College Advising

Preparation for college at the University School of Jackson begins with a strong academic foundation established in the Lower and Middle Schools. Through a rigorous curriculum grounded in mathematics, literature, and critical thinking, students develop the skills necessary for success in advanced academic study.

In the Upper School, students continue to engage in challenging coursework while pursuing opportunities in athletics, the arts, leadership, and extracurricular activities. These experiences encourage intellectual growth, personal responsibility, and the development of interests that will shape students’ future academic paths.

The USJ College Advising Team provides individualized guidance to students and their families throughout the college search and application process. Advisors assist students in identifying institutions that align with their academic goals, interests, and aspirations, while also helping them navigate important milestones such as college research, standardized testing, application preparation, and admission deadlines.

USJ is proud that 100 percent of our graduates meet college admission requirements, and our students are well prepared to pursue admission to a wide range of highly regarded colleges and universities. The academic preparation and mentorship students receive at USJ position them to thrive in the next stage of their educational journey.

College Prep By Year

Freshmen

College advising begins working with your student in the spring of the eight grade year in making appropriate course selections.
Through classroom visits USJ college advisors educate the freshmen on the importance of maintaining or improving their GPAs and finding extracurricular activities that support their interests.
One-on-one family meetings each year regarding individual college aspirations, resume planning, and preliminary discussions regarding college placement tests.
Each student has his/her own Naviance account for college planning. In your individual college advising meeting, you will learn how to use the college search tools to discover and compare colleges and universities. Students create a resume using Naviance.
College advising monitors academic progress and make sure students remain on track for graduation.
Freshmen take the Aspire test and the PSAT in preparation for college entrance exams.
Sophomores take the PreACT and the PSAT
Parents will be invited to College & Coffee morning meetings throughout the year on a variety of topics regarding the college process.

Sophomores

College advising begins working with your student in the spring of the eight grade year in making appropriate course selections.
Through classroom visits USJ college advisors educate the freshmen on the importance of maintaining or improving their GPAs and finding extracurricular activities that support their interests.
One-on-one family meetings each year regarding individual college aspirations, resume planning, and preliminary discussions regarding college placement tests.
Each student has his/her own Naviance account for college planning. In your individual college advising meeting, you will learn how to use the college search tools to discover and compare colleges and universities. Students create a resume using Naviance.
College advising monitors academic progress and make sure students remain on track for graduation.
Freshmen take the Aspire test and the PSAT in preparation for college entrance exams.
Sophomores take the PreACT and the PSAT
Parents will be invited to College & Coffee morning meetings throughout the year on a variety of topics regarding the college process.

Juniors

In the fall semester of junior year, College Advising hosts a Kick-Off to College evening meeting for juniors and their parents in which a college exploration and application preparation timeline is presented as well as information on pursuing financial aid.
In the fall of the junior year, students will be given the opportunity to take the ACT on campus at USJ. This ACT test is used to make plans for ACT preparation and strategies on future tests.
Juniors and their parents will have a college advising meeting to strategize the necessary steps for a stress-free college application season.
In the spring semester of the junior year, College Advising hosts the Junior Seminar at which college admissions professionals from throughout the Southeast present information on the latest trends in college admissions and financial aid.
College advising will work with the junior English teacher on writing rough drafts of college admissions essays.
Juniors will continue targeted practice for the ACT and, if necessary, will select the test preparation option that best suits individual needs and extracurricular schedules.
College admissions representatives will make campus visits to introduce students to their institution.
Plan college visit days.

Seniors

College Advising will assist seniors with updating the Naviance resume, college application list, and give direction on requesting transcripts and teacher recommendation letters.
In August, College Advising hosts an evening meeting presenting an updated senior year timeline for application and scholarship deadlines as well as federal, state, and institutional financial aid information.
Continue taking the ACT and the SAT.
Assists students with the college essay and scholarship applications.
College Advising works with Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation to insure students and their families are meeting the deadlines for state and federal financial aid.
College Advising prepares a highly individualized counselor recommendation letter for admissions and scholarships.
College advising sends transcripts, recommendation letters, and any required school forms as needed to the college or university.

COLLEGE VISITS

Please schedule college visits during fall, spring, and school holidays whenever possible. If it is necessary to miss class to visit a college, we ask that parents and students observe our college visit policy. It is designed to preserve teaching time and promote order in the curriculum. The student must obtain written permission from Carol Ryan and all of his/her teachers before making travel plans. This is accomplished by having a parent email the request to Lori Howell (lhowell@usjbruins.org) at least seven days before the absence. Lori Howell will then fill out the purple prearranged absence form and give it to the student to obtain the necessary signatures. The student must take the form to each of his/her teachers and gain their approval with a signature. After visiting the college(s), please attach proof of the visit(s) to the prearranged absence form and submit all documents to Lori Howell upon returning to school. A note from the college admissions office or a copy of the college appointment confirmation will serve as proof.