College Counseling
At Providence Academy, we have taken a cue from our very name in crafting a college counseling program for our students. If it is the goal of a Catholic education to help students learn to desire the perfection that God desires for them, then we must affirm that the college search and application process is a critical period of discernment that is fully part of God’s plan for achieving this perfection. As a college preparatory school, our specific aim is to instill in our students the ardent desire to develop their gifts through postsecondary education in order share these talents with the world.
The College Counseling program at Providence Academy has a twofold mission. The first is to educate students (and their families) about college preparation (including academic planning, college entrance testing, and extracurricular development), the college search, the application and selection process, and financial aid with expert advice and perspective that leads to the selection of a best-fit college choice. The second is to serve in an integral educational role that helps students grow in personal responsibility and initiative while building skills in self-reflection, self-advocacy, communication, and decision-making that are critical for emerging adulthood.
The college counseling program spans all four years of Upper School and includes annual information nights for each class, regular programming that addresses various college-related topics, college visit programming including 90+ individual college visits each fall and an annual College Day each April, individual meetings beginning in winter of Grade 11, and much more. Please explore the links to learn more about our programs and staff.
College Counseling Staff
Mrs. Sarah Hogan
Phone: 763-258-5508
Biography
Mrs. Hogan joined the PA community in 2006, bringing nearly a decade of college administration experience to Providence Academy, having served as both Director of Alumni Relations and as a leader in the Admission and Financial Aid division at her alma mater. As a college administrator, she coordinated strategic planning and programming efforts in student recruitment and alumni engagement.
At PA, Mrs. Hogan has also served in multiple roles, including Director of College Counseling and Alumni Engagement, as well as Director of Admission, frequently attending and presenting at regional and national conferences and serving on both collegiate and edtech advisory boards.
Mrs. Hogan holds professional memberships with National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) and the Minnesota Association of College Admission Counselors (MACAC), for which she served as MACAC President, and enjoys supporting all PA students and families in the post-secondary planning process and staying connected with PA alumni after graduation.
Mr. Andrew Wolf
Phone: 763-258-5514
Biography
Mr. Andrew Wolf joined Providence Academy in 2022 and currently serves as a College Counselor and Academic Advisor. Prior to his time at PA, Mr. Wolf worked as a Twin Cities-based admission counselor for his alma mater, North Dakota State University. He holds B.A. degrees in Philosophy and English from NDSU as well as an M.A. in Philosophy from Holy Apostles College & Seminary.
College Counseling eBulletin
Reminder: 2025-26 College Counseling Programming Dates Copy
College Day 2026! We have started making plans for our 19th annual College Day program, which is scheduled for April 15, 2026. Parents are invited (and highly encouraged) to attend College Day, an ideal opportunity for underclassmen and their families to set the...
Reminder: 2025-26 College Counseling Programming Dates
College Day 2026! We have started making plans for our 19th annual College Day program, which is scheduled for April 15, 2026. Parents are invited (and highly encouraged) to attend College Day, an ideal opportunity for underclassmen and their families to set the...
Upcoming Programs and Individual Meetings
In January, we will continue utilizing the Maia Learning platform to help students explore their purpose (and chart their course beyond Providence Academy) alongside the start of individual junior meetings. Unless students schedule their meeting in December, all...
ACT (and ACT Prep Course) at PA
Register Now: ACT Test Date at Providence in March In addition to the Saturday national testing dates offered for the ACT and SAT at various Twin Cities locations, we are offering a PA-only ACT test date of Tuesday March 24, 2026. Note that this date, assigned to...
College Financial Aid Programming
Thank you to those Upper School parents who attended our recent program focused on financing college. We are grateful to our guest presenter, Mr. Chris George, VP of Enrollment at St. Olaf College, for joining us and for providing his digital slide presentation for...
Reminder: 2025-26 College Counseling Programming Dates
College Day 2026! We have started making plans for our 19th annual College Day program, which is scheduled for April 15, 2026. Parents are invited (and highly encouraged) to attend College Day, an ideal opportunity for underclassmen and their families to set the...