Student Services
College & Career Info

College Planning Timeline

List of 4 items.

  • Transition to High School - Freshman Year

    • "Your GPA starts today!" - Quote from Junior/Senior Campus Ministers. 
    • Check the clubs and activities page on the website to get information on how you can become more involved in the school.
    • Freshmen Parent Night in August, all freshmen parents are encourage to attend a presentation from the school counselors on how to help their student achieve academically during their four years at STVM. 
    • Freshmen Steps to Success in August, classroom counseling lesson from your school counselor on study skills, smart goals, naviance, and how to be successful in high school. 
    • You will meet individually with your school counselor in September/October.
    • See the tutors during your lunch or study hall to improve your skills/grade in any area needed. The tutoring schedule is listed on guidance website. 
    • Freshmen Homecoming in October, this dance is only for freshmen STVM students so that you all have the chance to spend time with your new classmates. 
    • PSAT Test for Honors Freshmen in October, this is a practice SAT test for students to take at school to prepare for college entrance exams. 
    • College Fair in October, attend this fair if you are interested in receiving early information about colleges. 
    • Career Connections Fair in November, this is an opportunity for current STVM students to explore career options and gain knowledge about careers from professionals in our own community. 
    • PSAT Results will be shared in January for the Honors students that took this test.
    • Sophomore Parent Night in March, all freshmen students and parents are also welcome to attend if interested in gaining early information about the college process.

  • Staying on Track - Sophomore Year

    • Get off to a good start by staying on top of all your class work! If you struggled your freshman year, come see your counselor to take the learning styles assessment to find ways you learn best and go over study skills.
    • See the tutors during your lunch or study hall to improve your skills/grade in any area needed. Tutors schedules are posted on our guidance page.
    • Check the clubs and activities page on the website to get information on how you can become more involved in the school.
      • STVM Clubs and Activities
    • Homecoming in October, this dance is for sophomores, juniors, and seniors and allows you to have fun with fellow classmates outside of school.
    • College Fair in October, we encourage you to attend this fair so that you and your parents can receive early information about colleges.
    • PSAT Test for all sophomores is in October, this is a practice SAT test for students to take at school to prepare for college entrance exams.
    • Sophomore Retreat in October, this retreat will be a memorable and spiritual day that will have a big impact on your experience at STVM.
    • Naviance counseling lesson in October in all English classes to learn how to create a resume and to take the Career Interest Profiler.
    • Career Connections Fair in November, this is an opportunity for current STVM students to explore career options and gain knowledge about careers from professionals in our own community.
    • PSAT Results will be shared in January in all the sophomore English classes, the students are encouraged to take home these scores to go over with their parents.
    • All sophomores are strongly encouraged to take any visits to colleges that a friend, alumni of STVM, family member, etc. may attend to gain early information about the college process.

  • Get Ready for College - Junior Year

    Semester One Activities

    • Attend College Fair at St. Vincent-St. Mary in October. Representatives from about 100 colleges will be available providing information and answering questions for students and parents. 
    • All juniors take the PSAT in October.
    • Career Connections Fair for all students Career Connections is an opportunity for current STVM students to explore career options and gain knowledge about careers from professionals in our own community.
    • Keep your grades up as much as possible. Junior year grades are extremely important, and are usually the last grades that will be on your transcripts that are sent to schools your senior year!
    • Meet with college representatives in-person or virtually.
    • Begin researching colleges of interest: Websites, tours, Naviance, and information in the guidance department and library may help you with your search.
    • PSAT results will be emailed to all students in December.
    • Parents may email or call the college counselors, at 330-253-9113 ext. 108 to schedule individual parent conferences if needed.

    Semester Two Activities

    January
    • College Counselors will present information about the college process in classes
    • College Counselors will begin meeting individually with juniors
    February
    • Attend the College Preview Night hosted at STVM by the College Counselors
    • Register for the March SAT if needed
    • Take the ACT if registered
    March
    • Take the ACT at STVM
    • In Naviance, complete the Career Interest Profiler
    April
    • Register for May SAT I or SAT II if needed
    • In Naviance, complete a college search
    • Create a calendar for college visits
    May
    • Register for June ACT if needed
    • Take SAT if registered
    • Potential Division I or II athletes should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
    June
    • Take ACT or SAT if registered
    July/August
    • Continue college visits

  • Get Set for College - Senior Year

    Click here for the Seniors Seminar presentation. 

    Semester One

    • Notify guidance office if you have registered for the NCAA Clearinghouse - If you haven't registered already-do so ASAP! That is, if you plan to play Division 1 or Division II sports. You can register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.org.
    • Attend College/Tech Fair at St. Vincent-St. Mary in October. Representatives from about 100 colleges will be available providing information and answering questions for students and parents. 
    • Career Connections Fair for all students Career Connections is an opportunity for current STVM students to explore career options and gain knowledge about careers from professionals in our own community.
    • Student will have an individual conference with their college counselor in September/October.
    • Register for the September/October ACT if still needed. Take SAT Subject tests and/or ACT Writing if required and if you have not already done so. St. Vincent-St. Mary college code 360090.
    • Fill out FAFSA online any time after December 1st.
    • Finish resumes in Naviance.
    • Begin asking teachers for letters of recommendation in October - give them at least two weeks to write them for you.
    • Submit all completed applications to college counselors before Thanksgiving Break.
    • Remember to continue to maintain good grades. Colleges often ask for 1st Semester senior grades when determining acceptance and scholarship allocations.
    • Search for scholarships - check the STVM website, other websites online such as www.fastweb.com, local organizations, etc.

    Semester Two

    • Notify the college you will be attending that you are coming by sending in tuition/housing deposits if required. Notify the colleges you have been accepted to, but won't be attending-that you are not coming. Do so by mail or phone. This is common courtesy and will get them to stop contacting you.
    • Turn in a copy of the acceptance letter you receive from the college you will be attending to the college counselors. Also give the counselors a copy of all scholarships you have been offered - even if you are not accepting those particular scholarships. This is for the end of school graduation program so that we can recognize you for the scholarships that you have won. Please turn all of this in to us in April.
    • As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact the college counselors, at (330) 253-9113 ext. 136.

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School

15 North Maple Street Akron, Ohio 44303   |   Phone: (330) 253-9113
In the spirit of the Gospel, we are committed to educate the whole person; to lead and to serve, enlightening the mind, developing the body, touching the heart, and inspiring the soul.