GUIDANCE

Our academics have prepared you for the next level. Now it’s time to work with our guidance department to get you to the right place.

The Br. Aloysius Myers, FSC Guidance Center adheres to precepts established by St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Christian Brothers, by emphasizing a personal approach to the individual needs of each student. In conjunction with our fine faculty, we work to assure that each student receives the direction necessary to prepare him for future success. We stand ready to serve our CBA families as their sons progress through their CBA years.

Students are encouraged to make full use of the resources of the Guidance office by accessing the information available on this site as well as stopping into the Guidance Center to make an appointment to personally speak with their counselor.

Naviance is a college and career readiness software provider that partners with high schools and other K–12 institutions to provide students with college planning and career assessment tools.

  • Students can refer here for updates, summer program information, college tours, and more.

Timelines

September/OctoberInitial meetings with all middle school students
OctoberTesting for all middle school students
NovemberIntroduction to Naviance for eighth graders
January/FebruaryMeetings to discuss course selection/process for next year
MarchMeetings to further Naviance training for eighth graders
MarchIndividual meeting with all middle school students
AprilIntroduction to JROTC Program for eighth graders
May Finalize course selections for next year
September/OctoberMeet with students to review transition to high school; Familiarize students with the Naviance software......establish goals and planning
OctoberStart building RESUME
Students will take the PSAT 8/9 exam.....automatically registered by CBA
November/DecemberComplete Career Cluster Finder
Create a College Board Account
FebruaryReview First Semester with Counselor
March/AprilInitiate process to select courses for Grade 10
Explore Career Clusters
May/JuneFinalize course selections with your counselor
Create list of FAVORITE careers
July/AugustDo summer reading
Utilize Khan Academy to prep for SAT or remediate an academic weakness
September/OctoberMeet with counselors to review past year and establish goals for the year
OctoberTake PSAT......all CBA sophs are registered automatically for the exam. Continue building RESUME via Naviance.
NovemberExplore career list.....Complete “Cluster Finder” if you have not done so.
December/JanuaryReview PSAT results with your counselor
FebruaryUtilize Naviance to complete a College Search
March/AprilInitiate Course selection process for grade 11
MayFinalize course selection process for grade 11
List 10 favorite colleges
July/AugustSummer reading
Utilize Khan Academy, etc. for SAT Prep
Informally/formally visit some colleges
AugustMake a list of possible mentors: A mentor is someone who can help you important decisions. Look to teachers, counselors, coaches, neighbors or family members for help.

Pledge to work hard: Do your best to succeed in challenging classes but don't be afraid to ask your teachers for help or advice.
SeptemberList what matters to you in a college Identifying your top priorities – for example, location, size, available majors and athletics – helps keep your search focused on what you want and need in a college.

Read for 30 minutes: Carry something to read with you and make reading part of your day. Regular reading expands your mind and vocabulary and helps you become a better student.
OctoberLearn why many students pay less than full price for college: With financial aid packages, most students pay less than the price listed on a college's web site. Talk to your family about how to pay for college.

Find a volunteer opportunity Volunteering is a great way to get hands-on, real world experience. And when you apply to college, your volunteer experience will help colleges learn about you and what you value.
Mid OctoberTake PSAT exam. All juniors are automatically registered for the exam.
NovemberVisit a nearby college: Get a feel for campus life. Many on-campus events, such as concerts and exhibits, are open to the public. Open house sessions are in the fall as well.
November - JanuaryReview PSAT scores with your guidance counselor. What do your scores mean and how should you prepare for the SAT.
DecemberSign up to take the SAT exam Register by going to www.collegeboard.org for a test date that is convenient for you. We recommend you plan to take the exam two times during winter/spring. Please know that the tests are given every month with the exception of February and April.
FebruaryMake plans for spring visits to colleges. As you have narrowed your choices, spring and summer is a good time to plan those out of town visits to colleges. Winter and spring recess is a great time to visit.

Initiate course selections for Senior year.
AprilSign up for a SAT subject test. Subject tests may be offered in both May and June. Should you take a subject test? Ask your guidance counselor if a subject test is something you should be planning for.
May/JuneGet your SAT scores: What do they mean? Should you take them again come Fall? Are the scores in the range for admission in your top priority colleges?
JulySearch for Scholarships. There are many out there, but it takes time and effort to find something that may be specific to you.
July/AugustBegin the Common Application. Be sure that the FERPA requirement is done as soon as possible. This critical step allows us to link our Naviance account with your Common Application: www.commonapp.org Review your list of colleges you are considering in Naviance; will you be adding or subtracting from those that are listed?

Since you have already asked a teacher(s) for a letter of recommendation, send them an email via Naviance reminding them to upload your letter onto your account.
AugustMake an appointment with Guidance to come in and review your college plans.

Search for Scholarships

Set up any college visits that you need to take. A visit may be your first

look at a school, or it may be that you need to go back for additional information. Fall is an active time at colleges for open houses and group tours. Check a college's website to learn how to organize a visit to its campus.
SeptemberRegister for the SAT or ACT if needed.

Decide if you will apply early. There are pros and cons to applying to college early. Learn the facts so you can make the decision that's right for you.
Mid-SeptemberComplete your college essay. Be sure this essay truly reflects who you are. Have a few different people read your essay to check for clarity and we strongly suggest you work with a faculty member in the English Department to review your essay with you. When you are ready, upload your essay on to Common Application.
OctoberDivide your college list. Place colleges into three categories; colleges that will most likely accept you, colleges that feel like a bit of a stretch and those that are in between.

Talk with your family about how to pay for college. Discuss what will work best for your family and what makes sense. Plan to attend an upcoming financial aid information night.

Search for Scholarships
Mid-OctoberMake your top picks. Have you narrowed your list to a group of schools that you can work with? You may want to apply to schools in each of the three categories that are listed above.

Finish your application. Try and do a little bit each night or every few days. Breaking up the work into chunks will make it easier. Make a guidance appointment to be sure all is complete on your application
novemberApply! Remember to request documents like transcripts, schedules and possibly first quarter grade reports. Remember your deadlines! Confirm a few days after you have sent your application, that all has been received. Many competitive private schools will also require the CSS Profile be complete sometime in November. Watch those deadlines!
DecemberSearch for Scholarships. Are you getting my point?
JanuaryBe sure you have applied to a college by this date. We will send supporting materials when we come back from break. January 1 is a very common deadline for many competitive colleges and universities.

Apply for Financial Aid. FAFSA will be on line as of January 1st. Get started as soon as possible
FebruaryCheck your account or mail box for your admission decision. Be sure to bring all acceptance letters and scholarships to Guidance.
February – MarchMake any last minute visits you feel you need. National Deposit Day is right around the corner.
May 1Send in your tuition and housing deposit to the college you have selected.