College Counseling
Welcome to the College Counseling Services information page! We look forward to working with you and your student who is preparing for college! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Marie Weyback, Director of College Advising & Registrar, at extension 6242 or mweyback@shanahan.org.
At Bishop Shanahan High School, we know that applying to colleges and universities is an exciting time in our 12th grade students' lives. As our students engage in their college search, they will be inspired to develop an attitude of determination, persistence and self-discipline. The application process requires all of this and we are here to help.
BSHS College Counselors work closely with our students and their families as they prepare for this next important step in their lives. It is never too early to begin evaluating the wide range of college choices. Our goal each year is to help students to find their best college or university fit, and we have a 100% college acceptance rate each year.
- College Scholarships
- Scholarship Resources
- Pre-College Programs
- Leadership Program Opportunities
- College Admissions Visit BSHS
- College Counseling Process
- Resources for Seniors
- College Fair
- Financial Aid Workshop
- College Athletics Recruitment
- Instant Decision Day
- Transcript Info
- Small Group Sessions
- CSS Profile
- SAT/ACT PREP
College Scholarships
Schramm Foundation Scholarship for Seniors
The Schramm Foundation Scholarship Fund supports educational programs, and awards scholarships for post-secondary education to deserving Chester County high school seniors. Click here to apply.
Attention Seniors Majoring in Arts!
The Harry Dunn Memorial Art Scholarship Award is given each year to one West Chester High School student to pursue his or her education in the arts. Click here to apply.
West Chester Running Club Scholarship
The West Chester Running Club is awarding a scholarship for students graduating from Chester County high schools.
Eligibility Rules:
- The student has been accepted at an accredited two- or four-year college or university.
- The student has been a member of their high school’s varsity cross country and/or track and field teams in grades 11 and 12.
- The student has demonstrated academic excellence, athletic excellence, and leadership qualities.
- The student is a graduating high school senior from a Chester County, PA public or private school.
Selection will be made by the WCRC Scholarship Committee. The recipient(s) will be notified by late May and the scholarship will be awarded in June 2024.
APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MAY 1, 2024.
The application and more
Attention Seniors Residing in Concord Township!
The Concord Township Annual Scholarship is offering 4 $1,000 Awards for the Class of 2024. Any senior residing in Concord Township is eligible. To download an application, click here.
Attention Seniors! St. Anthony's Lodge & Women's Auxiliary Joint Scholarship
The purpose of the Saint Anthony’s Lodge and Women’s Auxiliary Joint Scholarship is to provide a $2,000 scholarship to one student who meets the pre-requisites. The Recipient will be decided by the Saint Anthony's Scholarship Committee. Complete application and essay are due May 15, 2024. For more information and to obtain an application, please see Mrs. Weyback in the College Center.
PSPE-VFC Engineering Scholarship
Attention Seniors! The application for the 2024 PSPE-VFC Engineering Scholarship is open. This year, the Valley Forge Chapter of PSPE has elected to continue offering four (4) $1500 scholarships to high school seniors for their Freshman year. In addition, Temple University offers a one-four year scholarship program which includes $2000/year for four years. The scholarships are for students pursuing engineering. Please have your senior students submit their applications by April 1, 2024 and see Mrs. Weyback for the submission of the academic credentials. Click here to access the application.
Chester County Mothers of Multiples Scholarship
Each year Chester County Mothers of Multiples awards one scholarship to a deserving student in Chester County in the amount of $1000 or two scholarships in the amount $500 depending on the number of applications we receive and if we discover multiple deserving students. Click here to access the application.
Noel Soccer Foundation Scholarships
Attention Senior Soccer Players!!
The Noel Soccer Foundation is a certified 501c3 organization that provides scholarships to graduating
high school students and financial support to local soccer organizations throughout the Tri-State area and
Florida. Each year, the foundation provides an initial one-year scholarship to graduating high school
student-athletes to be used in their first year of studies at a college or trade school. Scholarships are
awarded to students based on their academic achievement, commitment to the game of soccer, and
contributions to their school and local communities.
Please see the attached application.
St. Mary Polish American Society
The St. Mary Polish American Society has announced the second annual Felicia Jemionek Rzeznik Memorial Scholarship, a $1,500 scholarship to a qualified student of Polish ancestry who resides within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia pursuing full-time undergraduate studies at an accredited college or university in the United States.
High school seniors are eligible to apply. Scholarship will be awarded for academic year September 2024 – May 2025.
