1. Junior College Process
Gonzaga Preparatory School
January 6, 2016

2. Welcome! Joe Feryn Morgan Hatcher Dennis Kukuk Beth Mason
A-E (Juniors)
Morgan Hatcher
F-K (Juniors)
Dennis Kukuk
L-Q (Juniors)
Beth Mason
R-Z (Juniors)

3. College Process for Juniors
The main topics to be considered at this point in the college process:
Criteria for college admission
Appropriate curriculum
Cumulative g.p.a. and grade trends
Personal profile
College admission tests
Researching colleges
Application process
Financial aid process
Special circumstances

4. Criteria for College Admission*
Rigor of high school curriculum
Cumulative grade point average
College admission tests scores
Personal essays
Extracurricular activities
Recommendations
*Basis of an “holistic” approach to college admission

5. Appropriate curriculum
What are “core” courses?
English
History/Social Science
Math
Science
Languages
Secondary vs. Post-secondary requirements
Admission vs. graduation
Required vs. Recommended
“Required” = minimum
“Recommended” = magis, rigor
Relative from college to college and level of selectivity
Rigor strengthens college admission profile

6. Cumulative g.p.a. Unweighted Evaluated by colleges after 6 semesters
Follows 11-point grading scale
All academic courses possess equal value
Preferred by most colleges to which GP students apply
Evaluated with “rigor” of coursework
Evaluated by colleges after 6 semesters
Basis of preliminary offers of admission
7th semester grades required to confirm admission
Final transcript and grades finalize admission
Evaluated by colleges for grade trends
Maintain positive performance or show improvement
Most colleges are looking for reasons to admit

7. Personal Profile Product of attitudinal and behavioral choices
Factor in admission
Reflected in a variety of forums
Classroom
Social Media
Activities
Addressed in recommendations
Teachers
Counselors

8. College Admission Tests
Evaluate pre-ACT (Aspire) and pre-SAT (PSAT) results
Determine which test to take
Use pre-tests to prepare for ACT and/or SAT
Use online (Naviance Test Prep for ACT and SAT, Khan Academy for SAT) or Gonzaga Prep’s test prep
Register for at least one test this spring
Send official scores directly to colleges from the testing agency. Colleges must receive scores by the colleges’ application deadlines.

9. College Research Discern personal values
Religious/secular
Private/public
Location
Urban/rural
Majors/programs
Cost/affordability
Preview college/university websites
Tour colleges whenever possible
Talk with alumni
Begin now; be inclusive; narrow college choices by September

10. Application Process Apply in the fall
Early Action/Early Decision/Regular
Add to “Colleges I’m Applying To” on Naviance Family Connection
Counselors will meet with students and parents early in September to provide updated application process details.

11. Financial Aid
Recognize that colleges are the first and best sources of financial aid
Request FA and scholarship information when applying for admission
Attend Gonzaga Prep’s FA workshop in the fall
Become familiar with reputable FA websites
Beware of scams; seeking and applying for FA is free

12. Special Circumstances
Any junior intending on playing sports in college must register with the NCAA at eligibilitycenter.org and/or NAIA at
Any junior interested in the U.S. military academies and/or ROTC should appoint with Mr. Kukuk this spring.

13. Family Connection

14. What can you do on Family Connection?
Complete/share surveys and résumé
Share game plan
Take career and personality inventories
Research and compare colleges
Research majors and careers
Track deadlines
View schedule of college visits
Search for scholarships
Prepare for SAT/ACT tests
Receive communications from Gonzaga Prep

15. Expectations
Gonzaga Prep will use Family Connection exclusively to manage the College Application Process. In the fall, students are expected to:
Complete Surveys (Teacher and Counselor Bios)/ Résumés for counselor & teachers
Update Prospective & Active Applications
Request Transcripts
Request Letters of Recommendation
It is the student’s responsibility to have official test scores sent directly to the colleges from the testing agency (SAT/ACT).
Students need to check regularly and respond.

16. How is Family Connection accessed?
On the Web
Link from (click on “Students”, then select “Naviance”)

17. Enter your email address and the password you created.
Click here if you forgot
your password. Contact
your student’s counselor if
you need further assistance.
Click here if you forgot your
password. Contact your
counselor if you
need further assistance.

18. Welcome Page

19. Test Prep PrepMe is an ACT/SAT preparation program.
It is FREE and is accessed through
your student’s Family Connection
account.
Naviance Test Prep is an ACT/SAT preparation program. It is FREE and is accessed through your Family Connection account.

20. College Search Add schools to your list here.
Add them to your list here.
2)…then add them to your list.
1) Search for colleges here…
Search for colleges here.

21. Track interest level, deadlines, application
process, and access contact information
for selected colleges.

22. Under Careers tab, begin to research careers.

23. About Me…

24. Assigned Tasks for Juniors to Complete
Develop résumé
The information about your various achievements will be used by your counselor and teachers to complete college paperwork.
Complete game plan
The information about goals after high school and college interests will be used by your counselor to assist in the college search.
Research colleges and careers
Identify one teacher from a core academic class who will write a letter of recommendation on your behalf
Begin Naviance Test Prep

25. Tips
Visit both the Gonzaga Prep College Prep and Counseling website and your Naviance Family Connection account often!
Use your Gonzaga Prep address.
Gonzaga Prep counselors provide full college advising; you need not pay a private party for services.

26. College Counseling Expectations and Responsibilities
In concert with many of the Jesuit prep schools across the nation, we seek to clarify the expectations and responsibilities of students, parents, and counselors.
Review and be familiar with your responsibilities!