Admissions PrepNotes

List of 13 items.

• Volume 13: December 2, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

  Here at Seton Hall Prep, the season of Advent is upon us – a season marked by preparation.   Our student athletes are preparing for the start of the winter athletic season.  Our singers and musicians are preparing for the upcoming Christmas concert.  Our robotics and mock trial teams are preparing for their annual competitions to begin in early January.  At the same time, the entire school is waiting (though not always patiently!) for the upcoming Christmas Holiday – a chance to celebrate with family and friends and an opportunity to take a break from the daily grind to rest and recharge. 

   

  During these next few weeks, we at Seton Hall Prep would like to share just some of the hard work and preparation of our students with you – the future members of the Seton Hall Prep family.  You and your entire family are welcome to join us at any (or all!) of the upcoming events here on campus:

   

  • Thursday, December 8:            14^th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Sing-along!

   

  Join us on the front steps of the school between 7:00 and 7:45 pm for caroling with our C-Tonians choir, a special advent blessing from Father Bogumil, Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and even a surprise visit from two very special friends from the North Pole!  (Bring your cameras!)  There is absolutely no charge for this event!  To register, please click here.

   

  • Wednesday, December 14:       Christmas Concert!

   

  Please settle in to enjoy an evening of Christmas, traditional, and contemporary music presented by the Seton Hall Prep concert band, jazz ensemble, and C-Tonians choir!  The concert begins at 7:00 pm in Bayley Seton Auditorium and there is no cost to attend!

   

  • Meet The Team Zooms:            Our continuing “Meet The Prep” Zoom sessions highlighting our

  storied athletic teams will continue next week as follows:

   

  Monday, December 5:         Swimming (7:00 pm)

  Tuesday, December 6:         Soccer (7:00 pm)

  Wednesday, December 7:   Football (7:00 pm)

   

  If you would like to attend any (or all!) of these sessions, please email the Admission Office and we will be happy to send you the login credentials!

   

  Additional sessions for other teams are being planned for later this month – stay tuned!

   

  • Seton Hall Prep News & Highlights:  Check out both a recap of our outstanding fall athletic season here and the latest edition of the video serial “Inside & Out” here.

   

   

  Finally – and very importantly – the deadline for all transcripts, letters of recommendation, and preliminary applications for need-based financial assistance is Friday, December 9.  If you have not yet submitted any of these items, please visit your “Admissions Progress Checklist” (accessible by logging into your “MYSHP” portal) and follow the instructions there.  We are aware that several school districts will not be releasing student transcripts until after the December 9 deadline.  We ask for your patience as we are in the midst of receiving and processing hundreds of transcripts, letters, and forms each day.  You will receive an automated reply from the Admission Office as soon as we process your materials.  If you still do not see your checklist updated and reflecting submitted documents by Thursday, December 8, please email the Admission Office directly and we will be happy to assist.

   

  Have a GREAT weekend and, as always, we look forward to seeing you again on campus soon!

   

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 12: November 22, 2022

  Happy Thanksgiving - Future Pirate!

   

  Here at Seton Hall Prep, Thanksgiving is a time for rest and rejuvenation.  Our students have just completed their first marking period and exams.  Our student athletes, fresh off an incredible fall season, have made the transition to winter with many teams already having started both tryouts and practices.  The members of our band, jazz ensemble, and a Capella choir are all beginning to prepare in earnest for the upcoming Christmas Concert next month.  Our faculty are putting the finishing touches on both the first trimester grades for their students as well as those final letters of recommendation for our seniors.  We have so much to be thankful for here at The Prep – not the least of which is counting you as a part of our family this year as well.

   

  On Thanksgiving morning, a beloved tradition returns to The Prep – the annual Turkey Trot!  Seton Hall Prep's 2022 Turkey Trot will take place on Thursday, November 24th, 2022 starting with an 8:30 am Mass celebrated by Fr. Bogumil Misiuk '08 - and concelebrated by Msgr. Michael Kelly '57 - in the school's Bayley Seton Auditorium (120 Northfield Ave, West Orange). Following Mass, a 5K fun run will begin at approximately 9:45 am at the Kelly Athletic Complex (640 Prospect Ave, West Orange).  Thanks to the SHP Father's Club, coffee, hot chocolate, and refreshments will also be made available at The Tony Esposito Jr. Concession Stand at The KAC.  To register for this wonderful family holiday tradition, please simply email the Admission Office.

   

  Our “Meet The Team” series of Zoom meetings will continue after the Thanksgiving holiday as we will feature our Cross Country program on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00 pm.  (Sessions are being added daily and a complete list will be sent to you once school reopens next week!)  If you would like to join us for any of these Zoom sessions, please email the Admission Office at admissions@shp.org and we will be happy to send you both the link and login credentials. 

   

  Save the date!  On Thursday, December 8 at 7:00 pm, you and your family are most welcome to join us for the 14^th annual “Christmas Tree Lighting and Singalong”!  Join current students, alumni, faculty, and future Pirates as we kick-off the Christmas season with Christmas carols, hot chocolate, cookies, and a few special visitors from the North Pole!  To register for this favorite Prep tradition, please click here.

