BCHS CEEB Code: 151654 (also referred to as your high school code)
View Getting Started with College Applications VideoApplications
If your school is on Common App, send it through that platform!
If it is not on CommonApp, go to the school’s website and apply through there. I do not suggest submitting applications through SCOIR.
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- When asked for class rank, list N/A. We do not do class rank. We have A-F grading on a 4.0 weighted scale.
- Class size for the Class of 2024 is 162.
- Our CEEB Code is: 151654 (also referred to as your high school code)
- It is okay to use your weighted GPA on your applications unless it specifically says “unweighted.” Our GPA is on a 4.0 scale (both weighted and unweighted).
- If the application asks for AP and honors, the dual credit classes also qualify.
- Do NOT use your BCHS gmail for applications- it does not work for email outside of BCHS.
- When the Common App asks for your teacher recommenders information, fill out everything but their email, because we will send the letters through Scoir.
- For Common App, when it asks for your counselor/advisor info, enter:
Abbey Saurine
Bishop Chatard High School
5885 N. Crittendon Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-785-2401 (phone)
asaurine@bishopchatard.org (email)
- Have a credit card number available to pay for the application. Fee waivers are available for 21st Century Scholar or Free/Reduced lunch participants.
- Remember your login passwords. Try to use the same ones for each application.
- Early Action is non-binding and gives you fullest consideration for scholarships and admissions. Deadline for these is Nov. 1. We recommend non-restrictive application plans such as early action. Indicate your application pathway on applications and in Scoir
- Early Decision: If you are applying Early Decision, that is a binding contract. Please see Ms. Saurine before you decide to apply Early Decision because there is a contract to sign.
Read more tips
✓ Applying early is better than applying late (meet the early action deadlines when possible!)
Transcripts and Test Scores
It is a student’s responsibility to send scores from the testing service. You can do this through your CollegeBoard and ACT accounts. The majority of colleges require this.
Take advantage of the ‘free score sends’. When you register to test, you can sign up to have your scores sent for free to 4 colleges. If you do this, the college will get your scores. You may also log in to your account and send your scores after you take the test, but there is a fee (about $15/school).
If a student qualifies for an SAT/ACT waiver (free/reduced lunch), he or she also qualifies for college application fee waivers. See the college counselor, Abbey Saurine, for a fee waiver.
****Note – If a student is retaking the SAT/ACT in the fall and has already applied to colleges in
August, he / she needs to send new scores directly to those colleges.
DOING THIS IS IMPORTANT
Students should complete the BCHS Record Release Form and send it to Mrs. Saurine to begin the process.
Open Record Release Form
The student needs to request transcripts for their dual courses directly from the University the course was offered through.
- For Accounting: Vincennes U.
- For W131 and P155: IU*
- For THL216:Marian U.
* If you will be attending IU, you do not need to send transcripts there, but be sure your classes are on file during your first-year scheduling meeting.
AP Course Scores
AP scores for classes taken during your senior year won’t be available until June/July. If you designate a specific school on your AP exam booklet, they will automatically receive all of your AP scores, including past scores. Otherwise, you can request them through your College Board account and use your ‘free score send’ when the score is available
Letters of Recommendation
Take these steps BEFORE you ask a teacher/mentor for a letter of recommendation:
- Fill out your “letter of recommendation survey” in Scoir: Under the “Me” button on your main dashboard, there is a “Surveys” tab in the drop down tab. Be sure both of these surveys are completed BEFORE you request any letters of recommendation!
- Continue to add any extracurriculars or activities to your Scoir profile under “Activities and Achievements”: Recommenders are be able to see your extracurricular activities and the colleges you plan on applying to, so the more of that you have filled out, the better!
- Complete the FERPA Waiver in Scoir: There is a FERPA Waiver and release you will need to complete in Scoir before you can request letters of recommendation. This shouldn’t take you more than a minute!
