The Classical School Guide to Preparing for College Admission

THE CL ASSICAL SCHOOL GUIDE TO

Preparing for

College Admission

#1

FOLLOW THE COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

Recommended College Planning Timeline Throughout High School Pray! Entrust your college search and application process to your patron saint and guardian angel.

Visit potential colleges and take a tour whenever you get a chance while on vacation, visiting friends, traveling across the country, etc.

Consider establishing an email address to use for college-related communications (for example: catherinescollegeemail@gmail.com).

Consider whether taking AP, CLEP, and DSST courses will be a part of your high school experience.

Consider taking dual enrollment courses at a local or online accredited institution.

Dual enrollment courses fulfill both high school credits and college credits simultaneously. Be in touch with your admission counselor regarding whether and how dual enrollment courses will transfer.

Freshman Year T ake a standardized test online or at a local high school for practice with standardized test-taking in a classroom setting.

Sophomore Year T ake a standardized test such as the CLT10, PSAT, and/or PLAN for practice with standardized test taking and to get an idea of strengths and weaknesses.

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: We encourage you to use Transferology to help evaluate how specific college credits transfer. Create an account at transferology.com.

Prep diligently for the junior year PSAT for National Merit consideration. Research other major scholarship opportunities. For example, the National Hispanic Recognition Program may result in significant financial awards for students who are at least one quarter Hispanic.

Reflect on and discuss the characteristics of the type of college that will be a good fit 2

for you. Keep a list.

Junior Year Take the PSAT for National Merit and National Hispanic Recognition Program consideration.

T ake the CLT, ACT, and/or SAT. College scholarships may be based in part on a student’s standardized test score. Be prepared that you may wish to retake a particular test in order to reach your full potential and maximize scholarship opportunities.

I dentify 8-10 colleges or universities that might be a good option for you based on academic offerings, location, and campus culture factors.

L et faithful Catholic colleges know you are interested in hearing from them. Go to the Cardinal Newman Society’s website (newmansociety.org) and complete the “Recruit Me” form. ake college visits. Do your best to get a feel for the student body. Peers have a tremendous M influence on your college success. Consider attending a summer enrichment program offered by colleges you are considering.

Research college application requirements and deadlines. Keep a chart or excel file of requirements. egin to discern a major. Go to Benedictine.MyMajors.com to take a brief assessment of your B strengths, skills, interests, and aptitudes; you’ll receive a personalized list of potential majors. eview financial aid requirements and deadlines. Check the financial aid section of a college’s R website for this information. tart looking for outside scholarships. Be sure to consider local civic, county, and regional S scholarships. Organize your list of scholarship deadlines in chronological order to ensure you meet the deadlines.

Senior Year e sure you have submitted applications and all supporting documents to the colleges B or universities at which you intend to seek admission.

Make any final campus visits in the fall. omplete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov beginning C October 1 of your senior year to be considered for federal financial aid.

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: A completed FAFSA may be required for certain state aid, endowment scholarships and participation in some work study programs.

E valuate financial aid offers and be sure you understand all costs associated with attending the college or university.

Be attentive to on-campus scholarship programs and participate in any competitions at your schools of interest.

Apply to special programs for which you may be eligible, such as honors or leadership programs. elect the college of your choice and be sure you have taken all the necessary steps to secure your S place at that institution.

Complete your high school coursework. end your final high school transcript (and transcripts for dual enrollment and other college S courses you have taken during high school) to the college of your choice.

Celebrate and begin your college career!

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#2

KEEP AN ACADEMIC & EXTRACURRICULAR RESUME A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: At Benedictine College, a resume is not required as part of the standard application. However, some of our Programs of Distinction applications do require the submission of a resume. Visit Benedictine.edu/programsofdistinction for more information.