   

  Finally, on behalf of our President, Msgr. Michael Kelly ’57, our Headmaster, Mr. Michael Gallo ’79, and the entire Seton Hall Prep family, I wish you and yours a most happy and restful Thanksgiving.

   

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 11: November 18, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  Even though we are still a week away from Thanksgiving, the fall season is rapidly coming to a close here at The Prep and, as our students take their final examinations of the trimester, all eyes are beginning to focus upon the coming winter months.  Fall of 2022 has brought so much pride and joy to the Seton Hall Prep community. 

   

  Last weekend, the Seton Hall Prep Drama Club presented the hilarious comedy Harvey both for the students in school and for the parents and general public in the evening.  The show was an amazing success and, as soon as video becomes available, we will happily share the link for you and your family!  (To see pictures from both behind-the scenes and Friday evening’s performance, click here.)

   

  The fall athletic season has nearly come to an end – and what a season it has been! 

   

  • The varsity football team will be travelling to Don Bosco Prep TONIGHT to compete in the semifinal round on the state tournament.  Game time is 7:00 pm and tickets must be purchased in advance from the NJSIAA.  (To purchase tickets, please click here.)  If you are not able to join us in person at the game, NJ.com will be livestreaming the game here!

   

  • The varsity crew team concluded an impressive fall campaign with strong finishes at both the prestigious Head of the Charles regatta in Boston and the competitive NYRA Fall Invitational Regatta. 

   

  • The varsity cross country team ended their season with an impressive 8-1 regular season record and placed second in the Super Essex Conference American Division!  In addition, 5 runners were named to the All-Conference team, with two others earning “All-County” honors! 

   

  • Finally, the varsity soccer team, defended their conference, county, and NJSIAA Non-Public A North championships, only falling just short of a second state title by an excruciatingly close 1-0 game last Saturday! 

   

  Congratulations to all our student athletes at The Prep!

   

  In order for our future student athletes to learn even more about the storied athletic traditions here at Seton Hall Prep, the Admission Office is proud to host our “Meet The Team” Zoom series beginning Tuesday, November 22 with the baseball program.  During each 45-minute session, candidates (and their families!) will have the opportunity to hear from varsity coaches, current student athletes, and alumni, and learn even more about the proud athletic traditions here at The Prep.  As more team sessions are added, the Admission Office will be sure to share updates with you and your family!

  If you would like to join us for any of these Zoom sessions, please email the Admission Office at admissions@shp.org and we will be happy to send you both the link and login credentials. 

   

  On Thanksgiving morning, a beloved tradition returns to The Prep – the annual “Turkey Trot!” 

  Seton Hall Prep's 2022 Turkey Trot will take place on Thursday, November 24th, 2022 starting with an 8:30 am Mass celebrated by Fr. Bogumil Misiuk '08 - and concelebrated by Msgr. Michael Kelly '57 - in the school's Bayley Seton Auditorium (120 Northfield Ave, West Orange). Following Mass, a 5K fun run will begin at approximately 9:45am at the Kelly Athletic Complex (640 Prospect Ave, West Orange).  Thanks to the SHP Father's Club, coffee, hot chocolate, and refreshments will also be made available at The Tony Esposito Jr. Concession Stand at The KAC.  To register for this wonderful family holiday tradition, please email the Admission Office.

   

  Save the date!  You and your ENTIRE family are invited to join us on the front steps of The Prep for the 14^th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Sing-along on Thursday, December 8 between 7:00 and 7:45 pm for caroling with our C-Tonians choir, a special advent blessing from Father Bogumil, Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and even a surprise visit from two very special friends from the North Pole!  (Bring your cameras!)  There is absolutely no charge for this event!  To register, please click here.

   

  For those applicant families who have not already attended to the optional items from their Admissions Progress Checklist – please note that all materials must be received in the Admission office by Friday, December 9.  You still have three weeks to request letters of recommendation and to submit a preliminary application for need-based financial assistance.  (All these items may be found by logging into your MYSHP portal.)  One final reminder – if you have not already done so, please submit the Seton Hall Prep Transcript Release Form to your current 8^th grade school as soon as possible!

   

  Finally … while we have only a handful of appointments for Freshman for a Day remaining before Christmas, we will be welcoming 8^th grade visitors for their campus visit from January 17 through February 2!  If you have not already done so, why not book your Freshman for a Day experience today?  (Remember – 7^th grade students are welcome to join us at The Prep beginning Monday, March 6, 2023!)

   

  I hope that you have a WONDERFUL weekend and – as always – I hope to see you again on campus at The Prep soon!

