Decisions, decisions, decisions...More colleges are releasing decisions amidst uncertainty of when students will receive their financial aid packages. There is discussion that colleges are considering moving back the May 1st deposit deadline to allow families more time to decide which college will be the best fit. That being said, many have not yet made this commitment, so please continue to check your portal and email for the most up-to-date communication from your schools.

- If you have received an offer of admission, congratulations!

- If you were deferred, follow the college's directions on how to make them aware of your continued interest in their school. Deferrals are NOT denials, and are quite common at large, out-of-state public schools. See Ms. Allen with questions.

- If you were offered admission at a branch campus or Summer Start program, consider your options and explore if this is a pathway you want to pursue to achieve your admissions goal. Summer programs are a wonderful way to familiarize yourself with the campus and make friends prior to the fall semester.

- If you have not applied but are still interested in attending a postsecondary institution, please make an appointment with Ms. Allen or your counselor to discuss next steps.

Challenge, but find balance...As underclassmen continue to select courses for next year, remember to enroll in courses that are going to allow you to grow academically without overwhelming you. The GUIDE to ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 2024-2025 1.25.24.pdf is an excellent resource to utilize in making your decisions about classes. Course descriptions, what to expect from different levels of rigor, and graduation information are all included in this document. For those of you thinking about college, please remember to start checking the websites of the individual schools, as requirements for admission will be posted there.

Monday, February 26th

• Belmont University, 1:30

Tuesday, February 27th

• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, 10:00

Thursday, February 29th

• Shippensburg University, 11:00

*New visits added weekly so continue to check Naviance on a regular basis

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. 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. Attendance is documented at all visits!

Please check the Counseling Schoology course on a regular basis for new scholarships: https://rtmsd.schoology.com/course/5203320436/materials?f=479547243!

See below for three scholarships shared this week for those interest in nursing, business, or simply writing an inspirational essay. Quite often the local scholarships do not have as many applicants, increasing your chances of earning free money towards your first year of college.

With all the test-optional buzz in the industry, many parents have questioned whether their child should take and submit the ACT or the Digital SAT. What we've learned over the last two years is that students who submit good test scores are more likely to be admitted to selective colleges, and a growing body of research is finding that both the ACT and the new Digital SAT offer valuable insight into a student's readiness for college-level coursework.

To support our students, our friends at Revolution Prep are offering a choice between a Digital SAT Practice Exam and an ACT Practice Exam:

Digital SAT Practice Exam: Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 9:00 AM EST – Noon EST* | Online

ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 9:00 AM EST – 1:00 PM EST* | Online

*Please note that this live exam is proctored in standard time only. If you have been approved for an extended time accommodation, please reach out to your Academic Advisor, Diane Johnson, whose information is below.

**These exams are conducted remotely, with students "sitting" for the exams from their homes.

Step 1: Register here: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/4049

Step 2: Schedule a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to help you interpret the results and develop a customized plan to prepare. Please schedule this appointment for the few days after the exam. You can pre-schedule this Score Report Review here: www.revolutionprep.com/diane-johnson

Step 3: Attend the mock exam and instantly receive our best-in-class score report, illustrating three high-impact areas to focus on for each section of the test.

Questions? If you have questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to Diane Johnson at (484) 845-5556 or by email at diane.johnson@revolutionprep.com.

Do you have the courage to fail in order to grow? Vanderbilt University might be the right fit for you! A selective, top-ranked university with a commitment to integrated research opportunities is home to approximately 14,000 students (7,100 undergraduates). Located in Nashville, Tennessee, 'Vandy' seeks students from diverse backgrounds to encourage students to gain global perspectives. The university is comprised of four distinct schools - College of Arts and Science, Blair School of Music, Peabody School of Education and Human Development, and the School of Engineering - with 70 different majors. They also love their athletic teams, with the Commodores most recently winning a national champion in bowling in 2023!

2. College Fair | Neumann University: April 17th

3. Main Line Villanova College Fair: May 22nd

Check out the Bulletin Board outside the counseling office for:

• Pre-college programs for every possible interest are available at universities across the nation
• New JOBS posted - lifeguards and camp counselors wanted
• Military summer sessions at one of the institutions as a rising senior. Applications due soon:
• West Point – Summer Leadership Experience (3/15/24)
• Naval Academy– Summer Seminar (3/31/24)
• Coast Guard Academy – AIM Summer Program (4/15/24)

Not certain where to go after Penncrest? Consider gap years or spending time abroad through structured programs. Check out the CIEE First Year Abroad Virtual Events:

CIEE First Year Aboard College Fair March 5-7, 2024