Counseling Center
Mission
The Counseling Center provides a comprehensive, developmental program that meets the personal, social, emotional, academic, college, and career development needs of each individual student. Our professional counselors provide support in a warm, inviting, and safe environment where students are always welcome and important. We provide services to maximize students' potential and achievement while fostering the independence and self-expression required for lifelong learning. In partnership with teachers, administrators, parents, and guardians, school counselors assist students as they learn to be effective problem solvers, responsible decision-makers, and critical thinkers who will become independent, productive members of society.
Our College Acceptances
Counseling Information
- College Planning Timeline
- Counseling Center Timeline
- Colleges & Universities
- Our Counseling Team
- SCOIR -College Search & Application Process
- SAT/ACT Testing
- College Visits
- Grief Counseling
- High School Transcript Request
- Useful Links
College Planning Timeline
Counseling Center Timeline
Colleges & Universities
American University
Amherst College
Anne Arundel Community College
Arizona State University
Auburn University
Barnard College
Barry University
Baylor University
Beloit College
Berklee College of Music
Bethune-Cookman College
Boston College
Boston University
Bowie State University
Bowling Green State University
Brown University
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
Canisius College
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
Catawba College
The Catholic University of America
Christopher Newport University
Clark Atlanta University
Clarkson University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Colgate University
College of Charleston
College of the Holy Cross
College of Southern Maryland
The College of William & Mary
Columbia College in Chicago
Columbia University
Coppin State University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Delaware State University
Denison University
DePaul University
DeSales University
Drexel University
Duke University
Duquesne University
Eastman School of Music
Elon University
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Emerson College
Emory University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Ferrum College
Flagler College
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida International University
Florida State University
Fordham University
Frostburg State University
George Mason University
Georgetown University
The George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia State University
Gettysburg College
Goucher College
Greensboro College
Hamilton College
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampton University
High Point University
Hofstra University
Hollins University
Hood College
Howard University
Immaculata University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Iona College
Ithaca College
Jacksonville University
James Madison University
The Johns Hopkins University
Johnson C. Smith University
Kent State University
King’s College
La Salle University
Lincoln University
Louisiana State University
Loyola University, Maryland
Lycoming College
Lynchburg College
Marist College
Marquette University
Marshall University
Mary Baldwin College
Marymount University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
McDaniel College
Mercyhurst College
Miami University (Ohio)
Michigan State University
Montgomery College
Morehouse College
Morgan State University
Mount Saint Mary’s College & Seminary
Mt. Holyoke College
Muhlenberg College
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New York University
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Norfolk State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
The Ohio State University
Ohio University
Old Dominion University
Pace University
Peabody Conservatory of Music
The Pennsylvania State University
Pratt Institute
Prince George’s Community College
Purdue University
Radford University
Randolph-Macon College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Saint Augustine’s College
Saint Francis University
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Leo University
Saint Peter’s University
Salisbury University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Seton Hall University
Seton Hill University
Shenandoah University
Shepherd University
Shippensburg University
Siena College
Smith College
South Carolina State University
Southern Methodist University
Spelman College
St. Bonaventure University
St. Edward’s University
St. John’s University
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
St. Vincent College
State University of New York, Albany
Stetson University
Stevenson University
Stonehill College
Stony Brook University, State University of New York
Susquehanna University
Syracuse University
Temple University
Tennessee State University
Texas A&M University
Texas Christian University
Towson University
Trinity Washington University
Tulane University
Tuskegee University
United States Air Force Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Military Academy (West Point)
United States Naval Academy
University of Akron
University of Alabama
University of Central Florida
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Dayton
University of Delaware
University of Georgia
University of Mary Washington
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
University of Miami
University of New Haven
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
The University of Scranton
University of South Carolina
The University of Tampa
University of Toledo
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Villanova University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Union University
Virginia Wesleyan University
Wake Forest University
Washington and Jefferson College
Washington College
Washington State University
Wellesley College
West Virginia University
Wheeling Jesuit University
Widener University
Williams College
Winston-Salem State University
Xavier University (Ohio)
Xavier University of Louisiana
York College of Pennsylvania
Our Counseling Team

