College Planning
At Bishop McLaughlin, we believe that college preparation is a journey that begins the moment our students step through our doors. Our comprehensive college planning program is designed to guide students and their families through every step of the college admissions process, ensuring that each student is well-equipped to pursue their dreams and aspirations beyond high school.
Our approach to college planning is rooted in our Catholic values, emphasizing not just academic achievement, but also personal growth, character development, and a commitment to service. We strive to help our students find colleges and universities that align with their individual goals, talents, and beliefs.
From freshman year to senior year, our dedicated college counseling team:
Work closely with all students to:
- Explore career interests and academic passions
- Develop a challenging and appropriate course schedule
- Prepare for standardized tests
- Research and visit colleges
- Navigate the application process
- Seek financial aid and scholarship opportunities
This program:
- Involves all students
- Is based on a sequential and planned curriculum
- Is part of the total education program
- Helps students function academically and learn more efficiently
- Prepares students to cope with life transitions
- Addresses issues in an open and sensitive manner
Guidance Resources
NCAA RESOURCES
College Planning
Essential Information for Your College Planning Journey
As students aspire to attend the college of their choice, they need to follow this 4-year timeline to stay on track to reach their goal to college.
- Focus on transition and acclimating students to the new environment. Encourage involvement in a wide variety of activities (clubs, sports, performing arts). Set academic & personal, immediate or long-term goals.
- Assist students with identifying their likes and interests (personality assessments/ surveys).
- Schedule a College Preparatory Review meeting with the School Counselor
- Start exploring the different types of college/university available
- Explore attending a summer program at a college/university
- Complete at least 25 hours of community service
- Schedule a College Preparatory Review meeting with the School Counselor to review academic progress and PSAT test results and talk about National Merit Scholars
- Start exploring different career paths
- Review academic & personal, immediate or long-term goals.
- Review PSAT score
- Encourage participation in local college fair
- Talk about Life Skills (healthy relationships, personal boundaries) Complete at least 50 hours of community service
- Complete at least 50 hours of community service
- Start college/university visits
- Schedule a College Preparatory Review meeting with the School Counselor to review academic progress, graduation requirements, and ACT test results
- Help with SAT registration
- Work on college resume
- Start exploring financial aid options (government resources, employers, community resources, etc.)
- Start working on topics for college essays and write rough drafts
- Talk about Life skills (healthy relationships, personal budgeting, time management)
- Complete at least 75 hours of community service
- Refine college/university list. Begin thinking about Early Action or Early Decision possibilities
- Start applying to college/university. Some schools accept applications as early as August 1st.
- Schedule a College Preparatory Review meeting with the School Counselor to review academic progress, graduation requirements,
- Submit resume to Counseling Office by August 30. Counselors and teachers will use it to write recommendation letters
- Finalize College Essay. Start applying to colleges. Take advantage of October 15 early application for some Florida colleges
- Register for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other Financial Aid
- Complete the student portion of the Bright Futures Scholarship paperwork
- Send tuition deposit to your first-choice college by their deadline and notify the Counseling Office of all college acceptances and scholarships. Withdraw from all other applications
- Assisting students with developing independence and autonomy
- Transitioning from high school to college discussions: address fears and explore the college
- Talk about Life skills (healthy relationships, personal budgeting, time management)
- Complete at least 100 hours of community service
- Congratulations You Made it! Enjoy your summer break!
