Juniors: Halftime Newsletter

Quarter 2 is officially over, and we've kicked off Q3 with a snowstorm! This is basically halftime of your junior year. The rest of the year will FLY, and then you'll be seniors!

For many of you, the second half of junior year will be really informative as you visit college campuses, start building/refining your college list, and prepare to submit applications in the fall. Paying attention to these newsletters now will make your life easier when college applications open August 1st.

I know that not everyone is college-bound, and there are other exciting opportunities to pursue after high school. There will always be something for everyone in these newsletters, with top sections containing info relevant to all seniors and the later sections focusing on college stuff.

This newsletter will:

• Remind you of graduation requirements, including the Job Shadow and Volunteer Hours
• Point out key info. on the LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website, including Dual Enrollment and SAT/ACT Testing
• Offer tips to help you make the most of campus visits this spring
• Help you build your college list with SCOIR and BigFuture

In addition to the resources available here and on our website, you can always come talk to me if you want to discuss or have specific questions.

Thanks in advance for reading!

Mrs. Wengert

You still need 24 credits to graduate, but you now also need a half credit of personal finance, 7 electives, 10 Service Hours, & a Job Shadow. See below for the full breakdown.

Credits: PLEASE be mindful of the credits you have earned (9th & 10th) and are earning this year in 11th so that you know which required credits you still need to take in 12th. *We'll focus on scheduling for senior year soon!* See below for our updated credit requirements:

4 English

3 Math

3 Science

3 Social Studies

2 Arts/Humanities

1 Physical Education

0.5 Health

0.5 Personal Finance (NEW)

7 Electives (down from 7.5)

24 TOTAL

How to check your credits: Access your transcript through Infinite Campus ("Documents" tab). There is small a chance that I am missing something, especially since I am new this year -- please be another set of eyes on your transcript! If you aren't sure how you will get all of the credits you need to graduate, please email me immediately (ewengert@lakelandsd.org).

This is down from the previously required 20! Use the Service Hours Tracker linked below to track your hours. You can always pick up a paper copy from the Counseling Office.

Need ideas for where to get volunteer/service hours?

• Reach out to the Scott Township Fire Dept. to ask about any way you can volunteer in the coming season.
• If you're a part of (or familiar with) a local church or faith community, ask them about ways to give back.
• Check out the U. of Scranton's Featured Volunteer Opportunities to find local organizations looking for help.

All students are now responsible for completing a job shadow experience. What this looks like is up to you, but the idea is to spend a full day (or at least half a day) shadowing someone in a career you are interested in. Whether you arrange to be in a law office, community center, police department, or construction site, your time should give you a behind-the-scenes look at a career field and help you gain self-insight: Do I like this? Could I really see myself in this field? Am I willing to do the post-high school training/college/etc. needed to enter this field?

Job shadow packets are available for pick-up in the Counseling Office and also linked below. *If you are unsure what to do or need help identifying a job site, you can reach out to me to discuss!

The LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website is a one-stop-shop for anything related to life after high school. Below I will walk through some highlights based on questions I get most frequently, including Dual Enrollment and SAT/ACT Testing.

Many of you are thinking about doing Dual Enrollment through a local college as a way to challenge yourself, gain exposure to new subjects, and get some college credits under your belt. That's great! Go to this page to learn about:

• How to get college credit through Lackawanna for classes taken at Lakeland
• How to apply for on-campus dual enrollment (online or in-person) through local colleges like Lackawanna, University of Scranton, Marywood, Johnson, etc.
• Exploring whether dual enrollment credits will transfer to the college(s) you plan to apply to
• The Lakeland Dual Enrollment Student Handbook & Student Agreement

The SAT/ACT testing page can answer all of your questions about SAT/ACT, like:

• When should I take the SAT/ACT?
• Should I even bother taking it (what about test-optional)?
• How can I find test prep?
• How do I register?
• How do I send my scores? etc...

If you don't know what you want to do after graduation, that's okay! You've still got some time to figure it out. On the Career Exploration page of the counseling website, you can find:

• Self-exploration activities
• Tips for college & workplace visits
• Tips for choosing a college major or career path, etc.

We now have a part-time mental health counselor who can set up standing therapy appointments with students right here in our building, during school hours! The counselor is from Northern Lights, a local counseling practice based in northeast PA that shares our goals—helping each student feel understood, supported, and capable of being the best version of yourself in school and beyond.

If you're interested, email Mrs. Wengert to get the ball rolling!

The LHS College Application Guide is a go-to resource on our website for seniors. It breaks down the college application process step by step so it feels manageable, not overwhelming. It explains how to get started, how to choose colleges that fit you, and exactly what you need to submit—like applications, essays, transcripts, recommendations, test scores, and financial aid forms. With helpful tips and links to tools like Scoir, the guide helps you stay organized, meet deadlines, and feel confident throughout the application process.

Spring of junior year is a great time to start planning college visits, especially if you’re beginning to build or narrow your college list. (Spring break and summer break are the perfect opportunities to go to out-of-state schools if you are considering those!)

