Congratulations to the seniors that have already submitted college applications! An impressive 75.5% of seniors have already requested to have transcripts sent to their colleges. If any student has not submitted applications they should strongly consider doing so soon. Now that 1st term grades are on transcripts, all seniors are strongly encouraged to submit their applications for their regular action deadlines. The Senior College Application Checklist is posted below for any student that needs a reminder.

Seniors that applied to a 4-year college should plan to report their acceptance to their Guidance Counselor and sign the College Acceptances Book that is in the Guidance Office.

Seniors are strongly encouraged to apply for the local scholarships that will continue to be posted in Naviance. After completing the college application process, seniors often tend to get application fatigue, but taking the time and energy to apply for the local scholarships can literally pay off!

• 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.

Students may also search for national scholarships, FASTWEB.COM is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to scholarships and financial aid tools.

Often seniors will ask guidance counselors about the legitimacy a scholarship that they have been offered. A rule of thumb to remember is if they are requiring a fee, it is most likely a scam. It is important to be mindful of who you are giving personal information to. The Federal Trade Commision Consumer Advice website offers some helpful resources on how to avoid scholarship and financial aid scams.

The Princeton Review is hosting a series of FREE webinars titled "Cracking Test Week" from December 4-8th. Their experts will show students what they need in order to crack the SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP EXAMS.

12/4 at 8 PM: SAT, ACT or Both?

12/5 at 10 PM: SAT Strategy Session

12/6 at 8 PM: ACT Strategy Session

12/7 at 8 PM: PSAT Scores, Now What?

12/8 at 8 PM: AP Strategy Sesion

For more information and for links to register please click here.

If any student is interested in taking an SAT Prep course to help improve SAT scores, Bridgewater State University will be offering courses this winter and spring. The course is $325 and the dates are:

Session #1: February 12, 19, 26, & March 5, 2023

Sundays, 1 – 5 pm
(Snow date: Class will be held virtually)
For the March 11, and May 6, 2023 SAT exam

Session #2: May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023
Sundays, 1 – 5 pm
For the June 3, 2023 SAT exam

Location for both sessions:
Bridgewater State University
Moakley Center
100 Burrill Avenue
Bridgewater, MA

For registration information please click here.

Although the college application process begins in the spring of the junior year, there are things students and parents can be doing along the way to be prepared. The Guidance Timeline will provide parents/caregivers and overview of expectations for each school year. The tasks that students should complete each school year are outlined, the schedule for Guidance Seminars and a schedule of post-secondary planning activities. This timeline will help students and parents stay on track and know what to expect each school year!

A total of 40 community service hours is a graduation requirement. Students are encouraged to complete a minimum of 10 hours each school year. There are several opportunities available to students that also have been posted on the Guidance website, in Guidance Google Classroom and have been emailed directly to students. The Community Service Log Sheet is posted below and available to download. Students should bring their completed forms to the Guidance Office.

THE PEMBROKE COUNCIL ON AGING

The Pembroke Council on Aging is in need of student volunteers to rake leaves for elderly members of the Pembroke community. If you are interested please contact:
Susan Larkin
Email: slarkin@townofpembrokemass.org
Phone: 781.294.8220

PCMS HOMEWORK CLUB TUTORING
Please fill out this GOOGLE FORM if you are interested in earning community service hours by tutoring middle school students during Homework Club at PCMS. Homework Club meets right after school until 3:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. You do not have to be available all three days, and you must have your own transportation. Interested students should have a B or better in the subject area they are interested in tutoring.

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