Career & College Roadmap

On the Path to Your Future

Your path to a career, college, or beyond may seem daunting and full of unknowns, but small steps taken each year of your high school career will prepare you for success in whatever you do in the future. We’ve listed below a timeline, opportunities, and resources that BCHS offers to help you on your way.

Learn about yourself… Explore the possibilities… Grow in your knowledge… Pursue your dreams!

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More specific information can be found at: ✓ Summer Programs, ✓ Leadership and Enrichment Activities, ✓ Paying for College & Career Training, ✓ College Application FAQs.
What success did our most recent graduates have? View Class of 2024 Acceptances & Awards

Freshman Year

It’s never too early to prepare for your future! Take steps now to set yourself up for a wider range of opportunities after high school.

Freshman Map - Learn

Freshman Highlights

  • Start off strong academically, get involved and follow your interests
  • Meet with the college counselor to get a head start! (Schedule a meeting)
  •     Complete 16 personalities assessment through your college counselor to explore your personality, strengths, and interests
  • Setup your profile in SCOIR, college and career exploration software

Fall Semester

  • ❑ Work hard in your classes and give yourself a good foundation for your GPA to start out strong! Communication, checking Canvas every day, checking email every day, and paying attention in class are key.
  • ❑ Become involved in school and in your community. Try different things to see which ones are the best fit for you.
  • ❑ Know NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) or other college requirements if you want to play sports in college.
View the BCHS College Athletics Roadmap

Spring Semester

  • ❑ Log in to SCOIR using the SCOIR app on your iPad. Invite your parent/guardian to the software too!
  • ❑ Consider meeting with the college counselor (parents are welcome!) to discuss your 4-year plan and possible paths forward (Schedule a Meeting)
  • ❑ Record in SCOIR any activities you’ve participated in

Summer

Resources for the Year

  • ✓  16personalities.com
  • ✓  Exploradoor.com: Connect with Indiana internships and experiences for teens
  • ✓  Center for Leadership Development: Provides programs centered on character development and values with resources on internships, college prep and tutoring for the advancement of minority youth in Central Indiana.
  • ✓  Exploring.com: Fill in a Career Interest form in the fall to be invited to participate in Explorer Career Posts, a program that offers opportunities to learn about a wide variety of career fields and network with professionals already working in those fields.
  • ✓  What is SCOIR

Sophomore Year

You have started to build a foundation. Now is the time to build more momentum. Dive further into your interests, academic preparation, and skills.

Soph Map - Explore

Sophomore Highlights

  • Use Kahn Academy to prepare for the PSAT at BCHS in October; learn about post-high school options
  • Check in with the college counselor with any questions you have (Schedule a meeting)
  •   Attend College Fairs in the area
  •     Complete career assessment with the College Counselor to find new careers that are a match for you!

Fall Semester

  • ❑ Work hard in your classes! Continue to remember that deadlines can come quickly and different teachers have various ways to communicate upcoming test dates, extra credit opportunities, and project rubrics. Communication, checking Canvas every day, checking email every day, and paying attention in class are key.
  • ❑ Invest time in your Christian Service and volunteering. Colleges especially love it when you take the initiative to make an impact outside of school through something connected to your passions and interests.
  • ❑ Know NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) requirements if you want to play sports in college.
View the BCHS College Athletics Roadmap

Spring Semester

College Testing Items

  • ❑ Attend Spring College Fairs
  • ❑ Add potential colleges to your “my colleges” list on Scoir
  • ❑ Learn about pathways to career success after high school (apprenticeships, associate degrees, trade programs, military, college): (Visit BigFuture); (Infographic)
  • ❑ Prepare for the ACT / SAT test. Use Kahn Academy to focus on weaker skills. (See Resources in Junior Year for a list of many other test prep resources)
  • ❑ Add any activities or achievements from this year to your Scoir profile

Summer

Resources & Career Exploration

✓ Schoolhouse.world: The Indiana Department of Education is partnering with Schoolhouse.world to support students in grades eight through 12 with free tutoring for SAT preparation, math courses, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Junior Year

There is a great deal of information to consider, so the most important step is 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.

