PHS College & Career Corner

Spring travel is in full swing! Our seniors are visiting campuses to make that final choice, our juniors are attending preview days, and all of the clubs/sports/activities are out and about performing and volunteering. As you are on the move, remember to take time and reflect afterwards. A checklist can assist as you compare campuses and an experience can serve as an essay topic for the future.

Read on for information about financial aid, admissions testing updates, volunteer opportunities, C & C visits and spotlights, and career Naviance assignments to build your portfolio!

Class of 2026 - It's time to do a deep dive into your financial aid letters! Take some time to see if scholarships are renewable, if you have completed your PA GrantUs application (check your email for a message from PHEAA after your complete your FAFSA), and you understand the direct vs. indirect costs and if loans were added when they list the amount you owe.

It can be confusing. Students and families, please do not hesitate to schedule a meeting with Ms. Allen if you have questions.

The Penncrest Scholarship Application Deadline has been extended to Monday, April 13th @ 11:59pm. Please see the details on the flyer below! This deadline includes the general application with includes over 50 awards and scholarships totaling over $30,000 as well as the RTMSD-related scholarships (step 2 on the website). See Ms. Allen with questions!

Waitlisted? Consider writing a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) if your institution permits you do to so. Remember that you will need to deposit by May 1st to a school and often waitlist offers come after that date. Be prepared to love the school that you choose and address any waitlist offers after the fact.

Also, be kind to others and decline your offer of admissions at institutions where you will not be attending after you have deposited at your future school!

For the classes of 2027 and beyond, colleges are in the process of updating their testing admissions policies, so please check your potential colleges' websites for the most up-to-date information. For example, Tulane provided new updates about when they require test scores and how they can impact scholarships whereas Penn State just extended their test-optional status for future applicants.

We encourage families to attend the Navigating the Critical Changes in Admissions Testing webinar offered exclusively to Penncrest Families on April 30th. Please register in advance using the link above!

Check out Mr. Roth's Volunteer Opportunities Page

Current Opportunities include:

• Upper Providence Free Library on 4/28
• Media Babe Ruth Snack Bar (throughout the season)
• Laxapalooza (4/24 & 4/5)

There are many different pathways our students can pursue after high school! Traditionally associated with cars, Universal Technical Institute has grown over the past 60 years to expand to 17 locations and multiple areas of certification. Exton is the campus closest to Media and offers certification in automotive and diesel, electrical, and welding - an area where students are getting hired before they even complete their training! Want to work on the water with cutting edge technology? Consider Florida's Marine Tech program or Michigan's Wind Turbine Specialist certification.

When it comes to the experience and outcomes, UTI works with students to find job opportunities with over 9,000 industry partners and has unique 12-15 weeks programs with some dealerships such as Ford or BMW after finishing the initial program to help increase marketability pay post-graduation and work towards earning their ASE. As for cost, students do have access to federal financial aid and tuition reimbursement (TRIP) up to $33,000. They also have over $27 million in scholarships.

If you are interested in the trades but also want to experience living away from home after graduation, consider touring UTI's Exton campus which offers Collegiate Housing Apartments and access to a student services coach to help guide you on your path!

All students are welcome to attend these visits, but must register in advance using the instructions below. Please note that ALL visits start and end within a single block, so you must check in with your teacher prior to attending the meeting.

• 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 AND make a Minga pass to come to the visit! Attendance is documented.

All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors need to review their Naviance Tasks from My School list to complete any outstanding activities which were due March 31st - Please complete them ASAP. These are required as part of the career education work standards outlined by PDE.

Need to review your tasks? Click here to sign in to your account: Naviance Access. See Ms. Allen with questions!

Information about the counselors and links to schedule appointments with your counselors: Counseling Department Schoology Courses or scan the codes below!

Junior Meeting Information:Junior Meeting Instructions

Registration for College & Career Visits: Naviance (under student account only)

College Application Instructions and Information: PHS Class of 2026: 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 College & Career Corner Newsletters & Instagram: Archived PHS College & Career Corner Newsletters

@penncrest.counseling

Job Postings: PHS Job Opportunities

DCTS Application Information: DCTS Application Instructions - Start Here (NOTE: deadline has passed, waitlist opportunities available)