College Counseling

Meet your college counselor

Claudia Valbuena, our full-time college counselor, assists students through the college admission process. She can help you understand how colleges balance the overall GPA, the strength of you curriculum, scores on standardized tests and your participation in extracurricular activities.

College Events

College Night
College Representative Visits
Financial Aid Seminars

Student Role in College Admissions

St. Pius X counselors encourage students to challenge themselves on both an academic and an extracurricular level. We encourage students to take a four year view of finding and gaining entrance to the college of their choice. Students can help themselves now and in the future by:

Taking responsibility for grades and learning
Tackling challenging courses that foster growth
Developing time management skill to balance multiple interests

College Admissions - Know What to Do When

St. Pius X provides this year by year checklist to guide you through the high school years.

9th Grade

Find one or more extracurricular activities of interest
Make a commitment to that interest for multiple years (sport, club, community service)
Meet with the guidance counselor and honestly discuss your interests
Start a file for report cards, honors and a list of your activities
Familiarize yourself with Naviance
Parents can attend the Parent/Guardian information night at school

10th Grade

Take the PSAT and PLAN in October
Meet with the guidance counselor to register for course that reflect your potential
Start exploring college campus to find the size, location and culture to fits you
Stick with your extracurricular activities and document them
Learn how to make Naviance work for you
Student-athletes can talk to coaches about their interest in college athletics
Parents can attend the Parent/Guardian information night at school

11th Grade - Fall Semester

11th Grade - Spring Semester

Register to take the ACT or SAT standardized test
List your colleges of interest
Research the colleges on your list in Naviance
Tap into other sources of information on your colleges (websites, alumni, guidebooks)
Modify your list of colleges as you learn more
Research source of financial aid to help pay for college
Update your resume of extracurricular activities
Athletes should file paper with NCAA Clearinghouse or NAIA Eligibility Center

12th Grade - Fall Semester

Schedule an appointment with the college counselor early in the semester
Meet with college counselor as needed through the semester
Register to take the ACT and SAT again (as needed)
Be diligent with your applications
Use Naviance to keep on top of your applications
Know your application deadlines
Meet with college representatives as they visit campus
Use your “College Visit" days to explore your top schools in person
Complete the application for financial aid at FAFSA.gov. The application is available October 1, 2016, and requires students/parents to use 2015 tax return information.

12th Grade - Spring Semester

Review financial aid and scholarship offers. College and universities notify students of award packages during the Spring semester. Please be sure to accept awards offered from your top choice.
Submit scholarship letters and offers to counseling office.
Submit all copies of acceptance letters to counselling office
Notify all colleges of your decision by May 1
Enjoy your final months at St. Pius X and end on an academic high note
Attend Senior Awards Ceremony
Counseling Office will submit all final transcripts to colleges in June

College Counselor

Iris Spells

Email:

Counseling Events

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