College Counseling

The College Counseling Program is a comprehensive program that educates students in grades 5-12 within the scope of the 5 Goals and Criteria. Each child is seen as a unique reflection of God’s vision and it is through this lens that we view each student’s individualized plan as they begin the dialogue with their family and within the Sacred Heart community about college testing, college options, and scholarship opportunities.

Because choosing a college is an important milestone, the college counseling program is a personalized and supportive one, designed to help each student navigate the complexities involved in the college search and application process. With over three thousand colleges and universities to choose from, students search for colleges to meet their academic, social, and economic needs. The goal is to find a college or university that will enrich the life of the person within.

The 8 Components of College Readiness Counseling

The Eight Components of College and Career Readiness Counseling (by CollegeBoard Advocacy & Policy Center) provide a systemic approach for school counselors to implement, across grades K–12 — elementary through high school and beyond, to ensure equity both in process and results:

College Aspirations
Academic Planning for College and Career Readiness
Enrichment and Extracurricular Engagement
College and Career Exploration and Selection Processes
College and Career Assessments
College Affordability Planning
College and Career Admission Processes
Transition from High School Graduation to College Enrollment

8 Components of College Readiness

SAT & ACT Test Prep

We begin exposing students to The College Board Suite of Assessments early. Students take the PSAT 8/9 in 8th and 9th grade, and the PSAT/NMSQT is offered in the fall of 10th and 11th grade. We offer free practice ACT and SAT tests in collaboration with national test prep agencies and we offer a FREE test prep program to all juniors. Much time is spent collaborating with students, their families, and faculty to determine which test will best serve their unique abilities, interests, and ambitions.

Here are some helpful resources to get you prepared for SAT and ACT Test Prep:

SCOIR Helpful Video:
Student Application Overview

Best group instruction in the New Orleans area:
The Power Courses

Best online test prep:
Revolution Prep

Website for SAT test dates

Website for ACT test dates

Helpful Links

Financial Aid & Scholarships

One of your first resources for financial aid and scholarships are the colleges. Find out what is available (along with the deadlines) from each school. Some scholarships are awarded based on the application for admissions; others are applied for separately. For financial aid, apply forFAFSA as soon as (your parents') taxes are submitted (but as soon after January 1, 2011 as possible). Some schools require a separate financial form, the CSS Profile, which can be completed any time after October 1, 2010. Plenty of sites offer information, advice, calculators, and scholarship searches, as evidenced by the list below.

FinAid
General financial aid advice (with a link to FastWeb's scholarship search)

FastWeb
Search for scholarships and grants

College Board's Pay for College
Provides general information and tools such as calculators, scholarship finder (Fund Finder), and CSS PROFILE.

LOSFA (Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance)
General information and TOPS information.

TOPS
Information on Louisiana's Tuition Opportunity Program for Students

Financial Aid Guide
U.S. Dept. of Education resources on financial aid

College Scholarships and Financial Aid Page
Easy access to information on colleges, scholarships and SAT and ACT test preparation.

Common questions about private student loans

College Counseling FAQs

Allie Pierson, College Counselor BIO

Allie Pierson is the College Counselor at Sacred Heart and she has a wealth of experience to share with our school community. After earning her Masters degree in Counselor Education, Allie started her career as a guidance counselor and college advisor to high school students at Mount Carmel Academy and then The St. Paul’s School in Covington, LA. She later developed a comprehensive K-12 College Counseling program for St. Tammany Parish School Board that she implemented in over 50 schools on the Northshore of New Orleans. After that, her family relocated to Los Angeles and she served as faculty at UCLA where she trained college counselors across the country completing their College Counseling Certification program. Allie also maintained a college counseling consulting firm from 2002-2015, serving students from all over the country. She is a member of NACAC, SACAC, and ACCIC. She travels extensively presenting at local, regional, and national conferences, and makes it a priority to visit numerous colleges each year to learn about the many exciting programs, scholarship opportunities, and unique offerings on colleges and universities around the world. Her focus is a student and family centered approach to college counseling and she brings a comprehensive program for our student starting in middle school and culminating with the graduating seniors.

Allie Pierson, College Counselor
504.269.1223
apierson@ashrosary.org