Finding the Right Fit:
An Overview of the College Search & Admissions Process
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Penncrest High School
March 11, 2026
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Cassandra Allen, College and Career Counselor &
Helen Douglass-Garrett, High School Counselor
PHS Counselors
Cassandra Allen – last names A-D
Colleen Allen – Last names E-J
Maggie Chase – last names K-Q
Manuel Ibarra – last names R-Z
Kennett High School 1333 students
Class of 2023 331 students
Typical trends- about 80% attend post-secondary education; 60% 4 year college, 20% community college/trade school
Mrs. Lori Rice-Spring – 10th-12th Last Names: A, D-K
Ms. Karen Kerr – 10th Last Names: L-Q; 11th & 12th: Ba-Bo, Ca-Ck, L-Q
Mrs. Helen Douglass-Garrett:10th Last Names: B&C and R-Z, 11th & 12th:Bp-Bz, Cl-Cz, R-Z
Ms. Cassandra Allen – College & Career Counselor, Dept Coordinator
Mrs. Rochelle Eaton – 9th Grade
Mrs. Jennifer Craft – Counseling Administrative Assistant
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Tonight’s program
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Overview of the College & Career Counseling Program at PHS
Junior Year Expectations
Exploration into considerations when selecting a college
Factors colleges consider in making admissions decisions
Application Components & Process
Q & A
College & Career Counseling at PHS
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Grades 9 & 10
Freshman Seminar Smart Future lessons
PSAT administration
DCTS Classroom visits and assemblies
Career Speaker Series
Financial Aid Nights
Evening with the Experts
College Admissions/ Military/Trade School rep visits
Grade 11
FtRF Evening Presentation
Individual Junior Planning student meetings
Evening with the Experts
College Admissions /Military/Trade School rep visits
Career Speaker Series
Financial Aid Presentations
Grade 12
Bootcamp and summer meetings
College Application Help I/E Sessions
Senior Parent Night
Financial Aid presentations
FAFSA Completion Night
College Admissions/Military/Trade School rep visits
Career Speaker Series
Junior Year Forecast
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Initiate College Search: college fairs, college rep visits, SCOIR, Naviance, collegeboard.org
College and Career Junior Planning Sessions begin in December. Students schedule themselves.
Plan Junior Year Testing: SAT, ACT, AP and start visiting colleges
Prepare for SAT, ACT, AP Exams
Junior Planning Meeting
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Review of academic progress
Planning for course requests
Discussion of potential majors/careers
Guided search highlighting important college
Financial aid and scholarship information
Naviance & SCOIR
Juniors are required to complete a total of nine assigned Naviance tasks by March 31st of junior year. Tasks are assigned each year and listed on the home page of students’ accounts under “Important To-Dos and Tasks” and in the drop-down menu under the “Planner” tab
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Activities & Achievements
Junior Planning Survey
College Search
Add Colleges to Thinking About List
Achieve Works Personality
Career Interest Inventory
Add Careers to My List
Game Plan Survey
SAT DATES @ PHS�� - March 14th� - May 2nd�
ACT DATES @ PHS�� - April 11th�
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Parent/Guardian roles
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Compassionate honesty and accountability in approaching conversations
Process can be emotional – provide space and designated times
Adolescent brains are developing and growing
YOU ARE A…
Coach
Consultant
Executive Assistant
Finding the best fit
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Admissions Trends
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FAFSA IS WORKING!
COLLEGES SEEK EARLY APPLICANTS
AI – COLLEGE & STUDENT SIDE; APPROPRIATE USES
CONFUSION IN THE PROCESS
DIRECT ADMISSIONS & DUAL ENROLLMENT
The ‘right’ stuff=best fit
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Which college is best for you and why?