- Be sure you actually ASK the teacher for a letter of recommendation: Don’t assume that a teacher is willing/able to write you a letter. Select a teacher with whom you had a good rapport, in whose class you participated a lot, in whose class you got a great grade, or possibly in the subject you’re interested in majoring in.
- Give at least 3 weeks notice before the letter is due (more if possible). Teachers will have their Scoir accounts set up and open for requests by mid-August.
- Once you contacted your teacher, request your letter of recommendation through Scoir.
FAFSA and Financial Aid
✓ The state of Indiana now requires all seniors in the Class of 2024 to complete the FAFSA application by April 15, 2024. See Mrs. Saurine for a waiver if your family doesn’t intend on completing the FAFSA.
✓ INvestED is an Indiana organization that provides resources and info to help Indiana students explore and afford college and career training.
- There is no fee for completing and submitting the FAFSA.
- The state of Indiana requires all seniors to complete the FAFSA. It is necessary to be eligible for Indiana and Federal Student Aid. See Mrs. Saurine for a waiver if your family doesn’t intend on completing the FAFSA.
- Application is scheduled to open in December 2023. It is best to complete it as soon as you can.
- You and your contributor both must have a FSA ID to complete the form. (Allow 5 days to activate — see area below
- Use the data retrieval tool for your 2022 taxes. (highly recommended) If your income has changed drastically from 2022 to 2023, or if you have special circumstances, please contact each college or university for assistance.
- Both the student AND any contributor need to provide CONSENT for IRS documents to
be used by the Department of Education- This is really important
- If you do NOT provide consent, student will not qualify for aid
- If you are selected for verification or have follow-up questions regarding your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the two best resources are INvestED (free local service, 1-888-476-2006, customersupport@investedindiana.org) and the government (1-800-433-3243, https://studentaid.gov/).
FAFSA Checklist & Record Sheet
- How to Create your FSA ID
- FAFSA Checklist — including items you’ll need to complete your FAFSA
- Go to Studentaid.gov to create your FSA ID starting in December/late December
- Scholarships
- They can be need-based or merit-based
- When you receive a financial aid package from a college, make sure you know if the scholarships are renewable each year
- Student Employment in College
- Federal Work Study (you might qualify for this through the FAFSA. This is not a grant/scholarship, it is a job)
- Companies emphasize the important of internships when looking at hiring recent college graduates
- Loans
- Federal Direct Loans (Rate: 5.5%)
- Automatically qualify for this when you file the FAFSA
- There are annual limits for this loan
- They can be both subsidized and unsubsidized **
**Subsidized loan: interest does not add onto loan while they are in school. Unsubsidized: interest is added onto loan while they are in school
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Rate 8%)
- Parent’s loan for the student
- Eligibility impacted by adverse credit
- Private Loans (Rate: Varies)
- Student and Cosigner’s loan
- Eligibility based on credit score and income
- Federal Direct Loans (Rate: 5.5%)
- Visit the BCHS ‘Paying for College and Career’ page: A curated list which often has Indiana specific opportunities
- Visit our Roadmap page: Look at the Senior year on this page for a large list of resources.
- Contact Ms. Saurine. She is there to help you find a path to your dreams!
- Use the following excellent Indiana resources:
- Look in these places
- Consult FREE National Search Sites
- Individual College/University
- Local/Community Foundations
- Businesses & Employers
- Church and Civic Engagements
Don’t forget to write a thank you note to your recommenders! It’s always appreciated.
Organize yourself!
- Keep a password document on your computer or phone! As you get college decisions back, you are going to be given an account with each school. If you can’t login, you’ll have to contact the university to help you- you’ll save yourself a lot of time and frustration if you keep track of all of your passwords!! Consider using the same one for each application.
- Organize your email! Create a “college” folder in your personal email for important emails such as financial aid packages from schools, admission decisions, etc. Again, students will spend a lot of time searching their email for their student ID number, login information, financial aid info, etc. if they don’t have it organized. We will ask you for a copy of all admission and scholarship information, so keep track of it!