Academics
College Counseling
100% College Placement
For a family, the route to college can be confusing and full of unexpected obstacles. The St. John’s College Counseling Office provides comprehensive support to our students and their families throughout the entire college selection and application process.
Ours is a student-driven process, and communication among the student, parent, and counselor is encouraged. We foster an environment that emphasizes the unique talents, interests, and skills of each of our students as they determine the path they will take after graduation.
Ours is a student-driven process, and communication among the student, parent, and counselor is encouraged. We foster an environment that emphasizes the unique talents, interests, and skills of each of our students as they determine the path they will take after graduation.
At St. John’s, students and parents have several resources available to help simplify the complex college application process. Beginning junior year, students and parents are given access to Naviance, a web-based resource that contains information about colleges and scholarships. The site also includes information on schools to which St. John’s students have applied in the past.
Throughout the school year, St. John’s hosts numerous admissions counselors from national colleges and universities to provide our students the opportunity to meet with a representative from a school they may be interested in attending.
The counselors also host evening events for parents covering a wide range of topics in the ever-changing world of college admissions, including applications, recommendations, financial aid, and scholarships.
Throughout the school year, St. John’s hosts numerous admissions counselors from national colleges and universities to provide our students the opportunity to meet with a representative from a school they may be interested in attending.
The counselors also host evening events for parents covering a wide range of topics in the ever-changing world of college admissions, including applications, recommendations, financial aid, and scholarships.
Whether our students need assistance writing an essay, preparing for an interview, or deciding what college or university to ultimately attend, we are here to help.
College Counseling Timeline
List of 4 items.
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Junior Year - Fall
- The PSAT/NMSQT, taken in October, is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship competition and is practice for later SATs. St. John’s automatically registers students for the PSAT.
- Registration to take the SAT or ACT takes place in the spring.
- Preliminary college planning discussions are scheduled with junior counselors.
- Students and parents attend College Night for information about beginning the college search and application process.
- Visits to local colleges and universities are planned.
- Emphasis on grades; Academics are of vital importance junior year.
- Students with documented learning differences should be sure they are registered to use their accommodations on the SAT or ACT. Requesting standardized test accommodations should be done three months prior to any test date.
- Students with documented learning differences should consider whether or not they plan to use accommodations in college. If so, students should schedule an update to their psycho-educational testing. These assessments help the student, parents and counselors focus on the student’s need for accommodations and services at the college level.
- The PSAT/NMSQT, taken in October, is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship competition and is practice for later SATs. St. John’s automatically registers students for the PSAT.
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Junior Year - Spring
- When choosing senior year courses, meet with your college counselor to select the best possible academic options.
- Think about teachers who will write a positive recommendation letter for you.
- Complete the college questionnaire on Naviance so teachers have information to use when writing your letters of recommendation.
- Follow counselor instructions for requesting letters of recommendation.
- Think about taking the SAT Subject Test for subjects that you are currently completing.
- Start looking at applications and begin thinking about essays; check out www.commonapp.org for ideas.
- Begin to visit college websites and plan campus visits for the summer.
- Athletes should register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center at the conclusion of junior year, after report cards are issued.
- Parents and students should meet with the college counselor to begin discussing the application process.
- When choosing senior year courses, meet with your college counselor to select the best possible academic options.
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Junior Year - Summer
- On August 1, register with Common Application and begin filling it out the form.
- Begin to complete a list of colleges to which you would like to apply.
- Visit colleges in which you are interested.
- Begin to formulate ideas for your application essay.
- On August 1, register with Common Application and begin filling it out the form.
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Senior Year
- Make an appointment to meet with your counselor to review your college list, receive recommendations for schools, discuss essays, and ensure you are on track with the process.
- Students who plan to play sports in college should see their counselor to link the Common Application, Naviance, and the NCAA Clearinghouse together so they can distribute transcripts.
- Check with Naviance to see which colleges will be visiting St. John’s in the fall.
- Be aware of deadlines set by colleges and your counselor. Most applications are due between October 15 (early action/early decision/priority) and January 15.
- ALL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE REQUESTED THROUGH NAVIANCE FAMILY CONNECTION THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF ANY COLLEGE DEADLINE.
- Visit colleges and prepare for any possible interviews.
- Continue to work hard in the classroom. Grades count and you do not want to have your acceptance rescinded because of poor performance in the classroom.
- Remain involved in your extracurricular activities.
- Make an appointment to meet with your counselor to review your college list, receive recommendations for schools, discuss essays, and ensure you are on track with the process.
College Counselors
List of 6 members.