Why it's important: Visiting campuses can help you get a real feel for what a school is like beyond the website or what you've heard from other Lakeland students — from the campus vibe, to student life, to the student-professor dynamics. Also, when you go to apply to the college in the fall, you can check off in the application that you have visited the campus. This counts as "demonstrated interest" in that school, which can can help your chances of admission!

Pro tips:

• Try to visit when classes are in session (i.e., not on the college's spring break) so you can see the campus in action.
• Come with a few questions prepared about academics, activities, or support services.
• If you can’t travel, many colleges offer virtual tours and info sessions that are helpful! You can also follow them on social media and SCOIR to get a sense of who they are/what they're about!

College decision types are the varied timelines and binding (or non-binding) rules set by colleges for submitting applications. The primary types are Early Decision (binding), Early Action (non-binding), Regular Decision (standard deadline), and Rolling Admissions (reviewed as received). Choosing the right type helps maximize admission chances and align with financial aid needs. Click the button below to explore each of them in a little more depth.

SCOIR has many different features, but at Lakeland it is primarily used to connect students and colleges directly. You will use it to explore different schools and career paths, request letters of recommendation, and get your transcripts sent to schools. As a Lakeland student, you must use SCOIR to send college applications.

You can click on the button below to go to the SCOIR section of our website.

You’ll use SCOIR to request letters of recommendation from teachers. This page walks you through everything you need to know about Letters of Rec, including how to ask properly and what steps to follow—check this out early so your teachers aren’t flooded with last-minute requests!

You’ll also need to complete the Senior Brag Sheet in SCOIR. This required form gives teachers the information they need to write strong letters and must be finished before recommendations can be sent. It’s your chance to highlight what matters most to you and what you’re proud of.

All transcripts will be sent to colleges through SCOIR. Students cannot get this information sent to a school without utilizing SCOIR. The Sending Transcripts/Self-Reported Grades sections of the LHS Postsecondary Counseling Website will walk you through everything you need to know about transcripts, as well as what you need to do to get them sent to a school.

Most colleges require at least one college essay, which is your chance to show who you are beyond grades and activities. You’ll usually write one main essay (like the Common App Personal Statement) and may also have supplemental essays for specific schools.

For your personal statement, choose a topic that’s meaningful to you, proofread carefully, and give yourself time for feedback. If you start drafting your essay now, you can ask a current or former English teacher to be another pair of eyes and offer feedback so that it's as strong as it can be!

As you head into the second half of your junior year, it’s a great time to start thinking about how college will be paid for — and there are a few key things you should know now. Financial aid comes in two main forms: merit-based aid (scholarships earned for things like grades, activities, leadership, and test scores) and need-based aid (grants, loans, and work-study that depend on your family’s financial situation). Understanding the difference can help you plan your college list and set realistic goals. Early conversations with your family about what your family can afford will make the financial aid process less stressful later on.

To get started, try some online tools like Net Price Calculators on college websites and Student Aid Index (SAI) calculators. These give you an early estimate of what financial aid you might qualify for. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) won’t open until October 1st senior year, but knowing what to expect ahead of time can help you stay on track with deadlines and decisions. And don’t forget scholarships: they’re free money that doesn’t have to be paid back, so begin thinking now about scholarship opportunities you can apply for as a senior and where to find them!

Scholarship Search Tips

• Start local first — community organizations, clubs, employers, and foundations often have less competition.

• Watch your email! I'll always share scholarship opportunities as they come across my desk.

• Don’t wait for senior year to look; some scholarships open as early as junior spring or summer.

• Use reputable scholarship search tools and keep a list of deadlines so nothing sneaks up on you.

• Apply even if you don’t think you’re a “perfect” match — many scholarships consider effort, leadership, or community involvement, not just GPA.

Junior Year To-Do List

• Talk with your family about college costs and what feels realistic.

• Try a few Net Price Calculators on college websites to get early estimates.

• Start a résumé or activity list — you’ll use this for scholarships and applications later!

• Watch out for local scholarship opportunities and bookmark ones you may apply to next year.

As you head into the second half of junior year, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed — there’s a lot happening, and a lot coming at you fast. Just remember: you don’t have to have everything figured out right now. Take things one step at a time, focus on doing your best, and know that you will get through this. You are capable, you are not behind, and support is always available. I’m here as a resource for questions, planning, or even just a check-in when things feel like too much — don’t hesitate to reach out.

You've got this!

Mrs. Wengert

Mrs. Wengert - ewengert@lakelandsd.org

Classes of 2027, 2029 & 2031

Make an appointment with Mrs. Wengert

Mrs. deQuevedo - ddequevedo@lakelandsd.org

Classes of 2026, 2028 & 2030

Make an appointment with Mrs. deQuevedo

Location: 1355 Lakeland Drive, Jermyn, PA, United States

Email: lhscounseling@lakelandsd.org | Phone: 570-254-9485

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