College, Career and Financial Aid Planning

Freshman Year

• Log into Scoir account at course selection time 
• Explore academic and career goals with an interest inventory
• Get involved at WHS and in the community to build a resume
• Earn good grades that will help boost the cumulative GPA

Sophomore Year

• Take Pre-ACT in October (WHS will pay for all sophomores to take this test)
• Maintain rigorous courses that demonstrate academic ability
• Stay involved in school and community

Junior Year

Fall Semester

• Review your high school transcript to make sure that you are on track to graduate and meet college requirements
• Develop a standardized testing plan (PSAT, SAT, ACT)
• Take PSAT in October (WHS will pay for all juniors to take this test)
• Attend college representative visits in the counseling office
• Conduct college searches on Scoir and develop college list
• Visit colleges and attend college fairs or regional evening programs 

Spring Semester

• Ask two academic teachers to write letters of recommendation
• Take SAT/ACT/Subject Tests
• Continue to research and visit college campuses
• Complete NCAA registration at NCAA Eligibility Center website (potential college athletes only)
• Attend the Main Line College Fair in April
• Meet with Mrs. Stoudt to discuss post-secondary plans
• Attend the College Admissions 101 Parent Program at WHS (March)
• Learn the application process

Senior Year

Fall Semester

• Complete senior questionnaire for counselor recommendation
• Follow-up with teachers writing recommendations about earliest deadlines
• Take SAT or ACT for final time
• Complete Common Application, Coalition Application or a School Specific Application
• Update Scoir with college list
• Check transcript for accuracy
• Send your standardized test scores to colleges from College Board or ACT
• Meet with Mrs. Stoudt to get questions answered
• Attend college rep visits (those individuals often read your applications!)
• Finalize college essay and seek feedback from teachers, counselors, friends, and parents
• Meet deadlines
• Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete CSS Profile for institutional aid, if required by college
• Attend Senior Parent Admissions Program WHS (September)

Spring Semester

• Send mid-year grades (if needed)
• If accepted Early Decision, withdraw all other applications
• Check status of applications
• Visit college as admitted student
• Apply for scholarships
• Compare financial aid packages
• Send deposit by May 1
• Notify counseling department of all of your college application outcomes (a final transcript will automatically be sent to your chosen school)

The Wissahickon High School Counseling Department is committed to providing college access for all students. During the Spring semester of junior year, students are given information about the college planning process in an English class. Click on the resource links below to find documents outlining the college application process for WHS juniors and seniors.

Class of 2025 To-Do List

WHS Application Policies, Procedures, & Fast Facts

Some colleges and post-secondary institutions will require standardized testing as part of the application for admission. These tests are typically taken during junior year and timing is advised based on a student’s course selection. Parents and students should consult with their counselor or Ms. Anderson to develop an appropriate testing plan.

View Standardized Testing Dates and Deadlines

View SAT Registration

View ACT Registration

Any student who wishes to pursue Division I or II athletics in college must register with the Eligibility Center during their junior or senior year.

NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete

Steps to Eligibility

1. Complete registration at Eligibility Center website
2. Submit transcript release form to counseling office to have transcript sent to NCAA at beginning of senior year

Each fall, many representatives from colleges all over the country visit Wissahickon High School. The high school encourages current junior and senior students to attend these visits. To see a complete list of currently scheduled visits, visit SCOIR and sign into your account.

How to Visit With College Representatives
 

1. Students should sign up through their SCOIR account – a complete listing can be found on the homepage under Visits & Deadlines (JUNIOR AND SENIORS ONLY).
2. Before the visit date, students should stop in the counseling center to pick up a pink college visit pass.
3. Come with questions and ready to learn about the college opportunities!

Visit SCOIR

Recommendation Letters

Click here for a complete guide to requesting teacher recommendations 

WHS Teacher Recommendations: Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers is what WHS will suggest for the college application. Students should identify teachers that know them well, and preferably from the junior year. Students are encouraged to have a verbal conversation with these teachers before the end of junior year. Be mindful that some teachers have a limit of how many letters they will accept to write, so don’t put this off. All letters are confidential in nature and will not be shared with the student.

School Counselor Recommendations: The assigned school counselor will write a letter for any senior who needs to have one. Students are required to complete the Senior Questionnaire on Scoir before a letter will be written. The Senior Questionnaire is found in the Surveys section of Scoir. Counselors will write the initial letter after receiving the first transcript request (purple form) where a college requires a counselor recommendation or where a student requests a letter to be written. Please allow up to TEN SCHOOL DAYS for the letters and transcripts to go out.

