For Gateway counselors, graduating from high school is not the end. In fact, it’s just the beginning.
The expectation is that all students research the path they’d like to take after graduation. whether it be joining the workforce or military, pursuing a skilled trade, or enrolling in a traditional college, junior college or certificate program.
Gateway wants to ensure that students are aware of the resources available to them, which is why the high school holds a college fair each fall and a skilled trades fair in the spring.
The annual college fair was held Oct. 9, with representatives of 64 colleges and universities, trade schools and military resources in attendance.
“The college fair is a great way for our students to make connections,” 12th-grade counselor Colleen Tortorella said. “Many of the reps are also admissions counselors who read student applications and will sometimes waive application fees.”
Gateway has a graduation rate of 90%, while the state’s average is 87%. With about 1,135 high school students, that makes for a lot of young people who will be deciding where they are headed after graduation, which may be one of the reasons the college fair is so popular.
“Having the college fair at the high school is a great experience for our students,” ninth-grade counselor Joseph Fraas said.
And it’s beneficial to all students.
“The 11th and 12th graders are able to get valuable information and direct contacts with reps from schools that will help them make a decision in their post-secondary plans,” Fraas said, “while the ninth and 10th graders gain exposure to the post-secondary options that are available, and what grades and classes they need to take to get accepted into their top schools.”
Several Pennsylvania schools were present, including Carlow, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, CCAC, Chatham, Mercyhurst, Point Park Geneva and Bella Capelli Academy.
There were also more out-of-state schools this year than ever before, such as Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., which boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio and a high success rate.
“Within six months of graduation, 98% of our undergrads either go on to graduate school or begin a career in their field,” senior assistant director of admissions Andrew Vuocolo said.
Alicia Roberts, an admissions officer from The Citadel, traveled from South Carolina to showcase the military college. The Citadel represents all six branches of the armed forces, and about a third of graduates earn a commission.
Located in northern New York, Paul Smith’s College focuses on environmental sciences, forestry, baking and culinary and tourism, and offers two- and four-year degrees.
“This is a big tourism area,” admissions counselor Zack Scribner said. “We focus on hospitality, and, with small classrooms, students get lots of hands-on training.”
While seniors Elaiyah Daniels, MacKenzie Sherrod and Aborah Adusepoku plan to take different paths, they welcomed all of information so they can make informed decisions.
“I want to study entomology. I like all creatures,” said Daniels. Virginia Tech was not present, but Daniels is researching scholarships at the school. “The good thing is I’d be guaranteed a job, possibly with the military.”
Sherrod and Adusepoku want to be nurses.
“I want to do the same thing my mom did. I love kids, I love babies,” said Sherrod who plans to attend initially attend CCAC. “I’ve always been a people person.”
Sherrod wants to be a labor and delivery nurse. While Adusepoku isn’t sure of her future plans, she’s leaning toward pediatrics.
Isa Siddiqi has been accepted at Pitt’s main campus and plans to study biochemistry. “I need to adapt to city life,” he said.
Siddiqi works at Taco Bell and has applied for the “Live Mas” scholarship. “I plan to get as much financial aid as possible and go to med school,” Siddiqi added.
Grant Sample, a business and instructional technology teacher, called the event phenomenal for all students.
“Sometimes the students don’t have the means to travel to all of these schools, especially the out-of-state schools,” he said. “It’s a great way to bring all of the schools to them.”