College Visits
Counselor Contact Information
Guidance Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
COUNSELOR |
PHONE NUMBER |
Denise Bonilla |
(914) 934-7963 |
Andrea Davis |
(914) 934-7961 |
Stacey Cafaldo |
(914) 934-7960 |
Vanessa Clay-Williams |
(914) 934-2948 |
Darwin Gramajo |
(914) 934-8018 |
Yudelca Martinez |
(914) 934-8040 |
Marta Sandoval |
(914) 934-7959 |
Freshman Year Timeline
- Review your schedule
- Study, complete all homework and earn good grades
- Read, read, and read to strengthen your vocabulary
- Become involved in extra curricular activities and keep a record of them
- Get to know your Guidance Counselor
- SDD student registration application for testing accommodations
- Explore the web and begin to think about college
- Become familiar with the PCHS program of studies
- Review PCHS graduation requirements
- Know the NCAA requirements if you are thinking about playing sports in college
- Save money for college
- Review your transcript; Review your credits
- Take challenging courses.
Sophomore Year Timeline
- Develop time management skills
- Become involved in extracurricular activities (level of commitment is more important than the number of activities)
- Discuss the PSAT's with your Guidance Counselor
- Explore possible careers - Career Day at BOCES
- Make sure that you get good grades
- Meet with your teachers for extra help
- Keep studying
- Meet with your counselor to select courses and plan for the next 2 years
- Volunteer
- Explore Naviance; Complete Career Inventories
- Talk to your teachers and counselor about SAT Subject Tests
- Plan for a meaningful summer
- Complete summer reading if required. If not, ask teachers to recommend books
- Review your transcript; review your credits
- If you are planning to participate in Division I or II Athletics in college, discuss your intentions with your Guidance Counselor
Junior Year Timeline
- Fall
- Take PSAT
- Spring
- Register and prepare for spring SAT
- Consider taking the ACT
- Consider taking the SAT Subject tests
- Participate in College Clinics offered by the Guidance Department
- Complete "Senior Questionnaire" and "Transcript Request" form and submit to your counselor before summer vacation
- Get good grades
- Volunteer
- Participate in extra curricular activities and take on leadership roles
- Explore Naviance
- Research colleges and explore their websites
- Visit colleges (sign up for an "official tour" through college Admissions Offices)
- Attend local college fairs
- Contact colleges for information on special programs
- Consider which teachers you would like to ask for recommendations
- Review your transcript; Review your credits
- Summer
- Draft your college essay
- Draft a resume of activities
- Review the Common Application and complete a draft, including essay and short questions
Senior Year Timeline
- September/October
- Submit your Senior Questionnaire, Activity Log and Transcript Release form to Guidance
- Attend Senior Parent Night
- Schedule an appointment with your counselor to update activities, review colleges, address questions
- Sign up for fall SAT and/or ACT
- Finalize arrangements with teachers for recommendations
- Show interest by meeting Admissions Officers
- Attend college visits at PCHS
- Continue to visit colleges
- Attend local College Fairs
- Begin completing your applications and finalizing your essays
- November/December
- Check and re-check all deadlines for colleges and for standardized testing
- Remember to send your SAT/ACT scores to the colleges you are applying to
- All seniors with a January 1 college application deadline must submit their request and all materials to Guidance no later than December 1
- Talk with your parents about financial aid. Assemble records and paperwork to complete the FAFSA and other forms.
- Set a goal to have all of your applications submitted by mid-December
- January/February
- Attend PCHS Financial Aid Night
- Complete FAFSA any time after January 1. it's important to file early!
- Confirm that all application materials have been received by each college
- March/April/May
- Decision letters arrive. Review acceptances and financial offers. Inform your counselor
- Contact the financial aid departments of the colleges you were accepted to, if you need assistance
- Visit the colleges before making any final decisions
- Notify the college of your choice by their deadline
- Notify all other colleges that you will be declining their offer