COVER SHEET TO SENIOR QUESTIONNAIRESTUDENTS: Do not wait for your parent to complete this page before submitting your senior questionnaire to your counselor. This page can come separately, and we don’t want it to hold up the submission of your senior questionnaire.Student’s Name:

Parent’s Name:

Counselor’s Name:

PARENTS: Please detach this page from the Senior Questionnaire, complete it and return it to your student’s counselor (by email, mail or delivery to the School Office.)Please share with us anything that might give us a more complete picture of your student. Include examples or experiences that illustrate your child’s character, growth (both academic and personal), talents and/or challenges. You may use additional pages.

If returning by e-mail, send to: [first initial+last name@bishopodowd.org] (e.g. Fran Warmerdam, fwarmerdam@bishopodowd.org)If returning by mail, send to: [Counselor’s Name]

Bishop O'Dowd High School 9500 Stearns Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605

SENIOR QUESTIONNAIRE

Student Name:

Please check all that apply:( ) My parent(s) completed a four-year college degree in the US.

Where?

( ) My sibling(s) attended/are attending a four-year college or university. Where?

( ) I am working with a private college admissions advisor. Name:

SECTION IExtracurricular Activities

A. Please attach a copy of your current resume . If you do not have one, then complete the questions on the Extracurricular Activities worksheet at the end of this document.

B. Which of the activities (extracurricular, community service, work experience, etc.) listed on your resume (or on Exhibit A if you do not have a resume) has been the most meaningful to you? Why?

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SECTION IIReflections

Part A Instructions: Before responding to the following questions, turn off your computer, your phone, the TV or any other distracting device. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers to the following questions. However, we do ask that you answer them thoroughly, honestly and completely. Your responses help us to write insightful recommendations. Word counts for certain sections are given for guidance. You may use additional paper if needed. Questions marked with * are required.

A. Describe a meal in your home, including where you eat, what you eat, and who is there. Include a typical conversation, if there is conversation. (100 words) *

B. What do you appreciate most about the way your parent(s) or guardian(s) have raised you? Given the option, what aspect of their parenting would you change? (100 words) *

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C. Pick 3 adjectives that best describe you. What do they tell us about you? (100 words) *

D. What is the best advice you have ever received? Who gave you this advice? Have you followed it? Give an example. (100 words) *

Part B Instructions: Please provide complete responses to at least 4 of the following questions. Be sure to label which question you are responding to at the top of each text box.

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You are welcome and encouraged to answer more than 4 questions on additional pages if you wish. The suggested word count for each question is 200 words.

A. What have you learned from your friends? Tell a story that illustrates something you have learned from friendship in the last couple of years.

B. In what communities do you feel most connected to others? A community can be a school, class, club, volunteer organization, workplace, neighborhood, shared interest/talent, religious institution, family, circle of friends, sports team, etc. Describe your role in the communities that mean the most to you.

C. What is an extraordinary experience you have had? Describe in detail an event in your life that was rare and unique and unlike anything you have experienced before.

D. How do you deal with obstacles in your life? Describe a time where you faced a challenge and explain how you were able to overcome it.

E. Describe one or two experiences that have really pulled you out of your comfort zone and explain why.

F. What are your personal strengths? How have they helped you? Give examples that illustrate each of them.

G. What are your academic strengths? If you have improved your academic skills in the last couple of years, give examples that show your growth as a student.

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Question:

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Part C Instructions: Please response to each of the following questions. Use as much space as you need.

A. What areas of interests are you considering pursuing in college? Why? Describe any ideas, life experiences, involvement in extracurricular activities, or influential people that have steered you in this direction. *

B. Describe how you have spent your summers since summer before 9th grade. What was memorable about those experiences? *

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C. Are there any discrepancies in your high school record that you might want to explain in your college applications, such as: missing a significant portion of school, grades that were adversely affected by circumstances beyond your control, transferring high schools more than once, discipline issues, etc.? Briefly explain the issue and effect, as well as any other relevant information. If none, please write “N/A.”

D. List three junior or senior year teachers who know you well as a student, from different academic disciplines. *

TeacherClass(es) Taken (please include year taken, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th, for each class)

SECTION III11

College Profile

A. Please indicate your preferences in a college:

Preferences

How Important Is This?

Not at all Slightly Importa

nt FairlyAbsolute

ly Essentia

l

No Opinio

n / Unsure

College Size (check all that apply): ( ) Small (<2,000 students)( ) Medium (2,000 - 10,000 students)( ) Large (>10,000 students)

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Geographic regions/states for your college: ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Environment (check all that apply):( ) Urban( ) Suburban( ) Rural

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Ideal Climate/Weather conditions:( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Campus Atmosphere (Relaxed? Studious? Spirited? Outdoorsy? Etc.)

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Athletic Programs (If you plan to participate in a sport, which sport(s)?)

What is your desired level (Division I, II, III, Club)? ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Specific Programs, Clubs or Activities:( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Please share any other information (such as importance of financial aid, etc.) that you feel would be important in helping you select a college.

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College Name Visited? Impressions

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N

( ) Y( ) N( ) Y( ) N

A. List the colleges you are considering applying to at this time, indicate whether you have visited the campus in person, and record some brief impressions.

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Extracurricular Activities Worksheet(COMPLETE ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A RESUME ATTACHED TO YOUR SENIOR

QUESTIONNAIRE)

Instructions: List all activities in which you have participated during your high school years. Include information about clubs, teams, etc. as well as your role in the activity.

9th Grade:

10th Grade:

11th Grade:

12th Grade:

Awards: List awards you have received, from O’Dowd or organizations outside of high school. Include academic and non-academic awards, as well as the year(s) you received them.

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Community Service: Describe your community service work (including Ancestors, Friends and Anawim projects) and how these experiences impacted you. If you went beyond the 100 hours required for graduation, explain what motivated you to do so.

Work Experience: List paying jobs you have held since starting high school. Include the amount of time worked (full-time, part-time, or hours per week.) Babysitting and yard work do count!

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