College & Career Prep
Planning Today to Reach Tomorrow’s Goals
Helping students set and achieve their college and career goals and preparing them to be successful in those next phases of their lives is at the heart of the YC academic experience. On average, over 90 percent of YC graduates move on to study at a higher education institution and many are offered scholarships to continue their education. Their achievements are rooted in a personal approach to college and career counseling that focuses on helping each student map out their goals and set and follow their unique path to achieve them.
Our counselors, faculty and staff work together on behalf of each student, guiding them through their learning journey to help uncover their passions and strengths and discover how they can align with their future opportunities. We recognize the critical role that families play in each student’s journey and maintain open lines of communication that fosters collaboration toward helping each student achieve their goals.
A Personalized Approach to Preparation
See how we guide students through the decision making and goal setting process throughout their high school career.
Check It OutGuaranteed Admissions for YC Students
Learn how students who meet the established academic performance criteria can receive guaranteed college admissions to many prestigious colleges and universities.
Get InfoSecuring Scholarship Awards
On average, our senior class is offered over $10 million in college scholarships. See how we help students prepare for the scholarship application process.
Get InfoProactive, Integrated Preparation
At YC, each student can take advantage of a full range of college and career prep opportunities throughout their high school career. We help students plan their academic path to align with their goals. Throughout their time at YC, students can participate in a variety of academic programs focused on preparing them for their future in higher education including:
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
AP and honors courses across all core subject areas allow students to receive advanced instruction and earn college credit. YC participants consistently score above average on AP exams.
College in the Classroom
York Catholic’s partnership with Alvernia University allows students to enjoy dual enrollment and take college-level courses in a variety of subject areas right on the YC campus.
Dual Enrollment
Students participating in YC’s dual enrollment program take collegiate-level courses at Penn State York, York College, and Harrisburg Area Community College at a discounted rate. This is a great opportunity for students to begin taking core general education requirements at the college level and also provide opportunities to begin taking major coursework in some instances.
SCOIR College Planning
SCOIR is an online college planning program available to YC students in grades 10 through 12 and their families.
From facilitating college searches to providing recommended college programs based on student interests and insights on tuition costs and college financial aid options, SCOIR is a powerful resource for students advancing to higher education after graduation. Click here to login to SCOIR.
Career Exploration
York Catholic Middle & High School works in conjunction with community leaders, businesses, alumni, parents, and friends to enhance career exploration opportunities for our students. The Speakers’ Bureau and Internship Program are targeted at connecting our York Catholic network with our current students and their families. York Catholic is looking to recruit community leaders, businesses, alumni, parents, and friends to participate in these programs in order to bring together our YC students and community through authentic engagement.
Speakers’ Bureau: Share Your Insight
Guest speakers discuss career experiences as our students evaluate personal interests and contemplate future endeavors.
Email Us About Being a Guest Speaker
https://yorkcatholic.org/contact-us/
Internships: On-the-Job Experience
Provide onsite opportunities for students as they explore career options. Allow students to experience firsthand the climate, pace, and expectations of a workplace under the guidance of a mentor or professional who can answer questions regarding the day-to-day aspects of the job.
Email Us About Hosting a Student Intern
https://yorkcatholic.org/contact-us/
Family Presentations
College Financial Aid & FAFSA Information Night
A College Financial Aid Information Night is held in the fall at YC. A representative from the Pennsylvania’s Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) speaks about all aspects of financial aid including state and federal grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships. The evening also includes information about completing the FAFSA application for college financial aid. Parents and students who have not yet had the experience of completing the state and federal financial aid forms will find the information extremely valuable. While this presentation is geared toward parents, students are welcome to accompany their parents to get an understanding and appreciation of the financial obligation of a college education.
Post-Secondary Planning Night
For My Future: YC Moves Me Forward
College, Trade & Technical Schools, and Military
Junior students and their families are invited to attend “For My Future: YC Moves Me Forward” hosted by our Guidance Department in the spring. The session highlights the Senior Year Timeline and what families can do during the summer to assist their rising seniors as they make their post-secondary plans. The Guidance Department discusses college, technical and trade schools, military opportunities, and NCAA Eligibility Information. Important college resources are highlighted and families are provided with a parent workbook.
At YC, in addition to helping map out an education plan that prepares students for higher education and navigating their way to uncover potential career paths, we also focus on empowering students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive as college and university students. To learn more about how YC guides students through a proactive and personalized approach to college and career preparation, reach out.
YC students consistently score above the state and national averages when taking the SAT test, with higher scores in both the math and reading segments.
Guaranteed Admissions Program
YC’s guaranteed admissions program includes relationships with many prestigious colleges and universities who guarantee admission to YC students who meet the established academic performance criteria. These colleges and universities provide outstanding programs across a variety of subject areas and deliver memorable student experiences.
