College Counseling
College Application Workshops
We’re offering multiple college application workshops in the coming weeks. Each is hosted during lunch. There is an additional UC workshop during this Wednesday’s late start.
Troubie College Week
September 25 - 29
We hope all students will enjoy some of the offerings that we have available to them during Troubie College Week!
What is ELEDEF?
Every Lunch, Every Day, Except Fridays – that’s what ELEDEF is! Seniors will find one or both College Advisors available at tables in front of the Counseling & College Center every lunchtime from September through November (except Fridays, of course). We are available to answer questions, proofread applications, brainstorm ideas for essays and PIQs and anything else that seniors need help with.
Requesting Letters of Recommendation for Early Action
DEADLINE: September 18
Seniors have until Monday, September 18th to request letters of recommendation from their College Advisor and teachers if they have Early Action applications due on October 15, November 1, or November 15.
Cal Grant & Cal Grant Opt Out
The Cal Grant helps pay tuition and fees at California colleges and universities.
Financial Aid for College – FAFSA Delay & CSS Profile
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is typically available on October 1, however, due to major changes in the FAFSA, it will not be available until sometime in December.
Income Questions on College Applications / Fee Waivers for College Applications
Both the University of California and the California State University applications have questions that ask students to enter family income and family size. These questions are for the sole purpose of determining if a student is eligible for a fee waiver for the application; they are not questions related to financial aid, nor are they an application for financial aid.
Practice Digital PSAT for Juniors
SAVE THE DATE: September 9
Dear Juniors and Parents,
This year, all Juniors will be required to take the digital PSAT/NMSQT test on Wednesday, October 11. This test is both a Preliminary SAT test as well a National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. In addition to being excellent preparation for the SAT, students might qualify for recognitions such as National Merit Commended Student, National Merit Semi-Finalist/Finalist, and several National Merit Recognition Programs (see below for information on these programs). All juniors will be excused from their E and F block classes on test day.
College Planning and Letter of Rec Packets and Parent Brag Sheets
DUE August 18
At the end of last school year, Tinker Bells received an email regarding the College Planning and Letter of Recommendation Packet as well as the Parent Brag Sheet. These documents are extremely important and helpful to us as we write letters of recommendation (most private colleges and some public universities require a letter of recommendation from a Counselor or College Advisor). We would love to have all seniors turn in their documents to the box in the Counseling and College Center by Friday, August 18. A follow-up email will be sent to the Class of 2024 with both docu
Mini College Fairs
Lunchtime in the College & Counseling Center
Mini College Fair College representatives from several schools will be on campus at lunchtime to meet with students and answer questions.
Colleges Visiting St. Francis
Fifty colleges and universities send representatives to visit the St. Francis campus each year. It is important that students meet with a representative from the colleges/universities they are considering for admission. However, it is equally important that students attend all of their classes and prepare well for college. We recommend that students choose wisely the times and dates to sign up for a visit with a college representative. It is critical that students do not miss tests or important lecture information.
Visiting Colleges
Visiting college campuses is one of the more important means of discovery when evaluating your college options.
Here are a few tips:
- Include visits while vacationing with your family.
- Call colleges ahead of time and request a guided tour. Visit a variety of colleges – big and small, public and private - so that you can compare different types of institutions.