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Objectives

Being aware of and prepared for the extensive list of events and tasks (and their due dates) related to your Senior year @ Father Judge High School
Knowing about the websites required to complete these tasks

Naviance
The College Board
The Common Application (aka “Common App”)

Best Practices for being prepared to complete the tasks
Best Practices for completing the tasks fully and on time

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College & Career Prep Timeline

Naviance – “What is it?”

College and career readiness website for planning life beyond high school
Self-discovery assessments and other resources to help you identify your career interests so you can plan for future either by planning to enter the workforce immediately after high school, or planning to attend college
Connected to PowerSchool

The College Board – “What is it?”

Non-profit organization that offers AP, PSAT and SAT exams

The Common App – “What is it?”

“free online platform that allows [you] to apply to over 1,000 member colleges and universities…using one main application.”
Connected to Naviance

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College & Career Prep Timeline – August (Senior Year)

Review SAT/ACT scores and determine if you’ll need to retake to increase your chance of improving your scores
Register for SAT or ACT exam (both have September dates)

You must create an account with the testing companies to take the exams

College:

Begin finalizing your “College Essay” on your own (you’ll finish it in September)
Begin finalizing your “wish list” of colleges

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College & Career Prep Timeline – Sept. (Senior Year)

Take SAT or ACT exam
Early-Sept thru Mid-Sept. – Create account with the “Common App”

(Important: You—NOT your parent/guardian—must create your

Common App account using your Father Judge email address.)

IMPORTANT: After you’ve created your account, the Guidance Office staff will direct you through the steps of completing the Common App so wait for their direction on it.
IMPORTANT: Under the direction of the Guidance Office, you’ll complete the Common App by mid-October.
End of Sept. – Finalize your “College Essay”
End of Sept. – Finalize your “wish list” of colleges

Connect your Naviance and Common App accounts (so LoRs are linked)
Register for SAT or ACT exam (both have October dates)

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College & Career Prep Timeline – Oct. (Senior Year)

Take SAT exam (last chance for this year’s application cycle)
Mid-October – Finish your Common Application to colleges

Complete the rest of the Common Application

Fill out all remaining fields/information sections
Add your finalized College Essay
Select all the colleges/university’s you’ll apply to

Note: Some schools, such as Williamson College of the Trades, are not on the Common App, so apply directly through their website.

Request your LoR writers load your Letter of Recommendation to Naviance (which links them to your Common App)
Request the Guidance Office load your Father Judge High School

transcript to the Common App

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College & Career Prep Timeline – Oct. (Senior Year)

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions… The different types of decision choices you have when applying to colleges.

Early Decision - This is a binding agreement. If accepted on an early decision, the student must withdraw applications from other colleges and universities.
Early Action - This is not a binding agreement and varies according to the college or university. This allows the student to compare admission and financial aid offers. The student applies in the fall of their senior year and usually is told of acceptance by December. The student does not need to make a decision until May 1st.
Priority - The date by which your application — whether it’s for college admission, student housing or financial aid — must be received to be given the strongest consideration.
Regular Decision - The most common process by which students apply by deadlines, with the promise of receiving an admissions decision no later than April 1 of their senior year. Some colleges will give admissions decisions well before April 1, but the student is under no obligation to make a decision about whether to attend until the common response date of May 1.
Rolling Admission - Qualified students are accepted as each student’s application is received. The college or university usually notifies the student of its decision without delay. There may be a priority date.

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College & Career Prep Timeline – Fall (Senior Year)

Applying to Colleges

Didn’t apply to college in October? No problem! You can still apply throughout the rest of your Senior year by using the Common App.

Workforce

Keep researching the unions or companies you want to work in
Keep researching apprenticeships, coops, or internships at those organizations/companies

US Military

Interested in the military? Contact the Guidance Office for more information.

Religious Vocation

Interested in a religious vocation? Contact the Guidance Office for more information.

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College & Career Prep Timeline – Spring (Senior Year)

Applying to Colleges

Didn’t apply to college in October? No problem! You can still apply throughout the rest of your Senior year by using the Common App.

Workforce

Finalize the list of unions or companies you want to work in.
Apply to apprenticeships, coops, internships, or jobs at those organizations/companies

US Military

Interested in the military? Contact the Guidance Office for more information.

Religious Vocation

Interested in a religious vocation? Contact the Guidance Office for more information.

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