Jr map - Grow

Junior Highlights

Fall Semester

  • ❑ Work hard in your classes. Junior year is a very important academic year in the admission process, as colleges place value on grade trends.
  • ❑ Sign up (in SCOIR) to attend fall meetings with college reps who are visiting Bishop Chatard or offering virtual presentations specifically for our students
  • ❑ Attend college fairs in the city
  • ❑ Take the ASVAB-CEP at BCHS. This is used as a career exploration tool, guiding you in college/career choices.
  • ❑ Take the PSAT in October and try your very best! This test is used to award National Merit Scholars and prepares you for the SAT you take in March.
  • Watch for the BCHS SAT Prep Class signup in Dec/Jan. This optional class is usually conducted in January.
  • ❑ Check that you can log in to your Scoir account. Keep an eye on communications from Ms. Saurine, BCHS College Counselor, through email or Scoir, for different scholarships, college rep visits, or tasks to complete.
  • ❑ If you are interested in Military Service Academies, contact Mrs. Saurine to let her know!
  • ❑ Know NCAA/NAIA requirements if you want to play sports in college.
View the BCHS College Athletics Roadmap

Spring Semester

  • ❑ Schedule your Just for Juniors meeting with the college counselor to discuss your career/college plans and your senior schedule. Parents are welcome to join!
    Schedule a Meeting
  • ❑ Confirm that you can log in to your College Board account. This is where you can see and send your SAT test scores.
  • ❑ Spend some time on ACT / SAT prep. A BCHS SAT Prep Class is available early 2nd semester. Consult the Resources area above for a list of test prep opportunities.
  • ❑ Take the SAT in March at Bishop Chatard. Decide beforehand which colleges you want to send scores to. (You can send 4 free scores).
  • ❑ Applications for military academies open early in the year. (Military academy info can be found in the Senior year section).
  • ❑ Visit colleges while their classes are still in session
  • ❑ Learn about all of your post-high school pathways
  • ❑ Attend Spring College Fairs
  • ❑ Continue to add Activities and Achievements into your SCOIR Profile. These can be downloaded whenever needed for a pre-formed resume for job applications or letters of recommendation. They also may help you establish an approach to your college applications, remind you what sets you apart from others, and make it easier to transfer this information over to your college application later on.
  • ❑ Register before the end of your Junior year (or earlier) with the NCAA eligibility center or NAIA if you plan on playing sports. Let your counselor know of your interest in college sports. Fill out the Records Release Form (allows BCHS to send transcripts to coaches when asked.) View the BCHS College Athletics Roadmap

Summer

  • ❑ Schedule official college visits. This is one of the best things students can do this Summer to help prepare for college application season. The visit must be “official” because the admissions office will see that as part of their application.
  • ❑ Be sure you know and have access to your Social Security number for the FAFSA
  • ❑ Add your parent/guardian to your SCOIR account, if you haven’t already. They will then be able to see application materials (letters of rec., deadlines, etc.), receive messages, and search for college information in the software.
  • ❑ Fill out a Letter of Recommendation survey on Scoir. When students request letters their senior year, these surveys will help their teachers write excellent letters of recommendation in the Fall.
  • ❑ Consider participating in enrichment activities, internships, job shadowing, or volunteering opportunities, to learn more about your career interests.
  • ❑ Retake or register for the ACT or SAT if you plan on taking it again. Consider taking a Summer and/or an early Fall test. Use Kahn Academy and other resources to study weaker skills. *See Sophomore Resources on this page
  • ❑ Consider sending SAT scores directly to colleges. The BCHS CEEB Code is 151654
  • ❑ Modify and refine your college essay that you started in English class junior year

SAT/ACT Test Prep Resources

Watch for registration for the SAT Prep Class at BCHS in early spring
  • ❑ Juniors should take the SAT/ACT tests in the spring. The BCHS code is 151654
  • ❑ Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch, see the School Counseling Office for waivers of test fees.