This scholarship is named after Felicia Jemionek Rzeznik, who helped organize the group that would ultimately become St. Mary Polish American Society. Felicia was a high school history teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, a lifelong member of St. Mary Parish, and an active part of the Polish community in the Philadelphia region.
All applications are due by 11:59 pm on March 1st, 2024, with a winner announced no later than April 30, 2024. A complete application includes a cover sheet with typewritten responses to the background questions and a typewritten response to the essay question. The cover sheet must be submitted as a separate PDF from the essay response. Please send a completed application to budswed@verizon.net or a hard copy to Dorothy Swedkowski, 1804 Spera Lane Norristown, PA 19403.
Selections are based on application completeness and thoughtful response to the essay topic. Background questions will not be used directly in the selection process but help to provide a more complete portrait of the applicants for the committee to review.
Background Information Name- Address- High School and Year of Graduation- College Attended (if any)- School Activities- Community Activities- Awards or Honor Societies- Actual or Intended Major and Career Goals- Essay Question In 250 to 500 words, please respond to the following question: "What can I do to promote Polish heritage in my community?"
AES Engineering Scholarship
Attention Seniors! The AES Engineering Scholarship is open. Please visit here for more information on eligibility, requirements and application.
WGA Evans Scholars Program
Mechanical One Scholarship
Annual Sphinx Scholarship Competition
National Rice Month Scholarship Contest
Prudential Emerging Visionaries
Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholarship
Colgate-Palmolive Haz La U Scholarship
Scholarship Resources
Pre-College Programs
Health Career Summer Academy at WCU
In collaboration with Main Line Health and Meridian bank, the West Chester University College of Health Sciences is offering a summer academy for a limited number of high school students interested in a future health science career, especially those students from underserved populations and communities. The program will be July 29 - August 1 and August 5 - August 8, 2024, from 9:30am-3:00pm. Click here for more information and to apply.
Penn State Communications Summer Camp
Bellisario Summer Camps offer high school students hands-on experience in communications fields:
- Social Media & Content Creator Camp
- Broadcast Journalism Camp
- Film Production Camp
Campers will stay in dorms on the University Park Campus. Students get to experience campus life, gain valuable communications related skills and make life-long friends. For more information click here.
Bucknell Academy Summer Experience - BASE
Attention rising Junior and Senior Students!!! At BASE, the Bucknell Academy Summer Experience, rising high school juniors and seniors spend a week living like a college student. The Bucknell Academy Summer Experience will take place June 23–28, 2024. BASE is looking for applicants with a strong academic record, who enjoy collaborating and leading and have a genuine interest in the liberal arts and creative problem-solving. Click here to learn more.
DeSales Summer Theatre Institute
DeSales University’s Summer Theatre Institute at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival offers professional theatre training to rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and rising college freshmen. From July 22 – August 3, 2024 students will take classes in all the major disciplines of theatre performance, including:
- acting
- musical theatre performance
- Shakespeare performance
- audition technique
- dance and movement
- elective evening master classes in specialty areas like stage
- combat and acting for the camera
Click here to learn more.
Cortiva Institute
Cortiva in KOP is accepting new students interested in pursuing a career in:
-
Cosmetology (1250 Hours/ 5+ Certifications)
- Esthetics (Skin Care) 300 Hours/ 5 Certifications
- Professional Massage Therapy (720 Hours/ 7 Certifications)
Click here to learn more.
Pharmacy RxExperience Camp
If you are considering a major in pharmacy, you can learn more at RxExperience, a four-day virtual camp, offered by Wilkes University’s Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. The camp will be offered once a week, via Zoom on Wednesday evenings, March 13 to April 3. Students will get a behind-the-scenes look at pharmacy through educational sessions and fun, hands-on lab activities, all from the comfort of their own home! Wilkes University will send everything students need for lab activities and hands-on learning. Additionally, high schoolers will learn how to prepare for and apply to the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, get a glimpse at life as a pharmacy student at Wilkes and hear about the variety of rewarding career paths available to pharmacists. Students can register now; space is limited! Register here.