Outside Letters of Recommendation: WHS will not send any letters of recommendation from non-WHS individuals. Any coach, advisor, employer, mentor, etc. that agrees to supplement your application with a letter of recommendation must submit his/her letter to each individual college on their own. Students should provide these individuals with instructions as to the submission process.  Students using the Common App or Coalition App can send an invitation to these individuals directly from the application platform.  Non-WHS writers can then upload their letter directly through this link.  Non-WHS writers can also email their letters directly to the admissions office of an individual college.

A gap year is a period of time, typically a semester or year, taken after high school graduation before pursuing post-secondary education or a career. Gap years have grown in popularity over the years as students realize that the time between high school and college may beneficial to their growth. Either way, a gap year may not be the right choice for all students, but it can be valuable to those who may need a burnout break. The important part of the gap year is that it is intentional. Students who graduate high school without a plan for their gap year may find it more difficult to resume their education and may be less likely to go back to school.

• Gap Year Association
  The Gap Year Association is a great starting resource for students who want to learn more about a gap year and the gap year process. Founded in 2012, the Gap Year Association (GYA) is the only national nonprofit working to coordinate the growing Gap Year movement. As a public benefit not-for-profit association with members, the GYA believes that all intentional gap years have significant and positive practical outcomes, whether independent or as part of a formal program. From ideas of how to use a gap year to a searchable database of gap year programs, the GYA website and printable resource “Your Planning Guide to the Ultimate Gap Year” can be a helpful starting point for students pursing this path.
• Verto Education: Alternate to a Traditional Gap Year
  Verto Education is a global travel program that partners with colleges, allowing students an opportunity to travel, earn college credit, and still graduate in four years. Verto Education’s college partners vary from large, public state institutions to small, liberal arts colleges. When a student is admitted to Verto’s program, they will automatically gain admission to one (or more) of the partner colleges as well.
  Students spend the first semester (or year) travelling and then return to the US to finish their degree. Verto programs do have an expense but offer students an opportunity to be in a formalized, travel program.
• Searching for a Gap Year Program
  There are a variety of websites that students can use to find formalized gap year travel or service programs. Below is a sampling of resources that can be used to find these opportunities:
  Gap Year Association
  GoOverseas
  Teen Life
  GoAbroad
  VolunteerWorld
  The Intern Group
  Cool Works
• Sample Gap Year Programs
  AmeriCorps
  Semester at Sea
  American Field Service
  City Year
  Council for International Educational Exchange
  Dynamy
  Global Citizen Year
  Kivunim
  National Outdoor Leadership School
  Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
  Youth International

The WHS School Counseling Department recommends the following programs and websites to explore careers and majors.

Career OneStop

Education Planner

O*Net Online 

Occupational Outlook Handbook 

PA Career Guide 

ASVAB Career Exploration Program 
The ASVAB is offered at WHS two times each year – once in the fall and once in the spring. This career assessment is offered to any 10^th-12^th grade student wishing to take it. It is a 3-hour paper/pencil assessment. Contact Mrs. Brooke Stoudt for the next available testing date. 

Career Ready
This will be used by students to house their Career Pathways Portfolio. 

YouScience - on SCOIR.com
YouScience is a one-of-a-kind career discovery profile designed to help students better understand their natural abilities, broaden awareness of career opportunities, and make more informed decisions about their individual pathway from school to career. Instead of the traditional interest assessments given in the past, YouScience utilizes interactive activities/games to assess student aptitudes and interests, leading to information that can be helpful when identifying “best fit” career options. Since YouScience measures aptitudes (or natural abilities), this is not the type of assessment that students take multiple times throughout high school. With this in mind, YouScience can only be completed one time per account. School counselors cannot reset this assessment. Learn more about YouScience and accessing it on a student Scoir account!    

An apprenticeship is a career training program designed to prepare individuals to enter into a certain workforce. Apprenticeships are similar to college in the sense that they prepare individuals for a lifelong career. The major difference between the two is that apprenticeships do not require student loans and the participant receives hands-on training (www.apprentice.org). Apprenticeships are well-established in the construction industry and have shown growth in other areas that have opportunities for hands-on learning. Outside of the construction industry, other industries where apprenticeships can be found are manufacturing, energy, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, telecom, and transportation.

FUN FACT: The average starting salary after an apprentice completes their apprenticeship program is $70,000!

Example of Careers with Apprenticeships

Job Corps is the nation’s largest free residential education and job training program for low-income youth ages 16-24. Job Corps offers hands-on career training and education to prepare you to secure a good job. You receive practical experience but are also required to complete classroom education to learn the details of their future career, including rules, regulations, and best practices. You have access to room and board while you learn skills in specific training areas for up to three years. In addition to skills training, Job Corps provides transitional support services such as finding employment, housing, and transportation.

Ready to learn more? Visit the JobCorps website to connect! https://www.jobcorps.gov/recruiting/enrollment-interest

For students who are interested in military service, there are a number of ways to serve the country. This section will review the primary avenues within military service: reserve service, direct enlistment, ROTC, and military academies. Each year, representatives from all areas of military service look to connect with our junior and senior students. The counseling office has a space where recruiters and military representatives can place materials for students. Students are encouraged to research the options available to determine which avenue is the best fit for their interests.