✓ Schoolhouse.world: The Indiana Department of Education is partnering with Schoolhouse.world to support students in grades eight through 12 with free tutoring for SAT preparation, math courses, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Free Online Test Prep – videos, games, study questions

Test Prep Companies

Career Exploration, Leadership & More

✓ BCHS List of Leadership & Enrichment Opportunities
✓ SCOIR: How to invite parents; parent info

Career Search Tools

* BCHS CEEB Code is 151654

Senior Year

It’s here! All of the hard work you have put in will pay off this year. It is important to stay focused, make good choices, and give yourself extra weeks before any important deadlines.


College Application FAQs

Senior Highlights

  • Senior College Meeting with the college counselor (Aug/Sept); Parent/Guardian College Financial Aid Meeting (Fall); Career Assessment (Fall); Attend College Reps Meetings at BCHS; BCHS Career Day Speakers; Watch the BCHS ‘Senior Page’ for senior only info
  •   Visit colleges; Attend College Fairs in the area; Apply to college; Complete the FAFSA; See Mrs. Saurine if you qualify for a fee waiver for standardized tests and college applications.
  •     Continue to explore career resources and learn about different opportunities; determine what level of education you need for different career options.
  • Update Achievements & Activities and MyColleges in SCOIR. Parents: Update the ‘Parent Brag Sheet’ WHY?

August & September

  • ❑ College applications open August 1st. Work on your college applications, and be aware of different deadlines and requirements from different schools! Here are some FAQs for applications. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to start early!!
    BCHS College Application FAQs
  • ❑ Create a Common Application Account and add Mrs. Saurine as your counselor
  • ❑ Complete the FERPA Waiver in Scoir and Common App
  • ❑ To request transcripts, move colleges to the “applying” or “applied” column in Scoir. This is important, so Ms. Saurine knows to send your documents (transcripts, letters of rec, etc.) to those schools!
  • ❑ Go to College Rep meetings and College fairs (signups are in Scoir)
  • ❑ Watch for signup information for: 1) Your fall meeting with Mrs. Saurine 2) the BCHS Career Day Speaker of your choice.
  • ❑ Be sure you are satisfied with your SAT score, or have a plan to re-take it.
  • ❑ Keep an eye on communications from Ms. Saurine through email or Scoir for different scholarships or college rep visits
  • ❑ Complete the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) survey in Scoir and request your teacher LOR in Scoir. Be sure to ask teachers. Please allow them at least 3 weeks to complete your recommendation (teachers can see all surveys you have completed, colleges you have applied to, and your extracurricular activities on your SCOIRprofile). See College Application Details Page
  • ✓ Complete Surveys in Scoir that are sent to you. Your teachers/coaches who write your letters of recommendation will be able to see this and use it to write a good letter!
  • ❑ Complete the internal BCHS application for the Lilly Endowment Scholarship if you are eligible to apply.
  • ❑ Watch for College Go Week, usually in Sept., when many colleges waive application fees
  • ❑ If you are going to play a college sport, be sure you fill out the BCHS records release form so BCHS can send transcripts to coaches.
    Open Record Release Form
  • ❑ Know NCAA/NAIA requirements if you want to play sports in college.
View
the BCHS College Athletics Roadmap

October

✓ Watch the BCHS ‘Paying for College & Career Training‘ page for scholarship opportunities.

✓ Pay attention to the November 1 early action deadline .
✓ October 3, 2023: Many seniors take this opportunity
to visit nearby colleges after dismissal from the Rosary.
✓ October 10, 2023: Parent/guardian College Financial Aid Information Night (held during Progress Report Night)
✓ October 11, 2023: Campus Visit Day for seniors. Schedule a visit early; it’s a popular day. The SAT will also be available to seniors who have yet to take the exam or wish to improve their scores.
✓ October 18, 2023: final request date for all E-transcripts, ESSR, and scholarship applications to be processed before November 1.

