Students at Jesuit commonly employ a variety of colloquial aliases to refer to the school, ranging from “Jesuit Dallas” and “JCP,” all the way to “Jez” and “the 28” (Jesuit’s acreage). However, the full name of the school is “Jesuit College Preparatory School.” This moniker implies that Jesuit, though many will call its community home for years to come, is not a student’s final destination but merely a foundation from which students develop their intellect, character, and talents before going on to bigger and greater things in college and beyond.
This idea is never more apparent than at Jesuit’s Annual Fall College Fair, hosting over 250 colleges and universities, and attended by over 2,000 students from various Catholic high schools around Dallas. These colleges ranged in variety from large state schools such as the University of Texas and Texas A&M University to well-known smaller institutions such as Harvard and Rice Universities. The night went “great,” according to Mr. Shoemaker, college counselor at Jesuit, explaining that “the best thing about College Night is that it not only provides the local students a chance to learn more about a multitude of colleges across the nation but also gives the college reps exposure to some of the best and brightest students in the Dallas area.” He also explained that, since the event is open to students of any grade level, it is a good opportunity for underclassmen to become initiated in the world of college and college applications.
Shoemaker’s positive remarks on the evening were echoed by students as well, senior Gus Baldwin calling the night “less intimidating then it was Junior year,” as he was able to “walk in with more confidence,” already “familiar with a number of college reps such as the ones from Dartmouth, Stanford, and Columbia.” However, Baldwin was “disappointed that Princeton was not in attendance, as it is my reach school and I would’ve liked to get my foot in the door.” Gus closed by saying that “one school, in particular, stood out… The University of North Texas, Go Mean Green!”
From a junior perspective, Teddy Wagner added that “this was my first college fair, and I really enjoyed being able to familiarize myself with a couple places I plan on applying to next year… If I don’t get a scholarship for lacrosse, I have my eyes set on Boston College,” following in the footsteps of his big brother.
High achieving senior Connor O’Neil noted, “It was very nice to get to know the colleges even better and define everything each school requires to apply.” He went on to discuss the stress college applications can put on a senior, already balancing sports and extra-curriculars, but said that seeing the “friendly faces of the college reps was very reassuring in the midst of the whole process.”
Not only Jesuit students enjoyed the night, Zachary Zipper, a Bishop Lynch senior recently honored for his perfect ACT score, expressed a thank you “to the Jesuit community for granting him the opportunity to attend such an amazing event.” He walked away from the night with “greater insight into many prestigious universities” and “some application tips for some of my first choice schools.”
His thanks to the Jesuit community can be directed at all those he helped set up, including various Jesuit athletic teams, the school administration for hosting a college representative reception afterward, and the college counseling team for organizing the event as a whole. Mr. Shoemaker explained that “all the thanks should go to Mrs. Miller. She is truly the unsung hero of College Night, as she corresponds with all 250 schools and ensures their attendance.” He closed by saying, “Without her, Jesuit College Night could not possibly be the success it is today.” So if you see Mrs. Miller around the school, give her a big thank you for all the undercover work she does!