Air National Guard
Horsham Air Guard Station/111^th Attack Wing 1051 Fairchild Street, Horsham PA 19044
(800) 997-2264
Recruiting Website

Preparing for the workforce can take some time and practice. For students who wish to enter into full- time work experiences after high school, it will be important to have the necessary elements to secure a position. Understanding how to find employment opportunities, creating a resume and cover letter, getting references, and preparing for the interview will all be helpful tools when full-time work is on the horizon.

Finding a Job

• Online Resources

There are a number of searchable databases where students can look for jobs of any experience level. On many sites, job seekers can also post/share their resume with the hope of connecting to employers. The following websites are examples of widely used job search engines:
www.indeed.com
www.monster.com
www.careerbuilder.com
www.glassdoor.com
www.simplyhired.com
 

• Social Media/LinkedIn

In today’s world, social media is another way that job seekers and recruiting managers can find each other. Online networking is a great way to connect. LinkedIn is commonly known as the most crucial social media job search site. If you have already identified companies or organizations that you’d like to work for, you can also use social media to find and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Many companies post job opportunities on their social media pages and you may learn of opportunities that become available. Of course, connecting with a company on social media can be very useful but be sure to clean up those profiles, posts, and even usernames before making contact. 
Want to see all of the tips and tricks for students to clean up their accounts? Go to https://smartsocial.com/social-media-clean-up/.

• Direct Contact

Know the industry that appeals to you? If so, conduct an online search to find the businesses in the local area that perform that type of work. Once you identify the business, call or reach out by email to the manager or hiring director. Inquire if job possibilities exist or how you could connect with them to learn about future openings.

Job Applications, Resumes and Cover Letters, and Interviewing

Before you can secure a job, you must first submit an application. These days, most applications will be online. The job application is the first interaction that you will have with your potential employer, so it will be important to make a good first impression.

A resume is an outline of your skills, education, and experiences. Your resume tells the employer why you are the right person for the job. In many cases, a resume may be requested of you in addition to the job application. The resume should be easy to read at a glance and should not use paragraphs or full sentences. Resumes for students in high school should be formatted to fit on one page, making it easy for the employer to review. Most resumes are accompanied by an introductory letter called a cover letter.

You can be certain that before being hired, you’ll be asked to interview. Interviews are one of the most important parts of the hiring process, if not the most important part. During this time, the employer is judging you on your qualifications, appearance, and general readiness for the position. At the same time, it is an opportunity for you to determine if the position and employer is the best fit for your goals. Depending on the position, you may be asked to attend more than one round of interviews.

For Job Application Tips, sample Resumes and Cover Letters, and Interview Preparation, see our Future Planning Guide.

Trade and technical schools typically offer career specific programs of study in areas such as business, technology, health care, cosmetology, automotive, culinary, and building trades.  Program completion length will vary depending on the area of study an d type of degree, but typically lasts several months to two years.  These programs can often be done as a full or part-time student and may offer evening and weekend options of study.  Like 4-year colleges, there are both public and private trade and technical schools with varying tuition costs. 

Pennsylvania Trade/Technical School Examples  
Regionally Accredited Institutions

Nationally Accredited Institutions

View the WSD Financial Aid Night 2024 Power Point 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the primary financial aid application to receive any type of federal aid and, in some instances, institutional aid. Some colleges will ask prospective students to complete an additional financial aid document called the CSS Profile. Students should research the financial aid requirements for each college to which they will apply. Click on the resources below.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – free website to qualify for federal student aid

CSS Profile – required by some institutions to receive institutional aid

FastWeb – scholarship search database

FinAid – student financial aid guide

Going Merry

PHEAA – Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PA State Grant application)

FAFSA4Caster – get an estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid

Raise.me – microscholarship website supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The WHS Counseling Department will hold an annual Financial Aid Information Night (April) and a FAFSA Completion Night (October). Please check Schoology for the dates of these programs.

September

• Complete college applications and any separate institutional scholarship applications
• Search websites for other scholarship opportunities

October

• Set up your FSA ID at www.fafsa.gov. Student and parent must have separate FSA ID. Parents will have one FSA ID for all children
• Begin FAFSA for federal and institutional student aid eligibility
• Complete PHEAA State Grant Application (found at the end of the FAFSA application)
• Complete CSS Profile, if required by college
• Attend FAFSA completion workshop at Wissahickon High School

January

• Review any financial aid packages that have been received
• Apply for scholarships through outside websites

March/April

• Compare all financial aid packages from colleges that accepted you
• Reach out to financial aid officers with questions about package
• Return any required documents to accept/decline financial aid package