GUIDANCE NEWSLETTER

January, 2023

SENIOR UPDATE

SCHOLARSHIPS: Seniors are strongly encouraged to apply to the scholarships that have been posted in Naviance. The guidance counselors will host a senior seminar the week of January 24th - 27th to encourage students to apply and will demonstrate how to access the scholarships, conduct searches and complete applications. However, they don't need to wait and can start now! Instructions are also posted below. New scholarships will be added to Naviance as they are received and posted on the bulletin board outside of guidance through March.

To search for scholarships students should follow the steps below:
  • Login to Naviance utilizing Clever
  • On the home page scroll down to "My Favorites" and click on "Scholarships & Money"
  • Click on Scholarship Search
  • Students can select the heart icon to create a list of scholarships they are interested in applying to.


As a reminder here are some scholarship searching tips:

  • Apply to as many as applicable. Scholarships with essay requirements have much fewer applicants.
  • Pay attention to deadlines, requirements (essay, letters of rec, and where to send application (Guidance Office or Scholarship Committee).
  • Work with your child throughout this process. Break it down into a manageable amount of work and explain the importance of applying.
  • Complete the Scholarship Transcript Request Form if required and submit to Mrs. Webb a minimum of 5 days before the deadline.
MID-YEAR TRANSCRIPTS: The guidance counselors will be sending transcripts to all of the colleges that seniors have already applied to the week of January 30th. Seniors will not need to request to have mid-year transcripts sent to those colleges. Seniors are reminded to login to the portals of the colleges they have applied to in order to ensure all materials have been received. If you have any questions please see your guidance counselor!
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES: Congratulations to the many seniors that have already received acceptances to their colleges! Please be sure to visit the Guidance Office to sign the College Acceptance Book! Mrs. Webb will be adding graduation caps to the bulletin board outside of the cafeteria for students to sign! It's a great way for faculty and students to acknowledge students college acceptances!
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Seniors are reminded to turn in their community service log sheets to Mrs. Webb in guidance. Seniors will need to have their 40 hours submitted prior to being cleared to receive their cap and gown in May. To download a Community Service Log Sheet please click here.
QUINCY COLLEGE DECISION DAY

QUINCY COLLEGE DECISION DAY

On Friday, February 10th the Director of Admissions of Quincy College will meet with any senior that is interested in applying to Quincy College for an on-the-spot admissions decision. Interested seniors should see their guidance counselor to sign up for an appointment. Seniors will be required to complete the Quincy College online Application prior to the appointment. Ms. Cathie Maloney, Director of Admissions will review the application, transcript and interview the student and provide an admission decision at that time.
QUINCY COLLEGE DECISION DAY
MASS TRANSFER PROGRAM

MASS TRANSFER PROGRAM

Attending a community college is a great way to keep the cost of a 4-year college degree affordable. Any student attending a Massachusetts community college is eligible to participate in the Mass Transfer Program. If a student graduates from a community college with a B or better they will have guaranteed admission to any Massachusetts State University (including Mass College of Art & Design and Massachusetts Maritime Academy) to earn a bachelor's degree. For more information about the Mass Transfer Program please click here.
MASS TRANSFER PROGRAM

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Once the college acceptances start rolling in, students will also begin to receive financial aid offers. Understanding financial aid is an important aspect of deciding which college to attend. Learning the terms and understanding what the offers mean can be very confusing and overwhelming. The article titled "How to Read Your Financial Aid Award Letter" by College Ave is posted here and will provide a helpful breaking down of financial aid awards, definitions and key components.


The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority also provides a great deal of resources to help students and parents understanding financial aid. Click here for more information and resources from MEFA.

How to Read a Financial Aid Award Letter
PHS PATHWAYS PROGRAM

PHS PATHWAYS PROGRAM

PHS Students in grades 9-11 will attend Pathway Program Overview Sessions during Advisory during the month of January. PCMS grade 8 students will attend an informational session in mid January. Students will learn about the following:

The Pathways Program is a great opportunity for students to learn marketable skills to become college or career ready by exploring a relevant field of study both in and out of the classroom. Students who participate in a pathway experience an in-depth look at a specific career field of interest, engage in career planning activities, and enhance their experience through an industry-focused internship or certification during their senior year. Currently, students have the opportunity to choose from the following pathways:


  • Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Computer Science
  • Digital Arts
  • Biomedical and Manufacturing Engineering will be added next year

Students who are interested in participating in the Pathways Program should contact their guidance counselor to ensure they are enrolled in the proper second semester classes. Students may visit guidance or complete this Google Form to request an appointment. Any changes to second semester classes must be completed by January 20th.


