Post High School Navigator Your Self-Help Guide to State High’s College and Career Information & Resources Enter The.

Post High School Post High School

NavigatorNavigatorYour Self-Help Guide to State High’s

College and Career Information & Resources

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MAIN MENUClick Sign for Information

Planning for After High School

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What Are Your Post-Graduation Plans? Click Where You’re Headed for

Pertinent Information

College for 4-

years

College orTechnical School for 1 to 2 years

Full-time Employme

ntMilitary Not Sure

I’m considering more than one option

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Post-Secondary School Planning

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Application Process

Supplementary Materials

Selection of Schools

Financial Aid

Early Action vs. Early Decision

Evaluation Criteria

Rolling Admission vs. Regular Decision

Transcripts NCAA RegistrationSAT/ACTGeneral TipsCommon Mistakes

Military Academies

Planning on a 4-Year College Degree?

Select a 4-Year College Option for Details

Penn State

One or More of the

State Universities of Pennsylvania

Schools

Accepting the Common Applicatio

n

Selective Schools

NOT Accepting the Common Application

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Penn College of

Technology

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E-Mail a CounselorClick Sign to Send a Message

E-Mail Mr. Steve

Gutoff

E-MailMs. Alice

Ball

E-MailMs. Sue Brindle

E-Mail Ms. Katie Scalise

E-MailMs.

Kathleen Cocolin

E-Mail Mr. Tim Morgan

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Penn State Application SpecificsPage 1

• Must choose 1 major area– If unsure, Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) is fine

choice– If interested in Business and don’t choose Business or

DUS, you CANNOT switch into Business later

• Choose summer admission over fall unless a very strong student (high GPA and SAT/ACT scores)• Summer increases students’ chances of admittance &

success

• Check Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry on list of courses taken if you’ve taken College Prep Math series

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Penn State Application SpecificsPage 2

• Note: Some programs require Trig for admission• Can take 1/2 credit trig spring course at State High • Click here to check out which PSU programs require

Trighave additional mathematics requirements.

• Foreign Language– Not needed for admittance– If didn’t take 2 years in high school, you will need to

successfully pass 2 semesters in college to graduate from PSU

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Apply toPSU

Applying to State Schools of PAPage 1

• Schools such as Lock Haven, IUP and Clarion are state schools.• Penn State is not a member institution of the

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). PSU is a state-affiliated school, as is Temple and Pitt.• Tuition is less expensive at PASSHE as compared to

non-discounted PSU tuition.

• Click here for links to all the state schools.• Some state schools may be harder than PSU for

you to be admitted, others may be easier.

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Applying to State Schools of PAPage 2

• You can complete the same application for any and all state schools at one time. Click here to access the site.• Create an account first• Fill out the online form• Request your transcript to be sent by Mrs. Wolanski by

filling out a Transcript Request Form

• Click here for links to all the state schools.• Note: Some state schools may be harder than PSU

for you to be admitted, others may be easier.

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Applying to Penn College, Community College or Technical

SchoolPage 1

• Most schools will allow you to tour, and meet with instructors to help you decide whether the school will meet your needs. Ask about:• Programs of interest• job placement rates for graduates (in their field)• Tutoring services• Housing availability (if important to you)

• SAT’s/ACT’s are usually NOT required for admission to 1 to 2-year programs but are required for 4-year programs

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• Placement tests may be required upon acceptance• Good performance on SAT’s can substitute for

placement tests.• Poor performance on placement testing can

result in remediation classes for no credit toward graduation.

• For tech schools, call your representative for more hints on how the application process.

• You must fill out a Transcript Request Form with Mrs. Wolanski so we can send your transcript.

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Applying to Penn College, Community College or Technical SchoolPage 2

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• Obtain a paper application from counseling office or apply online if possible.

• Make an appointment with your grade-level counselor or Mr. Morgan for help.• E-mail Mrs. Dodson to set up an appointment.

Include when you are available and who you want to see.

• Some programs and housing options fill up fast so apply ASAP.

• Take advantage of application fee discounts!

How to Apply to Penn College

Applying to Penn College, Community College or Technical School

Page 3

Selecting Colleges to Which You’ll Apply

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• Visit all schools you’re considering.• Consider applying to just 5 or 6 colleges, since

the average application fee is $50 per application.• Choose at least one “safety” school that is both

academically and financially safe.

• Choose one “reach” school-one you may not fit the mid-range criteria for acceptance but you would really like to go there, and you have a shot.

• Choose at least three “good fits.” Good fit means you fit the mid-range (GPA & SAT/ACT) of applicants usually accepted.

Next

• Apply online if possible.• It’s more efficient, and sometimes cheaper.

• Apply ASAP to get maximum consideration from schools with Rolling Admission (like PSU).

• Make a detailed checklist for each college application to help with organization.

