College & School Counseling

St Joseph High School 2020-2021 School Profile

The Office of College and School Counseling includes a professional staff of experienced counselors dedicated to the college, career, and personal needs of our students. Counselors also work closely with administration, faculty, and parents to provide a supportive environment for all students.

From the moment freshman year begins, formal meetings between students and counselors take place throughout the year in small group, seminar, and one-to-one settings. This active environment of the office in the life and success of each of our students continues through the four year at St Joseph High School.

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College Counseling

Upcoming Events

Junior College Planning Webinar

December 16, 2020 at 6:30pm
Guest presenter:
- Jennifer Flores, Assistant Director of Admission at the College of the Holy Cross.
- Chris Flores, Associate Director of Admission, Tufts University
As we begin the College Planning process for the Class of 2022, please join us and learn from our two guest speakers. The College and School Counseling staff will give an overview of the college process followed by a question and answer session.

Zoom Link:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71766970315?pwd=R1RLdjJZaDFTR3ZRQWs4TFppSWVFdz09

Meeting ID: 717 6697 0315
Passcode: ektF8k

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College Admissions Night

January 2021

Sophomore Parent Guidance Breakfast

February 25, 2021
7:00AM-8:00AM

NCAA Clearinghouse Athletic Recruitment Night

March 22, 2021
6:30PM

Timelines for Each Grade Level

Freshman Year - College Planning Timeline

Develop good study habits.
Participate in sports and activities.
Participate in community service work.
Always look to improve your writing skills.
Take the PSAT.
Think about courses to take to best prepare you for college.
International students should practice their English at every opportunity.
Learn about the Naviance College software.

Sophomore Year - College Planning Timeline

Explore careers and college majors through Naviance.
Set some goals you want to accomplish by graduation.
Continue to develop good study habits.
Continue to participate in sports and activities.
Think about courses to take that will best prepare you for college.
Take the PSAT.

Junior Year - College Planning Timeline:

September

Attend College Fairs in your area to pick up materials on potential colleges. Please make sure to sign up for their mailing lists.
Attend College presentations at SJHS during the school day.
Prepare to take the PSAT.
Identify which SAT and ACT tests you will take this year.

October-November

Meet with your school counselor to start College Planning process.
Take the PSAT (October) - please remember the scores are not sent to colleges but count for National Merit Scholarship eligibility.
Plan your Senior Year courses with your school counselor - specific college majors require specific high school courses taken.
Identify your top Colleges and schedule appointments to visit in Spring.
Attend Jesuit College Fair here at SJHS (November)
Begin Test Prep for Spring Testing (SAT-ACT)

December-January

Register to take the SAT and ACT test at least one month prior to exam date.
Continue to research and develop your college list.
Review your PSAT scores with your school counselor. Certain scores may make you eligible for merit scholarships.
Continue with Test Prep.

February-May

Visit your top colleges (February vacation or weekends). Colleges spend thousands on marketing to you through the website and brochures. The campus visit is very important to get a “feel” for the college.
SAT and ACT exams offered. Please make sure you are registered and you know where the exam is being held. Make sure you know which colleges will receive your scores.
Start to think about two teachers you will ask to write your letter of recommendations.
Start to consider topics for your College Essay. This will be an assignment in your current English Class.

June-August

Make sure you have a Common Application account and begin to fill out as of August 1.
Through Naviance, invite two teachers to write you a letter of recommendation.
Finalize College List.
Complete your Essay.
Continue to Visit Colleges of interest.
Begin searching for outside scholarship opportunities.

Senior Year - College Planning Timeline:

