College Counseling

It is recommended that you visit the College Board’s website if you are registered for the SAT, and the ACT website if you are registered for the ACT. You are not automatically registered for the next upcoming test. Each testing site will provide instructions about your registration and next steps.

Most colleges have made the decision to go test-optional for this application cycle only (20-21), with the potential to be extended into the next application cycle (21-22).  Some specific programs (such as nursing) are still requiring the tests, emphasizing their holistic application review, reminding students that test scores are only one piece of the puzzle. In general, it’s important to remember that your application will be read in context - and your peers all throughout the world are facing similar limitations and challenges. It is likely that the admission statistics and “profile” data will change significantly next year, as very few students have had access to standardized tests.

As of right now, no major changes have been made to the actual Common Application or Coalition Application. The Common Application has a designated COVID-19 writing section where students have the opportunity to provide an explanation of extenuating circumstances (as a result of the pandemic) which would provide context to their application.

Some colleges have made changes to admission policies and deadlines. It is recommended that you enroll in college admission updates by subscribing to each admission office's email list, and visit each college's admission website to stay up-to-date on any changes. 

It can be difficult to determine fit if you have not had the opportunity to visit a school, however, colleges are adapting just as we are during this time. Many colleges are offering virtual tours, information sessions, and even interactive sessions with academic departments and faculty members. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to connect virtually until you have the opportunity to visit a school. Remember, there is no harm in applying to a school. Even if you are admitted, you are not bound to attend (unless you applied Early Decision). The hope is that you will have an opportunity to visit colleges campuses before you decide to enroll next May.

This will not hinder your application. Colleges are aware of the global pandemic, and are also experiencing similar limitations on campus as a result.It is very likely that your peer applicants are in the same position. However, it never hurts to provide context. There is room on most applications to share context to your academics or experiences. On the Common Application, this section is called the “Additional Information” section. The Additional Information section is truly optional. It serves as place to give context to a discrepancy on your transcript, or a disruption in education and/or activities. In this section, you will have the opportunity to briefly outline the changes that have occurred in your school, region, state, (and family if applicable).You can detail how these changes have impacted you (this could mean academically or in regards to your ability to participate in activities and athletics). Highlight what you have done to prepare for the athletic season (or for the cancelled event that you had been planning), and how you re-directed your free time in the era of social-distancing. Did you participate in clubs or organizations via Zoom? Did you continue with your marathon (or track and field) training by completing your own personal workouts? Did this time at home present an opportunity to start something new, such as a service project? Focusing on what you did do will show college admission committees that you are resourceful.

The hope is that colleges will resume classes on their physical brick and mortar campuses next fall, however, much is unknown right now. Be reassured that you will not need to pay for room and board if you are attending class virtually. Most colleges have partially refunded room and board payments to students who were residing on campus prior to the campus shut downs.

This article lists Colleges' Plans for Reopening in the Fall (updated frequently).

In most cases, yes. You simply will need to submit your enrollment deposit by May 1 (or June 1, if they have extended the enrollment deadline) in order to secure your spot. You can then inform your college that you plan to defer your admission for a year. Some schools will allow you to defer admission for up to two years. It is recommended that you inquire about deferment options which each college, as policies may differ. Please note that you financial aid award and/or scholarships may change if you defer. It is encouraged that you email the admission office or financial aid office to discuss your options.

This NPR article echoes the uncertainty students across the country feel about their fall enrollment.

Yes. Unlike an financial aid award appeal, which asks for more money based off of similar competitive offers you have received, an actual change in family finances can qualify you for a “professional judgment.” It is recommended that you reach out to the financial aid office to inform them of your updated finances. They most likely are going to ask for documentation and specific numbers as it relates to income and asset fluctuation. There is a good chance that if finances have changed significantly, you may qualify for increased need-based aid, or grant aid. Remember, grants to not need to be paid back.

As you know, the universal college enrollment deadline is May 1 of each year. However, some (not all) colleges have decided to extend their enrollment deadline until June 1. In some cases, this is automatic (as will be stated in email communications or on their websites), and in other cases, you have to specifically ask for an extension. It never hurts to reach out to the Pittsburgh admission representative to ask for an extension, as there is not risk in asking.

