3 of 16

Welcome to the Career Prep Program!�Please review the important information below.

Career Prep is an elective program of the Mercer County Technical Schools in partnership with Mercer County Community College (MCCC). The program offers high school seniors an opportunity to enroll in courses at MCCC. This is an exceptional elective opportunity for students to simultaneously earn high school and college credits. College credits may be applied toward MCCC associate degree programs or transferred to many four-year colleges and universities. Transfer credit is determined by individual colleges and universities.

MCCC determines when Career Prep courses are offered. Career Prep courses are offered from approximately 11:45AM to 2:30PM daily, usually on the grounds of Mercer County Community College, West Windsor campus. Fire Science Technology is located at the Dempster Fire Training Center in Lawrenceville. Fashion/Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising courses are held on the James Kerney Campus in Trenton. Sometimes, there are classes that may finish after 2:30PM. Your home school may not transport after this time, so please check with your counselor about any transportation needs. The college schedule is followed, so students must attend classes based on the MCCC calendar. This may differ from the high school calendar. Students may also drive and park on campus.

Students must purchase books and any uniform requirements. There are no tuition costs to the student. Students must attend all scheduled class meetings – 3 absences are (regardless of reason) permitted per course before professors may withdraw students from the course. Students must earn passing grades, according to MCCC policy (C and above), in all classes during the fall semester in order to advance to spring semester courses. Students must adhere to college procedures, code of conduct, and college rules and regulations according to the Mercer County Community College procedures, or face withdrawal from the program.

4 of 16

Getting ready for Fall 2025 at MCCC

Follow the steps in the next slides to be ready to go for your Career Prep courses for the Fall 2025 semester.

5 of 16

Step 1: Make sure we have an email that you regularly check!

All Career Prep announcements, including when class schedules will be available on MyMercer (the MCCC student portal), will be sent through email. The email that we have is the one you listed on your application to MCTS.

If you need to change the student or parent/guardian emails you entered on your original Career Prep application, please email admissions@mcts.edu with the new address now.

Please use an email address that you check regularly!

6 of 16

Step 2: Apply to MCCC

This is different from the original application you submitted to MCTS.
You will receive an email from Mercer County Community College (MCCC) with a student ID number when the process is complete. This can take up to 1-2 days after submitting the MCCC application.
You will receive directions on how to access your MyMercer portal account, which will show your class schedule, when it is available from MCCC. This may be later into the summer.

If you need the directions to submit an MCCC application:

Go to the MCCC website at www.mccc.edu
Click on the “Apply for Admission” icon in the top left corner
Click on Create account
Fill in required fields of Application
For Admit type under Enrollment: select “Concurrent High School”
For Academic Program of Study: select “Non-Degree-Dual Enrollment”, select Fall 2025, West Windsor campus, click Save & Continue
Complete the rest of the application, then click Save & Continue

You cannot be enrolled in Career Prep courses until you submit a MCCC application.

7 of 16

Step 3: Student ID and Parking Decal

MCTS will email information to Career Prep students about student IDs, parking decals, and the MCCC Bookstore as soon as it is available from MCCC. This will be over the summer.

For general information, visit the following sites:

Student ID: https://www.mccc.edu/student_services_id-card.shtml
Parking: https://www.mccc.edu/welcome_security.shtml#3
MCCC Bookstore: https://www.mccc.edu/student_book_store.shtml

If you are taking a school bus, drop off and pick up are at the Kelsey Theatre circle in the center of the West Windsor campus.

8 of 16

Step 4: Log on to the MyMercer portal

Access myMercer from the www.mccc.edu page

Check your schedule when it is available. This will tell you when, where, and how your class is meeting (in-person, or if there is any online component). You will receive an email from MCTS when you are able to view your MyMercer portal and your schedule.

Check your mccc.edu email! Professors will email you often!

You will receive your grades through MyMercer at the end of the semester.

9 of 16

Step 5: The MCCC Bookstore

Career Prep students are responsible for the purchase of books and any other required classroom materials for Career Prep courses. Career Prep students are not charged for any tuition costs.

Access the MCCC Bookstore website to look up textbooks assigned for your courses: https://www.mccc.edu/student_book_store_follett.shtml You will need the course number and section (for example, CMN-111-500). The first number is the course number. The second number is the section number (usually in the 500s).

You may be able to purchase online for delivery to your home through the MCCC Bookstore online or other retailers.

Do not wait until after the course has started to purchase your textbooks. You may need them immediately for the class.

10 of 16

Step 6: PowerSchool Registration from MCTS

An email with a PowerSchool link will be sent from MCTS with a “SnapCode” for PowerSchool Registration.

Think of this as the “emergency cards” with student information that you and your student completed in elementary school.

Please complete and submit as soon as possible.

11 of 16

Some more important information about Career Prep

12 of 16

Attendance

Fall 2025 Semester classes begin September 2, 2025

Absences are only excused at the discretion of the college professor. Three absences are (regardless of reason) permitted per course before professors may withdraw students from the course.

You are NOT EXCUSED from college classes if your home school is closed for any reason – including Spring Break, holidays, and snow days.

MCCC’s Academic Calendar is posted on their website at https://www.mccc.edu/news_calendar_academic.shtml Keep an eye on when the Spring semester starts, etc. This may be different from your home school calendar.

Transportation may not be available at all times – when it is not, you are responsible for your own transportation! Make sure to communicate with your home school counselor for any transportation needs.

If you are going to miss class, COMMUNICATE with your professor. We cannot communicate with your professor on your behalf; these are college classes.

13 of 16

Student Special Services

If you have an IEP or 504 Plan, please visit the MCCC Office of Student Services at https://www.mccc.edu/car_student_current.shtml for their contact information.

(Formerly knows the the Center for Inclusion, Transition and Accessibility)

Students must reach out to the OSS Office to make arrangements for any accommodations or modifications. MCTS is restricted from contacting the CITA (also known as CAR) office on a student’s behalf. Center for Inclusion, Transition and Accessibility OR Center for Accessibility Resources.

Please reach out to the OSS Office as soon as you have your class schedule available.

From MCCC:

"Dual-enrolled high school students who have elected to take college courses may request academic accommodations. It is important to understand that the high school IEP and/or 504 plan is not transferred to the College. High school students must follow Mercer County Community College's accommodations process. After students have completed these steps, they will receive an accommodation form that lists appropriate college academic accommodations. Students must provide a copy of the accommodation form to their faculty. Students must also discuss any concerns they may have about their coursework directly with their faculty. If you have questions or concerns about this process, please contact Arlene Stinson, Director of the Center for Inclusion, Transition and Accessibility (C.I.T.A.)."

14 of 16

Course Withdrawal and Grades

Not doing well? Do NOT just stop showing up to class!

**Classes start 9/2/25.

A failing grade on your permanent college transcript will result from not formally withdrawing from a course.

Make sure to contact your home school counselor.

Withdrawal Deadline 10/31/25

If you receive an F in a college course it stays on your transcript forever- try your best.
If you receive an I in a college course, you have up to one full semester to make it up. This is by personal arrangement with your course professor.

Check the MCCC calendar for withdrawal deadlines in order to avoid failures on your permanent college transcript.

15 of 16

�� Some other important things to know��Please remember that you are attending college classes and must communicate with Mercer County Community College for your needs. We can not obtain your grades or communicate with your professors on your behalf. Keep your home school counselor informed if you are experiencing difficulty.��You are also responsible to report your grades to your home school counselor. You will receive your grades through your MyMercer portal.��You must also report your absences to your professors along with any other concerns you may have. Their names and contact information will be available through MyMercer.�

1 of 16

2 of 16