College & Career Prep for Juniors

Check out the upcoming in person and virtual college events being offered this spring. See below for more information.

Sign up for our free College Application Workshop Sessions through CC Summer Session. Participants can choose one the sessions offered or they sign up for both a June and an August session if you would like to do so.

Keep your grades up. Most colleges will be making admission decisions based on grades through junior year initially. Make them count!

Unless you are applying Test Optional, be sure to register for the SAT or ACT this spring or summer. If needed, you could retest in the fall. Check out "SAT and ACT Policies and Score Ranges for Popular Colleges & Universities" to find out testing policies and test score ranges for admitted students. See below for test dates and registration deadlines.

Students: Looking for a job? Click on the button below to view all opportunities through our new link. We are constantly updating the board as new openings come in, so keep checking back.

Parents/Guardians: Interested in hiring students? Please send your information to Mr. Blue at dblue@centralcatholichigh.org and we'll add it to the job board.

*Central Catholic is sharing this information as a service to student. It is the responsibility of students and families to fully investigate these opportunities.

Oregon Tradeswomen’s Annual Career Fair is a FREE, interactive, trades-related career event highlighting apprenticeship and debt-free training options for lucrative careers in the skilled construction trades. While focused on presenting these career options to female-identified students and job seekers, the fair is open to everyone and no registration required. Most workshops are managed by tradeswomen, demonstrating the power and potential of a truly diverse workforce.

WHEN: May 18 from 9 am to 3 pm

WHERE: NECA/IBEW Electrical Training Center

16021 NE Airport Way
Portland OR 97230

Are you a student-athlete dreaming of playing your sport at the NCAA level? Invest in your future and spend an hour on Wednesday, May 8, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm PT. Join NCAA Eligibility Center staff, who will walk you through what you need to do to compete at the NCAA Division I, II or III level. Staff will be answering questions live during the presentation, so come prepared to learn how to take your game to the next level! Click HERE to register.

We also recommend checking out the NCAA's "Want to Play College Sports?" page and resources as well.

Admissions representatives from Brown, Columbia, University of Chicago, and Vanderbilt will hold a virtual session for students about their respective universities, access, and financial aid. The session will be on May 14 at 5 pm PT. Click HERE to register in advance.

Admissions representatives from Brown, Columbia, UChicago, and Vanderbilt will hold a session for students about their respective universities and the highly selective college admissions process. Topics will include: academic programs, campus activities, student life, admissions policies and financial aid. The session will be held on May 16 at 5 pm. Click HERE to register in advance.

​Students are invited to virtually join Coalition for College partners to learn about the ins and outs of the college admissions process. event recordings include Spanish captions. When registering, be sure to include our School CEEB code 380850. Check out any of the following sessions of interest to you:

• May 20 at 4 pm PT: Case Studies - This is your chance to see what an application looks like and how applications are reviewed! Together with admissions counselors from UChicago and Coalition for College, participants will review applications, and decide who is admitted, waitlisted, or denied admission.

• May 21 at 4 pm PT: Essay Writing Workshop - A discussion on how essays can add an important perspective to a student’s application and learn how different kinds of essays are considered in a holistic review process.

• May 22 at 4 pm PT: First Things First at UChicago - First Things First is a series all about the importance of and value in being first—whether you are going to be the first in your family to attend college, the first to move out of state, or the first to try something completely new and different, these are events for everyone. Join admissions officers and first-generation college students for a conversation on navigating the college search process, discovering your college fit, and finding your college home.

• May 23 at 4 pm PT: Black Excellence at UChicago - Black Excellence at UChicago is hosting Angie Torain in conversation with Patrick Phillips AB’92, AM’92. Angie Torain is the current Director of Athletics and Recreation at the University of Chicago. As a critical advocate for the athletics and fitness opportunities at the University, and is also integral to fostering a department that promotes and celebrates all dimensions of difference and diversity.