September-December

Meet with your counselor about your list and create the list in Naviance.
Discuss with your counselor the type of application you will use for each college you are applying to.
Take the SAT or ACT again if you are not satisfied with your scores.
Finalize your college essay and resume.
Request your recommendation letters through Naviance ( if you haven’t already).
Complete the Ferpa Agreement on the Common App website.
Match your Naviance account with Common App account.
Sign up to meet with College Admission representatives when they visit SJHS.
Complete all your applications and be aware of deadlines for each college. Deadlines normally range from October 15 (Early Action and Early Decision) to January 15. Some colleges also have rolling admission policies.
Send your SAT or ACT scores directly to the colleges on your list. Colleges want this directly sent from the test company.
Follow your emails closely from the colleges. Please alert your counselor at SJHS if you received any messages about missing documents.
Attend Open House Programs at interested colleges.
Continue to do well in school. Most colleges will want to evaluate your first quarter or semester senior grades. You do not want an admission acceptance to be revoked due to a poor performance in the classroom.
Remain active in the community - keep attending activities and volunteer opportunities.
Consider applying for Financial Aid after October 1.
Check your colleges of interest to see if they require you to file the CSS profile (in addition to the FAFSA) for financial aid.
Check your email or mailbox for Early Action or Early Decision notifications.

January-March

Analyze financial aid packages from colleges.
Attend Accepted Students Day at colleges of interest.
Meet with you school counselor about your college decision.

April-June

Make your final college decision by May 1.
Finish strong with all your classes and exams.
Graduate from St. Joseph High School.

Common App

Financial Aid & Scholarships

It is more important than ever for students to make sound decisions about financing their college education. All colleges require you to file the FAFSA (see website below) and some require both the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Below you will find a few links that will serve as a starting point for this journey.

Federal Student Aid, an Office of the U.S. Department of Education provides information about financial aid provided by the federal government, along with other resources.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a required financial aid form for any college in the United States.
Fastweb is a free scholarship search tool.
Bigfuture, by the College Board, includes college and scholarship search tools useful information and tutorials about the financial aid process.

CSS Profile - required by some selective colleges

Below are two videos that will help you fill out the FAFSA and CSS profile line by line.

SCOIR

SCOIR is the new platform St Joes will be using to replace Naviance. SCOIR is a customized, secure website that supports post-secondary, college and career planning. It is designed to assist students and their parents/guardians in making informed decisions about college opportunities and career choices. This online resource allows students the ability to research colleges, view statistical and historical data on other SJHS students anonymously, build a resume, and view the schedule of college representatives visiting the high school and much more.

Both students and parents can access SCOIR. If you need an invitation to create an account, please contact your child’s counselor.

You can access SCOIR via www.scoir.com or by downloading the SCOIR app to your phone or Ipad.

NCAA Eligibility Center

SAT/ACT Information

ACT & SAT Testing Dates
2020-2021

SAT Registration Dates 2020-2021

August 29, 2020
* Normal Deadline: Jul 31
* Late Registration: Aug 18
* Online Score Release: Sept 21

September 26, 2020
* Normal Deadline: Aug 26
* Late Registration: Sept 15
* Online Score Release: Oct 9

October 3, 2020
(to be held at St Joes)
* Normal Deadline: Sept 4
* Late Registration: Sept 22
* Online Score Release: Oct 16

November 7, 2020
* Normal Deadline: Oct 7
* Late Registration: Oct 27
* Online Score Release: Nov 20

December 5, 2020
* Normal Deadline: Nov 5
* Late Registration: Nov 24
* Online Score Release: Dec 18

March 13, 2021
* Normal Deadline: Feb 12
* Late Registration: Mar 2
* Online Score Release: Mar 26

May 8, 2021
* Normal Deadline: Apr 8
* Late Registration: Apr 27
* Online Score Release: May 21

June 5, 2021
* Normal Deadline: May 6
* Late Registration: May 26
* Online Score Release: June 18

ACT Registration Dates 2020-2021

September 12, 2020
* Registration Deadline: Aug 14

October 24, 2020
* Registration Deadline: Sept 18

December 12, 2020
* Registration Deadline: Nov 6

February 6, 2021
* Registration Deadline: Jan 8

April 17, 2021
* Registration Deadline: Mar 12

June 12, 2021
* Registration Deadline: May 7

July 17, 2021
* Registration Deadline: June 18

Important Information to bring into ACT and SAT Testing Days:

Bring a copy of your printed ticket with you on the day of the test and a photo ID
Bring two No.2 pencils the day of the exam
Bring a calculator to use on the designated math sections of either exams
You are allowed a bottle of water and snack-this can be eaten outside of the testing room

Things are you are not allowed to bring into the exams:

Books, dictionaries, scratch paper or notes
Highlight pens, colored pens or correction fluid
NO electronic devices other than a permitted calculator

Test-Optional Information

380+ “Top Tier” Schools that Deemphasize the ACT/SAT in Admissions Decisions

While standardized test scores are important to many colleges and universities here in the United States, an increasing number of institutions are transitioning to a “test- optional” model, and no longer requiring test results. Currently more than 950 colleges and universities do not require standardized test scores as part of the admission application.

