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PHS College Application Boot Camp:�Class of 2026

Penncrest High School

Ms. Cassandra Allen, PHS College & Career Counselor

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This presentation will be recorded.

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Agenda & Housekeeping

Personal Journey

Finding the Right Fit

Updates for the Class of 2026

PHS Class of 2026: Guide to the College Application Process

Timeline

Application Components

Upcoming Events

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Postsecondary Planning Journey��*Team Approach*��Class of 2026 Summer Newsletter

You are in the driver’s seat

Each student must find their own path

Supportive guidance/sounding board
Financial Aid
Unconditional positive regard
Emails, tracking, financial aid forms

Parent/Guardian coach, consultant, and collaborator

Speak honestly
Celebrate successes
Schedule a regular meeting
Shared email address

Stay in your lane

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What’s new for 2025-2026?

Testing reinstated

Financial Aid & Early Decision

Uncertainty is certain

Everchanging landscape
Emphasis on outcome…while developing soft skills and whole person growth
Ask about financial health
AI and its role in admissions

DO NOT TRUST GOOGLE

What remains

Commitment to student success, intellectual growth and support

FAFSA

OCTOBER 1st is back
Simplify model is working!
Delays to state grants
Possible changes to federal aid

Yield matters

Early Decision
Ongoing engagement

Testing

New ACT
Review of policies

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What do you think you want and what do you think you need from a school?

How will you define success in this process?

THINK ABOUT YOUR VALUES

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Summer Timeline (adapted from NACAC)� PHS Class of 2026: Guide to the College Application Process�

LATE SUMMER TO EARLY FALL

Match your Common App & Naviance Accounts
Make official requests for LOR
Create your SRAR if applicable (workshop)
Take the SAT or ACT
Create your application spreadsheet to track all requirements and passwords.
Connect with your potential colleges when they visit PHS or attend college fairs! Emails matter, too!
Finalize your list and how you want to apply.
Start the financial aid applications

SUMMER

Continue to research colleges and explore programs, alumni/employment, and SLAM (Size, Location, Admissions, Major)
Narrow or expand your list (4-8 typical)
Visit campuses at the schools that interest you and might be along the way on your journey!
Register for the SAT or ACT
Review application requirements on each college’s website. Create your Common App – Rolled over Aug 1st
Start the college essay. Have fun with it!
Look at financial aid and costs

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25-26 SAT & ACT Dates�$68 - Fee waiver codes available to eligible students- Reach out to Ms. Allen or your counselor�

SAT

ACT

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Research, Connect, Explore

Build your list

4-8 colleges average
Try to stay under 20!

Research

Demonstrate interest
Open emails

Connect

Visit them, visit us!
Reflect

Explore

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Ready to apply?

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

PHS RESPONSIBILITIES

Submitting the application

Matching Common App and Naviance

Sending SAT/ACT scores (if required)

Properly requesting letters of recommendation (if required) in Sept

Completing the Self-Reported Academic Record/SRAR (if required)

Any supplements, portfolios, etc.

All financial aid forms (if applicable)

Sending the official transcript - upon request

Counselor/Teacher letters of recommendation and school forms - upon request

Fee Waivers (if eligible)

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Organization is key!�

College Application Tracker - Template

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The Application Platforms

COMMON APP

INSTITUTIONAL APP

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Understanding the Common App

Common Application Instructions Class of 2026

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Naviance

Update college list – move to applying
Review Scattergrams
Register for college visits
Cannot connect with schools through Naviance

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Matching Common App & Naviance

Add schools to “Colleges I’m Applying to” list

How to match Naviance & Common App accounts

Updating Your College List in Naviance

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Transcripts & SRAR

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS SENT BY PHS AFTER COMPLETING REQUEST FORM

SRAR to STAR – Self-Report

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Letter of Recommendation

Only if required – check college’s website

Teachers

Ask in person, request through Naviance in September

Counselor

In person interview, brag sheets required

Request through the College Application Form (paper), not Naviance

How many accepted
If certain core teacher required

Harvey Mudd College

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Admissions deadlines

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 (Oct 15^th, Nov 1^st, or Nov 15th) and admissions decision.

Sometimes scholarship eligibility date and admissions impact for out of state public schools

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Local

Penncrest Local Application

Regional

Schoology - Spreadsheet
Naviance

National

College-specific (with application)

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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NCAA Eligibility Center

*Consider new rulings & NIL*

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