   

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 10: November 11, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

  This has been QUITE an exciting week here at Seton Hall Prep!  Last Saturday afternoon, our varsity football team defeated the Lions of Pope John XXIII Regional High School to advance to the quarterfinal round of the state football tournament.  On Wednesday afternoon, the varsity soccer team won the New Jersey Non-Public A North championship tournament and have advanced to the state championship final for the fourth consecutive year!  I had the opportunity to see so many of you at the games but, in case you were unable to join us, please click here (football) and here (soccer) to see pictures of the games and celebrations afterward!

   

   

  We would like to invite you and your family to join us for several very exciting events this coming weekend!

   

  • Tonight and tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM, please join the Seton Hall Prep Drama Club at 7:00 PM in Bayley Seton Auditorium for their presentation of Harvey!  Both presentations are free and open to the public.

   

  • Tomorrow morning at 10:00 am, YOUR #1 state-ranked SHP varsity soccer team will battle with the Colts of Christian Brothers Academy for the NJSIAA Non-Public A State Championship!  The game will be played at Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ. 

   

  Tickets to the game must be purchased in advance here – no tickets will be sold at the door.  The game will be live streamed for free on nj.com.  Please click here for the link.

   

  • Tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 pm, the varsity football team will battle with the Green Knights of St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA Non-Public “A” state football tournament.  Tickets will be available at the gate.  Let’s Go Pirates!

   

  Beginning on Monday, November 14, the Admission Office will be taking a short break from hosting Freshman for a Day visitors to allow for trimester examinations and the Thanksgiving holiday.  However, the office will re-open to visitors beginning on Monday, November 21.  If you have not already done so, why not book YOUR Freshman for a Day experience today?  To join us for a full-day campus visit (7^th graders are welcome to join us as well beginning March 6, 2023!), please click here.

   

  Seventh graders – keep an eye on your mailbox!  In the coming weeks, you will receive an invitation to register for the 8^th Annual Pirates Academy for the summer of 2023!  Online registration will open on Monday, December 12 at noon.  For complete information, please visit the Pirates Academy webpage here.

  For all current applicants – now that the first marking period is coming to an end, please complete and submit the official Seton Hall Prep Transcript Release Form to your current school as soon as possible.  Remember – all transcripts must be received by the Admission Office by Friday, December 9!

  Finally – if you have not already done so, why not that first step toward becoming a member of the Seton Hall Prep Class of 2027 today?  To begin YOUR application, simply click here!

  As always, I hope that you and your family have a WONDERFUL weekend and I hope to see you again on campus soon!

   

  Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

   

• Volume 9: November 4, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

  For those who were able to join us on campus for Open House 2022 – thank you for coming!  I hope that you were able to get even a small sense of what makes Seton Hall Prep such a special place to call home.  Should you not have been able to attend – never fear!  Complete Open House packets were mailed home to all those candidates who were unable to join us or who were on our waitlist.  (For pictures from the event, please click here!) In addition, during each and every entrance examination (November 12, November 19, December 3, and December 10) we will offer a “mini” open house for all parents while the applicants test.  (You will hear brief presentations from the Director of Admission, Director of Student Activities, members of the administration, take a tour of our school with several of our student ambassadors, and have the opportunity to chat with both parents and young alumni.)  By the time you are finished with your program, the testers will be finishing with their examinations.  Even if you did already attend open house, it will be well-worth your time to remain on campus during the test and explore! 

   

  This coming weekend looks to be another exciting one for our Pirate athletes!

   

  • Tomorrow morning at 9:00 am, the varsity soccer team will host the visiting Bulldogs of the Dwight Englewood School at the Kelly Athletic Complex (640 Prospect Avenue, West Orange) in the semi-final round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Non-Public “A” tournament!  Hope to see you there!

   

  • Tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm at the Kelly Athletic Complex, the varsity football team will take-on the visiting Lions of Pope John XXIII Regional High School in the first round of the NJSIAA Non-Public “A” tournament!  If you are able to join us at The KAC, please stop by the PA booth in between quarters and say hello!

   

  • On Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, the Seton Hall Prep Drama Club will proudly present Marcy Chase’s Pulitzer Prize winning comedic play Harvey in Bayley Seton Auditorium.  Admission is free!  The Admission Office will send you more details about attending the Friday night performance early next week!

   

  For all students who will be taking the Seton Hall Preparatory School Entrance Examination on Saturday, November 12, you should have received a confirmation email from the Admission Office earlier today.  Confirmation emails will be sent out approximately one week prior to your scheduled test date.  Should you ever need to reschedule a test date, please contact Mrs. Patty Nascone in the Admission Office and she will be most happy to assist you!

   

  If you have not already done so, now is the perfect time to submit the official Seton Hall Prep Transcript Release Form to your current school in order to ensure that all necessary records and transcripts are received by The Prep by the deadline of Friday, December 9.  You can download the form by clicking here or by logging-in to your MYSHP portal.

   

  Finally – and as always! – if you have not yet taken the first step toward joining the oldest Catholic college preparatory school in New Jersey, why not do so today?  Applications for admission to the Seton Hall Prep Class of 2027 are now being accepted!  Simply click here to begin yours!  If you have not yet spent a full day on campus, why not join us for your Freshman for a Day experience?  Reservations for current 8^th and 7^th grade students may be made here.

