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PHS College Application Boot Camp: Class of 2027

Ms. Cassandra Allen, College & Career Counselor

June 24^th, 2026

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This presentation will be recorded.

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Agenda & Housekeeping

Personal Journey

Finding the Right Fit 2026

Updates for the Class of 2027

PHS Class of 2027 : Guide to the College Application Process

Timeline

Application Components

Upcoming Events

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Postsecondary Planning Journey��*Team Approach*��Class of 2027: PHS Parent/Guardian Permission to Release Official Records Form��

Student is 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 2026-2027?

Testing reinstated

Financial Aid & Early Decision

Enrollment Cliff

Emphasis on career and experiential learning
College closures
AI and its role in admissions

DO NOT TRUST GOOGLE

What remains

Commitment to student success, intellectual growth and support

Department of Education/FAFSA

New state FAFSA requirements
Changes to federal aid

Yield matters

Early Decision
Ongoing engagement

Testing

ACT – most not requiring science
Review of policies and return for selective schools

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THINK ABOUT YOUR VALUES:

How do you define a Dream School?

What do you think you want and what do you think you need from a school?
How will you define success in this process?

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Summer Timeline (adapted from NACAC)� PHS Class of 2027: Guide to the College Application Process�

Summer

Continue to research colleges and explore programs, alumni/employment, and SLAM (Size, Location, Admissions, Major)
Narrow or expand your list
Visit campuses at the schools that interest you and might be along the way on your journey.

Start with your scholarship/likely

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

Late Summer to Fall

Link your Common App & Scoir Accounts
Make official requests for LOR
Create your STARS if applicable
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!
Finalize your list and how you want to apply
Start the financial aid applications

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26-27 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
Follow on Scoir
Interviews

Connect

Visit them, visit us!
Reflect

Explore

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Ready to apply?

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

PHS RESPONSIBILITIES

Submitting the application

Linking Common App and Scoir

Sending SAT/ACT scores (if required)

Properly requesting letters of recommendation (if required) in Sept

Completing the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)

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 2027

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Scoir

Update college list – move to applying
Review Scattergrams
Register for college visits
Can follow schools on Scoir

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Transcripts & SRAR

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS SENT BY PHS AFTER COMPLETING REQUEST FORM

STARS – Self-Reported

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Letter of Recommendation

Only if required – check college’s website

Teachers

Ask in person, request through Scoir in September

Counselor

In person interview, brag sheets required

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

How many accepted
If certain core teacher required

Harvey Mudd College

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Essays

Authentic voice & self-reflection

What can you bring? Everyone has a story - what will you contribute to the student community and the classroom/larger community

Clarity over complexity

Any story can be powerful

No need for tragedy or ‘big words’

No right answer

Application as Representation as opposed to Resume

Not what you’ve DONE, but what is your past/present/future and ‘rep’ yourself

Who I am AND who I am becoming and want to be in the world

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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

PHS Website
C&C Newsletters
Schoology

National

College-specific

with application or after acceptance

FAFSA Aid Estimator

Myintuition.org

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NCAA Eligibility Center

*required for D1 & D2

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