Junior NightCollege Planning 101

Presented by the Regis Jesuit

College Counseling Department

Welcome

The College Counseling Team For the Class of 2018• Monica Huggins A-C• Sarah Hatfield D-I• Mike Delaney J-Mi• Mark Giesmann Mo-Sc• Laura Hall Se-Z• Bonnie Stanford: Administrative Assistant

By the Numbers…

ACT Composite Scores for the Class of 2016

RJ Boys Division 26.7

RJ Girls Division 25.9- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -National 20.8

Colorado 20.6

RJ Boys Division ‘16 Graduates

• 226 Boys attended 100 distinct colleges and universities in 36 states.

• 36% stayed in CO & 64% went out-of-state

• 26% to Catholic Colleges/Universities

• Top schools where ‘16 grads attended:

1) CU 2) CSU 3) Creighton/DU 4) UCCS

5) Notre Dame/Miami of Ohio/SLU

RJ Girls Division ‘16 Graduates

• 175 Girls attended 71 distinct colleges and universities in 29 states.

• 35% stayed in CO and 65% went out-of-state

• 39% to Catholic Colleges/Universities

• Top schools where ‘16 grads attended:

1) CU/CSU 2) Creighton/Regis 3) Santa Clara/Gonzaga 4) TCU/SLU/Boston College

College Selection Process

• Joint process among parent(s), student and counselor…main emphasis on STUDENT!!!

• Important to make an independent decision of peers and friends

• College is a match-making process

Myths AboutCollege Selection

1. Investigating colleges is an unpleasant chore.2. There is 1 PERFECT college for everyone.3. I’ve never heard of that college, so it can’t be

any good.4. I heard that a student from another high school

got in to College X with a lower GPA and SAT than mine. It’s not fair!

5. There is no way my family can afford college. I can only look at public schools in Colorado.

Myths AboutCollege Selection

6. To find the right college, I must first decide on a major or career

7. The most important factor in admissions is my ACT or SAT score

8. Colleges prefer the SAT and the ACT is only used in the Midwest

9. Go for the “A” in a less difficult class because it will look better on my transcript

10. What I do senior year doesn’t matter once I’ve been accepted

Making The Match

• It’s not about finding the best college. It’s about finding the right college for your son or daughter.

• The right college is where students can be happy and successful.

• Successful students are happy and happy students are successful.

College Selection

• There are more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the USA alone

• Students typically apply to between 5 and 7 schools

• Research and guidance helps students narrow down their lists

• Keep options open

DecisionFactors

• Size of School• Location• Distance from home• Activities/Athletics• Public/Private• Coed/Single Sex• Entrance requirements• Admission Selectivity• Honors Program• Facilities

• Reputation of School• Faculty/Class Size• Majors Available• Depth of Major• Support Services• Cost• Diversity• Campus Personality• Catholic Identity• Jesuit Tradition

Your Search Should Include:

• Guidebooks/Brochures sent from college

• Internet searches• College Fairs• Visits from College

Representatives• Counselor Conferences• Recommendations from

others

• Campus Visits-Info Session-Campus Tour-Open Houses-Interview-Class Visits-Overnight Stay in Dorms (once accepted)

-Honors Colleges

Campus VisitsKnow Before Going…

• Research the school• Make an appointment

(online or call)• Schedule visit on a high

school day off• Visit on a weekday

when classes are in session

• Take the campus tour

• Visit a freshman class• Eat in cafeteria• Talk to others beside

the tour guide• Find out who is the CO

or Denver admission representative

• Follow up – Thank you

What Are Colleges Looking For?

• Admissions officers review student files and make selection based on the standards and needs of the individual college.

How do Colleges Review My App?

1. Curriculum2. Grades/ GPA3. SAT/ACT Scores

-Take ACT (plus writing) at RJ on April 19-Retest if you would like to improve your scores-SAT Subject tests may also be required or “encouraged” for many selective schools. These should be taken after completion of the corresponding course at Regis Jesuit

Is that all? What else?

• Leadership/Involvement• Activities: Sports, Clubs, Community Service,

Part-time Jobs, Summer Opportunities• Essays• Recommendation(s)• Interviews, when required or recommended

Deadline Definitions

• Early Decision: Binding if admitted• Early Action: Receive a decision early if you

apply by the early date, typically Nov. 1 or 15• Rolling Admission: Applications are read and

decisions are made continuously throughout the year. Pay attention to scholarship deadlines

• Regular Decision: Deadlines will vary. Response usually received in Spring

Junior YearTimeline

• Review your PSAT results from October• Take the ACT (and SAT?) in Spring• Visit Colleges/ Meet with Reps at RJ• Attend Junior Conference with your counselor• Research colleges and develop a preliminary list • Continue extracurricular involvement• Keep your grades up• Make the most of your summer

The Junior Conference

• All families are invited to meet with their college counselor to initiate the college process and develop a personal plan for the student.

• Schedule this appointment by contacting Bonnie Stanford at 303.269.8121 or bstanford@regisjesuit.com

College Counseling Services Available at RJ

We assist with

• Building a College List

• Career Exploration

• Letters of Recommendation

• Essays

• Resume Building

• Proofing Applications

RJ College Counselors

• Regularly attend national, regional and local professional development conferences and workshops

• Visit multiple college campuses across the country each year

• Meet with hundreds of college representatives to learn about schools and programs

• Advocate with reps on behalf of RJ students

A Note about Independent College Consultants

• Becoming more prevalent in and around Denver

• Remember the tremendous resources available at Regis Jesuit

• If you choose to work with one, do your research

• Please let us know and remember that we are still your primary contact through this process

Plan to Attend…

Sunday, January 29: Gap Year Fair at Denver Academy from 1-4 pm

Sunday, March 19: National Spring College Fair at the University of Denver from 1-3:30 pm

Monday, March 20: Catholic College Fair at Holy Family from 6-7:30 pm

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Thank you for attending…

Mike Delaney mdelaney@regisjesuit.comMark Giesmann mgiesmann@regisjesuit.comLaura Hall lhall@regisjesuit.comSarah Hatfield shatfield@regisjesuit.comMonica Huggins mhuggins@regisjesuit.com