PHS Counseling Office
College & Career News
SENIORS - APRIL/MAY TO DO LIST!
- Continue looking for scholarships! Look at list online https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PBO8u8IPcfmG7F5nKFBz-O1nCdXmeo1txgKDwir1t0c/edit#gid=0, national scholarship search engines and schools applying to
- Review the Student Aid Reports (SAR) that will soon be arriving from the colleges. This report will tell you how much each school will cost and how much in financial aid they will be offering.
- If you have already decided where to attend, make sure you have completed any required housing information.
- May 1 is the national date to tell each college whether or not you will be attending. Yes, it is important you also let them know if you will NOT be attending if they've offered you admission. This opens up spots for anyone on a waiting list.
JUNIORS - APRIL/MAY TO DO LIST!
- Join my remind group - PHS Class of 2017! https://www.remind.com/join/2017pec This allows me to text reminders to parents and students of career and post-secondary opportunities coming up. It is free to use, we don't share phone numbers, and every text sent is listed on my webpage. It's just another way to keep on top of the many things to do!
- Use the college search tools to create a list of post-secondary schools you are interested in. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/?navid=gh-cp or www.careercruising.com
- Use overgrad.com to see which colleges match up with your current credentials - GPA and ACT scores. It's a good idea to keep schools in each category - a reach school (a little outside of where your scores are), a match school (dead-on to where your scores are), and a safety school (you are well above what they require).
- Schedule spring and / or summer college visits. Nothing can replace actually stepping foot on a campus! Two or four years is a LONG time to live somewhere that you don't like!
- Get your summer plans in order - getting a part-time job to save money for college?, adding volunteer experiences to your resume?, attending a college pre-program?
- Get to know your school counselor and teachers better! You will be needing letters of recommendation in the fall. Let them know what you are interested in!
- Begin working on a resume. Share this with people who will be writing you letters of recommendation. This is not the time to be modest. The more they know about you, the better your letter can be.
SOPHOMORES - WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?
- FInish your sophomore year on a strong note! Keep studying and turning in homework.
- If you haven't yet been involved in either extracurricular activities or volunteer/work experiences outside of school, this summer is the time to begin! Colleges actively look for students that can excel not just in the classroom, but by balancing that with outside commitments. You don't need to join a ton of clubs, but find something that inspires you!
- Continue to think about what you like to do, what your strengths are, and how that might come together to help choose a career. This list will more than likely change as you continue throughout high school, but thinking about it now is the first step. Talk to family and friends about their careers - you never know where the inspiration will strike!
FRESHMEN - WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?
- Finish your freshman year strong! Freshman grades DO MATTER!
- Once the semester is complete, log into your overgrad.com account and update your GPA. Make a goal for yourself for the end of your sophomore year. What GPA do you want to end up at? How can you reach that goal? Use the GPA calculator to see what you need to do.
- Think about your likes and dislikes. Pay attention to your strengths. Talk with family and friends about their careers. Write it all down! These can all be clues to help you figure out what path you want to take after high school.
- Don't give in to summer meltdown. Read a book! Stay active!
Valerie Abel
Email: valerieabel@pecschools.com
Website: www.pecschools.com
Phone: 815-239-2611