  • ❑ Attend the BCHS College Financial Aid Meeting for parents and students.
  • ❑ Know the different admissions processes. In most cases, we suggest non-restrictive application plans such as early action.
    What’s the difference between Early Decision and Early Action?
  • ❑ Create a FAFSA log-in for both students and parents and watch for information about application dates (scheduled to open in December). Indiana requires the FAFSA to be filed. Contact Ms. Saurine if you won’t be completing the FAFSA to apply for a waiver. The SAR (Student Aid Report) will arrive 4 weeks after FAFSA completion. Review that for accuracy and update as needed.
    What is FAFSA?
  • ❑ Complete the CSS Profile Financial Aid form if required by your college.
    How to complete the CSS Profile
  • ❑ Finalize essays/applications and make sure several people proofread them.

November & December

  • ❑ Be sure you are keeping your grades up and studying hard for your finals! Colleges do look at mid-year senior grades.
  • ❑ Start applying for scholarships if you haven’t already. Some college scholarships have Fall deadlines. Be sure to check the websites of the schools you are interested in. View a list of references we’ve collected in ‘Scholarship Resources’ below.
  • ❑ If you applied Early Decision, you should have an answer by Dec. 15. If you are denied, waitlisted or deferred, submit applications to other places.
    Read Student’s Guide to College Waitlists & Deferrals
  • ❑ Continue to add Activities and Achievements into your SCOIR Profile. These can be downloaded whenever needed for a pre-formed resume for job applications or letters of recommendation. They also may help you establish an approach to your college applications, remind you what sets you apart from others, and make it easier to transfer this information over to your college application later on.

January & February

  • ❑ Watch for signup information for the BCHS Career Day Speaker of your choice.
  • ❑ Continue to update Admissions decisions in the MyColleges area in SCOIR as you receive them.
  • ❑ Continue to search and apply for scholarships! Check out the counseling page for some opportunities.
  • ❑ Be sure your FAFSA is complete
  • ❑ Visit your college counselor for help with scholarships, reading financial aid packages, etc.
  • ❑ Take appropriate actions if you are waitlisted or deferred
  • ❑ Do not delete college admissions emails or scholarship letters

March

  • ❑ Continue to update Admissions decisions in the MyColleges area in SCOIR as you receive them.
  • ❑ Carefully read all admission decision letters
  • ❑ Revisit colleges if needed or go to “Admitted Student” open houses
  • ❑ Complete any additional information for the FAFSA if necessary
  • ❑ Send all acceptance letters and scholarship awards to Mrs. Saurine

April, May, June

  • ❑ You should have all of your admission decisions by April 15. Review all information, including financial aid, very carefully before making a final decision by April 30th. Notify colleges you are not attending.
  • ❑ Once you decide, accept your offer and send in your deposit!
  • ❑ National College Decision Day is May 1, 2024. You must submit a deposit to your school of choice to hold your spot in the incoming class.
  • ❑If you are playing Division I or II, request your final amateurism certificate
  • ❑ Finish Senior Year strong!
  • ❑ Request Transcripts for dual-credit courses to be sent to your college once grades are finalized.
  • ❑ Send AP scores to colleges by June 20. Instructions

Apprenticeship and Trade School Resources

College Search Resources

✓ BCHS College Application FAQs

General Resources, Military, Athletics

✓ BCHS College Application FAQs, don’t miss this important resource for BCHS specific application tips

General Resources

Military Resources

  • ✓ TodaysMilitary.com
  • ✓ Military.com
  • ✓ Steps & Tips for US Military Academy Application

    • Athletics in College
    Division I or Division II athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and complete an online release on that website. SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly to the NCAA from the testing companies using the code 9999. This is also the main resource for students seeking to play sports in college.

    Students pursuing NAIA athletics must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center. Test scores must be sent directly to NAIA from the testing companies using the code 9876 for NAIA. (Those considering junior colleges must register with NJCAA.)

    College coaches often ask BCHS for copies of your current transcript as part of their eligibility screening process. You can complete our Record Release Form now to save yourself a step later.

    View the BCHS College Athletics Roadmap

    Scholarships & Financial Aid Resources

    ✓ BCHS List of Scholarships

    ✓ Use the Financial Aid Calculator in the parent’s SCOIR account to estimate the cost of college attendance.

    Scholarship Search Tools
    *top recommendations of the BCHS Counseling Department

    Financial Aid

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