• If you are completely overwhelmed by these questions, please make an appointment with your counselor!

Applying to CollegeGeneral Tips & Strategies

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• Take advantage of application fee discounts.

• Some colleges offer discounts for visiting campus, applying online.

• All colleges offer full fee-waivers for financially needy students.

• If you have received an SAT fee-waiver or are on the school’s free/reduced lunch program, you most likely qualify for a fee-waiver.

Applying to CollegeGeneral Tips & Strategies

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Transcript Request FormCompleted with Mrs. Wolanski or Mrs. Dodson, giving

permission to mail your transcripts to one university to which you are applying

Must fill out at least 3 weeks before application is due

If we are to mail,you must bring in an

9”x 12” envelope with 4 stamps addressed to the

college

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• Take the SAT and/or ACT no later than October or November of senior year.

• Take SAT Subject Tests if your school(s) requires or recommends doing so.

• Send scores directly to schools asking for official scores.

• SAT offers 3 free scores mailings with each tests. If sending to more than 3, you must go to CollegeBoard.com and pay to have them sent.

SAT / ACT Testing

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• Don’t forget to complete...

• Mid Year Report - sent from the counseling office to the schools to which you apply (required)

• Final Report/Transcript - sent from the counseling office to the school you choose to attend (required)

• College Specific Financial Aid Forms (if specified)

• Athletic Supplement (athletes only)

• Arts Supplement (arts majors only)

In Addition to Filling Out Your Applications...

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• Interviews (select schools only)

• Auditions (performance majors only)

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Early Decision vs. Early Action• Early Decision - Students sign a binding

agreement to attend a school that offers them admission. You should only choose this if you definitely want to attend there if accepted. If you don’t you can be held financially responsible.

• Early Action - Students apply early but are not bound to attend the school upon acceptance. Usually criteria for acceptance under “early action” is more competitive than regular admission since schools are forced to decide upon a student early, without any commitment from the student.

• NOTE: Students NOT accepted in the Early Decision or Early Action pools are automatically included

in the pool for regular decision admission and are re-evaluated by those criteria.

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Rolling Admission vs. Regular Decision• Rolling Admission - Applicants are evaluated

and accepted on a continuous basis until capacity is met, thus advantages exist to those who apply earlier. Note: Penn State has rolling admissions

• Regular Decision - A single deadline exists and all applicants meeting that deadline are placed in a single pool and evaluated. It is not necessary to submit the application any earlier than the published deadline date, as the application is not reviewed until the single deadline date has passed and there is no advantage to submitting early.

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Financial Aid

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) soon after Jan 31, 2010.

• Fill out CSS Financial Aid Profile if required by college(s).

• Investigate scholarship opportunities.

• Read the financial aid section in the College Planning Book - pages 23-31. (available in counseling office)

• Visit finaid.org for a preliminary financial aid estimate.

• Attend financial aid nights.

Go Back NextuPHEAA Financial Aid Night

PSU Financial Aid Night

• View info and get a free subscription at fastweb.com

• Learn about grants & scholarships at educationplanner

• Do its free scholarship search

• View PA Higher Education Agency’s info at: pheaa.org

• Fill out State High Senior Scholarship Book in spring

• View resources in North Counseling

• Investigate opportunities from employment, religious affiliations, nationality, college and program you’re planning to attend--1st & later years

Scholarships & Grants

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College Visits

• Many colleges visit our HS in the Fall

• Check SCASD web site for upcoming visits

• A few examples are:

Lehigh University 9/12, pd. 7

Schreyer Honors College, 10/1, pd. 5/6

Virginia Tech, 9/25, pd. 7

Elizabethtown College, 9/25, pd. 4

George Mason University, 10/20, pd. 8

Clarion University, 10/28, pd. 5

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Resources For Finding Colleges For You

• collegeboard.com

• educationplanner.org

• High school counseling office

• Individual college websites

• Bridges website - login required

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How Colleges Evaluate YouStandardized test scoresGrades in academic coursesGrades in all coursesEssayCounselor recommendationTeacher recommendationSpecial talents and abilitiesWork/extracurricular activitiesInterviewAlumni relationsSubject testsDemonstrated interestEthnicityAbility to payState of residence

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Note: Not ALL of these criteria are used by

Penn State and State Universities

Common Mistakes On College Applications• You apply to a college and never

come to the counseling office to request to have your transcript sent from our HS to the college

• You apply to a college and forget to send your SAT/ACT scores to the college

• You apply to college and forget to download all the necessary forms

• You miss a deadline

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• Meet with the armed services recruiters to learn more about:

• The difference between the branches

• Job opportunities available to you

• Realities of military life

• Timeline for how to prepare for service

• Money for college

• Arranging to take the ASVAB test - required for all branches.

