT. Work through questions on Khan Academy to help familiarize yourself with the types of questions that are asked. 
• Brainstorm ways to get involved in school and in the community. Think about your interests, passions, and causes that are important to you. Take steps to get involved in some way. 
• Attend college fairs.
• Visit Scoir.com to continue to search for colleges.   
• Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play sports in college. (https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/)  
• Visit colleges as your schedule allows.  
• Follow @BCHS_College on twitter to stay up-to-date on colleges, deadlines, and things that are happening.

OCTOBER  

• Take the PSAT. Your junior year PSAT scores may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Take the PSAT seriously.  
• View Bishop Chatard’s College Counseling video series, available on the BCHS website and in the School Counseling canvas page. 
• Attend college fairs.

NOVEMBER 

• Complete Go to https://indianacareerexplorer.com/#SplitModal and select the K-12 option. You should use your Bishop Chatard email to sign up. Select the Career Exploration tab at the top of the page, select assessments,  and take the Career Interest Assessment on the far left.
• Focus on your grades. Colleges and universities place an emphasis on grade trends, so  junior grades are very important in the college admission process. You will be thankful for the extra time you spend to earn the highest grade possible if that effort equates to a larger automatic merit-based scholarship at some schools. 
• Have open and honest conversations about how to finance college as a family.  
• Check your winter and spring calendars and register for the ACT and SAT. Make a college testing schedule that allows time for you to study and learn from what you missed on previous tests. Pay close attention to testing deadlines!  
• Memorize your Social Security number and/or take steps to obtain one if you do not already have one.

DECEMBER  

• Review your PSAT score report. Identify your testing strengths and weaknesses.  
• Study for your final exams. Check in with teachers regarding questions you missed on assessments throughout the semester and work to understand material that has given you trouble throughout the semester.
• Take and/or prepare for the ACT/SAT.

 JANUARY  

• Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you want to learn more about. Use the Search and My Colleges resources on scoir.com.   
• Set up your Just for Juniors meeting with the college counselor. These can be on Google meet or in person. Your family is welcome to join as well. 

FEBRUARY  

• Meet with the college counselor  to discuss your college list and your senior schedule.  
• Register and prepare for ACT/SAT.  
• Continue to utilize resources in scoir.com and the School Counseling Canvas page. 
• Schedule college visits as your spring and summer schedule allows.

MARCH  

• Attend local college fairs in person or virtually. Ask questions that will help you determine whether you see the college or university as a good potential fit for you.
• Write, call, or request information online from colleges on your list.  
• VISIT colleges! Finding the right fit is so important, and this step helps significantly.  
• Continue to utilize resources in scoir.com and the School Counseling Canvas page. 
• Brainstorm additional ways to get involved in school and in the community. Think about your interests, passions, and causes that are important to you. Take steps to get involved in some way. 

APRIL  

• Check your senior schedule to ensure it is rigorous enough to challenge you. Colleges are increasing the amount of weight they give to your senior course schedule in the college admission process.  
• Check to see if any of the schools in which you are interested require SAT Subject tests. Plan your summer and fall ACT/SAT testing schedule accordingly. 
• Continue to evaluate your college list. Add or drop schools as they gain or lose your interest.  
• Look into summer academic or enrichment programs. 
• If you are a 21st Century Scholar, complete all required Scholar Success Program items for this year. 

MAY  

• Visit colleges and work on your college list.  
• Take AP Exams. 
• Check in with the college counselor to discuss your college process.

JUNE/ JULY/AUGUST  

• Take the YouScience assessment on scoir.com. Use this to help you reassess your college and career interest lists.
• Complete the College Autobiography Google Form
• Take the SAT or ACT 
• Visit colleges and continue to refine your list.  
• Revisit the college application essay you created in English class. Work on additional supplemental application essays, collect writing samples, and assemble portfolios or audition tapes.  
• Begin to look into outside scholarships by visiting www.fastweb.com. Complete scholarship applications as you find them. Be aware of deadlines!
• Continue to utilize resources in scoir.com and the School Counseling Canvas page. 

Read a fully accessible guide of resources for applying and paying for college for students with disabilities.

OPEN GUIDE HERE

FRESHMAN YEAR

It’s never too early to prepare for your future! Take steps now to set yourself up for a wider range of post-secondary opportunities later. 

• Build a strong academic foundation and develop critical thinking skills by taking challenging coursework.  
• Plan to attend the Freshman College Planning meeting on January 22 at 11:00 am during Seminar, accessible at meet.google.com/wgz-pvvp-pwq. At this meeting we will discuss the college planning process and hear from an admission representative.  The event is limited to the first 99 registrants, but a recording will be available after the meeting.
• Invite your families to join the Freshman Parent/Guardian College Planning meeting on January 28 at 8:00 am, accessible at meet.google.com/fng-zkzx-pjo. The event is limited to the first 99 registrants, but a recording will be available after the meeting.
• Study hard and work to be as successful as possible in your freshman courses. If you are doing well and want to continue your momentum, or are struggling and need some help, reminder to utilize your resources: 1. Your teachers are available before school, after school, and via Google meet during seminar., 2. National Honor Society tutors are available., 3. Your school counselor can help you create a success plan.
• Visit the Scoir website to add to your Student Profile.  
• Strengthen your vocabulary by increasing the amount and content of your reading. 
• Check out some online college tours to remind yourself why you are working so hard. The academic effort you put in now will give you more post-secondary opportunities.
• Become involved in school and in your community. Try several things to see which ones are the best fit for you.
• Meet with your school counselor or college counselor to discuss your plans for the next four years.  
• Know NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) requirements if you want to play sports in college. (www.ncaa.org)  
• Research career possibilities.  
• Organize a family plan to explore paying for college.  
• Think about what you can do this summer to further explore your academic interests or new hobbies. 
• Consider participating in a special summer program from a college. 
• Consider volunteer activities or hold a summer job. If you aren’t sure where to start, see your counselor!
• Complete 16 personalities to learn more about your personality, strengths, and interests.

Most recent edit : 1/12/2021

A 2020 BCHS alumna offers Mary’s Top Ten Things to Remember for College Applications to help you with the search, application, and decision-making process you have in front of you.

This Common Application Dictionary document walks you through some confusing terms from the college application process.

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:

1. The preparation you receive in these courses is a wonderful foundation for success in your college-level courses. Even if you will not be exempt from a specific English class at the college or university you attend, it is still advantageous to take these courses.
2. Most colleges have a policy that if you are awarded college credit from another university (100-level course or higher earning a C or better), you will receive transfer credit. There are exceptions to this.  Additionally, these credits sometimes come in as elective credit, but a certain number of elective credits are required for graduation as well.
3. Colleges and universities change their policies and the specific credit awarded on a very regular basis. Often, faculty review committees or new Provosts or Deans can change the requirements over the summer. It is important to opt into or out of a class based on the knowledge acquired and experience gained rather than always trying to work ahead at a specific college of university.
4. This information was compiled via various inquiries to registrars, admissions offices, transfer credit evaluation sites, and academic deans. There may be exceptions based on the major to which you are applying, etc. It is best to contact the college or university’s Registrar if you have questions or are trying to decide whether to enroll in a course.

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.

• Explore www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org –it’s free!
• ‘Explore Careers’: Find a career that interests you!
• ‘Explore Colleges’: Learn about colleges across the country!
• Helpful High School Courses: Choose classes that go with a college major!
• Explore the Quick How To Guide!