C

reate your resume, save it in a convenient and easily accessible location on your desktop, and update it at the end of each semester. When admission officers and scholarship committees request your resume as part of your application, you will be ready to provide it. Include information from the following areas:

Academics Short description of high school academic program, whatever it might be. You may wish to include details such as the name of your school, your anticipated graduation date, and type of curriculum used.

emberships & achievements including M National Honor Society, and any other academic honors, scholarships, or special recognitions Tutoring experience

umulative GPA C

College credit courses tandardized & specialized exam scores and S test dates including Classic Learning Test (CLT), ACT, SAT, and National Latin Exam, etc.

4

Reading list of great works of literature Foreign language experience and involvement cademic enrichment experiences such as A academic summer camps

ACADEMIC & EXTRACURRICULAR RESUME

Service Mission trip experience (domestic and international). Describe the location and key responsibilities on the mission trip.

Volunteer and community service, including an estimated number of hours volunteered, if desired.

Write a brief description of each noteworthy experience.

Extracurriculars List activities and experiences that demonstrate your commitment and progression over a number of years. Reviewing this list will help you identify long-standing passions and interests and may help shape future goals.

Parish involvement such as a lector, choir member, altar server, accompanist, member of youth group, pro-life group, volunteer, cleaning crew, funeral dinner helper, etc.

Work Experience rite a brief description of the primary W responsibilities at each job. Include both paid and unpaid experiences, including babysitting.

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Keep in mind that colleges and scholarship committees prefer to see a depth of commitment in a few activities rather than a superficial level of involvement in a larger number of activities.

Music (years studying music, levels achieved, awards, competitions, etc.)

Newspaper/yearbook Theatre involvement with a short description of key onstage or behind-thescenes roles Athletics Pro-life activities (parades, rallies, March for Life, etc.)

4-H or county fair activities Certifications (Safe Sitter, VIRTUS, etc.)

5

ACADEMIC & EXTRACURRICULAR RESUME

References

Interests

Maintain a running list of potential references, their titles or relationship to you, and their contact information so that you will always have someone to call upon when a reference is needed. Good references may include:

Documenting your interests and activities may be help you narrow down college choices and scholarship opportunities, and eventually may help direct you toward a particular field of study.

Pastor or other priest Teachers Employers, co-workers, and family friends who have observed your work ethic and abilities School consultant or NHS advisor Neighbors Family friends who know you well

Reading genres Radio stations News sources Games Religious orders Pro-life activities Favorite museums

Theatre production directors

Historical periods

haperones for volunteer experiences and C mission trips

Places traveled

Music instructors and athletic coaches Parishioners who know you from parish activities (choir director, youth group coordinator, etc.)

6

Types of music and instruments

Languages Favorite devotions A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Contact your references in advance and ask for their permission to be listed as a reference.

SAMPLE STUDENT RESUME 116 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901

CATHERINE EDWARDS

catherinescollegeemail@gmail.com 913.367.5340

Benedictine College Applicant

WHY BENEDICTINE?

EDUCATION

I desire to attend a Catholic

St. Jerome Classical Academy

college with a strong liberal arts heritage.

Benedictine College is my choice college because I can grow in my faith and read great works while

Anticipated graduation: May 25, 2024 St. Jerome Classical Academy is a Catholic, college preparatory school that immerses students in the writings of the greatest thinkers throughout our history. St. Jerome’s takes special pride in educating students to know the Truth, love the Good, and delight in Beauty.

obtaining my degree.

Benedictine College Youth Conferences (BCYC) ACADEMIC HONORS • 3.82 GPA

Immersion - Great Books Academic Track BCYC Immersion is a Catholic summer youth conference hosted by Benedictine College, combining a science and academic pre-college program and a Catholic youth camp.

• 112 CLT • N ational Honor Society • N ational Junior Classical League Latin Honors Society • N ational Latin Exam perfect

WORK EXPERIENCE Retail Associate / Waterville Books Summers 2021 and 2022 Opens and closes store, reconciles cash register, runs cash register, restocks merchandise,

score award • R eporter and Editor-in-Chief of the St. Jerome Classical

fulfills online orders, updates POS system, conducts inventory, assists customers, maintains clean and orderly store.

