Counseling Department Newsletter
Canon-McMillan High School/March 2022
The Digital SAT: What You Need to Know
Sunday, March 20th at 8:00PM, The Princeton Review invites you, your students, and families to join us for “The Digital SAT: What You Need to Know.” The College Board has announced a significant change to the SAT, turning the exam into a computer-based test. This presentation will discuss what’s changing on the SAT, what’s not changing on the SAT, and what a digital SAT means for students.
You can register at the following link: Digital SAT: What You Need to Know | Sunday, March 20.
Free Practice ACT and SAT Exams
Revolution Prep is offering practice SAT and ACT exams. This is a great chance to get started on your testing plan, or if you have already started, it will provide additional practice. Taking practice tests under timed conditions is essential to being ready for the official test. A proctored practice exam will help your child build testing endurance and give a real-time snapshot of testing performance.
SAT Practice Exam
Date: Saturday, March 19, 2022
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Where: Proctored Live Online by Revolution Prep
Cost: FREE
Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/84060
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2022
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Where: Proctored Live Online by Revolution Prep
Cost: FREE
Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/84060ACT Practice Exam Date: Saturday, March 26, 2022 Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST Where: Proctored Live Online by Revolution Prep Cost: FREE Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/84060 Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022 Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST Where: Proctored Live Online by Revolution Prep Cost: FREE
Materials will be emailed to students 24 hours before the exam.
Every exam comes with a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to assess specific strengths and areas of improvement. If you have additional questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to Revolution Prep at (800) 993-7780 or by email at midwest@revolutionprep.com.
National College Fair
Session 1 March 17, 2022, 9:00AM-1:00PM
Session 2 March 17, 2022, 6:30PM-9:00PM
Session 3 March 18, 2022, 9:00AM-1:00PM
Attendance at a college fair event is highly encouraged for students with their parents/guardians. If attending during the day, this will count as a college visit for attendance purposes. For general College Fair information, and to learn about which colleges will be in attendance, click here.
Thursday, Mar 17, 2022, 09:00 AM
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
All Academies Admissions Seminar Announced
The Western PA Admissions Field Force for the United States Military Academy at West Point is hosting our next All Academies Admissions Seminar for students interested in attending one of our nation’s Service Academies. Representatives from the following Academies will be present: U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and ROTC. As students begin to consider and work toward the possibility of attending an academy, this event is intended to assist in their overall preparedness.
WHEN: Thursday, 24 March 2022, beginning at 6:00 PM.
WHERE: Somerset Area Jr-Sr High School, 645 S. Columbia Avenue, Somerset, PA 15501 (Sr. High Auditorium).
DID YOU KNOW: Over the years thousands of students and parents from across Pennsylvania have attended these Military Service Academy events and benefited from the information provided. The demand for this information is high due in part to the competitive nature of the nomination and appointment process. Nominations to the Service Academies are made by the President, Vice President, or a Member of Congress. There are five Service Academies: The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), The United States Naval Academy (USNA), The United States Military Academy (USMA), The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), and The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). Nominations are required for all but The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition. The desire of these young men and women of Pennsylvania to serve our nation is truly admirable, and we hope that this event provides them the information and tools they need to be successful applicants to our Service Academies.
School Supports
School Counseling Resources Group
Every high school student is encouraged to join the School Counseling Resources group in Schoology! Resources including academic development, career development, employment, community service opportunities, scholarships and more can be found there! Students can join the group by using the following access code: DB7QW-K4WWP
Student Assistance Program
Postsecondary Planning
Requesting Recommendations in Xello
Syncing the Common Application with Xello
Common App Resource Round-up
The CSS Profile
ACT/SAT Test Preparation
Big Future Scholarships for the Class of 2023
Ahead of these changes, this week, we’re launching BigFuture Scholarships (formerly known as College Board Opportunity Scholarships) for the class of 2023 to reward efforts to plan for college on BigFuture.
Transcript Process
Transcript Release Form
Students who are 18 may sign for themselves; students under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign this form giving consent. Remember, students will still have to communicate where transcripts should be sent. This will occur in Xello.
Resumes
Transcript Requests in Xello
Financial Aid
Undergraduate FAFSA Filers
Graduate FAFSA Filers
Pennsylvania FAFSA Filers
PA Forward Student Loans
From our friends at PHEAA: If your PA students and families need additional financial assistance after exhausting state and federal aid, our experienced loan counselors are here to help! PHEAA devotes energy and resources to developing innovative ways to ease the financial burden of higher education. Contact us at PHEAA.org/PAF or 1-844-PAForward (1-844-723-6793).
Work Permits
Are you Moving? How To Ensure PowerSchool Is Up To Date
The Common Application Releases the 22/23 Essay Prompts
The Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2022-2023. Because as we enter the third year of a global pandemic, consistency is not a bad thing.
