College & Scholarship Resources

The Junior High years are focused on helping the youth transition into adolescence. The counseling office will use the introduction of Family Connection to identify meaningful, attainable goals as a foundation for the high school experience.

In particular, Bishop McNamara's college prep curriculum requires each student to take ownership of her/his learning experience. Though not fully autonomous, the 7th and 8th graders will be asked to serve as self-advocates for their homework, their learning, and their communication and critical thinking skills. Personal mastery is the focus throughout these transition years.

To this end, recreational reading is encouraged. From reading comprehension to an expanded vocabulary, the benefits of reading have proven invaluable to the college-bound students. Bishop McNamara would like to instill these reading skills at an early age.

Academic & College Counseling Tips:

1. Read. Read often.
2. Create a Family Connection account & attend tutorial (school-initiated during the Spring of 8th grade year).
3. Identify three to five goals (academics & otherwise) in Family Connection with follow up steps.
4. Meet with academic support staff to identify additional steps and academic plan, as desired or as needed.

Here are the areas where our Freshmen should aim to be:

General:

• Begin to recognize your unique skills and potential.
• Explore your interests and seek new opportunities
• Become more engaged as a member of the school community, understanding your role of what you can contribute to the good of the student body.

Academics:

• Build a solid academic foundation for the next four years.
• Develop good study habits and skills.
• Take greater ownership of their learning experience. Take responsibility for assignments.
• Attend any and all review sessions.
• Take challenging courses where possible.
• Read. Read often. This will make you more interesting a person, a better communicator and will help build a reading comprehension base that will serve you well.

Co-Curriculars:

• Aim to be a well-balanced student, one who is involved in meaningful activities and engaged in their entire school experience.
• Explore. Try new things.
• Make a steady commitment to co-curricular clubs and activities.
• Learn how to balance school, co-curricular activities and personal health.
• Attend as many school events (cultural ones especially) as possible.
• Volunteer or work during the summer.
• Commit to a service project. Find a passion. Be willing to work hard for that project/passion.

Academic & College Counseling Tips:

1. Read. Read often.
2. Create a Family Connection account & attend tutorial (parents invited to do likewise)
3. Commit to performing well in classes. It is not recommended that freshmen enroll in ACT/SAT prep courses, rather focus on the transition into the high school experience and making that more meaningful and diverse.
4. Take the Do What You Are and Learning Style Inventory surveys on Family Connection.
5. Discuss your future with your guidance counselor, teachers, parents and other adults.
6. Consider summer employment to help save for college costs.

Here are the areas where our Sophomores should aim to be:

General:

• Become more engaged as a member of the school community.
• Serve as chairpersons or committee members of clubs and projects (i.e. food drive, House activities, etc.).
• Ensure your priorities - academic, spiritual, social and athletic/cultural, are all in line with your future. Make responsible decisions.

Academics:

• Maintain, or rebuild where necessary, a solid academic foundation for the next three years.
• Continue, or establish, good study habits and skills.
• Take greater ownership of their learning experience. Take responsibility for assignments.
• Engage your teachers. Ask them what they would like to see from you. Then do it.
• Attend any and all review sessions.
• Take challenging courses where possible.
• Read. Read often. This will make you more interesting a person, a better communicator and will help build a reading comprehension base that will serve you well.

Co-Curriculars:

• Aim to be a well-balanced student, one who is involved in meaningful activities and engaged in their entire school experience.
• Explore. Try new things. Take on leadership roles.
• Make a steady commitment to co-curricular clubs and activities. Demonstrate your dependability as a committee member.
• Learn how to balance school, co-curricular activities and personal health.
• Attend as many school events (cultural ones especially) as possible.
• Volunteer or work during the summer.
• Commit to a service project. Consider initiating a service project for the community (school or local community). Seek support. Lend support to others' initiatives.
• Find a passion. Be willing to work hard for that project/passion.

