Counseling Update
Class of 2025 and Families,
There are 30 days until the November 1 college application submission date, which represents a major Early Action priority deadline date for many colleges. Looking ahead there are just 20 school days for busy Seniors to work with their Counselors prior to November 1.
Go Irish!
Your Cathedral Counseling Team
We are asking Seniors and their families to take some time this week to review these key points to stay on track with the student’s application process:
1. Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Requests
If you have not already done so, you MUST submit your request for a teacher LOR through Naviance right away. Even if you have talked this over with your teacher and they have agreed to write on your behalf, you must take the next step to make the request official in your Naviance account. Otherwise, teachers are unable to upload your recommendation letter to be sent to your colleges.
2. Parent Brag Sheet
Parents, please complete this form this week (if you have not already) to best support your child’s Counselor in writing their Letter of Recommendation.
3. Meet with Your College Counselor
If you have not yet met with your College Counselor to review your application(s) and essay(s), or if you would like to follow up on your prior meeting, please schedule this right away through Calendly.
Your Cathedral School Counseling Team:
| NAME | 12th GRADE | CALENDLY LINK | |
| Beth Brandes | bbrandes@gocathedral.com | A-Co | CALENDLY |
| Kristy Busack | kbusack@gocathedral.com | Cr-Ha | CALENDLY |
| Jodi Monroe | jmonroe@gocathedral.com | He-Ma | CALENDLY |
| Myra Mariani | mmariani@gocathedral.com | Mc-Sa | CALENDLY |
| Jenny Myers | myers@gocathedral.com | Sc-Z | CALENDLY |
| Gretchen Watko | gwatko@gocathedral.com | A-Z (LSP) | CALENDLY |
4. Do You Know Your College Application Deadlines?
Some schools have an early action deadline of October 15 and many have a November 1 deadline. Know your deadlines and requirements!
5. College Application Work Sessions
Counselors will be hosting College Application Work Sessions that Seniors may attend during their Resource, lunch, or before or after school on these days in ROOM 4235:
Monday, October 7 through Friday, October 11 * 8:00am - 4:00pm
Monday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 22 * 8:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25 * 8:00am - 4:00pm
These sessions are designed for seniors to have a quiet place to work, ask quick follow-up questions, request scans of fully developed essays, and receive last looks prior to submitting applications. This is not the place for in-depth meetings or first reviews of applications and essays, so please schedule a meeting with your Counselor for more involved, longer counseling sessions prior to these dates.
6. FAFSA
The State of Indiana requires all seniors to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). While the FAFSA is not scheduled to open for our students until December, seniors and parents can set up their FSA ID now. See this page for more information and this if you’d like more detailed news from the Department of Education regarding the 2025-2026 FAFSA.
7. After Application Submission
Keep an eye on your email as colleges will send individual follow up messages with next steps. You may need to set up your application, portal, complete a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), complete the CSS Profile, send official test scores, or meet other requirements related to your application process.
We know this is a hectic time, and we are confident you are working hard to get to the finish line of your college applications! We are here to help you!
