College Counseling

The College Counseling staff works as a team to help all Shady Side Academy students reach their future goals. We are dedicated to assisting our students in finding "best fit" colleges and universities that will nurture their abilities and undiscovered talents, while allowing them to realize their career aspirations. See the colleges and universities where the Class of 2010 enrolled.

The process of college advising begins officially in the winter of a student’s junior year, but the College Counseling staff is available at any time to assist students in all grades (and their parents) with post-secondary planning. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

On these pages, you will find a number of resources about the following topics:

• Financial aid
• Standardized testing
• College admission representative visits
• Intercollegiate athletics and athletic eligibility
• Forms, links and other resources
• Family Connection program

The SSA College Counseling Process

Our students find their "best fit" schools through a process of self-exploration, research and decision making. Reflection and self-examination help our students identify their academic strengths, career interests, and preferences for living and learning environments.  

College research is so much more than any college ranking list. Learning about what really makes one college's program better than another's, what makes a small college different from a large, public university (or even the differences among small colleges) helps students to bring this information into focus with what they know about themselves. This process allows them to create a list of schools which "best fit" them—that is, give them a maximized opportunity of finding a campus community that will best meet their needs for the next four years.

Decision making is an important part of the process. Deciding where to apply and where to enroll from among the admission offers are decisions the student and parent will make together. Decisions based on sound research are easier to make and more meaningful in the long run.

The College Counselors are guides, resources and advocates for students in the college search and application process. The counselors have a great deal of experience and are a great source of information, help and support. As important as the counselor's role is, it is also vital for each student to engage actively and to communicate openly in the research and decision-making processes. Counselors are more effective resources and advocates when they know a students well and are kept informed of their decisions.

Meet the College Counseling Team

	Thomas L. Rossi, Director of College Counseling trossi@shadysideacademy.org | 412-968-3067 Mr. Rossi (B.A., Harvard, 1984; M.S. Ed., Duquesne, 1998) has worked at Shady Side Academy for 25 years—first as a Science Teacher, then as Dean of Students, Personal Counselor, and College Counselor. He also coaches football and is a freshman advisor. He is married, has 4 children, and has gone through the college admissions process as a parent as well.
	Tom Colt, Associate Director of College Counseling tcolt@shadysideacademy.org | 412-968-3129 Mr. Colt (B.A., Colby, 1985; M.A., Univ. of Vermont) arrived at SSA in 2008 from Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC, where he worked as Associate Director of College Guidance. He also coaches Cross Country, advises our WorldQuest team and is a junior advisor. He is married and is originally from Weston, Mass.
	Julie A. Heitzer, College Counselor jheitzer@shadysideacademy.org | 412-968-3220 Ms. Heitzer (B.A., Penn State, 2004; M.S. Ed., Duquesne, 2009) arrived at Shady Side in 2008. She began working in admissions as a tour guide at Penn State. Ms. Heitzer previously worked at Carnegie Mellon University as an Assistant Director of Admissions. Ms. Heitzer is also a senior advisor. She is engaged to be married in the summer of 2010 and is a native of Butler, Pa.
	Nancy Blubaugh, Assistant to the College Counselors nblubaugh@shadysideacademy.org | 412-968-3141 Mrs. Blubaugh has been a member of the College Counseling team since 1987, and has worked at SSA since 1986. Mrs. Blubaugh was awarded the Ruth and F. Walter Jones Service Prize at Commencement in 2008 in recognition of her tremendous efforts in the college application process. Mrs. Blubaugh has been married for over 25 years and has a daughter, as well as a grandson and granddaughter.