Academic & College Counseling Tips:

1. Read. Read often.
2. Use your Family Connection account to identify additional goals while tending to existing goals previously entered into portal.
3. Commit to performing well in classes. TAke the PSAT in October. These are helpful scores that have no college planning impact, but are helpful nonetheless.
4. If not yet completed, take the Do What You Are and Learning Style Inventory surveys on Family Connection.
5. Take the MI Advantage and Career Interest Profiler surveys on Family Connection
6. Begin the college search by utilizing the SuperMatch College Search on Family Connection.
7. Discuss your future with your guidance counselor, teachers, parents and other adults.
8. Consider summer employment to help save for college costs. Begin to explore scholarship opportunities at the links provided here.
9. Consider visiting colleges and universities over vacation breaks. Identify schools from your college search and plan to visit those schools.

The following are the areas where our Juniors should aim to be. Because college counseling will take a front seat this academic year, we have posted the "To Do" list first:

Academic & College Counseling Tips:

1. Read. Read often.
2. Visit your Family Connection account no fewer than three times per week. Update all fields (resume, etc.) as needed.
3. Use your Family Connection account to identify additional goals while tending to existing goals previously entered into portal.
4. Schedule to meet with Mrs. Nugent once per quarter.
5. Sign up for the Fall and Spring test dates for the SAT and ACT. If you have a documented learning difference, work with Mrs. Nugent to make accommodations for this.
6. Consider taking SAT Subject tests. If you are seeking a selective college or university, the subject tests will be a requirement.
7. If not yet completed, take the Do What You Are, Learning Style Inventory, MI Advantage and Career Interest Profiler surveys on Family Connection.
8. Expand the college search by utilizing the SuperMatch College Search on Family Connection. Your list should consist of no fewer than five schools.
9. Visit the National College Fair in Chicago at McCormick Place - see a listing of schools here
10. Visit the Kankakee Community College Fair in September
11. Students with writing or Fine Arts portfolios should prepare them during the Fall Semester. Work with department chairpersons to develop a thorough portfolio.
12. Visit colleges. Ask thoughtful, creative questions of college representatives who are visiting Bishop McNamara.
13. Engage in self-taught or professional test preparation for the standardized tests.
14. Add a reputable out-of-state college or university to your list. While you can receive a good education at any school, some employers prefer the more reputable schools. Many of these schools do not necessarily have a higher price tag to them.
15. Discuss your future with your guidance counselor, teachers, parents and other adults.
16. Check your email daily.
17. Consider summer employment to help save for college costs. Begin to explore scholarship opportunities at the links provided here.
18. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (aka "clearinghouse") if you are interested in playing a sport at the Division I or II level. www.eligibilitycenter.org Meet with Mr. Rutter to discuss your plans. Email him at jrutter@bishopmac.org to schedule a meeting. Have your parents/guardians with you.
19. Over the summer of Junior-Senior year, organize your college list. Update the Colleges I'm Thinking About page on Family Connection
20. Work on your college essay. Meet with your English teacher to discuss your topic(s).
21. Begin completing online applications for colleges.

General:

• Consider your legacy as a member of the school community and work to build a solid reputation and a respectable contribution to the well-being of the school. Contribute to a healthy, exciting school community.
• Serve as chairperson or committee members of clubs and projects (i.e. food drive, House activities, etc.).
• Ensure your priorities - academic, spiritual, social and athletic/cultural, are all in line with your future. Make responsible decisions.

Academics:

• Keep focused on your assignments and keeping up with readings.
• Continue good study habits and skills.
• Engage your teachers. Ask them what they would like to see from you. Then do it.
• Attend any and all review sessions.
• Take challenging courses where possible.
• Read. Read often. Maintaining a healthy reading schedule will allow you greater ease on the standardized tests. You'll know the words and you can browse through the reading comprehension sections more easily.

Co-Curriculars:

• Aim to be a well-balanced student, one who is involved in meaningful activities and engaged in their entire school experience.
• Explore. Try new things. Take on leadership roles. Be a solid follower.
• Make a steady commitment to co-curricular clubs and activities. Demonstrate your dependability as a committee member.
• Learn how to balance school, co-curricular activities and personal health.
• Attend as many school events (cultural ones especially) as possible.
• Volunteer or work during the summer.
• Commit to a service project. Consider initiating a service project for the community (school or local community). Seek support. Lend support to others' initiatives.
• Find a passion. Be willing to work hard for that project/passion.