Ms. Shamelle Yemofio
Master's Degree, School Counseling, George Washington University

Mr. Terry Burroughs
Masters of Education, School Counseling, Frostburg State University

Ms. Cherese Howard
Master's Degree, School Counseling, Mercer University

Mrs. Cherese Carter
Master of Education, Counseling, Texas Christian University (TCU)

Mr. Michael Jones
Bachelor's Degree, Educational Studies, University of Delaware
SCOIR -College Search & Application Process
SCOIR is an online application designed to guide students through the college search and application process and to allow the Counseling Center to manage the flow of paperwork created during that process. SCOIR provides a broad array of capabilities that our teachers, counselors, administrators, and students will use on a daily basis to collaborate, to monitor progress in the search and application process, and to guide each student through challenging academic and career decisions.
All students will receive an invitation to create their SCOIR account and password, and an introduction to the tools available to them in SCOIR. They will be expected to use these tools throughout their high school career. Tools available to the students through SCOIR include:
- College Lookup – for researching information about colleges and universities
- College Match – generates a list of colleges that fit a student’s criteria for what they are looking for in a university.
- Statistical analysis of acceptance results for past BMHS students
- College Visits – A list of admissions representatives who will visit BMHS; students may register for the visits via SCOIR.
- Tracking tools for the college paperwork process, including Secondary School Reports, transcripts and recommendations, to ensure deadlines are met.
- Personal Bio/Activities and Achievements – To help students develop a resume to submit with college or employment applications.
SAT/ACT Testing
Bishop McNamara students take the practice SAT (PSAT) in the fall of their freshman, sophomore, and junior years as part of our standardized testing program. These tests are administered during a regularly scheduled school day by BMHS faculty members.
Students are encouraged to take their initial official SAT exam in the second semester of their junior year and again during the fall of their senior year as needed. Registration information is available in the Counseling Center; students must register for the test online at www.collegeboard.org.
Bishop McNamara is an official SAT test site; students who wish to take the test at Bishop McNamara must use our test center code, 21291, when registering. Students must also enter Bishop McNamara's CEEP code, 210532, when registering in order to have their test scores reported to Bishop McNamara. Students may also choose to take the official ACT in addition to or as an alternative to the SAT. Registration information for the ACT is available in the Counseling Center; students should register for the test online at www.actstudent.org.
During the registration process, students are now required to scan in an acceptable photo for their admission ticket. Students must print the admission ticket and present it, along with an acceptable photo ID (current driver's license, current high school ID) to enter the test center. No student will be admitted without a ticket and a photo ID, even if he/she is a Bishop McNamara student. Walk-in standby test-takers will no longer be admitted and students may no longer change test centers, test dates, or test types on the day of the test.
College Visits
Schedule of College Visits
College admissions representatives are invited to schedule an appointment via SCOIR or by contacting Charaia Taylor at 301-735-8401, Ext. 141.
Only 12th-grade students may sign up for fall visits; 11th-grade students may sign up for visits that take place during our second semester. Students must register for visits through their SCOIR account.
College | Date of Visit | Time of Visit |
---|---|---|
Catholic University of America | September 18 | 10:00 a.m. |
Hampden-Sydney College | September 18 | 1:30 p.m. |
USC Iovine and Young Academy | September 20 | 1:30 p.m. |
Bridgewater College | September 22 | 10:00 a.m. |
Holy Cross College | September 25 | 10:00 a.m. |
Duquesne University | September 25 | 1:30 p.m. |
University of Michigan | September 25 | 1:30 p.m. |
Pace University (New York City) | September 27 | 10:00 a.m. |
Gettysburg College | September 27 | 1:30 p.m. |
Dickinson College | September 29 | 10:00 a.m. |
Stevens Institute of Technology | September 29 | 10:00 a.m. |
The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) | September 29 | 1:30 p.m. |
St. John's University (Queens) | October 2 | 10:00 a.m. |
University of Maryland (College Park) | October 2 | 1:30 p.m. |
Elon University | October 4 | 10:00 a.m. |
