College Advising

Spring:

• Choose challenging courses for senior year

• Make a list of potential colleges

• Call colleges to request to be put on their mailing list
• Take the SATs / ACT
• Complete the "Student Activities Resume"
• Request academic letters of recommendation
• Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to participate in collegiate athletics
• Consider summer programs at various colleges in subject areas that interest you. 

Summer:

• Schedule tours/interviews at prospective colleges

• Register for the SATs / ACT if you plan to take them in the early fall

• Begin scholarship search

August/September:

• Meet with College Adviser to ensure decisions
• Start preparing applications; review the requirements, qualifications and deadlines for acceptance at the college of student's choice. 
• Begin to work on essay for college applications
• Get recommendation letters from teachers
• Visit college representatives that come to Shanahan at the Lunch Visits​
• Check registration dates for the fall SAT / ACT
• Attend BSHS College Fair​

​October:

• Take the SATs / ACT again

• Check to see if college of choice requires SAT II tests

• Continue to complete college applications. Check dates if applying Early Decision.
• Submit transcript requests to the Guidance Department

November:

• ​Ensure deadlines are being met with college applications, especially for those apply Early Decision

• If college needs 1st quarter grades, requests submitted to the Guidance Department
• Good grades check-in
• Search for scholarship opportunities both on the web and in the Guidance Department resource books

​December:

• College applications complete
• Transcripts requested before Christmas break
• Good grades check-in as students prepare for mid-terms

January/February:

• Parents complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Continue to explore scholarship opportunities

March/April:

• Make final visits to prospective colleges

• Financial packages from the colleges received

• Ensure the policy on depositing/confirming enrollment with college of choice

May/June:

• May 1st is the deadline for enrolling in college of choice

• Request final transcript to be sent to college   

Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students are welcome to connect with college and university admissions officers during their lunch period throughout the school year. The admissions officers are hosted at their own individual table in the Cafeteria, bringing a wealth of information about their respective school. They are available to share information about their school, answer students' questions, and provide brochures to interested students.

A calendar of visits will be shared for Fall 2024 once it is available.

Bishop Shanahan High School hosts an annual FAFSA Workshop from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). PHEAA is a national provider of student financial aid services, serving millions of students and thousands of schools through its loan servicing, financial aid processing, outreach, and other student aid programs.

The representative will review important information on how to complete and file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It's the most important part of the financial profile students/parents must complete to qualify for grants, scholarships, and assistance to pay for college. We encourage ALL SENIOR AND JUNIOR PARENTS to attend. 

The 2024 date will be announced.

Students who normally submit applications in November or December can wait up to four or five months to hear a reply from the college or university of their choice. At BSHS, we help interested students to shorten their college/university admission process by hosting an Instant Decision Day. On this day, seniors or rising seniors apply, interview and receive an admissions decision (including, in some cases, financial or merit aid) all in a single day - a great alternative to the long wait. If accepted, students then have until National Decision Day, May 1, of their senior year, to accept or refuse the admissions offer.

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Bishop Shanahan High School hosted its inaugural, junior-exclusive Instant Decision Day on May 20, 2024. This event provided the unique opportunity for members of the Class of 2025 to sit one-on-one with a college admissions counselor to receive a decision and scholarship on the spot, eliminating one of the most challenging aspects of applying to college - waiting for a decision.

Congratulations to the following juniors who were accepted to Holy Family University: Brett Barber, Sophie Collins, Celina Del Angel Nunez, Gina Kern, Grace Kopec, Lillian Maahs, Elan Madanat, Leah Madanat, Noah McFadden, Joyce Nguyen, and Kendall Smith.

College Advisors organize an annual small group session with colleges and universities who are interested in meeting with students who measure in the top 10% of their class. Sessions are informational and by invitation. 

Scholarships from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The Chester County Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be offering two scholarships of $1,000 each: the Mary Harshbarger Scholarship and the Kozlowski Scholarship for those seniors who wish to major in nursing. Please stop by the College Center for an application.

• College Board
• College Resource Network
• College Scholarships.org
• Fastweb
• Super College.com
• Scholarship Hunter
• Scholarship America
• Scholly

Standardized Test Survival Guide Webinar

Students and families are invited to join Franklin Yard's upcoming webinar, where you'll dive into the digital SAT, upcoming changes to the ACT, and more to help you make informed decisions. Click here for more information and to register.

September 24th, 7-8pm EST, via Zoom. Topics Covered:

• SAT vs. ACT: Which is right for you?
• New ACT changes: What to Expect
• How to Maximize Scores with Effective Prep Planning

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Fall SAT Masterclasses w/ Franklin Yard

Franklin Yard's courses are built on our proprietary game plan for higher scores. Master essential skills and thinking patterns, learn critical test strategies, and develop key habits for effective score improvement.

Virtual SAT Masterclass:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 pm-8:00pm (EST) 
• September 12th - October 3rd 
• More information here

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Free SAT and ACT Practice Tests

These full-length, timed practice tests offer a great way for your students to identify their strengths and decide which test—SAT or ACT—might be the better fit.

• SAT Practice Test: September 28th, 10:00am-12:45pm (EDT)
• ACT Practice Test: November 16th, 10:00am-1:30pm (EDT)
• Click here for more details and registration

Attention, Sophomores and Juniors!