Military

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How to Apply to Penn StatePart 1

•Go to PSU Admissions Website & follow instructions

• Create your PSU profile (a secure login) and write down your username & password for future reference

• Fill out the online application

• Click here for how to fill out certain parts correctly

• Print out the counselor form and take to Mrs. Wolanski or Mrs. Dodson in North Counseling

• Fill out a transcript release form so we can send your transcripts

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• Note: Some academic programs (such as the arts) have additional requirements such as auditions or portfolios. Click here for this list of programs.

• Complete your application by Halloween - Oct 31

• You can check your admission status and review the admissions decision of your application through your MyPennState account.

• Complete applications submitted by November 30 should receive an admissions decision by January 31

How to Apply to Penn StatePart 2

Back toPart 1

Schreyer’s Honors College Addtional

Requirements

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Additional Requirements for Schreyer Honors College Applicants• Complete the Schreyer Honors College (SHC)

supplement included in the regular PSU application• SHC supplement includes:• 3 required essay questions• Letters of recommendation from

2 teachers and 1 high school counselor• Click here for how to submit

recommendations

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Mrs. WolanskiRequest your transcript from her

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Mrs. DodsonRequest your transcript from her

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PSU Colleges Requiring Trigonometry

• Smeal College of Business

• College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

• College of Engineering

• Information Sciences and Technology

• Eberly College of Science

• and all other Business, Engineering/Engineering Technology, and Science programs

• The colleges listed above require one-half unit of trigonometry or higher level math within the required three units

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Not Sure?

• If you are thinking about college in some form, you need to apply NOW to keep that option open.

• Meanwhile, you should spend time investigating whether a 4-year, 2-year, or 1-year program is right for you depending on your career interests

• If you don’t have a single solid idea of a career direction, ask yourself, how much schooling is required for MOST of the careers that interest me?

• If most require a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree, that should give you a clue on which type of education to pursue.

• If you don’t have a clue about career interests, click here

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• If you’re thinking about full-time work right out of high school, think about:

• Will job income be enough to allow me to be independent in the near future? If so, great!

• Will it pay the rent, pay for food, maintain my car, etc.

• If not, does the job/career have potential for promotion or advancement so that I may someday be able to live independently, or even support a family on that salary?

• If not, what further education or trainingwould I need to qualify for a promotion to that level?

Straight to Employment?

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Register with NCAA• Register with NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to play Division I or II athletics.

• Division III does NOT require you to register with the Clearinghouse

• Bring in the form upon registration andrequest your transcript from the counseling office to be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse

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How to Apply via the Common Application• Read commonly asked questions and vie

w the demonstration

• Check here to see which schools accept the Common Application

• Register on the common application website here

• You only need to register once, regardless of how many schools to which you plan to apply.

• Applying online is recommended.

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How to Apply via the Common Application• When you apply, you must “invite” those

who you wish to write your recommendations.

• Kindly ask your recommenders in person too, giving them AT LEAST 3 business weeks notice before you need their letters completed and sent.

• Also, confirm with your recommenders that they received the Common App “invitation.” Don’t assume it will always work; it does not!

• Come to Counseling and fill out Green Sheet info.

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• This enables your counselor to collect information necessary to write the Counselor Recommendation.

How to Apply via the Common Application

• For EACH and EVERY school to which you are applying, you must:

• Request your transcript from the counseling office.

• Arrange to have your SAT Scores sent directly from the College Board.

• Pay an application fee.

• Complete and submit any required supplements.

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How to Apply to Selective Schools

Not Using the Common Application

• Follow all application instructions specifically.

• Ask your recommenders in person as well, giving them AT LEAST 3 business weeks notice before you need their letter completed and sent.

• Come to North Counseling and fill out Green Sheet information.

• This enables your counselor to collect information necessary to write the Counselor Recommendation.

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How to Apply to Selective Schools

Not Using the Common Application

• Print Counselor Form and School Report Form.

• Bring above forms and a big manilla envelope with 4 stamps to North Counseling.

• Request your transcript.

• Have SAT scores sent from College Board.

• Pay the application fee.

• Complete and submit any required supplements.

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Military Contacts

• Army Sgt. Tackett 238-1262

• Air Force - Sgt. Traxler 237-3908

• Navy - Sgt. Houck 237-5704

• Marines - Sgt. McClester 237-1335

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Military Academies

• The competitive application process begins in the spring of junior year and ends mid-November of senior year.• Consult the Academies websites for

admissions requirements, typical profile of students accepted, and an application.• Candidates must have a nomination, usually

from U.S. Congress or Vice President.• Usually applied for in spring of junior year• Senator information is found at senate.gov• Consult your counselor for help with this.

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Military Academies

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U.S. Air Force Academy

U. S. Coast Guard Academy

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

U. S. Military Academy (Army @ West Point)

U.S. Naval Academy