Many students in the De La Salle Collegiate Class of 2025 have already received their college acceptances.

But for some, DLS College and Career Readiness Counselor Monique Cardenas says, “May 1 is the big day!” 

That’s because for a handful of seniors, colleges chose to defer their admissions, requiring additional information or asking for an essay, or have waitlisted students, with admission dependent on how many students who were accepted decline to pursue admission. 

Cardenas said many of the acceptances are to outstanding colleges, including

• Arizona State 
• Boston College
• Butler University
• Clark Atlanta University
• Columbia University
• Depaul University
• Duke University
• Florida State University
• Indiana University
• Loyola University of Chicago
• Michigan State University
• University of Michigan
• New York University
• Northwestern University
• Penn State
• The Ohio University
• The University of Alabama
• University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
• University of Notre Dame
• Yale University

Cardenas joined the DLS Counseling Staff in August 2024, bringing her extensive counseling experience at Walsh College, Oakland University, and Oakland Community College. 

She has met individually with seniors, working with them to pull together transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. She said most of the colleges are using the “Common App,” a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities. 

Earlier this year, Cardenas coordinated nearly 50 college visits, using time during the school’s daily “Power Hour.” That daily time, which is when students have lunch and then go to a club meeting, seek tutoring, work on homework, etc., eliminates the need for students to miss class for a college visit (see the list below).

Cardenas also met with juniors and seniors and their parents earlier in the year, explaining how to complete the required FAFSA form; FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 

During COVID, in person SAT testing was not possible, and Cardenas said, “Most institutions, as a result, made testing optional. Even though testing has resumed post COVID, most students still choose not to take it, but we encourage them to. It's beneficial for admissions and also scholarships.”

In addition to her primary work with seniors, Cardenas tests freshmen three times a year in reading and mathematics; the testing occurs during their Theology classes. 

“Getting these test scores gives us a baseline, and then subsequent testing shows improvements or shows areas of weakness,” Cardenas said. 

She advises students to have their “eyes on the prize.” 

“Once a student has a low GPA, it’s hard to climb back up.”

College visits during the 2024-2025 school year:

• John Carroll University    University Heights
• Oakland University    Rochester Hills
• University of Detroit Mercy    Detroit
• New York University    New York
• Olivet College    Olivet
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor    Ann Arbor
• Northwood University    Midland
• Lawrence Technological University    Southfield
• Macomb Community College    
• Aquinas College    Grand Rapids
• Michigan Technological University    Houghton
• Michigan State University    East Lansing
• Western Michigan University    Kalamazoo
• Schoolcraft Community College District    Livonia
• DePauw University    Greencastle
• Hillsdale College    Hillsdale
• Hope College    Holland
• Kettering University    Flint
• U.S. Navy    Millington
• University of Michigan-Flint    Flint
• University of Michigan-Dearborn    Dearborn
• Central Michigan University    Mount Pleasant
• Baker College of Owosso    Owosso
• Wayne State University    Detroit
• Saginaw Valley State University    University Center
• Eastern Michigan University    Ypsilanti
• Air National Guard    
• Kettering University    Flint
• Adrian College    Adrian
• Western Michigan University    Kalamazoo
• Northern Michigan University    Marquette
• Grand Valley State University    Allendale
• Grand Canyon University-Traditional Campus    Phoenix
• Schoolcraft Community College District    Livonia
• Siena Heights University    Adrian
• U.S. Navy    Millington
• Rochester University    Rochester Hills
• Northwood University    Midland
• Western Michigan University    Kalamazoo
• Grand Valley State University    Allendale
• Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University    Grand Rapids
• Florida Institute of Technology    Melbourne
• University of Wyoming    Laramie
• Michigan Technological University    Houghton
• Grand Valley State University    Allendale