Watch Last Week’s, “College Conversations” Program on Highly Selective Colleges & Universities
Thank you to those parents who logged in to last week’s virtual College Conversations program on Highly Selective College Admissions. For those who were unable to join us (and even for those who did), we encourage you to watch the recording of the session on Admission at Highly Selective Colleges & Universities hosted by PA and presented as part of the Twin Cities Consortium of Catholic High Schools Virtual College Exploration events in April. We have also attached the previously shared Resource Packet along with additional notes generated from yesterday’s College Conversation. We are also reposting here timely announcements sent via email to Upper School families last week.
College Counseling Transition
As you know, we will bid farewell to Mr. Estrada this summer as he moves on from Providence Academy and will take this opportunity to share some information about the transition planned for students whom he has advised. First, Mr. Estrada will remain available for all scheduled meetings and other needed consultation until his departure from PA at the end of June. Please continue to utilize his expertise!
Second, this summer we are delighted to welcome Mr. Devan Kelly to Providence Academy as a full-time college counselor. Mr. Kelly has, for the last several years, led the University of Minnesota Campus Visit program, creating programming for prospective students while developing a large team of student staff to serve as optimal campus representatives. Devan brings numerous gifts and talents to PA, having recruited and advised prospective students as they’ve navigated the college search process, emphasizing finding the right fit (whether that be at the U of M or otherwise). Devan also has also been an active member and participated in professional development activities through the Minnesota Association of College Admission Counseling (MACAC). An experienced youth basketball coach and life coach to many of his advisees, Devan shared upon his acceptance of Dr. Flanders’s offer to join the PA team: “I am thrilled to represent Providence Academy and pour into the lives and talents of Providence students as a College Counselor on your team. I also look forward to the opportunity to contribute to Providence’s community of faith, and to help students develop in their God-given talents and interests.”
Mr. Kelly will start in the College Center in mid-July and will be a full part of the College Application Bootcamp Program in August. Additionally, Mr. Kelly will work with Upper School students who were previously assigned to Mr. Estrada.
Looking Ahead
For Parents of Seniors: We look forward to seeing you at Graduation festivities. We will also automatically send out final transcripts to seniors’ chosen colleges for those seniors who have logged their decision into Naviance Student. IMPORTANT: please remind your senior to complete the required SENIOR SURVEY in order to be included in the printed program for the June 2 Senior Recognition Banquet. If they do not complete the survey, they will not be included.
For Parents of Juniors: We have asked all students to come to their third counseling meeting prepared to talk about their summer plans, including tackling college application essays. We highly recommend that juniors register to participate in our June 18 College Essay Workshop and/or our annual College Application Bootcamp, scheduled for August 2-5. After Bootcamp, the next round of meetings will be Senior Check-Ins, which extend through the first couple weeks of the new school year. Seniors will have an in-class session regarding college application nuts and bolts in early September and parents, should mark their calendars for Senior Parent Night on Wednesday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m.
For Parents of Sophomores: Official college counseling meetings will commence for Juniors in late fall/early winter. In the meantime, please direct any college counseling questions to Mrs. Peterson, Counseling Assistant (or directly to your assigned College Counselor).
For Parents of Freshmen: College counseling assignments for current freshmen will be finalized by by the beginning of sophomore year this coming fall. In the interim, please direct general questions to Mrs. Sally Peterson, Counseling Assistant at .
To All Parents: It is our privilege to serve at Providence Academy and to work closely with students– and with families–committed to Faith, Knowledge, and Virtue and to help them find success in this college journey. We do this knowing that, in every college process and for any set of college criteria, there are many winning outcomes for our PA Lions!
Have a wonderful summer, and remember that lots of help is available.