College Counseling

The College Counseling Program is a comprehensive program that educates students in grades five through twelve within the scope of the Goals and Criteria for the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Each child is seen as a unique reflection of God’s vision and it is through this lens that we view each student’s individualized plan as they begin the dialogue with their family and within the Sacred Heart community about college testing, college options, and scholarship opportunities.

Because choosing a college is an important milestone, the college counseling program is a personalized and supportive one, designed to help each student navigate the complexities involved in the college search and application process. With over three thousand colleges and universities to choose from, students search for colleges to meet their academic, social, and economic needs. The goal is to find a college or university that will enrich the life of the person within.

College Counselor: Allie Timberlake

Allie Timberlake, M.A. holds a BA in Mathematics from Loyola University New Orleans and an MA in Higher Education Administration from New York University. While in graduate school, she presented at regional and national conferences about mulit-racial identity and published a paper on non-traditional first generation students in NYU’s Journal of Student Affairs. She brings a wealth of college admissions experience and counseling relationships to her role as College Counselor at Sacred Heart, having worked at selective universities around the country and with more than 20 years of experience in education.

She joined Sacred Heart from Jesuit High School, where she guided over 1,000 students and their families through the college application process for 10 years. In her new role, Allie looks forward to getting to know the students in the Sacred Heart community; guiding them in building a strong academic foundation; encouraging them to explore their interests; and assisting each student in building her confidence and self-awareness.

Allie is extremely familiar with the Sacred Heart network, having graduated from the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston. She understands the competitiveness of the college admission process, as well as the need to find a good fit for students. Throughout her career as a counselor, she has seen firsthand how a student’s preparation for applying to college – including professional guidance, family support and academic rigor – contributes to their ultimate collegiate success.

Contact Allie: atimberlake@ashrosary.org | 504.269.1223

The 8 Components of College Readiness Counseling

The Eight Components of College and Career Readiness Counseling (by CollegeBoard Advocacy & Policy Center) provide a systemic approach for school counselors to implement, across grades K–12 — elementary through high school and beyond, to ensure equity both in process and results:

College Aspirations
Academic Planning for College and Career Readiness
Enrichment and Extracurricular Engagement
College and Career Exploration and Selection Processes
College and Career Assessments
College Affordability Planning
College and Career Admission Processes
Transition from High School Graduation to College Enrollment

8 Components of College Readiness

SAT & ACT Test Prep

We begin exposing students to The College Board Suite of Assessments early. Students take the PSAT 8/9 in 8th and 9th grade, and the PSAT/NMSQT is offered in the fall of 10th and 11th grade. We offer free practice ACT and SAT tests in collaboration with national test prep agencies and we offer a FREE test prep program to all juniors. Much time is spent collaborating with students, their families, and faculty to determine which test will best serve their unique abilities, interests, and ambitions.

Here are some helpful resources to get you prepared for SAT and ACT Test Prep:

SCOIR Helpful Video:
Student Application Overview

Best group instruction in the New Orleans area:
The Power Courses

Best online test prep:
Revolution Prep

Website for SAT test dates

Website for ACT test dates

Helpful Links

Financial Aid & Scholarships

One of your first resources for financial aid and scholarships are the colleges. Find out what is available (along with the deadlines) from each school. Some scholarships are awarded based on the application for admissions; others are applied for separately. For financial aid, apply forFAFSA as soon as (your parents') taxes are submitted (but as soon after January 1, 2011 as possible). Some schools require a separate financial form, the CSS Profile, which can be completed any time after October 1, 2010. Plenty of sites offer information, advice, calculators, and scholarship searches, as evidenced by the list below.

FinAid
General financial aid advice (with a link to FastWeb's scholarship search)

FastWeb
Search for scholarships and grants

College Board's Pay for College
Provides general information and tools such as calculators, scholarship finder (Fund Finder), and CSS PROFILE.

LOSFA (Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance) & TOPS
General information and TOPS (Tuition Opportunity Program) information.

Financial Aid Guide
U.S. Dept. of Education resources on financial aid

College Scholarships and Financial Aid Page
Easy access to information on colleges, scholarships and SAT and ACT test preparation.

How Much Financial Aid Can I Get From FAFSA?
One of the best places to start is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Common questions about private student loans