Junior College Information Night

February 9, 2026

School Counseling

Department

Housekeeping and ‘Handouts’

The Planning Timeline

• Purpose: to provide focus for a lengthy, complex, and very important process!

College Related Myths

• There is only one college that is right for me
• If I haven’t heard of it, it’s not a good college
• All colleges are alike, so no point in doing the research
• I cannot afford a college education
• If I make the wrong college choice, it is irreversible

Importance of the Transcript

• It is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR
• Challenging courses
• Grades earned
• Colleges are aware of the current circumstances

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• Most challenging course load within the student’s ability

Admission Criteria

• High School Courseload
• think about what courses you will take next year

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• Grades and overall Grade Point Average

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• Essay

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• Test Scores?

Standardized Tests

• PSAT taken this fall
• ALWAYS USE THE SAME LEGAL NAME
• SAT vs. ACT
• Preparation
• Superscoring
• Union Catholic CEEB code 311362
• Accommodations
• Fee waivers available to those who qualify

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Additional Criteria

• Special Interests/Leadership
• Clubs
• Scouts
• Essay- Start in English (students finalize during the summer)
• Opportunities to meet with colleges and reps
• Service/Volunteer Work – be creative!

Letters of Recommendation�**REQUIRED**

• Teacher Prompt Surveys – many teachers will start letters this summer!

Some teachers limit the number they write

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• Student and Parent Brag Sheet Surveys.
• Counselors will introduce this to students in the Spring

Resume�** Required**

• Clubs, Sports, Volunteer work, Tutoring, Leadership, Summer Courses, and Activities

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• Naviance Resume Builder
• all students should have started this during classroom presentations & updated it last month

Senior Brag Sheet Survey

Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet

SuperMatch College Search

Gathering Information

• School Counselor
• Naviance
• College Websites
• Virtual College Fairs & Virtual Visits
• NCAA Eligibility Center
• @UC_Counseling on Instagram and Twitter

Scholarship Searches & Enrichment Programs

Demonstrated Interest�

• Why?

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Increased College Applications- Yield

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Under the colleges average admissions criteria

• College Visits/Virtual Open Houses

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• Correspondence w/ Regional Reps

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• College Fairs
• NACAC National College Fair: March 4th - Edison
• NACAC National College Fair - April 12th - NYC

(refer to Planning Timeline)

• Interviews

How To Make A College List

• Reach
• 1-2 schools
• Realistic
• 2-4 schools
• Safety
• 1-2 schools

*May also consider Gap year experiences

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*Fairtest.org

Application Deadlines

• Early Action

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• Early Decision (1 and 2)

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• Regular Deadline

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• Rolling Admission

Admissions

• Not an EXACT Science

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• Tuesday March 10 – College Info Night- Student panel

Important Notes

• Common Application
• August 1^st

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• Financial Aid – FAFSA

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• Athletes should register for the NCAA Clearing House www.eligibilitycenter.org and be sure to register for NCAA-eligible classes next year
• Athletic Liaison: Mr Brian Kopnicki
• Blanket release form

UC Website & Linktree

Partnership

• Student

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• Parents/

Guardians

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• Counselor

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Next Steps

• Explore Naviance and the other resources we discussed

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• Family Planning Conference with their student’s counselor for a more individualized discussion
• Please consult Calendly to make an appointment with your student’s counselor.

Mark your calendars!

Our next Junior College Night will be a college panel on

March 10^th!