Guidance
College Counseling
The College Counselor at Ursuline High School works closely with each and every student and his/her parents throughout the college admission process. The Guidance Services Department assists with college research, applications, essays, major and career exploration. Our counselors also give advisement in the area of the college financial aid process and help students apply for a variety of scholarship awards. Just as every student is an individual, we help each student decide where he/she will be academically challenged, comfortable, and successful.
Program Includes…
- individual consultation with students for academic/personal support
- assistance for students when exploring career options
- scheduling college representatives to visit the Ursuline campus
- extensive assistance for students during the college admissions process with an emphasis on helping students select the college best suited for him/her
- presentations for parents regarding the college admissions process and financial aid
- coordination of college scholarship and financial aid opportunities
- assistance for students in determining yearly high school schedules to meet college prerequisites
- administration of standardized test program
- coordination of ACT/SAT prep classes and test registration
- recognition of students for local and national awards
College Representative Visits
All college representative visits at Ursuline will take place during the school day. Parents/guardians are always welcome to join! This information is also posted in the junior/senior Google Classrooms and will be continually updated as more schools are added.
- Miami University – Tuesday, September 6 (Period 2)
- Westminster College – Tuesday, September 6 (Period 6)
- Youngstown State University – Thursday, September 15 (Period 1)
- Thiel College – Thursday, September 15 (Period 3)
- Seton Hill University – Friday, September 16 (Period 2)
- John Carroll University – Tuesday, September 20 (Period 1)
- Saint Francis University (Loretto, PA) – Wednesday, September 21 (Period 3)
- The Ohio State University – Wednesday, September 28 (Period 4)
- University of Mount Union – Thursday, September 29 (Period 1)
- Slippery Rock University – Friday, September 30 (Period 3)
- YSU Honors College/Bacc-Med Program – Friday, September 30 (Period 4)
- Ashland University – Monday, October 3 (Period 6)
- Walsh University – Tuesday, October 4 (Period 4)
- Alfred University – Tuesday, October 4 (Period 6)
- Geneva College – Thursday, October 6 (Period 4)
- University of Cincinnati – Tuesday, October 18 (Period 6)
- University of Akron – Wednesday, October 19 (Period 4)
- Notre Dame College – Wednesday, October 19 – (Period 7)
- Kent State University – Friday, October 20 (Period 2)
- Cleveland State University – Thursday, October 20 (Period 7)
- Baldwin Wallace University – Monday, October 24 (Period 2)
John Baylor Prep – www.OnToCollege.com
All juniors and seniors are equipped with log-in information to use on John Baylor Prep’s new website – OnToCollege. While John Baylor Prep is being incorporated into the classroom to help students improve their ACT scores, it can also be used at home. John Baylor Prep provides print-outs, videos, and online practice exams to help students reach their full potential on their next ACT. See Mrs. Anne Kakavros for log-in information.
PSAT
The PSAT will be offered to sophomores and juniors on two separate dates this year. Sophomores who wish to sit for the exam will do so on Wednesday, October 12 during periods 1-4. Juniors may take the exam on Tuesday, October 25. To sign up, please give an envelope with your name on it with $18 enclosed to Mrs. Anne Kakavros by Wednesday, September 14.
Financial Aid Information Night
Ursuline will host Ms. Gina McHenry from Youngstown State University’s Financial Aid Office to discuss everything from FAFSA to scholarships and tuition. Because FAFSA is a national program, this informational session can be very beneficial to all senior parents even if their child is not planning to attend YSU. The session will be held in the Library Learning Center at 5:30 on Wednesday, November 2.
College Credit Plus Information Night
Ursuline is partnered with Youngstown State University to provide students the opportunity to take college-level courses while earning high school and college credit. Classes are available on YSU’s campus, online, or as dual credit at Ursuline. A representative from YSU’s College Credit Plus (CCP) program will be at Ursuline on Thursday, December 8 to discuss the program with interested students and parents for the upcoming school year. The session will begin at 5:30 in the Library Learning Center. Please let Mrs. Anne Kakavros know if you plan to attend.
ACT Test Dates 2022-2023
Practice booklets and other test taking resources are available in the Guidance Office. If you believe you are eligible for a fee waiver (free/reduced lunch student) please see Mrs. Anne Kakavros for a form.
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline |
| Saturday, September 10 | August 5 | August 19 |
| Saturday, October 22 | September 16 | September 30 |
| Saturday, December 10 | November 4 | November 11 |
| Saturday, February 11 | January 6 | January 20 |
| Saturday, April 15 | March 10 | March 24 |
| Saturday, June 10 | May 5 | May 19 |
| Saturday, July 15 | June 16 | June 23 |
College Counseling Web Resources for Students & Parents
Most Popular Links
- The Princeton Review – all sorts of college information
- College Board – The SAT test plus all sorts of testing and college preparation information
- ACT – the ACT test and other resources
- Federal Student Aid Site – federal student aid site for students, parents and counselors
- FinAid – Student aid resource site
- Scholarship Scams – avoid scholarship scams – don’t pay!
Personality and Career Assessment
- Bureau of Labor and Statistics Career Guide – link your favorite subject in school to a possible career
- The Princeton Review Career Test
- The Vocational Information Center
Search for Colleges
- National Center for Education – links and searches to colleges and universities
- Online Education and College Degrees – online education and degree program information
- Peterson’s – find colleges by degree programs of interest
- Match College – admissions, financial aid, and college information
Two Year College Resources
- Community College Review – profiles of community and junior colleges
- American Assoc. of Community Colleges
Military Careers
- http://www.todaysmilitary.com/ – military (general)
- http://www.army.mil/ – Army
- http://www.navy.mil/ – Navy
- http://www.uscg.mil/ – Coast Guard
- http://www.marines.com/ – Marines
- http://www.af.mil/ – Air Force
Virtual Tours
- http://www.ecampustours.com/ – virtual campus tours
- http://www.campustours.com/
What are my Chances at This School?