Some schools are waiving the enrollment deposit, and others will waive a deposit with a NACAC enrollment deposit waiver. In order to qualify for a NACAC enrollment deposit waiver, please refer to the guidelines outlined on NACAC’s website. In some cases, colleges are willing to reduce the deposit amount due on a case by case basis, depending on family finances. Please remember, that anything not paid via deposit, will be billed in July/August for the upcoming semester.

Topics for Discussion

• Freshman year matters: it’s a fresh start, an opportunity to establish and maintain a strong GPA.

• Course selection matters and can set you on a trajectory. (This particularly applies to math courses).

• Now is the time to be establishing positive relationships with teachers, coaches, peers, and administration (foundation for glowing recommendation letters).

• Activities and involvement: choosing activities, maintaining involvement, looking for leadership and service opportunities. Discovering passions and interests.

• One on one meetings are not necessary during freshman year. If there is particular concern or interest, the Director of College Counseling will partner with the student’s school counselor, administration, and teachers to ensure that appropriate classes and curriculum are selected for the student depending on her interest and college goals.

Topics for Discussion

• Sophomore year matters: if your GPA suffered during freshman year, an upward trend in grades can be redemptive. Keep working hard at either maintaining a strong GPA or improving your freshman year GPA. The sooner you correct your course, the easier it is to boost your GPA and overall grade trend.

• Course selection: staying on track with course selection in order to meet and exceed college requirements for a specific major (math is of particular importance for highly selective STEM related fields).

• PSAT’s and test prep.

• Continue establishing positive relationships with teachers, coaches, peers, and administration (foundation for glowing recommendation letters).

• Activities and involvement: sustaining involvement in activities, exploring new activities, pursuing leadership opportunities as well as opportunities to serve the community. Continuing to discover passions and interests and seeking to dive deeper.

• Self-exploration: encourage students to think about their strengths. Which classes are the most engaging? Why? What do friends, teachers, and family members say about your strengths? How could these strengths lead to a potential course of study or occupation?

• Career exploration: college counseling will maintain a presence while school counseling conducts career assessments.

• Consider a summer pre-college program at a university for rising juniors and seniors.

• One on one meetings are not necessary during sophomore year. If there is particular concern, the Director of College Counseling will partner with the student’s school counselor, administration, and teachers to ensure that appropriate classes are selected for the student depending on her interest and college goals.

First Semester

September-November:

• In the fall of junior year, students should begin to explore test preparation.
   
• Colleges will be sending representatives to visit Oakland Catholic throughout the fall. Students will be able to view the schedule of visits in their SCOIR account, and must sign up ahead of time. These visits typically take place in the College Counseling Center, however, due to the global pandemic, this year visits took place virtually. If a student needs to miss class to meet with a college representative, she must have permission from her teacher.

November:

• Standardized testing discussion in classes: Test-optional admission, SAT/ACT content, differences, test prep information, suggested testing timeline, and creating your own standardized testing plan. Students should prepare to start taking the SAT or ACT in December of junior year, followed by either the ACT in February or the SAT in March of junior year.

December:

• Financial Aid Night (evening program together with Central Catholic). The college counseling offices at Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic will invite a representative from a financial aid office at a college/university who will facilitate the evening presentation and discussion. This night is open to all Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic juniors, seniors, and their families.

Second Semester

January:

• A session will be held in January to introduce  students to SCOIR. During this session we will assist students through initial registration, highlight college search features, demonstrate how to build a college list on SCOIR, and where to find upcoming college visits. Students will also be assigned a college counselor. Each college counselor will reach out to her students to set up an initial college counseling appointment. At this time, the Junior Questionnaire will be distributed in preparation for the individual counseling session. At the initial counseling session we will discuss: determining fit (academically, socially, financially) , researching colleges, building a balanced list, and next steps. 

February:

• Junior College Planning Night (evening program). Topics to cover: self-exploration, college exploration and research, and how colleges evaluate applicants. Admissions representatives and college counselors will talk to students and parents in a panel format.