Brown University
Summer Pre-College Program Fair | Thursday, November 16 | 7 - 9 PM Current high school students and parents/guardians are invited to register for the virtual 2024 Summer Pre-College Program Fair. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with representatives from leading US colleges and universities to learn more about summer 2024 academic programs for high school students. |
Rice University
Summer is a perfect time for motivated high school students to learn from Rice University’s world-class professors and experts in today’s most sought-after industries. The application period for the online precollege summer program is now open. The online precollege programs help students ages 13 and older explore their interests. Through participating in their courses, students can discover if an interest could lead to a college major or even a future career. Rice University invites them to get a taste of college study this summer. You can also view shareable flyer here which includes key details about our courses. Click here to view courses. |
Boston University Pre-College Programs
Boston University is offering five pre-college programs, each of which provides rigorous and collaborative college life experiences that will enable students to gain a strong sense of their personal and academic potential. Here is a brief overview of each:
- High School Honors is a six-week residential, commuter, or online program in which students take Boston University undergraduate courses and earn up to 8 transferable college credits. Students must be entering their junior or senior year of high school in fall 2023.
- RISE Internship/Practicum is a six-week, non-credit residential or commuter program in which students conduct scientific research in a university lab under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students must be entering their senior year of high school in fall 2023.
- Academic Immersion (AIM) is a three-week, non-credit residential or commuter program for students to focus intensively on a single academic topic while experiencing life on a college campus. This summer there are three AIM tracks: Introduction to Experimental Psychology; Introduction to Medicine; and Creative Writing. Each track combines classroom work in the subject area with hands-on experiential learning activities. Students must be entering their junior or senior year of high school in fall 2023.
- Summer Challenge is a two-week residential or online program in which students take two non-credit seminars of their choice and experience college life. Students must be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in fall 2023.
- Summer Preview is a one-week, non-credit residential or commuter program in which students explore one subject of interest while previewing the college experience. Students must be entering eighth grade or their freshman or sophomore year of high school in fall 2023.
Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Program
The final application deadline for Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Programs is March 15, 2023. Current sophomores and juniors who will be 16 years of age by July 2023 are eligible. Scholarship available!
Pre-College Programs* - Summer of 2023
- Architecture: Introduces design practice, creative problem solving, and critical thinking through a matrix of programming, celebrating curiosity and providing a strong foundation for architectural education. (4-week program)
- Art: Uses both traditional tools and cutting-edge technologies to explore creative ideas in a college-level studio environment. Students develop both conceptual and technical skills preparing them for a wide range of opportunities in both art studies and careers. (3- and 6-week program options)
- Computational Biology: Provides extensive training in both cutting-edge laboratory experiments to generate biological data and the computational analysis of that data. Uses real-world scenarios for exploration. (3-week program) - CLOSING SOON!
- Design: Introduces students to the discipline of Design, provides a foundation of skills, and gives a clear idea of what to expect from a college-level accredited program. (6-week program) - CLOSING SOON!
- Drama: Prepares students for the college audition and interview process, illustrating the kind of creativity and discipline required of students studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama curriculum. Students will be introduced to the intensity of a top-rated undergraduate conservatory experience. (6-
week program)
- Music: Immerses high school students in a world-class conservatory experience within an internationally recognized university. The program mirrors the first weeks of Carnegie Mellon’s first-year undergraduate School of Music curriculum. (3- and 6-week program options, commuter part-time option)
- National High School Game Academy: Allows high school students to experience modern video game development using industry-standard technology. Students interested in art, music and audio, game design, and software development are encouraged to apply for this interdisciplinary program. (6-week program) - CLOSING SOON!
- Summer Session: Provides high school students with the opportunity to take summer courses offered by Carnegie Mellon. Students earn college credit while working in an academic setting that mirrors the supportive, rigorous environment of the first year of college. (6-week program)
- Writing & Culture: Storytelling is the process of uncovering, understanding, and sharing stories. Whether through words or images, stories unite us and help create a mutual space for understanding ourselves and each other. That’s what the Pre-College Writing & Culture program works to develop: skilled, reflective, engaged storytellers who can share our stories well. (6-week program)
*Scholarships available for programs above.
Fully-Funded, Merit-Based* Pre-College Programs - Summer of 2023
- AI Scholars: Provides opportunities for students who have been historically excluded in STEM to study artificial intelligence with full-time faculty, staff, and researchers who are leaders in the field. (4-week program, rising seniors only)
- Computer Science Scholars: Provides students who have been historically excluded in the field of computer science an opportunity to explore the subject with full-time faculty, staff and researchers who are leaders in the field. (4-week program, rising juniors only)
- Summer Academy for Math and Science: Allows students from underrepresented communities to develop a deeper understanding of STEM via traditional classroom instruction, hands-on projects, and sustained engagement with world-renowned faculty and skilled staff mentors. (5-week program, rising seniors only)
*No cost to participant.
