College & Career Guidance

Welcome to SJHS School Counseling!

STUDENT SERVICES

As a nationally certified school counselor with a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Duquesne University, I adhere to the standards and best practices set forth by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). As such, it is my responsibility to uphold the four pillars of School Counseling: leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change all of which are designed with the ultimate goal of maximizing student success.

With Saint Joseph High School being a college preparatory high school, it is the ultimate goal for every student to be qualified for entrance into a college or university upon graduation from high school. Understanding that each student is different and has different goals and aspirations, the school counseling department aims to assist our students in whatever path they choose for life after high school.

My school year begins with the formation of the Master Schedule, which allows students the opportunity to select challenging coursework that will keep them engaged and prepared for more advanced coursework in the future. Each Spring, students are provided with course selection forms, where they select their preference of course rigor and choose electives based on their interests. These courses require both the endorsement of current classroom teachers and also a parent in order to keep everyone in agreement with course selection.

Understanding that our students may sometimes face difficult situations when navigating the trials and tribulations of high school, it is important for students to feel supported when they are at school. Students are welcome to visit the school counseling office to discuss any academic or social/emotional issues that they may be experiencing, where we will work together to come up with creative solutions to these problems and work towards accomplishing their goals.

If you as a parent would ever like to set up a meeting to discuss anything related to your child, please send me an email at [email protected] or call my direct line at 724-224-4715.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Students that graduate from Saint Joseph High School are required to accrue at least 100 hours of community service from their freshman year to the end of their senior year. A signed service hours form adds up to at least 100 hours of community service is a requirement for graduation.

Forms to track student volunteer hours are available in the school counseling office. Having the students properly document their hours with the provided forms helps ensure accuracy and consistency with counting volunteer hours.

Volunteer opportunities are regularly shared with students through Google Classroom or email blasts. Some of the more popular volunteer opportunities that students have done over the past few years include attending the Catholic Heart Work Camp over the Summer, volunteering at your local parish or the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, and assisting Guardian Angels Parish Fish Fry.

If you are a parent or community member who would like the school counselor to share a volunteering opportunity with SJHS students, please email the school counselor at [email protected] with pertinent information and a person to contact.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, SJHS graduates are fortunate to receive a large number of scholarships through a variety of institutions, whether that be directly through the colleges and universities that they apply to, or through a variety of community partners that sponsor scholarships that our students apply for directly.

There are numerous scholarship websites and apps that list scholarships on a National level, such as Scholly, FastWeb, GoingMerry or Raise Me. There are a lot of scholarships available on a National level that any student may choose to apply for. On these larger, national websites, a student can filter scholarships so that they are more applicable to their scenario and goals.

On a local level, there are additional scholarship opportunities that our students are more likely to be awarded than those scholarships that have students from across the country applying for. The Alle-Kiski Health Foundation has a small number of scholarships listed here that SJHS students have been awarded in the past.

COLLEGE BOARD AND COMMON APP

Saint Joseph High School recommends students take advantage of the resources available through the Collegeboard and the Common App for all things related to college and career planning. Both of these platforms feature a wide variety of College and Career Planning tools, where students can explore pathways for life after high school and search for colleges and careers that are relevant to their strengths and interests.

Students are able to view PSAT scores, take practice tests, and register for the SAT through the Collegeboard software. Students are recommended to make Common App profiles at the end of their Junior years, as this software allows students to apply to multiple schools at once, simplifying the college application process.
It is worth mentioning that beginning in the Spring of 2024, all Collegeboard Assessments will be fully transitioned to the digital format.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Many colleges, universities, hospitals, and other organizations offer Summer enrichment and career exploration programs for high school students. Doing one of these Summer programs, whether a one day program, a volunteer experience, or a longer residential program, is a great way for high school students to grow and develop as learners and gain experience in potential career pathways that are of interest to them. The list below contains Summer programs and opportunities that SJHS students and alumni have participated in in the past, and have found to be very rewarding.

