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.
News & Events
College Visits Fall 2023 (1)Resource Links
- Sylvan Learning of Albany
- Sylvan Learning of Clifton Park
- 100 Best Jobs for 2022
- NYS Education Graduation Requirements
- Federal Student Aid for College
- NYS Higher Education Services
- US News College Rankings
- How-to-Study.com– Study Skills
- Khan Academy – Educational Videos
- College Board
- NCAA Eligibility
Timelines
| September/October | Initial meetings with all middle school students |
| October | Testing for all middle school students |
| November | Introduction to Naviance for eighth graders |
| January/February | Meetings to discuss course selection/process for next year |
| March | Meetings to further Naviance training for eighth graders |
| March | Individual meeting with all middle school students |
| April | Introduction to JROTC Program for eighth graders |
| May | Finalize course selections for next year |
| September/October | Meet with students to review transition to high school; Familiarize students with the Naviance software......establish goals and planning |
| October | Start building RESUME Students will take the PSAT 8/9 exam.....automatically registered by CBA |
| November/December | Complete Career Cluster Finder Create a College Board Account |
| February | Review First Semester with Counselor |
| March/April | Initiate process to select courses for Grade 10 Explore Career Clusters |
| May/June | Finalize course selections with your counselor Create list of FAVORITE careers |
| July/August | Do summer reading Utilize Khan Academy to prep for SAT or remediate an academic weakness |
| September/October | Meet with counselors to review past year and establish goals for the year |
| October | Take PSAT......all CBA sophs are registered automatically for the exam. Continue building RESUME via Naviance. |
| November | Explore career list.....Complete “Cluster Finder” if you have not done so. |
| December/January | Review PSAT results with your counselor |
| February | Utilize Naviance to complete a College Search |
| March/April | Initiate Course selection process for grade 11 |
| May | Finalize course selection process for grade 11 List 10 favorite colleges |
| July/August | Summer reading Utilize Khan Academy, etc. for SAT Prep Informally/formally visit some colleges |
| August | Make 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. |
| September | List 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. |
| October | Learn 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 October | Take PSAT exam. All juniors are automatically registered for the exam. |
| November | Visit 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 - January | Review PSAT scores with your guidance counselor. What do your scores mean and how should you prepare for the SAT. |
| December | Sign 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. |
| February | Make 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. |
| April | Sign 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/June | Get 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? |
| July | Search for Scholarships. There are many out there, but it takes time and effort to find something that may be specific to you. |
| July/August | Begin 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. |
| August | Make 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. |
| September | Register 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-September | Complete 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. |
| October | Divide 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-October | Make 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 |
| november | Apply! 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! |
| December | Search for Scholarships. Are you getting my point? |
| January | Be 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 |
| February | Check your account or mail box for your admission decision. Be sure to bring all acceptance letters and scholarships to Guidance. |
| February – March | Make any last minute visits you feel you need. National Deposit Day is right around the corner. |
| May 1 | Send in your tuition and housing deposit to the college you have selected. |