College Resources
College Counseling helps students and their families research colleges, understand the application process, and provide positive support.
We officially start the college counseling process in the spring of junior year. Prior to junior year, we feel that it is important for students to focus on their academics and personal interests.
The college process is not about only grades and test scores. Colleges also care about personality traits such as honesty, resourcefulness, fairness, altruism, humor, leadership, initiative, positivity, and the ability to overcome challenges or hardship. Whatever your story may be, it is our hope that we will help you bring it out and become proud of it throughout this process.
College Search Resource
Students are given access to SCOIR, a college network resource, to help them research college options and facilitate the college application process with our department.
Interested in meeting with our students?
Are you a college looking to present to our students this fall? Schedule a Virtual Information Session via SCOIR, or contact a member of our college counseling team directly.
Juniors
We officially start the college counseling process in the spring of junior year. During this time, students are introduced to the Head of College Counseling, Mrs. Melissa Nagar, who meets with every student and/or family individually to talk about their personal goals and college options.
Junior year students are given the PSAT and Mock ACT to help prepare with college testing. We also invite students and their families to attend the San Francisco College Case Studies event, to better understand how applications are evaluated.
Seniors
During senior year, the College Counselor works together with the Divisional Counselors to assist students with applying to colleges.
The Counseling department hosts on a number of events such as Senior College/Career Work Day, mini college fairs, and College Financial Aid Night. Every fall, we also host over 50 college representatives who meet with our students to talk about their colleges and the application process.
Athletes
Many talented Riordan athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level.
Riordan's college counseling team is available to answer questions about the eligibility process.
Learn about what our recent graduates are doing!
- Alumni
Jimmy Velasco '17
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about Jimmy Velasco '17
- Alumni
Ralph Frederick Briones '92
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about Ralph Frederick Briones '92
- Alumni
Roger Elauria '00
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about Roger Elauria '00
- Alumni
Rich Ting '98
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about Rich Ting '98
- Alumni
Jordan Jimenez '16
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about Jordan Jimenez '16
Meidyn Nguyen '21
Meet our first female Boarding Program graduate Meidyn Nguyen '21.
- Alumni
Keven Muñoz '18
Muñoz has found new ways to keep his passions going.
Diego Ochoa-Bermudez '19
As a Bay Scholar, member of various Campus Ministry teams, and a wrestler, Diego Ochoa-Bermudez '19 was involved in all aspects of life at Riordan.
Rommel Reyes ’93
Even before the pandemic swept through the U.S., Dr. Tomás Aragón '77 has been one of the leaders in the fight against infectious disease in San Francisco.
Dr. Tomás Aragón ’77
Even before the pandemic swept through the U.S., Dr. Tomás Aragón '77 has been one of the leaders in the fight against infectious disease in San Francisco.
Payton Telea Ilalio '16
Payton Telea Ilalio '16 has been selected as the winner of the 2019–2020 Rudy Scholz Award as the top men's collegiate rugby player in the United States.
Francis Sunga '12
Currently working nights as a nurse at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Francis Sunga '12 talks about the importance of teamwork in health care (now more than ever), basic ways we can care for our community, and how his experience in Riordan’s band set the stage for his current career.
Dr. Claiborne Childs '98
Dr. Claiborne Childs ’98 knows just how bad this pandemic is. When he was interviewed by phone a few days ago from his Philadelphia home, he was about to head to work where 10 patients with COVID-19 were awaiting him. He knew that was only the tip of the iceberg.
Karl Essig '69
From Stanford to Morgan Stanley to Dublin, Ireland, Karl Essig cites a love of reading and dialogue and a respect for all people as the keys to his professional and personal achievements. These were also at the foundation of the life-changing Catholic education he received at Riordan.
Andrew Trapsi '15
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about Andrew Trapsi '15
Tony Rodoni '82
Tony Rodoni ’82, the Executive Vice President for Commercial Sales at Salesforce, watched the second tallest building west of the Mississippi rise right before his eyes—his office is just across the street from the Salesforce Tower.
Henry Liu '14
After graduating from Riordan and NYU, Henry Liu '14 launched his finance career in Shanghai.
Stephen Zhu '14
One of Riordan's first boarding students, Stephen graduated from UC Berkeley and hopes to make a positive impact on environmental policy.
Brian Kosewic '16
Brian Kosewic ’16, a rising senior at Loyola Marymount University, has found success trying new endeavors.
Wesley Morris '15
For a soon-to-be college grad who hopes to design sustainable cars, Wesley Morris ’15 has spent quite a bit of time on foot as part of both Riordan’s and Oregon State’s marching bands.
JC Canicosa '16
An aspiring journalist and soon-to-be graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, JC Canicosa ’16 credits his success to Riordan, which taught him the value “of putting [himself] out there” and getting involved. For JC, “out there” includes studying abroad in England and interning for three TV news stations during his time at college.
The Caracter Brothers '17
Fraternal twins Nicolas and Xavier Caracter, who graduated in 2017, are already making a name for themselves at Boise State, where they have carried their passion for Riordan’s Crusader Marching Band over to their college experiences.
Meet Our Head of College Counseling
Recent College Acceptances
Arizona State
Baylor
Boston College
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Davidson
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Kenyon
Loyola Marymount
Northeastern
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Stanford
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