That’s not the only reason, of course. We know from our most recent survey on the topic that over 95% of every group who responded--students, counselors, teachers, and admission officers--agree that the prompts spark effective essays. That’s why we kept them the same last year as well, with the exception of adding a new one about gratitude. Click here to learn more. source:commonapp.org
SAT Going Digital in Shifting College Admissions Landscape
More than 75% of Colleges don't require SAT or ACT
Demonstrated Interest: 22 Ways Teens Can Boost Their Chance of Admission
What is demonstrated interest? Anything students, prospective college applicants, can do which conveys this message: “I am interested in your campus.” Click here to read more. source:grownandflown.com
How Important are Class Grades in College Admissions? Experts Weigh In
Rejected By a Safety School? Here Are Some Possible Reasons Why
Throughout the months of March and April, students across the county are repeatedly clicking “refresh” on college admissions websites, anxiously awaiting the outcome of three and a half years of hard work in high school While most will be preoccupied with whether or not they’ll get into their dream school, many will be shocked to receive something completely unexpected: a rejection from a safety school — a school assumed to be easy to get into If you’ve been rejected by a safety school, you may be feeling completely devastated and wondering how this could possibly have happened. Here are some reasons that might help explain what may have gone wrong. Click here to read more. source:road2college.com
Scholarships
Deadlines Approaching!
- Completing parent information-this is optional, but it is strongly recommended that they complete this. This allows the Foundation to follow up with parents/guardians should a student be nearing the deadline to accept and receive the scholarship later.
- Be sure to check spelling and grammar.
- Complete all sections in their entirety.
- Some scholarships require additional information, like essays. Be sure to adhere to the listed guidelines for length as well as ensure you are answering the prompt.
The Pittsburgh Foundation Opens the 2022 Application Window
Opportunities specific to Canon-McMillan students are:
The Shawn Collingwood Memorial Scholarship Fund For seniors who are on the swim or track and field teams. Apply on the Pittsburgh Foundation website.
The Sophie M. and John F. Yoney Scholarship Fund Three scholarships (one each for a Canonsburg, Cecil and North Strabane student); demonstrated financial need. The process to apply is changing; this will be updated in Schoology upon receipt.
Joseph "Murph" Irwin Memorial Scholarship Fund Seniors who graduated from St. Louise de Marillac school. Apply on the Pittsburgh Foundation website.
Sage Scholars Tuition Rewards program
Tuition Reward Points accrue like frequent flyer miles and are typically earned through an affiliated financial institution, health insurance, or employer. These include 529 plans, banks, brokerage firms, companies, credit unions, mutual funds, non-profits and diverse financial service companies involved in life insurance, health insurance or retirement plans. Your Tuition Rewards Points represent guaranteed minimum discounts off the "list price" of tuition at many of America's best private colleges. Click here to learn more. source:tuitionrewards.com
RaiseMe
General Information
Tips To Finishing the Year Strong
Assistance for the Internet
Ten Questions Students Should Ask When Getting Interviewed For a Job
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help
Registering with the Selective Service
Selective Service registration is required by law as the first part of a fair and equitable system that, if authorized by the President and Congress, would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing for an Alternative Service Program for conscientious objectors. By registering, a young man remains eligible for jobs, Federal student aid, State-based student aid in 31 states, Federally-funded job training, and U.S. citizenship for immigrant men. Registration begins at age 18. Click here to learn more and register.
Jobs In Demand
The U.S. economy took a major hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with tens of millions of people filing for unemployment over the course of just several months.
Beginning in May and as states reopened economies, jobs in sectors like hospitality began to open back up. In June alone, as many as 4.8 million jobs were added to the labor market.
For people in search of a job or new career path altogether, career site Indeed made a list of 15 in-demand jobs that it says have “the most anticipated growth rates for the next five years.” Click here to read more.
Teen Depression
Resources
Bullying Awareness and Prevention
College Rankings
College Raptor’s 2021 Best Colleges Rankings
We shine the spotlight on the best colleges and universities that the US has to offer. We’ve divided these rankings into multiple handy categories, allowing students and families to find schools that fit with what they’re looking for.
Niche 2021 Best Colleges
Explore college rankings based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of student and alumni reviews, and see how we calculate these rankings.
Princeton Review: The Best 386 Colleges 2021
For our 29th edition, we surveyed 143,000 students from across the country so we can tell you which college has the best food, best career services, happiest students, and more. Find out if your dream school made one of our 62 lists.
U.S. News Best Colleges
Expert advice, rankings, and data to help you navigate your education journey and find the best college for you.
Washington Monthly 2020 College Rankings
The Washington Monthly magazine released its 2020 College Guide and Rankings ranking colleges on how well they serve the country as a whole.
World University Rankings 2021
The World University Rankings 2021 include more than 1,500 universities across 93 countries and regions, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.
The Impact of Coronavirus
Secondary school updates - NACAC
PA State System of Higher Education - PASSHE
Message Regarding the Coronavirus - The Common App
College and university updates - admissions & coronavirus - NACAC
Counseling Department
Counselors
A-C Karen Rubican rubicank@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5022
D-Hn Susan Humbertson humbertsons@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5020
Ho-Me Nadia Abbondanza abbondanzan@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5027
Mi-Sc Kathleen Sharkady sharkadyk@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5023
Se-Z Molly Nuri nurim@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5021