PHS College & Career Corner

Welcome, February! Wishing everyone a warmer month with a chance to find your rhythm. Not sure where to start? Check out the table of contents and be sure to click on the links for extra information in all subject areas! Read on for our Finding the Right Fit invitation, reminders for junior and senior classes, and course planning information! A gentle reminder to register for DCCC visit if you're thinking about dual enrollment and fill out all spotlighted scholarships!

1. Send your grades as requested by colleges using the 2026 PHS Mid-Year Grades Request Form. Grades were finalized Friday and are in the process of being sent to colleges.
2. File your FAFSA and check your college portals to confirm reception. Don't forget the CSS Profile if needed or requested.
3. Check your personal email (students) for the PA State Grant application, which would come from GrantUs. See the note from PHEAA: After students complete the 2026-27 FAFSA, this information will be sent to PHEAA, and we will process it in our system. Once we process it, students will receive an activation email for their GrantUs account if they meet our pre-screening process and do not have an existing account. This email is time-sensitive, so students are encouraged to act immediately!
4. Explore your personal journey. If you know your plans for next year, great! If you are still feeling unsure, you are not alone. Check out the linked guidance to really evaluate what is right for you. If you need help finishing applications, finding a job, or interpreting letters from your schools, Click here to schedule an appointment with Ms. Allen.
5. Complete the Penncrest High School Scholarship Application - for PHS seniors only!
6. Respond to deferrals from colleges. Read the linked advice and make sure you are paying attention to deadlines. If you do not reply to using their form (if required), you will remove yourself from consideration for regular decision.

We look forward to seeing our junior families for an evening of looking toward the future! Please see the invitation and plan to attend if you are able! Slides will be shared afterwards with all.

• Wednesday, March 11th @ 6:30 pm in the PHS Auditorium
• Click for details and RSVP: Finding the Right Fit Invitation

It’s time to meet with your counselor for your Junior Planning Meeting! We hope that you are as excited as we are to explore the endless opportunities that are available to you beyond high school.

Steps to take prior to your Junior Planning Meeting:

1. Log into your Naviance Account via Clever. See these instructions for logging in.

2. Complete both the Career Interest Profiler and AchieveWorks Personality, on Naviance prior to scheduling your appointment. Most of you completed one or the other during sophomore year.

3. If you have other “tasks” that you have not yet completed (they would be listed in your Naviance account) please complete them as well.

4. Complete a College Search if attending a 4-year or 2-year college or trade/technical school using Naviance and save the search. Under the “College” tab in Naviance, complete your search using either the “Super Match” or “Advanced College Search” options.

5. Complete your Junior Planning Meeting Questionnaire in SCOIR

6. Schedule your appointment with your counselor. To schedule a Junior Planning Meeting with your counselor, go to the Counseling Department (Guidance): Grade 11 course in Schoology. The Welcome Page has links to schedule an appointment. Use the “Junior Planning Meeting” time slots. If you don’t see an available time, please email your counselor.

7. Please email your counselor ahead of time if you need to reschedule so that we can possibly open up that slot for another student.

8. COME PREPARED!!

During the Junior Meeting session, we will accomplish the following tasks:

1. Review SCOIR resources and post high school plans

2. Review your transcript

3. Review and clarify graduation requirements

4. Review your college search

5. Discuss SAT/ACT testing, preparation, and timeline

6. Discuss college visitations/open houses, college representative visits

7. Additional Resources: College Board 11th Grade Plan and Family Action Plan by College Board

8. Review the results of the Career Interest Profiler, AchieveWorks Personality assessments, and update your Naviance Resume.

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.
• SENIORS - if you plan to apply to a school or have already applied, ATTEND THE VISIT. The representatives will be looking for you!!! JUNIORS - This is an excellent learning experience for you!

Tuesday, February 3rd

• U.S. Navy - 1:00 pm

Friday, February 6th

• Harcum College - 1:00 pm

Monday, February 9th

• Shippensburg University - 10:15 am

Wednesday, February 11th

• Delaware County Community College - Dual Enrollment Opportunities - 9:30 am

Thursday, February 12th

• Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield - 9:35 am

Monday, February 23rd

• Cheyney University - 1:00 pm

Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2027 - You should have received an email from SCOIR inviting you to register for the platform in December. We encourage you to register so that you can work in tandem with your child as they navigate their postsecondary plans! Please reach out to Ms. Cassandra Allen at callen@rtmsd.org with any questions.

* We will review this platform on 2/10 during Finding the Right Fit*

Register for the SAT Spring Dates (you must have a College Board account)

· Offered at Penncrest on March 14th and May 2nd

· Register ASAP but no later than February 27th and April 17th - SPOTS WILL FILL UP!

Register for the ACT Winter/Spring Dates

· Offered at Penncrest on April 11th(Register by March 6th)

· Offered at Sun Valley June 13th (Register by May 8th)

If applying for accommodations, see your school counselor or school psychologist as soon as possible to make the request which can take weeks to process. Any accommodations must be approved by outside agencies and are not guaranteed. Fee waivers are available to students as part of the online SAT registration if you meet their eligibility requirements. ACT fee waivers are available in the counseling office.

REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP CLOSING FEBRUARY 2nd: PACAC Scholarship with opportunities earn up to $1500 for your postsecondary institution!

LOCAL ALERT FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS: Media Fellowship House offers multiple scholarship opportunities! https://mediafellowshiphouse.org/youth-education/. Due 2/28.

PENNCREST ONLY:Complete the Penncrest High School Scholarship Application - for PHS seniors only due 4/10.

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

Job Postings: PHS Job Opportunities

DCTS Application Information: DCTS Application Instructions - Start Here