Counseling

Our counselors meet with each of their students at least twice each school year. To that end:

• Students will be given passes to see their counselor in their homeroom folder
• Students are required to attend these meetings - if unable to attend, students are to reschedule their meeting with their counselor
• Students may sign-up in the Counseling Office to schedule additional meetings with their counselor, as needed

1. Letter of Recommendation: Only one letter of recommendation is needed from an academic teacher.  Your student will also have one from his/her counselor. Your child should ask a teacher at the end of junior year.  If not, they must do this early in their senior year. Coaches, volunteer leaders, music/art/drama teachers may write a letter if your child is pursuing this field in college and/or he/she was involved in this activity for several years.

2. Updated resume: It’s good to keep an updated resume on Naviance. This keeps your information all in one place when completing an application and helps your counselor see your activities. Should cover all four years and outside involvement, employment, volunteer work.  Be sure leadership positions are highlighted (including any for senior year.).

3. Applications: Make sure when completing applications to answer all questions completely. Proofread!. Be sure to hit the SUBMIT button when application is complete and ready. Application fees must be paid or students must have a fee waiver. Application will not be read otherwise.  At least one application should be completed & submitted by the end of Q1.

4. Transcript release form & fee: We require a signed transcript release form for EACH SCHOOL before we can send any transcripts to any college and/or scholarship organization. Each transcript costs $5 and must be paid before the transcript is sent. Transcript requests must be made at least 2 weeks before the application is due.

5. SAT/ACTs:  It is the student’s responsibility to know what testing is needed and when the scores are needed.  It is also his/her responsibility to submit those scores to each college or scholarship THROUGH THE TESTING SERVICE. Most schools now are test optional. We recommend taking the SAT or ACT at least once.e.

• St. Thomas Aquinas does not provide or send out test scores! Students must send scores through the testing sites: https://sendsatscores.collegeboard.org/   or https://www.act.org/
  
  6. Scholarships: Students are encouraged to sign up with College Aid Pro. There are many scholarships available and this will bring them straight to you.

 PLEASE HOLD ONTO ALL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS UNTIL GRADUATION!!! 

7. NCAA:  Students planning to play a Division I or II sport in college must be approved for eligibility through the NCAA Eligibility Center.Sign up at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/. Please note that there is a separate transcript release form for NCAA, which covers the request for an official transcript for NCAA as well as any unofficial transcripts that may be requested by a coach.

8. Financial Aid:  All families should apply for financial aid (FAFSA).  You can go to the website (www.fafsa.edu.gov) to create your FSA i.d. now (both parent & child have separate i.d. numbers). Please visit www.hesaa.org  for more information about financial aid.