Senior Year will be marked by many tasks and critical deadlines. These tasks are currently being updated and will remain fluid all year long.

Some important dates to note are the ACT and SAT test dates. Please be sure to sign up for a test date(s) administered this Fall.

Please email Mrs. Monica Nugent at mnugent@bishopmac.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Academic & College Counseling Tips:

1. Read. Read often.
2. Visit your Family Connection account no fewer than five times per week. Update all fields (resume, etc.) as needed.
3. Use your Family Connection account to identify additional goals while tending to existing goals previously entered into portal.
4. Schedule to meet with Mrs. Nugent immediately upon the beginning of the school year. Look to meet twice per month until February.
5. Sign up for the Fall and Spring test dates for the SAT and ACT. If you have a documented learning difference, work with Mrs. Nugent to make accommodations for this.
6. Consider taking SAT Subject tests. If you are seeking a selective college or university, the subject tests will be a requirement.
7. Expand the college search by utilizing the SuperMatch College Search on Family Connection. Your list should consist of no fewer than five schools.
8. Visit the National College Fair in Chicago at McCormick Place - see a listing of schools here
9. Visit the Kankakee Community College Fair in September
10. Students with writing or Fine Arts portfolios should prepare them during the Fall Semester. Work with department chairpersons to develop a thorough portfolio.
11. Visit colleges, especially when school is not in session. Use Family Connection to sign up for these visits. Advanced notice is required.
12. Ask thoughtful, creative questions of college representatives who are visiting Bishop McNamara. Some universities will require a private meeting here at Bishop McNamara. You will need to sign up for these visits in advance, not the day of, and are responsible for all class work you may miss.
13. Engage in self-taught or professional test preparation for the standardized tests.
14. Add a reputable out-of-state college or university to your list. While you can receive a good education at any school, some employers prefer the more reputable schools. Many of these schools do not necessarily have a higher price tag to them.
15. Discuss your schools and future with your guidance counselor, teachers, parents and other adults.
16. Check your email twice daily. Push it to any phone or other data device.
17. Consider summer employment to help save for college costs. Begin to explore scholarship opportunities at the links provided here.
18. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (aka "clearinghouse") if you are interested in playing a sport at the Division I or II level. www.eligibilitycenter.org Meet with Mr. Rutter to discuss your plans. Email him at jrutter@bishopmac.org to schedule a meeting. Have your parents/guardians with you.
19. Over the summer of Junior-Senior year, organize your college list. Update the Colleges I'm Thinking About page on Family Connection
20. Work on your college essay. Meet with your English teacher to discuss your topic(s).
21. Begin completing online applications for colleges.

General:

• Finish Strong.
• Consider your legacy as a member of the school community and work to build a solid reputation and a respectable contribution to the well-being of the school. Contribute to a healthy, exciting school community.
• Serve as chairperson or committee members of clubs and projects (i.e. food drive, House activities, etc.).
• Ensure your priorities - academic, spiritual, social and athletic/cultural, are all in line with your future. Make responsible decisions.
• Fine tune the aspects of your personality and personal mastery - communication, presence, etc. throughout this final year of school.

Academics:

• Keep focused on your assignments and keeping up with readings.
• Continue good study habits and skills.
• Engage your teachers. Ask them what they would like to see from you. Then do it.
• Attend any and all review sessions.
• Read. Read often. Maintaining a healthy reading schedule will allow you greater ease on the standardized tests. You'll know the words and you can browse through the reading comprehension sections more easily.

Co-Curriculars:

• Aim to be a well-balanced student, one who is involved in meaningful activities and engaged in their entire school experience.
• Explore. Try new things. Take on leadership roles. Be a solid follower.
• Make a steady commitment to co-curricular clubs and activities. Demonstrate your dependability as a committee member.
• Learn how to balance school, co-curricular activities and personal health.
• Attend as many school events (cultural ones especially) as possible. Demonstrate Pride in Place!
• Volunteer or work during the summer.
• Commit to a service project. Consider initiating a service project for the community (school or local community). Seek support. Lend support to others' initiatives.
• Find a passion. Be willing to work hard for that project/passion.