A college that ‘best fits’ should…
Offer course of study you want to pursue and a pathway to career success
Provide instruction and learning opportunities that are compatible with how you like to learn
Be a good match for your level of ability and academic preparation
Provide a sense of community
“second home”
�Social, Practical, and Educational Factors to Consider
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Cost/Affordability
Accreditation within field
Direct admit to major, process for switching majors
Guaranteed courses
Location: access to home and work experiences
Class size/format
Faculty : student ratio
Character, diversity, values, inclusivity
General education requirements, liberal arts
More factors to consider
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Match for ability & preparation with access to supports
Access to Supports
Retention/ Graduation/ Postgraduation Data
Provides a community that feels like home:
The student experience
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Honors Program/Honors College
Accelerated Programs
Co-ops/ Internship Opportunities
Study Abroad
Athletics
Military Academies
The Student Experience
Financial aid resources
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Financial aid websites
Schoology course 🡪 Scholarships
Financial Aid Webinars
PHS Financial Aid Nights – September and October
Factors in Admission
What are the factors that colleges evaluate when making admission decisions?
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A Deeper Dive
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Most Selective (<30% admitted) – 6% of all colleges
Highly Selective (30-50% admitted) – 8% of all colleges
Selective (51-70% admitted) – 23% of all colleges
Somewhat Selective (71-90% admitted) – 42% of all colleges
Less Selective (>90% admitted) – 21% of all colleges
Important Factors in College Admissions Process �As Ranked By Colleges
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Considerable Importance
Academic Achievement
Portfolio/Auditions (Major dependent)
Admissions test scores (5%)***
Moderate Importance
Extracurricular Activities (43%)
Teacher/Counselor Recommendations (40%)
Positive Character Attributes (38%)
Essay/Writing (37%)
Level of Demonstrated Interest/Visits (28%)
Admissions test scores (25%)
How do colleges compare high school records?
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GPA recalculation
Success of previous graduates at their institution
High school achievement
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ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
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High School Graduation Requirements are NOT the same as College Admissions Requirements
World Language Requirements
Number of Math Classes (4) and levels (Precalculus/Calculus)
Specific programs may have rigorous standards (4+2)
State Requirements
The Florida Board of Governors sets the minimum eligibility requirements in the State University System (SUS). Minimum Courses Required English (4), Math (4), Natural Science (3), Social Science (3), World Language (2 sequential)
What do colleges look for in Essays and Recommendations?
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The opportunity to make the student “come alive” - CHARACTER
Authenticity and voice
Quality of Writing and Creativity
Unique Situations and Circumstances
Demonstrate that you've researched the college
Performance in Academic Cores
What are the “Other Factors” that colleges consider?
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Institutional Needs
Athletics
Geographic region
Major /College applied to
Activities
Need Blind/Need Aware
Legacy
Early Decision (binding)
Early Action (non-binding)
Tips for getting started:�generating a list of colleges
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SCOIR is an innovative college and career readiness platform to support students and their families in exploring their futures.
It is designed as a user-friendly, interactive way for students to explore colleges, learn about career paths, and plan their next steps. Scoir is a comprehensive website that students and families can use to help in making decisions about courses, colleges, and careers.
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When do I start the application process?
How do I begin?
How many colleges should I apply to?
The Application Process
Application Components:�Always check the school’s admissions site for requirements
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Application
Application fee (or waiver)
Academic Record: transcript or STARS
High School Report Form
Letters of recommendation (LOR)
Essay and supplementals
Admission Test Scores: SAT/ACT if required
Financial Aid forms
What now?
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Register for and prepare for preferred admissions test (ACT/SAT) - personal email address
Complete Naviance Success Plan Tasks
Consider factors that are important
Discuss financial considerations
Research Colleges
Schedule college visits/ Open Houses
Begin to familiarize yourself with the Financial Aid Process
Plan your summer: programs, shadowing, working
Admissions deadlines
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Rolling
Apply and receive notification in about 2-4 weeks
Standard
One deadline typically in midwinter with decision notification in late March
Early Decision
A binding commitment to one college in early Nov. with Dec./Jan decision
Early Action/Restrictive Early Action and Priority
Nonbinding with an early deadline and admissions decision
Sometimes scholarship eligibility and admissions impact
Locating Important Events and Dates
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PHS College & Career Corner
Emails sent via Naviance & Scoir
PHS Website
PHS Calendar
PHS Principal’s Weekly Update sent via email and archived on PHS Website
Schoology
Questions?
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