Our Step by Step Process
Carondelet’s team of professional college counselors maintain relationships with college and university admissions officers all across the country.
Step 1: The Journey Begins Upon Arrival
Starting with the Alpha Retreat, freshmen are introduced to Carondelet’s tenets of heart, faith, and courage, and to the Carondelet “sisterhood.” Students are guided on a journey that helps to develop their intellectual passions and offers opportunities to participate in community service, leadership and sports (if so inclined). These opportunities will shape who they will become while in high school and how they will be perceived by colleges.
Step 2: Course Selection Guidance
College Counselors work with students at all grade levels to select courses that will help establish a strong academic record.
Step 3: Personal Guidance
College Counselors get to know each student personally and help identify important questions for students to explore and answer. These questions include: What type of learning environment would I thrive in? How important is the college’s location and size? Which college has the best learning, research, or internship opportunities that match my career goals? Which colleges offer a great education and need-based and/ or merit scholarships?
Step 4: College Advisors
Students are assigned a College Counselor by last name. The College Counselors have about 50 students at each grade level on their roster. They provide guidance throughout the college admissions process.
Step 5: College Preview
Held each spring to help students and their parents understand the college search process, the College Preview is an opportunity to hear directly from college admissions officers.
Step 6: Access to College Representatives
During the course of each school year, more than 130 college representatives visit the CHS/DLS campus to meet with students and answer questions. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to sign up for college representative visits.
Step 7: Search and Application Support
Carondelet College Counselors guide students through the complexities of the search and application process, providing expertise and ensuring that students are aware of the opportunities available.
We host numerous parent education evenings for parents and students. Past presentations have included Deciphering the PSAT; Intro to the Road to College, Sophomore Parent Night, Financial Aid for College, and Rising Senior Parent Night. The College Counselors pride themselves on providing current info on the changing landscape of college admissions.
Step 8: Letters of Recommendation
Unique and thorough letters of recommendation for seniors are written by College Counselors and faculty. These letters encapsulate the nuances of each student’s intellectual vitality, potential, and character.
Step 9: Help Making the Big Decision
Once acceptance letters are received, College Counselors assist students and their families as they evaluate scholarship offers, consider various opportunities, and work toward a final decision.
Step 10: Preparing Students for the College Experience
With the help of our professional counselors, Carondelet students are fully prepared for what to expect in the first year of college and the kinds of issues they may face.