Academy Herald

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER ROLES

Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Catholic Church MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2014 – present

Piano

2018 – 2020

Violin

2020 – present

Organ

2020 – present 2020 – present 2020 2016 - present 2020 - present

Volunteer / Cleaning Crew Lector and Organ Accompanist Volunteer / Haiti House Fundraiser Chorister / Youth Choir Founder and President / Servants of St. Gianna Pro-Life Group

Waterville Opera House 2012 – present

ackstage Crew Member / Mainstage, Summerstage, and After B School Players Productions

Actor / Mainstage, After School Players, and Traveling Productions Stage Manager / After School Players and Traveling Productions Assistant Director / After School Players productions

Catholic Charities 2016 – present 2022

Volunteer / Friendly Visitors program Coordinator / Angel Tree project

7

SJ SJ CA CA

#3

H

igh school transcripts can seem daunting, but admission officials are simply looking for information about your high school academic experience that you already know.

The admission counselor reviewing your application will want to see the list of courses you took, whether the course was a semester of yearlong, and what grades you earned.

As you make course selections in high school, make sure that you take classes that will give you a broad basis of understanding.

Classical curricula are often designed precisely with this goal in mind.

Ask the admission offices of the colleges to which you plan to apply whether they have any particular requirements you need to meet. Many college admission officials require at least six semesters of high school credits before a student can be officially considered for admission.

8

OBTAIN YOUR TRANSCRIPT

Pro Tips from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: An “official” transcript is a transcript that has been signed by the head of the school, or another designated official, which lets the college know your offical grades.

List an anticipated graduation date (month, day, and year) on the transcript. You get to choose the date!

Use “IP” to denote a course which is currently “In Progress.”

Denote dual enrollment courses with an asterisk (see sample transcript), indicating the name of the college where the course was taken.

Keep dual enrollment course descriptions for your records.

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA). Find instructions online (or use an online GPA calculator) to calculate your GPA. This can help you work toward meeting financial aid and admission requirements.

Send a final transcript to the college of your choice upon completion of high school. For dual enrollment courses, be sure to have the accredited institutions(s) send a final transcript to the college of your choice so that the courses can be evaluated for college credit.

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Every student’s transcript is unique, and reflects your individual academic path. No two transcripts will look exactly alike.

SJ CA

Official High School Trans

Anticipated graduation: May

25, 2024

cript

Student Information: Full Name: Catherine Edw ards Sex: F Date of Birth: August 19, 200 6 Address: 116 Silver St., Wa terville, ME 04901 Phone: 913.367.5340 Email: catherinescollegeemai l@gmail.com

School Information: School: St. Jerome Classic al Academy Address: 1054 Euclid St., Waterville, ME 04901 Phone: 913.360.7476 Headmaster: Megan Johnso n Email: office@stjeromecla ssical.org

9th Grade (2020-2021)

Courses Algebra II Biology

1st A B

Early Medieval Literature

2nd B A

Credits 1.00 1.00

A

A

1.00

A

4.00

Early Medieval Philosophy

A A

1.00

A

4.00

A

1.00

4.00

Early Medieval Art

A

1.00

A

A

A

.50

A

1.00

Early Medieval History

Theology - New Testament

Latin I

Physical Ed Choir

A

Credits

4.00 4.00 4.00

P

.50

A

.50

4.00

8.00

3.88

11th Grade (2022-2023)

Courses Modern History Modern Literature

1st B A

Precalculus Latin III

Modern Philosophy Theology - Apologetics

Physics Music History - Modern Art History IV - Modern

Physical Ed

Drama-Shakespeare/Come

Credits

dy

Grading Scale: A (90-100)

2nd B A

Credits 1.00 1.00

GPA 3.00 4.00

A

A

A

1.00

A

4.00

1.00

4.00

B

A

1.00

A

3.50

A

A

1.00

A

1.00

4.00 4.00

A

B

A

.50

A

3.50

.50

P

4.00

.50

A

A

.50

4.00

8.50

3.79

Earth Sciences

Geometry Honors

Latin II

Choir Physical Education Theology - Old Testament Credits

Chemistry Scholasticism and Early Modern Philosophy American History and Gov .

