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 has expanded to include a one-day winter session (Saturday, January 25) focused on launching your college search, building your college list, and preparing for applications.
College Kickstart for the Class of 2026
Winter College Kickstart: Getting Started | January 25
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
In Person at Carondelet High School
Summer College Kickstart: Essays and Applications | June 2, 3, 4, 5
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
In Person at Carondelet High School
Fall College Kickstart: Supplemental Essays and UC Application | August 11, 12
1:30 - 3:00 PM | August 11
9:00 - 11:30 AM | August 12
In Person at Carondelet High School
Cost
$60 for the entire series - winter, summer, and 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, and fall
Register
The deadline to register is January 15, 2025.
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 25)
Agenda
- Identifying your personal college criteria
- Building your college list: how to research colleges, identify selectivity rates and evaluate fit
Summer: Essays and Applications (June 2, 3, 4, & 5)
Agenda
- Writing your college essay - from brainstorming and choosing a topic to composing your first draft
- Introduction to the UC Personal Insight Questions
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Getting organized for the college application experience
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Filling out the Common Application, a step by step guide
- Drafting your Activities and Awards List for college applications
Students will share their essay drafts with college admissions officers 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 11, 12)
Agenda
- Writing effective responses to college-specific supplemental essay questions
- Filling out the UC Application, a step by step guide