PHS College & Career Corner

To our students testing, best of luck on your Keystone exams! To those of you enjoying delays, use this time to catch up on postsecondary planning, check out scholarships, prepare for the end of the semester, and look for jobs. Read on for class updates, DCTS application information, and upcoming events!

Financial Aid Reminders

• Financial Aid Deadlines - We often think of college application deadlines, but many financial aid offices also have priority deadlines for processing your FAFSA, CSS Profile, IDOC submissions, and/or college-specific financial aid paperwork. Many of the public and private colleges only require a FAFSA, but several selective public and private schools require the CSS profile (which comes at a cost), as well as IDOC forms. Why? Some of these institutions will have their own need-based grant funds or are Colleges that Meet Full Need | Appily, meaning they need a comprehensive financial picture from your family to tailor a personalized offer.
• National Decision Day is May 1st which means students can wait until they receive all financial aid letters and decisions prior to making a deposit. Some colleges will encourage students to deposit as soon as possible in order to gain priority housing and scheduling, but know that it is best to make an informed financial decision before paying your enrollment fee!
• 2025-26 Scholarship and Search Sites- Penncrest High School is your one-stop shop for scholarships. Don't forget to set up your Going Merry account to apply for our Penncrest-only scholarships!

Next Steps

• Admitted Student Days are a great way to connect with faculty, staff, and future peers. While the video below focuses on SUNY Oswego, the advice given by the intern is applicable for all colleges!

• 1st semester/2nd Marking Period Grade Requests are likely starting to come from colleges. We will have a form available starting January 20th for students to request these to be sent beginning January 30th.
• Not sure what to do next? Schedule an appointment. The counseling team is here to help! The right path for you is the one that you choose to help you move closer to your goals!

Applications for Delaware County Technical Schools are now open! It is a multi-step process, so please pay attention to prompts after you hit submit on your application to request your transcript. Details are found in the grade level counseling schoology courses in the DCTS Information folder. I have developed the 26-27 DCTS Application Instructions to accompany their Student Directions for 26.27 DCTS Application.pdf. DUE 2/28/26

Medical Careers

Sophomores and Juniors were able to attend an information session with Medical Careers teacher, Ms. Wolhafe, this past week. Two current seniors accompanied her to answer questions about this selective, senior-only program, which allows students to take dual enrollment classes, earn industry credentials and shadow clinical rotations at Riddle Hospital. A supplemental application is required along with the aforementioned process. See a copy of her presentation here!

Great job, Class of 2027, embracing our new College & Career Planning Platform, SCOIR! Remember to access it using Clever. Parents/Guardians in the class of 2027, please email callen@rtmsd.org if you need your invitation resent!

• It's time to register for the SAT or ACT. My apologies - the previous College & Career Corner incorrectly listed the March test date as the 13th. It is Saturday, March 14th and is offered at Penncrest. Not sure which test to take? Learn more about the redesigned ACT and how it compares to the SAT: SAT vs ACT for College Admission
• Junior Meetings are happening NOW! Schedule with your assigned counselor through their Calendly link on the Counseling Schoology homepage or stop down to the counseling office and scan their code! Directions are listed below.

Junior Planning Meetings

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!!!

Tuesday, January 20th

• Williamson College of the Trades - 9:35 am

Monday, January 26th

• Saint Joseph's University - 10:15 am

Thinking about entering the field of education after graduating high school? Classes of 2028 and 2027, consider the following programs available to you to earn college credits at NO COST! See Ms. Allen if interested!

We must like NY today to highlight two SUNY institutions in this newsletter! Stony Brook is part of the state system and growing in popularly with our students and across the globe with its 30% international student population. A mid-size college, Stony Brook is recognized for its STEM programs (including applied mathematics), health sciences, and for being the only SUNY college to have a School of Communications and Journalism with courses such as AI Ecologies. Did I mention their robust scholarships, including ones for out-of-state students and proximity to a beach? Consider adding this one to your list, and I promise that I'll give PA some well-deserved attention in our next newsletter!

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