Making the Most of Your Junior Year

College Counseling at Central Catholic is a four-year process. Students meet with their assigned counselor annually and talk about potential plans for the future. Students are also doing activities in their classes to explore potential career paths as well. During the first semester of junior year, we encourage juniors to participate in college visits at school and attend other college events such as the National College Fair if they are interested in doing so. We are constantly updating our online College & Career Events platform for students and families. In it, you will find lots of resources.

Beginningin December, we send out our monthly College & Career Planning newsletter designed specifically for juniors and their families and this continues until graduation. We will host our College & Career Planning Night in December and there will be an opportunity for juniors and parents/guardians to participate in our Case Studies Program in May. Second semester of junior year is the time when college counseling begins in earnest. I'll be presenting in classes and juniors have the option to meet one-on-one with me. The student's counselor and I continue to support students and families throughout the process until graduation.

I look forward to supporting juniors and their families next semester.

Ms. Teri Calcagno

College Counselor

Be sure to sign up if you would like to receive periodic text message reminders regarding upcoming college & career events, test registration deadlines, college visits, etc.

• Students - https://www.remind.com/join/ccrams26
• Parents/Guardians - https://www.remind.com/join/87e4ae

Please only sign up for one account as space is limited. The same information will be sent to everyone.

The fall of junior year may be a good time to visit college campuses to start figuring out what characterisitics are important to students. Most colleges offer campus tours, information sessions, or open house events to showcase academic and social life. Whether these events are in-person or online, they should help students visualize themselves thriving on campus. Click HERE for resources on making the most of your campus visit.

We recommend juniors avoid missing school time for campus visits whenever possible. The following days are recommended for scheduling a campus visit in the fall:

• October 11 (Teacher Inservice Day)
• November 6 (Teacher Grading & PD)
• November 11 (Veterans' Day)

Also, I highly recommend A Pocket Guide to Choosing a College: Questions to Ask on Your College Visits. The guide was created as part of an ongoing public awareness campaign to refocus the national conversation about what constitutes quality in the college experience. You can view it in English or Spanish.

​All juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT Test at CC on October 16. The PSAT is now on a digital platform as is the SAT Test. ​This summer, students​ can practice for the PSAT online and become familiar with the platform and the test. Here are a couple of key resources:

What to Expect with the Digital PSAT/NMSQT video

Digital SAT Practice and Preparation resources - While the link refers to SAT, the preparation is the same for both digital tests. Students will see a link to free Official Digital SAT Prep through Khan Academy and it's where we suggest sophomores start to get ready for the test. It will take them through a couple of prompts. Students should select the option to prepare to take the SAT in 2024 as that will set up practice for the digital PSAT and later SAT Test.

What about National Merit? The PSAT/NMSQT Test is also used to determine National Merit scholarship eligibility. We encourage student to prepare for the test in advance to improve their performance on the PSAT. More than 16,000 of the high scorers, representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school graduating seniors, qualify as Semifinalists in each annual National Merit Program. They are the only participants who have an opportunity to advance in the competition.​

Compass Education Group invites students and families for a timely, thoughtful, and pragmatic 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 Presentation:

Tuesday, October 15th, 6 pm PT

Click HERE to register or view past session recordings.

Juniors are invited to join Ms. Calcagno for one of the College Fair Prep Sessions during extended lunch on October 23.

Are you a student-athlete dreaming of playing your sport at the NCAA level? Invest in your future and spend an hour understanding the requirements and how to prepare for NCAA certification. 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.

The cost of college can be intimidating for many students and families, but it’s important to know that help is available. Hear from a panel of admissions and financial aid counselors who will provide expert advice on making college affordable, securing scholarships and applying for financial aid. Click HERE to watch it. The recording includes Spanish captions.