   

  Have a GREAT weekend and I hope to see you again on campus soon!

   

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

   

  PS:  To visit an archive containing all previous editions of Seton Hall Prep Admissions PrepNotes and to learn more about both our entrance examination and the financial aid/scholarship process, please click here.

   

• Volume 8: October 21, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  The past week was an AMAZING week to be a student at Seton Hall Prep!  As we have now passed the midpoint of the first marking period of the year and focus has begun to shift to college applications and trimester examinations, our students, faculty, and staff still find the time to take part in so many different events both on and away from campus!

   

  • Last week, 7 of our seniors were named National Merit Commended Students by the College Board, and an additional 112 individual students were recognized as AP Scholars.  We are EXTREMELY proud of the dedication, hard work, and success earned by our students in the academic forum each and every year!

   

  • On Tuesday, October 18, Mr. Ben Laster – Director of College Placement – hosted an in-depth seminar regarding both the college placement and financial aid processes in Bayley Seton auditorium for our juniors, seniors and their parents.

   

  • On Wednesday, October 19, the #1 state-ranked varsity soccer team defeated the Lancers of Livingston High School to remain undefeated against NJ competition and earn a chance to play for their 8^th Essex County Tournament championship this coming Saturday afternoon! 

   

  • This afternoon, over forty students will return to campus at the conclusion of the first Kairos retreat of the year!  The thoughts and prayers of the entire Seton Hall Prep community have been with these students and retreat leaders since they departed on Tuesday afternoon.

   

  Even though this past week has already been FULL of excitement, the activity at The Prep never truly stops!

   

  • Tomorrow afternoon is going to be a VERY exciting one for YOUR Seton Hall Prep Pirates!  At 1:00 pm, our #16 state-ranked varsity football team will host the #4 state-ranked Green Knights of St. Joseph Regional High School at the Kelly Athletic Complex.  (If you are able to make it to the game, please come and say hello either before or after the game in the press box!)

   

  • Please join the varsity soccer team tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 pm as they clash with the Red Raiders of Newark East Side High School for the Essex County Championship at Caldwell High School!

   

  • Mark your calendars!  On Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, the Seton Hall Prep Drama Club will proudly present Marcy Chase’s Pulitzer Prize winning comedic play Harvey in Bayley Seton Auditorium.  Admission is free and the Admission Office is planning to host a small reception for any applicants and their families prior to the Friday evening performance.  More details to follow soon!

  At this point in the admission season, the two most frequent questions we receive in the Admission Office are as follows:

  1. What topics will be covered during the entrance examination?
  2. How does Seton Hall Prep distribute scholarship and financial assistance funds?

  In order to answer these questions, we invite you to click here and visit a dedicated webpage, containing answers to both these questions, as well as an archive for all previous Admissions PrepNotes communications.  Please visit the page frequently for additional updates, invitations to future Seton Hall Prep Admissions events, and to reference any of the many topics covered in previous editions of PrepNotes.

  As of the sending of this message, an extremely limited number of reservations are still available for our annual fall open house, to be held on Sunday, October 30.  If you have not already registered and would still like to join us, please click here.  For all those families already registered, the Admission Office will begin sending out confirmations on Monday, October 24.

  Finally, if you have not yet completed your application or spent a day with us on campus, why not schedule that today?  Applications for The Class of 2027, as well as instructions on how to book YOUR Freshman for a Day experience may be found here!

   

  As always, I hope to see you and your family again on campus soon!

   

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 7: October 14, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  The final two weeks of October here at Seton Hall Prep, each and every year, are two of the most exciting weeks on campus of the entire school year!  Rivalry games, county championships, national academic awards, the annual “Cars and Coffee” show, Open House – late October always seems to sweep The Prep up in a flurry of excitement and expectation! 

   

  • This evening, YOUR #15 state-ranked varsity football team will travel to Ramsey to battle the rival Ironmen of Don Bosco Prep at 7:00 pm.  If you are not able to be there in person, the game will be broadcast live on MSG network!  The team will next return home to the Kelly Athletic Complex next Saturday (October 22) when the take-on the visiting Green Knights of St. Joseph Regional High School at 1:00 pm.  We hope to see you there!

   

  • Tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 pm. YOUR #1 state-ranked varsity soccer team will clash with Montclair Kimberly Academy at the Kelly Athletic Complex in the quarterfinal round of the 2022 Essex County Tournament.

   

  • On Sunday, October 16, the Seton Hall Prep Car Club will host its annual “Cars and Coffee” car show at the Kelly Athletic Complex (640 Prospect Avenue, West Orange).  The show will run from 10:00 am to noon.  For more information or to register YOUR car for the show, please contact Mr. Christopher Scheick ’92 at cscheick@shp.org.

   

  • Next week, nearly fifty of our juniors and seniors will experience their first Kairos retreat when they spend four days in reflection and prayer in Long Valley, NJ.  Kairos is a long-standing tradition here at The Prep with over 80% of seniors attending at least one of the retreats each year.

