During the first two years, students should focus not on the college admission process but on the college preparation process. This means that students should be focused on their academic progress and their community engagement. Freshman and sophomore years are a great time to take risks by trying new activities and classes whenever possible.

In her first two years, a Holy Child student will:

• Enroll in a solid academic program that challenges her to pursue academic excellence and explore new subject areas whenever possible.

• Get involved in extracurricular activities that she is interested in. This is a great way to demonstrate community involvement. When available, assume leadership roles.

• Discover meaningful service in areas that she is passionate about.

• Develop meaningful relationships with faculty and positive relationships with peers.

• Monitor her presence on social media and be mindful of how she presents herself online.

• Read! There is nothing more important than finding time to read beyond the classroom. Reading is essential to preparing for college and readying oneself for standardized testing.

• Gain confidence interacting with adults in group settings, as well as one-on-one.

• Use summer to pursue interests in service work, attend specialty courses, participate in sports camps, or seek employment. Demonstrating commitment, responsibility and passion are imperative to the college application process.

Students and parents will also take part in the following:

• Parents are invited to an information session with the College Counseling Office to learn more about preparation and to have initial questions answered.

• Grade 9 students will take the PSAT 8/9 in October.

• Grade 10 students will take the PSAT in October.

• This testing has no impact on the college admission process; it is practice for future standardized testing.

With more time behind them than ahead of them, Grade 11 students should be thinking about whether or not they have taken advantage of the opportunities afforded them at Holy Child and in their Communities. Grade 11 is a time to become more deeply involved in those activities they have engaged in, seeking ways to be leaders in those areas, whether in or outside of school. Grade 11 students are challenged by more rigorous coursework and the college process officially begins in the second part of the year when juniors meet weekly with the College Counseling Office as a part of the College Guidance class. Counselors cover a range of topics, including creating a balanced college list, the college interview, SCOIR, the Common Application, and the college essay.

In Grade 11, a Holy Child student will:

• Demonstrate a continued commitment to her academics.

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT test in October. Students who perform well on this test may be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship competition.

• Take a practice ACT in December to help determine whether they should take the ACT or the SAT in the spring.

• Take the ACT or the SAT. We recommend that the first testing date be no earlier than March of junior year.

• Attend an individual meeting with the college counselors.

• Generate a balanced prospective college list. Students are expected to begin college visits in the spring or during the summer before senior year.

• Before the close of school, ask two teachers to write letters of recommendation for the application process.

Students and parents will be invited to the following:

• Junior and Parent College Night. This information session takes place in January.

• Meeting with members of the College Counseling Office. Parents will be invited to make an appointment after their daughter's meeting.

Finally, students have arrived in their final year at Holy Child. The fall of senior year will be full of challenges, as seniors must strive to balance their academics, extracurricular activities, and the college admission process. There is much expected of them, too, as they are the School's leaders. Senior year is not a time to put academics aside; colleges expect continued commitment to their academics.

In Grade 12, a Holy Child student will:

• Arrive at school in September with a working draft of the college essay.

• Meet with the college counselors to finalize college lists and devise an action plan for the application process in September.

• Complete SAT or ACT testing by October for Early Action or Early Decision applications and November for Regular Decision applications.

• Complete all applications by deadlines.

• Update SCOIR with admission decisions and scholarship awards.

• Submit a deposit to the selected college by May 1 deposit date.

Parents and students will be invited to the following:

• Senior-Parent College Night in September

• Financial Aid workshop in October/November