Delaware Valley University Launches Physician Assistant Exploration Academy for High School Students. The PA Exploration Academy will take place on DelVal’s campus the week of July 22nd-26th, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more about Delaware Valley’s summer program offerings and to apply for grant and scholarship opportunities, please visit here.

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University of Notre Dame Online Courses for High School Students

The University of Notre Dame is now offering high school students online courses in some of their most popular subjects. Students can now experience world-class learning from professors and experts in some of today’s most sought-after fields. All courses are 100% online, enabling you to study at your own pace. Even better, students will be guided by mentors, and earn a Certificate of Completion from the University of Notre Dame.

• Business: From Startup to Success What are the risks and costs of starting a business? How do you identify your target customer? This course answers these questions and more. You’ll consider legal, accounting, and financial risks; learn how to write a business plan; and discover the strategies needed to take your business public.
• Psychology: Understanding the Self and Our World How are our individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impacted by others? In this course, you'll investigate the role of personality and the ‘self’ in our understanding of the world. You’ll evaluate the biased way we make judgments of others and ourselves, and analyze the connection between ‘self’ and wellness.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://precollegeonline.nd.edu/

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NovaEdge Summer Camp at Villanova

Attention rising sophomores, juniors and senior high school students! NovaEdge Diversity in Engineering is a one-week, on-campus program that introduces a diverse population of students from different ethnic and social backgrounds to the traditional fields of engineering including Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Computer and Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering.

• The 2024 Program Dates are July 13-20
• Participants stay on campus during this one-week summer program
• Open to rising sophomores, juniors and senior high school students
• The program cost is $775 that includes room and board and can be paid in full once the student is selected into the program.

Click here to learn more.

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Health Career Summer Academy at WCU

In collaboration with Main Line Health and Meridian bank, the West Chester University College of Health Sciences is offering a summer academy for a limited number of high school students interested in a future health science career, especially those students from underserved populations and communities. The program will be July 29 - August 1 and August 5 - August 8, 2024, from 9:30am-3:00pm. Click here for more information and to apply.

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Penn State Communications Summer Camp

Bellisario Summer Camps offer high school students hands-on experience in communications fields:

• Social Media & Content Creator Camp
• Broadcast Journalism Camp
• Film Production Camp

Campers will stay in dorms on the University Park Campus. Students get to experience campus life, gain valuable communications related skills and make life-long friends. For more information click here.

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Bucknell Academy Summer Experience - BASE

Attention rising Junior and Senior Students!!! At BASE, the Bucknell Academy Summer Experience, rising high school juniors and seniors spend a week living like a college student. The Bucknell Academy Summer Experience will take place June 23–28, 2024. BASE is looking for applicants with a strong academic record, who enjoy collaborating and leading and have a genuine interest in the liberal arts and creative problem-solving. Click here to learn more.

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DeSales Summer Theatre Institute

DeSales University’s Summer Theatre Institute at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival offers professional theatre training to rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and rising college freshmen. From July 22 – August 3, 2024 students will take classes in all the major disciplines of theatre performance, including:

• acting
• musical theatre performance
• Shakespeare performance
• audition technique
• dance and movement
• elective evening master classes in specialty areas like stage
• combat and acting for the camera

Click here to learn more.

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Cortiva Institute

Cortiva in KOP is accepting new students interested in pursuing a career in:

• Cosmetology (1250 Hours/ 5+ Certifications)

• Esthetics (Skin Care) 300 Hours/ 5 Certifications
• Professional Massage Therapy (720 Hours/ 7 Certifications)

Click here to learn more.

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Rice University

Summer is a perfect time for motivated high school students to learn from Rice University’s world-class professors and experts in today’s most sought-after industries. The application period for the online precollege summer program is now open. The online precollege programs help students ages 13 and older explore their interests. Through participating in their courses, students can discover if an interest could lead to a college major or even a future career.   Rice University invites them to get a taste of college study this summer.  You can also view  shareable flyer here which includes key details about our courses. Click here to view courses.

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Columbia University

Summer Immersion : NEW YORK CITY. Click here to learn more.

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Northeastern University

Click here to learn more.

The Summer 2023 Boston Campus programs give talented high school rising juniors and seniors from around the world the opportunity to participate in immersive, experiential programs with acclaimed Northeastern faculty members right on the Boston campus.

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University of Delaware

Applications are OPEN! The Edge summer college program offers academically talented and motivated high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to live and learn on one of the most engaging college campuses on the East Coast. Click here to learn more.

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Ursinus College

The Abele Scholars Program at Ursinus College is a great fit for higher achieving students in and out of the classroom with demonstrated financial need. Students will need to be a U.S. citizen residing in any of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C., have a high school GPA of 3.0+, and have an EFC of less than $30,000. Throughout their time at Ursinus, Abele Scholars will receive support with special programming such as mentorship and workshops.

They will also receive:

• $40,000 - Annual and renewable $10,000 per year scholarship
• $3,000 - Enrichment funds for conferences, internships, etc.
• $2,000 - Startup costs (like a laptop, books, dorm supplies)
• $8,000 - Maximum payment towards student's federal loans upon completion of the program ...For a total of $53,000 per student!

Click here to learn more.

The College Advising Office allows for 10 school days processing.  Please keep in mind once the documents are received by the colleges and universities, it takes at least 6 to 8 weeks for them to process. Contact mweyback@shanahan.org for more information.

Click here to view the CSS Profile.