An orientation for all freshmen takes place at the very beginning of the school year. Freshmen meet, in small groups, in the Career Center. The guidance counselors explain the services offered and the procedures to follow for making the best use of the information and assistance available to them.
We have developed the following recommendations to ensure a smooth transition and positive beginning for the freshmen at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School.
*Your guidance counselor will schedule an individual appointment with you to discuss colleges and careers, update your academic planning, and address any questions or concerns you may have. However, if you have any immediate concerns or personal issues that you need resolved before that appointment, please contact your guidance counselor immediately. The blue “Student Request for Appointment” form can be obtained from the Guidance Forms display rack in front of Ms. Szentkeresti’s office in the Career Center. Complete the form and place it in your guidance counselor’s mailholder next to his/her office door in the Career Center. Your guidance counselor will send a “Guidance Department Conference” reply form to you in your homeroom.
*Work to your academic potential. The grades you earn in ninth grade will be listed on your final high school transcript along with your GPA. This is important for college admissions and scholarships.
*Explore your interests and possible careers. This will enable you to choose elective subjects that may lead you to possible college major/s. Check out the CAREER DISCOVERY wall in the Career Center. You will note that each card lists a specific Career along with Places to Work, Occupations by Career Clusters and the College Majors. You may select cards to begin saving information on colleges and careers.
*Participate in extracurricular activities and clubs. NDCL has time built into the school calendar so students may participate in clubs. Colleges look for individuals who have a good academic/activity balance.
*Continue or begin a savings plan for college. Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses. When you begin your senior year, we encourage you and your parents to come to our Financial Planning night, which is generally held in December of each school year. Do not rely on what you or your parents have “heard” because this information from the Federal Government frequently changes.
*Look at college information available in the Career Center. We have information on all 4Year/2Year colleges in the United States. The guidance counselors attend seminars and workshops in order to bring you pertinent and timely material.
*Use the Internet to check out college Web sites. Check the Guidance Forms display rack for a list of current Web sites. A computer is available in the Career Center for your use.
*Make a preliminary list of colleges that might interest you. Do not be surprised or discouraged if your schools change along with your interests.
*If possible, tour a college and attend a class, check out the dorms, go to the library or student center, and walk around campus to determine if this is a good match for you. You are entitled to four college visitation days over the span of your junior/senior years. You can, however, begin visiting colleges with your parents whenever school is not in session at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School.
*Investigate summer enrichment programs and community service opportunities over the summer. Information about these programs may be found on the NDCL Web site. You will want to list your participation in these types of programs on your Brag Sheet, which should be submitted to your guidance counselor in your senior year. You should begin keeping a “log” of activities that would enhance your personal profile on your college applications. Pertinent information that would impress an admissions officer is often omitted because the applicant simply forgot.
Have a Great Freshman Year – Begin with a Plan for Success!
Parents and Students – Please contact your guidance counselor to discuss any questions you may have.
Every question is important because every NDCL student is important. |
