MHS School Counseling Newsletter
Junior Post-Secondary Planning Edition
Junior families,
We are rapidly approaching the end of the year and it's time for juniors to start thinking about their plan for after high school! We know that this process can be overwhelming but we are here to help along the way. We created this newsletter specifically for juniors and their families because we know how much information needs to be shared. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at anytime throughout this process!
Most of the following information is geared towards the four-year college process since the majority of our students go on that path. However, there are many other paths to choose, such as..
- 2-year/community college
- Certificate/training programs
- Gap year
- Employment
- Military
- Apprenticeship
Some of these can also be done in combination with one another. We will discuss your individual plans with all students and families in your post-secondary planning meeting.
- Amy Petroskey, Nicole Fernald, and Dana MacPhee
College Visits
How to Make the Most of College Visits - College Admissions Decoded Podcast
Upcoming Events
We will be holding our annual Junior Family Post-Secondary Planning Night on Thursday March 30th at 6:00pm. We will be reviewing the entire post-secondary and college planning process during this event. This event will be virtual. You can join the meet at this link - http://meet.google.com/vkf-cvqd-odw. We look forward to seeing you!
NEACAC (New England Association for College Admission Counseling) College Fairs
Assumption University - Tuesday May 16th from 5-7pm
Bridgewater State University - Tuesday May 23rd from 9am-12pm and 11am-2pm (there are two sessions)
For more information and registration please visit https://www.neacac.org/spring-college-fairs-2023
NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counselors) College Fair
Tuesday May 2nd from 9am-12pm and 6-8:30pm
Wednesday May 3rd from 9am-12pm
At the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center - 415 Summer St. Boston, MA
For more information and registration please visit https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/national-college-fairs/boston-fall-national-college-fair/
Additional Things to Research
Standardized Testing
During COVID, many colleges instituted a test-optional admissions policy and do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. The website fairtest.org has a comprehensive list of all of the colleges that do not require standardized test scores for admission. There is a possibility that some students will not need to take the SAT or ACT at all if the colleges that they want to attend do not require it.
Disability Services
If your student is on a 504 or an IEP, it is important to consider the disability services center when researching colleges. The disability services center will help make sure that students receive the accommodations that they need in order to be successful in college. Take this time during the research phase to learn more about how each college provides their accommodations.
Meetings with Counselors
Amy Petroskey (last names A-La) - please visit calendar to select a time
Nicole Fernald (last names Lb-Z) - please visit calendar to select a time
Dana MacPhee (last names throughout the alphabet) - please email directly at dmacphee@maynard.k12.ma.us
If the times on the calendar don't work for you, please email or call the school counselor to set up a different time. We look forward to working with you throughout this process!
Important Links
Caregiver Brag Sheet - This is for any parent or guardian who wants to share with us a little extra information about their student that can help us write the counselor letter of recommendation
Class of 2024 Brag Sheet - This is for students so that we can have more detail about you when writing your letter of recommendation **this is required for students who need a letter of recommendation** If you know you will be applying early action or decision, please fill this out by the end of the school year!
MEFA Website - MEFA is the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority. It provides tons of resources about the financial aid process and the college application process. In the fall, they offer lots of webinars on the overview of financial aid
Financial Aid 101 Webinar - The College Financing webinar is the general overview of the financial aid process. Typically in the fall, this is offered multiple times a week so there will definitely be more dates/times closer to Oct. 1. This spring, it is offered on May 8th from 6:30-7:30pm.
Scholarship Resource List - some information about where to start researching scholarships
College Board Website - students must sign up for the SAT through their College Board account
ACT Website - students must sign up for the ACT through the ACT website and will have to create an account
Podcast Corner
NACAC College Admissions Decoded Podcast
This podcast is produced by the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Every episode features insiders from the world of admissions breaking down the facts, myths, and rules of engagement for today's college landscape. Some episodes to give a listen to are: Strategies for Acing the College Essay, The Keys to Building a Good College List, What Non-Academic Factors Actually Influence College Admissions, and A Guide for Students with Learning Differences to Applying, Choosing, and Thriving in College. Additional information on the podcast, their episodes, and some partner podcasts is available here.
The MEFA Podcast
This podcast is produced by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority. This podcast focuses on conversations with experts about every step of planning, saving, and paying for college and reaching financial goals. Some episodes to give a listen to are How to Pay Your College Bill, What Can You Expect to See in a Financial Aid Offer?, and Completing the CSS Profile. More information about the podcast and additional episodes can be found here.
Steps Moving Forward
- Continue researching colleges for your list
- Think about your standardized testing plan - decide if you will be taking the SAT or ACT and sign up for a test if you want to take it!
- Think about topics for a college essay
- Think about teachers you are comfortable asking for a letter of recommendation
Counselors will be going into the Senior Project classrooms in the fall to give a more detailed lesson on the specifics of the actual applications and next steps.
MHS School Counseling
Amy Petroskey (978) 897-8891 ext. 3210 apetroskey@maynard.k12.ma.us
Dana MacPhee (978) 897-8891 ext. 3105 dmacphee@maynard.k12.ma.us