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Benilde-St. Margaret’s School Guidance/College & Career Planning Programs
FRESHMAN YEAR
- (September) College and Career Center Open House: The College and Career Center Coordinator invites parents and students to visit the facility one evening in September. The CCC Coordinator is available throughout that night to show students and parents materials and to answer questions.
- (Fall) Freshman College and Career Planning in Classes: The counselors meet with the freshmen three times during the fall. They talk to the students about how to make the most out of high school. They talk about factors that affect college admissions. During the last session, freshmen listen to a panel of seniors who talk about their high school experiences. (more details on attached handout)
- (November) Freshman and Sophomore Parent Meeting: The counselors present an informational workshop to parents of 9th and 10th graders that addresses ways parents can help their children be successful during high school. College and career planning are also addressed, focusing on what students and parents can do early in high school to be emotionally, academically and financially prepared for college and beyond.
- (Spring - every other year) Career Knight: BSM alumni from a variety of professional backgrounds are invited to set up a booth at an evening career fair. BSM students (grades 9-12) are encouraged to attend.
- (May) Career Interest Survey: In conjunction with the Viking Boy Scout Council, BSM conducts a career survey for students in grades 9-11. From the results of this survey, the Viking Boy Scout Council invites students to join exploring posts in a variety of career areas such as engineering, aviation, business, medicine, law enforcement, etc.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
- (September) College and Career Center Open House: The College and Career Center Coordinator invites parents and students to visit the facility one evening in September. The CCC Coordinator is available throughout that night to show students and parents materials and to answer questions.
- (October) PLAN test with interest inventory: BSM sophomores take the PLAN test and are administered the PLAN interest inventory. Results are mailed home.
- (November) Freshman and Sophomore Parent Meeting: The counselors present an informational workshop to parents of 9th and 10th graders that addresses ways parents can help their children be successful during high school. College and career planning are also addressed, focusing on what students and parents can do early in high school to be emotionally, academically and financially prepared for college and beyond.
- (Spring) Sophomore College and Career Planning in Classes: The counselors work with the sophomores for three days in the spring. First, sophomores take a skills assessment. Second, they do an occupation sort and look at possible majors. Finally, they do a school sort that gives them a list of colleges appropriate for their interests. (more details on attached handout)
- (Spring - every other year) Career Knight: BSM alumni from a variety of professional backgrounds are invited to set up a booth at an evening career fair. BSM students (grades 9-12) are encouraged to attend.
- (May) Career Interest Survey: In conjunction with the Viking Boy Scout Council, BSM conducts a career survey for students in grades 9-11. From the results of this survey, the Viking Boy Scout Council invites students to join exploring posts in a variety of career areas such as engineering, aviation, business, medicine, law enforcement, etc.
JUNIOR YEAR
- (September) College and Career Center Open House: The College and Career Center Coordinator invites parents and students to visit the facility one evening in September. The CCC Coordinator is available throughout that night to show students and parents materials and to answer questions.
- (September) Junior Classroom Visits: The college counselors visit junior English classes to address the details of the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). The students also receive a college planning timeline for their junior year and are encouraged to attend the National College Fair that takes place each fall at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
- (October) PSAT: All BSM juniors take the PSAT. Results are mailed home in December.
- (November) Fall Junior Parent Meeting: The college counselors present information to junior parents regarding the ACT, SAT reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests. They cover the content of the tests, when to take the tests, where to find information about the tests, how to register for the tests, options for preparing for the tests, etc. They will also discuss the college planning timeline and events for the remainder of the junior year.
- (February) Junior "Building Your Future Day": All BSM juniors take part in this all-day college/career planning workshop. The students attend sessions led by college admissions counselors, a representative from a test-prep agency and the college counseling team at BSM.
- (March) Junior Parent Meeting: The college counselors host a meeting for junior parents. The meeting will summarize the information their sons and daughters received in the "Building Your Future" program, including information about the portfolio that is due in April. The counselors will discuss the college application process, and will refer to forms, deadlines and details specific to BSM. In addition, they will briefly touch on ACT/SAT testing, scholarships and financial aid.
- (March-May) Junior/Counselor Individual Meetings: The college counselors meet individually with each junior during March and April to discuss the following topics: possible post-secondary options, important criteria in college selection, possible majors/career fields, college application process, etc. The college counselors also review transcripts and senior-year course selections with each junior.
- (April) BSM College Fair: Representatives from over 100 colleges and universities in the United States are invited to BSM. This is a great opportunity for students to ask questions and gather information. BSM juniors are required to attend. Sophomores from BSM and students from other schools are strongly encouraged to attend. The fair is held in late April.
- (April and May) Junior ACT Preparation course: BSM allows Kaplan to use space in our building to facilitate an ACT preparation course for BSM juniors. This course is usually held in April and May, and runs for approximately 12 sessions.
- (Spring - every other year) Career Knight: BSM alumni from a variety of professional backgrounds are invited to set up a booth at an evening career fair. BSM students (grades 9-12) are encouraged to attend.
- (May) Career Interest Survey: In conjunction with the Viking Boy Scout Council, BSM conducts a career survey for students in grades 9-11. From the results of this survey, the Viking Boy Scout Council invites students to join exploring posts in a variety of career areas such as engineering, aviation, business, medicine, law enforcement, etc.
SENIOR YEAR
- (August) Letter of recommendation survey and parent questionnaire: Seniors fill out a survey about their high school activities and achievements, their post-secondary plans and their goals for the future. This survey is required of any student who will need a recommendation letter from a teacher or a counselor. At the same time, parents of seniors will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their sons and daughters. This questionnaire is used by the college counselors when writing letters of recommendation.
- (September) Senior Classroom Visits: The college counselors visit senior social studies classes during the first part of September. The counselors address the policy regarding students’ visits with college representatives in the College and Career Center, the college visit policy, applying for scholarships, taking or retaking ACT/SAT tests, NCAA policies, the process of requesting letters of recommendation, and the timeline and procedures for applying to college through Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
- (September) Senior Parent Meeting – College Planning: The college counselors host a college planning meeting for senior parents during the first part of September. The counselors address the policy regarding students’ visits with college representatives in the College and Career Center, the college visit policy, applying for scholarships, taking or retaking ACT/SAT tests, NCAA policies, the process of requesting letters of recommendation, and the timeline and procedures for applying to college through BSM.
- (January) The College Experience Student and Parent Panel: BSM graduates and parents of BSM graduates are invited to return to BSM for this night in January. The BSM alumni share their college experiences and answer current seniors’ questions. The parents share knowledge and tips they learned in the process of sending their children to college. Current seniors and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend.
- (January) Financial Aid Night for Parents: Parents of seniors are encouraged to attend this informative session on financial aid given by a financial aid officer from a local college or university. This takes place in mid-January.
- (Spring - every other year) Career Knight: BSM alumni from a variety of professional backgrounds are invited to set up a booth at an evening career fair. BSM students (grades 9-12) are encouraged to attend.
- (May) Graduation Survey
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