Counseling Department
Bishop Amat recognizes the many needs that young people have today. Growing up is a difficult and often trying experience, and we are fully aware that our students have no social immunity to the temptations and moral dilemmas that face any teenager. Counselors are available on the campus throughout the day, and after school. The counseling program fosters the values that enable our youth to understand themselves and others. We encourage our students to assume personal responsibility for their behavior as well as for their intellectual growth and development in keeping with their talents and abilities. Our curriculum is geared to the physical and mental development of the adolescent. The Counselors make an effort to see all students at various times during the school year. A student may request an appointment with his/her counselor by signing on the appointment request lists that are located outside the counseling offices. The offices are located in the counseling wing of the Faculty House.
Our counselors are experienced teachers with expertise in various specialized areas. The department offers guidance primarily in academics. In addition, counselors can help students gain information about careers and colleges, scholarships, and financial aid for higher education.
Personal Counseling
At times, certain situations require the intervention of a professional therapist for the appropriate resolution of a student problem. When deemed necessary, professional counselors from the Catholic Charities’ office of Psychological Services are consulted. These therapists meet with the students on campus with permission given by the parents on the “Consent to Treatment” form signed at registration. Consultation after three visits or in serious matters may involve the parents. Any student or family wishing to have these services available to them may contact the Head Counselor.
Guidance for College
Bishop Amat High School provides a comprehensive guidance program for college. It begins as the students meet with their respective guidance counselors for matters such as course selection. College information sessions are provided during the students’ junior year. The College Counselor meets with students individually. Each year approximately forty colleges send representatives to the Bishop Amat campus during the school day to meet with prospective applicants.
All students and their parents are invited annually to attend our College Night. On this occasion, representatives from over 50 college campuses all over the United States convene to advise students and their parents about specific programs and admissions requirements. It is wise to begin college planning early, and so we welcome students from all grade levels to attend with their parents and take advantage of this very helpful and informative service.
Helpful Websites
HELPFUL WEBSITES
GENERAL COLLEGE INFORMATION & COLLEGE APPLICATIONS:
UC System = www.ucop.edu/pathways
CSU System = www.csumentor.edu
CA Private Colleges = www.aiccumentor.org
Catholic Colleges = www.catholiccollegesonline.org/
Jesuit Colleges = www.ajcunet.edu
Historically Black Colleges & Universities = www.hbcunetwork.com/
California Community Colleges = www.cccco.edu
Common Application = www.commonapp.org
Comprehensive College Info = www.xap.com
UC Approved Course List = https://pathways.ucop.edu/doorways/list/
TESTING INFORMATION:
College Board (SAT Reasoning & Subject Tests) = www.collegeboard.com
ACT Testing Service = www.actstudent.org
FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS:
Scholarship Searches = www.fastweb.com
FAFSA = www.fafsa.ed.gov
CSS/PROFILE = www.collegeboard.com
CAREERS & MAJORS:
Career Cruising = www.careercruising.com
Username: bishop
Password: amat
Art Schools = www.aicad.org
Nursing Degree Guide = http://nursingdegreeguide.com/
Nursing Schools = www.allnursingschools.com/
Engineering Schools = www.nspe.org/students/
Medical School Info = AspiringDocs.org
Combined BA/MD Programs = http://services.aamc.org/currdir/section3/degree2.cfm?data=yes&program=bsmd
Law School Info = www.lsac.org
Architecture Programs = https://www.acsa-arch.org/students/home.aspx
STUDENT ATHLETES:
NCAA Clearinghouse = http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html
NAIA Eligibility Center = http://www.playnaia.org
College / Career Center
The College/Career Center offers many programs in college and career guidance for students. Up-to-date materials acquaint the student with requirements and opportunities available in many different occupations. College catalogues, brochures, books on colleges, and information about businesses, careers in the military and various professions are available to help students make informed choices as they plan for the future.
In addition to the regular counseling program included within the curriculum, freshmen receive an orientation to the College/Career Center to make them aware of what the facility has to offer. Juniors participate in Career Week, during which time they have many opportunities to speak to, and ask questions of, people in a large variety of careers and professions.
Requirements for Colleges and Universities
Bishop Amat graduation requirements are approximately the same or exceed the entrance requirements of most colleges and universities.
The University of California – The nine campuses of the University of California select academically qualified students for education in a liberal arts field and in preparatory courses in pre-professional fields such as medicine, law, science, teaching, business administration, etc. They also provide advanced or graduate study in these fields. Applications are available from the counselors and must be submitted by November 30.
Students should understand that admission to the University of California system is extremely competitive and some campuses are more selective than others. Students interested in the U.C. system should not limit their applications to only the most selective campuses. Bishop Amat graduates applying for admission have had the opportunity to meet or exceed the following University of California requirements:
- High school diploma
- Subject requirements
- Social Studies 20 Credits World History, U.S. History/Government
- English 40 Credits
- Mathematics 30 Credits Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
- Lab Science 20 Credits Biology, Chemistry
- Foreign Language 20 Credits Must be in the same language (30 Credits Recommended)
- College Prep Electives 20 Credits Must be chosen from at least two of the following areas: English, Advanced Math, Lab Science, Foreign Language, Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts. See the college counselor for more complete descriptions of these electives.
Beginning with the Class of 2003, two semesters or a full year of Visual and Performing Arts are required. Beginning with the Class of 2004, it must be a full year of the same subject.
