The entire Jesuit campus hosted the annual “College Night” for prospective juniors and senior students on the evening of Sept. 22. The event featured representatives from over 240 universities spanning the country including everything from Harvard, Cornell, and Notre Dame, to all the United States Service Academies,  as well as smaller colleges such as Elon University, Hollins University, Union College, and William Woods University. Students from Bishop Lynch, Cistercian, The Highlands, John Paul II, and Ursuline Academy also attended.
After the night ended, College Counselor Mr. Matt Shoemaker reflected that this fair is “among the most enjoyable and rewarding events in Jesuit’s tenure.” One of the prominent reasons for the event’s prosperity comes from the efforts of the entire Counseling Department, who began planning during the summer. For example, Mrs. Rita Miller, the College Administrative Assistant “contacts all of the college representative months in advance through an invitation process,” according to Mr. Shoemaker. Mr. Jack Fitzsimmons, a Jesuit graduate and College Counselor for many years, described this event “as the pinnacle of the Fall Semester; getting our students to pursue college as our final goal.”
Besides the counselors, the athletic department and coaches helped set everything up and the Jesuit Rugby team took down all of the tables and escorted the college reps at the conclusion of the event. On the next school day, Principal Mr. Tom Garrison ’92 and President Mr. Mike Earsing hosted a reception for all administrators, teachers, and coaches who contributed to this event.
Every year a combination of 220 to 240 college arrive, with several new schools coming each year to provide more variety to the students. An invite-list with 300 to 350 schools with schools making decisions to attend the college fair based on travel schedule and budget concerns. From his background as an admissions counselor, Mr. Shoemaker knows most of the Jesuit schools personally, a reason why so many seniors pursue a Jesuit education beyond high school. This year, 114 schools will be visit the Counseling Department during the Fall Semester for additional visits with students along their application process.
From the perspective of Junior families, the College Fair is a great chance to get a first exploration and learn about the application process. Junior Counselor and Debate Coach Dan Lingel commended the Junior class for having “such a huge turnout, I think there was a couple of thousand people, which is a sign of a good success.” Mr. Paul McDaniel, Junior Counselor and Tennis Coach, applauded his students because “the college reps were also very complimentary and favorable about the turnout and the questions our guys were asking.”
Jesuit hosts one of the larger college admissions fairs in North Dallas due the school’s legacy and reputation. Mr. David Oglesby, who retired at the end of last year after many years as jesuit’s college counselor, contributed in large part of the reason so many colleges attend Jesuit’s college night. Per Mr. Lingel, “Mr. Oglesby was such an iconic figure in college counseling that our college fair was always so popular.” Another aspect that attracts so many college representatives is the number of students attending from many Catholic high schools, which gives an “incentive to come to our college night because they know the students are all coming from really good schools.”
Many college representatives also are highly connected with many Jesuit Dallas alumni and staff who volunteer to promote their Alma Maters at the fair. For example, Mr. Jack Eifert, a teacher and coach at Jesuit for forty years, has represented the Xavier Ohio booth every year as a tribute to his college. Also, Mrs. Anne Blackford has represented Transylvania University and Mr. Ben Kirby has assisted with the Kansas presentation at different times. Mr. Lingel summed up the enjoyed event, claiming “every year it’s fun because we’ll get some parents that will be at tables or alums; this year had 4 or 5 of those situations.”
The entire staff of Senior College Counseling works toward a common goal of “[exposing] prospective students to higher education and excellence in the Jesuit tradition,” according to Mr. Shoemaker.