   

  • Mark your calendars – the 2022 Open House will be held on Sunday, October 30!  Due to an overwhelming response, nearly all reservations for this annual event have already been filled. 

  If you would like to book one of the few remaining spots for this year’s Open House, we encourage you to do so today!  (To learn more and book your reservation, click here!)

   

  • ALL 8^th grade students are invited and strongly encouraged to spend a full day with us on campus as a Freshman for a Day this fall!  (7^th grade students are welcome to join us beginning March 6, 2023!)  Freshman for a Day is truly the perfect way for applicants and interested candidates to experience The Prep for the first time!  To learn more about this unique program and to book your visit, please click here. 

   

  Finally, if you have not already done so, why not take that first step toward joining the 167-year legacy of Seton Hall Prep?  Applications for admission to the incoming Class of 2027 are now being accepted!  To begin your application today, click here! 

   

  I hope that you and your family have a wonderful weekend.  I hope to see you at one (or even both!) games this weekend.  Most importantly, I hope to see you and your family on campus soon as a Freshman for a Day visitor and again at Open House!

   

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 6: October 7, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  Last week, I wrote about October and routine – how each of us, by this time of year, manages to find that groove which enables us to manage or get through the myriad of responsibilities or items on our seemingly endless “to-do” lists every week.  Homework, papers, chores, practices, rehearsals, family obligations.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could put aside even just one hour per week to get ourselves out of that “groove” and perhaps, even if only for a brief time, try something new?

   

  This year, in continuation of a program begun even before the pandemic, Seton Hall Prep is making a concerted effort to assist her students, faculty, and staff to “get off the hamster wheel” for one hour each week by offering a series of activities every Friday morning.  Today, between 9:30 and 10:30, our students were able to meditate, practice tai-chi or yoga, jam on their guitars in the music room, attend a cinema discussion, play chess, complete an art project, pray the rosary, learn to knit, or even play a bit of frisbee on Verducci Field.  The goal of this program is to provide each and every member of the Seton Hall Prep community an opportunity, for one hour each Friday, to put away their textbooks, college essays, and study guides, take a deep breath, and recharge.  Should you come to visit us on a Friday this fall, we look forward to having you join us and experience this new program for yourselves!

   

  This week - even though a shortened one due to the holiday - will be a busy one at Seton Hall Prep!  On Wednesday, our sophomores and juniors will sit for their PSAT examinations while our seniors will participate in a “Day of Service”.  At the same time, now that they have gotten to know one another as classmates and brothers for the past several weeks, our freshmen will finally experience their class retreat.  On Friday, we will gather as a community in Bayley Seton Auditorium for our monthly “Knights of Setonia” Mass.  Although the coming week may be shorter than usual, there is always something exciting happening at The Prep!

   

  This weekend, if you are in the area, please join us for any (or all!) of the following athletic events happening either on campus or nearby!

   

  • On Saturday, October 8, please join YOUR #5 state-ranked Seton Hall Prep Pirate football team at the Kelly Athletic Complex (640 Prospect Avenue, West Orange) at 1:00 pm as they take-on the Paladins of Paramus Catholic!  If you can join us, please stop by the booth atop the grandstand and say hello!
  • On Saturday, October 8, YOUR #1 state-ranked varsity soccer team travels to Montclair to battle the Cougars of Montclair Kimberly Academy at 11:00 am.
  • On Sunday, October 9, the Seton Hall Prep crew teams will race in the Head of the Passaic Regatta, sponsored by the Nereid Boat club in Rutherford. 

   

  Now that the clock has turned to October, the admission season for the incoming Class of 2027 has shifted into high gear!  Please consider joining us here at The Prep for a visit soon!

   

  • If you have not already done so, why not join us for a full day on campus as a Freshman for a Day?  Current 8^th grade students are invited to join us this fall and 7^th grade students may visit beginning in March next spring.  For complete information and to book your experience, please click here!

   

  • I truly hope that you and a guest will be able to join us on Sunday, October 30 for our annual Fall Open House.   Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the campus and our brand new 44-acre Kelly Athletic Complex, our state-of-the-art John J. Murphy ’52 Science Center, learn about the application process, and have the chance to meet with teachers, coaches, parents, and current students.  Open House is truly the perfect way for your family to meet ours! 

  The 2022 Fall Open House will be a timed program, lasting approximately two hours, with sessions beginning at 11:00 am and every half hour thereafter.  (Registrations for specific time slots are required.)  To register and reserve your space at our Fall Open House, please click here. 

  Finally, applications for admission to the Seton Hall Prep Class of 2027 are now being accepted!  If you have not already begun your application to join our family, you may do so here.  Come and be a part of our legacy – 166 years strong!

  Next week, in Admissions Prepnotes, please look for a very important discussion of financial aid and scholarship at Seton Hall Prep.

  Have a WONDERFUL holiday weekend and, as always, we hope to see you again soon at The Prep!

