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College Kickstart

Class of 2025, register for College Kickstart and get a head start on your college applications!

During College Kickstart, college counselors help students through every step of the college search and application experience, from building your college list to filling out applications, writing your college essay, staying organized, and more!

By popular demand, the College Kickstart series is expanding this year to include a one-day winter session (Saturday, January 27) focused on launching your college search, building your college list, and preparing for applications. Winter Kickstart will be a day brimming with important information that will build a strong foundation for your college application process.

→ Register for College Kickstart 

College Kickstart 2024

Winter College Kickstart: Getting Started | January 27
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
In Person at the Garaventa Center

Summer College Kickstart: Essays and Applications | June 3, 4, 5, 6
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
In Person at the Garaventa Center

Fall College Kickstart: Supplemental Essays and UC Application | August 12, 13
Details to be confirmed

Cost

$60 for the entire series - Winter, Summer, & Fall*
If the cost of attending is a barrier for your family, you may request a discount by filling out this form.
*
This is a flat fee regardless of how many sessions a student attends. We strongly encourage attendance at all three sessions - Winter, Summer, & Fall

Registration

The deadline to register is January 20.

→ Register for College Kickstart

Expectations

Students should come prepared to focus and work hard. They should expect to work at a fast pace and have homework assignments. The College Kickstart series is a college application “boot camp”—the more work students put into it, the more they will get out of it.

Students who register for Kickstart are expected to attend every day.

College Kickstart is a three-part program, Winter, Summer, and Fall, and students are strongly encouraged to attend every part.


Winter: Getting Started on your College Search and Applications (January 27)

Agenda
  • Identifying your personal college criteria
  • Building your college list: how to research colleges, identify selectivity rates and evaluate fit
  • Drafting your Activities and Awards List for college applications

Summer: Essays and Applications (June 3, 4, 5, & 6)

Agenda
  • Writing your college essay - from brainstorming and choosing a topic to composing your first draft
  • Getting organized for the college application experience

  • Helping teachers write the best recommendation letters

  • Filling out the Common Application, a step by step guide

On June 6, students will share their essay drafts with college admissions officers and Carondelet teachers who will give them feedback and guidance about how to move forward with their next drafts.

Fall: Supplemental College Essays, UC Application, and Final Steps (August 12 & 13)

Agenda
  • Writing effective responses to supplemental essay questions - what are they really asking and how can you work smarter, not harder
  • Filling out the UC Application, a step by step guide

Testimonials

Last year, 170 members of the class of 2024 attended Kickstart. Here’s what a few had to say about the program:

“I liked talking about how they review essays and activities list as a reflection of who you are as a person, so that I could see that they are looking for more than a good gpa.”

“The college reps reading our essays were so incredibly helpful. Best part of the week.”

“I really was impressed by the positive feedback I received from the two college reps I met with. Just by expanding my mind and imagination, I was able to take a simple story and turn it into something unique.”

“Overall, this program was so worth it.”

More Than High School.

Her School.

Schedule a visit today