Salpointe's College Counseling Program

Salpointe Catholic High School recognizes the importance of comprehensive four-year planning for college admission. We respect and promote all types of higher education and expect our graduates to be both eligible and ready for college. Each year at least 99% of Salpointe students enroll in college upon graduation.

Our college counselors serve as the liaison between families, students and the colleges to which they apply. The college counselors meet individually with students and parents/guardians to formulate a college admissions plan, focusing on appropriate fit of institution and career interests, advises students on standardized test preparation, and demonstrates effective college admissions research. Our goals are to be proactive in getting college planning information out to students and parents and to encourage students to understand and plan for college admissions in a timely fashion.

"Salpointe is blessed to have Lynn Ossowski's talent, energy and knowledge to guide our Lancers in their college exploration and decision making," said President Kay Sullivan. "Mrs. O's successful, effective college counseling program and her strong professional relationship with college admission directors are unparalleled resources for our Lancers." 

Salpointe's college counselors host numerous events throughout the year, including a college fair for 120 institutions, admissions visits and workshops for every grade. 


Philosophy / Guiding Principles / Goals
All Salpointe students will be both eligible and ready for post-secondary education, with options ranging from short-term training to community college to university studies. We respect and promote equally each student and each kind of post-secondary education. By graduation, students will have a clear plan for post-secondary study or career planning. Our goals are to be proactive in getting college planning information out to students and parents, and to encourage students to understand and plan for college admissions in a timely fashion. 

Role of the College Counselor
The Counseling Department has a full-time College Counselor and a Counseling Assistant who are the liaisons between graduating seniors, their families and the colleges to which they apply. They conduct individual advising meetings with students and parents to formulate a college admissions plan, focusing on appropriate fit of institution and career interests. The College Counselor advises students on standardized test preparation, and demonstrates the use of the Internet for college admissions research. Some of the College Counselor’s primary duties include writing letters of recommendation on behalf of the school, assisting seniors in the completion of college and scholarship applications, and conducting a series of presentations for all grade levels.    

Classroom Meetings
The College Counselor meets with juniors in individually and in group settings for college planning. Juniors discuss what colleges are seeking, finding a good fit, researching college and career options, SAT and ACT testing, and developing a personal timeline. Seniors discuss the details of the application process, teacher/counselor recommendations, scholarships and financial aid and the bragsheet requirements.

Individual Appointments
From February of junior year through the end of senior year, students make individual appointments with the College Counselor to discuss college options, develop an appropriate list of colleges, learn about scholarship opportunities or get feedback on applications and essays. 

Large Group Workshops
A series of presentations during the year assist students and parents with various aspects of college planning.  These include:
  • Get Out of Town Workshops - March, April, August
  • College Planning for Seniors and Parents - August
  • Playing Athletics in College - September
  • Paying for College - September
  • College Planning for Juniors and Parents - November
  • College Planning for Freshmen and Parents - January 
  • College Planning for Sophomores and Parents - February
College Fair & College Admissions Rep Visits to Salpointe
Each year Salpointe hosts about 120 colleges during our College Fair. The most selective colleges / universities don’t attend college fairs, but prefer individual visits so we also schedule an additional 60-70 individual college visits to our campus.   Military representatives also provide information about the Academies, ROTC programs and enlistment. 

College Networking
The College Counselor initiates and maintains ongoing relationships with college admissions deans and counselors from a wide variety of institutions by attending conferences and workshops, and regularly reading professional publications. Mrs. O has served on several national committees in the field of college counseling, and is currently the chair of Admissions Practices for the Rocky Mountain Association for College Admissions Counseling. 

Naviance
Salpointe uses the online platform Naviance (by Hobson’s) for students to research careers, colleges and scholarships, to take career and personality surveys, and to plan out college application activities. Each student has a paid subscription starting freshman year.
Back

Salpointe Catholic High School

1545 E. Copper St.,
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-6581
Attendance: (520) 327-1990
© 2021 Salpointe Catholic High School. All rights reserved.