- Alvernia University, Reading PA (View Agreement)
- Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA (View Agreement)
- The Catholic University of America, Washington DC (View Agreement)
- Gannon University, Erie, PA (View Agreement)
- Immaculata University, near Philadelphia, PA (View Agreement)
- King’s College, Wilkes Barre, PA (View Agreement)
- La Roche University, Pittsburgh, PA (View Agreement)
- Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA (View Agreement)
- Mercyhurst University, Erie PA (View Agreement)
- Messiah University, Mechanicsburg PA (View Agreement)
- Misericordia University, Dallas PA (View Agreement)
- Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD (View Agreement)
- Neumann University, near Philadelphia, PA (View Agreement)
- Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA (View Agreement)
- Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA (View Agreement)
- Stevenson University, Owings Mills, MD (View Agreement)
- University of Scranton, Scranton, PA (View Agreement)
- York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA (View Agreement)
The Guaranteed Admissions Program can alleviate the pressures of the unknowns and the unpredictability that can arise during the college search process, providing peace of mind that hard work and strong academic performance are sure to be rewarded. Qualifying guidelines vary by institution and are available upon request. If you are interested in learning more about the Guaranteed Admission Program, reach out. We are here to answer any questions you have.
College & University Admissions Presentations
The York Catholic Guidance Office is hosting numerous admissions representatives from colleges and universities to speak to our students about their schools. These presentations are for informational purposes and questions and answers, not Admissions interviews. Students in grades 11 and 12 should sign up in the guidance office to attend the presentations.
- University of Scranton: Sep 16 at 10 AM
- Marymount University: Sep 16 at 12:45 PM
- Millersville University: Sep 19 at 10:45 AM
- Loyola University Maryland: Sep 19 at 12:45 PM
- John Carroll University: Sep 20 at 8:30 AM
- Towson University: Sep 27 at 10 AM
- Gettysburg College: Sep 27 at 12:45 PM
- Penn State University: Oct 1 at 9:15 AM
- Seton Hall University: Oct 2 at 12:45 PM
- Messiah University: Oct 7 at 8:30 AM
- Saint Vincent College: Oct 15 at 8:30 AM
- Stevenson University: Oct 15 at 10:45 AM
- Duquesne University: Oct 15 at 12:45 PM
- The Catholic University of America: Oct 16 at 10 AM
- Shippensburg University: Oct 17 at 8:30 AM
- Muhlenberg College: Oct 17 at 10 AM
- Kutztown University: Oct 22 at 8:30 AM
Helping Students Secure College Scholarships
On average, our graduating seniors are offered over $10 million in scholarship funds to colleges and universities across the United States. At YC, we take great pride in helping students achieve the academic success they need to qualify for scholarships and guiding them to find and secure the opportunities that offer the best fit. The guidance office is available to provide information on available scholarships and related application processes and guidelines.
Colleges Seek YC Students
Our students are offered admissions to top colleges and universities across the country.
American University
Bridgewater College
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
Carlow University
Carnegie Mellon University
Catholic University of America
Chatham University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
College of the Holy Cross
Dickinson College
Duquesne University
East Carolina University
Elizabethtown College
Elon University
Flagler College
Florida State University
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franklin & Marshall College
Gannon University
George Mason University
Georgetown University
Gettysburg College
Harrisburg Area Community College
Immaculata University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University
Kent State University
King’s College
Kutztown University
LaSalle University
Lebanon Valley College
Lees-McRae College
Lehigh University
Liberty University
Lock Haven University
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University New Orleans
Marymount University
Millersville University
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Morgan State University
Mount St. Mary’s University
New York University
Northeastern University
Oberlin College & Conservatory
Paris College of Art
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Pennsylvania State University – Altoona
Pennsylvania State University – University Park
Pennsylvania State University – York
Purdue University
Rutgers University
Saint Francis University
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Vincent College
Salisbury University
San Diego State University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Seton Hall University
Seton Hill University
Shenandoah University
Shepherd University
Shippensburg University
Slippery Rock University
Susquehanna University
Temple University
Towson University
United States Military Academy
United States Naval Academy
University of Alabama
University of Arkansas
University of California-Irvine
University of California-San Diego
University of Delaware
University of Kentucky
University of Maine
University of Maryland – College Park
University of Maryland – Baltimore County
University of Mississippi
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina – Wilmington
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of South Florida
University of Tennessee
University of Utah
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Washington University in St. Louis
West Chester University
West Virginia University
Western Colorado University
Widener University
Wilkes University
Yale University
York College of Pennsylvania
College & Career Prep Resources
The following resources may be helpful to students and families as they plan for college and career preparation.
SAT & ACT Prep
- SAT Test Information
- ACT Test Information
- PSAT/NMSQT Extra
- Kaplan Test Prep (SAT Practice Tests/ACT Practice Tests)
Financial Aid Resources
- FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)
- FSAID (Create a New FSA ID)
- Going Merry
- NAFSFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
- Finaid
- Fastweb
- Bankrate: How to Attend College for Free
Helpful College Links
- College Admissions Overview
- Education Planner
- Common App
- College View
- Go College
- SCOIR College Planning
- College Board
- College Raptor
- Big Future
- US Department of Education: College Scorecard
- Niche
- College Simply