• University of Notre Dame - South Bend, IN
  • Summer Leadership Program
    • The Notre Dame Summer Leadership Program is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors to develop leadership skills while exploring social issues and engaging in interactive workshops and discussions. Participants will work closely with faculty, mentors, and peers to enhance their critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities, all within the context of a college environment. This immersive program helps students build confidence and prepares them for future leadership roles in both academic and professional settings.
    • https://precollege.nd.edu/leadership-seminars/
• Summer Scholars
  • The Notre Dame Summer Scholars Program is a prestigious academic enrichment opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 15-18) to engage in college-level coursework, explore a range of subjects, and experience life on a university campus. Students will gain valuable exposure to advanced academic fields, interact with faculty and peers, and participate in hands-on learning, which can help them develop skills and confidence for their future college careers. This program offers a unique opportunity for personal growth, academic development, and insight into what college life is like at a world-renowned institution.
  • https://precollege.nd.edu/summer-scholars/
• Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA
  • Pre-College Programs
    • Carnegie Mellon University offers a variety of pre-college programs for high school students, including options in areas such as art, design, engineering, business, and computer science. These programs allow students to take college-level courses, explore their academic interests, and develop skills in a rigorous and supportive environment. This experience not only strengthens academic foundations but also boosts confidence, fosters independence, and builds valuable connections with peers and faculty at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University.
    • https://www.cmu.edu/pre-college/
• UPMC Children’s Teen Volunteer Program
  • The Teen Volunteer Program is a rewarding experience that provides a special opportunity for teens, ages 15-17, who are interested in gaining first-hand experience in a pediatric health care environment. Teens who are accepted into the program will be placed in a variety of approved assignments throughout the hospital under supervision of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh staff.
  • https://www.chp.edu/about/volunteer/opportunities/teen-program
• Magee-Womens Hospital 
  • Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI)’s High School Summer Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to participate in basic, translational, or clinical scientific research with the goal of stimulating interest in biomedical research as a potential career.
  • During the 6-week, 240-hour program, each student will have the opportunity to work on their own research project under the guidance of an investigator and their staff at MWRI or Magee-Womens Hospital.
  • https://mageewomens.org/for-researchers/education/high-school-summer-internship-program
• University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA
  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy
    • This is an eight-week program for rising high school seniors and exceptional rising high school juniors that provides fifty-six students with unique and complex research learning experiences in areas including cancer biology, women's cancer, tumor immunology, drug discovery, and Computer Sciences, Biological Sciences & Biological Informatics (CoSBBI).
    • https://hillmanacademy.upmc.com/
• PA AHEC Health Career Summer Academy - University of Pittsburgh Medical School
  • Week‑long Summer Health Career Academy for current 9th and 10th graders, where students explore various health careers through hands-on medical procedures, medical terminology lessons, and leadership training, all while interacting with practicing healthcare professionals on the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine campus. The program is designed to help high schoolers discover clinical and allied‑health pathways and prepare academically for future careers in healthcare.
  • https://www.southwestahec.org/hca
• Penn State University - University Park, PA
  • Penn State offers a wide variety of Summer programs for high school-aged students at the main campus and a number of branch campuses across the state. Visit https://k12.outreach.psu.edu/opportunities/youth/ for more information.
  • The Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences (PSEAS) is a two-week residential program held primarily at University Park campus for academically talented and gifted high school rising seniors from throughout Pennsylvania. https://agsci.psu.edu/school-for-excellence
• Point Park University - Pittsburgh, PA
  • Point Park University in downtown Pittsburgh offers a wide variety of immersive Summer enrichment programs for high school students with programs in: Creative Writing, Forensic Science & Criminal Justice, Accounting, Sports Business, Entrepreneurship, Service Learning, Film & Animation, Photography, Broadcasting, Communication, and Dance. 
  • https://www.pointpark.edu/about/aboutpittsburgh/livingandlearninginpittsburgh/community-and-summer-programs/youth-and-high-school-students/index
• Washington & Jefferson College - Washington, PA
  • The Summer Leadership Program at W&J offers a residential program for students in grades 9-11 designed to help them strengthen their leadership skills while exploring their interests in a supportive college environment. Participants choose between two specialized cohorts—STEM or Theatre Arts—and engage in hands-on workshops, team activities, and faculty-led sessions tailored to their track. 
• Lehigh University - Bethlehem, PA
  • The Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive is a four-week, immersive, experiential learning opportunity for high school students to develop skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, the basics of business, intercultural understanding and leadership. At the Iacocca Institute, participants take on complex, multi-system, global challenges in creative and collaborative ways. 
  • https://global.lehigh.edu/iacocca-institute/IGEI

PHEAA

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, is an organization that assists students and their families with understanding the costs involved with post high school education and works to provide families with information related to minimizing college costs and how to navigate the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Process. Amy Sawdey is our PHEAA representative who works with families from Western Pennsylvania, and she will be able to help answer any questions regarding the FAFSA, student aid, and paying for college. She can be reached at [email protected].