Ms. Jessica Burke, inspiring students to chase their dreams and reach for the stars via college counseling. The entire Bishop Manogue community knows and loves her. She is well known for her endless wisdom regarding the college admissions process and her impeccable taste in fashion and style. Applying to college is a process that can often feel intimidating and overwhelming, but she is a figure to help guide you and make the journey as smooth as absolutely possible. We had the opportunity to sit down with her and learn a bit more about her, her journey to becoming a college counselor, and any advice she wants Miners to take away.
Starting off with her early years, Ms, Burke was raised by her grandparents and was a first generation college student at the University of Nevada, Reno. Believe it or not, Ms. Burke began working in the education industry not with high schoolers, but with kindergarteners for eight years. It was not until after the COVID-19 pandemic where she realized that she wanted to work in a different educational field, college advising. She stated that being a first generation college student provided her with this fascination on the whole admissions process. Today she not only guides hundreds of Bishop Manogue students, but is also an application reader for the University of San Diego. She provided us with some interesting insight on what a typical day in the life looks like for her during peak application season (usually August through December is when it is the most intense). To begin, she checks her email for any new notifications from Common App. For those of you who are not familiar, Common App is a platform in which students complete their college applications for majority of the schools that they are applying to. Ms. Burke says she always makes sure to keep an eye out for anything students throw her way via Common App, from requesting letters of recommendation to needing their transcripts submitted. When asked what her favorite part of her job was, she stated “When students come back to me and tell me where they’ve gotten into. But like also, too, the students who get into schools that weren’t even on their radar at the beginning of the year. So I love hearing when dreams do change and the shift in that as well too.”
As mentioned earlier, Ms. Burke is also an application reader for the University of San Diego, providing her with an even more unique prospective on the whole process. She got involved with that through the Western Association of College Admissions Counseling, when a friend asked her if she would be interested in becoming a reader. Being an essay reader means she gets to experience the lives through the perspectives of so many different students across the country. College essays can be written on an endless amount of topics, so each one speaks to each individuals personality, likes, dislikes, and overall character. A word of advice she had for upcoming seniors regarding essay writing is to proofread and make sure to stay on topic and not steer off the tracks. Make sure you are taking thorough notes on those grammar lessons in English class Miners! The college admissions process has changed so much over the years and is an industry that is rapidly evolving (much like the rest of the world). In terms of helpful tips and tricks regarding applications, Ms. Burke says that you want to make sure that you are doing plenty of research on the schools that you are applying to. This is so crucial because you want to find a school and community that caters to your needs. It is important to find the college or university that is the right for you and is going to help you adjust from the transition of high school to having a career in the adult world.
It is safe to say that our interview with Ms. Burke highlighted her kind and caring nature and the fierce passion she has for helping students across the Bishop Manogue community reach their dreams and absolutely thrive in any endeavors they may have. She encourages students to aim for the stars and to never give up. She is truly the embodiment of the quote “Don’t tell me the skys the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” Make sure to schedule a meeting with her or go visit her in the counseling office with any questions you may have regarding anything college related.