   

  Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 5: September 30, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

   

  Fall is a very special time for everyone here at The Prep.  For the first few weeks back in school and on campus, it always seems that we are all racing to get “back into the swing of things”; relearning old habits, adhering to schedules, and for some of us, actually wearing long pants and shoes for the first time in months!  Fall – and October in particular – is, for me, the first time in the new year that I finally feel as though I am back in rhythm once again.

   

  In the Admission Office, we are in the thick of our visit season, applications are pouring in daily, and we are excited to have so many visitors joining us each and every day for their “Freshman for a Day” experiences!  It is exactly at this time of year that The Prep starts to “buzz” and truly comes alive.  We hope that you will consider joining us on campus soon and seeing – with your own eyes - ALL that The Prep has to offer! 

   

  • One of the most-asked questions we receive in the Admission Office each fall is in regard to letters of recommendation.  How many am I allowed to submit?  Do they really carry any weight with the Admission Committee?  Whom should I ask to write on my behalf?

   

  Letters of recommendation seem to be the greatest source of both confusion and consternation each year for applicants to Seton Hall Prep.  Allow me to reassure you that

   

  A) the Admission Committee reads every letter of reference sent on your behalf and

  B) those same letters of recommendation, while optional but strongly recommended, provide great insight into each and every one of you. 

   

  In a given year, Seton Hall Prep has approximately 600 applicants apply for admission for one of 250 seats.  With so many applicants, it is simply impossible to conduct personal interviews.  It is for this reason that letters of recommendation play such an important role.  Your recommenders – be they teachers, school administrators, coaches, volunteer organizers, or even close family friends - provide great insight into your strengths and weaknesses, your interests, and their perception of your ability to succeed at Seton Hall Prep.  Aside from academic ability and potential, the Admission Committee seeks those students who truly wish to become part of the Seton Hall Prep community.  These letters of reference can serve as a guidepost for the committee members in that quest.

   

  When selecting a recommender is important to consider a few important things:

   

  • • How long has this person known me?  Teachers, coaches, and moderators who have known you a longer time may be able to give a more complete and accurate picture of you to the Admission Committee.
    • How well does this person know me?  Will your recommender only be able to speak about you in general terms or can he or she provide detailed and concrete examples of your strengths, your abilities, and why you will succeed at The Prep?

   

  In order to make the submission of references as simple as possible, once you have submitted your application for admission, you will gain access to your “Admissions Progress Checklist”.  From there, you will be able to submit requests and instructions directly to your recommenders, as well as monitor the status of their submissions in live time.  The Admission Committee respectfully requests that each applicant limit his letters of reference to two: one academic and one of a personal nature.

   

  • On Sunday, October 2, the Seton Hall Prep Car Club will host its annual “Cars and Coffee” gathering at the Kelly Athletic Complex from 10 am to noon.  You and yours are invited to come and check-out (or even bring your own!) the Prep community’s cool rides!  To register your car, click here.  For more information, please contact the Admission Office.  (For pictures from one of our previous events, click here!)

   

  • This afternoon, at 4:00 pm, YOUR #1 state-ranked Seton Hall Prep varsity soccer team will take-on the visiting Millers of Millburn High School at the Kelly Athletic Complex.  (640 Prospect Avenue, West Orange) You and your entire family are welcome to come out and support the team!  The team will next be home again on Thursday, October 6 at 4:0 pm when they battle rival Montclair High School.

   

  • The #10 state-ranked varsity football team heads down the parkway tonight to clash with the #3 Caseys of Red Bank Catholic!  If you are unable to make the trip in person, you can check out the Pirates online via NFHS.  (Subscription required.)  The Pirates will be home again next Saturday (October 8) at 1:00 pm when they welcome the Paladins of Paramus Catholic.  Please join us at The KAC for an amazing game-day experience!

   

  • I truly hope that you and a guest will consider joining us on Sunday, October 30 for our annual Fall Open House.   Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the campus and our brand new 44-acre Kelly Athletic Complex, our state-of-the-art John J. Murphy ’52 Science Center, learn about the application process, and have the chance to meet with teachers, coaches, parents, and current students.  Open House is truly the perfect way for your family to meet ours! 

  The 2022 Fall Open House will be a timed program, lasting approximately two hours, with sessions beginning at 11:00 am and every half hour thereafter.  (Registrations for specific time slots are required.)  To register and reserve your space at our Fall Open House, please click here.  Hurry – we are already well over half-full (with reservations being made daily) and we expect this event to completely fill soon!

   

  • Finally, if you have not yet already done so, why not take that first step toward becoming a member of the Seton Hall Prep Class of 2026?  To begin your application today, simply click here.  Come and be a part of our tradition and legacy – 167 years strong!

   

  Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing you and your families on-campus at The Prep soon!

