Counseling Newsletter

The Counseling Office is preparing 900 AP Exams for 400 students to take in May.
The next SAT prep class will be in the fall.
Upon request, school counselors are preparing personalized letters of recommendation for students applying to various programs, post secondary institutions and scholarships.
The ASVAB Exam was administered on 4/15/26.

9th Grade

1:1 four year planning meeting with school counselor. Parents/guardians also participate in these meetings
Course selection advisement

10th Grade

School counselor classroom career program presentation
1:1 four year career program follow up/reflection
Course selection advisement
Review candidates for Junior Mentors

11th Grade

1:1 advisement on solidifying post secondary plans as needed. Parents/guardians also participate in these meetings
Course selection advisement
Interview candidates for Senior Mentors

12th Grade

Support students in finalizing post secondary plans
Work with students on scholarship applications
Counselors will meet with students to assist them in completing the senior questionnaire

Save the date for the 2nd annual App Lab!

On August 11th school counselors and various guests will be on hand at the high school to assist seniors (2027 year of graduation) with their college applications. Students will receive guided instruction on how to complete key sections of the Common Application, begin their STARS and, in many cases, complete it during this session, and receive individualized support, leaving with stronger drafts and a clearer plan for finalizing their essays and resumes.

The Common App announced that the essay prompts will remain the same for 2026-2027.

Click here to see the Common App Essay Prompts.

Your Students’ Free AP Score

As a reminder, when students sign in to My AP, they will see a pop up window prompting them to choose a college, university, or scholarship organization to receive their AP scores for free. Students will have to make a selection in order to access AP Classroom and their course resources and assignments.

Students get one free score sent each year they take an AP Exam, and their score report will include their AP scores from this year and any previous years. Students have until June 20, 2026 to change their free score and send selection.

Their official score report will be sent in July, and it will include scores for the AP Exams that they take this year as well as any past AP Exam Scores.

Have questions? Contact College Board by clicking here.

NCAA senior athletes who are enrolling in college in the fall need to complete the NCAA Final Amateurism Certification

Before the Eligibility Center can certify student-athletes as eligible to practice, compete and receive athletics aid, they must request their final amateurism certification. Without this step, their future as an NCAA student-athlete is on HOLD!

Click here to learn how to request a final amateurism certificate.

It's scholarship season! Many local, regional and national scholarships are available. For the list of scholarships that are available; go to Scholarships on the Counseling Web page.

If the application requires a transcript, please complete a Transcript Request Form and return it to the High School Counseling Office. If you need a letter of recommendation as well, be prepared; ask your high school counselor or teacher at least ten (10) days in advance. It is not guaranteed that the letter will be completed on time if you do not give at least ten (10) days notice.Click here to contact your school counselor.

Job Postings

Looking for a job? Check out the job opportunities on the bulletin boards by the USCHS Counseling Office.

How To Turn Neurodivergent Strengths Into Career Success

Chances are you want to get ahead in your career. And if you’re neurodivergent, you have significant and unique skills and talents that can differentiate you and turn into meaningful career success. Fully 10% to 20% of the global population and about 17% of the workforce is neurodiverse, according to data from Deloitte. But this percentage is likely even higher because not everyone who is neurodiverse feels comfortable disclosing to their employer.
Your skills and career are important considerations because the job market is so competitive. It’s also critical that you feel fulfilled at work so you will feel greater job satisfaction, mental health and well-being.

National College Decision Day is approaching. How to maximize aid

In the weeks leading up to National College Decision Day on May 1, students will weigh the pros and cons of each school. But the deciding factor often comes down to cost.

For a majority of college hopefuls and their families, the financial aid offer is key in choosing where to attend and how to cover the tab. The total amount of aid matters, as does the breakdown between grants, scholarships and student loans.

The Apprenticeship (R)Evolution

Once synonymous with hard hats and tool belts, apprenticeships are branching into health care, artificial intelligence, business services, advanced manufacturing and more.

Colleges Are Requiring SAT and ACT Scores Again — Here’s the Full List for 2027

The test-optional era in college admissions is rapidly drawing to a close. What began as an emergency response to Covid-19 disruptions has turned into one of the most significant policy reversals in recent higher education history.

From the Ivy League to SEC flagships, schools are bringing back SAT and ACT requirements, and some are now accepting the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as well.

What Is Bloomscrolling? A Healthier Alternative to Doomscrolling

In recent years, conversations about social media and mental health have focused heavily on its negative effects. Research shows that social media is linked to depression and body image issues in teens and young adults, along with other potential issues.

But the mental health impact of social media seems to depend, at least in part, on what you look at. A growing trend called “bloomscrolling” encourages people to curate and engage with online content that supports emotional well-being, connection, and inspiration.

Counseling Department

Post secondary planning

Naviance

Niche

Career Planning

Bullying Prevention

How to talk with educators at your child's school about bullying
Get advice on how to communicate with teachers and other leaders at your child's school if you're dealing with bullying.
Tips for parents: What to do if your child is being bullied
Get tips for supporting your child through this very painful experience.
Tips for parents: What to do if your child bullies others
If your child bullies others at school, it needs to stop. Find out what you can do at home.
What can parents do to prevent and address cyber-bullying?
Protect your child from indirect forms of bullying that use text messaging, Web sites, and cell phones.

Click to access the USCHS Counseling Website for helpful information and valuable resources.

The shared content and information is from a third party and is provided for general informational purposes only. The Upper St. Clair School District and High School Counseling Department do not specifically endorse the material and make no representations, express or implied.

USCHS Counseling

The comprehensive school counseling program at Upper St. Clair High School advocates for all students to reach their highest potential through a collaborative and empathetic learning environment. The program emphasizes academic, career, and social-emotional development while nurturing the uniqueness of each child and promoting happiness and success. All students receive equitable access to developmentally appropriate, data-driven, and customized counseling services, leading them to become successful and productive members of our global society.

Email: hscounselingoffice@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/domain/200
Location: 1825 McLaughlin Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-833-1600

-- DID YOU KNOW? -- -- DID YOU KNOW? --

-- WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW -- -- WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW --

-- HIGHLIGHTS -- -- HIGHLIGHTS --

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade

12th Grade

-- GENERAL INFORMATION -- -- GENERAL INFORMATION --

Save the date for the 2nd annual App Lab!

The Common App announced that the essay prompts will remain the same for 2026-2027.

Your Students’ Free AP Score

NCAA senior athletes who are enrolling in college in the fall need to complete the NCAA Final Amateurism Certification

-- SCHOLARSHIPS -- -- SCHOLARSHIPS --

Job Postings

-- CAREERS -- -- CAREERS --

How To Turn Neurodivergent Strengths Into Career Success

-- FINANCIAL AID -- -- FINANCIAL AID --

National College Decision Day is approaching. How to maximize aid

-- POST SECONDARY PLANNING -- -- POST SECONDARY PLANNING --

The Apprenticeship (R)Evolution

Colleges Are Requiring SAT and ACT Scores Again — Here’s the Full List for 2027

-- HEALTH -- -- HEALTH --

What Is Bloomscrolling? A Healthier Alternative to Doomscrolling

-- PARENTING -- -- PARENTING --

-- RESOURCES -- -- RESOURCES --

Counseling Department

Bullying Prevention

Grief Awareness

Mental Health

Suicide Prevention

Teen Drinking

USCHS Counseling