That said, know that some of the colleges and universities to which you aspire to apply may not require test results in certain circumstances. This will be an important question to ask the admission counselors you meet along the way on your journey so you can be certain you’re meeting their requirements to apply. FairTest.org is a great first step to check those institutions in which you’re interested in applying, but always confirm with the college or university admission office directly to ensure the information is accurate and current.

Useful Links

School Counseling

Objectives by Grade Level

The College and School Counseling Office aims to meet the unique needs of each and every student through our comprehensive school counseling curriculum. Our multifaceted curriculum, comprised of individual counseling, group counseling and developmental school counseling lessons, is designed to develop students into well adjusted, empathetic and emotionally intelligent young adults. Our office recognizes social emotional wellness as an influential factor in academic achievement and collaborates with parents, faculty and administrators to promote student success. Though our proactive and holistic approach, we assist students in reaching their goals by focusing on the following areas:

Grade 9:

Transition to high school and new academic expectations
Awareness of personal learning styles and identification of effective study skills
Conflict resolution and problem solving skills
Self advocacy skills
Communication skills
Community engagement aligned with personal interests

Grade 10:

Identifying personal strengths and interests
Discovering careers clusters to compliment skills and interests
Self-monitoring academic performance
Drug and alcohol prevention
Community engagement through leadership

Grade 11:

Drug and alcohol prevention and awareness
Interpersonal relationship skills
Individualized short and long-term goal setting
Post-secondary planning (see the College Counseling page LINK)

Grade 12:

Decision-making: creating the best fit post-secondary plan
Transition to college
Professionalism skills
Combating peer pressure: drug & alcohol prevention

Freshmen Guide 2019

Junior College Planning Handbook

2020 College Matriculation

2020 College Matriculation

Albertus Magnus College

American University

Assumption College

Auburn University

Belmont University

Bentley University

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

Bucknell University

Central Connecticut State University

Chesire Academy

Clark University

Coastal Carolina University

Colorado School of Mines

DeAnza College

Denison University

Duquesne University

Eastern Connecticut State University

Elms College

Elon University

Emerson College

Endicott College

Fairfield University

Florida A & M University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida State University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Gettysburg College

Grove City College

Hamilton College

Iona College

Irvine Valley College

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Johnson & Wales University

Liberty University

Loyola University, Maryland

Marist College

Merrimack College

Milford Academy

Military

Monmouth University

Mount Saint Mary College

Muhlenberg College

New York University

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg

Providence College

Queens University of Charlotte

Quinnipiac University

Radford University

Roger Williams University

Sacred Heart University

Saint Anselm College

Saint Michael’s College

Salisbury University

Salve Regina University

Southern Connecticut State University

Springfield College

St. John’s University

Stonehill College

Syracuse University

Temple University

The Catholic University of America

The College of the Holy Cross

The University of Richmond

The University of Tampa

The University of Tennessee

Trade Apprenticeship

Tufts University

Union College

University of Bridgeport

University of California, Davis

University of California, Irvine

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut, Stamford

University of Hartford

University of Maryland

University of Miami

University of New Hampshire

University of New Haven

University of Notre Dame

University of Pennsylvania

University of Rhode Island

University of Saint Joseph

University of South Carolina, Columbia

University of Southern California

University of St. Thomas

University of Vermont

Villanova University

West Virginia University

Western Connecticut State University

Western New England University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Xavier University

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College & School Counseling Staff

Tim Nash, Director of College & School Counseling
Tim has close to 30 years of experience in college admission. His admission career path included stops at 5 catholic colleges, one private university and as an enrollment consultant at a higher education marketing company. He has presented at a number of regional and national conferences on the following: athletic recruitment, interview strategies, financial aid and other enrollment management topics. tnash@sjcadets.org

