For a family, the route to college can be confusing and full of unexpected obstacles. The St. John’s College Counseling Office provides a comprehensive college counseling curriculum that educates students and families about all aspects of the college search and application process. Ours is a student-driven process, and communication among the student, parent, and counselor is encouraged. We foster an environment that emphasizes the unique talents, interests, and skills of each of our students as they determine the path they will take after graduation.
Beginning freshman year, college counselors will help students understand transcripts, course registration. and their grade point average. The focus during this year is the academic side of college preparation.
The focus during the sophomore year expands to the holistic factors including letters of recommendation and involvement in activities based on their areas of interest.
Programming for students and parents begins in Junior year with College Financial Aid Night, Junior College Night, and Case Study Night held across late Fall and Winter. Students meet one-on-one with their college counselor throughout the Spring semester: first to get to know each other, select appropriate courses for senior year, and discuss prospective teachers to ask for a letter of recommendation. Follow-up meetings focus on refining the student’s college search and how to determine “good fit” institutions. College counselors will assist students in identifying their academic, social, and financial interests, priorities, and fit to conduct a thorough college search.
At the start of senior year, college counselors host Senior Kick Off before the first day of school to prepare students to complete their applications and request documents. College counselors update students and parents on the details and expectations of the fall application season at Senior College Night in early September. Throughout the fall students will meet with their college counselors as they navigate college and scholarship applications. College counselors continue to support students and assist with questions about financial aid and how to make the best decision once acceptances are received.
Throughout the school year, St. John’s hosts numerous admissions counselors from national colleges and universities to provide our students the opportunity to meet with a representative from a school they may be interested in attending. St. John’s spring college fair for sophomores and juniors draws representatives from across the country.
At St. John’s, students and parents have several resources available to help simplify the complex college application process. Beginning junior year, students and parents are given access to SCOIR, a web-based resource that contains information about colleges and scholarships.
100% College Placement
Whether our students need assistance writing an essay, preparing for an interview, or deciding what college or university to ultimately attend, we are here to help.
The counselors also host evening events for parents covering a wide range of topics in the ever-changing world of college admissions, including applications, recommendations, financial aid, and scholarships. CEEB Code: 090185
ATTENTION, COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES
To schedule a visit with our seniors, please contact Sr. Anne Mary Smith at asmithstjohnschs.org. Visits may be scheduled most days between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.
FIDELITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM (FSP): Helping students reach their potential! The Fidelity Scholars Program isn't just a scholarship; it's a comprehensive support system designed to empower students to achieve their full potential. More than just financial assistance, this program provides a wealth of resources and the support to help them complete their degree. Apply by January 30, 2025. Visit website for full details, deadline and resources. FLYER.
- TEEN LIFE MAGAZINE: Teen Life Magazine offers a broad perspective of information for the high school level students. Exposure to an array of opportunities and interests. This month's edition focuses on the performing and visual arts and a view of upcoming TeenLife Events. Register here if interested in their LIVE Performing & Visual Arts Virtual Fair on October 24 2024. Here is a look at future events: Live Gap Year Virtual Fair (November 14, 2024) and Summer Opportunities Virtual Fair (December 12, 2024). Sign up for future information on a Future in STEM October 17, 2024. Other TeenLife guides available here or the TeenLife newsletter.
NACAC NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIRS: The NACAC Organization is hosting a National College Fair in Baltimore on Wednesday, October 16. The fair will be held in the Baltimore Convention Center located at 1 West Pratt Street, . This is a great opportunity for you and your parents to connect face-to-face with representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities. All are welcome! Date and Time on October 16, 2024: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (ET) and 9:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (ET). View the list of exhibiting colleges and universities. Questions may be directed to [email protected].
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CIVIC INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS: TurnUp is a non-partisan non-profit organization dedicated to increasing youth civic education, empowerment, and engagement. The program's format is tailored to accommodate the ever fluctuating commitments and responsibilities of student's lifestyle. The program is fully remote, has start dates each month and has flexible time frame and schedule. All students have access to grow into more capable and responsible citizens and to develop their professional skills for a successful future. Check their website, flyer. and program description. Information session with Director available by appointment.
HORIZON ACADEMIC RESEARCH: Horizon Academic Research Program is a selective online research program for gifted high school students interested in doing undergraduate-level research. Students produce a research paper working with professors/PhD scholars from places like Harvard, MIT, Yale, Dartmouth, in fields like computer science, biology, economics, and physics. Historically, Horizon has accepted less than 30% of students who apply. Need-based financial aid is available. Application deadline for the Fall cohort is September 25. Here is the brochure and the application link.
STEAMFITTERS' APPRENTICESHIP: Students who are interested in serving an apprenticeship in the Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Process Piping and Environmental Systems Trades are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted online ONLY starting November 1, 2024 at 8:00am and closing on November 30, 2024 at 4:00pm. Details can be found here the Washington, D.C. Joint Steamfitting website. Please visit to apply. 602training.org/apply-now. Questions may be directed to the Washington, D.C. Joint Steamfitting Apprenticeship Committee at 201-341-1555.
WHAT DO GAP YEARS, INTERNSHIPS, LIFE SKILLS, MENTORS & INDEPENDENT LIVING All have in Common? Join Dynamy Internship Year for a REMOTE OPEN HOUSE on OCTOBER 16 AT 7PM to find out! This event is intended for high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates and their families. All are welcome to attend. What can you expect? Program overview, virtual apartment tour, next steps and live Q&A session with Dynamy Staff. We are currently accepting application for: Spring 2025, Fall 2025 Semester and Full Internship Year 2025-2026.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK OPEN HOUSE: The Washington, D.C. Joint Plumbing Apprenticeship is now accepting applications for the 2025/2026. Their Open house is Friday, November 22, 2024 at 5000 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706 from 10 am to 5 pm. Tours, exhibits and demonstrations; along with food and drinks will be available. Learn all about it here. It is a multi-trade event with earn-while-you-learn construction apprenticeships from around our region. Great pay & benefits: medical/wellness, pension, and retirement savings.
SUMMER DISCOVERY & SUMMER DISCOVERY INSTITUTE FOR THE GIFTED: As the industry leader, Summer Discovery has been inspiring young minds for 58 years, partnering with the world's most prestigous universities to deliver exceptional pre-college academic summer experiences that change students' lives. Programs perfectly balance academic rigor and personal growth, with on-and-off campus exploration. Check it out here.
EMERGING JOURNALISTS PROGRAM AT ELON UNIVERSITY: Elon University is proud to announce for the fourth year this free workshop. It is an ideal opportunity for high school students to explore what it means to be a journalist, to report and produce news that informs communities. Applications are now open and the first of four monthly virtual interactive learning sessions is scheduled for January. Students may apply for the virtual sessions only or for both the virtual. component and the on-campus summer experience scheduled for June 16-27, 2025 at Elon. This on-campus residential learning workshop is open to interested students and is completely free. EJP pays for students travel, lodging, meals and instructional materials.Last summer's cohort produced a website, newspaper and 45 minutes newscast. Check out the snapshot of what students id while on campus last year.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM. University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, announces their 38th year of Cultural Exchange Program for American and Japanese high school students.The program will take place July 24 through August 2, 2025. Current high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. Full scholarship available. Application available from October 1, 2024 through January 15, 2025.