• May 30 at 5 pm PT: Insider’s Guide to Visiting College Campuses - Visiting colleges can help you narrow down your college list, or help you to learn more about what you’re looking for. Join us for this panel discussion with admissions counselors from Coalition Member schools to discover insider tips to maximize your college visit experience, whether in-person or virtually.

Compass Education Group invites students and families for a discussion covering the following topics and more:

• How to respond to the flexibility afforded by test-optional policies
• Best way to approach the SAT vs ACT decision
• Understanding the new digital, adaptive PSAT and SAT
• AP’s growing role in college admissions
• Debunking the most pervasive myths about testing
• Finding the optimal timeline for your testing and test prep
• Scope of test prep and expectations for improvement

Upcoming Presentations:

Tuesday, May 14 at 10 am PT
Monday, June 24 at 5 pm PT

Click HERE to register.

During Oregon Private College Week, many of Oregon’s private, independent colleges host concurrent sessions that will offer informational presentations about admissions, financial aid, and academic programs. Visit up to ten private colleges in only five days! Be sure to register soon as space is limited.

2024 marks the 26th year that CTCL has offered a national series of information sessions and college fairs for students, parents and counselors featuring the colleges and universities that inspired the book, Colleges That Change Lives. Each program opens with a 30-minute presentation on the student-centered college search, the value of the liberal arts, and an overview of what makes this collection of schools distinctly different. After the opening presentation attendees are invited to attend a 90-minute college fair. The fair provides students, families, and college access professionals with an opportunity to connect directly with admission officers from the CTCL member schools. Click HERE for details and registration.

Next ACT Test Date: July 13 - Register by June 7

Testing dates for this fall:

September 15 - Register by August 9

October 26 - Register by September 20

December 14 - Register by November 8

Since the the SAT has eliminated the optional essay portion of the test, many colleges no longer require it with the ACT Test as a result. Be sure to check the policy for each of the colleges on your list.

REGISTER - HERE

FREE ACT PREP - HERE

Upcoming SAT Test Dates

Testing dates for this fall:

October 5 - Register by September 20

November 2 - Register by October 18

December 7 - Register by November 22

Most, if not all juniors should already have a College Board account. DO NOT create a new one -- use the one you have!

REGISTER - HERE

FREE SAT PREP - HERE

The Bill of Rights Institute's MyImpact Challenge - This a civic engagement contest promotes and fosters a robust understanding of citizenship to get students active in their communities now. Student service projects can win up to $10,000. Submission is open to US citizens and US-based young people who are between the ages of 13 and 19. Submissions must be received on May 19 by 11:59 pm PT.

Cameron Impact Scholarship - Four-year, full-tuition, impact-driven undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics. The Cameron Impact Scholar is unique among their peers in their desire to directly impact their communities and in the world at large.To be considered, students must have a minimum of a 3.7 unweighted GPA and be a US citizen.

Early deadline: May 22 at Noon PT

Regular deadline: When they reach 3,000 eligible applications OR September 5 at Noon PT - whichever occurs first.

***** They typically reach capacity prior to the final deadline and STRONGLY ENCOURAGE applicants to submit well before the September deadline.

Breakthrough Junior Challenge - Students ages 13 through 18 are invited to create a short (under 90 seconds) video explaining a challenging concept in physics, mathematics, or the life sciences in an engaging, illuminating, and creative way. Don’t miss your chance to win a $250,000 college scholarship. Deadline: June 25

Sign up for our free College Application Workshop Sessions through CC Summer Session. Participants can choose one the sessions offered below or they may choose to sign up for both a June and an August session if they would like to do so.

• June 24 & 25 from 12:30-2:30 pm: Participants will have dedicated time and support to continue their work on the main part of the Common Application and prepare for the letter of recommendation request process.
• August 13 & 14 from 9-11:30 am or 12:30-3 pm: Participants will fine tune the main part of the Common app, begin working on college-specific questions and prepare for the letter of recommendation request process.