All specific questions about the Pathways Program should be directed to Maryellen Gates, Pathways Coordinator at 781-293- 9281 x2119 or by emailing maryellen.gates@pembrokek12.org.


For more information regarding Pathways Requirements please click here.

PHS PATHWAYS PROGRAM
SOPHOMORE & JUNIOR PSAT SEMINARS

SOPHOMORE & JUNIOR PSAT SEMINARS

Sophomores and Juniors took the PSAT on October 12th, 2022; their scores were directly emailed to them in early December and can be viewed by logging into or creating an account on Collegeboard.org. Students should create a College Board Account and keep their username and password in a safe place as they will need to access it to register for the SAT's. The Guidance Counselors will meet with all sophomores and juniors this month to review their scores and help them understand them, explore their AP Potential, NMSQT Scholarship entry requirements and how to prepare for the SAT. For more information please see below:
SOPHOMORE & JUNIOR PSAT SEMINARS
Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Score Report
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=patbkNnnAQ4
SAT & ACT TEST DATES

SAT & ACT TEST DATES

Juniors should plan to register for the SAT and/or ACT in the spring of their junior year and/or summer/fall of their senior year. Registration dates and deadlines are available below:


SAT REGISTRATION DATES & DEADLINES

ACT REGISTRATION DATES & DEADLINES *


*PHS is an ACT test site on Saturday, June 10th and the deadline to register is February 11th.


If you are interested in learning more about the difference between the SAT and the ACT please download the PDF that is posted below.

SAT & ACT TEST DATES
JUNIORS & COLLEGE PLANNING

JUNIORS & COLLEGE PLANNING

The guidance counselors encourage juniors to login to Naviance to conduct college searches. February & April vacation is also a great time to schedule tours and visits to colleges they are interested in applying to! Seminars will take place this spring to help demonstrate how to complete searches and to begin the college applications process. A College Admission Night will occur in March and the date is TBD.


Juniors and their parents are encouraged to view the Junior College Planning Checklist which is also available on the PHS website and the Junior Guidance Google Classroom.

JUNIORS & COLLEGE PLANNING
NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR - BOSTON CONVENTION CENTER

NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR - BOSTON CONVENTION CENTER

Representatives from over 225 two-year and four-year colleges, nursing schools, business schools and trade schools will participate in the National College Fair which will be held on Tuesday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the Boston Convention Center. Officers and enlisted personnel from the various branches of the military services will also be on hand to discuss the military’s enlistment and education programs such as R.O.T.C., the military academies and the GI Bill.


Boston National College Fair

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

9 am–12 pm & 6 pm–8:30 pm


Wednesday, May 3, 2023

9 am–12 pm

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC)


To register & to view a list of attendees please click here.

NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR - BOSTON CONVENTION CENTER
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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES!

1/4 - 1/12 - Sophomore & Juniors PSAT Seminars

1/20 - Deadline for students interested in Pathways to make semester 2 schedule changes

1/24 - 1/27 - Senior Scholarship Seminars

1/30 - 2/3 - Mid-Year Transcripts sent to colleges already applied to

2/10 - Registration Deadline for 3/11 SAT

2/10 - Quincy College Decision Day

2/11 - Registration Deadline for 6/3 ACT at PHS

PHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

PHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS:

Kerran Goff, Lead Counselor

Kerran.goff@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2121
Grade 9: P-Z / Grade 10: P-Z / Grade 11: N-Z Grade / 12: O-Z

Robin Conathan
Robin.conathan@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2122
Grade 9: A-F / Grade 10: A-F / Grade 11: A-Gi / Grade 12: A-F

James Shannon
James.shannon@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2117
Grade 9: G-O / Grade 10: G-O / Grade 11:Gl-M / Grade 12: G-N

GUIDANCE INTERN:
Mackenzie McDonald

Mackenzie.mcdonald@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2133

GUIDANCE SECRETARY:
Janice Webb
Janice.webb@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 X2115

PHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT