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Lions! Lions!

SEPTEMBER 2026

Welcome Back,

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COUNSELING NEWSLETTER

BELLARMINE

ARTME

SEPTEMBER 2026

IN THIS ISSUE FRESHMEN Start Strong • Get Involved • 4-Year Planning SOPHOMORES Build Your Resume • PSAT Prep • Academic Support JUNIORS College Planning • Career Readiness • PSAT SENIORS College Applications • Financial Aid • SAT

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to drop or add classes is 9/15

COUNSELORS TAWANNA WILSON KATIE KEENE CHRIS SCOTTI RACHEL FORD MADDY MANCUSO

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself — John Dewey

SEPT 1 — Faculty Inservice • Freshman Orientation • Picture Day • Community Mass & BBQ SEPT 2 — First Day of Classes • Unified Day SEPT 4 — Mass on the Grass SEPT 7 — Labor Day • NO SCHOOL SEPT 8 — Tuesday Morning Mass SEPT 9 — Picture Makeup Day • Freshman Mass Workshop SEPT 15 — Tuesday Morning Mass • Senior Parent & Guardian Night 6:00-7:30 pm SEPT 16 — Back to School Night SEPT 17 — Mass of the Holy Spirit • St. Robert Bellarmine Feast Day SEPT 21 — Early Dismissal • Employee Inservice SEPT 22 — Tuesday Morning Mass SEPT 25 — Senior Mass SEPT 26–27 — PREPMUN SEPT 28–30 — Homecoming Week Oct 6 - FAFSA Step-by-Step Parent Webinar 5-7 pm

SEPTEMBER 2026

FRESHMEN START THE YEAR OFF RIGHT! Create a Study schedule: don’t let high school overwhelm you. Before the workload builds up, get in a routine. Do you need The Shovel Study Planner to stay organized and help manage your time. Tips for note-taking, test-taking strategies, organizing, and studying are in the ACE Tile under Resources in MyBellarmine.

HIGH SCHOOL, YOUR WAY: PLAN YOUR NEXT 4 YEARS! Ready to see what your next four years of classes could look like? Click here to build your 4-Year Plan. Here’s the College Application Checklist to know what else you can do if you plan to go to college.

MEET NEW FRIENDS AND GET TO KNOW YOUR CLASSMATES! Info on the upcoming clubs will be shared in October at our Club Fair Don’t see a club you want to join, start your own! All students interested in starting a club at Bellarmine, go to the Resource tab in MyBellarmine and click on the Activities Tile to fill out the application

TUTORING AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT The ACE in Orell Hall is the place to go 5 days a week for Academic Support 7:30 am - 3:45 pm Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 3:00 p.m. Friday Open weekly Schedule for drop-in labs led by faculty Need Testing Accommodations? Reach out to Ms. Rosati

MEET YOUR COUNSELOR! Not sure who your counselor is? Check General Information in your MyBellarmine profile or ask your Formation teacher. Your counselor is here to help—whether you have questions about academics, college and career planning, or just need someone to talk to. To schedule a meeting with your counselor: Scan the QR code posted on your counselor's door in the Campus Center Stop by their office Send them an email

SEPTEMBER 2026

SOPHOMORES START STRONG!

BUILD YOUR RESUME

Create a Study schedule: don’t let high school overwhelm you. Before the workload builds up, get in a routine.

Deeper Extracurricular and leadership engagement. Quality over quantity: shift your focus from just joining many clubs, to take on active roles and leadership positions this year. Info on the upcoming clubs will be shared in October at our Club Fair Don’t see a club you want to join, start your own! All students interested in starting a club at Bellarmine, go to the Resource tab in MyBellarmine and click on the Activities Tile to fill out the application

Do you need The Shovel Study Planner to stay organized and help manage your time. Tips for note-taking, test-taking strategies, organizing, and studying are in the ACE Tile under Resources in MyBellarmine. This timeline and College Admissions Checklist will ensure you are on track.

PSAT You are taking the In-School Digital PSAT on October 14th. The PSAT is a great low-stakes experience to practice for the SAT. No need to sign up! We have you preregistered. You will complete the process in Formation. Access free practice materials on KhanAcademy

COUNSELORS ARE AVAILABLE! Your counselor is here to help—whether you have questions about academics, schedule, college, and career planning, or just need someone to talk to. To schedule a meeting with your counselor: Scan the QR code posted on your counselor's door in the Campus Center Stop by their office Send them an email

SEPTEMBER 2026

JUNIORS COLLEGE Junior year is one of the most important years to prepare for life after high school. This fall is a great time to: Visit colleges Build a balanced college list. Research majors and career pathways. Keep challenging yourself academically while maintaining balance.

COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS This timeline and College Admissions Checklist will ensure you are on track. The Shovel Study Planner: Get ready for a very busy fall with this simple, low-cost app for building an effective study plan and developing strong study skills. Corsava: Check out this awesome resource

Compass Guide to Admissions Testing: Start mapping out a standardized testing plan with the goal of taking the SAT or ACT this spring before the end of the school year. Bellarmine will host an In-School SAT for juniors on April 14, 2027. Internal registration opens in March. If you prefer a different date or test, please register on the ACT or College Board website now before spring dates fill up.

that helps you figure out what you want (and don’t want) from your college experience. Connect with college admission reps: Sign up for college visits in Naviance > go to College Visits to sign up & meet 80+ admissions representatives this fall. Paying for College: Use this guide to help figure out which schools are great financial fits for you, how to apply for scholarships and more.

PSAT PREP You are taking the In-School Digital PSAT on October 14th. No need to sign up! We have you pre-registered. You will complete the process in Formation. Strong test scores as a junior may qualify you for academic honors, including National Merit as well as programs and recruitment for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, rural, firstgeneration and low-income students Access free practice materials on Khan-Academy and in your Bluebook App, or see our Test Prep Resource List

SEPTEMBER 2026

SENIORS WELCOME TO YOUR FINAL YEAR! Senior year goes by quickly! While it’s important to enjoy the traditions and celebrations, staying organized will help you make the most of every opportunity.

IMPORTANT DATES Senior Parent & Guardian Night September 15th 6:00-7:30 pm FAFSA Step-By-Step Parent Webinar Tuesday, Oct 6th @ 5-7 pm During this event, we walk families through the FAFSA question by question, while they complete the FAFSA in real time. “Appy Hour” For essay & application help Each Wednesday from 9/1510/28 @ 2:30-3:30. Go to the CORE Room in Orell Hall

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REMINDERS September is a critical time. Here’s your full College Admissions Checklist By this point, you should (we hope) have a close-to-final college list and be working on your college applications. If you are still building your list, use this Guide Finish your applications in Common App, and if you are applying to UC Schools, Cal State Schools, or any others that require a direct application. Guide to fill out the Common App Review application deadlines How to Decide Whether to Apply Early Decision or Early Action: Get answers to the most common questions and make sure you understand the limitations and the financial implications. ED/EA deadlines fall as early as October 15th. Fill out the Application Plan in Resources under the Counseling Tile in MyBellarmine. Schedule your Senior College Meeting with your counselor 1 month before your earliest deadline!! Don’t wait until the last minute! Check in with your recommenders to make sure they are writing for you. Counselors will send them a request to submit your letter by your deadline after your Senior College Meeting.

SEPTEMBER 2026

SENIORS SAT Bellarmine will offer the In-School SAT on October 14th.

FINANCIAL AID Financial aid season begins soon! Be prepared to: Complete the FAFSA opens 10/1. Complete the CSS PROFILE if required. Check for participating schools. Submission window opens 10/1. Research local and national scholarships that allocate state and regional winners. Create a spreadsheet for scholarships and applications. Check college financial aid deadlines. QuestBridge and Posse Foundation: See if you qualify for these great opportunities to win a full ride to college. If you decide to apply to QuestBridge, this is a must-read. Meet with your counselor if you have questions. Even small scholarships can add up to thousands of dollars.

Internal registration begins Sept. 8th through an email from Mr. Salazar. If you prefer an alternative date or test, please visit ACT’s website or CollegeBoard’s website now to register before the available dates are filled. You want to have your scores back before your application deadlines. It takes 23 weeks to receive your score.

ESSAYS & SUPPLIMENTALS Time to finish your personal essay and any supplemental essays your colleges may require. Purpose of the Personal Statement: to show your college-ready values, insights, skills, qualities, experiences, and world view/perspective. Decide which values you hold that would add depth to your essay? Guide to writing college-specific supplemental essays 12 Personal Statement Examples For help with essays and applications, come to “Appy Hour.”