Megan Baird '01, Associate Director of College & School Counseling
Mrs Baird received her MS, Counseling, Fordham University in 2007 and BA, Psychology, Quinnipiac University in 2005. Mrs Baird has been working in the Guidance and College Counseling Office at St Joseph High School since 2005. Mrs Baird is a proud St Joseph Alum - Class of 2001. She is married to Peter Baird, Class of 2000 and they have two beautiful children: Lexi and PJ. mbaird@sjcadets.org

Kathleen Seperack, Social Worker
Mrs Seperack received her BA from Fordham University and her MSW from Southern Connecticut State University. She has also earned a License in Social Work. Mrs Seperack has worked at Bridgeport Hospital, Child Guidance Center of Greater Bridgeport, Wooster Middle School, St Augustine School and St Raphael School. kseperak@sjcadets.org

Cristin Clark, Counselor
Ms Clark received her BA in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut and continued her studies at Fairfield University, earning her MA in School Counseling. Ms Clark is a recipient of Fairfield University’s Excellence in School Counseling Award. She holds certifications from the State of Connecticut’s Department of Education and the National Board of Certified Counselors. Ms Clark has training in both group and individual counseling practices. cclark@sjcadets.org

Jack Nogueira, Counselor
Mr Nogueira has a BS and MS from Western Connecticut State University. He is also the Girls Head Soccer Coach. Mr Nogueira works with the Department Chairs as well as the Athletic Department on the NCAA Clearinghouse compliance and academic eligibility. Requirements for the college/university level of play. jnogueira@sjcadets.org

Laura Schiels, Counselor
Ms Schiels obtained her BS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island and her MA in School Counseling from Caldwell University. She is a Certified School Counselor in the state of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Prior to working at St Joes, Ms Schiels was a school counselor at a catholic high school in New York City and also taught Kindergarten and Pre-K. lschiels@sjcadets.org

Margo Sheehan, School Registrar, Counselor
Ms Sheehan holds a Masters of Education, Counseling from Providence College as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Providence College. m sheehan@sjcadets.org

Lynn Mallon, Counseling Secretary
Mrs Mallon received her BS in Education at Southern Connecticut State University. She is a proud St Joseph Alum - Class of 1975. She has also a proud alumni parent of graduates from 1995, 1999, 2002 and 2004! lmallon@sjcadets.org

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Meet a Few Members of the Class of 2020!

Request information Schedule a Visit Apply Now

Seniors: Report Your College Acceptances!

Let's Celebrate You! As those acceptance letters roll in, update your Scoir account!

Also - if you'd like to take headshots in your college sweatshirt or t-shirt, be sure to reach out to Mrs Martinez at mmartinez@sjcadets.org

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Coffee & Conversation with Counselors

We're so excited to offer Coffee and Conversations Virtually this year! All parents are welcome to attend!

Upcoming Coffee & Conversations:

Coming Soon!

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Partnering with Peer Ministry

In 2019, the Counseling Office started a new initiative with Peer Ministry. Counselors go into Freshmen Theology classes with peer ministers to talk about the transition into high school and the importance of being kind to each other. Seniors share their experiences and provide direction, advice, and support to our underclassmen.

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Videos

College Admissions Night

Missed Our College Admissions Night in January? View the recording below to hear from our panel of experts! Many thanks to the following Admissions professionals for participating on our panel: Corry Unis, Vice President, Enrollment Management at Fairfield University; Karissa Peckham, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management at Central Connecticut State University; Julia Naclerio, Senior Associate Director of Admission at Trinity College, and Michael DiPiazza, Director of Undergraduate Admission at Assumption College.

College & School Counseling

College Counseling

Upcoming Events

Timelines for Each Grade Level

Common App

Financial Aid & Scholarships

SCOIR

NCAA Eligibility Center

SAT/ACT Information

ACT & SAT Testing Dates
2020-2021

Test-Optional Information

Useful Links

School Counseling

Objectives by Grade Level

Freshmen Guide 2019

Junior College Planning Handbook

2020 College Matriculation

College & School Counseling Staff

Meet a Few Members of the Class of 2020!

College Admissions Night

College Admissions Info Session

Financial Aid and Paying for College

Sophomore Parent Presentation

Junior Parent Presentation

Juniors College Planning Presentation

Senior Parent Workshop - The College Process