College Counseling Process

The concept of the right fit can be a complex equation. Initially, most of our young men have only the basics of an idea of what they may be looking for in a college. Their worldview is heavily influenced by the media concentration on top name or top ranked colleges, rather than an examination of what is actually right for them as an individual.

We believe a good fit college is one that possesses all the core factors, both tangible and intangible, that only a deep discernment of self can reveal. Self-awareness coupled with an informed, methodical research process should yield a list of colleges where each of our Knights will be both happy and successful. It should also result in a definition of fit that is unique to each student.

Fit also refers to admissions selectivity and the ability to gain admission to a college. Not every student has the academic ability to gain admission to an Ivy League college, nor should they. That said, a large part of the McQuaid Jesuit experience is to challenge our men, and the college search process is no different. We believe each student should develop a list of good Fit colleges he would like to apply to and if that includes a reach school or two, that is a good thing so long as he realistically understands his chances of admission are not a guarantee.

Through the Junior Group Guidance class taught by our counselors, each young man will learn the skills necessary to identify good Fit factors in a College. They will be taught to conduct a research based search to identify colleges that might be a good fit, and then to research in depth the product that college offers. Finally, they will be taught how to properly assess their chances of admission to each college on their list.

Concurrent with finding the right Fit process, each student will learn how to best represent themselves to the colleges they are applying to, thus maximizing their chances for a successful review of their application. Our end goal is to position each of our seniors and their families to make this major life decision with confidence.

Each year, admissions representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities around the country visit McQuaid to meet with students. These visits allow students to learn about different schools, ask questions, and walk away with pamphlets filled with information on each school’s admissions process.

McQuaid College Fair

Each fall, McQuaid hosts its own College Fair. Underclassmen and seniors are given the opportunity to browse and speak with the representatives to ask questions, give their contact information and leave with the Admissions Rep’s contact information. This year’s College Fair is TBD.

National College Fair

Each spring, the Rochester National College Fair takes place in downtown Rochester and McQuaid provides a bus for any juniors that wish to attend. This provides another opportunity for juniors to speak to Admissions Representatives from more than 250 colleges/universities in Rochester and around the country. Students are prepared beforehand on how to make the most use out of this worthwhile event. This year’s event is TBD.

JET Tour

Each spring, the JET (Jesuit Excellence Tour) travels through Rochester and McQuaid welcomes them to our campus. This a great opportunity for sophomores and juniors to speak with college reps from the following Jesuit schools: Canisius College, University of Detroit Mercy, Fairfield University, John Carroll University, Le Moyne College, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Maryland, Marquette University, Regis University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University, Saint Peter’s University, University of Scranton, Xavier University.

Each fall, a presentation on college financial aid is given to provide a basic overview of financial aid for senior families currently going through the process as well as for sophomore and junior families who want to get a head start on the process. This year’s Financial Aid Night will take place on Monday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hogenkamp Auditorium.

Class of 2021 graduates can be found on 71 different college campuses this fall.