February- June:

• Individual College Counseling Meetings: college research, creating a well-rounded list, finding the right “fit,” college visits, college interviews, focusing on your own process, schedule planning for senior year, and summer opportunities/plans.

• College visits: students will be allowed two excused absences during their junior year to visit colleges. Juniors are also encouraged to take advantage of days off such as spring break, President’s Day, and summer break to make college visits.

April:

• Recommendation letter discussion. Discussion on: what are teacher letters, what are counselor letters, selecting recommenders, selecting subject areas, number of recommenders, and recommendation procedures.

• Case Studies (evening program). Every other year, Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic will team up to host an evening of Case Studies for parents and students. Together, facilitated by the college counseling office, we will go through three applicants who are applying to a fictitious university. The parents and students are now tasked to be the admission committee in order to decide which of the applicants they will admit, waitlist, and deny. Facilitators will lead parents and students through the application review and decision making process to help provide perspective on how admission committees make decisions.

• College essays and resume prep (in classes). College counselors will collaborate with the English department to help guide students through the process of composing a reader-friendly college resume and writing a compelling application essay.

June – November

• Individual college counseling meetings. Students have the opportunity to schedule a time to come into the counseling office over the summer or during the fall to meet with their college counselor.

• Students are encouraged to visit colleges, tour, and interview when applicable (in person or virtually). Seniors are allowed three excused absences to visit colleges during the school year. Students may choose to reserve these for admitted student visits in the spring.

• SAT and ACT test taking and preparation. Students should have taken one SAT test and one ACT test. Once a student has chosen a test to retake, she should continue taking that particular test, as well as seek further test preparation if necessary. If a student is applying to a school that requires or recommends SAT II Subject Tests, these tests should be taken at this time; ideally immediately following completion of an advanced class in the subject.

• Submitting college applications. Students are encouraged to wait until August, at the earliest, to begin completing college applications. Students are encouraged by priority or early action deadlines (usually a November deadline).

August:

• College Application Boot Camp I & II. Two identical Boot Camps will be held in August. Each Boot Camp is a three-day event, lasting two hours/day, taking place either virtually or in the Lecture Hall at Oakland Catholic. This Boot Camp is open to seniors only. Students are required to bring their laptop, as the sessions revolve around completing the Common Application. Students will learn about  qualities admission committees are looking for in an applicant, how to make a lasting impression, and how to demonstrate interest. The Boot Camp will wrap up with an essay writing workshop.

September:

• During the first week of school, the college counselors will discuss college application procedures, timelines, deadlines, and policies. They will discuss the process of requesting recommendation letters, using SCOIR in the college application process, and college visits.

October:

• Senior Parent Night (evening program). The college counselors will review the application process and procedure with parents. They will discuss how colleges evaluate applications, expectations and student responsibilities, and the importance of focusing on each student’s own process.

November:

• Many application deadlines take place in November. Students should be preparing to submit applications and applying for financial aid through the FAFSA and CSS Profile (when necessary). 

• Athletics in the Admission Process (evening program).

December:

• Financial Aid Night (evening program together with Central Catholic). The college counseling offices at Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic will invite a representative from a financial aid office at a college/university who will facilitate the evening presentation and discussion. This night is open all Oakland Catholic and Central Catholic juniors, seniors, and their families.

December – May

• Individual college counseling meetings: decision-making, scholarships, evaluating financial aid offers, final college visits, demonstrated interest, and the waitlist.

• College visits: seniors are allowed three excused absences for making college visits. Many colleges host admitted student programs in April. If a student is considering enrolling at a particular school and has not visited, it is encouraged that she visits the school before committing.

March:

• Regular decision results, the waitlist, making final decisions, depositing, recording all results in Naviance, and sending final transcripts. Discussion will include what it means to be waitlisted, actions to take when on the waitlist, and depositing to only one college.

May:

• Graduation Survey: how to complete this survey in SCOIR in order to ensure that all results and final college decisions are reported. This is important so that the student’s final transcript will be sent to the appropriate college and for school reporting purposes.