Christopher Newport University | October 4 | 1:30 p.m. |
College of the Holy Cross | October 6 | 10:00 a.m. |
Drexel University | October 6 | 1:30 p.m. |
University of Maryland (College Park) | October 12 | 1:30 p.m. |
George Washington University | October 13 | 1:30 p.m. |
University of Louisville | October 16 | 10:00 a.m. |
Tufts University | October 16 | 1:30 p.m. |
Syracuse University | October 17 | 10:00 a.m. |
Rutgers University (New Brunswick) | October 18 | 10:00 a.m. |
Stevenson University | October 18 | 1:30 p.m. |
Seton Hall University | October 20 | 1:30 p.m. |
University of Scranton | October 23 | 10:00 a.m. |
University of Delaware | October 23 | 1:30 p.m. |
Stonehill College | October 25 | 10:00 a.m. |
Washington College | October 25 | 1:30 p.m. |
Salisbury University | October 30 | 10:00 a.m. |
Ursinus College | October 30 | 1:30 p.m. |
Xavier University | November 1 | 10:00 a.m. |
High Point University | November 1 | 1:30 p.m. |
St. Mary's College of Maryland | November 3 | 10:00 a.m. |
Canisius University | November 3 | 1:30 p.m. |
Morgan State University | November 6 | 10:00 a.m. |
Bowie State University | November 6 | 1:30 p.m. |
Ohio University | November 8 | 10:00 a.m. |
Goucher College | November 8 | 1:30 p.m. |
Mount St Mary's University | November 13 | 1:30 p.m. |
University of Kentucky | November 15 | 10:00 a.m. |
University of California (Berkeley) | November 15 | 1:30 p.m. |
Neumann University | November 17 | 10:00 a.m. |
Grief Counseling
The Bishop McNamara High School Counseling Center is here to support our parents, our students, and our administrators, faculty and staff during times of grief and loss. Our counselors are trained to provide grief counseling and support. If you or your child has suffered a loss and would like to speak to a counselor please contact the Counseling Center to make an appointment.
Helping Your Grieving Child
It is very important that you talk to your child when he/she has suffered the loss of a loved one. The New York University Child Study Center website provides some excellent information on helping teenagers cope with tragedy. We strongly recommend the article on When Someone Close to your Child Dies Suddenly: A Guide for Parents. Please take the time to read it; the second portion of the website is specifically geared toward helping a teenager who has lost a peer. It offers information and guidance for parents on responding to your child’s grief and creating an ongoing dialogue with your child. The first part of the web page may be helpful to you as well, as it guides us in how to help a friend or loved one cope.
Some students will need more support than others. It is important to seek professional counseling if, after a matter of time, you feel your student is still struggling with his/her emotions. Please read the “Symptoms of Complicated Grief” section below to help gather information about whether your student may need professional support. If you feel your child would benefit from professional counseling we recommend that you work with a counselor who is experienced in providing grief and loss counseling. Your health insurance provider and/or your pediatrician may be able to recommend a counselor.
Myths and Facts About Grief
MYTH: The pain will go away faster if you ignore it.
Fact: Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.
MYTH: It’s important to “be strong” in the face of loss.
Fact: Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect” your family or friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings can help them and you.
MYTH: If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.
Fact: Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel the pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.
MYTH: Grief should last about a year.
Fact: There is no right or wrong time frame for grieving. How long it takes differs from person to person.
Source: Center for Grief and Healing
Symptoms of Complicated Grief
• Feeling that life is empty or meaningless.
• Extreme anger or bitterness over the loss.
• Denial of the death or sense of disbelief.
• Searching for the person in familiar places.
• Avoiding things that remind you of the loved one.
• Intrusive thoughts or images of the loved one.
• Imagining that your loved one is alive.
• Intense longing and yearning for the deceased.
High School Transcript Request
La Reine High School graduates:
La Reine High School Alumni should go to Maryland State Department of Education, Nonpublic High School Transcripts. Scroll down to Nonpublic High School Transcripts on the page right to fill out Official Transcript Request.
Useful Links
- For Bishop McNamara High School Alumni - please order records HERE.
- For La Reine High School Alumni - go to Maryland State Department of Education, Nonpublic High School Transcripts.
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