  Hazard Zet Forward,

  Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 4: September 23, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  Tomorrow afternoon, under a perfect fall sky, we will welcome all Seton Hall Prep Pirates – past, present, and future – home to The Prep to celebrate our 167 years as a family and to honor the senior members of our football program!  You and your entire family are invited to join us as the varsity football team hosts the visiting Knights of Irvington High School at the Kelly Athletic Complex (#640 Prospect Avenue, West Orange).  Game time is 1:00 pm and the fun will begin at noon.  (Bring the whole family!  Please visit the Admissions table to say hello either before or after the game to say hello!)  I hope to see you there!

   

  • I hope that you and a guest will consider joining us on Sunday, October 30 for our annual Fall Open House.   Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the campus and our brand new 44-acre Kelly Athletic Complex, our state-of-the-art John J. Murphy ’52 Science Center, learn about the application process, and have the chance to meet with teachers, coaches, parents, and current students.  Open House is truly the perfect way for your family to meet ours! 

  The 2022 Fall Open House will be a timed program, lasting approximately two hours, with sessions beginning at 11:00 am and every half hour thereafter.  To register and reserve your space at our Fall Open House, please click here.  Hurry – spaces are filling quickly, and we expect this event to completely fill soon!

   

  • Beginning on Monday, September 26, all 8^th grade students are invited and strongly encouraged to spend a full day with us on campus as a Freshman for a Day!  (7^th grade students are welcome to join us beginning March 6, 2023!)  Freshman for a Day is truly the perfect way for applicants and interested candidates to experience The Prep for the first time!  To learn more about this unique program and to book your visit, please click here.  (While we only have a few spots available for the weeks of September 26 and October 3 – we have plenty of openings beginning the week of October 17.  Come and see for yourself ALL that The Prep has to offer!)

   

  • On Sunday, October 2, the Seton Hall Prep Car Club will host its annual “Cars and Coffee” gathering at the Kelly Athletic Complex from 10 am to noon.  You and yours are invited to come and check-out (or even bring your own!) the Prep community’s cool rides!  To register your car, click here.  For more information, please contact the Admission Office.  (For pictures from one of our previous events, click here!)

   

  • Tomorrow, the SHP varsity crew team will race at the Kings Head Select Regatta in Bridgeport, PA, while the varsity cross country team will take their undefeated record “on the road” to Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ where they will compete in the Stewart Memorial Invitational meet.  If you happen to be in the neighborhood, please stop by and give a cheer!

   

  • The varsity soccer team will next play the Kelly Athletic Complex on Friday, September 30 at 4:00 pm when they host the Millers of Millburn High School.  The team would love to see you in the stands!

   

  • Finally, if you have not already done so, this weekend is the PERFECT time to take that first step toward joining a family and a legacy stretching back over 165 years.  Why not begin your application to the Seton Hall Prep Class of 2027 today?

   

  Next week in Admissions PrepNotes, look for very important information about letters of recommendation.

   

  I hope that you and your family will be able to join us for our homecoming celebration tomorrow.  I hope that you are planning to visit us on campus in the near future both for our Open House and as a Freshman for a Day.  And I hope that you will consider joining our family at Seton Hall Prep – a grand legacy 167 years strong!

   

  I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you and your family this year!

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 3: September 16, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  “Home is where your story begins.”

  • Annie Dickenson

   

   

  When you think of “home”, do you merely see a house, or do you envision an idea – a place of family, faith, compassion, and courage?  Here at Seton Hall Prep, home is so much more than just a building or a place.  It is the mingling of the most beloved traditions of our past with the excitement of the present and the anticipation of the future.

   

  Next Saturday afternoon, we will welcome all Seton Hall Prep Pirates – past, present, and future – home to The Prep to celebrate our 167 years as a family and to honor the senior members of our football program.  You and your entire family are invited to join us as the varsity football team hosts the visiting Knights of Irvington High School at the Kelly Athletic Complex (#640 Prospect Avenue, West Orange).  Game time is 1:00 pm and the fun will begin at noon.  I hope to see you there!

   

  As the admission cycle for those candidates applying for the Seton Hall Prep Class of 2027 begins to shift into high gear, I wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of two wonderful opportunities to visit us on campus at The Prep.

   

  • Beginning on Monday, September 26, all 8^th grade students are invited and encouraged to spend a full day with us on campus as a Freshman for a Day!  (7^th grade students are welcome to join us beginning March 6, 2023!)  Freshman for a Day is truly the perfect way for applicants and interested candidates to experience The Prep for the first time!  To learn more about this unique program and to book your visit, please click here.
  • On Sunday, October 30, you and one guest are invited to join us on campus (120 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) for our annual fall Open House.   Members of the faculty, administration, parent organizations, and coaching staff, will be available to answer any and all questions you may have about the school.  Additionally, student ambassadors will provide tours of our 12-acre campus, showcase both the John J. Murphy ’52 Science Center and the stunning 44-acre Kelly Athletic Complex, and provide a glimpse into what it truly means to be a member of the Seton Hall Prep family.  (Reservations required.)  To book your reservation today, please click here.