ART114 Drawing Techniqu es* Senior Thesis Physical Ed Credits

GPA 4.00 4.00

B

B

1.00

A

3.00

1.00

4.00

A

A

1.00

A

4.00

A

1.00

4.00

A

A

1.00

4.00

A

A

.50

A P A

4.00

.50 .50 1.00

4.00

1st IP IP

2nd

4.00

9.00

3.89

Credits

GPA

0.00

--

IP IP IP IP IP IP IP

(59 or below) = 0.0, Pass

y Community College

I certify that this is a true copy

Credits 1.00 1.00

A

A

12th Grade (2023-2024) Courses Theology - Catechism Renaissance Literature

2nd A A

A

Ancient Art

9) = 2.0, D (60-69) = 1.0, F

l enrollment at Kennebec Valle

1st A A

Ancient Philosophy Debate and Drama

Latin IV

= 4.0, B (80-89) = 3.0, C (70-7

Key: IP= In Progress, * = Dua

10th Grade (2021-2022) Courses Ancient Hist & Geog Ancient Literature

GPA 3.50 3.50

Total Credits: 25.50 Current GPA: 3.85

of the permanent record

_____________________ _________________ ___ Se___ pte___ mb___ er ___ 15,___ 2023 Authorized Signature Date

9

#4

WEIGH THE PROS & CONS College & University Comparison Chart Benedictine College

College/University: Is the degree I want offered?

Will I be formed in the liberal arts?

How does the class size feel?

Do I feel connected to the professors?

Will I be challenged in my courses?

Will I be equipped for a job/grad school?

Does the school attract mission-fit speakers?

Pros Pros Cons | Cons

Academics

Do I like the size & setting of the campus?

Do I like the geographical location?

Are the facilities well-maintained?

How far is it from home?

Can I bring a car?

Were the tour guides/students I encountered friendly and welcoming?

Pros | Cons Pros Cons

Campus & Location

Are there opportunities to join clubs?

Is the college recommended by the Newman Guide as a Faithful Catholic College?

Will I have opportunities to grow in my faith/discern my vocation?

Does the college have a strong residence life program?

Pros | Cons Pros Cons

Student & Faith Life

Is my activity or sport offered?

Will the director/coach be a good mentor?

Do I qualify for extracurricular scholarships?

Are the facilities in good condition?

Do the students involved have a healthy culture of striving for excellence?

Are there opportunities to grow in my faith as an athlete?

Pros | Cons Pros Cons

Extracurriculars

Other: Other:

___________________________________

•___________________________________ ___________________________________

•___________________________________ •___________________________________ ___________________________________

•___________________________________

My choice of college: 10

Pros | Cons Pros Cons

With scholarships & aid, how much will it cost me to attend each year?

How much can my family contribute?

What will my estimated loan debt be?

Is work study available?

Pros | Cons Pros Cons

Costs & Aid

This is my school

No, not this school

This is my school

No, not this school

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Check out the variety of visit days (personal campus visits, group visits, specialized experiences for classically educated students, etc.) available at the colleges you are considering.

Consider which type of visit day will best serve your needs depending on where you are in your college decision-making process.

This is my school

No, not this school

This is my school

No, not this school

This is my school

No, not this school

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Benedictine College’s mission is to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, Residential, Liberal Arts college located on the bluffs of the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The college prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging.

Benedictine College has been named one of America’s best colleges by the U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College.

Learn more at Benedictine.edu

Request additional copies of this guide at Benedictine.edu/ClassicalSchoolGuide.