Counseling Department
Welcome to the Cardinal Ritter College Prep Guidance & College Counseling Department.
COLLEGE COUNSELING AT CARDINAL RITTER HIGH SCHOOL
- The preparation for college actually begins upon entering Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School as a ninth grader. The formal college counseling process begins in the junior year and progresses through the senior year. A timeline chart follows this section, yet it is important that we reiterate certain facets of the college counseling process.
- Meetings, both individual and group, are an important means of disseminating information to you and your family on the college selection process.
- The Student Profile plays an important part of the college planning process. This is a vital tool for sharing your family's priorities and concerns with your college counselor.
- College admission representatives will visit Cardinal Ritter throughout the year. More than 40 colleges and universities visit each year. Meeting with these representatives will afford you the opportunity to have your individual questions addressed. Students must sign up the day before visiting the college. The sign in sheets are located in the Library and in the main office.
- Reminders about critical deadlines, colleges visiting Cardinal Ritter, the application process and are other aspects of college counseling.
- You will meet with your college counselor beginning in September of your senior year to finalize the list of schools to which you will apply. Application deadlines begin as early as late September for some scholarship programs. Being prepared and organized is imperative for this process.
- It is your counselor's role to provide the best support and advice to you and your families as you proceed through the college choice process. Part of this role includes being your advocate with the various schools in which you are interested. Your counselor will be in frequent communication with Deans and Directors of Admission to supply information about you and your application. Every application that you submit should include the Letter of Recommendation, written by your counselor or your teacher. Additional information on letters of recommendation is included in later sections. The Letter of Recommendation is a means of conveying to colleges and universities the individual you are beyond your grades and test scores. The Student Profile, Academic Resume, and teacher subject reports provide the basis for this letter. In addition to the Letter of Recommendation, your high school transcript, the Cardinal Ritter Secondary School Report, and the Cardinal Ritter School Profile will also be sent. It is strongly encouraged students submit a writing sample or samples whether the school requires one or not.
