The college application process is nerve-wracking for any high school senior, so it’s important that students get the support and services necessary to navigate the stressful period. St. Joseph’s Academy, a Catholic girls’ high school in Frontenac, provides just that. This year, it welcomed Trisha Hasbrouck and Christine Holladay as the new director and assistant director of college advising, respectively. While the new team will maintain the school’s mission
and traditions, it also will customize the college application process to better benefit each student.
“There are so many more options now when it comes to college, and our role as advisers has changed,” Hasbrouck says. “We need to provide important information and help students narrow down the right options, both academically and financially.” Hasbrouck and Holladay began the school year by meeting with each senior individually. Hasbrouck says the goal was to figure out who each student is as a person to help find a school that is a holistic fit. “We want to learn about their interests and goals before we start the process of choosing a school,” Hasbrouck says. “All of our students inherently want to empower themselves and impact the world, and we want to help them do that.”
To further help with the process, St. Joseph’s recently opened a new College Advising and Resource Center. Made possible through the generosity of donors, the state-of-the-art space allows students to discover schools, meet with college representatives, and learn about scholarships and financial aid. “The whole space is dedicated to its purpose and encompasses everything students need,” Hasbrouck says, adding that the multiple workspaces and conference rooms make it perfect for hosting visitors from colleges. “We’re inviting more representatives to come at different times throughout the day, including before school, during lunch and in the afternoon. It gives the students options and allows parents the opportunity to attend as well.” Throughout their time at St. Joseph’s, students and parents also are invited to attend meetings about financial aid and scholarships, as well as larger workshops in the fall and spring.
The center is outfitted to best serve students. The conference rooms include SMART boards and built-in computers for presentations, and chargings stations allow students to use their own laptops. There is space to work on applications and study, and Hasbrouck and Holladay’s offices are open for individual meetings. The space currently is decorated with pieces from the winners of a student photography contest. “It exemplifies St. Joseph’s dedication to academic excellence, spirit, diversity and caring for our neighbors,” Hasbrouck says.“It shows where our students are going and the impact they’re making.”
The college advising department is dedicated to serving all of St. Joseph’s students, not just seniors. Freshmen are assigned a college adviser who will work with them all four years. Younger students are invited to use the new center as well. They can attend talks from visiting colleges and participate in workshops, like a spring symposium when college administrators share what they look for in application essays and résumés. “It’s great to know the girls for their entire high school careers,” Hasbrouck says. “Starting to work with them as freshmen helps reduce the anxiety many seniors feel. Our goal is to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.”
Founded in 1840 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Joseph’s Academy is an all-girls’ Catholic high school in Frontenac. Pictured on the cover: Students enjoy the new, state-of-the-art college advising and resource center where they can discover new schools, meet with college reps, learn about scholarship and financial aid opportunities, and more. For more information, call 314.394.4300 or visit sj1840.org.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured above: Students can learn about colleges and work on applications in the new College Advising and Resource Center.