Columbia University
Summer Immersion : NEW YORK CITY. Click here to learn more.
Northeastern University
The Summer 2023 Boston Campus programs give talented high school rising juniors and seniors from around the world the opportunity to participate in immersive, experiential programs with acclaimed Northeastern faculty members right on the Boston campus.
Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design announced that applications are now open for RISD Pre-College, their residential summer immersive.
The year-round online intensive for changemakers, RISD Advanced Program Online, has also just opened registration for summer 2023.
Pre-College isn’t just an education—it’s an experience
This summer, live like a RISD student and work alongside hundreds of other creative, highly motivated students who will inspire you to push your limits and produce your best work.
Click here to complete and submit your Pre-College application by December 1, 2022, and attend the program, to receive $100 in RISD Bucks upon your arrival to campus.
June 24–July 29, 2023
University College Dublin - Ireland
2023 UCD High School Summer Program Applications Open November 1st!
If you have any students (age 16-17 at the time of the program) who are interested in studying in Ireland, please encourage them to apply for this wonderful opportunity! The UCD High School Summer Program dates are set for July 6-21 2023 and applications will open on November 1st! The early bird deadline is February 15th and, as the 2022 program reached capacity early, they strongly advise applying as early as possible.
Click here for the summer high school program information.
University of Delaware
Applications are OPEN! The Edge summer college program offers academically talented and motivated high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to live and learn on one of the most engaging college campuses on the East Coast. Click here to learn more.
University of Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Pre-College programs offer high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors the opportunity to earn college credit, experience world-class academics, and immerse themselves in the Notre Dame community. Courses take place on campus, abroad, and online.
Please encourage academically talented and emerging community leaders to apply. They offer need-based financial aid and grants to students.
Summer 2023 Program Information
- Session I: June 10 - June 24, 2023 (On Campus)
- Session II: July 1 - 15, 2023 (On Campus)
- Available to current high school sophomores and juniors
- Students explore a variety of exciting areas of study while living on campus!
- July 22 - August 2, 2023 (On Campus)
- Available to current high school juniors
- Tuition and housing is paid for by the University in this highly competitive program. Students live on campus and take a college seminar with ND faculty.
- July 17 - 28, 2023 (Virtual)
- Available to current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
- Students will experience college-level academics in an online course, all taught by ND faculty with other students from across the U.S. and around the world.
- Italy: June 3 - 17, 2023
- South Africa: June 14 - 30, 2023
- (NEW) London: July 8 - 22, 2023
- Ireland: July 22 - August 5, 2023
- Available to current high school juniors
- Students travel abroad to explore a new culture and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Ursinus College
The Abele Scholars Program at Ursinus College is a great fit for higher achieving students in and out of the classroom with demonstrated financial need. Students will need to be a U.S. citizen residing in any of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C., have a high school GPA of 3.0+, and have an EFC of less than $30,000. Throughout their time at Ursinus, Abele Scholars will receive support with special programming such as mentorship and workshops.
They will also receive:
- $40,000 - Annual and renewable $10,000 per year scholarship
- $3,000 - Enrichment funds for conferences, internships, etc.
- $2,000 - Startup costs (like a laptop, books, dorm supplies)
- $8,000 - Maximum payment towards student's federal loans upon completion of the program ...For a total of $53,000 per student!
Click here to learn more.
Leadership Program Opportunities
In Partnership with the Connelly Foundation, Catholic high School students in grades 10-12 can attend a four-day Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program FREE OF CHARGE (a $525 value). All program costs, meals, and room are covered for every selected Catholic high school student participating in Spirit of America. Click here to learn more.
College Admissions Visit BSHS
Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students are welcome to connect with college and university admissions officers during their lunch period throughout the school year. The admissions officers are hosted at their own individual table in the Cafeteria, bringing a wealth of information about their respective school. They are available to share information about their school, answer students' questions, and provide brochures to interested students.
College Counseling Process
With the support of the BSHS College Advisor, our Guidance Counselors will meet with your student regularly throughout their high school career and our college advisor will meet individually with them and their parents frequently during their junior and senior year, after the College Process Assembly.