   

  It is important to note that, while Seton Hall Prep is the oldest Catholic college preparatory school within the Archdiocese of Newark, we do not participate in the CO-OP (or HSPT) program.  In order to apply for admission to The Prep, you will need to complete the Seton Hall Prep Application for Admission and sit for one of our four (November 12, November 19, December 3, or December 10) entrance examinations.  In just a few weeks, we will happily share with you our newly updated guide for the 2022 test.  If you have already completed your application, you can monitor your status throughout the admission season by logging into your “MYSHP” account and viewing your “Applicant Checklist”.  If you have not yet submitted your application for The Class of 2027, why not take that first step toward your new home today?  Applications are now available!

   

  Please join us and cheer for YOUR Seton Hall Prep Pirates this coming week!

   

  • On Saturday, September 17, the varsity football team will travel north to Oradell to battle the Crusaders of Bergen Catholic High School.  Game time is 1:00 pm.  (If you cannot make the game in person, you can watch free online by clicking here!
  • The varsity cross country team will race against both Livingston and Millburn High Schools on Tuesday, September 20 at 4:00 pm at Branch Brook Park in Newark.
  • Finally, the varsity soccer team will be on the road all next week, but please join us and cheer-on the freshman team on Tuesday, September 20 at 4:00 pm as they host the Saints of Cedar Grove High School at the Kelly Athletic Complex.

   

  I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you and your family this year!

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

   

• Volume 2: September 9, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

  On behalf of the entire Seton Hall Prep community - 166 years strong - I thank you for your interest in learning more about The Prep! My name is Michael T. Zinsmeister, and I have the privilege of serving as the Director of Admission at The Prep.  Each Friday in Admissions PrepNotes you will find news, notes, and pictures of the many things happening both in and around Seton Hall Prep for the coming week.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Admission Office directly or visit our website.

  Firmly rooted in our Catholic tradition and founded upon our pillars of Family, Faith, Compassion, and Courage, Seton Hall Prep is home to nearly 1,000 students from over 130 towns and boasts over 20,000 proud alumni.  As New Jersey’s oldest Catholic college preparatory school – now celebrating our 166^th year! – we take great pride in our wholistic approach to education and formation.  Whether taking one of our 26 Advanced Placement courses, playing for one of our sixteen varsity or sub-varsity championship teams, participating in (or even establishing a new one!) any of our 70+ extracurricular clubs and activities, or involving yourself in a myriad of retreats, liturgies, or countless service opportunities offered throughout the year, there is truly something for everyone – and especially you! – happening each and every day both on our campus and beyond our walls!

   

  This fall, we invite and encourage all 8^th grade students to participate in our “Freshman for a Day” program.  Appointments may be made online by visiting www.shp.org/ffad.  (Current 7^th grade students can now book a reservation for their visit next spring as well!)  In addition, please register for our fall Open House, scheduled for Sunday, October 30.  (Reservations required.)  While we wish that we could accommodate entire families, in order to allow for as personal an experience as possible, we ask that each candidate be accompanied by only one family member or guest.  Members of the faculty, administration, parent organizations, and coaching staff, will be available to answer any and all questions you may have about the school.  Additionally, student ambassadors will provide tours of our 12-acre campus, showcase both our brand-new John J. Murphy ’52 Science Center and our stunning 44-acre Kelly Athletic Complex, and provide a glimpse into what it truly means to be a member of the Seton Hall Prep family.

  Next week, our football, cross-country, and soccer teams will all continue their individual marches toward league, county, and state championships!  On Monday, September 12, please join your state (#1) and nationally (#4) ranked Seton Hall Prep varsity soccer team as they take-on Verona High School at 4:00 pm at the Kelly Athletic Complex.  (640 Prospect Avenue, West Orange).  On Tuesday, September 13, the SHP cross-country team will travel to Branch Brook Park in Newark to race against Montclair Kimberly Academy and Caldwell High School at 4:00 pm.  Finally, the varsity football team will travel to Oradell on Saturday, September 17 for a 1:00 pm battle with the Crusaders of Bergen Catholic.

  Finally, applications for admission to the Seton Hall Prep Class of 2027 are now being accepted!  If you have not already begun your application to join our family, you may do so here.  Come and be a part of our legacy – 166 years strong!

  I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you and your family this year!

  Best wishes and Hazard Zet Forward,

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid

• Volume 1: September 1, 2022

  Good Afternoon Future Pirates!

   

  I wanted to take a quick moment of your day to bring you some very exciting news!  Applications for admission to the Seton Hall Prep Incoming Class of 2027 are now open!  Why not take that first step today toward joining a grand legacy stretching back over 165 years!  To begin your application, please click here!

   

  Beginning Friday, September 9, look for weekly editions of the Seton Hall Prep Admissions PrepNotes in your inbox.  There, you will find important information about the admission process, invitations to admissions and athletic events, performances, social gatherings, homecoming weekend, and our annual open house.

   

  Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and I look forward to seeing you again on campus soon!

   

  Hazard Zet Forward,

   

  Mr. Michael T. Zinsmeister

  Director of Admission & Financial Aid