Stay Engaged...it's easy to hit submit on an application and want to close the laptop. However, the application is just the beginning of your engagement with your potential university. As an applicant, you will likely be sent a link to set up your portal within 24-72 hours of applying. Do this immediately. It is where the school will communicate if they are missing parts of your application such as a letter of recommendation, transcript, SRAR or test score. Some students have had issues with setting up portals using their school laptops or wifi. If this is true for you, try to use a personal computer and non-RTMSD wifi (not your cellphone). If you do not have access to another device, please see Ms. Allen. Also, don't forget to link to your SRAR through your portal at schools such as Penn State, Pitt, Delaware, Tennessee and NYU. Each school will have advice on their website about filling out the form and linking it, but you can also refer to SRAR FAQs for help with nuanced questions.
What if I missed an early action deadline? It does not mean you are too late to apply to schools. Yes, we encourage students to meet early action (EA) deadlines because that date is often a priority deadline for scholarships, allows students to hear back from colleges sooner - usually before the new year - and can increase your chances of admission at out-of-state (and sometimes in-state) public institutions. However, as with all things related to college, it depends on the school! Therefore, make sure you are checking the college's admissions page regularly. Some schools have extended deadlines (e.g., Ursinus) and accept documents after their due date, while others hold fast to their initial deadlines. Even if you missed the first deadline, you have not missed the regular decision deadline or any rolling admissions deadlines. Many selective institutions even offer Early Decision II (binding commitments to colleges) dates in January. Additionally, several schools have EA Nov 15th or Dec 1st deadlines, so you have a few more weeks! If you still need letters of recommendation, request them at least 2 weeks in advance from your teachers and meet with your counselors (with completed brag sheets) to ensure everything can be completed on time. Check out our PHS Class of 2025: Guide to the College Application Process or our website and Schoology course for additional information!
Interested in applying to our Delaware County Technical High Schools for the 25-26 school year? We will have a representative visiting all of our Freshmen Seminar classes at the end of November to educate our students about their programs and hands-on career training. Additionally, she will be at PHS on December 18th during all lunches and conducting a presentation for any students interested in applying for the upcoming school year. Registration for the presentation and visitation permission forms will be available soon!
What programs does DCTS offer? Use the links below to explore programs within each of their career clusters at DCTS. From Emergency and Protective Services to Culinary Arts to Welding and Computer Networking & Digital Forensics, there is someone for everyone!
School of Health & Biosciences
School of Hospitality, Tourism, & Human Services
School of Construction Technology
Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Science
The Pennsylvania Gove​rnor’s School is a summer program offered at Carnegie Mellon University and provides rising high school seniors​ with hands-on training and research in the sciences, technology, and engineering. The application closes January 31st. See flyer for details.
PA Career Link - Delaware County
See their calendar for offerings that include resume reviews and mock interviews. They also hold job fairs for students - keep an eye out for future events!
Y Achievers Program @ Rocky Run
The Y Achievers Program is dedicated to empowering teens from diverse backgrounds to set and achieve their educational and career aspirations. Through a combination of mentorship, interactive workshops, and hands-on experiences, students in grades 9–12 develop the skills they need to excel in college and beyond—all at no cost to them. Register at:https://gpy.tfaforms.net/50