JUNIOR YEAR
Spring:
- Choose challenging courses for senior year
- Make a list of potential colleges
- Call colleges to request to be put on their mailing list
- Take the SATs / ACT
- Complete the "Student Activities Resume"
- Request academic letters of recommendation
- Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to participate in collegiate athletics
- Consider summer programs at various colleges in subject areas that interest you.
Summer:
- Schedule tours/interviews at prospective colleges
- Register for the SATs / ACT if you plan to take them in the early fall
- Begin scholarship search
SENIOR YEAR
August/September:
- Meet with College Adviser to ensure decisions
- Start preparing applications; review the requirements, qualifications and deadlines for acceptance at the college of student's choice.
- Begin to work on essay for college applications
- Get recommendation letters from teachers
- Visit college representatives that come to Shanahan at the Lunch Visits
- Check registration dates for the fall SAT / ACT
- Attend BSHS College Fair
October:
- Take the SATs / ACT again
- Check to see if college of choice requires SAT II tests
- Continue to complete college applications. Check dates if applying Early Decision.
- Submit transcript requests to the Guidance Department
November:
- Ensure deadlines are being met with college applications, especially for those apply Early Decision
- If college needs 1st quarter grades, requests submitted to the Guidance Department
- Good grades check-in
- Search for scholarship opportunities both on the web and in the Guidance Department resource books
December:
- College applications complete
- Transcripts requested before Christmas break
- Good grades check-in as students prepare for mid-terms
January/February:
- Parents complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Continue to explore scholarship opportunities
March/April:
- Make final visits to prospective colleges
- Financial packages from the colleges received
- Ensure the policy on depositing/confirming enrollment with college of choice
May/June:
- May 1st is the deadline for enrolling in college of choice
- Request final transcript to be sent to college
Resources for Seniors
College Fair
Each fall, Bishop Shanahan High School hosts its Annual College Fair. It is a great value to parents and students, and all are invited and encouraged to attend.
Just as high school juniors and seniors begin another school year, many of them will start preparations to select a college or university which best meets their needs. College visits can be a daunting task. This College Fair has been designed to accommodate financial strictures. This affords parents and students the luxury of ‘visiting’ colleges and universities all across the country in one evening, while making lasting connections with college officials. The colleges appreciate the chance to meet and greet many prospective students at one venue. All in all, it is a win-win event for both students and colleges.
The 2024 event date is TBA!
Financial Aid Workshop
Bishop Shanahan High School will host a FAFSA Workshop from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). PHEAA is a national provider of student financial aid services, serving millions of students and thousands of schools through its loan servicing, financial aid processing, outreach, and other student aid programs.
The representative will review important information on how to complete and file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It's the most important part of the financial profile students/parents must complete to qualify for grants, scholarships, and assistance to pay for college.
We encourage ALL SENIOR AND JUNIOR PARENTS to attend. 2024 date TBA.
College Athletics Recruitment
By junior year, if our students are interested in participating in varsity intercollegiate sports, our coaches and Athletic Department help them to begin determining which college/university athletic programs appeal to them.
Each year, college-bound students interested in participating in intercollegiate athletic programs are also invited to a recruitment event held at BSHS. Division I, II, and III colleges and universities and schools from the Colonial Athletic Association attend this event.
Instant Decision Day
Students who normally submit applications in November or December can wait up to four or five months to hear a reply from the college or university of their choice. At BSHS, we help interested students to shorten their college/university admission process by hosting an Instant Decision Day. On this day, seniors or rising seniors apply, interview and receive an admissions decision (including, in some cases, financial or merit aid) all in a single day - a great alternative to the long wait. If accepted, students then have until National Decision Day, May 1, of their senior year, to accept or refuse the admissions offer.
Transcript Info
Small Group Sessions
CSS Profile
SAT/ACT PREP
Digital SAT Masterclasses w/ Franklin Yard
Franklin Yard is thrilled to be offering a digital SAT Masterclass exclusively for Bishop Shanahan students, where they will learn how to masterfully navigate both the new test content and the adaptive digital format. Students will come out of the course equipped with the essential knowledge and strategies needed to excel on test day.
Virtual Spring SAT Masterclass
- March 27, 2024 to May 1, 2024 | Wednesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm (EST)
- Click here for more information
Standardized Testing Survival Guide (feat. the Digital SAT)
Franklin Yard joined us on November 6th to walk Bishop Shanahan families through the new digital SAT, deciding between SAT and ACT, and how to manage prep - from timelines to student anxieties. Watch the recording of their virtual presentation here: https://youtu.be/LHkIbG9xGyU.