- Scholarship requirement An average grade of “B” is required in the subjects listed above. No “D” or “F” grades will be accepted.
- Examination requirements which must be completed by December of the Senior year:Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) or American College Test (ACT); highest verbal and math scores from the same sitting are used.Students planning to major in math, engineering, science, and science-related fields should complete four years of college preparatory work in mathematics. A semester “D” grade in any of the 15 courses listed above does not meet the Cal state requirements for the course.Once a student is admitted to a Cal State campus, they should prepare to take the EPT/ELM placement exams in English and math. These should be taken during the third quarter of the senior year. Some students may have this requirement waived due to a superior ACT/SAT I or SAT II score.Private Universities and Colleges – Private colleges differ in entrance and testing requirement patterns, filing dates, etc. Students should check the catalogues in the College/Career Center for each college in which they are interested and/or see the College Counselor for more complete information. Students must secure their own applications and seek their own recommendations. Transcripts must be requested from the Studies Office by the student two weeks before the deadline.
Protocol for Letters of Recommendation
Very often the college application process necessitates requests by students for personal recommendations. When a student must approach a teacher, counselor, or administrator to ask for a recommendation, he/she should adhere to the following guidelines:
- Ask those people who know you well enough to write a good recommendation for you.
- Be prepared to give each person you ask a completed copy of your goals and activities summary sheet (available from your counselor). The more thorough and in depth your input, the better recommendation.
- Provide a stamped envelope that is addressed to the college or scholarship program. Allow approximately two weeks from the time that you make your request for the writer to follow through. When you do not allow the writer sufficient time, he/she finds that the final result is hurried and if often a mediocre letter. This could mean that your chances for admission or scholarship are lessened.
Guidance for Financial Aid
Counselors are well versed in the procedures and forms necessary in applying for financial aid at the various colleges and universities. Financial aid is available at two and four year colleges in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Each college publishes a brochure disclosing programs which are available. Most financial aid is based on financial need, need which is determined from information given on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some private colleges also require the PROFILE form to be completed before a student’s aid can be determined.
The FAFSA is available in December and will be distributed to Seniors in homeroom. It must be filled out and mailed in no earlier than January 1, and no later than March 2, for entry into college the following fall. Information given on the FAFSA (and PROFILE if necessary) is put into a formula from which a family contribution to a student’s education is estimated. This amount is subtracted from the college’s estimated cost of attendance and the difference is the amount of financial aid for which the student is eligible. In addition to determining financial need for college-funded aid, the information on the FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for Federal aid PELL Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, College Work Study, the Stafford Student Loan, and state aid Cal Grants A, B, and C.
Once a student’s eligibility for aid is established, a financial aid package is put together by the college which includes the Federal as well as the State aid for which the student is eligible. The balance of the financial need, if any, is then offered by the individual college. A student should expect to receive a combination of grants (free money), loans, and work-study in their financial aid package. Because public colleges and universities (UC’s, Cal States, Community Colleges) cost less in terms of tuition, a student will not receive as much financial aid. A student attending a private school may need more financial aid to cover the cost of education and should be aware that a portion of the higher aid will be in the form of educational loans which must be repaid after graduation.
Guidance for Scholarships
Private scholarships are available at the local, state, and national levels, giving partial or complete financial assistance for higher studies. Seniors are informed about scholarships that are available through morning announcements, printed bulletins, and posted information. Information on outside scholarships is also available through the Internet. Access to these websites can be obtained by students who are authorized to use the Internet, in the school library. Parents should also be aware of scholarship scams that often appear in mailings. Please consult the College Counselor if you have questions about this.
Scholarships may be based on merit alone or a combination of merit and financial need. They are offered by corporations, labor unions, fraternal organizations, women’s auxiliaries, banks, and educational foundations. Students are encouraged to maintain a high record of academic achievement, and extra-curricular and service involvement to meet the requirements of special scholarships.
Guidance Through a Planned Testing Program
Incoming freshmen are given the STS High School Placement Test before acceptance into Bishop Amat High School. This exam helps administrators place students in classes where they will experience the greatest success.
Sophomores and Juniors take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in October as preparation for the tests required to enter college. For juniors, results are also used to determine relative strengths and weaknesses in competition for college, as well as for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Seniors who are planning to apply for admission to a four year college may take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the American College Test (ACT) at the end of their junior or at the beginning of their senior year. Students planning to apply to a UC campus or certain private colleges should also take the SAT II at the end of their Junior year or at the beginning of their senior year.
Students are encouraged to participate in the various types of career testing available through the Counseling Department. Our computerized Careerview system provides a wealth of very personalized information for the student who is planning for the future.
Work Permits
By law, students who are under the age of 18 must have a work permit if they are working. Work permits are available from the Career Counselor’s office. It is our recommendation that a student’s work hours not exceed 20 hours per week. All students who work more than 10 hours per week, or who work on evenings when school is in session, will be enrolled in the Work Experience Program.
The Work Experience Teacher is an advocate for the welfare and rights of student workers. He meets with Work Experience students one day each week, during lunch. In order to maintain their Work Permit, students must maintain a satisfactory level of attendance and scholastic achievement while working, submit the total number of hours worked each week to the Work Experience Teacher, and attend the Work Experience class during lunch one day each week, if they are in that Program