As we officially change seasons and welcome autumn, now is the time to start planning ahead. We've almost made it through September and events are starting to book for December! Mark your calendars now to ensure you do not miss any of the wonderful programming organized for students and families over the next few months.

Events are grouped below by type! Underclass - you are encouraged to attend the financial aid event to prepared for the cost of college and the military sessions if you are interested in applying. Hearing this information now can help you understand the process and costs later.

There will be no I/E College Application Help Sessions this week. They will return on Tuesday, October 1st. Please reference these documents for assistance!

PHS Class of 2025: Guide to the College Application Process

Common Application Instructions Class of 2025

How to match Naviance & Common App accounts

Parent/Guardian PHS Permission to Release Official Records Form

For most colleges, a student's academic record, as found on their high school transcript, is the most important factor for admission. While many colleges want to receive the official transcript (sent directly to the college from the high school), some colleges have moved to having students self-report their transcript, or use the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). To do this, students must transcribe their transcript directly into the SRAR website. Penncrest students can use their transcript found in HAC or ask Mrs. Craft in the counseling office for a copy. Which Colleges/Universities Accept The SSAR/SRAR? provides a list of college currently requiring the SRAR. Locally, Penn State, Pitt, and Delaware all require the SRAR to be completed before an application can move to the review phase for admission. Students can link to the SRAR directly from their college application portal (most likely sent via email once the application is completed) and select more than once college from their list to receive it. Note: Some colleges require you to complete the application before you are allowed to link the SRAR.

Why SRAR? It provides colleges with the ability to view the transcript in a variety of ways, including extracting core subject area GPA, recalculating a GPA to their own scale, excluding certain classes and/or reviewing only specific years (e.g., COVID times). It can be a bit cumbersome, but it is not a difficult task. Most colleges will have instructions on their admissions website, so review before completing and don't hesitate to reach out to Ms. Allen with questions!

Monday, September 23rd

• The University of Tampa - 7:45 am
• Lafayette College - 8:35 am
• Neumann University - 10:15 am
• Rider University - 12:00 pm
• Ithaca College - 1:00 pm
• Bentley University - 1:40 pm

Thursday, September 26th

• Northeastern University - 10:45 am

Monday, September 30th

• University of Delaware - 8:35 am

• Details and registration links can be found under the College Visits tab in Naviance (you must be logged in): https://student.naviance.com/colleges/visits. You must register at least an hour prior to the scheduled visit.
  
• Visits will be held in the College and Career Center in the counseling office or Lecture Room A. Please view the location when registering.
  
• You will receive an email prior to the scheduled visit that will confirm your registration. Please show that to your teacher to use as your pass prior to coming to the meeting.
  
• Attendance is documented at all visits!
• Seniors - if you plan to apply to a school or have already applied, ATTEND THE VISIT. The representatives will be looking for you!!!

Interested in attending a military academy or participating in ROTC? Consider registering for one of these two events!

• West Point Admissions Event- Tuesday, September 25th @ 7:00 pm - Philadelphia, PA
• Service Academies/Congressional Nomination Process hosted by Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon - Tuesday, October 1st @ 6:00 pm - Virtual Teams. Registration required; linked here

FOR PENNCREST FAMILIES ONLY! A financial aid event to help you understand and prepare for the cost of postsecondary education.

Tuesday, October 1st @ 6:30 pm via ZOOM

Register here: Little Known Secrets of Paying for College with Rory Sullivan

Monday, September 23rd @ 6:00 Jesuit Excellence Tour at St. Joseph's University - 13 colleges: https://admission.sju.edu/register/philly-jet-2024

Thursday, October 3rd @ 2:00 Y Achievers Kickoff Program - Rocky Run YMCA

Monday, October 7th - Trip to Penn State leaving from Philadelphia (not hosted by Penncrest - organized by the PSU in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month; all details will be sent by the university and PHS students should fill out PENNCREST COLLEGE VISITATION TRIP REQUEST form if attending) - Registration required: Penn State Visit - Oct 7th Registration

Penncrest High School will administer the PSAT/NMSQT test to all Sophomores and Juniors on Wednesday, October 9th, from 7:30 until 10:30. No registration or payment is required. Students who are not testing will have a delayed start at 10:30 am.

For sophomores, this will be the first exposure to a standardized, college entrance exam and a “practice year”. The scores this year do not qualify sophomores for the National Merit Scholarship Program and scores are not submitted to colleges. The results will provide students with concrete feedback on strengths and weaknesses on the skills necessary for college study.

For juniors, this is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, where the top scores nationally are recognized. The results of this test will provide students with concrete feedback on strengths and weaknesses that will help them to prepare for the SAT. Please visit the College Board website for more information about the SAT.

Students should review the PSAT/NMSQT STUDENT GUIDE and visit COLLEGE BOARD for PSAT information. There is also a full-length practice test within the bulletin that students are encouraged to take before October 9th.

Kaplan is offering free PSAT prep and tutorials in the weeks leading up to the test. Registration is required. For more information, visit their website. Khan Academy also provides free PSAT practice. Visit their website.

Free review sessions are available at Penncrest. Reading/Writing/Language review sessions are on Tuesday, September 24th and Tuesday, October 1 in Room D105. Math review sessions are on Tuesday, September 24th and Monday, September 30th in Room D113. All sessions run from 2:30 until 4 and space is limited. Please go to the counseling office to reserve your seat.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be offered in a digital format. During the week of September 23, it is imperative that students bring their Chromebooks to school to prepare for “digital readiness”.

Students must arrive promptly at 7:30 on test day, Wednesday, October 9th with Chromebooks fully charged. NO CALCULATORS WILL BE PROVIDED. Late arrivals may not have an opportunity to test.

Thank you for your participation in this event. If you have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT at Penncrest, please contact Mr. Reimschussel dreimschussel@rtmsd.org

Information about the counselors and links to schedule appointments with your counselors: Counseling Department Schoology Course

Registration for College & Career Visits: Naviance

College Application Instructions and Information: PHS Class of 2025: Guide to the College Application Process or in the 12th grade counseling schoology course (tons of great information including links to videos and forms)

Penncrest Weekly Updates and College & Career Corner Newsletters: PHS Newsletters

Job Postings: PHS Job Opportunities

Cassandra Allen - College & Career Counselor

Email: callen@rtmsd.org

Click here to schedule an appointment with Ms. Allen