Testing Calendars
Health and Safety for Students
- Centers for Disease Control – learn what you can do to enjoy college the safe and healthy way!
- Gyms and Fitness Clubs – gym and health club directory, stay fit and healthy
About the Different Tests
- ACT test – used for college admissions, an alternative to the SAT
- Advanced Placement (AP) tests – information about AP testing
- PSAT – Preliminary SAT
Test Prep Resources
- http://www.act.org/ – online registration and prep for ACT
- http://www.veritasprep.com/free-sat-resources/ – Free SAT prep resource
Scholarship Search
- http://www.scholarship.com/ – finding scholarships
- http://www.fastweb.com/ – financial aid and scholarship search
- http://www.collegeboard.com/ – college, career, scholarship search
- http://www.tuitions.com/ – scholarship search
- http://www.wiredscholar.com/ – SallieMae site for financial aid
Financial Aid Calculators
- http://www.finaid.org/calculators/ – financial aid calculator
- http://www.act.org/fane/index.html – calculator on the ACT website
Financial Aid Links
- http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ -Federal Student Aid Site or call 1-800-433-3243 (TTY 800-730-8913 for hearing impaired)
- http://www.finaid.org/ – Student aid resource site
- http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/– online FAFSA application
For Minority, Low-Income, First Generation Students
- http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/minority.phtml – minority aid site
- http://www.chciyouth.org/ – English and Spanish information on planning – free publications
- http://www.hispanicfund.org/ – Hispanic resource for college aid
- http://www.uncf.org/ – United Negro College Fund
- collegefund.org – American Indian fund
- http://www.aihec.org/ – American Indian Higher Education Consortium
- http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/index.html -Department of Education/Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs
- http://www.black-collegian.com/ – the Black Collegian
- http://www.blackexcel.org/ – Black Excel: The College Help Network
- http://www.hillel.org/ – Jewish resource for colleges
- http://www.gmsp.org/ – Gates Millennium Scholars Fund
- http://www.hsf.net/ – Hispanic scholarships
- http://www.hacu.net/ – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- http://www.jbhe.com/ – Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
- http://qemnetwork.qem.org – Quality Education for Minorities
- http://www.nativeculturelinks.com/education.html – Tribal Colleges, Native Studies Programs, and Indian Education
Students With Disabilities
- http://www.add.org/ – Attention Deficit Disorder Association
- http://www.chadd.org/ – Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders
- http://www.ldresources.com/ – Learning Disability Resources
- http://www.ncld.org/ – National Center for Learning Disabilities
- http://www.fcsn.org/ -Federation for Children with Special Needs
- http://www.ldonline.org/ – Learning Disabilities Online
Support Services
Ursuline High School’s Guidance Department offers a wide variety of support services to help students succeed.
- Individual consultation with students for academic/personal support
- Coordination of after school teacher assistance / tutoring
- Full time intervention specialist to assist students with academic/organizational deficiencies
- Oversee and assist in the implementation of Individualized Educational Plans (IEP)
- Oversee and assist in the implementation of Educational Adjustment Plans (EAP / 504)
- Title 1 Tutoring Services in English and Math
- Coordination of peer tutoring
- Assistance for students when exploring career options and graduation pathways
- Assistance for students in determining yearly high school schedules
- Administration of standardized test program, including the facilitation of testing accommodations (when applicable)
- Recognition of students for local and national awards
Academic Issues
If a student is facing an academic issue, please contact the classroom teacher or the Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Louise Kotel or Mrs. Anne Kakavros. Faculty members may be reached via email or by calling the Ursuline Office at 330-744-4563.
Mental Health Services
Ursuline High School has partnered with Alta Behavioral Healthcare to provide a mental health counselor to assist students with school or personal problems. Miss Shania Warren, a licensed counselor, meets with students at UHS. She is available to see students on a regular basis or as needed. If you are interested in counseling for your son/daughter, please reach out to an Ursuline Administrator or Guidance Counselor at 330-744-4563.
About The Guidance Department
The Ursuline High School Guidance Department provides a variety of pupil personnel services. The responsibility of the counselors is to provide guidance and counseling services to assist students in their personal, academic, career and college choices. All members of the department are professionally trained educators.
All counselors meet with every assigned student to assess the student’s personal development and offer their assistance. They monitor progress reports and failures. They see students at the request of teachers, parents, or students themselves. Professional guidelines of confidentiality are maintained in student-counselor contacts.
Beginning in the freshmen year, guidance counselors begin to work with all students concerning academic scheduling, progress, and future planning. The freshman/sophomore guidance counselor is Mrs. Louise Kotel. At the conclusion of the sophomore year, students are transitioned to the junior/senior counselor, Mrs. Anne Kakavros.
Beginning in the junior year and continuing throughout the senior year, counselors work closely with students on issues of college investigation, selection, and application. College news and scholarship bulletins are regularly published throughout the year. Mrs. Anne Kakavros also provides career guidance by assisting students through the use of evaluation instruments and instruction in the availability and use of textual and computerized career resources.
Guidance Department Contact Information
Freshman / Sophomore Counselor – Mrs. Louise Kotel (330-744-4563 / lkotel@youngstowndiocese.org)
Junior / Senior Counselor – Mrs. Anne Kakavros (330-744-4563 / uhsguidance@youngstowndiocese.org)